Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 472: Time to Bluff_1

Chapter 472: Chapter 472: Time to Bluff_1

The decision to invest in Crimea had clearly caught a few people’s attention.

Gavriil had specially invited Wang Ye for dinner at their regular spot - the Turandot Restaurant. It was the same private dining room as always, just the two of them.

"You little bugger! You’re seriously investing, huh? I thought you were joking. But do you have that much money? Even if it’s your Uncle Khodorkovsky, he couldn’t come up with ten billion!"

Gavriil jokingly berated Wang Ye immediately they met, patting him on the shoulder.

Wang Ye had mentioned this investment to him before but hadn’t given specifics, and Gavriil hadn’t paid much attention then.

He assumed Wang Ye was investing in some gambling and tourism-related projects, totaling a few hundred million USD. Small business!

But a few days ago, when Wang Ye signed a formal investment contract in Crimea, the news reached Moscow.

Gavriil was surprised to find out that the young man had invested 10 billion in one go!

This made him slightly uneasy, and he couldn’t help but invite Wang Ye over for a chat.

...

"Heh heh, Uncle Gavriil, I guess you don’t commonly deal with this kind of stuff. Such investments aren’t one-off, they’re long-term. Sure, it’s 10 billion US dollars, but that’s spread over ten years. That’s only about a billion a year." Wang Ye said, laughing.

Gavriil understood in reality, but played the fool, "Oh, I see. That’s manageable then. But isn’t a billion a year still a significant burden for you? Would the dividends from the Siberian gold mine suffice?"

Wang Ye had spoken to Gavriil about using the profits from the Siberian gold mine to invest in Crimea when he was starting the gold mine venture with A Bu.

Back then, Gavriil had thought it was just an excuse to secure the mining permit.

Turns out the young man was deadly serious.

Speaking of this, Wang Ye also scratched his head in frustration, "Ah, it can’t be helped, Boss Gavriil, there’s so much that needs to be done with such limited time and funds. We’ve spoken about this, the next ten years are a golden opportunity for economic development! Miss this chance, and it’ll be tough in the future."

Gavriil didn’t quite understand Wang Ye’s assertions and asked, puzzled, "What do you mean? Why would it be tough after the next few years?"

Wang Ye slant his mouth, unsure how to explain.

All he could say was, "It’s a long discussion."

"Haha, it’s all right. I’ve got no plans tonight; we’ll slowly drink and chat. I’d like to hear your views on the world’s economic progress. You’re considered some sort of an expert on economics, aren’t you? After all, you’re a member of the Economic Committee. Your opinions impact our country’s economic development!"

Gavriil laughed heartily.

True, one among the roles of the Economic Committee was to draft policies for national economic development.

It would invariably be with the experts; otherwise, how could the nation’s economy be entrusted to just a few hands?

...

The two of them ate, drank, and casually chatted.

Mostly Wang Ye talking, Gavriil listening.

Naturally, Wang Ye couldn’t say that he knew all about the world’s major events in the next twenty years because he had come back from the future.

He could only start from last September’s shocking incident in the United States, then analyse the global internet winter, economic crisis, global industrial transfer, geopolitics and so on...

Wang Ye had read countless analyses on these topics, "in his previous life", on Zhihu.

Indeed, even though it’s home to many self-aggrandizing people, Zhihu is undoubtedly the most insightful website on the Chinese internet, with many experts sharing their wisdom.

Plus, since most of these articles were post-event analyses, there wouldn’t be mistakes.

Listening to Wang Ye’s lengthy reasoning, Gavriil seemed utterly fascinated.

He knew Wang Ye was gifted, exceptional in business and was someone with high emotional and intellectual intelligence.

That’s why he had such a high regard for Wang Ye and even hyped him up at the Kremlin.

However, he realised today that he had underestimated this guy!

Based on all the insights Wang Ye shared tonight, Gavriil could confidently say that few people in Russia could match his level!

Of course, it was also possible that Wang Ye was just blabbering and trying to pull a fast one on him.

But Gavriil felt that was unlikely because there was no benefit to deceiving him. After all, they were both on the same side, in the same trench!

...

Talking till his mouth was dry, Wang Ye drained his cup of tea in one gulp.

With a sense of longing, he said, "Of course, these things are my own analysis and judgement, they might not be entirely accurate. But it’s probably not far off, which is why I’m seizing the time to do what I should be doing. I hope to strengthen our power before the situation worsens."

Gavriil, by now a bit dazed from all the talking, nodded, "You’re right, Misha, time waits for no man! Go ahead with your plans, and if you need any help from me, just let me know. I’ll certainly help you if I can."

"Haha, actually, there is something I need your help with. Uncle Gavriil, do you remember the Lyublino Large Market?" Wang Ye asked, smiling.

Gavriil nodded, "I remember. The owner got into some trouble, and the operation couldn’t continue. I heard there were financial issues, the shareholders were having disagreements."

"I want to buy Lyublino. There’s not enough space at the New Sun, and the infrastructure at Lyublino is better. The large market they’ve built is going to waste just sitting there empty." Wang Ye said.

This was true. Even though the New Sun Phase Two was about to open, Wang Ye felt it still wouldn’t be enough.

Because he was planning to take the opportunity to suggest at the Economic Committee to intensify trade cooperation with a major Eastern country, especially in daily necessities and light industrial products like small appliances.

It seemed like a mutually beneficial arrangement.

In that case, if the nation pushed for cooperation, the stores at the New Sun definitely wouldn’t suffice.

So, he wanted to take over the Lyublino Large Market.

The overall conditions and environment there were undoubtedly better than the New Sun, and since it was already set up, it would be a waste not to use it.

"Alright, that’s easy. I’ll have the Tax Department look into their accounts, and if they’ve been evading taxes, the Lyublino Large Market can be auctioned off. You can bid for it then. I’ll set it up so that only the New Sun Group will meet the auction criteria, and you’ll just have to pay a nominal amount," Gavriil said casually.

For people at his and Wang Ye’s level, something like the Lyublino Large Market, an asset worth a couple of hundred million US dollars was nowhere near substantial.