Chapter 523: Chapter 523: What About Working With Me?
Although he called it a rumor, no one else had heard about it yet.
"Ha! Where did you hear that? Did Medvedev tell you?"
I shook my head.
"No, I didn't hear it from Medvedev. I've just picked up bits and pieces from my travels."
"Aside from the Japanese government and a few people negotiating behind the scenes, no one else knows about this…"
I pretended not to notice the mixture of surprise and admiration in his gaze.
I simply had some foresight about the future.
'So they are negotiating behind the scenes.'
In the end, it fell through, but since I knew they had nearly made a deal, I decided to bring it up—unsurprisingly to no avail.
"So, why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
"I have no idea what conditions Japan put forth, but is there really a reason to go ahead with the project there?"
"With the situation in North Korea unpredictable, we can't keep delaying the East Asia pipeline construction. Then today, you propose something completely unexpected, and the conditions Japan offered are just too good."
"Could you share what those conditions are?"
"It's not difficult at all. Prime Minister Koizumi personally visited Moscow and proposed to import a million barrels of oil a day. Additionally, they expressed interest in investing in East Asian oil field development. The total investment will be around 7 billion dollars."
It seemed the Japanese government was making a bold offer. From Russia's standpoint, there's no reason to not engage in negotiations.
"So, are you considering moving ahead?"
"Everyone advising me is saying to accept Japan's proposal. But I'm not convinced."
"Why's that?"
"In the end, the pipeline would just halt in Nahodka near Vladivostok. It's not even connected to the Japanese mainland. The investment of time and money would be huge, but ultimately we'd have to ship oil to Japan via sea."
"You could build an underwater pipeline to extend it further."
"The economics don't add up. Japan is proposing to build a pipeline to Nahodka for that reason. So, I'm stuck in a dilemma."
He refilled my glass as he continued.
"But didn't you just say you have a solution to my dilemma? If we sort out the North Korea situation, it removes this problem entirely."
In terms of construction costs and stability, there's no comparison.
"Is the pipeline proposed by Japan starting from the Angarsk oil field?"
"That's right. A total of 3,800 kilometers connecting the Angarsk oil field to Nahodka. You seem to know quite a bit."
"It's the closest oil field to East Asia that isn't too small. Constructing it will be incredibly costly."
"They estimate it would be around 5 billion dollars. The transport capacity would be 1 to 1.5 million barrels a day."
It seemed the Russian government had already evaluated the project's feasibility.
"All those quantities must hinge on Japan importing it. The business case looks solid enough."
"Exactly. That's where the dilemma lies."
Both China and Japan are making efforts through their highest leaders to secure energy supplies.
China's oil consumption is surging exponentially due to its economic growth, and it's crucial for them to secure stable oil supplies.
Japan, facing a situation where it must keep China in check, is willing to attract investments into the East Asia pipeline even if it means incurring heavy losses. There's also likely a desire to gain drilling rights through field development.
However, Korea was paralyzed, unable to do anything due to North Korea standing in the way.
"Personally, I think accepting the Far East pipeline is a good idea."
"Really? That's unexpected. Isn't Korea usually opposed to whatever Japan does?"
"Well, I don't see it as a bad thing."
We could use the pipeline already built and then connect it to a line leading into North Korea afterward.
"But what about working with me instead of Japan?"
"With Korea?"
I shook my head.
"I'll proceed according to Japan's proposal. Not Korea, but I will."
"······That sounds too risky to hand over to someone inexperienced in such matters."
"Naturally, I won't be taking all the profits for myself. However, I would like the authority to select the countries and companies to partner with."
I added this as I sensed his hesitation.
"While I could do whatever I want with Yukos' oil fields, I wouldn't have authority over the others. There would be plenty for the President, too. I would handle it that way. It's better for fewer people to know about these matters, right?"
There's no way there wouldn't be some reward involved in something like this.
"Hmm… I'll think about it."
His hesitant response suggested he probably wouldn't reject my offer.
With that, we had covered most of what needed discussing.
"Let's stop with the complicated topics for now."
"Did you run out of things to say? Hahaha."
"There's plenty I'd love to say, but today isn't the day for it."
"Alright then. Let's just talk casually now."
He offered his vodka glass. I raised mine and clinked it against his.
The clear sound of our glasses clinking echoed in the room.
I spent the night drinking and having deep conversations with him until dawn.
I only woke up in the afternoon.
"Ow, my head. It feels like it's splitting."
My headache was debilitating. Why is it that every time I drink with a Russian, it ends up like this?
I quickly finished the bottle of water beside me and got out of bed.
I left the bedroom and went down to the living room on the first floor.
"You're awake?"
"Did Gyeong-young leave?"
Manager Ma sprang to attention, who had been waiting alone in the living room.
"Yes, he left an hour ago."
"Did he say he'd be back by 6?"
"That's what I understand."
I checked the clock. It was just past 3 PM.
"Guess I should get ready soon."
"What about dinner?"
"Well, didn't you mention there'd be a party after the contract is signed?"
"Yes, I confirmed that."
"Then there's no need to eat now. Just bring me something to help my hangover. I'll wash up first."
"Understood."
I turned to go back into the bedroom but paused.
"Ah, how about Igor?"
"He'll arrive tomorrow."
"That's a relief. I'll shower and be back shortly."
I returned to the bedroom and finished my shower. The hot water helped me feel somewhat better.
"Boss, I'm coming in."
Manager Ma opened the door and walked in.
I promptly took the hangover remedy he offered and swallowed it down.
"Let's get going soon."
About an hour later, we arrived at the Yukos headquarters.
I got out at the entrance and headed straight to the conference room. As I opened the door and walked in, quite a few people were already gathered.
There were also several reporters with cameras.
'There he is.'
Han Gyeong-yeong was surrounded by people, engaged in conversation. Spotting me first, he gave a nod. I smiled back.
"President Kim Mu-hyeok."
Turning, I noticed Medvedev standing there.
"Ah, Administrator."
"Haha. Long time no see."
"You've been so formal."
As I grasped his outstretched hand, he leaned slightly closer and whispered in my ear.
"We still have some time; let's talk privately."
I nodded in agreement and followed him out. There was still about 30 minutes left before the event started.
Medvedev guided me to an adjacent office.
"Administrator, please make sure no one comes in."
"Understood."
Manager Ma stood guard at the door. It clicked shut behind us.
Inside the office, a small table and chairs were set up.
Medvedev gestured for me to sit after he took his place first. I sat opposite him.
"I heard you visited the Kremlin yesterday."
"I was there until dawn. I still feel queasy now. It was no ordinary affair, I assure you."
As I shook my head, Medvedev burst into laughter, as if he could relate.
"Actually, this morning I was instructed to have you assist with everything you're doing. I was told to get the details from you."
I nodded in acknowledgement.
"I'd like to set up a camp near Vladivostok where mercenaries can secretly train."
"A camp? Why so suddenly…?"
"I'm speaking of mercenaries to be sent to North Korea."
Medvedev nodded emphatically, understanding my point.
"So there's an order for about 100 members from the Zaslon unit to be prepared by the SVR, then?"
"Has the order already been issued?"
"Yes. I believe I was told that they would discuss further details with you later. They should already be recruiting the personnel needed."
"I'm planning to send a total of 200 individuals—100 mercenaries from Black Bear and 100 from the Zaslon unit—into North Korea."
"Is Kim Jong-il your target?"
"That's right. I plan to assist Jang Seong-taek in taking power."
"You seem to be taking quite a risk this time."
I just laughed at his concerned tone.
"Can you make the arrangements?"
"Sure. It'll take a few days, though."
"That's fine. It'll take time to bring the mercenaries to Russia anyway."
Medvedev nodded thoughtfully.
"But will you be in command of Zaslon too?"
"Perhaps? They told me to sort out the hierarchy as I see fit, and I plan to send Igor as the head."
"Igor is going, huh? Even then, Zaslon's members are on a whole different level from the other units."
"I have to trust Igor and the mercenaries."
Honestly, I was a bit worried about that, but I wasn't going to show it.
"Have you heard about the pipeline connecting China and Russia?"
"I've heard the basics. They told me to discuss the details with you."
"I heard negotiations with China are struggling. I'm thinking of coordinating them so that Chinese firms handle the work in China, while Russian firms do the work in Russia through a consortium."
Medvedev laughed as if he understood.
"You'll be making the decisions yourself?"
"Yes, I want things to move quickly. I made a promise to the Chinese government. Bo Yibo will be the center of this deal."
"Bo Yibo? That old fox must be trying to leave a legacy before he dies."
The moment Medvedev heard Bo Yibo's name, he immediately understood how the situation would unfold.
"I also heard Hu Jintao visited the Kremlin not too long ago and made some remarks. Didn't he announce that this was the foundation for Rus-China energy cooperation?"
"That did happen."
"Yukos and China entered into a long-term oil supply contract, right? That'll be transferred to me, and I'll need an oil pipeline into China as well."
"Let's discuss this matter further at a later time. I can't give you an answer right now."
"I understand. But you absolutely must help me with this."
I spoke with him until it was almost time to go.
Medvedev nodded as he listened to me. He had heard that I was told to help extensively, and it seemed that was indeed the case.
"Let's rise from our seats. It's time to sign the contract."
Upon reentering the conference room, I noticed a banner hanging behind the table. The president of Yugansk and Han Gyeong-yeong were seated side by side.
I too found my place and took a seat. The event commenced shortly thereafter.
After all, it was merely a formality. All negotiations had already concluded.
The tedious event concluded with a few handshakes.
Cameras clicked rapidly from the reporters. There were many foreign reporters present, too.
And just like that, Yukos was wholly in my grasp.
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