Chapter 137: Worries behind the scenes

Zhou Ming's words made Yugins's expression freeze. He shook his head with a bitter smile, his expression very helpless. He also understood how naive his words were.

If he just came to Zhou Ming today to admit defeat and end this, then that would be too easy. And Zhou Ming has gone to such lengths as going to the oil fields to incite the oil workers to strike, starting a run on the bank, spreading rumours of a run on the bank in Siberia, etc. It would be a bit of a joke to just admit defeat after all this.

'Is there really no other choice? I want to say that whether you are asking for a train to cross the border or an oil field, I can find a solution for you, and I can bear all the costs involved. I can also help you coordinate the gangster problem on this side of Siberia to ensure that Mr. Zhou Ming and your industries here can be taken care of with absolute safety and will not be threatened by any forces.'

Eugens said to Zhou Ming, his words sincere. If other Siberians heard his tone, they would surely be shocked. Perhaps Eugens had not risen to power for long, but his deterrent effect and influence in Siberia were still very great. For example, the previous passer-by's comment, or the scolding of the bellboy in front of the hotel, were just trivial matters, but they still reflected his status here.

But now this is the kind of person who is talking to Zhou Ming in a begging tone, which is certainly unbelievable.

Facing the begging of this Siberian owner, Zhou Ming remained indifferent, just staring at him and saying, 'Mr. Yujins, I believe what you say comes from the bottom of your heart, and I believe you will definitely do what you say. But that doesn't matter, or it's not attractive to me at all, because I can get the same things after I get rid of you.'

Eugene was momentarily speechless. He lowered his head, a look of pain and frustration on his face. He understood that what Zhou Ming had said was indeed the truth, but there was still a glimmer of hope in the back of his mind. He asked one last question: 'Is there really no chance for me at all?'

Zhou Ming shook his head gently, then patted Eugene's shoulder and said, 'Mr. Eugene, I don't think you need to feel too bad. Although you have failed here in Siberia, it doesn't mean your life is over. I think if you leave Siberia and go somewhere else, such as the Middle East, which also has a lot of oil, or war-torn Africa, you can also have a good development there. I don't know what you think, Mr. Eugene?'

Eugens did not answer, but instead asked Zhou Ming a question in return: 'Mr Zhou Ming, would you be satisfied with just one Siberia?'

'Of course not,' Zhou Ming's answer was very clear.

'That's it, I think I'd rather stay quietly with the money I have and go into seclusion. I don't want to meet Mr Zhou Ming again,'

Eugens said with mixed feelings, but then he asked, 'I've actually been thinking, if I hadn't cooperated with Mr. Meta and helped them cause trouble for Mr. Zhou Ming and let Mr. Zhou Ming's train cross the border, would the result now be different?'

Zhou Ming shook his head, and Eugens felt very strange: 'Is that not possible either? In that case, Mr. Zhou Ming doesn't seem to have a reason to target me? Could it be because of Sergeyevsky, but that's not cost-effective.'

'You've misunderstood. What I meant was that I never make assumptions because they're pointless,' explained Zhou Ming. 'Mr. Yugins, you are a very strong person, while I am just a foreigner, one who is targeted by domestic and foreign forces alike. If Mr. Yugins really gave in to me, I'm afraid that Mr. Yugins, who is so weak, wouldn't have achieved what he has today, would he?'

At the end, Zhou Ming added, 'I do admire you, Mr. Yujing. If it were me, and someone broke into my territory, I would do the same.'

Eugens smiled, stood up and left. However, before leaving, he hesitated for a moment and decided to leave a message for Zhou Ming: 'Mr. Zhou Ming, I admit that you are very good, but your roots in Northern Russia are really too shallow. Today, you did win me, but it may not be good for you. In some ways, you may even lose more.'

After Eugens finished speaking, he didn't wait for Zhou Ming to respond and simply left the cafe. Zhou Ming looked at his departing back and pondered.

It was soon noon, and Zhou Ming took Du Peng and Su Han to a private room in the hotel restaurant for lunch. This time, Li Cheng and Tong Gang were also there, as well as Irbedov. They were not in the room for long before the door was pushed open and Domer excitedly walked in: 'Mr. Zhou Ming, that was great! I contacted the family this morning, and the gangsters have already switched sides to my side!'

Everyone was very happy to hear the news Domer brought, but no one was surprised, because this was only natural.

'Mr. Zhou Ming, this is nothing short of a miracle! Yugens has been the master of Siberia for ten years, and everyone thought he was invincible here, but in front of you, Mr. Zhou Ming, he couldn't even last a single round. Your mind is truly admirable!'

Speaking after Domer was Sergeyevsky. His excitement was no less than Domer's. After all, he was the one who benefited the most from this trip to Siberia. As a person in northern Russia who aspired to become an oil tycoon, being able to control the oil resources of Siberia was very important.

'Mr Domer, this is really exciting news. What about the banks and oil fields?' As Zhou Ming spoke, he invited Domer to sit down and talk.

Domer then realised that he had become a little too emotional, but there was nothing he could do about it. After all, it had been ten years, and he would finally be able to topple Eugens and avenge his humiliation. No matter who had made it possible, he just needed the result!

After sitting down, Domer took a few deep breaths before saying, 'The wind has changed in the family, so there won't be any more changes in the bank or the oil field. It's because Eugens himself was not very capable, and he relied more on the energy of the family.'

'With your help, Mr Zhou Ming, and Mr Ilbedov, I have already acquired more than 30% of the shares in the bank. As for the oil field, the state government has already compiled the documents, so as soon as you have time, Mr Zhou Ming, you can go and sign them at any time,' said Dommel.

Zhou Ming shook his head with a bitter smile. The state government's actions were really too straightforward. They had previously said that all the documents had been burned, and after waiting for so long there had been no sign of anything. Now that he had finally won the battle with Yugens, the documents were immediately ready on your side. Doesn't this clearly show that the previous so-called fire was a deliberate act performed by him and Yugens together?

This approach is very decisive, and it would be fine for an ordinary person, but as a respectable state government, this is very degrading.

But this has nothing to do with Zhou Ming. He said to Domor, 'Thank you, Mr Domor, and here I would also like to congratulate Mr Domor, who will be the head of the Vladimir family in the future. We rely on Mr Domor's support for our trade from China to Krisco.'

'Mr Zhou Ming, you can rest assured. As long as I, Domor, am here in the future, I will definitely ensure bilateral trade between Siberia and China!'

Domel assured Zhou Ming, his tone was high-pitched and emotional, but it just made Zhou Ming smile. He was just saying this to be polite, not that Domel would change. But now that they are in a cooperative relationship, naturally they can say anything. What if one day their interests conflict? Then nothing is certain. After all, as the saying goes, there are no eternal friendships in the world, only eternal interests!

Domer hesitated after he finished speaking, but finally asked, 'Mr. Zhou Ming, I know that Eustice came to see you this morning. Can you tell me what he said?'

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow and looked at him: 'There's nothing inconvenient about it. Eustice came to me to admit defeat and hoped that I would let him off the hook.'

Domer took a sharp intake of breath and looked a little surprised. He hadn't thought of this possibility, but now that Zhou Ming had said it so directly, it still came as a bit of a surprise.

'So what did you say, Mr Zhou Ming?' Domer asked cautiously.

Zhou Ming didn't give a direct answer to this, but instead asked him in return, 'Mr Domer, if the situation were reversed, what would you say?'

Domer was stunned at first, then he smiled and let out a long sigh of relief, because he knew that Zhou Ming would definitely not agree to it. The situation was ideal no matter how you looked at it. If Zhou Ming compromised with Eugens again, it would be very troublesome to try to establish some kind of balance in Siberia. In comparison, it would be better to let him dominate the country and then give him a back door. However, this would lead to another problem.

'In that case, there's nothing to worry about now, is there? Why are you still looking so worried, Mr. Zhou Ming?' Domer asked again.

'I'm not worried about the situation in Siberia,' Zhou Ming said. 'I think Mr. Domer, as a core member of the Vladimir family, must have heard about our situation in Krisko and also know about Project Dota?'

Domel nodded and said, 'I know that the Dagger Tower Project has already started in Krisko, but it has encountered resistance from you. However, it is said that you, Mr. Zhou Ming, did not rush to strike a deal with the Kremlin ahead of the Dagger Tower Project. This trip to Siberia to obtain the oil fields is evidence of the success of the deal. So what are you worried about?'

'Because if it were me, when my opponent suddenly left Krisko, at such a critical time, I would be doing them a disservice if I didn't take the opportunity to do something behind their back,' said Zhou Ming.

As soon as Zhou Ming's words finished, Irbedov immediately said, "Mr. Zhou Ming, in fact, I happen to have some news about Krisko that I want to bring to you, very bad news.'

Zhou Ming smiled and looked at Irbedov and said, "I expected it.'