Chapter 61 of The Bear Country is now mine.

61. The World's No. 1 Diamond Mine / Shasha's Heroine

On the table lay a rock the size of a basketball.

Nikolai smiled with satisfaction when he saw the rock because it was encircled by gems, much like a hot dog.

"This is a diamond ore."

"You've got it right."

President Zahir wouldn't have shown this just for the sake of showing it.

There must have been a problem, which is why he called me.

The diamonds sparkled in the light.

"But why did you call me?"

"A complicated issue has arisen, so I called you. Do you know the company that has been in charge of diamond mining and sales since the Soviet era?"

"I'm not sure."

"It's called 'Alrosa'..."

Alrosa.

A Russian state-owned company specializing in diamond exploration, mining, refining, and sales.

It had mines in Arkhangelsk and the Sakha Republic in northern Russia.

In the original timeline, it was a company that accounted for 95% of Russia's diamond production and 30% of the world's production.

It had the world's largest diamond ore reserves, at 650 million carats.

However, the current world leader is De Beers (founded in the UK in 1888).

Alrosa was the only company that could surpass De Beers, but compared to its future glory, it was now at a primitive level.

"The headquarters is in 'Mirny'."

Mirny is a city in the Mirnyinsky District with a population of about 40,000.

The summers are around 25 degrees, and the winters are around -10 degrees, making it a bit colder than Korea but still a livable city.

However, this 'Mirny' is in the republic that Nikolai knows very well.

"The Sakha Republic?"

"It's almost finished with Gazprom, and it was used as a personal piggy bank by Gorbachev and Yeltsin, so you probably didn't know."

"Am I supposed to go to Alrosa?"

"I want you to go there and get the company back on track. It was already a mess, but it got worse after Yeltsin stepped down. Production has dropped by 60%."

No matter how messed up it is, if Alrosa, a diamond mining company, suddenly saw a 60% drop in production?

'Someone must be playing tricks in the middle.'

Nikolai's thoughts were accurate.

After Yeltsin stepped down, there was no one to take responsibility and control the company, leading to rampant embezzlement and corruption.

"I don't plan to keep Alrosa as a state-owned company."

"Are you going to privatize it?"

"I have to."

Nikolai thought, "You don't mean...?" and asked hopefully.

"Are you going to sell it to me?"

"What do you think?"

"If you're selling it... I'll take it."

Even before he finished speaking, Nikolai's smile widened, and President Zahir also smiled.

"I think you're the right person to privatize it. You're the only one in today's Russia who can get the company back on track and maximize production."

President Zahir pressed the intercom.

Beep!

"Please ask the chief of the civil affairs office to come in."

-Understood.

A familiar face entered a moment later.

"Uncle... or rather, Chief, how are you?"

"Haha, what's with the formality? Just call me Uncle. We're family here."

President Zahir nodded.

"Yes. But will Uncle continue as the chief of the civil affairs office?"

Isn't there a more important position you should be in since your father is the president?

"I was asked to be the chief of staff, but it would look a bit odd, so I decided to stay as the chief of the civil affairs office."

That's true.

If the president's son were the chief of staff, it might look strange to the public.

"Sergei said there are still people in Alrosa who haven't surrendered their weapons. One of the on-site workers was shot and killed. It's a dangerous place, so I've already requested police support in the Sakha Republic."

Leading a police force would make things smoother.

Since they have weapons, police support is essential.

"I've been thinking about what to give you now that I'm president. Sergei suggested giving you Alrosa."

"You're giving me Alrosa, not selling it?"

A company with diamond mines, just given to him.

If managed well...

'It's not a goose that lays golden eggs, but a goose that lays diamonds every day.'

Nikolai couldn't help but swallow hard.

"However, even if Alrosa is a mess, I can't just give it to you for free, can I?"

"Right."

"I want 50% of Alrosa's net profit to go to the national housing fund once the company is back on track. What do you think?"

"You're giving me the company, but 50% of the net profit is what you're asking for?"

"Exactly."

There was no need to think about it.

"I'll do it. I'll get the company back on track, maximize production, and contribute significantly to the national housing fund."

"Good decision. Thank you."

"I'm the one who should be grateful. You're giving me such a great opportunity."

"Since I became president, I realized that the most urgent issue is the housing problem. We need to solve this first to address the population issue."

President Zahir's judgment was correct.

To increase the population, the housing problem must be solved first.

"I think I understand why you wanted to build so many high-quality apartments. It means you've been thinking about what the president should worry about for a long time."

Nikolai had been determined to make Russia the most livable country in the world since he started his business in his new life.

To do that, he had to make a lot of money, so he had been working hard to earn it.

He had made quite a bit so far, but compared to what he needed to do in the future, it was minimal.

"Even with Yeltsin's slush fund, it won't be enough to solve the housing problem, so I asked for 50% to be used for this."

Nikolai, who would use the remaining 50% for Russia's development, was the right person for this.

President Zahir knew this, so he only mentioned 50% for the sake of appearances.

Moreover, a significant portion of Yeltsin's slush fund had already been used to compensate for the damages to the Russian and Chechen Republic citizens and soldiers.

"Having the largest territory in the world but a population of only 150 million is a big problem."

"You're right. Population is the most basic element needed to become a superpower."

"Exactly."

Forcing people to have children won't work.

If you create an environment where people want to have children, they will have them even if you tell them not to.

"By the way, didn't you suggest introducing computers to government offices and schools during Yeltsin's presidency?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No, it's going very well. That's why I want to computerize all government administrative tasks."

South Korea, which was always number one in the world in government computerization, didn't fully computerize until after 2010.

Even when Nikolai was a journalist, Japan was still using stamps and faxes.

Now, Russia was trying to be 25 years ahead of such South Korea.

"Can Black Hole create programs for each department?"

"Possible. I'll make sure they are easy for the public to use."

"Hehe, there's nothing you can't do. While we're at it, can you take on a few more tasks?"

President Zahir nodded at Sergei, who seemed to have discussed this beforehand.

Sergei then said,

"We want to reform the medical and education sectors first. Do you have any good ideas? Also, about corruption among civil servants."

"Hmm..."

Of course.

Nikolai's mind was filled with systems that had been verified over decades.

"Can I tell you after I come back from the Sakha Republic?"

"It's not urgent, so that's fine."

Seeing Nikolai's smile, Sergei and President Zahir believed he would definitely handle it well.

* * *

When Nikolai returned home, Kirill and Dima were waiting for him.

Shasha was there with the woman he had introduced before.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Nikolai, where are you going now?"

Dima looked at him with eager eyes.

"I'm going to a place you like."

"A place we like?"

"You know. A cool place."

"Are you going to the Sakha Republic again?"

"Yeah. I have some business there."

Kirill looked disappointed.

"Why the long face? You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"No, I'm just... too happy."

His words didn't match his expression.

"But this time, it's not Gazprom, and we'll be going much further south, so it won't be as cold."

"Thank goodness. I still shiver thinking about the cold we endured."

"You don't have to come. Why do you keep seeking trouble? Just rest in Moscow."

Dima shook his head firmly.

"No, who said it's trouble? We're very happy and having fun. Right, Kirill?"

"Huh? Yeah, let's say we're happy."

Nikolai knew why they were sticking around but pretended not to.

He would let them follow quietly if they didn't cause any trouble, but if they were caught with a bad weakness, he would get rid of them.

"Shasha, you have to come too. I brought Yeva to introduce her."

Shasha blushed slightly.

"To meet your parents."

"Already?"

"During your time in the US, we met almost every day and got very close."

"But isn't this too fast?"

"Last time you said it was too late?"

"Haha. Just kidding. Let's go in. Yeva, you look even prettier today."

"..."

Nikolai really meant it, but Yeva thought he was joking and only smiled slightly.

Yeva was 20 this year, 11 years younger than Shasha.

'Thief.'

Even though he introduced them.

As they entered, Sonya examined Yeva closely.

"Yeva-ssi."

"Yes? What is it?"

"Are you with Uncle Shasha for his money?"

"What?"

Nikolai had taught Sonya too much about the real world, causing such side effects occasionally.

Kirill and Dima, however, were curious about Yeva's response.

Before Nikolai could intervene, Shasha stroked Sonya's head.

"Sonya, you're misunderstanding. Uncle has no money. The apartment in Ussuriysk is all I have."

"Pfft, I know. You bought Yahoo stocks before. And when Uncle Nikolai was in the US, you bought Apple stocks. I heard everything when I was in the Black Hole office."

Actually, Nikolai had told her to buy them as a reward for her efforts.

"Ahem..."

Nikolai had introduced Yeva after carefully considering her family background, education, and character.

Her father ran a small business, and her mother was a doctor, making them quite well-off.

Yeva was also smart, having been accepted into Moscow University.

More importantly, she was honest and would love Shasha.

And she was tall and very beautiful.

Nikolai acknowledged that he had taught his young disciple too much and gently advised her.

"Sonya, that's not true. Yeva-ssi is a very good person, so don't say such things."

Sonya ran into the house, still looking doubtful.

She was upset because Shasha, who had been very kind to her, now had a girlfriend.

In the living room, Nikolai's parents were waiting.

Shasha had no family, so these people were like family to him.

Yeva, who already knew about them, was still nervous, her heart pounding and her legs weak.

Nikolai, who was like a brother to Shasha, was the CEO of Gazprom, U-Mart, and several other companies, and his father Ivan was the de facto head of the Unicorn Group.

Ivan's father was the chairman of the Unicorn Group.

On the maternal side, Nikolai's grandfather was the president, and his mother was the First Lady.

Yeva had every reason to be nervous.

"You're really beautiful. You might be too much for Shasha."

Maria's sincere words made Shasha smile awkwardly.

"Shasha keeps you waiting a lot, but are you okay with that?"

"...Yes. I've heard. I'll be traveling a lot with Mr. Nikolai."

Maria seemed to like Yeva but didn't say much.

Ivan felt the same way.

However, there was a hint of disappointment on their faces, perhaps wishing their own children would get married soon.

"Once you get closer and decide, we'll take care of your living arrangements."

Maria, being Nikolai's mother and the First Lady, was generous.

"That's not necessary..."

Yeva's voice was almost inaudible, and Sonya put her finger to her lips, telling her to just accept it quietly.

She seemed to have relaxed a bit.

Sonya, who was thoroughly immersed in capitalism, had changed.

"It might seem a bit odd to talk about marriage before it happens, but I'll give you the engagement ring, so don't get it sized yet."

As the CEO of Alrosa, which mines diamonds, he could do that much.

Shasha never imagined he would have a day like this.

After his parents died in an accident when he was young, he had worked hard to stay in this house.

He had solved every problem in the house and always tried to resolve external issues.

That's how he developed his versatile skills at a young age.

It was a skill he had acquired to survive.

Most importantly, his greatest luck was being with Nikolai.

After that, he moved from being a butler in this house to doing real work.

Shasha's eyes became bloodshot.

Nikolai understood his feelings, as he had never shown such a side before.

* * *

A few days later, Nikolai, Shasha, Kirill, Dima, and the vice president of Unicorn Construction boarded a plane to the Sakha Republic.

"Mr. President, why am I coming?"

"We need to build a U-Mart and apartments in Mirny, so I want you to go and do a thorough investigation."

Nikolai planned to clean up Alrosa and turn Mirny, where the diamond mines were, into a gemstone-focused city.