Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1329 - 1064: Historic Moment_2

Chapter 1329: Chapter 1064: Historic Moment_2

But the SU57 project was different, as it had actually been initiated quite earlier, only to be temporarily sealed off after the Former Soviet Breakdown due to a disruption in funding.

Wang Ye spearheaded the formation of the United Aviation Group, and during communications with the folks at the Sukhoi Design Bureau he learned of this issue, and of course, he knew the formidable nature of the fifth-generation fighter, so he decisively invested funds and restarted the project.

At the same time, he was aware that the situation in Russia was severely compromised by infiltration from overseas forces. To prevent technology leaks, he greatly elevated the security clearance level, leaving very few people aware of the project.

Only now, after the project’s success, did he inform Shao Yigu.

Naturally, his aim was to have Shao Yigu quickly place a large order and accelerate mass production of this rather advanced fifth-generation fighter.

But upon hearing this, Shao Yigu was deflated, "Only the maiden flight? Wouldn’t that mean waiting another three to five years for mass production to commence?"

Indeed, the process for an advanced fighter jet from research and development to maiden flight, through constant testing, and finally to mass production and service entry was a lengthy one.

At best, it could take three to five years; at worst, who knew how long...

Wang Ye said with a smile, "If you place your orders and pay earlier, then the United Aviation Group can certainly concentrate its technological efforts to overcome the challenges and get this aircraft into mass production and service sooner."

Shao Yigu then understood, Wang Ye had been waiting for him right at this juncture!

Shaking his head in resignation, he said, "Weren’t we supposed to discuss increasing my military spending today? Why do I feel like you’ve swindled me instead? Won’t the money just go directly to your United Aviation Group without even passing through my hands?"

Wang Ye consoled him, "The initial reason for applying for this additional military funding was to purchase advanced equipment. Money doesn’t directly enhance combat capability, but advanced equipment does! Let me tell you something else, the United Aviation Group has been doing quite well these past few years, and we’re rather flush with funds, so you can expect more advanced models to emerge faster and in greater number. Actually, including this SU57, I’m not completely satisfied with it—it still lacks something."

Shao Yigu deeply shared Wang Ye’s sentiments.

Without money, one truly can’t make an inch of progress! In terms of technology and R&D capabilities, Russia really is second to none; otherwise, its military power during the Former Soviet era wouldn’t have been so strong.

In some areas, they could even give the United States a run for its money.

However, after running out of funds and facing severe talent loss, scientific research naturally could not continue, leading to a gradual lag in many fields.

If, as Wang Ye said, funding was no longer an issue, then there was real cause for future anticipation.

He promptly said, "Since you, the Vice Speaker, put it that way, what else can I say? Alright, of that thirty billion US dollars, half will be used to order SU35s and SU57s. Even though the SU57 is more advanced, it will still take a few years to enter mass production and service, whereas the SU35 can be delivered much sooner, so it’s still necessary to procure them. The other half will still be used for the purchase of other equipment. Ah, we actually lack everything, including fighter jets, transport planes, armored vehicles, and warships—money needs to be spent everywhere."

Wang Ye patted his shoulder, indicating understanding, and consoled him, "Take it slow, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Now that the national economy is growing better and better, the annual military budget will also increase, so don’t worry about that."

Shao Yigu stood up, offered Wang Ye a solemn salute, and earnestly said, "Then... I entrust everything to you, Vice Speaker!"

His feelings toward Wang Ye were not only gratitude but also admiration.

Since getting to know him, although Wang Ye occasionally tasked him or Korokolli with some personal favors, like arranging tasks for subordinates,

when it came to serious matters, Wang Ye was truly the most selfless of all the people he knew!

Every action was for the sake of making their country better and stronger...

Of course, he didn’t know that all of Wang Ye’s actions were somewhat "passive," a point that Shao Yigu couldn’t grasp, but the Kremlin was well aware of it.

His father-in-law would say, he had always been "watching" Wang Ye, the young man...

......

This year’s government finance budget passed very smoothly, which also indicated the increasingly high level of tacit understanding among the Duma, the Kremlin, and the Government.

The dealings between them had been mostly smoothed out, with mutual respect and understanding—no one was playing tricks or making excessive demands, so the other parties naturally did not make things difficult for each other.

Of course, among the three powers, the strongest was still the Kremlin, holding absolute initiative, but also subject to checks and balances from the other two.

After all, if the Kremlin wanted to make a significant move, it first had to get passed in the Duma, and then it also needed the government’s willingness to cooperate and carry it out...

The same was true for the Duma. Inherently, the Duma had no executive power, only legislative power, so previously, the Duma was nothing more than a decoration, a voting machine.

It was only when Wang Ye became the First Deputy Speaker, took control of the Duma, and led two committees that he broke this situation.

Although the Duma still had no executive power, Wang Ye could directly break free from its constraints through the committees. Coupled with the Duma’s own legislative approval power, the influence was now tremendous!

There wasn’t much to say about the government side. After all, the main positions were nominated and appointed by the Kremlin, and of course, they had to maintain alignment with the Kremlin on major directions.

Otherwise, the Kremlin could dissolve the current government at any time and reassemble the cabinet!

But generally, the Kremlin wouldn’t do such a thing, since those who could serve as cabinet ministers and heads of major departments were core members of either their own faction or other major factions—they had to be given some face. Otherwise, it could lead to widespread dissent.

Although he had withdrawn the positions in the cabinet last time, he did not make moves on the various core departments, showing concern about potential backlash...

So now, at the highest level, if one were to rank them from strongest to weakest, it would be the Kremlin, the Duma, the government...

The representative figures for these three parties need no further mention.

Not many people could see this clearly, but those who did were core members of the major factions.

Thus, to the local politicians below and international politicians outside the top tier, Wang Ye, the "Deputy Speaker Duma," might not yet be seen as a real big shot.

But in some people’s eyes, he had already become the second most core figure!

...

After dealing with the finance budget, it was the end of December, and Wang Ye once again received a call from across the ocean.

It was still Boss Qiao who called...

"Mikhail, if you have time, I hope you can still come to the launch event in person.

Because this moment is historically significant for Apple.

I believe that from the day of the launch, Apple will truly become a great company, changing the world with technology!

And I, as well as you, are the founders of this great company!

So at this historic moment, it’s best for both of us to be there."

On the phone, Boss Qiao was unusually serious and extended a very sincere invitation to Wang Ye.

In Boss Qiao’s heart, he was indeed very grateful to Wang Ye.

It was this "Russian" who had "selflessly" extended a helping hand during Apple’s most difficult times, directly injecting a substantial amount of capital into the company!

The most commendable thing was that he did not make any unreasonable demands and also clearly supported his own series of proposals at the board of directors.

Such a shareholder must be what every company CEO dreams of!

Even the upcoming new product, which in Boss Qiao’s eyes could change the world, was realized with Wang Ye’s strong support.

When Boss Qiao initially proposed the idea of the company’s huge investment in this new project, there were many objections on the board, arguing that with giants like Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, and Ericsson, the mobile phone market had become a saturated red ocean with not very high-profit margins, and there was no need to stir up trouble.

It was Wang Ye, this major shareholder, whose unwavering support for Boss Qiao allowed the project to be successfully initiated.

Now, as the first-generation product was about to be revealed, Boss Qiao naturally hoped to share this wonderful moment with Wang Ye...