Chapter 85

The Bear's Soup is Now My Turn 85

085 Shasha is a High-ranking Government Official? / Give Up the Nukes. Three Months Later

It was only natural that there would be a vice minister.

Russia, which succeeded the Soviet Union, had also paid interest to South Korea.

Nikolai looked at Chairman Kim, whose eyes widened, and asked.

"Isn't it natural for interest to accrue on the principal?"

"Hmm."

"In 1983, you borrowed 11 billion dollars. Now it's 1997, so the interest over 14 years is approximately 6 billion dollars. It was a very cheap loan. I've brought the documents, so please take a look."

As he slid the documents toward Chairman Kim, the chairman pushed them aside as if he didn't want to see them.

"What are you trying to do with this?"

"Is there something wrong with me...?"

"Look, you've given us mining rights, fishing rights, and connected gas and oil pipelines to the East Sea. You've even allowed the Trans-Siberian Railway to pass through and agreed to send 50,000 people. Are you still going to charge interest?"

Chairman Kim expressed his dissatisfaction with his entire body, but Nikolai continued without hesitation.

"For 14 years, we couldn't use that large sum of money. If we had had such a huge amount, Russia would have risen faster. Yet, we've been patient until now. Is it unreasonable for us to have considered North Korea's situation for 14 years?"

It was a logical argument, but the chairman couldn't accept it.

6 billion dollars is more than half of the principal.

How can we pay this back?

"That's not it. It's just that we don't have the money to pay. If we had the money, why would we have given you mining rights and fishing rights?"

"I understand."

"You have to consider our situation as well. 6 billion dollars is an amount we can't bear."

Not only Chairman Kim but also the man beside him glared at Nikolai with a fierce look.

Before this, they had accepted everything, but this was something they absolutely couldn't accept.

The atmosphere became so hostile that Shasha gently kicked Nikolai's foot with her foot.

Be reasonable. If Chairman Kim collapses, our lives are in danger.

It was as if she was saying this.

Nikolai calmed the atmosphere for a moment.

"Understood. Since you say it's difficult, we will make some concessions."

"…?"

"Regarding the 6 billion dollars in interest, we will collect it when North Korea's situation improves. How about that?"

"Hmm. If that's the case…."

"Friends help each other in times of need. Let's conclude the matter of the vice minister with this…."

Nikolai took out other documents from his bag and placed them on the table.

"From now on, you just need to sign the contract."

"Contract?"

"Surely you don't intend to end such a large amount without a contract, right?"

"No, that's not it. Let's sign the contract."

"I'll write the contents first, so please read them carefully and stamp them."

Nikolai wrote down what they had discussed so far and handed it to Chairman Kim.

He read through it and nodded to the man beside him.

The man quickly went out and brought back the stamp.

"Here, here, stamp it here. And above the content as well."

Thump. Thump thump thump.

Since the content was written by Nikolai's hand, he stamped it in several places to prevent any tampering.

"And if you could sign next to it, I would appreciate it. As you know, Russia uses signatures a lot."

"Hmm."

Before coming here, the contract had already been signed by President Zahr.

"Is that it?"

"There's additional content on the back page."

"On the back page?"

"You haven't seen it. It says that the 6 billion dollars in interest on the 11 billion dollars will be renegotiated in five years."

After reading the back page, he let out a hollow laugh.

It was a laugh that involuntarily escaped due to Nikolai's meticulousness.

Thump. Thump thump thump.

"Is that it?"

"Yes, everything is done."

"Surely you're not going to say that interest will also accrue on the 6 billion dollars in five years?"

Nikolai flinched.

"Russia is not that heartless."

"Then please write that down as well. I need to be sure."

"Understood."

After confirming the additional content, Chairman Kim's expression finally relaxed a bit.

However, for Nikolai, the interest was just a bait to bring up the next issue, so he moved on to the next step.

"The president has a message for you if we can't receive the 11 billion dollars and the interest in cash."

"Go on."

"Russia will not recognize North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons."

"What?"

The chairman's eyes widened.

"If North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons, Russia will cut off all support."

"Is President Zahr really saying this?"

"Yes. If evidence of nuclear development is found, any action Russia takes will be North Korea's responsibility."

For a moment, Chairman Kim clenched the armrests of the sofa and gritted his teeth.

It was a moment just before the explosion.

The room was filled only with the chairman's heavy breathing.

Nikolai even swallowed hard due to the tense atmosphere.

After some time passed,

The chairman's breathing calmed down, and he slowly spoke.

"This is an excessively harsh demand."

"We will launch a new satellite within five years. When that happens, we will be able to confirm everything in North Korea more accurately, not just China. You need to make a good decision."

Given the country's current difficulties, it was reassuring that they couldn't suddenly develop nuclear missiles within five years.

"How can you make such a demand from an ally?"

"I'm just relaying the message. It's all from President Zahr."

"Ha…."

Without nuclear weapons, classified as asymmetric weapons, North Korea cannot be a threat.

President Zahr, who is uncomfortable with China having nuclear weapons right at his doorstep, decided that North Korea cannot have them either.

While Nikolai's opinion was reflected, Zahr also showed a strong will to prevent North Korea from having nuclear weapons.

"…I can't answer this right away. I'll contact you by the end of the year."

"I'll relay that message. Since all negotiations seem to be concluded, we will stop by Tongcheon and then return to Russia."

"…"

"The trucks will continue to transport supplies, so please ensure there are no problems. I'll contact you when the 50,000 people are needed."

Nikolai and Shasha stood up, but Chairman Kim, seemingly shocked, did not.

* * *

Chairman Kim was silent for a while.

The man waited quietly beside him until he spoke.

After about ten minutes, the chairman finally spoke.

"Yim."

"Yes."

"How should we respond to Russia's demand to give up nuclear development?"

"…If they launch a satellite within five years, no matter how careful we are, we won't be able to avoid Russia's eyes."

"That's true."

"Currently, China has completely closed the border. If Russia does the same…."

"That's why I'm asking. What do you think we should do?"

The answer was already clear, but Chairman Kim didn't want to say it himself.

"In exchange for giving up nuclear development, we should also demand something in return, shouldn't we?"

"Do you really think we should give it up?"

"Given our current situation, it seems we have no choice. If Russia also closes the border, we won't last a month."

"Hmm…."

A month is nothing.

North Korea won't last a week.

The man knew this but said a month to consider the chairman's pride.

"If we give up nuclear weapons, what should we demand?"

"…We have until the end of the year, so it's best to think carefully until then."

"That's a good idea. Hmm. We have to give up nuclear weapons…."

After thinking for a while, Chairman Kim asked about something completely unrelated to nuclear weapons.

"By the way, the person next to Nikolai, the advisor."

"Yes."

"That person didn't say a word but seems to have a high position."

"It seems so. As you know, Nikolai, the economic advisor, is President Zahr's grandson, yet he came in person. The person observed Nikolai, so it seems he has a higher position."

"Hmm."

"His eyes were particularly sharp."

"I saw that too. If a Korean holds a high position in the Russian government, he must be an extraordinary person. Since he's Korean, he probably understands our language to some extent. We shouldn't underestimate him."

The two were completely mistaken.

Shasha just sat quietly because she didn't understand anything.

* * *

Nikolai's group headed to Tongcheon, the hometown of President Jeong.

Shasha, still tense, drank water and said,

"My eyes. They're red from lack of sleep. I don't even have eye drops."

Her eyes seemed sharp for this reason.

"Nikolai, I couldn't understand what was said at the time, but the atmosphere made me think something big was about to happen. Didn't you know the old stories?"

"What old stories?"

"In the old days, kings would behead envoys. If Chairman Kim had lost his mind for a moment, we would have been in big trouble."

"Chairman Kim, no matter how aggressive, knows the value of his own life."

"Still, it was nerve-wracking."

Shasha had been given a rough idea of the situation.

"Should they give up nuclear weapons?"

"If they don't, everyone will starve to death. If the high-ranking officials in North Korea suffer, Chairman Kim's position will be shaken, so they have no choice but to give up."

"That's true. Then, what will Chairman Kim demand in return for giving up?"

"He will demand something. Even if he does, it's fine. I'm confident I can get even more."

"True. You always take back several times what you give. Who could match you?"

"Is that a compliment?"

"Maybe."

Nikolai and the group spent a day in Tongcheon and then headed back to Ussuriysk.

* * *

A few days later, at Moscow Airport.

"Thank you so much. I have no regrets even if I die now."

"Don't say that. Have a safe trip."

Nikolai and Shasha watched President Jeong leave the airport and then headed to the Kremlin.

"Father, will Chairman Kim give up nuclear weapons?"

In response to Sergei's question, Zahr smiled mysteriously.

"If he doesn't give up, North Korea will disappear from the Korean Peninsula. If he does, we achieve our goal. Either way, we have nothing to lose, don't we?"

"That's true."

"Since he said he'll contact us by the end of the year, let's wait and see. By the way, Nikolai."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"About the deserts in China. I think we should buy them outright instead of leasing them for 100 years."

Nikolai, who had similar thoughts, was excited by Zahr's words.

Although it won't become Russian territory, buying and leasing are fundamentally different.

"Once you establish your business in the desert, China won't want to sell it. So, it's better to buy it now. Since it's useless land, it won't be expensive."

"…"

"China doesn't see the value in the desert, but you do. Now is a good time to buy."

China has four major deserts.

1. Gobi Desert (13 times the size of South Korea).

A desert in Central Asia spanning Mongolia and China.

The largest desert in Asia, "Gobi" means "rough land" in Mongolian.

2. Taklamakan Desert (almost three times the size of South Korea).

A desert in Central Asia located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The name "Taklamakan" in Uyghur means "once you enter, you can't leave."

3. Ordos Desert (slightly smaller than South Korea).

Located in the middle of the process where the terrain lowers from the Himalayas to eastern China.

4. Kubuqi Desert (about 80% the size of South Korea).

A desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

As President Zahr said, once these deserts start to change, China will never sell them.

So, Nikolai thought it was better to buy them now.

"I can't just hand over all the hard work to China."

"That's a good idea. Have you thought about the price?"

"I'll take care of it. You need to prepare for your business, whether you buy the desert or not."

"Understood."

"By the way, President Lukashenko will come this Friday to discuss the 1 billion dollar loan. I'd like you to be there."

"I will."

* * *

The next afternoon at 2 PM, Nikolai went to Yuri Yusupov's house and met his aunt Olga.

"Hello."

"You've been coming often lately?"

With that, she disappeared outside.

However, her expression was brighter than usual.

When Nikolai entered the living room, Yuri gestured.

"Sit here."

As he sat on the sofa, Yuri let out a hollow laugh.

"Everything you said was right. I told her to start with one, but she said she wouldn't be satisfied unless she had ten, so I gave her ten."

"Did you set the conditions?"

"Yes. If she can't maintain a profit for two years, she has to give them all back."

"Since she's been making a profit, Aunt Olga probably thought it was fine."

"Probably. Let's see how it goes."

"Was it the in-laws who got involved?"

"It seems so. It's frustrating, but what can I do as a father with a daughter? However, if she doesn't make a profit, I'll be firm."

GUM Department Store has been profitable thanks to the endless efforts of Nikolai and Ivan.

But can Olga really do it?

"Maintaining a profit for two years won't be easy."

Since Yuri made the decision