Chapter 47: Spring and a Bitter Winter

'First of all, I would like to thank you all for your warm welcome. Of course, I am also very grateful to Mr. Irbedov for giving me this opportunity to attend this banquet and meet all of you. Then I hope that this banquet will be a complete success, and I also hope that everyone's business will flourish and that the Republic of Northern Russia will also get better and better!'

Zhou Ming said to everyone, and although it was just a set of polite words, it still ushered in a warm applause.

As soon as the applause died down, someone asked, 'Mr Zhou Ming, just now I heard Mr Irbedov say that you came here to help us with a grand plan for the future. I wonder what you plan to do?'

Someone spoke up, and the others immediately asked curiously in unison, 'Yes, Mr. Zhou Ming, since you led that tank speech and helped us oppose those Western countries, you must have a very different plan, right? Today, Mr. Il'bedov specially invited you here, in the hope that you can give us different opinions or suggestions. We all hope to hear your brilliant ideas!'

As he listened to the words of the others, Zhou Ming smiled helplessly in his heart. He had long understood that it would not be easy to come here today, but he had not expected these people to want to speak right away.

However, this was not surprising. After all, in terms of the current situation in Northern Russia, the privatisation reform had only just begun. These businessmen were all opportunists, each one a leader in their respective industries, and the gap between them had not yet widened. Now that Irbedov has given himself such a high salary, these people must be dissatisfied in their hearts, so naturally they all want to speak for themselves.

Zhou Ming turned his head and glanced at Irbedov, who said to Zhou Ming, 'Mr. Zhou Ming, everyone is enthusiastic and very concerned about the overall situation. Please say a few words.'

Zhou Ming nodded and said yes, and then Il'bedov led Zhou Ming over to the lectern. This looked as if it had been planned in advance, but in fact, for this kind of high-society luxury banquet, naturally everything is readily available. Even though this was at Il'bedov's villa, a broadcast and lectern were also set up for the banquet, just in case someone felt like saying a few words.

Zhou Ming walked up to the lectern. As Zhou Ming's interpreter, Katerina also walked up to the lectern gracefully, holding the microphone.

Standing on the lectern, Zhou Ming looked at the dark mass of Northern Russian businessmen in front of him. He cleared his throat and said, 'I know what you all care about, so I won't say much about some polite greetings. I will mainly talk about things that concern you.'

When Zhou Ming said this, everyone in the audience pricked up their ears, staring at Zhou Ming without blinking, waiting for his brilliant speech.

'Since Mr. Nikolayevich gave that famous tank speech, Northern Russia has begun its own privatisation reform. This reform has broken down some of the barriers of the past, allowing everyone here to give full play to their talents. The privatisation of state-owned enterprises has also allowed capital to start flowing in Northern Russia, invigorating the entire economy.'

Zhou Ming held out his hand: 'We are all the best businessmen here, and I believe you have a more personal understanding of whether the economy is active or not than I do.'

'In the past, the entire Soviet economy was controlled by officials. No matter how hard you worked, a single word from an official could undo all your efforts. This was very unfair,' said Zhou Ming. 'But the situation is different now. As long as you are willing to work hard and use your brains to find solutions, you can make money, a lot of money, money you never dared to think about in the past.'

Zhou Ming then pointed at Irbitov: 'Just like our Mr Irbitov. He was able to become the owner of United Bank and acquire the energy company, becoming the most profitable person in Northern Russia at the moment. That's his skill.'

'As long as you work hard, you can make money, and everyone has indeed become a billionaire, the best in their respective industries. This is fantastic! It's completely the spring of the economy and society in Northern Russia!'

Zhou Ming was saying the above, and all the Northern Russian businessmen below kept nodding their heads in agreement with Zhou Ming's words, showing that they all recognised Zhou Ming's judgement.

In their opinion, no matter what the true level of Zhou Ming as a person was, at least he had a good grasp of the situation. However, what Zhou Ming said next was something they never expected.

'Spring is a season of recovery for all things, but from what I can see of the situation in Northern Russia, it doesn't look like spring at all, but rather like a severe winter,' said Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming's words left everyone stunned. They never would have thought that Zhou Ming, who had been bragging for so long, would say something like that.

A cold winter? Does that mean the economic situation in Northern Russia is very serious?

This question came to everyone's mind, but then they all laughed. What's wrong with this Chinese guy's brain? Obviously, the economic situation in Northern Russia is booming, so why is there a cold winter?

Zhou Ming then continued, 'I know you don't believe me, but that's okay, I can tell you slowly.'

'First and foremost, under Soviet control, economic activity in Northern Russia has almost come to a standstill. General economic activity is fine, but when it comes to financial issues, I don't know how many of you here understand what finance actually is.'

Zhou Ming's question left everyone in the room confused. Since the situation in the Soviet Union was very similar to that in China, both countries had just begun reforming, and they had always been very closed off, so how would they understand Western financial practices?

'Okay,' Zhou Ming shrugged, 'let me put it more simply. As you all know, in order to implement privatisation reforms as soon as possible, the government of Northern Russia issued privatisation securities to all employees of all units. I believe everyone here has also bought quite a lot of these privatisation securities.'

'In fact, there is nothing wrong with the privatisation securities themselves, but the key lies in the fact that the central government has been pushing too hard, releasing so many securities all at once. Even foreign countries are snapping them up. Everyone should have bought quite a lot of them in order to take control of the company as soon as possible. So what will happen when so much money enters the market all at once?' Zhou Ming asked.

Faced with this question, even if the people below did not understand it, they suddenly responded: 'Inflation!'

'That's right, it's inflation, and with the help of those Western countries, I believe this inflation will be particularly severe!'

Zhou Ming paused for a moment before continuing, 'Everyone has not had a long time to master the company, and many things have not been dealt with properly. Due to the acquisition of privatised securities, the little capital that everyone already had in their hands has become even tighter. Coupled with severe inflation, everyone's production simply cannot get underway. So tell me, is Northern Russia about to enter a severe winter?'

'Mr Zhou Ming, the current situation is not as scary as you say, is it? Inflation is bound to happen, but there is central regulation, so how serious it will be.'

Someone below retorted to Zhou Ming, and his words were quickly agreed by others.

Zhou Ming just gave a disdainful smile in response, and then said, 'Yes, if there is inflation, the central government will definitely regulate it. But you have forgotten about the Western countries. I know that a large part of you attended the meeting at the No. 1 Hotel the other day. Do you think that the Western countries, which have a complete set of financial tools and have been plotting against the Soviet Union for ten years or even longer, will be willing to easily give up this opportunity?'

Zhou Ming's words echoed throughout the manor under the broadcast, and everyone no longer had the previous ease. Each of them had a grave expression, because Zhou Ming's words hit the nail on the head.

Indeed, if it was just inflation, it could be controlled under the control of the central government. Maybe they could even make a fortune if they meddle with it again. But once the Western countries were involved, it would be trouble. Those unreasonable bandits would definitely plunder.

Standing on the podium, Zhou Ming looked down coldly. Zhou Ming could feel the dull atmosphere below, and all he had to do was help them break this dullness.

'Do you all feel desperate?' Zhou Ming said, 'But I don't think so, because I am an optimistic person. I don't believe there are unsolvable problems, only minds that refuse to move. Then this time will be the same.'

Zhou Ming's words made the people below suddenly brighten up, because his words gave them renewed hope.

Facing the pairs of hopeful eyes below, Zhou Ming continued, 'In fact, there is no need for anyone to despair. I think everyone can simply regard this as a challenge from the Western countries to all of you. Since it is a challenge, then we should just rise to the occasion. What is there to fear?'

'And more importantly, such a challenge is beneficial to all of us and even the entire Northern Russian Republic, because it is challenges that will drive us all to progress.'

Zhou Ming said, 'You may not understand what I'm saying, but I want to say, do you know why the Western countries can come to your country and plunder, while you can only be afraid and despair? Because they have creatively discovered the laws of finance, they can use their financial means to rampage through your country, and you can only stand by and do nothing because you don't understand at all.'

'I am a businessman like all of you. In my opinion, only constant innovators can dominate the market. The Western countries can dominate you because they have discovered the laws of finance, but what if you can also use a method that they don't understand to deal with them?'

Zhou Ming said, 'In my country, there is a saying that goes: 'Heaven, earth, and people. None of the three can be lacking. The Western countries seized the opportunity and were able to plunder you, which is called heaven. But this is Northern Russia, not Europa. This is the geographical advantage. Finally, if you can unite and work together to find a solution, won't you be less defenseless? This is the human advantage.'

As Kareina translated the last sound of Zhou Ming's words, the loudest cheers broke out from the audience, a heartfelt expression of their gratitude and praise for Zhou Ming.