The next day, Elena went for her dance rehearsal. The performance was in the afternoon, and as one of the representatives of Russia’s party, Kirilenko was invited to this event. Feng Yu went to CCTV to watch the Spring Festival Gala night rehearsal and offered some suggestions.
In the evenings, Feng Yu and Kirilenko were seated together again. Kirilenko wanted to have a serious talk with Feng Yu. He wants to know if Yeltsin will continue to be in power and if he will lose to any opposition rivals.
Russia had sent this party to China was because Yeltsin and Bush had signed a treaty to stop their arms race early last year. The relationship between Russia and the US improved.
But last July, the relationship between the US and China had suddenly turned bad. This was because Clinton became the President and the US targeted China for the first time.
This incident was called the “Yinhe incident”!
The US government claims that they had received intelligence that this Chinese vessel, Yinhe, was sending dangerous chemicals used in chemical weapons to Iran. They sent their warships and planes to force Yinhe to stop in International waters for more than a month.
They conducted inspections twice but could not find the said chemicals. The Chinese Government asked the US government sarcastically: “Did you buy your information for 1 dollar?”
The US officials were embarra.s.sed but insisted they did nothing wrong. In the end, the US government admitted their intelligence was false and offered compensation. But the US still refuse to apologize!
Because of this incident, there were anti-US sentiments in China. Lots of Chinese students were condemning the US and expressed that they will never go to the US to further their studies.
Russia sees this as an opportunity. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Russia’s relationship with the US had improved, but that does not mean Russia will forget their hatred for the US.
Russia had followed the former Soviet Union’s ideologies. They can never be friends with the US. They can only be enemies. Although this could not be announced openly, most of the Russians think this way. No one knows, but the Russian Government might be involved.
This time, Russia’s visit to China was to seek cooperation in many areas. They want to collaborate with China economically and also the military. During the former Soviet Union era, China was treated as a little brother to them. Thus, their relationship soured. The former Soviet Union’s government were arrogant and felt that the Soviet Union were bigger and stronger than China.
But after the Soviet Union was dissolved, Russia’s economy was a big issue for Yeltsin, and it was his duties to solve this.
Collaborating with China, the current rising economic powerhouse, was the fastest way to stabilize Russia’s economy. After j.a.pan went into recession, they had to depend on China’s market to survive. However, the j.a.panese government had to pay a heavy price for it.
Russia could afford to do so too. Especially Yeltsin. He needs the Chinese government’s support. Last September, Yeltsin dismissed the Russian parliament, and only Russia’s Federal a.s.sembly was left to vie for powers with the President. They even fought during the parliamentary meetings.
In the end, Yeltsin won, and all those “oppositions” were arrested. The representative president appointed by the parliament was arrested along with his supporters. The supporters include some military officials.
At that time, Kirilenko had called Feng Yu. Because his father was a Lieutenant General in charge of a princ.i.p.al department. He was considered someone with lots of authority. If his father leans towards the parliament, Yeltsin will be in a lot of trouble.
But Feng Yu told Kirilenko that those people in the parliament were clowns and can be ignored. Yeltsin had risen to powers from the support of the Russians.
Yeltsin also had influence over the military. The soldiers listened to Yeltsin more than the parliament. At the same time, Feng Yu told Kirilenko that if the parliament council won, Russia would lose a good president and his father will also be implicated.
No one was willing to have a general that was formerly his enemy. Even if Yeltsin promised to promote Kirilenko’s father, he will also not give him any authority.
After hearing Feng Yu’s a.n.a.lysis, Kirilenko’s father knew what to do. Since he was already branded as Yeltsin’s man, he must support Yeltsin wholeheartedly. If Yeltsin wins, then he will get more benefits.
Yeltsin had a lot of power. Although he only controls half of the military, he was seen as on the side of the angels. The Parliamentary Council were seen as the opposition party. It was clear which side had the advantage.
If Kirilenko’s father chose the wrong side, he might also not win Yeltsin. The final outcome would be Kirilenko’s father escaping to other countries for asylum and Feng Yu and Kirilenko’s investment in the minerals company will be lost!
That was Feng Yu most significant investment. He cannot afford to lose it. Also, Feng Yu felt Kirilenko was a good friend, and he treasured the friendship.
Furthermore, Kirilenko had the financial capabilities to help Feng Yu fight against US corporations. Everyone will unite to teach those US speculators a lesson!
After this incident, Kirilenko owes Feng Yu another favor. His father’s decisions and actions received praise from Yeltsin, and his father should be due for another promotion within this year.
Kirilenko had entered this Russia’s party as one of the delegates to see if there were any areas where both countries could cooperate and also thank Feng Yu.
That vehicle importation proposal was to tell Feng Yu that he will not only import Songjiang Motors vehicles into Russia, he will also import it to the former Soviet Union’s allied countries.
“Brother Ki, rest a.s.sured. Just stick with Yeltsin and your father’s position will be as stable as a rock!”
“Feng, if you say this, then my father and I will be at ease. If you need any help from me, just tell me. I promise I will put in my 100% to help you!” Kirilenko beat his chest.
“In another 2 years, I will be fighting a financial war with a few US financial giants. I hope you will support me by using all your financial powers when the time comes.”
“Feng, if we are going against the US, I will surely support you even if you do not ask me. Errrmmm…. Will we suffer heavy losses?” Kirilenko asked. He was not very confident.
“Loss? You think I will suffer losses? We will not suffer any losses. In fact, we will still make lots of profits. We will be hitting the US economy and beat those financial giants. But to be honest, if it was not for them, Rubles will not depreciate so fast, and both of us will not become where we are now. No matter what, they are the ones who had hurt your country’s economy!”
“Feng, since you are helping me to earn money, then it is not considered a request from you. What request do you need? Tell me! If you don’t let me help you, then it will transfer all my shares in the mining company to you.”
“No need. But if you really want to give me the shares, then give me 2% will do.” Feng Yu pretended to reject and then tell Kirilenko what he wanted.
“Fine. Look at this doc.u.ment and sign it.” Kirilenko took out a stack of doc.u.ments he prepared. It states precisely 2%.
Feng Yu read through the doc.u.ments twice and signed it. He was now the major shareholder of the mining company!
Translator’s notes:
Yinhe Incident
a.s.sembly