Chapter 70

The Bear Soup is Now My Turn 70th Episode

070 80% of the Profits, but the Early Repayment Condition is Unique

The spark of 'World Ball' has reignited.

There is only one first-prize winner.

This content, which stimulates people's desires, has been widely reported in the news of various countries, and as a result, it has greatly benefited.

Due to this, the number of lottery ticket purchases has significantly increased, and the average first-prize amount has also greatly increased.

The first-prize amount per draw was $25,570,000, but with no first-prize winners for about two months, the average prize amount soared to $32,280,000.

The total accumulated prize money so far is:

$613,320,000 (55,198,800,000 KRW).

Another grand race for a big win has begun.

The popularity of 'World Ball' has surpassed political issues, sports events, and entertainment news in various parts of the world.

The popularity of 'World Ball' has surpassed not only politics and society but also entertainment and sports news in various parts of the world.

Whenever a few people gather, they discuss how much the prize money for this 'World Ball' will accumulate and how many first-prize winners there will be this time.

Tokyo, Japan.

Two men were staring intently at an old computer monitor.

"Did you buy it?"

"I haven't bought it yet. Stop asking."

"Buy it quickly. Why are you so slow?"

"What can I do if the internet is slow? Ah, oh? Just a moment. No! Damn it. It's happening again. I'm going crazy."

While trying to buy tickets on the 'World Ball' homepage, the computer suddenly froze.

The men cursed the unreliable Japanese internet and tried to buy again.

In South Africa, the popularity of 'World Ball' was also at its peak.

"You've already bought 10 games. Stop buying. The first-prize winning probability is 1 in 292,200,000. Do you think buying a few more games will change that?"

"I had a good dream."

"What kind of dream?"

"A dream where three incredibly cute baby elephants hugged me tightly. This is clearly a dream of winning the lottery, isn't it?"

"Isn't that a dream you have when you're pregnant?"

"I haven't even married yet, so how can I be pregnant? This is definitely a dream of winning the lottery."

In this way, people in various parts of the world were fueling the 'World Ball' craze with their own dreams.

Meanwhile, Kim Min-joon, the first first-prize winner, established a marriage information company in South Korea and Russia.

The company's name is "I Love You Ryublyu (I Love You)."

With advertisements already running in Korea, Russia, and independent states, the number of members has been steadily increasing.

Kim Min-joon decided to live in Russia for a while after obtaining permanent residency.

He had a beautiful partner introduced by Nikolai and Sasha.

"The number of members has really increased."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks to Mr. Nikolai. I appreciate that you helped us run many ads on Russian TV and newspapers."

"Of course, I should help. Your business is a great help to Russia as well."

In this way, a foundation was laid for the residents of independent states and Russians to naturally become families.

Is it a law that blood ties can only be formed between royal families of different countries?

When the people form blood ties, the two countries will become even closer.

Although the start is small, it will soon bear great fruit.

* * *

Thailand's Surrender Declaration.

Thailand ultimately decided to abandon the fixed exchange rate system and switch to a floating exchange rate system.

This was due to the rapid outflow of dollars and the involvement of speculative forces, which made it impossible to hold on any longer.

Thailand, the starting point of the 'East Asian Financial Crisis.'

Before Thailand accepted IMF funds, there were many tumultuous events.

Japan was deeply involved in this process...

Thailand had been serving as a bridgehead for Japanese companies expanding into Southeast Asia after the 'Plaza Accord (1985).'

In 1992, Thailand established a coalition government and expanded 'capital liberalization measures.'

First, to boost foreign confidence, it implemented a fixed exchange rate system and established an 'offshore financial market (BIBF)' to allow free flow of foreign exchange.

Amid the downward trend in interest rates due to Japan's economic recession, foreign capital began to flow in massively from this point.

However, this formed bubbles in the stock market and real estate, where short-term profits could be made.

It increased existing asset prices rather than creating new 'asset stocks.'

Unable to ignore this any longer, the Thai government attempted to regulate and control the bubble, which led to a decline in real estate prices as intended.

However, this resulted in the bankruptcy of real estate companies, the deterioration of related financial institutions, and a decrease in foreign capital inflows, continuing the instability in the financial market.

Meanwhile, the perception that the baht was overvalued spread, and as Nikolai observed, it was attacked by speculative forces led by 'Elliott.'

As a result, Thailand adopted a floating exchange rate system in July 1997, but this ultimately failed.

During this time, private companies and banks that did not need to prepare for exchange rate risks began to seek umbrellas to avoid the sudden risks of fluctuating exchange rates.

They tried to diversify the risks of exchange rate fluctuations through 'currency swaps' and foreign exchange futures trading.

However, this increased the demand for dollars, accelerating the collapse of the exchange rate.

This is the story from Thailand's past up to the point where the baht collapsed.

Nikolai was watching a video sent by Denis at Yury Yusupov's house.

Ivan, Yegor, Olga (aunt), and Kirill were also watching.

On the computer monitor, the Thai Prime Minister's stern face was shown, delivering a 'national address.'

"I admit that we could not stop the baht's collapse. Despite using all our foreign exchange reserves, we ultimately failed. To prevent a worse situation, I have decided to negotiate with the IMF."

After this address, the Thai government agreed to receive $17.2 billion in bailout funds from the IMF on August 11.

Nikolai knew that Thailand would borrow IMF funds, but even with this information alone, he could make enormous profits in Thailand.

After the video ended, there was a moment of silence in the study.

Everyone felt that the current situation was not just someone else's problem.

Breaking the silence, Yury Yusupov slowly spoke.

"Did you see it well? This is what happens when politicians and high-ranking officials are incompetent."

"..."

"When the Soviet Union collapsed, we saw a similar scene. At that time, no politician took responsibility. They only criticized and tried to destroy the opposing camp."

"..."

"Thailand will soon follow the same path."

The hell of Thailand is about to unfold.

Many people will suffer, families will be torn apart, and some will even take their own lives.

"I worked hard to make money for this reason. Without money in the country, companies, and households, it means death."

Yury never forgot.

He never forgot the time when the Soviet Union and the Yusupov family were about to collapse.

He never forgot the endless lines of homeless people in front of Moscow Station, waiting for a meal.

"Our family must take responsibility for Russia. We are different from other families. Our son-in-law has become the president, and the Unicorn Group and Nikolai's business are now leading Russian companies."

"..."

"Therefore, if Russia goes wrong, we must take the responsibility. I have been working hard to make money to avoid such a situation."

Despite his age, Yury's voice carried an irresistible force.

"I can do anything to prevent Russia from becoming like Thailand."

Yury's gaze turned to the right.

"Nikolai."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Since the baht has fallen by 80%, wouldn't it be better to repay the loan now?"

"I was thinking the same. I think it's time to repay it now."

"We have made an 80% profit in just a few months."

While 80% in numbers might not seem significant, when converted to money, it was an amount that could shake the Thai economy.

"The Indonesian 'rupiah' is also unstable, and it seems 'Elliott' has already entered."

"They will likely devour it like hyenas, just like Thailand."

"That's right."

"But for now, we must be in the same boat."

At that moment, the youngest daughter, Olga, who had come to Yury's house after a long time, frowned and interjected.

"Nikolai. Lately, you've been appearing in the media a lot, and people know you well. You're often mentioned in foreign news too."

"..."

"Lately, you seem to be chased by something. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I don't understand what you mean, Aunt."

"If you make a single mistake, that enormous amount of money will disappear. It will not only affect our family but also deal a significant blow to the Russian government's funds."

She had come prepared today.

She had seen Anton defy Yury's orders and be sent to Ukraine, but she still mustered the courage.

Yury, who entrusted the family's life and death to Nikolai, and President Zahir, who entrusted the government's funds, were incomprehensible to her.

"To me, it seems you are taking on too much. I acknowledge that you have exceptional business acumen, but this has crossed the line. Lately, I can't sleep because of the anxiety caused by your actions."

After she finished speaking, no one said anything.

Nikolai reconsidered her words.

It would be a lie to say he felt no anxiety.

Everyone present felt some level of anxiety, though to varying degrees.

However, Nikolai was different.

If he were consumed by anxiety, his mind would become rigid, and he would be unable to do anything.

He could worry about whether something would succeed or not, but that was all. If he only thought and didn't act when a clear opportunity came, the opportunity would be lost.

Olga, not being Nikolai, could say such things, but Nikolai cut them off boldly.

He was already on the tiger's back and could neither stop nor wanted to stop.

Nikolai looked directly at Olga and said firmly.

"Do you think President Zahir and Chairman Yury Yusupov are people with no thoughts?"

Nikolai viewed the current conversation as a business matter, so he included their titles.

"What do you mean by that?"

To the flustered Olga, Nikolai spoke in a stronger tone.

"Do you think President Zahir, who entrusted me with government funds, and Chairman Yury, who entrusted me with many companies, worried less than you?"

"..."

"They are like the two major pillars that move Russia. Do you think they entrusted me with these responsibilities just because I am smart and have exceptional business acumen?"

Nikolai briefly looked at Yury Yusupov and then turned back to Olga.

"I won't say anything about your anxiety and worries. But don't measure my level by your standards. If you are still anxious about the results I have shown so far, please don't say such things to me again."

People who think it won't work give various reasons.

They say the person is just lucky.

They look for the cause of the problem externally.

They always compare themselves to others.

Their language is always negative.

People who think it won't work only think, not act.

To Nikolai, Olga's words were no different.

"I said this out of concern. Can't I even say that?"

"Aunt."

He didn't want to say such things, but he boldly spoke from a business perspective.

"Try making money with your own hands once, and then say such things. I'll listen then."

"..."

Olga bit her lower lip tightly at Nikolai's cold words.

Yury not stopping her meant that Nikolai was right.

She knew this and couldn't say anything more.

Kirill, alternating his gaze between the two, tried to calm his heart, which was pounding as if it would burst.

He could never say such things to Olga, but he felt a vicarious satisfaction as if he had said them himself.

Ivan, thinking that Olga didn't know when to speak and when to remain silent, said:

"Do you often talk to Anton?"

"What do you mean by that all of a sudden?"

Her sudden surprise indicated that she was in contact with him.

"I'll understand if you try making money with your own hands, as Nikolai said."

"Brother!"

"Why are you here, causing trouble for no reason?"

Yegor also didn't take Olga's side today.

"Is it because you need money? Did your family ask you to borrow money?"

"Really, that's too much."

Olga still thought her father would take her side and made a childish face she used when she was young.

However, Yury stood up and said briefly:

"If you've eaten, go home. If you need money, talk to Nikolai."

Her expression crumpled.

* * *

The next day at the Kremlin.

President Zahir and Chief of Staff Sergei looked at each other, wondering if they had heard correctly about the amount earned from Thailand.

"Is the amount of money earned in a few months really correct?"

To Sergei's question, Nikolai nodded and said:

"Yes, but it hasn't been credited to the account yet. The profit is made by repaying the loan in dollars, converted at the collapsed baht exchange rate."

"That's what you mean?"

"Something like that."

President Zahir, who was momentarily lost in the profit, asked:

"..., but you have something important to say?"

"Yes."

"Let me have a glass of water and then I'll listen."

After waiting for President Zahir to finish his cold water, Nikolai spoke:

"To the Thai government, I propose repaying the money in dollars 14 months early..."

"..."

"In return, I would like them to change the gas and oil they import from Thailand to our Gazprom."

This way, not only would we benefit from the rise and fall of the baht, but we would also gain profits from selling gas and oil for decades to come.