Chapter 82

The Bear Country is Now Mine Chapter 82

Chapter 82: The Loan to North Korea is Halfway There / The Russian Government's Personnel Overhaul

"By the way, when do you plan to contact Lukashenko?"

"I need to think about it a bit more because of Chairman Jiang Zemin. I was worried about a billion dollars, but now he's asking for ten billion dollars to borrow."

"Grandfather, I'm talking about the loan from China."

Nikolai explained in detail what he had been thinking about, how to use the ten billion dollars.

After listening for a while, a smile similar to Nikolai's appeared on President Zahir's face.

"It seems to be the best way to contain China."

"If we do this, China will have no choice but to watch our moves carefully from now on."

"That's true. Although we have taken the same path, China is a place that cannot be trusted, so it's good to have this kind of precaution."

President Zahir had been thinking about how to contain China since becoming president.

It was always awkward because China, with a population of over a billion, was right below them.

Among the neighboring countries, there was no one other than China that would try to take Russian land if given the chance.

Just as he was at a loss for a proper way to contain such a China, he received a call from Chairman Jiang Zemin, and Nikolai came up with this ingenious solution.

"Indeed, it was a good idea to borrow your thoughts. Let's lend the loan and tie China down. You can handle this, then."

"Understood."

Thus, a little while later, the two met with Chairman Jiang Zemin.

President Zahir, who had been very hesitant, finally made a decision.

That's how it seemed to Chairman Jiang Zemin.

"I'll lend it to you. Ten billion dollars."

"Oh, thank you. I didn't make a wasted trip, then."

His face, which had been dark, suddenly brightened.

Money had such great power that it could even manipulate the Chinese president.

Chairman Jiang Zemin eagerly accepted that terrifying amount of money.

Without knowing what the two were thinking about lending it.

President Zahir, with a slight smile, explained the conditions he had discussed with Nikolai.

"The ten billion dollars we lend to you must all be used to build China's infrastructure."

"Of course. That's why we're borrowing the money."

"We also need to verify how and where the money is being used."

"…!"

"Furthermore, the human resources needed for construction must be Russian."

"Um, even the human resources…"

Chairman Jiang Zemin, who was pondering for a moment.

China had more people than cattle, yet they had to replace them with Russian labor.

This prevented China from using its greatest strength, leaving him in a difficult position.

'If I refuse this, they definitely won't lend the loan…'

After much deliberation, he finally spoke.

"Do we really have to go this far?"

"If you don't accept this, we cannot lend you the loan."

Hearing the words he didn't want to hear, Chairman Jiang Zemin frowned.

But that wasn't the end of it.

As more demands followed, his face became increasingly grim.

"China must allow Gazprom to develop underground resources."

Also, not to help North Korea in any way.

To transfer China's desert to Russia for 100 years, etc.

After making a few more demands, President Zahir finally finished speaking.

"If you accept all of these, we will lend you the loan as quickly as possible."

At first, Chairman Jiang Zemin thought President Zahir was deliberately setting these conditions to avoid lending the loan.

But upon careful thought, it didn't seem that way.

The conditions were strict, but they weren't something he couldn't accept.

After much deliberation, Chairman Jiang Zemin nodded.

"Alright. I will accept all the conditions you mentioned."

"You made a good decision. As you know, because the amount is so large, we need to have some safeguards in place."

"…I understand to some extent."

Thus, the meeting with Chairman Jiang Zemin came to an end.

As he got into his car, Chairman Jiang Zemin let out a torrent of curses.

"Have you ever seen such bandits? I'll never come to Russia again. Damn scoundrels. Let's go!"

On the other hand, President Zahir and Nikolai were smiling with satisfaction.

"Heh, seeing Chairman Jiang's face so crumpled, he must be really angry."

"Borrowing money isn't easy. You have to pay a price."

"You're right. For ten billion dollars, a price must be paid."

Since the conversation was over, Zahir asked Nikolai, who was about to get up.

"Will you attend the inauguration of the Korean president?"

"No, it might be a bit awkward."

"I see."

"Will you attend, Grandfather?"

"I can't not go since I was invited…."

It was also awkward because President Clinton was attending.

He had a falling out with President Clinton at the NATO agreement ceremony in France.

But since he was invited, he decided to attend.

"By the way, since we're talking about North Korea…"

Not to help North Korea in any way.

He added this demand because it was necessary for the plan Nikolai was working on.

"Why North Korea?"

"Didn't we provide a loan to North Korea during the Soviet era?"

"What's the point? It's money we won't get back. Given North Korea's economic situation, it's unlikely we'll get it back."

In real history, North Korea's national debt, which had no hope of being repaid, was traded at a mere 15% of its face value.

Usually, bonds with almost no hope of repayment are traded at 4-5% at best, so why was North Korea's at 15%?

It was because of the expectation that if North and South Korea were unified, the unified Korea, i.e., South Korea, which absorbed North Korea, would have to repay it.

In fact, Russia, which succeeded the Soviet Union, also repaid, and such cases have occurred in other countries.

"Isn't it 11 billion dollars? Don't forget about it."

"If you're confident, try to get it back."

"Can I keep it all if I get it back?"

Nikolai's strong stance made President Zahir think for a moment.

Not only had Nikolai quickly turned around the struggling 'Alrosa (diamonds)', but he had always produced results when he took the lead.

Given his track record, it didn't seem impossible for him to get the money from North Korea.

President Zahir offered a compromise, as he did with Alrosa.

"Hmm, how about splitting it in half?"

"Alright. I don't have to get it all in cash, right?"

"As long as it's worth that much, it's fine. Just get it."

Thinking of pocketing 5.5 billion dollars, Nikolai's lips curled up.

* * *

Nikolai spent the New Year in Moscow and entered South Korea on February 10th.

Thanks to Chairman Lee's good words to the presidents of the companies affiliated with the Federation of Korean Industries, there were no issues.

He planned to finish everything before the presidential inauguration on February 25th.

It was best to complete the acquisition of South Korean companies as quickly as possible, so he moved quickly.

"Combining A-Oil (refining) with Gazprom will create a significant synergy. The textile company is also essential for Russia."

Since the government's condition was debt forgiveness, Nikolai had no objections.

By February 23rd, two days before the South Korean president's inauguration, he had almost completed the acquisition of all the companies he wanted.

He left the rest to the Russian Black Hole headquarters staff and the Korean branch manager of the immigration office.

"I have some business to attend to, so please handle the rest, Branch Manager."

"Understood."

* * *

The honorary chairman of Future Group's face lit up when he heard from Nikolai.

"Hey! Bring me some cold water."

"Yes, sir."

As the housekeeper brought cold water, Chairman Jung drank it in one gulp.

"Really, it's possible by June?"

"Yes, it will take some time since we need to contact North Korea, but it's possible by June."

"Understood. Contact me anytime in June, and I'll leave immediately."

"As I mentioned before, you will be going as a state guest of Russia."

"You mean through Russia?"

"We can't go through Panmunjom. Is that okay?"

"Stepping on my hometown soil is enough for me."

While he couldn't fully understand Chairman Jung's desire to step on his hometown soil before he died, he could understand it to some extent.

He still remembered the thrill that ran through his body when he first stepped on Korean soil after getting a new life.

Since the conversation went well, Nikolai wanted to wrap it up.

"Chairman, can you sign this?"

"What is this?"

"About the shares you mentioned earlier."

"Oh."

"We should draft the contract before you go to North Korea."

"…That's right."

People can't be trusted, but contracts can.

While there are cases where even contracts are breached, it was irrelevant now, so Nikolai decided to draft the contract.

After carefully reading the contract several times, Chairman Jung took out a stamp from the drawer.

"Can I not tell my son?"

"There's no need to create unnecessary trouble. It can be resolved at my level."

"Then I'll have this contract notarized."

"Do that."

The red stamp was affixed to the contract, and Nikolai signed below it.

But Nikolai had one more request.

"Can you also sign it?"

"Even though I've stamped it?"

"Chairman, we have different nationalities, right? In the East, stamps are commonly used, but in the West, signatures are more common. So, it's better to have both."

"Alright."

Thus, the contract was finalized.

Nikolai had the contract notarized.

With this, Future Group, along with Ohseong Group, would grow even more.

Since the next day was the South Korean presidential inauguration, Nikolai met President Zahir, who was in South Korea.

"Give this list of government personnel to Sergei."

"I'll thoroughly investigate and filter them."

* * *

Nikolai's house in Moscow.

After finishing everything in South Korea and returning to Moscow, Nikolai gave Sasha an order.

"Thoroughly investigate these people."

As Sasha read through the documents, he raised an eyebrow.

"Looks like there's going to be a government personnel overhaul?"

"If no one reported what Lukashenko did, there's a problem. The president said he will change everything this time."

"So our organization is recognized by the president?"

"To be honest, I think our agents are more capable than government agents. So, Sasha, you can be proud."

Is a private organization more capable than a government organization?

It was a powerful statement for Sasha.

As the second-in-command of such an organization, he felt even more empowered.

"It feels good to know that what we do helps the country."

"The president said important matters will be entrusted to us."

"The agents will be motivated if I tell them. We've been working in the shadows, but now we're in the spotlight."

Nikolai thought it was time to give the organization a proper name.

"Think of a name for our organization. Something that doesn't sound too rustic but is impressive."

"I'm good at naming things."

"Don't just think of it yourself; ask the agents too."

"Got it. I'll discuss it and report back."

"Oh, by the way, I'm going to North Korea in June. You should come with me."

"North Korea?"

"I think you should have this experience."

"Sure, I'd like that."

Nikolai was also excited about his first trip to North Korea.

However, North Korea was in the 'Arduous March' period.

Nikolai had seen many images and photos of the suffering during that time as a journalist, but it was Sasha's first time.

'Sasha will be shocked.'

The UN estimated that millions of North Koreans died during this period.

There were even reports of people boiling and eating the dead, indicating the severity of the famine.

* * *

Twelve days later, Sasha reported to Nikolai after thoroughly investigating the list given by President Zahir.

"I mobilized all the agents to finish it as quickly as possible."

"Good job."

"By the way, there are many issues with high-ranking government officials. The money they embezzled is astronomical."

"Is it that bad?"

"Don't even get me started. It's going to be noisy for a while as we sort this out."

The next day, a different kind of 'dance of the sword' began in Russia, unlike the one in South Korea.

A dance of the sword to decide who would stay and who would be sent to Siberia as loggers.