Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 782: Let’s See Who’s the Better Actor_1

Chapter 782: Chapter 782: Let’s See Who’s the Better Actor_1

Inner turmoil in Duma apparently made Grezlov uneasy.

Even though his faction was large with many Dumasiats, it couldn’t withstand others continuously undermining it.

Khodorkovsky’s faction had initially poached part of their members; and, while Grezlov had publicly condemned it, he hadn’t actually taken it to heart.

Because he knew the profound advantages of his own faction were too great, and the attraction was incomparable to a newly established faction.

Khdorkovsky had only taken away some of the fringes of the faction, who were, in essence, the "optimizable" parts...

But now, facing the clandestine undermining by the third faction, he had to take it seriously.

Because the power, appeal, and rise of the third faction led by Mikhail were definitely not to be ignored!

His relationship with Wang Ye was not bad either, so he didn’t want to fall out over this matter. After considering it over and over, he decided to come and openly discuss it with Wang Ye.

If this issue could be openly discussed and resolved amicably, that would be the best.

If the problem can’t be resolved, he could then think of other methods later on.

...

In Wang Ye’s office, the two sat opposite each other.

Grezlov had a worried look on his face, and before he could utter a word, he gave out a long sigh.

Actually, Wang Ye had a hunch about what he’d want to talk about and had prepared himself.

Seeing Grezlov’s current state made him feel a bit amused. Wang Ye knew that the old fox was deliberately putting on a tragic show for him!

"What’s the matter, Mr. Speaker? You’re looking rather troubled," Wang Ye teased.

Grezlov sighed again before beginning to speak, "Worries, indeed! The general election is starting next year. We have far too many members in our faction, the resources required are massive, but we’re one of the poorest factions and haven’t received any significant donations till now. So many people are following me every day, asking for promotional resources, asking for election funds, where should I get them to satisfy them?"

After venting his grievances, albeit a bit exaggerated, it clearly outlined the plight of the first faction.

Indeed as he said, the first faction seemingly had limitless grandeur but also encountered numerous problems.

As Wang Ye listened, he nodded in agreement, indicating his sympathy...

In the end, Grezlov looked sincerely at Wang Ye and said, "Especially recently, it has been rumored that your faction has begun launching its election campaign and you seem wealthier than ever. This has caused trepidation within our faction. Quite a few have threatened me, saying that if the faction doesn’t provide them with supportive resources, they will defect to your faction. Regarding this matter, how does Misha feel about it?"

As expected, Wang Ye hadn’t guessed wrong, Grezlov indeed came to find him for having lured his people.

He wanted to gauge Wang Ye’s attitude, hoping that Wang Ye would declare that he won’t undermine the First Faction!

However, Wang Ye was obviously not so "simple", nor would he casually express his stance.

So he smiled and pretended to be naive:

"Ah?

Is there such a thing?

Isn’t this the type of political speculator you talked about earlier? Since their motives for politics are neither pure nor noble, in my view, you might as well take the initiative. Don’t wait for them to propose to leave the faction, just dismiss them outright.

Such people, they act like parasites wherever they go. When it’s time to work, they hide, but when it’s time to enjoy the benefits, they are more proactive than anyone else!"

Grezlov was momentarily stunned.

He didn’t expect Wang Ye to counter him with his own words...

Indeed, when they previously criticized those who had been wooed by Khodorkovsky at the Duma Congress, he had said something similar.

But the problem was, those types of people were not without merit, let alone, such people constituted the majority of the factions.

And the so-called people who served "for noble ideals, for the country and the people", apart from being a minority, he estimated that if they combed through all the 450 members of the Duma, they would only find a handful...

If the First Faction only retained such "pure" members, there might be no one left, even Grezlov himself would have to be expelled.

But he couldn’t say this out loud, unable to think of anything to respond to Wang Ye, his lips moved a few times, but he couldn’t say a word.

But being the cunning old fox that he was, Grezlov’s brain ran fast, and soon came up with a way to cope.

He gave a wry smile, loosened his necktie which was chocking him a little, and after relaxing, he said:

"Dismissing them is not that simple. After all, their threats are just words, they haven’t done anything substantially harmful to the faction or the country. On the grounds of reason or emotion, we can’t just dismiss them.

But I’ve heard that your third faction has been recruiting members recently. On second thought, this is also a good thing, expanding the faction’s power is your primary responsibility as the party leader.

But don’t forget, we just made a joint declaration at the Duma Congress a few days ago, opposing the poaching of members from other factions, so you shouldn’t be accepting members from other factions, right?"

Grezlov was "imitating" Wang Ye, pinching off the way of expansion for his faction.

As long as Wang Ye expressed his stance not to accept members from the first faction, his purpose would be fulfilled.

Because he would circulate this "news" within his faction, stating that he had reached an agreement with Mikhail, the leader of the third faction, that they wouldn’t poach each other’s members or allow members to defect.

In this way, wouldn’t it resolve the threat?

Unfortunately, while he had thought it all figured out, Wang Ye didn’t fall for his ruse!

Wang Ye gave a faint smile, narrowed his eyebrows to think, then asked with a puzzled face, "Did I say that?"

Grezlov was stunned, was this kid planning to act dumb and deny his words?!

Before he had a chance to question this, Wang Ye added:

"I did say that we wouldn’t poach others, but the latter half of your statement... that we won’t allow members of other factions to defect, did I say that?

Maintaining the normal flow of personnel between factions, as long as there is no malicious poaching, is a good thing.

If a member of our faction feels that his ideals have changed, or that he doesn’t fit in with the faction’s atmosphere and wants to switch to your faction, I won’t stop him. On the contrary, I’d even write a letter of recommendation to help him transition to your faction."

Grezlov was at a loss for words because there was indeed nothing wrong with what Wang Ye had said.

The normal flow of personnel between different factions was a tradition, and there had been many instances in the past, and no one had raised any objections.

They had previously criticized Khodorkovsky, only because it was not normal traffic, but rather Khodorkovsky taking the initiative to entice others and undermining other factions...