Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 394: The Appointed Successor_1

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: The Appointed Successor_1

It’s no wonder Wang Ye is surprised, because he doesn’t hold any considerable stake in the Yukos Group, he merely holds the position of ’President’s Special Assistant’.

However, Khodorkovsky has given him a hundred million US dollar year-end bonus, or one might also call it a dividend.

In any case, no matter how you see it, the amount far exceeds what Wang Ye deserves for his position!

Wang Ye closes the checkbook in his hand hesitates for a moment before saying, "This... it’s too much, this is undeserved, and I shouldn’t accept the money."

A hundred million dollars, although it’s a significant sum, for the current Wang Ye, it’s not exaggerated either.

Thus, its allure isn’t actually that great for him.

Compared to it, he prefers to take money that he’s earned with a clear conscience, not charity given by others!

Hearing Wang Ye’s words, Khodorkovsky chuckles softly, pats Wang Ye on the shoulder, and says, "Take it, I know you’ve to spend a lot of money on many things recently, but there isn’t really much money that you can actually get. This money might not help you a lot, consider it for emergencies."

Indeed, Wang Ye has numerous companies; many of them are big corporations.

Nevertheless, when he sifts through them, there aren’t many businesses that help him earn money within a short period.

No need to mention those that earn him tens of millions or hundreds of millions of dollars sporadically as those sums can’t solve any problem.

The companies that can truly earn Wang Ye a profit are probably the Xiao Ying Group and the Siberian goldmine, but these two companies haven’t started full force yet; it’s estimated that he can only see the profits next year.

The number of companies that earn big money is low, but there are a lot of places where a lot of money is required!

A "ten-year hundred billion" project, that’s like a bottomless pit—it continuously requires money!

Then there is the Wagner Security Company, that’s also a money-swallowing machine.

Petrov has already relayed the news, saying that they’ve confirmed the deal of the ten thousand tonne cruiser with the Black Sea Shipyard, it took twenty million dollars to settle.

However, that’s just the cost for an unmodified ship, if weapon systems are added, it’ll require more money.

Moreover, he suggested that Wang Ye personally makes a trip to the Black Sea Shipyard because there’s a lot of good stuff there; it’s best if he can see them with his own eyes whether he wants to buy more and bring them back...

Wang Ye plans on flying over in a few days, the year-end is coming, and he also has some money in hand, which he can spend!

After all, there are many things that now, while Ukraine is at its poorest, can be purchased. If he misses this great opportunity, he might not be able to buy it later.

Because there are many things that would either be sold cheaply by Ukraine or would become obsolete.

......

After thinking it over, Wang Ye smiles, readily keeps the cheque and says, "Alright then, I’m indeed short on money recently, I should comply with your wishes. Thank you, uncle."

He understands very clearly, this money is essentially Khodorkovsky’s extra reward for him.

Regardless of whether it’s a reward for his performance during the acquisition of the Siberian Oil Company or purely to butter up the relationship, he admits this favour!

Seeing Wang Ye accepting the cheque, Khodorkovsky also reveals a smile, nodding with satisfaction.

"By the way, from next year onwards, involve yourself more with Yukos Group’s affairs." Khodorkovsky changes the topic.

Wang Ye is somewhat puzzled, and asks, "Isn’t everything fine here? With you, uncle, personally in control, and I’m not familiar with the oil business."

Khodorkovsky shakes his head, "Being unfamiliar doesn’t matter, become familiar with more contact. I can only control the Yukos Group for one or two more years; after that, I have other more important things to do, and wouldn’t have the leisure to worry about the corporation’s business. This corporation’s business will be handed over to you in the future."

Apparently, through "testing and observations" of Wang Ye over the past year, his performance has received Khodorkovsky’s approval.

He has now straightforwardly revealed to Wang Ye that he’ll need him to take over the Yukos Group in the future!

Wang Ye has been chosen as Khodorkovsky’s successor!

Though Wang Ye had this premonition early on, this is the first time Khodorkovsky openly discusses this matter with him.

But Wang Ye isn’t overjoyed, instead he asks with concerns, "Then... uncle, what are you planning to do?"

Khodorkovsky smiles slightly, "In two years, that is 2003, it’ll be time for the general elections again. This time, I plan on trying it out!"

Wang Ye is astonished, he really wants to immediately tell Khodorkovsky.

One shouldn’t mess around with such things, because if not careful, trying out can turn into ’passing away’!

The words reach his mouth, but Wang Ye swallows them back down.

After pondering, he frowns and asks, "Uncle, you’ve always been in business, without any political foundation, you have no influence in the political arena, it’ll be tough to suddenly compete for... that position."

Wang Ye indeed finds it hard to understand, this matter is too sudden!

While he did know that Khodorkovsky is interested in venturing into politics, Wang Ye short-sightedly thought that Khodorkovsky would take his time and perhaps find some Duma member to back, then slowly expand his influence, and finally make a move for that position.

But he never would have thought Khodorkovsky’s ambition is this great, he’s aiming for the highest position right from the start!

"Hehe, it’s not really that difficult. Elections, as long as you can get enough votes, regardless of whether you’ve previously been in politics or not, you can still be elected. You might not know, but I control a lot of media in the country, whether directly or indirectly. With media propaganda and plenty of election funds by the time comes, my chances of success are still high." Khodorkovsky confidently says.

He makes a fair point, in most countries, it might be like that.

But the problem is, a crucial question is overlooked.

That is, the competition still depends on who your opponent is...

You, a law-abiding businessman going to compete with The Emperor for that position, isn’t that suicidal!

Don’t forget what sort of background he originates from!

However, there are certain things Wang Ye also can’t blatantly point out in front of Khodorkovsky, after all, there isn’t a real "uncle-nephew" relationship between the two of them, neither of them are blood-related.

Racking his brain, Wang Ye speaks to persuade again, "Or... uncle, you could be like me, first run for a Duma member, to experience what politics are like. Moreover, the work of a Duma member is not busy, you could still handle Yukos Group’s affairs. This company still cannot part with your uncle, It might take me some time to get it under control."

Wang Ye’s suggestions are truly out of good intentions, he doesn’t want to see Khodorkovsky’s downfall...

Moreover, as long as Khodorkovsky and The Emperor don’t come to a falling-out, it would be the best scenario for him.

He could have the best of both worlds, being in both business and politics.

But if any party comes to a falling-out, the person suffering the most may just be Wang Ye. He would immediately become a mouse caught in the middle, receiving ill-treatment from both ends...