Chapter 138: The master of Siberia?

A huge stage has been set up in the city square of Siberia. Dancers dressed in the national costume of Siberia are dancing to the music on it. A banner hangs above the stage: 'Warmly celebrate the signing of the Sino-Russian oil cooperation agreement.' ±,

Many Northern Russians find this situation hard to believe: 'Why is the state government cooperating with China to develop oil? Weren't we the superpower, the country with the most say in the world? Now we've fallen to selling oil to the country that needs our help?'

Other Northern Russians could only sigh in pain: 'There's nothing we can do about it. As the big brother, we have always helped them stand in front of the Western countries, and we have suffered from Western sanctions, which has made it difficult for our economy to develop. Unlike the cunning Chinese, who betrayed us and went to contact the Western countries, and that's how they developed later. In order to get through the current difficulties, our country can only compromise with them first!'

But no matter what the citizens of this superpower were thinking, it couldn't change what was about to happen on stage.

A few minutes later, the dance on stage ended, and a few well-dressed people walked onto the stage. The leader was immediately recognised: 'Look! That's our governor, and Mr. Eugens!'

For most people, their first reaction to this situation was just to marvel at the grandeur of today's ceremony. But for some people with a deeper perspective, they could see more. Because in the past, when the governor and Eugens came out together, it was Eugens who walked in front of the governor, but today it was the governor who walked in front of Eugens.

Even in the United States, which prides itself on democracy, there are rules for this kind of thing, not to mention in North Russia, which is very similar to the situation at home. This front-and-rear positioning often means the ups and downs of a person's status.

The governor walked proudly in front, with an inner smile on his face, because this was the first time since his election as governor that he had been able to walk in front of Eugens. Eugens, on the other hand, followed the governor dejectedly, followed by the Chinese consul Zhang Hui and the accompanying officials from the state government.

Looking at the governor's back, Eugens felt extremely conflicted. He thought to himself that he was originally in that position, but now he had to walk behind him. And this position was not one he wanted to be in, it was the Chinese consul who made him walk behind the governor.

If things could be re-done, Eugens really didn't want to mess with that Zhou Ming, because if it weren't for him, none of this would have happened.

Unfortunately, things happened as they did, and they cannot be undone.

But that's not what made Eugens depressed, what made him depressed to death was that he knew he came here today to take the blame for the governor, so that everyone would understand that it was Eugens, not the governor, who made the decision to sell the oil field to the Chinese.

The benefits and political achievements would go to the governor, but Eugens would be blamed by the people. Eugens knew this, but he still had no choice but to come.

Just as Eugens mind wandered, they had already reached the centre of the stage. The governor invited Consul Zhang Hui to come forward, completely ignoring Eugens. Eugens could do nothing about it. After all, the world is just that cruel. You're out of the loop, and no matter how unbalanced you feel psychologically, you have to accept it.

'I am very happy to announce to everyone here today that our Siberian state will sign an oil exploration agreement with a Chinese company worth 1.3 billion new rubles. From today onwards, we and China will be very important oil partners!' The governor announced happily from the stage, 'Then next, we would like to invite Mr. Yugins to speak about this Sino-Russian oil cooperation.'

After the governor finished speaking, he turned around and gave Yugins a gesture of invitation. However, in Yugins' opinion, the smile on the governor's face at this time had a mocking tone.

Eugens was very annoyed, but he had no way to show it. He could only suppress his anger and walk up to the stage.

When Eugens took the microphone, the people in the audience immediately gave the warmest cheers, which gave Eugens confidence again. After all, he had once been the master of Siberia.

'Today I am very happy to be here to witness the first cooperation between China and Russia in oil. I believe this is a testament to history. I believe that in ten or twenty years, everyone will surely remember this moment today!'

Eugens made a very high-profile opening, and then continued, 'In Chinese, we, China and Russia, are neighbours separated by a strip of water, and we should help each other. In recent years, the deterioration of the domestic economic situation has also left many oil companies in a state of severe debt, with tight finances and unable to invest in the oil industry. If this continues, it could lead to a reduction in oil production, which is absolutely not allowed!'

'So at this time, we must find a partner to jointly develop the oil industry, and now we have found one.'

Eugens paused for a moment, then continued, 'I know some people may think that if we, as a superpower, just deliver oil to China, we will become their energy dependent, which is actually a very selfish nationalism. But unfortunately, in the past, many people, including myself, still held this view. However, after I talked to a Mr. Zhou Ming from China, I changed my mind.'

'This Mr. Zhou Ming is a very outstanding businessman from China. His business philosophy knows no boundaries. Whether it's resources or markets, as long as it's a win-win situation, then anything is possible!' said Youjins with emotion. 'I'm very fortunate to have met someone like Mr. Zhou Ming, and to have heard such inspiring words from him. I even feel that he could be my life mentor!'

'Finally, as an advocate of Sino-Russian oil cooperation, I wish this cooperation every success and ask you all to give it your best wishes!'

Yugens shouted, almost to the point of screaming, and under his influence, the audience below were also very excited, they all shouted along with Yugens, as if they had been brainwashed. However, this was the purpose of inviting him here today. As the owner of the entire Siberia, Yugens' words were of course the most persuasive and could most infect the masses.

After he finished speaking, Yujins smiled and waved to the audience below. At that moment, he felt as if he had not failed, and was still the master of this land. It was only after a while that he was reminded by the governor to go down from the stage.

After stepping off the stage, Yujins did not leave, but went to the seats next to him. This place had been reserved in advance for all the other people involved in this oil cooperation project to sit. Zhou Ming and Li Chengtong were just sitting here.

'Mr Zhou Ming, what I just said...'

Eugens walked up to Zhou Ming with a smile, intending to take credit for himself. After all, he had just praised Zhou Ming so much. But before he could finish his sentence, Zhou Ming's cold and critical question came over: 'Who told you to change the script and speak without permission?'

This question made Eugene stammer for a moment, and he stuttered, 'Mr. Zhou Ming, I was just praising you, weren't I? And every word I said came from the heart, and it had a very good effect. Look at all these audience members down there, they're all so happy...'

'I asked you who told you to change the script and speak without permission,' Zhou Ming asked again, and this time he asked every word in a single sentence.

Facing Zhou Ming's questioning, this time made Eugene's hair stand on end, feeling a fear from the heart, because the opposite Zhou Ming seemed to be really angry, but exactly where did he offend this gentleman?

Su Han's words gave him the answer: 'Mr. Eugene, I remember before you went on stage, I also told you not to mention Mr. Zhou Ming's name after you went on stage, just say that this is a petroleum cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Zhou Ming really doesn't like to have his name associated with such an important event, because it's very bad.'

After Su Han's reminder, Eugens immediately had a flash of insight, and cold sweat immediately began to seep from his forehead. Then he said, 'I'm very sorry, Mr. Zhou Ming. I forgot on stage. I was only thinking that this would increase your popularity and that it would be beneficial to you. I really didn't do it on purpose. Please forgive me and don't hold it against me.'

If those in the audience had seen this scene, they would have dropped their glasses in shock. In their view, in this land of Siberia, Eugens was the king, and even if the president came, he might not act in such a way. How could he be so servile to a foreign businessman?

Only people who think this way would not know that it was just such an ordinary foreign businessman who brought the king of Siberia down.

'Dear Mr. Eugens, if you want to increase your popularity, I don't mind, but please don't force your ideas on other people, especially when they have already told you not to. This is even more inappropriate, because I don't like it. I prefer to make money secretly without everyone knowing, than to have my name talked about on the streets.' Zhou Ming said.

Although Zhou Ming's words were much more moderate than before, they made Eugens fear even more than before. He nodded hurriedly, 'Yes, Mr. Zhou Ming, I know I was wrong. Please don't argue with someone like me!'

Eugens was about to cry as he spoke, and it wasn't until Zhou Ming finally waved his hand helplessly that he left gratefully.

After You Jingsi left, Tong Gang, who was standing nearby, said, 'Zhou Ming, my young friend, you really are capable. You have made such a Siberian master into a dog.'

'This is not just my ability. If it weren't for Chairman Tong and President Li, I don't think I could have done it either,' Zhou Ming said.

'Zhou Ming, my young friend, you really know how to talk!' Tong Gang laughed heartily, but then his face turned serious again. 'But Zhou Ming, my young friend, we are still here, and if we don't hurry back to Krisco as soon as possible... is that really a good idea?'