Chapter 1304: Investing

On the same day, this Wednesday, Simon departed from Rome in the morning and flew to Rivni.

Nancy, who initially threatened to take a look at the girl Simon raised in Ukraine, did not accompany her again. Before that, for four consecutive days, from Amsterdam to Helsinki, from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, and then from St. Petersburg to Rome, the small executives were full and exhausted.

So I decided to stay in Rome, because Ukraine was too cold, and I also planned to play around with Sophia, who has always had a good private relationship.

For good reason.

However, when Simon made a joke about taking Nancy to Rivney by force, a small child executive finally begged for mercy, and it was too much. In fact, Simon is not that cruel, it's just that a certain little woman has too little appetite.

At ten o'clock in the morning, from Rome with the most authentic Mediterranean climate to the snow-covered Rivni, Simon did not call a group of women to gossip like the little executives teased, but immediately threw himself into work.

In fact, this road is also working.

The first stop was Amsterdam, and I personally had some contact with Philips, the parent company of Polygram, to push the two sides to formally start the acquisition negotiation.

Of course, on the other side, EMI, which is a smoke bomb, did not give up.

The second stop is Helsinki, of course Nokia.

With the rapid development of the global mobile communication industry, Simon couldn't help not paying attention to Nokia. He spent a day and a half discussing with Jorma Olia and Nokia's senior management all aspects of the company's development layout in the coming year.

The third stop, St. Petersburg, only stayed for one night.

It was mainly a low-key small reception. Yeltsin once again sent his daughter to participate, as well as Mikhail Friedman, the main spokesperson of the Westeros system in Russia. A short, middle-aged man who rises every step of the way.

Yeltsin's daughter, Tatyana, also specifically mentioned that the other party happened to be sent to the Far East, with some temptation in her tone.

Simon didn't deliberately pretend to forget someone's existence, but he also reacted flatly.

In fact, it is also a cold-eyed bystander.

If Yeltsin put someone in the position as in the original time and space, the other party will definitely remember who pushed him to take a critical step.

If history changes and someone else takes control of Russia, with the current state of oligarchs in the country and the lack of a strong leader to reverse the situation, Russia is likely to disintegrate like Ukraine once did. As the super-capitalist oligarch at the top of the world's pyramid, this is true. Only talking about Russia's game of chess is still beneficial to Simon.

The fourth stop in Rome, on the one hand, is to see the construction progress of Universal Studios Rome in person, and on the other hand, to arrange various exchanges and maintain contacts in Italy's political, business, entertainment circles.

Especially the latter.

Because Italy can be described as the foundation of the Westeros system in the layout of the fashion industry, Melisandre's aircraft carrier battle group structure, the core "aircraft carrier" of luggage and clothing is Gucci, and the core aircraft carrier of jewelry and watches is "Bulgari" , both originated in Italy.

Last stop was Rivni.

Rivni City West Airport.

Vasily Borisov, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Western Combat Command headquartered in Rivni, stood among the reception crowd, watching a young man walk down the gangway, and glanced at a group of Rovnos around him Helping the big coffee, I feel sobs, feelings of loss and depression in my heart.

If it was still in the Soviet era, the current scene would never happen.

However, what makes people feel almost magical is that a group of elites at the top of the former Soviet pyramid ran together with humility and respect to greet an American under the age of 30. Not only that, but in recent days, the whole city behind them has received the state of martial law for someone, and it is completely the treatment that can only be received by the heads of state of some big countries.

However, considering that the other party has a terrifying net worth equivalent to dozens of current Ukrainian economies, Vasily Borisov has to admit that Simon Westeros really deserves this treatment.

Even in the city under his feet, it is not an exaggeration to say that Simon Westeros is the lord of the city.

In just a few years, Rivni has skyrocketed from a small town in the northwestern border of Ukraine to a major town in Eastern Europe with a population of one million, all thanks to the efforts of the other party.

Vasily Borisov even secretly made a deduction in private. If, under certain circumstances, regardless of any other consequences, the Western Combat Command he is in charge of wants to achieve a forced military takeover of Rivni and swallow this bomb Attractive fruit, how feasible is it?

The answer is very hanging.

The total size of the army controlled by the Western Combat Command is currently less than 60,000. As for the combat power, the 60,000 troops that have been cut budgets for many years and have not been replaced for many years are probably about the same as the disgraced Russian army in Chechnya. Said that there is not much combat power.

Looking at the Rovno gang again, not to mention how far the opponent has expanded in private, but the public data shows that there are 5,000 private soldiers who have cutting-edge American equipment and have been baptized in actual combat in Africa and Yugoslavia. It is not necessarily a hard bone that can be gnawed down.

What's more, Borisov only dared to think about the so-called military takeover. Because he wants a military takeover, there is at most one Kiev authority standing behind him. As for the Rovno Gang, even if the powerful Westeros system is not mentioned, there is another terrifying existence of the American government.

Therefore, if he really did that, no matter whether he succeeds or fails, he will not end well.

Vasily Borisov takes another nostalgia for the mighty Soviet era, see Simon Weiss

Tello had already approached, and quickly showed a more gentle smile, shaking hands with the other party and saying hello: "Simon, I'm glad you came to Livni again."

Now that a decision has been made, it is best not to be half-hearted.

Being able to climb to the current position, Borisov does not lack this determination.

Simon also shook hands with Borisov with a smile, and obviously stayed in front of the other party for a while, chatting about some seemingly irrelevant trivial matters. This small detail made Borisov feel a lot more comfortable inexplicably.

Simon Westeros still thinks highly of him.

After such a greeting, everyone left the airport together in a mighty way.

In addition to the three cars belonging to Simon, there are also Rovno Governor Andrei Smirnov, the head of Ordek Company Sergei Komorov, US President Kerim Derevyanko, etc. The core executives of the Rovno Gang, this is the list personally drawn up by Celia Miller who came to arrange in advance as usual, and the slightly inferior characters are not qualified to connect to the machine.

In one of the three black Mercedes-Benz police cars in front of the convoy, when the convoy left the airport, Simon asked Celia Miller beside him: "Have you talked with Borisov specifically?"

Since Vasily Borisov appeared here today, it obviously means that the other party wants to completely join the Rovno Gang, instead of the previous cooperative relationship.

Of course, Simon will not refuse to accept the loyalty of the theater commander who controls the military affairs of several major border states in northwest Ukraine, and he must also give enough attention and courtesy, because this is equivalent to indirectly controlling the military power of an area.

Politics, economy, and military are all in their hands, and no one believes that Simon is not the master of this area.

Celia shook her head: "He wants to talk to you personally."

"Then after the lunch." Simon was not surprised, and asked again: "Tell me again, what is the situation with Borisov?"

Celia smiled and said: "It's still because of the economic crisis. From last year to now, Ukraine's already unstable hryvnia has devalued again by more than 30%. The government's finances are tight, so they can only cut the budget again. The Western Combat Command, boss, you should also be able to understand that Kiev is the least important one compared to the south and east, so in another disarmament decision of the Kuchma government, the Western Combat Command was cut The most ruthless, this year not only has the budget of 20% been compressed, but also asked to reduce the current 57,000 people to less than 40,000 people, Borisov is completely unable to survive."

The Asian financial turmoil that broke out last year seemed to die down on the surface, but in fact the follow-up impact has been fermenting and spreading around the world. Countries around the world and even countless companies have tightened their financial expenditures, which not only resulted in a significant decrease in the flow of funds to Eastern Europe, which is in urgent need of reconstruction, but even reversed outflows. A typical example is that Soros has withdrawn a large amount of funds from Russia, resulting in various Eastern European countries. The country is once again in trouble.

Ukraine had already experienced an economic collapse in the early 1990s after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. It had just eased in the first two years, and it carried out currency reform after Kuchma came to power. It was originally developing in a good direction.

Unfortunately, a storm, once again crumbling.

Simon is very clear that in 1998, for Russia, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, it can be described as the lowest point after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

On the other hand, in this depressed Eastern Europe, the city of Rivni, which is still developing rapidly, and even the Rovno Gang based on this city are undoubtedly an anomaly.

Vasily Borisov, who was in the game and saw this clearly, probably understood the ending of Ukraine. This time he decisively chose to fully invest in the Rovno gang, which is undoubtedly the best for him. a result.

After hearing what Celia had finished speaking, Simon was quietly thinking about it. The woman next to him continued, "However, Simon, Borisov said that he can join the Progressive Alliance as a statement."

Simon shook his head immediately: "No, doing so may cause the Kiev authorities to rebound."

"I think so too," Celia nodded with a smile. "However, the boss doesn't need to worry too much. The Kiev authorities are in a state of desperation and can't take care of us."

"Others can't take care of it, but we still have to have the posture we should have," Simon said: "We can't let the Kiev authorities lose face too much."

Celia nodded again, and continued: "Speaking of Kiev, Pinchuk will come tomorrow, and I have already arranged it in the boss's schedule."

"Um."

"Also, huh, it's still about money. In 1994, Ukraine agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons. In the agreement, the Federation promised to give 175 million US dollars in special funds and 155 million US dollars in economic assistance. Do you remember, boss?"

"What's wrong?"

"Now Ukraine's nuclear weapons have been dismantled, and the special funds of 175 million U.S. dollars have been paid in full. However, Washington has only given 10 million U.S. dollars in economic aid of 155 million U.S. dollars until now. Kiev contacted me and hoped that I could help Let’s cash in on the follow-up assistance.”

Simon almost laughed: "Do you think Washington still intends to honor it?"

Celia shook her head: "I can't do anything anyway."

Simon didn't say much anymore, and he could only sigh with emotion. Washington is really dark. If it was him, after making Ukraine abolished its martial arts, the money that should be given would definitely not be lost. 155 million US dollars is really not much.

However, from the perspective of Washington, 155 million US dollars is also money.

Of course not.

And Ukraine can't do anything about it. One side is asking for debts, and the other side is procrastinating. If you have the ability, you can hit me.

Ah, take the nukes.

Pity the Kiev authorities again, and Simon has no intention of helping.

With the influence of the Westeros system, if Simon came forward in person, he would be able to help Kiev get back the money, but it is completely unnecessary, because the effort is thankless.

Of course, it will definitely gain the favor of the Kiev authorities. However, Simon does not need much favor from the Kiev authorities at all.

In such a messed-up country, it is impossible to turn against Simon now, and even a dignified military commander will be loyal to himself.

Again.

In the final analysis, the root of social problems are economic problems.

Simon just happened to be the very rich one.

Celia talked about this and other things, and when she was about to arrive at the manor at BASF Lake in the south of the city, she said another thing: "Boss, Tymoshenko quietly came over again yesterday."

Simon frowned slightly: "How did she know I was coming?"

"It's not hard to guess," Celia said. "Recently, in order to welcome the boss, Livni has put the whole city on alert. She must have let people go here. She is such a smart woman, so of course she can guess it."

In order to ensure the safety of Simon's trip to Rivni this time, the Rovno gang really made a big battle.

Celia had spoken to Simon in advance.

Simon was relatively restrained in the past, but this time he did not object, because it was equivalent to a declaration that this land was named Westeros.

After four consecutive years of layout, Simon determined that the control of Rivne State by the Westeros system has reached a level that does not require too much concealment, so the people in this area should gradually get used to one thing.

Thinking of this, Simon asked again: "What's the matter with her?"

"Her company is having a hard time, she wants money, that's all."

When Simon heard Celia say this, he also felt that he was talking nonsense. With Ukraine's current state and a woman who had completely lost the aura of the natural gas queen being continuously suppressed, the other party must have come because she could no longer support her.

Thinking of this, Simon told Celia: "Lock it up, starve for two days, and then clean it up. I'll see if I have time."