Chapter 40: If you want to come, come

'Great! We've been working at the bank for so long, and the economy has been in recession for so long, but finally we've got our money. I can buy a bottle of vodka and drink it. I don't even know how I've survived this long.'

'And this time, we're getting a lot of money at once, 20,000 roubles! In the past, this would have been at least a few months' salary, but now it's all coming at once. It seems that this Mr. Irbedov is really a good person, who knows that we people are not doing well, and this privatisation reform is a great thing!'

'With this money, I will definitely buy all the things that are missing in our home: my wife's lipstick, the accordion that my son has been longing for, and we will also have to repair the damn heating and the broken windows.'

'Hey, it's almost summer, and you want to repair the heating? You don't want to be buried alive in your home in the summer!'

'God willing, I saw a very beautiful dress in Tina's department store last time, but unfortunately I didn't have the money to buy it at that time. But now I can go and buy it, I just hope that some woman won't get there before me!'

...

In front of the United Bank, all the bank employees walked out of the building chatting and laughing, and Zhou Ming's car was parked in front of the bank, with a full view of everything.

If it had been half an hour earlier, Katerina would have been happy that her compatriots had finally emerged from poverty, but now she was silent, because she knew that these people were just future victims.

At this time, Zhou Ming slowly rolled down the window and pointed at Katerina over there, saying, 'You heard what they said just now. Due to past poverty, coupled with problems with your country's own industrialisation configuration, there is an extreme shortage of daily necessities. After they have finally got their money, their first thought is naturally to replenish their own necessities.'

'Is this idea wrong?' Karina hurriedly asked Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming shook his head and replied, 'The idea itself is not wrong, but when thousands of people have the same idea at the same time, it is easy to be taken advantage of.'

'I know that you studied finance in the United States under Mr. Maita, and I think you also understand the consequences of a bank run.'

Kaleena nodded in understanding, and Zhou Ming continued, 'So this is the situation now, except that this time it's not a bank that's experiencing a run on its deposits, but the entire Krisco market! When these people get their money, they'll all want to go to the market and buy some necessities of life. It doesn't matter if it's just one or two people, but when the entire population of Krisco is doing the same thing, then trouble will come.

'When the supply of a certain type of commodity is in short supply, prices are bound to rise. And when many commodities are in short supply, then the market will be in chaos,' Zhou Ming said. 'In addition, there is an even more important financial issue. You studied economics with Mr. Meta, and I think you can see that all this money flooding into the market at once will definitely cause serious inflation.'

'Actually, these people are lucky, because they are the first to get the money and the first to go shopping in the market, and they can still get their own benefits.' Zhou Ming then changed the subject and continued, "It's just hard to say what will happen in the future.'

Katerina closed her eyes in pain, and after a while she opened them and said to Zhou Ming, "If this is the pain that the reform must go through, then it is what it should be.'

Zhou Ming patted Katerina's small hand and said, 'I hope that after a while, you can still think this way.'

Suddenly, Zhou Ming's mobile phone, which was placed on the seat, rang. Zhou Ming smiled and handed it to Katerina: 'If I'm not wrong, it should be our Mr. Davier calling. Could you answer it for me?'

Katerina took the phone with some hesitation. Sure enough, as soon as she answered, Davier's angry voice came from the other end. He said, 'Chinese, you are a liar and a scoundrel! You are the most disgusting scum in the world...'

After hearing only the beginning of the translation by Katerina, Zhou Ming understood. Zhou Ming said to Davier, 'Well, my gentleman Davier, I don't understand what could make a Western gentleman so angry.'

Davier immediately questioned Zhou Ming, 'Chinese, let me ask you, what did you say to Nikolayevich and those Soviet officials yesterday? Why did the United Bank start the privatisation of securities reform today, and why did the president of the bank, Irbedov, take the initiative to recover so many securities?'

'I didn't realise that information from Davidow was so pervasive!' Zhou Ming said with a smile. "But Mr Davidow, before you say anything, can I ask you a question?'

'Ask whatever disgusting question you have, otherwise I'll definitely spank your bottom later!" Davidow said.

'I'm obviously no longer part of the Tower Project, so do I still need to report to you on what's going on in Krisco? Whatever I do is my own business,' Zhou Ming added at the end, "I don't know if I'm right, Mr. Davier.'

Facing this question from Zhou Ming, Davier gradually calmed down. He sneered and asked, "So Mr. Zhou Ming did this on purpose, trying to create some difficulties for the Tower Project? Then I think you are too naive. I don't mean to belittle you, but even if you have the help of Miss Karelina, you won't be able to take away much wealth from the Tower Project.'

After listening to Davier's words, Zhou Ming glanced at Katerina. Katerina turned her face away a little sheepishly. Zhou Ming didn't say anything. He said to Davier, 'Actually, I really want to say that you, Mr. Davier, are too confident. I don't think the Tower Project is invincible.'

'I really regret that when you first came to Villa 8, I wasn't prepared to really shoot you with a gun,' Davier said.

'Then I'd like to thank you, Mr. Davier,' Zhou Ming said.

Davier there lost interest in continuing the conversation with Zhou Ming and hung up the phone directly.

Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Zhou Ming smiled, then took out his other phone and dialed a Hong Kong number. The phone was quickly connected, and Zhou Ming said hello first, 'Hello, Li Dong, this is Zhou Ming.'

The number Zhou Ming dialed was none other than that of the future richest man in the world, Li Cheng. He was also very happy to hear Zhou Ming's voice: 'It's you, Zhou Ming! I'm Li Cheng. What's up? You suddenly called me today, is it because the thing you've been preparing for is finally starting?'

'Chairman Li is truly the most promising entrepreneur in Hong Kong City, and this intuition is truly amazing!' Zhou Ming gave Li Cheng a nonchalant pat on the back, and then continued, "I believe there are some things that you already know without me saying anything.'

'Yes, Baggioff resigned of his own accord and even suggested disbanding the Red Party. Such a big event simply cannot be kept secret from the world. It is said that US stocks skyrocketed last night," Li Cheng said.

'I didn't buy it, it seems a real pity!' Zhou Ming said with a fake expression of regret, and then continued, "So I won't hide it from you, Li Dong. Just today, I have already persuaded the leaders of the North Russian Republic, the president of the North Russian bank, and trade officials. Many banks and enterprises have already begun the privatisation process in advance. I am now in front of the North Russian United Bank.'

'What about the Dota Project? They must have heard the news too, right?" Li Cheng asked.

'Yes, just now the person in charge of the Dota Project on this side of Krisco called me, and he sounded very firm!' Zhou Ming said.

'So you think it's time for us to make a move?' Li Cheng asked, 'Aren't you afraid of causing an international dispute by doing this?'

Zhou Ming laughed heartily and said, 'If you're afraid that these guys from the North Russian Republic will retreat in fear, that's possible. As for international disputes, if they come, they come, but I know that's absolutely impossible, because judging from the behaviour of those Western countries, even if they're given ten guts, they absolutely wouldn't dare make this public. The result would only be a worldwide panic.'

'As long as you're confident, tomorrow the other directors and I will inject funds into the designated account. You must fight a beautiful financial battle!' Li Cheng said.

Zhou Ming was surprised that they had agreed so readily: 'Why, Chairman Li, have you already discussed this?'

'At least I personally have full confidence in you, and I believe the others feel the same way,' Li Cheng even cracked a joke with Zhou Ming, 'besides, Zhou Ming, you have already convinced the chairman of our joint venture company, and sometimes we directors really can only do as we're told!'

Zhou Ming smiled embarrassedly, because before this, Zhou Ming had indeed contacted people like Lin Muqing and Li Cheng through them.

There was no other way, after all, Lin Muqing would definitely support his decision unconditionally, even if it cost him everything, because once a woman has her heart set on someone, that person is everything to her. But Li Cheng and the others were different, they were all tycoons in the business community of Gangcheng, and they would not make decisions so blindly, so it was necessary to communicate with them slowly.

But it was reasonable for them to agree, as tycoons in the business community, who would want to let go of such a small chance to make a big fortune?

After hanging up the phone with Li Cheng, Zhou Ming saw Katerina looking at him apologetically, with an expression that she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Zhou Ming patted his forehead, remembering what he had just said. So Zhou Ming said to her, 'Okay, you don't need to say anything about your business. Who doesn't have any secrets? Although I don't know what secrets you are hiding, I am not a nosy person, so you can tell me whenever you want.'

Zhou Ming's open-mindedness deeply moved Katerina: 'Thank you, Mr. Zhou Ming, you have not only helped solve the problem in my country, but you are also so open-minded. You are really a good person, I don't know how I can repay you!'

Zhou Ming scratched his head and helplessly laughed at himself, saying, 'I never thought that I would really be a loser, in this life and the next. I will always be the nice guy that girls give the cold shoulder to!'

Even though she was fluent in Chinese, Karolina still didn't understand what Zhou Ming meant by this self-deprecating remark that was so ahead of its time.