Chapter 65: Ten Thousand Tons of Daily Necessities

'Petergof is the pride of our North Russian Republic, a pearl on the northwestern coast. Not only is it home to the largest number of scientific research and educational institutions in our country, but also to cutting-edge scientists and industries that make the world tremble. For us North Russian businessmen, what's more important is that this is our country's largest port city, with an annual cargo throughput of nearly 10 million tons, which is quite remarkable! Mr Zhou Ming, you may have heard about the Soviet Union's decision to move the capital after the founding of the country. In fact, for us Northern Russians, this is the capital, the northern capital of the Northern Russian Republic!

On the jet flying to Petrograd, Irbedov enthusiastically told Zhou Ming about the situation in Petrograd. Although Zhou Ming had also researched the situation in Petrograd beforehand, he still smiled and told him that it was something to be proud of.

After more than an hour, the plane landed at the airport in Petrograd. Zhou Ming and Irbedov got off the plane. On the tarmac, a very young-looking Northern Russian was waiting with his entourage.

After Irbeldov's introduction, Zhou Ming knew that this man was named Hoplov, the richest man in Petrograd, who controlled more than 30% of the factories in Petrograd, including some national defence industries. Perhaps in the capital city of Krisko, no matter how rich Irbeldov was, due to his proximity to the centre of power, there would always be someone who could compete with him. But in Petrograd, Hoplov was the undisputed no. 1.

Hoplov was delighted to come up and greet him. He first greeted Irbedov: 'Dear Mr Irbedov, on behalf of all the people of Petrograd, I welcome you.'

'Hoplov is very grateful, and I am also very happy to be here in Petrograd,' Irbedov said, and then introduced him to Zhou Ming, 'This is Mr Zhou Ming, he is a good partner of our Northern Russian businessmen.'

Hearing Zhou Ming's name, Hoplov was very surprised: 'So you are Mr. Zhou Ming? I have also heard your name here in Petrograd. You helped us Northern Russians resist the economic aggression of the Americans. I know you are a fascinating legend!'

Zhou Ming simply thanked him, and then Irbeldov said, 'Mr. Zhou Ming is here in Petrograd to go to the port. Hoplov, are you ready for us?'

'Of course, this is not just about Mr. Zhou Ming, but also about an important matter for us in Northern Russia. I will definitely keep it in mind!' Hoplov said, "I have just contacted the port. The ship that Mr. Zhou Ming is waiting for has already arrived and is berthing. I have already prepared a car for Mr. Zhou Ming. I can take Mr. Zhou Ming to the hotel first, and then go to the port after a short rest.'

Zhou Ming, however, waved his hand and said, "No need. Since the ship has already arrived, let's go directly to the port.'

Zhou Ming's words completely set the itinerary, and they got into the minibus prepared by Hoplov and went directly to the port.

It was another hour or so before Zhou Ming and the others arrived at the port. The Petrograd wharf was no different from any other port: it was flat and open, with many containers of different colours stacked in the two warehouses at the front and back. The port cranes came and went, carrying the containers to trains and cars, and finally out of the port, a scene of busy activity.

Under the lead of Hoplov's car, Zhou Ming and the others drove straight into the port and arrived at the dock. A huge cargo ship with Chinese markings was docked at the shore. The cranes at the dock were making a loud rumble as they unloaded the containers from the ship one after the other non-stop.

'This is the cargo ship from the Harbor City Shipping Group that arrived early this morning. According to the port, there will only be one Harbor City cargo ship in the next two weeks, so I think it must be the ship you're waiting for, Mr. Zhou Ming,' Hoplov said to Zhou Ming.

'No need to think it's probably the right ship, it must be the right ship,' Zhou Ming said. 'Are the people in charge of the ship or the shipping group here? Take me to them.'

Hoplov nodded and said, 'I just contacted the port, and they said they are all still on the dock, talking to the dock manager about something. I'll take you to them.'

Zhou Ming nodded and said okay, and then followed Hoplov onto the dock. In an open area on the embankment, Zhou Ming did see several people standing there, looking up at the crane's high-altitude operation and talking about something.

This is normal. After all, when a 10,000-ton cargo ship docks at the port, it needs to communicate with the port regarding the loading, unloading, and transportation of the cargo. Everyone negotiates with each other. They can't just be placed randomly like a junkyard. Even if it really is a junkyard, there are still sub-areas for placing things, not to mention the port terminal. These boxes are all money!

What surprised Zhou Ming was that he saw three familiar figures, which was something Zhou Ming had not expected.

'Chairman Tong, Chairman Li, I really didn't expect you to be here in Petrograd too.'

Zhou Ming said, because these three people were no one else but Zhou Ming's old acquaintances, the future richest man in China Li Cheng, the world's second richest shipowner in Gangcheng Tong Gang, and his future son who would become the chief executive of Gangcheng Tong Hua.

Hearing Zhou Ming greet them, Li Cheng and Tong Gang and Tong Hua turned around and also greeted Zhou Ming happily. At the same time, Li Cheng said to Tong Gang, 'Chairman Tong, I told you that Zhou Ming would definitely come over at the first opportunity. He is a person who attaches great importance to time and will not delay.'

Li Cheng was serious when he said this. After all, loading and unloading a 10,000-ton cargo ship is not as simple as loading and unloading an ordinary car. It takes several hours to choose a berth when entering the port and arrange the storage yard, and then it takes time for the cranes on the dock to operate. Generally, it takes at least three to four days to complete the loading and unloading of a 10,000-ton cargo ship, and in some cases it can take more than a week.

After waiting for such a long time, many people would not choose to arrive at the scene right away, but rather wait until after all the goods have been unloaded and counted. This way, they can save time.

While talking, Li Cheng and Tong Gang came up and shook hands with Zhou Ming. Tong Gang said to Zhou Ming, 'We all know that you have done so many amazing things here in Northern Russia. You have quadrupled your wealth in just half a month, and now you are going to face the Americans in a knife fight. How can we still stay in the port city peacefully? We definitely want to witness the moment when you create a miracle!'

Tong Gang added with a hint of regret, 'It's just that there is no direct flight from Port City to Petrograd, so we had to come with the ship.'

'In fact, we caught a lucky break, and we also had the help of friends in Northern Russia,'

Zhou Ming then introduced Irbedov and Hoplov to Li Cheng and Tong Gang. Irbedov greeted Li Cheng and Tong Gang, and then said with emotion, 'After this experience, I really have to admire you Chinese. I never thought that in just a few days, you could find such a large ship and transport so many things. This is truly amazing. I don't think even the Americans could have done it.'

Li Cheng explained with a smile, 'Mr. Irbedov, you are too kind. In fact, it is not as exaggerated as you say. This Mr. Tong Gang is the chairman of our Port City Shipping Group. This ship is just one of his ships. The only thing that is more troublesome is the 15,000 tons of cargo. But fortunately, we just happen to have this much in Europe, so we shipped it all at once.'

'In any case, on behalf of all of us North Russians, I would like to thank you for your help!' Irbedov said sincerely. Although Li Cheng said it lightly, the clever Jew understood that behind his words, there must have been a lot of difficulties overcome.

At this point, Hoplov stepped forward and said, 'Since everyone is here, that's a good thing. It will take some time to load and unload the freighter. I can take you to the hotel to rest first, and then invite you to enjoy our Northern Russian feast. To use a Chinese saying, since you are here, you are our guests, and let you experience the warmth of our Northern Russians!'

Everyone had no objection to Hoplov's proposal, so Hoplov took them to his villa on the outskirts of Petrograd.

The villa was actually a medieval castle. When they entered the hall, it was already set up, with a round table covered in a white tablecloth, cutlery and forks on it, and a few bottles of flowers.

'Mr. Hoplov is truly worthy of being an industrial tycoon in Petrograd. Every move is worth learning from,' Li Cheng praised him.

'Thank you for the Chinese friend's praise. As long as it can bring everyone closer together, I think any approach is fine!'

Hoplev said, then led Zhou Ming and the others to sit down at the table. As they sat down, several Northern Russian girls dressed in maid outfits came in like butterflies, carrying trays and serving them.

When the rich host a dinner, the food is naturally the most exquisite, but at this time, their attention is not on the food, so even if they are eating the best wild Norwegian salmon and drinking the best 45-year-old Lafite, they don't care.

Of course, everyone is a person of status, and no one will be tactless enough to ask questions right away. Everyone will exchange greetings first, and wait until the atmosphere is lively before getting down to business.

'I once stayed there, and I experienced the enthusiasm of the Gallic women. If I wasn't afraid of delaying things here, I would really want to stay there for a long time.'

Tong Gang's words elicited a chorus of good-natured laughter, and Irbeldov added a proverb he had just learned, saying that old men are still vigorous.

At this point, Hoplov interjected in a very timely manner and asked, 'I know that place in France, it is the most romantic place in the world. So, is it true that all your goods are transferred from France? They can't all be luxury goods, right? I'm afraid we can't afford them in the current economic situation in Northern Russia.'

Zhou Ming, Li Cheng and Tong Gang exchanged glances, knowing that the two Northern Russians could no longer hold back and were finally going to get to the point.

Li Cheng explained to him, 'Mr. Hoplov, of course we are not shipping any luxury goods. In fact, we didn't even ship all of the goods from France. We just gathered all the goods we could from Europe, loaded them onto Chairman Tong's ship, and shipped them here.'

'Then I wonder what you did ship?' Irbedov couldn't help but ask, 'Mr. Zhou Ming said that he could help us solve this ruble crisis, but is it all gold?'

Zhou Ming laughed: 'Mr. Irbedov really knows how to joke. We can't transport 10,000 tons of gold, and we don't have the ability to do so. This 10,000-ton cargo is actually the simplest daily necessities, the clothes, shoes and socks we all wear, and the dinner cloths, knives and forks we use.'

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