Chapter 44: Just a little bit of trouble

Of course, it was impossible to remain calm in this situation. The sight of such propaganda vehicles parading through the streets, with people following behind and throwing leaflets, was a stark reminder of the tragic Great Patriotic War, a memory that was etched in the minds of all Kriskers.

Back then, when the sound of the rumble of artillery and the bombing of airplanes in the sky were all that could be heard, it was these propaganda vehicles that went out onto the streets, encouraging the people to continue fighting and to fight to the bitter end against the invaders.

Now the radio is playing again, talking about the same invasion, so it easily evokes the patriotic passion that is deeply buried in the hearts of these Northern Russians. Coupled with their fighting spirit, it is natural that the scene has turned out like this. For these Northern Russians present, they are very proud in their hearts. They think they are protecting their country and defending their homeland, and they are fighting the enemies who invaded their country!

Looking at the situation over there, Davier immediately shouted at Zhou Ming, 'Zhou Ming, you set this up!'

Davyier's words were translated by Katerina and passed into Zhou Ming's ears. Zhou Ming said helplessly, 'Mr. Davyier, don't you think your words are very ridiculous? Or do you think I already guessed what you were going to do, so I teamed up with the local officials and businessmen in Krisko to set you up for this snipe? Although I really want to nod and say that I'm just that awesome, unfortunately this really wasn't something I arranged.'

Hearing Zhou Ming's very awkwardly translated words, Davie's mind was suddenly tangled. On the one hand, he knew very well that what Zhou Ming said was indeed the truth, but on the other hand, he hoped that it was something that Zhou Ming had arranged.

This is because if Zhou Ming arranged it, it can be said that this person is very capable, and he is one step ahead. But if it wasn't arranged by him, and it was the officials and businessmen from Northern Russia who made it happen, then not only did he misjudge the situation, but more importantly, Zhou Ming simply did not take him, the person in charge of the Dota project, seriously. How could he, who has always been arrogant, accept this?

'Well, Mr. Davier, in fact, whether I arranged this or not is no longer important. What's important is that this path is obviously no longer viable for you. You need to quickly get your people out and start planning again.' Zhou Ming pointed at him and then at himself and said, 'Mr. Davier, you and I both understand that all of this is just a skirmish. It doesn't matter who wins or loses. The real showdown is still to come. Don't you agree?'

David looked at Zhou Ming and felt his thoughts become disorganized. It wasn't that Zhou Ming's words were amazing; on the contrary, he could think of everything Zhou Ming had said. But that was precisely what made him feel wrong, because he so hoped that Zhou Ming would severely humiliate and trample on him at this time, instead of looking like a teacher and admonishing him as he was now.

David was not unaware that this thought of his was very mean, but there was nothing he could do about it. In his opinion, what Ming had just said was exactly how an adult would speak to an unruly child! This humiliation, which was even worse than being ignored, made him want to go crazy, especially Ming's final sentence about a decisive battle to come, which made him feel an inexplicable panic.

Of course, David could understand what Ming meant by decisive battle, but in the face of the entire Western world's preparations for the Dota Project for more than ten years, why should he be so calm?

Or does he have any other tricks up his sleeve?

This thought made Davier's heart race, but in the end he resisted, just nodding lightly and saying, 'It seems that Mr. Zhou Ming knows quite a bit, but if you think you've won like this, that wouldn't be good.'

'Mr. Davier, actually, I want to say that this is also what I want to say to you,' Zhou Ming replied with a carefree air.

Davy's face muscles were constantly twitching. If he could, he really wanted to go up and punch Ming Zhou in the face to see if he could remain calm anymore, but that was impossible.

In the end, Davy just snorted and turned around and left. As he watched him leave, Ming Zhou sighed, shook his head, and said, 'This Mr. Davy is really irresponsible, isn't he? His people are still being beaten over there, and he just walks away as the leader. I really don't know how heartbroken those people will be if they find out!'

Fortunately, there was chaos in the street, the broadcast from the propaganda vehicle over there was very loud, and Davier had also walked away. Otherwise, if he had heard Zhou Ming's words, he would have probably really died of vomiting blood.

'Great, Zhou Ming, you've won again!' Kareina happily said to Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming thanked Katerina, 'But this is also because Davier was too eager to succeed and wanted to pick on me too much, without thinking that this was not the time for him to play. Although I admit that he has very strong backing, it does not mean that he can do whatever he wants.'

'I believe that even at the last moment, Davier and the Dota Project will definitely not be your opponent, Mr. Zhou Ming, because you are also well prepared,' Katerina firmly said to Zhou Ming.

'Miss Katerina, you shouldn't praise me like that. If I get screwed over and lose everything, I'll be in big trouble,' said Zhou Ming.

Katerina wanted to say something else, but then Zhou Ming's phone, which he had placed on the table, rang. Zhou Ming answered the call, and it was Li Cheng from Gangcheng.

He first exchanged greetings with Zhou Ming, and then got straight to the point, saying, 'Zhou Ming, the commotion you're causing in Northern Russia is too loud.'

Zhou Ming had no intention of hiding anything from Li Cheng, so he said, 'Chairman Li seems to be very well informed. You found out so quickly.'

'The eyes of the world are on Krisko right now. If I don't keep an eye on things here, how can I be your partner?'

Li Cheng said with a smile, 'I heard that the privatization reform in Northern Russia has already begun, and United Bank has become the first person to try it. Irbedov first issued the bank's assets into securities to the bank's employees and then used the loans to buy all of these securities into his own hands. With this buying and selling, such a large bank has become his personal property. This is a magical trick, and it came from your handwriting, didn't it?'

'Sort of,' Zhou Ming said. This answer, strictly speaking, did not admit or deny, because Zhou Ming knew very well that Li Cheng had never intended to make this phone call for this reason, so no matter how he answered, it would be the same.

Li Cheng asked again, 'But Zhou Ming, now that you're causing a stir, won't the Tower Project have to be more on their guard against you?'

'Actually, I just met with Mr. David, the person in charge of the Dota Project here, today,' said Zhou Ming.

This remark immediately irritated Li Cheng, who hurriedly asked, 'So what did this Mr. David say to you?'

'It's not what he told me, but today he invited the bank presidents and trade officials from Northern Russia to a meeting at the hotel where I'm staying. He wants those presidents and officials to continue cooperating with him in implementing the Dota Project. I went to him.' Zhou Ming said.

Li Cheng let out a breath: 'What a quick response! Then Zhou Ming, it would be best for our side to remain stable for now. If we do too much, and they become wary, it would be counterproductive.'

Zhou Ming knew what Li Cheng was worried about and also said to him, 'Director Li, it is not me who will make a mistake, but Mr. Davier. Because the officials and businessmen in Northern Russia know that the Dota Project is plundering their assets, so why would they want to listen to Mr. Davier? In contrast, they are more willing to oppose the Dota Project.'

Having said that, Zhou Ming looked up and then said to Li Cheng, 'Chairman Li, you could hear the commotion from my end over the phone, right?'

Li Cheng said, "That's right. Did something happen over there?'

'Davier sent someone to buy privatized securities on Grosse Straße. Officials from Northern Russia sent propaganda vehicles to publicize that the currency they were selling was counterfeit. The people of Krisco went crazy and beat up Davier's people," said Zhou Ming.

Li Cheng was stunned for a moment and did not react at first. After a while, he said, 'The officials of Northern Russia created a stir to get the people to beat up the people of Davie? How is that possible?'

'Nothing is impossible, everything is driven by interests,' Zhou Ming said, 'But that's not a big deal, because it's all just small fry, not worth mentioning at all. We are waiting for the later events, aren't we? Otherwise, I would have asked you to act now.'

Li Cheng let out a sigh of relief and laughed, saying to Zhou Ming, 'We'd better wait. You often say you're a capitalist, but we're all capitalists too! We also want to pursue greater stability and profits. And for us, stable capital is more reliable than industry.'

'In fact, what Chairman Li is trying to say is that with capital, you can buy industry at any time, and even if you can't buy industry, you can create it yourself. But with industry, you're completely bound, and you may not be able to really turn it into capital or wealth, right?'

Zhou Ming suddenly asked this question, which made Li Cheng feel very embarrassed. The two of them then exchanged a few words, and Zhou Ming assured Li Cheng and the latter then hung up.

Zhou Ming knew very well the purpose of Li Cheng's call today. He was definitely 120% confident in his abilities. If there was one thing he was worried about, it was that he was young and impetuous. But how would he know that beneath his appearance of being in his twenties, he actually harbored the soul of a fifty-year-old? Perhaps there were times when he acted rashly, but he would never make a major mistake.

After hanging up the phone, Katerina said to Zhou Ming, 'Mr. Zhou Ming, I believe that in the bigger things to come, you will definitely prevail!'

Facing this Katerina who supported him, Zhou Ming sighed and said, 'Whether or not I prevail actually doesn't matter, it's just that your fellow Northern Russians are going to suffer next, and it's still going to be very, very hard.'

'I know that if our Northern Russian Republic is to regain a new life, there are some difficulties that we must overcome, and no one is to blame.'

Kaleena shook her head and said to Ming, at this time, she still had no way of realizing what exactly Ming meant by 'very, very difficult suffering'. If she had known, she would never have said such a thing.