Chapter 90

The Bear's Soup is Now My Turn Chapter 90

090 Want to drag it out? Then there are other ways / How much would it take?

President Clinton decided to accept Russia's request.

However, there was a condition.

He asked President Zahar to attend the NATO agreement meeting again.

This was as good as asking him to sign it.

‘He must be seeking revenge for what happened to his grandfather back then.’

For President Clinton, accepting Russia's request was beneficial.

The fact that the Korean Peninsula would be connected by a transcontinental train was a signal that the path to peace was opening.

This positive image could somewhat dilute the sexual harassment scandal that had marred his political career.

Clinton knew this, and the condition he attached could only be seen as an intention to make President Zahar suffer.

“Does it have to come with a condition?”

“It’s more of a request.”

“But if the person receiving it feels it’s coercion rather than a request, then it’s not a request, is it?”

When Nikolai hit the nail on the head, he laughed awkwardly and brought up examples from other countries.

“Hehe, if North Korea is willing to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for an end-of-war declaration, why would we oppose it? That’s what we’ve wanted too.”

Now, he smiled slyly and laid out his position.

“When Ukraine became independent, we know how much money we supported to eliminate nuclear weapons. If we don’t have to spend any money and just need to approve it, why would we oppose it?”

Long talk is an excuse and a lie.

The truth is always simple and clear.

President Clinton’s speech continued afterward.

“It’s a misunderstanding. I’m asking for the NATO agreement, so I hope you won’t refuse.”

He clearly said he would approve it.

He didn’t oppose it.

However, he set a condition that Russia couldn’t accept.

This was the method President Zahar had used on Clinton at the previous NATO agreement ceremony, and now Clinton was using it.

Nikolai knew this method because he had told Clinton, so he naturally understood Clinton’s intention.

‘He’s kicking away the good fortune that has come to him.’

Realizing that further conversation was futile, Nikolai stood up.

“I will convey your words to the President as they are. Goodbye.”

As Nikolai left, the CIA director asked,

“What do you plan to do?”

“We just need to approve it before the results of next year’s presidential election are out, right?”

“That’s true, but...”

“I won’t be able to approve it easily because President Zahar won’t sign the NATO agreement.”

The director frowned at Clinton’s attempt to settle personal scores at such a crucial time.

* * *

Nikolai was convinced after hearing Clinton’s words.

‘He will approve it, but he wants to make me suffer?’

If so, Nikolai had no intention of rushing.

He decided to wait calmly instead of being dragged along by Clinton.

Yuri had said,

“Don’t rush like in the old days. Sometimes, take a step back and think. Don’t look at the trees; look at the forest.”

So, he decided to wait.

It might take some time, but the U.S. would eventually approve it, so he only needed to get China’s approval.

He didn’t care about Japan’s stance.

With about a year until the approval, he could meet with Chairman Jiang Zemin and settle things.

‘Since I’m already in the U.S., I should meet that person before I leave.’

* * *

At Blackhole Investment in the U.S.,

Dennis shook his head after hearing Nikolai’s story.

“I looked into Clinton when the sexual harassment scandal happened. If he had any sense, he would have stepped down. The fact that he held on until the end shows how thick-skinned he is.”

“He must have the thickest skin of all politicians, which is why he became president.”

“Haha, that’s true. What about our grandfather?”

“The situation in Russia was different.”

“Still, I don’t like Clinton. His petty mindset of dragging things out for over a year just to vent his frustration.”

They hadn’t met in a long time, so they had a lot of private conversations and discussed future business plans.

“I want to buy some hero character copyrights.”

“What do you plan to do with them?”

“I want to put them into Disney to make movies.”

“Since we’re going into the entertainment business anyway, it should be fine. Should we proceed?”

“Let’s do it. Our entertainment company employees don’t have much to do these days.”

“It’s an investment company for the entertainment sector. I thought you should decide the first project, so I told them to wait.”

“Good. I’ll contact you soon.”

“By the way, how much stock of IT companies do you plan to buy?”

Seeing Dennis’s eager expression, Nikolai asked,

“How much do you want to buy?”

“The more, the better, right? The market is at rock bottom now.”

“Has your skill improved?”

Judging by the fact that he’s buying a lot without affecting the stock price.

“I’m being very careful not to affect the stock price. When will such an opportunity come again? Still, you should tell me where the limit is, right?”

“The more, the better, right? Go for it.”

“Really?”

“Buy as much as you can.”

“...Really?”

“Seize the opportunity when it comes.”

“Okay. Then, up to 51%?”

“That’s perfect.”

“This will make the stock market noisy again. Some companies will buy back their own shares to defend against takeovers. But we don’t need to hide anymore, right?”

Nikolai’s interview had already been published, so there was no need to be cautious.

“Right.”

“It feels good now. By the way, Yandex started its Middle East service, didn’t it?”

“I think we should also target the Middle East.”

“I was looking into the Middle East because of Yandex and found something strange...”

“...?”

“The trend in international oil prices is unusual. The rise is similar to when IT stocks first started to rise, and the magnitude is not ordinary.”

Ah, right.

It started to rise around this time, didn’t it?

It began to rise slowly even before Putin took power and continued to rise for over ten years.

Nikolai had studied Putin extensively before becoming a correspondent in Russia.

He knew why Putin, unlike Yeltsin, had been able to maintain the support of the Russian people for a long time.

‘It was because of the surge in international oil prices.’

That’s right. Putin quickly revived the fallen Russian economy thanks to the surge in international oil prices.

This means that Russia’s golden age is about to begin.

“The gas and oil pipelines to Europe must be completed by now. Wow, the timing is perfect. You’re really scary.”

“Don’t make a fuss over a slight rise in oil prices.”

“It’s not just a slight rise. It looks like the beginning to me. What do you think about getting into that market?”

“The futures market?”

Nikolai was surprised inside.

I didn’t know Dennis’s intuition was this developed.

But Dennis wouldn’t say this just based on a feeling.

“It’s a decision I made after a lot of consideration.”

“Are you confident? You know what can happen if you get into the futures market wrong.”

“I know, but trust me this one time.”

“...”

“The graph showing the rebound from $10 per barrel in January is really unusual. I think it will at least reach $30.”

$30 is nothing.

It will exceed $100 in a few years.

In the original history, it rose to $29 in 2000 and entered the $100 era from 2007.

Nikolai didn’t know these exact figures, but he knew that oil prices would continue to rise.

“Let’s try it. I trust your skills. But when I tell you to sell, you must sell.”

“Have I ever disobeyed your orders? If the owner says to sell, I will sell.”

“By the way, can you arrange a meeting with Bush?”

“Bush? The Republican presidential candidate?”

“Yes. Is it possible?”

“It’s possible if I ask a senator, but why him? You’re not betting on Bush, are you?”

Dennis asked, surprised.

Nikolai laughed inwardly at his expression and said,

“Who do you think will win?”

“If I knew, I’d be rich.”

“What do you think of the Democratic candidate, Al Gore?”

“The aftereffects of the Clinton sexual harassment scandal seem to be affecting Gore. But overall, Gore seems to be slightly ahead.”

In the original history, Al Gore won the national popular vote by 0.5%.

However, the U.S. determines the winner by the total number of electoral votes, so he lost to Bush by a margin of five votes.

Al Gore was the person who persuaded the White House not to provide financial support to South Korea during the East Asian financial crisis.

Nikolai didn’t know this, but he disliked Gore just because he was from the same Democratic Party as Clinton.

Since he knew Bush would become the next president, the timing was perfect.

“Can you arrange a meeting?”

“I will, but it might take some time. Bush is very busy these days.”

* * *

At the Republican Bush campaign headquarters.

“Nikolai?”

Bush tilted his head when the chief of staff mentioned the name.

“Yes. He’s the person who appeared in the news several times. Blackhole Investment, which made a large investment in IT companies and faced negative public opinion. There was even a congressional hearing about it.”

“Oh, I remember. Why does he want to see me?”

“He seems to want to support your campaign.”

“I’m not short of money. Do I really need the support of a Russian company?”

“Blackhole now has a legal entity in the U.S. The government couldn’t take legal action because of this.”

“So, there’s no problem if I accept it?”

“No problem at all.”

Bush’s lips curled into a smile.

“Blackhole and the Democratic Party are not on good terms. Moreover, the amount of money Nikolai has made this time is astronomical. It’s on a different level from ordinary donations.”

Bush’s smile grew wider as he showed deep interest in the chief of staff’s words.

“He is the grandson of the current Russian president and an economic advisor. He is the ideal person to improve relations with Russia.”

“It seems like heaven is helping me. Good, let’s arrange a meeting.”

“Understood.”

* * *

Nikolai, who met with Bush, started with simple pleasantries.

“To be a presidential economic advisor at such a young age, President Zahar must have a keen eye for talent.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“I’m just stating the facts. If possible, I would like to invite you to be my economic advisor.”

Bush looked at Nikolai carefully.

He had a Hollywood-star-like appearance, but there was a unique aura about him.

He had met many stars and high-ranking officials, but none of them had this aura.

“I respect President Zahar’s political philosophy. I know that Russia’s rapid recovery after the collapse of the Soviet Union was largely due to the president’s efforts.”

“...”

“I also admire the humanitarian support he provided to North Korea.”

Bush wasn’t just saying this to be polite.

Russia had taken action where the UN had not, and as a result, the starvation rate in North Korea had sharply decreased.

This was a part of his character that deserved respect.

“If there’s anything I can do to help with your work in the Gobi Desert, please let me know.”

After a long conversation, Nikolai found that he could communicate well with Bush, unlike Clinton.

So, he asked directly,

“Mr. Candidate, how much would it take?”

“Excuse me?”

“Please tell me the amount you need.”

How much could you possibly ask for?

Presidential campaign funds are predictable.

Nikolai smiled and handed him a blank piece of paper.

“If it’s uncomfortable to say, please write it down here.”

Bush and the chief of staff’s mouths dropped open.