Chapter 100

The Bear Kingdom is Now My Territory Chapter 100

100 A New Concept Planned City / Embracing Africa

At the command tent in the Gobi Desert.

Unlike in Korea, where money is usually given in white envelopes as a formality,

in Russia, congratulatory money is given in colorful envelopes.

Maria also handed a colorful envelope to Alona based on this custom.

However, the contents inside were different.

To Nikolai’s question, “How much?” Alona gave an unexpected answer.

“He gave me a card. It has no limit.”

“Your mother really went all out.”

It seemed that Alona, who worked, didn’t have much money.

“I didn’t want to accept it, but I thought it would be rude to refuse on the spot, so I took it.”

She took the card out of her bag and handed it to him.

“I want you to return it on my behalf.”

“You can keep it. Your mother thought about it and gave it to you, so you can use it when you need it.”

“I didn’t start working for the money. Didn’t I tell you that my father runs a grain company?”

“Yes.”

“In fact, it’s quite large. It might be the largest in Ukraine.”

This was the first time he heard this.

Maria also didn’t know, as this was their first meeting.

“I’ve never talked about my family before. And you didn’t ask at the restaurant in London, did you? You haven’t asked since then either.”

“Haha, I didn’t ask.”

During his days as a journalist, economic conditions were the priority in meetings between men and women.

What’s the man’s job?

What’s his salary? Family background? Assets?

What’s the woman’s job?

Family background? Salary? Etc.

Most people prioritized economic conditions over human qualities.

Even in marriage agencies, members were categorized into 15 levels based on their conditions.

‘Not like a piece of meat. I wonder what level I was back then?’

He didn’t know then, but he knew now.

Absolutely immovable, level 0.

Conditions were meaningless to him.

“Please return the card on my behalf.”

“Understood.”

As he put the card in his pocket, the chief of staff entered.

Nikolai stood up from his chair and looked at the topographic map spread out on the large rectangular table.

“Just as I said before, the trees must be planted according to the designated areas. The residents can’t just plant them wherever they want.”

“I’ve been informing them every week.”

Although there had been no issues so far, it was an important matter, so he always mentioned it when he came here.

“And Mr. Nikolai, everything is ready.”

“Let’s go. Have you ever been in a helicopter, Miss Alona?”

“No, not yet….”

“Then let’s go for a ride. You’ll get a different feeling when you see the desert from above.”

“Oh, can I really go?”

“Of course.”

A short while later.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!

The Gobi Desert looked different from the sky.

Although Nikolai had seen it dozens of times, Alona, seeing it for the first time, was constantly amazed.

“It feels completely different from when you see it from the ground.”

“I felt the same way when I saw it for the first time.”

“Now that I look, the trees seem to be planted according to some rule?”

“You’re right.”

From the helicopter, the trees in the desert were planted in straight lines, as if measured with a ruler.

However, most areas were densely planted, while some areas were completely empty, like a bald spot on a head.

In other places, the shapes resembled the Nazca Lines, giving off a mysterious feeling.

These facts could only be known from the sky; it would be difficult to discern from the ground.

“Why are the trees planted like this?”

“They’re planted to leave space for the buildings that will be constructed later.”

“So, people will really be able to live here?”

“Of course. When the Gobi Desert project is completed, the world map will change.”

After circling the desert sky for an hour in the helicopter, the two returned to the tent village.

“By the way, your mother said to come home for the New Year’s holiday.”

New Year’s holiday?

It’s common to spend the New Year with family, so inviting Alona meant?

‘Has my mother already accepted her?’

When they met before, Alona had said she liked him.

The house she referred to was not Maria’s but Yuri Yushkov’s mansion.

On one hand, it felt a bit too fast, but since it was an invitation from his mother, he decided to follow it.

However, there was something Nikolai missed.

Alona called Maria “Mother” instead of “Nikolai’s mother.”

She had already embraced the Yushkov family in her heart.

* * *

On the last evening of 1999, a call came from the head of the Korean branch of Black Hole Distribution.

Although he spoke with the head of the immigration office a few times a month, they always called on New Year’s Eve.

- Mr. President, Happy New Year.

“Thank you. Happy New Year to you too, sir.”

-I’ve always received a lot of good fortune thanks to you, Mr. President.

“Haha, it’s not because of me, but because you have good fortune. Please take care of the Korean branch in the future.”

-Thank you. I also want to thank you again for what you said before.

‘What he said before’ reminded him of something, so he asked.

“The building and the apartment?”

-Yes. The price of the place you recommended has been rising steadily.

“That’s your good fortune too.”

-His wife also asked me to convey her gratitude.

After the brief greetings, Nikolai asked about the situation in Korea.

-It’s been a bit noisy due to the ongoing restructuring of companies. The government is following our Black Hole’s demands, but it’s also noisy because of the politicians who are causing trouble.

“Since they have to follow the agreement, let’s just wait and see.”

-Yes. And I heard that the chairman of Future Group was hospitalized. I heard he reduced his public appearances after returning from North Korea and was suddenly hospitalized a week ago.

The hospitalization of the chairman meant that his life was running out.

In the original history, he passed away in March 2001, so he had only about a year and three months left.

When the chairman of Future Group dies, his sons will start moving.

Since most of the shares of Future Group are with Nikolai.

‘I’ll make sure they can’t make a sound when they come to Russia.’

Nikolai put aside his thoughts and focused on the conversation with the head of the immigration office.

-Should I go in your place?

“Yes, please.”

-Understood. By the way, the chairman of Oseong Group is actively buying back company shares. I heard it’s because of us, Black Hole.

“It’s because we’re increasing our shareholding.”

The chairman of Oseong Group won’t step down, but he won’t be able to act as freely as before due to Black Hole’s shareholding.

The same will apply to the chairman of Future Group.

Nikolai knew that if he could control these two major Korean companies, the rest would be easier, so he had laid the groundwork in advance.

After hanging up, he spent the last year of the century, which Nostradamus predicted would be the end of the world, and welcomed the New Year 2000.

* * *

The atmosphere at Yuri Yushkov’s mansion had changed significantly with the New Year.

Just as many things changed in the world with the arrival of the year 2000.

The many people who always filled the garden on New Year’s Day were gone.

This was because visitors were not allowed to pass through the main gate.

Instead, gifts easily passed through the main gate and filled one side of the living room like Christmas presents.

“Phew….”

As Alona took a deep breath in front of the front door, Maria, who was to be her mother-in-law, patted her back and smiled.

“No need to be nervous. Everyone in our family has been waiting for you. Let’s go in.”

In a space that far exceeded the basic size of a living room, relatives were gathered.

However, there was a strange atmosphere.

Mutual vigilance.

Just like in any other wealthy family, the Yushkovs were no different.

As the Ivan family entered, the relatives came one by one to greet them.

Then, they looked at a goddess-like elf, as if from a game.

“Brother. The one Nikolai is meeting…?”

Ivan nodded at the second son Yegor’s question.

“What are you doing at the entrance? If you’re here, come in quickly.”

As the Ivan family moved, the relatives’ gazes followed.

“Grandpa, who is this pretty sister?”

“Hehe, she will be part of our family. You kids, go play with the gift packages and see what’s inside.”

“Can we really open them?”

“Of course. You can open all of them and play over there.”

As the grandchildren rushed over, Yuri turned his gaze to Ivan.

“It’s good to have only family here. We should do this more often. It gets too noisy when others are around.”

“I agree.”

Yuri’s gaze naturally turned to Alona.

“Is this the girl?”

“Yes, Father. What do you think?”

“Hmm….”

As Yuri carefully examined Alona, everyone tensed up.

Alona also looked nervous.

Even if Nikolai liked her, if Yuri, the head of the family, opposed, things would get complicated.

After a moment, Yuri slowly spoke again.

“You come from a family with special genes.”

“…?”

“You’re even prettier than the winners of the unicorn beauty pageant.”

This meant that Alona’s appearance was outstanding, even to Yuri, who had seen countless beauties over the years.

“So, your father runs a grain company in Ukraine?”

It seemed that even Yuri, who controlled the Russian economy, cared about the background of the parents.

“Yes.”

“I like that you come from a business family. It’s a relief. I was worried that Nikolai wouldn’t get married.”

Ivan and his wife also felt relieved, as they had been worried.

“How long have you known each other?”

“A little over four months.”

“Let’s see, a little over four months….”

“….”

“You met when Nikolai went to the UK to acquire ARM, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yuri didn’t know that Alona worked at ARM.

It wasn’t particularly important, and he would find out soon anyway.

“What a strange thing, fate.”

Nikolai’s fate was in London, 5,614 kilometers away from Moscow, but it was a Ukrainian woman, not a British one.

“All of Ivan’s children have deep connections with other countries.”

Dennis married a French woman, and Victoria married a German man.

“Hmm. If you’ve known each other for over four months, that’s quite a while. I’ll just say one thing. Get married within two months.”

“Father, isn’t two months too soon?”

To Yegor’s question, Ivan countered.

“What’s too soon? I got married a month after our arranged meeting. Isn’t that similar to you?”

“I got married a week after meeting your mother. Four months is enough. You can date for two more months, so it’s appropriate.”

Yegor closed his mouth tightly like a clam at Ivan and Yuri’s words.

Then, a man in the back asked casually.

“What’s the name of your father’s grain company?”

“Why are you asking?”

Since it was the new millennium, the third son Anton and Olga, who were exiled to Ukraine, were also present.

As Yuri frowned, Anton pulled his head back.

However, everyone looked at Alona curiously, like Anton.

“UK Grain.”

“Father, UK Grain is the largest grain company in Ukraine. Especially ‘wheat’ is exported to Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, China, and is well-known in Europe. In terms of ‘wheat’ alone, it surpasses Cargill in the US.”

At Ivan’s explanation, the family’s eyes widened.

“We don’t particularly scrutinize family backgrounds, but this is good.”

Moreover, Alona was their only child.

“Think of today as a chance to get to know the family. Relax and stay a while.”

“Yes.”

“Alright. After chatting, come to the study in 30 minutes.”

This was said to his children and Nikolai.

As Yuri left, the heavy atmosphere lightened.

“Nikolai, congratulations.”

“I thought you’d never get married.”

Kirill and Dima were already married, so among his peers, Nikolai was the last.

“By the way, are you interested in running a department store?”

“GUM Department Store?”

Kirill asked with great anticipation.

Dima also swallowed hard.

“Yes. There are over 1,200 GUM stores. Managing them requires a lot of people. Kirill and Dima, since you’re experienced now, help our father while working.”

“Sure, I’m in.”

“Me too.”

“I’ll talk to Father. Start after the holiday. I’ll give you a branch to manage when you gain more experience, so do your best.”

“Thanks, Nikolai.”

“I told you. If you stick with Nikolai, you’ll be successful.”

Seeing his two sons completely on Nikolai’s side, Yegor shook his head.

Even in the new year, business talk flowed in the study as usual.

“Even if the opposition puts up a single candidate, there won’t be a problem with your son-in-law getting re-elected, right?”

Yuri believed without a doubt that Zakharchenko would be re-elected.

However, as with Yeltsin’s sudden death, political situations always have variables, so he asked.

“No need to worry. The people know how much Russia has grown. Besides, we have a hidden card in case of emergencies.”

The annexation of the Republic of Belarus.

If this happens, Zakharchenko’s chances of winning will increase even more.

“A hidden card?”

“I can’t tell you now, but it’s a big one.”

“Since you have it, it must be there.”

Nikolai, who miraculously got Zakharchenko, the former Minister of Justice, to become president, ended the election talk with the mention of a hidden card.

“By the way, Gazprom is expanding into Africa, right?”

“Yes, for the development of underground resources.”

“You know, African countries are politically unstable and often have civil wars. There are also dictators.”

Yuri was a bit worried.

He wondered if Nikolai, in his youthful enthusiasm, was going without being fully prepared.

“You must ensure that our soldiers can be deployed where you go. If not, don’t even think about going.”

“Understood.”

Yegor, who had been listening, tilted his head and interjected.

“Why do we need to expand to Africa when there are plenty of resources to develop in Russia?”

“Russia’s cold climate makes resource development difficult, but Africa is different. Once discovered, the amount will be enormous, not inferior to Russia.”

“I agree. Africa is a land of opportunity. Since there aren’t many foreign companies yet, we can secure a lot of profits by getting there first.”

“I’ll show good results.”

“Again, our soldiers must be able to be deployed.”

“Yes.”

“Alright. It seems you’re now looking abroad. I’m looking forward to it.”

As Yuri said, Nikolai decided to expand his business abroad.

To have power in the future, one must dominate energy, semiconductors, and food.

Adding one more, IT.

These four are the most important.

He had secured