Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 534: Taking Matters into Own Hands_1

Chapter 534: Chapter 534: Taking Matters into Own Hands_1

The private dining room at the Yukos headquarters was the same as before.

Wang Ye and Khodorkovsky were sitting opposite each other, discussing matters related to the oil and gas pipeline over dinner.

After recounting the information he had gathered from several people today, Wang Ye laughed and said, "Things are getting more complicated now. It’s not just the State Pipeline Group that wants to get involved, Xiao Quan is also up to no good."

Khodorkovsky frowned in thought for a while, hesitantly asking, "Xiao Quan... What does this have to do with them? What are they trying to do?"

Indeed, this was somewhat hard to understand. This was a China-Russia oil and gas cooperation, which was supposed to be an affair between these two countries.

The involvement of the State Pipeline Company was understandable as they were interested in the profits and wanted a piece of the cake.

But what could Xiao Quan be after by coming all the way here to interfere?

To Wang Ye, it was clear what Xiao Quan was trying to achieve. On the surface, it seemed they wanted Russia to alter the route of the oil and gas pipeline, having it detour to end at Far East Port Nahodka!

That port was very close to Xiao Quan!

Doing so would mean that Xiao Quan could buy oil and gas from Russia at a way lower price and a much shorter distance in the future.

It’s worth noting that Xiao Quan was energy-deficient at home, with most of their oil and natural gas being imported.

Looking at it, Xiao Quan had quite a justified argument.

But the real reason behind this was far more complicated!

.......

"They may also want to import oil and gas resources from our country. However, instead of negotiating with us at Yukos or Russian Gas Industry, they directly approached the government. The political significance of this is quite obvious." Wang Ye replied with a chuckle.

It was indeed curious. If Xiao Quan wanted to import oil and natural gas from Russia, shouldn’t they speak to the two giants Yukos and Russian Gas Industry?

These two companies enjoy an absolute monopoly in their respective fields!

Why did Xiao Quan bypass the two companies and go straight to the Kremlin for discussions?

A look of distaste appeared on Khodorkovsky’s face. He loathed mixing politics with business.

Moreover, Yukos wasn’t a state-owned company, it belonged to him, Khodorkovsky!

If Xiao Quan wanted to import oil, they should negotiate with him directly. Were they trying to use the Kremlin to pressure him?

He looked at Wang Ye and asked, "How are you planning to handle this?"

Wang Ye laughed, saying casually: "Originally, I would have left the follow-up matters after the contract negotiation to professionals. But since there is now a hiccup and complications, I can’t just stand by, so... leave the matter to me!"

Khodorkovsky was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly, saying: "That’s great! That’s great! Since Misha, you are willing to take over, this matter will be entirely your responsibility! You can deploy any resources of the Group! The entire Group will cooperate with your work!"

He was naturally pleased. Since Wang Ye was willing to handle this matter, there shouldn’t be any problems!

Khodorkovsky had to admit that he was quite impressed by Wang Ye.

What a troublemaker!

He had only provided him with a platform, but Wang Ye had managed to create wonders with the limited resources...

Sometimes Khodorkovsky wondered how Wang Ye had achieved his current success!

While he had indeed paved the way for Wang Ye by offering him a platform, resources, and contacts, these should not have been enough to support his current achievements!

Was it possible that Wang Ye was not only a business genius but also a natural master of politics?

Moreover, his influence on Moscow’s political arena now far surpassed Khodorkovsky!

One only had to look at his various "Congressman, Commissioner" titles for proof...

Take the recent oil and gas pipeline issue for instance, even if Khodorkovsky personally presided over it, he had to admit that given the current situation, it would be difficult to resolve it quickly and obtain the desired outcome.

He might get indefinitely delayed by institutions like the Ministry of Energy.

Until he could no longer hold on and was willing to succumb...

But if Wang Ye took charge, Khodorkovsky believed that he was capable enough to resolve this tricky situation.

Thus, now that Wang Ye had agreed to handle this matter, Khodorkovsky was naturally elated.

.......

The TV in the private room was broadcasting today’s news, the main content being the military parade.

When the main personalities mounted the podium, Wang Ye’s face was caught on the TV screen in a brief flash. Although it was not very clear, both men recognized him at first glance since they had been focused on Wang Ye’s appearance.

"Ha, isn’t that you? Not bad at all, you’re making news now. It seems you have a rather good relationship with the Kremlin," Khodorkovsky said with a smile.

Although he and the Kremlin were at odds, it did not prevent Wang Ye from maintaining a good relationship with them.

Khodorkovsky did not object to it either.

In business, he and Wang Ye were close collaborators, but in politics, they hadn’t discussed much yet.

After all, he had not yet entered the political arena...

Wang Ye grinned shyly, "Heh heh, actually, I didn’t qualify to sit there. It’s just because I recently secured the Century Order, it’s sort of a reward for me!"

Indeed, that was true.

If he hadn’t just signed the Sino-Russian oil and gas cooperation Century Order, Wang Ye would still be invited to the military parade, but his seat wouldn’t have been there.

He would probably be sitting at the adjacent viewer’s stand.

Moreover, he wouldn’t have gotten a close-up shot on TV!

As they chatted, the news about the military parade ended, and another piece of news started playing.

"Japanese Prime Minister Xiao Quan was invited to attend the military parade in our country and held talks with Mr. Puding..."

On the TV, the host was reporting news about Xiao Quan’s visit.

Khodorkovsky glanced at the TV, where scenes of Xiao Quan’s meeting with Puding were being shown.

He shook his head and commented, "This person doesn’t look good. I don’t really like people from Xiao Quan’s country, especially the businessmen, they’re too cunning and calculative!"

Xiao Quan looked thin and weak, couldn’t even fill out his suit, and had long hair...

To those uninformed, he could easily be mistaken for an artist.

He didn’t have much presence.

Wang Ye laughed, "But they are wealthy! Despite the economic stagnation in recent years, Xiao Quan’s country is still one of the developed countries in the world. If they are willing to invest a large sum of money for us to reconstruct the pipeline according to their demands, this would be quite troublesome."

Khodorkovsky pondered for a moment before reluctantly admitting, "That’s possible, it depends on how sincere they are."