Chapter 100: The knife behind Eugens

'Why do you all seem so dissatisfied? If you were transporting luxury goods such as gold and silver jewellery, antiques or paintings, or perhaps some important strategic materials, then I could look at you with more respect. But when you tell me you're just transporting some daily necessities, then I'm sorry, but I have a lot of time on my hands, and I don't have time to play this game with you.'

Eugens shook his head sadly and finally said to Zhang Hui, 'Consul Zhang, I only came here today because of your face, but you must understand that I am a businessman moving towards the financial world and I don't have time to ask about these things. You Chinese people are really self-righteous. You must understand that this is the Northern Russian Republic, the former superpower, not your poor country!'

After he finished, Eugene deliberately spat on the ground before strutting out of the café. As he watched his back, Du Peng slammed the table angrily, 'This Eugene is really arrogant!'

Compared to Du Peng, Tong Gang and Li Cheng seemed much calmer. Although they were also very angry at Eugene's attitude just now, they were able to suppress their anger and consider the pressing task at hand.

'If this Siberian owner really wants to make things difficult for us on purpose, I'm afraid it would be better if we changed the route and shipped it from Central Asia. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be very troublesome.'

Tong Gang said, and Li Cheng next to him nodded in agreement, but their attention was focused entirely on Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming frowned and suddenly said something that no one expected: 'This Yujin's attitude today is a bit strange. It seems that he is deliberately trying to oppose us. Not only is he not cooperating with us, he is mocking us as well.'

Everyone looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief, unable to understand how he had come to that conclusion. Li Cheng said to Zhou Ming, 'Zhou Ming, little brother, why do you think that way? This Eugene is after all a person of some standing, it's not as if he'd just go along with a misunderstanding like that, is it?'

Su Han heard Li Cheng say that, and she also hurriedly said to Zhou Ming, 'Zhou Ming, why don't I go find him and apologise, and if that doesn't work, invite him to dinner, I'll toast him a few drinks, as long as it calms him down...'

Before Su Han could finish speaking, Zhou Ming interrupted her, saying, 'Xiao Han, what are you talking about?'

Su Han hurriedly explained, 'No, Zhou Ming, I just want to help you make this happen. You said you urgently need that batch of goods right now, and it will be even more troublesome to get them from Central Asia. If it can be solved easily...'

This time, Su Han's words were not finished before they were interrupted again by Zhou Ming: 'Xiao Han, that's not what I meant. I meant that today's matter may not have anything to do with you at all. Have you forgotten what Chairman Li just said? If he really is such a petty person, I don't think he could become the master of Siberia, could he? You have to know that he is just a bastard, not someone with a lot of resources at his disposal.'

'Zhou Ming, are you saying there are other reasons for this?' Su Han said blankly, "But how is that possible? Zhou Ming, are you trying to comfort me?'

Zhou Ming had not yet spoken when Tong Gang suddenly said, "Zhou Ming, are you saying that Eugene's attitude today may have been influenced by the Mulin Palace?'

'It may not just be the Mulin Palace, it may also be influenced by Mr. Meta,' Zhou Ming speculated.

Facing Zhou Ming's guess, Li Cheng and Tong Gang were both surprised. Even Su Han stopped talking. From their reactions, it was clear that the situation on Krisco's side was indeed not good. As for Mr. Meta, Zhou Ming had also told her on the phone that he was a very powerful Western force. It was not impossible to say that this force was colluding with the nascent North Russian government and had such a strong grasp of power.

Of course, there is an even more important point, and that is that Mr. Zhou Ming does not have a good relationship with either party, and it is reasonable to assume that they would stab him in the back.

'If that's the case, then it seems they are going to drive our Chelf market to the wall,' Tong Gang sighed, and after a moment he asked, 'Then why don't we find this Mr. Eugens and discuss it more? If he just wants money, that's fine. Shipping by train from the mainland is after all just a temporary measure. As long as we can get through this current crisis, it will be fine once my ship arrives here.'

Tong Gang's words were very constructive, but at this time no one spoke, because what Eugens was asking for was not even a big ask, it was downright deliberate. They were so close to agreeing that it was obvious they would be ripped off, and they were just afraid that if they gave the money, Eugens would not do anything, which would be truly frustrating.

In the midst of the silence, Zhang Hui stood up and said to Zhou Ming, 'I still have some business at the consulate, so I will leave first. If you need any more help, you can come to me at any time.'

Hearing Zhang Hui speak, Zhou Ming and the others suddenly remembered that the consul was still there, so they all stood up at once to apologise to him, saying words of thanks, while respectfully seeing him off. After all, he was only doing his duty and there was no need for him to stay any longer.

After seeing Zhang Hui off, Zhou Ming and the others sat down again. Zhou Ming then said, 'If this wasn't such an urgent matter, I would have taken my time talking to him, but for now, let's talk to him again. However, my opinion is that we shouldn't hold any hope for him, and it would be best to get rid of him!'

Zhou Ming's words shocked Li Cheng and Tong Gang. They looked at each other, looking a little worried, while Du Peng on the other side laughed: 'Zhou Ming, I support you. We can't keep shrinking our shoulders at home and groveling to these foreigners abroad. Guys like Eugens, who come looking for trouble, we should help their parents teach them how to behave.'

...

'A bunch of Chinese scum, they don't know their own worth. I really don't understand what Mr. Maita was thinking. I feel like I've wasted my time coming here today.'

Outside Hotel No. 1, Yugens got into his car, cursing, and looked up at the hotel building, shaking his head. 'But that girl is getting more and more attractive the more I look at her. The interpreter was pretty good too. Damn, is this Chinese guy running a women's training centre? But if this guy is willing to let me have these two women, then the train crossing thing isn't completely out of the question!'

Eugens rubbed the ring on his thumb and muttered to himself, while grinning complacently.

The driver in front asked Eugens where he was going, and Eugens said, 'Back to Mr. Meta's, of course, you idiot!'

The driver then drove the car back to Villa 8, parked in the car park, and young William greeted him at the door, leading Yugins into the back garden of the villa. Meta and Davier were having coffee in the back garden when they saw Yugins approaching. Meta waved at him: 'Dear Mr Yugins, come over here, I have some muscat cat coffee here that was given to me by a friend. It has a rich chocolate-like flavour that will definitely leave you wanting more.'

'Really? Then I'll have to try some,'

Yugins said, and sat down next to Meta. Meta brought a cup and Davier poured a cup for him. Yugins took a sip and exclaimed in admiration.

'Because this coffee is specially fermented, it has a unique flavour,' Meta explained a little further, and then asked Yugins, 'You were just at Hotel No. 1. How was it?'

In response to Mr. Mata's question, Yujin said nonchalantly, 'Mr. Mata, not that I'm saying you, but those Chinese scum don't even deserve your attention. I just went there, and they did ask me to open up the railway. But do you know what kind of goods they want to transport, Mr. Mata? They actually want to transport daily necessities here by train and train. These grocery sellers are not worth your attention, Mr. Mata.'

'It's because his Cherv Market needs these right now,' Maita replied simply.

Eugens still said, 'Mr. Maita, I understand that the Cherv Market is indeed booming right now, but daily necessities are after all small things. Even if the entire Cherv Market were sold out, it would only be worth hundreds of millions of new rubles. It's not a big deal, unlike you, Mr. Maita, who can make hundreds of billions of profits with a few manipulations in the financial market.'

'So you didn't agree to their request, did you, Mr. Eugens?' Meta asked.

'Of course, I can still meet your request, Mr. Meta,' said Yugins. "I told them that if they were willing to pay me 10 million for the passage of a train, I would be willing to help them.'

Meta was obviously not satisfied with this answer. He frowned and asked, "But what if they are really willing to pay this toll?'

Yugins still replied carelessly, 'Then I will collect the money first, but I will not help them. What can they do to me? This is Northern Russia, not Beijing!'

Maita was relieved: 'That's good, it seems that Mr. Yujins still has a good sense of proportion.'

In the end, Maita and Yujins had a chat for a while. Yujins got up to leave, and Maita got up to see him off. Looking at Yujins's back as he drove away, Davier said to Maita with some concern: 'Mr. Maita, can we rely on this Yujins? Why do I feel that he is unreliable?'

'This is due to his character. He is not a very stable person himself, and it is the current turbulent situation in Northern Russia that has created him,' Mata explained to him. 'As for whether he can be trusted or not, it doesn't matter, because I only need him to stall Zhou Ming. Yujin is a very greedy person. You can see that he is asking for 10 million per train. This may not be an excuse, but he really wants it.'

David thought for a moment and said, 'Won't that be troublesome? Because that Zhou Ming is a very powerful figure, maybe he will really give it to him, or he will simply get rid of this Eugene. No matter which result it is, it's not good news!'

'It doesn't matter,' said Meta, 'because Eugene's task is to hold off Zhou Ming. As long as he can cause a shortage of goods in the market, his value will have been achieved.'

David's eyes lit up: 'Mr. Mata, do you mean we should help Zhou Ming again?'

'Of course it's necessary. Our Chinese friend is doing so well in business, how can we not go and support him?'

Mata said to William, "William, tomorrow you take some people with you, and let's go to the Chelf market and buy more things, to give his business a boost.'

'I know, Mr. Mata," William said.