Chapter 8

The Bear's Soup is Now My Turn 8

008 8 Years of Opportunity to Siphon / ABCDE

May 1, 1992.

No matter how much he rubbed his eyes or blinked, the numbers didn’t change.

When he had gained a new life, the situation was similar to this.

“Shasha, what date is written here?”

“Can’t you see it?”

“Lately, my eyes have been a bit blurry. I can’t read small text well.”

“It’s not small at all. It’s February 15th.”

“Are you sure?”

“Really, you should go to the hospital instead of eating chaga mushrooms.”

“You’re making a big deal out of asking for a date.”

Sigh, do I really need to go to the hospital?

He furrowed his brows, lost in thought.

But would worrying solve anything?

If it’s not a problem that can be solved by worrying, just accept it humbly and enjoy it. As positively as possible.

It’s already abnormal to be in this body, so it’s not surprising that other strange situations might arise.

Nikolai calmed his anxious heart and turned the newspaper, pushing it toward Shasha.

“Can you read this part for me? Like a news anchor, clearly and slowly.”

“Really read it?”

“Yeah, read it. I’m feeling a bit tired, so it’s hard to read.”

“Really?”

“Just read it. I’m so hungry, stop repeating the same thing.”

Rumble.

Ah, I’m hungry. I really hate being hungry.

“Oh, right. I forgot the tea. Should I order some black tea too?”

Black tea?

A word I don’t want to hear even in my dreams.

“Hey! No way. Absolutely not! Don’t order black tea, even if I die!”

“Wow, you scared me. Why are you so sudden?”

“Just don’t order it.”

The sight of a teacup makes me break out in a cold sweat.

“Alright, I won’t order it. Calm down. You do look a bit weak. Is our order still far off?”

At Shasha’s shout, an employee glanced at the kitchen and replied indifferently.

“Yes, it’s ready. It’ll be out soon.”

The words "it’ll be out soon" sound like when you call to ask when the noodles will arrive, and they say they just left.

But if you order additional noodles, they always say it’s been ordered.

Just left, they say.

“What are you doing? Read it quickly.”

“Alright, I’ll read it.”

Seeing the expression on Shasha’s face, as if she was about to explode, she picked up the newspaper and started reading.

“Um. The Supreme Soviet has rejected the appointment of Yegor Gaidar, who served as finance minister, as prime minister. Gaidar, who supported President Yeltsin after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, has been pushing for ‘neoliberal economic reforms,’ but his economic policies have caused much confusion and anxiety... As protests supporting the Supreme Soviet increase, tension is rising in Red Square...”

“Wait!”

“Yeah?”

“Can you give me the newspaper for a moment?”

It’s different. Completely different.

It’s the same newspaper, but the article Nikolai saw was completely different from what Shasha read.

【At 2 PM on the same day, the Supreme Soviet and the Congress of People's Deputies resolved to impeach President Yeltsin. On September 20, the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment. President Yeltsin dissolved the Supreme Soviet and the Congress of People's Deputies that resolved to impeach him and resumed his presidential duties.】

The article Nikolai saw was entirely different.

But...

‘President Yeltsin almost had to step down due to impeachment.’

Even if he had studied Russian history deeply through his mother, who was Russian, and even if he had studied Putin’s biography in detail, he couldn’t know everything in detail.

Nikolai analyzed the newspaper article.

‘So, according to the article, on May 1, Yeltsin will face an impeachment trial. The pro and con forces will fight fiercely until September 20, and Yeltsin will regain power after the unconstitutional ruling.’

This means...

There might be a traitor among Yeltsin’s people.

He needs to choose which side to support within at least four months.

‘Given that he’s facing an impeachment trial, how anxious must he be? Some might think Yeltsin’s political life is over.’

Sigh, the economy is already in ruins, and if politics also become chaotic, it will be really tough...

‘No, this is a golden opportunity, isn’t it?’

The reason the Yusupov family lost their power.

They had been supporting Secretary General Gorbachev, but when Yeltsin took power, they became like 30-proof vodka.

But now, another opportunity has come.

Not just any opportunity, but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to siphon off Yeltsin and benefit for eight years until December 31, 1999.

The Alexei Romanov family, like ours, had been supporting Secretary General Gorbachev and suffered a setback.

But because they had a solid foundation in Europe and later allied with Yeltsin, they have managed to survive until now.

However, if Yeltsin faces an impeachment trial, they might let go of their alliance due to anxiety.

‘No, I must make them let go of their alliance.’

If the Romanov family suffers political and economic blows...

‘They will be completely ruined.’

To sum it up...

‘I need to choose the right side.’

I’ve been in the wrong line in the military several times.

If I stand on the opposite side of Yeltsin, my life will be completely messed up, and I’ll have to restart for eight years.

‘But there’s something strange.’

I’ve read the newspaper several times before, but there were no such changes then.

Maybe the newspaper changes when a big event is about to happen?

Since I know Yeltsin will be in power until 1999, seeing this content makes me think that’s the case.

Or maybe, later, a different content will appear.

I’ve confirmed that the content Shasha read is completely different, so I have to believe this change.

Nikolai was so deep in thought that even when the food arrived, he was still staring at the newspaper, looking dazed.

“You said you were hungry. Why aren’t you eating? If you don’t eat, I will.”

Just as Shasha was about to reach for the bowl.

“Don’t touch it! Your neck will fly off.”

“What, what? What are you saying?”

“This bowl is mine. Anyway, thanks for reading it, let’s eat.”

Nikolai’s lips curved into a strange smile as he ate borscht, a red soup made by boiling cabbage with tomatoes, meat, and onions, and colored with red beets.

‘Russian greasy foods are really hard to get used to. I need to build a factory quickly and produce delicious Korean foods.’

* * *

Three days later.

“Why do you keep setting it up?”

“I need to choose the right side.”

After the exercise, Shasha looked at Nikolai, who kept setting up the rope, with a strange expression.

“You’re doing all sorts of things these days. When are you going to the place you mentioned the other day?”

“Wow, you found that person already?”

“It’s faster to find someone in Russia, but it took two days because the person is American, and we only knew the name and approximate age. It would have taken longer if they weren’t Russian.”

“Still, it’s impressive you found them. You’re a real all-rounder.”

“What’s the big deal about that? These days, you can do anything if you pay. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Then let’s go after lunch.”

Just then, the bell rang, and a man entered as the gate opened.

Seeing him, Shasha put on a jacket and greeted him politely.

“Hello.”

“It’s been a while, Shasha. Is Nikolai at home too?”

“Yes, hello.”

Nikolai recalled and greeted him politely.

Uncle Sergei, in his early 40s.

He is the only brother of his mother and has been a legal professional for 15 years.

‘His name feels familiar. It’s the same as the person I’m looking for, I guess.’

While he was lost in thought, Shasha showed a level of respect he rarely showed.

“Thank you for helping me the other day.”

“It’s no big deal. But did it work out well?”

“Yes, it was resolved smoothly.”

“That’s good. It was the last case I handled before retiring, so I’m glad it was resolved well.”

Nikolai signaled to Shasha with his eyes, and Shasha made a secret gesture with his mouth.

He’s not telling me where he’s using the chaga mushrooms. So stingy.

“Indeed, it’s good to be young. You’re exercising in this cold weather. Is your mother inside?”

“Yes.”

“Now that you’re done exercising, shall we go in together?”

“Sure.”

As Shasha entered the living room, Maria closed her magazine and smiled brightly.

“You said you’d come after lunch, but you’re early?”

“Unemployed people need something to do. If I just stay at home, they’ll say I’m just eating, so I came here to get some food. Is Ivan at work?”

“Yes, he’s been very busy lately and comes home late.”

Maria and Nikolai sat side by side, and Sergei and Shasha sat opposite them.

“Can you bring some drinks?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Sergei, who had been looking around the living room, drank the drink in one go when it arrived.

“Ah, that’s good. This place is too big and spacious, it doesn’t feel like home.”

“Ha ha, you’re just jealous. Just say you’re jealous.”

“What, is that what you think? Anyway, about the dollars and gold you told your father to buy. Was it really the right decision according to President’s opinion?”

“I’ve told you several times. It was the right decision.”

Sergei’s gaze turned to Nikolai, who was sitting next to Maria.

“Wow... For the President to make such an important decision based on Nikolai’s advice. You’re really something.”

“I just shared my thoughts when asked.”

“Getting the President to make such a decision is impressive. I knew you were a genius since childhood, but I didn’t know you had such insight into economics.”

Sergei’s eyes sparkled differently than usual.

Maria asked worriedly.

“How much did we buy?”

“After your call, Father used all the money he had.”

“Good job.”

“I found out two days ago, and he even took out a loan using the house as collateral. I followed Father’s lead, but I’m not sure if it’s a good decision.”

“Don’t you trust our father?”

“Of course, I trust him. But honestly, I’m a bit anxious. Also, I was a bit surprised that the President made such a decision. That’s why I came here.”

After receiving his sister’s call, Sergei had many conversations with his father.

And he made a decision.

To trust Yuri Yusupov’s judgment and invest almost all the money in dollars and gold.

“Then it’s already done. Trust and wait. I’ll let you know as soon as Father sells them.”

“What else can we do now but wait?”

“What is Father doing these days?”

“What can a man who spent his life in the legal profession do after retiring? These days, even starting a law firm won’t get much work. He’s just passing time with fishing.”

“What about you?”

“After retiring, I’m similar. I go to the dacha, rest, fish, and do various things.”

The Sergei family had all worked in the legal profession.

His father, Zahar, and his late mother were both judges, and Sergei and his sister were both prosecutors.

His sister, Maria, had worked as a prosecutor and then married Ivan Yusupov.

But after Secretary General Gorbachev stepped down and Yeltsin took power, most of the existing people were forced to retire.

Their positions were filled by people close to Yeltsin.

“Since you’re here, tell me about the outside. How’s the government’s atmosphere?”

“Don’t even ask. On my way here, I saw so many people gathered in Red Square, it was overwhelming. Yeltsin tried to appoint Yegor Gaidar, who served as finance minister, as prime minister, but it was rejected.”

“Oh, I saw that in the newspaper.”

“Now, he’s in a conflict with the Supreme Soviet. From the atmosphere, it seems Yeltsin is losing. If this continues, it could be a big problem.”

They matched well as siblings.

While having many conversations, they showed concern and care for each other.

Nikolai wasn’t just there to listen to their conversation.

He was there to understand Sergei’s character before drawing a ‘big picture.’

‘Speaking of a big picture, it’s me again. This body is an art school graduate, after all.’

Let’s see...

‘He seems flexible and straightforward, and with 15 years of experience as a prosecutor, he’s meticulous. I need to observe him more, but he seems suitable to be aligned with Yeltsin.’

In his early 40s now, he will be in his late 40s in eight years, similar to the age when Putin became president.

‘The timing is right. He could be useful.’

Nikolai smiled slightly.

* * *

After the four of them had lunch and Uncle Sergei went home, Nikolai and Shasha went out.

To handle the task he had asked Shasha to do.

‘There are about four years left, but I need to build a relationship in advance. He’s probably around 20, so we’re about the same age and can easily become friends.’

If we become friends, he’ll easily accept my investment.

I don’t have money to invest now, but four years is enough time to earn money.

‘Sergei Brin. Google, well done. I’ll invest heavily in you.’