Chapter 81

The Bear Kingdom is Now Mine Chapter 81

081: Bohai Relic Site Museum Construction / China's Distortion Begins with President Jiang Zemin

In the office of the president of GUM Department Store Black Hole Investment.

Ding-dong♬-

"Black Hole here. Yes, yes. Hold on a moment. Nikolai, there's a call for you."

"Why are you answering the phone when we have a secretary?"

"I just picked it up without thinking when the bell rang..."

"Who is it?"

"Dr. Lee from the Ussuriysk Bohai relic site."

"It's been a while since you've contacted us."

Taking the receiver, he greeted first.

"Dr. Lee, how have you been?"

-It's been a while, Mr. Nikolai.

"Is it almost the Korean New Year, and are you still there?"

-I was just about to leave.

"I see. What brings you to call?"

-Actually, the excavation at the Bohai relic site is now complete.

"Finally, it's done. Congratulations."

The Bohai relic site was discovered near the Ussuriysk apartment construction site in December 1994.

Excavation began in early 1995, and it took three years, which means it was completed faster than planned.

"Did it finish about a year earlier than you mentioned before?"

-Thanks to the large number of people we deployed, we were able to complete it quickly.

"Then, can we proceed with the construction of the museum right away?"

-Please proceed. I called to inform you of this. I will remain on site until the museum is completed, so we can discuss it together.

"Great. I'll plan the construction accordingly. You can discuss the rest with the vice president of construction. I'll pass the message along."

-Understood. Please visit when you have time.

"Of course, I will."

After hanging up, Nikolai called the vice president of construction to explain the situation and instructed him to proceed.

The construction of the museum wouldn't take long.

The challenge was to ensure it operated at a profit.

'If we can attract many Koreans, it should work.'

The timing was perfect.

Asking the Korean government for this would be no problem.

Promoting it as a mandatory destination for student field trips and a tourist attraction for the general public would be the way to go.

While he was lost in thought, the intercom buzzed.

Beep-

-President, Mr. Kim Min-joon is here.

He had something to discuss, and it was perfect timing.

"Please let him in."

-Understood.

Kim Min-joon entered carrying a box of Pocari Sweat.

Shasha took it and began placing the bottles in front of him.

"Ugh, how did you know I like Pocari Sweat?"

"I asked Shasha. I bought a few boxes from U-Mart."

"Have you been in Russia all this time?"

"I don't have family or relatives in Korea, so I don't celebrate the New Year. These days, Russia is more comfortable for me."

"Having your fiancée here must make you feel more at ease."

Winning the World Ball lottery first prize changed Kim Min-joon's life completely.

Seeing him put his best effort and passion into his new life, Nikolai wanted to support and encourage him even more.

Passionate people have a positive influence on those around them, so he also wanted to help him be even more passionate.

Therefore, he decided to introduce him to a business opportunity that would be perfect for him.

"Have you gained more members?"

"An incredible number. Not only in Russia but also in the independent states."

"Oh, that's great. How many have gotten married?"

"Already 3,500 couples have been matched."

"Remarkable. It seems you're doing a great job, President."

Matching 3,500 couples in such a short time was evidence of his hard work.

"It's not me. It was possible because you registered as our advisor, giving people confidence."

"I'm glad I could help, but I only registered."

"Without you, it wouldn't have been possible. Thank you."

"I can help with that. You're the first first-prize winner of our World Ball, after all."

Seeing Kim Min-joon's continued growth, Nikolai smiled warmly.

"By the way, what's the gender ratio like?"

"Over 95% are women from Russia and the independent states. So, they are marrying Korean men."

Nikolai, knowing that Korea was currently facing economic difficulties, asked in confusion.

"Do the women know about Korea's difficult situation?"

"Of course, they all know."

"Then how...?"

"I gave them a briefing."

"What kind of briefing?"

"Relations between Russia and Korea will improve in the future, and the two countries will cooperate to achieve economic development. That sort of thing."

So, he gave a decisive briefing that Korea would grow even more in the future.

Kim Min-joon had done extensive research on Nikolai.

He not only looked up information online but also asked Black Hole employees and Shasha.

"Haha. Did that work?"

"That was the basic part. Actually, introducing capable Korean men played the biggest role. I only accepted men who were qualified as members, and the same goes for the women."

That's right. That's why 3,500 couples could be matched in such a short time.

Given the current economic situation in the independent states, capable Korean men would naturally attract attention.

Nikolai, judging him to be capable, made a new proposal.

Since he was also an advisor.

"Would you consider acquiring a travel agency?"

"Me?"

"I found a bankrupt Korean travel agency that seems perfect for you."

"Ah!"

"It could also create a synergy effect with your international marriage information company. What do you think?"

"Wouldn't that require a significant amount of capital?"

"Don't worry about that. The company's debts will be settled by the government, so the acquisition cost will be minimal."

The travel agency didn't fit with Nikolai's other businesses, so he had already considered suggesting it to Kim Min-joon, who was already in a similar business.

Kim Min-joon accepted the offer immediately.

"If that's the case, I'll acquire it right away."

"Good decision. However, there is one condition..."

"..."

"Please ensure that all Korean tourists visiting Vladivostok also visit the Ussuriysk Bohai relic site museum. The museum will be completed in a year."

"No problem."

Kim Min-joon was willing to do anything Nikolai suggested.

Nikolai was his role model.

* * *

Nikolai, accompanied by Shasha, visited Yuri's house and met with Chairman Lee of the O-Sung Group.

"You came quickly."

Nikolai greeted Chairman Lee and his son.

"Hello, Chairman."

"I'm sorry to trouble you. I didn't mean to cause any inconvenience, but it turned out this way."

Knowing he came for Korean business issues, Nikolai got straight to the point.

"You must be representing the Federation of Korean Industries."

"That's right. I'm the closest to you, so I had to come."

Chairman Lee was troubled.

It wasn't strange for Black Hole to acquire bankrupt companies, even at one won each.

The government had already agreed with the Blue House to forgive all the companies' debts and allow Black Hole to acquire them first.

The problem was that if Black Hole took all these companies to Russia, it would take a long time for the Korean economy to recover.

So, Chairman Lee came to ask Nikolai for a favor, taking the lead himself.

He didn't care about the corrupt business owners going to jail.

If they committed crimes, they should be punished according to the law.

He waited for the right moment to speak while drinking tea.

Nikolai, noticing his hesitation, prompted him.

"Please speak your mind."

"Are you planning to take all the acquired companies to Russia?"

"No, that would be too inefficient."

"Then...?"

"I'll only build new factories in Russia and continue operating the existing ones in Korea. There's a significant difference in labor costs, after all."

"Ah, I see. That's a relief."

"I'll sell the products from Russian factories to Europe and target Southeast Asia from Korea."

Chairman Lee sighed in relief.

"Is that why you came to see me?"

"Yes. The Federation of Korean Industries is most concerned about this, so I came as their representative."

"Since we're acquiring the companies anyway, it's better for us to do it. Don't you know the benefits O-Sung Electronics' TV factory in Kaluga is receiving?"

"I do."

"It would be better for Korea if a Russian company acquires them rather than an American or Japanese one."

"I agree."

He had been so troubled about coming here, but the problem was easily resolved, leaving him speechless.

After a brief awkward silence,

Since he had given something, it was time to ask for something in return. This time, Nikolai spoke up.

"Since you're building a TV factory in Russia, have you considered building a semiconductor factory?"

"Hmm..."

"The benefits Russia offers are much greater than Korea's."

"That's true."

"To expand into Europe, Russia has more advantages. The government is also considering additional incentives."

"I need to think about it. I can't make a decision right away."

Chairman Lee agreed with Nikolai.

However, the timing wasn't right.

With Korean companies already being sold to Russia, who would be happy if he suddenly announced building a semiconductor factory?

He decided to proceed when the public opinion calmed down.

After seeing off Chairman Lee, Yuri said with a bitter expression.

"Chairman Lee must have been troubled. He's not the type to get involved in such uncomfortable matters."

"Since he's the only one we know, he had no choice but to step in."

"That's true. In Korea, they probably think we're taking everything from them. What's the public opinion there?"

"Since we helped defend the exchange rate, there's no bad feeling. We'll see how it turns out later."

"As you know, people's hearts are not a simple matter."

It's like the difference between going into and coming out of the bathroom.

There might be no issues now, but who knows what will be said later.

Still, Nikolai didn't mind.

If it gets noisy later, he could leak the recordings to the media.

The recordings clearly show that Korean politicians opposed his multiple attempts to help Korea, so Russia would have the upper hand.

Since the politicians were the ones who broke the promise and stirred up negative public sentiment, it didn't matter.

"I have something prepared, so it's fine."

"That's a relief. And about your aunt's issue."

Yuri's expression darkened as he poured the cold tea.

"It's a bit difficult to say this to you, but what do you think?"

Yuri was still angry that his in-laws had pressured Olga to make such a request.

He wanted to divorce her immediately, but it wasn't that simple, so he asked Nikolai out of frustration.

"She's your only daughter and has a family, so I can't send her away like Anton... Children are not something you can control."

Children are not something you can control.

God gives children to teach us that there are things we cannot control.

As the saying goes, "If you try to hold on, you'll lose, and if you let go, you'll gain."

Children are a complex issue for parents. Yuri, being a parent, couldn't escape this problem.

His heart was not at ease.

Sending Anton to Ukraine had already made him uneasy, and now Olga was causing trouble.

"I want to hear your opinion."

Nikolai started with a question.

In such situations, it's a good idea to approach the issue objectively and exclude emotions.

"Do you have any plans to divorce your aunt?"

"Hmm. I don't like her family, but I can't divorce her myself. I don't know what to do if there's no other way."

Yuri's hand trembled slightly as he put down his teacup after taking a sip.

Whether it was due to age or his feelings for his daughter, only Yuri knew.

"You'll understand my feelings when you become a parent."

"Then, what if you give the in-laws what they want? Otherwise, your aunt will suffer."

"Give them what they want...?"

"It's too much to give them 30 GUM department stores, so start with one. If it maintains a profit, you can give them 9 more, making it 10 in total."

Yuri nodded after a moment of thought.

"That's a good idea. I'll tell her to start with one, as you suggested."

Nikolai had a reason for suggesting this.

If he suggested one, given her personality, she would reject it and ask for at least 10.

Since she initially asked for 30, if he told her 10, she would ask for 20, and if he said 15, she would ask for 30. So, he suggested starting with one.

* * *

The Russian New Year holiday runs from January 1st to 10th.

It's quite long due to the inclusion of Christmas on the 7th.

However, since the Korean New Year was on January 28th, Nikolai planned to go to Korea with the headquarters staff on February 10th.

While catching up on some overdue work in the Black Hole office, he received a call.

-It's me. Can you come over for a moment?

"Yes, Grandfather. What's the matter?"

Since President Zakharchenko rarely called directly, he asked.

-It's about President Jiang Zemin coming to borrow a loan.

"I'll come right away."

* * *

Moscow Kremlin, Presidential Office.

President Zakharchenko's expression hardened after hearing the report.

"The fact that no one reported this is a serious problem. Even though President Lukashenko met with high-ranking government officials."

"Hmm..."

The report about President Lukashenko of Belarus, which Shasha had given him earlier, was unknown to the president.

"It's time for a government reshuffle."

"That seems to be the case."

"We need to conduct thorough background checks to select the right people."

"That's true."

"If the government can't handle it, let me take care of it. I have people who specialize in this."

Nikolai's intelligence sources were now ahead of government agents.

"Did you find out about Lukashenko through those people?"

"Yes."

"An impressive organization. To find out all of this... I'll give you a list to investigate."

"Understood."

The organization run by Nikolai and Shasha had reached a level where even the Russian president recognized it.

"By the way, how much did President Jiang Zemin ask for?"

"The 1 billion dollars Lukashenko wanted was nothing."

"..."

"He asked for 10 billion dollars."

"10 billion dollars?"

Even for a large country like China, borrowing 10 billion dollars in 1997 was an astronomical amount.

"The East Asian financial crisis has affected China as it spread to Korea."

Although China hadn't fully opened its financial markets, it couldn't completely avoid the impact like Russia.

"The financial situation of the Communist Party is clearly very difficult, given how President Jiang Zemin has come here humbly."

In the original history, China began to be called the world's factory in the late 1990s.

As Russia started to take on that role, the Chinese economy faced unprecedented difficulties.

During his time as a journalist, Nikolai knew that despite being called a G2, nearly 600 million people in China, almost half the population, lived on a monthly income of 180,000 won, according to Premier Li Keqiang.

Now, without the title of the world's factory and affected by the East Asian financial crisis, the suffering has only increased.

Moreover, in the original history, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the independence of 14 regions, many people and weapons were absorbed by China, but now that's no longer the case.

Given China's current state, North Korea is in even worse shape, undergoing the 'Arduous March.'

'10 billion dollars...'

Nikolai had a specific idea in mind.

China's 'Belt and Road Initiative.'

It refers to the land-based Silk Road connecting Central Asia and Europe, and the maritime Silk Road linking Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa.

First proposed by President Xi Jinping during his visits to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in September and October 2013.

China lent loans to Southeast Asian, Central Asian, and African countries and implemented this strategy.

Chinese companies were responsible for building the necessary infrastructure, and even the workers were all Chinese.

So, while China lent the money, it essentially flowed back to China.

Moreover, if the borrowing countries couldn't repay the loans, China would take ownership of the infrastructure they built.

Xi Jinping called this 'Belt and Road Initiative.'

'Russia could use this strategy on China.'

It was a brilliant idea.

A perfect method to completely undermine the developing country, China.