Chapter Fifty When Zhang Wuji ran into Zhou Zhiruo with Xiaoyao

  Alyosha stood up, elegantly took over the box, and without any shyness, opened it in front of everyone. After a careful look, his expression suddenly became serious. The box did not contain the gold jewelry or antiques he had imagined, but rather a stock transfer agreement representing 10% of Pengcheng Trading's shares. The recipient's signature position was blank, while the transferor's position already bore Zhang Tianpeng's name. This was one-third of the 30% stake in Pengcheng Trading that Ye Haodong had bought from Zhang Tianpeng for three billion yuan at a friendly price. Alyosha couldn't calculate how much this was worth, but it was certain that these shares would bring him tens of millions of rubles every year. Was this what they called a small gift? The phrase "money moves people's hearts" was universally applicable, and Alyosha took a deep breath, his words becoming more polite as he cautiously asked: "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Ye?"

  Ye Haodong politely asked him to sit down, smiling: "Let's just say we've said it all, let's be friends first, and talk about helping each other later."

  Alyosha was amazed: "What? No conditions?"

  Ye Haodong nodded, very affirmative: "Yes, I said it, we are friends. And you've recently spent a lot on the new president's campaign, your opponent is after all a giant oligarch who has dominated Russia for many years. If this sponsorship can alleviate your current difficulties, I will be happy to give it to you for free as a witness to our friendship and cooperation."

  Akhmedov: "Don't you worry we will fail?"

  Ye Haodong confidently said: "Today is March 18th, we Chinese people like this eight-character phrase, it implies prosperity. We can become good friends on such an auspicious day, I believe our future careers will take a big step forward. The moment the results of the general election are announced on March 26th will prove this point."

  Akhmed finally nodded, pulled out a pen, but didn't immediately sign his name on the paper. "If in the future you ask me to do something that goes against Russia's national interests and constitution, I won't take into account our 'friendship' today either. Are you still going to give me this contract?"

  Ye Haodong understood that this guy had already made up his mind, and this sentence was also to cover himself, but also to prevent him from being completely controlled by Ye Haodong in the future. Ye Haodong sincerely stretched out his hand, with a firm and powerful voice: "Welcome to join Pengcheng Trading."

  March 26, Russia officially ushered in the Putin era. The "Hao Tian Material Trade Co., Ltd." jointly founded by Ye Haodong and Zhang Tianpeng was also established on the same day. The main business is resource trade between China and Russia, with coal, oil, and natural gas cooperation development and sales as the main projects. Hao Tian Material is responsible for introducing mining equipment and product sales, while Far East Energy, the other partner, is responsible for mining and daily management. The direction of product sales is the Republic of China, which is about to enter the world and has an insatiable thirst for energy power.

  Aleshin was appointed as the head of the newly established Russian Far East Trade Bureau after Putin came to power, and concurrently served as an executive secretary of the Far Eastern Regional Security Council. The cooperation between Hawtai Motor and Far Eastern Energy Company, in which Ye Hao Dong holds 70% stake and Zhang Tianpeng holds 30%, was facilitated by this new bureau chief.

  In June, the coal mine and oil extraction plant jointly developed by Haotian Materials and Far East Energy Company were officially put into operation. These two energy sectors had been fully developed for many years but were shut down due to lack of funds because of political reasons. After the new company obtained its development rights, all it needed to do was to recruit the original factory workers and resume production after replacing the old equipment.

  Regarding the industries Ye Haodong was involved in, Zhang Tianpeng initially did not agree with them. He was used to speculative transactions and did not think much of Ye Haodong's efforts to develop slow-yielding real industries. The new energy company spent nearly 500 million yuan from preparation to production, and even now, there is no sign of returns on investment. During this period, they also experienced labor disputes, local gangsters causing trouble, which consumed a lot of their energy, all of which made Zhang Tianpeng feel dissatisfied and annoyed. However, when the rolling black gold was extracted from underground, Zhang Tianpeng's dissatisfaction and annoyance completely disappeared.

  Self-drilling wells and shallow high-quality coal mines represent what no one knows better than Zhang Tianpeng, who has been engaged in energy trading for a long time. Extremely low labor costs and development costs, rapid, stable, and massive capital returns. It can be said that it is the most profitable among the most profitable! This is the source of profit, compared to the energy trading business he did before, which was more like giving this errand boy a few hard-earned dollars as a poor laborer.

  In September of the same year, after completing several large transactions with Hao Tian Materials, Ye Haodong, who had a plentiful cash flow, began to prepare for his long-planned plan to build a factory in Russia. In Khabarovsk, a major city in the Russian Far East, he set up two factories at once, mainly producing daily chemical products and clothing products.

  Luo Jiaxing, the illegitimate son of Luo Baolong, a wealthy merchant from Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, was a fellow inmate with Ye Haodong at Xiaogushan Detention Center. It was on the street in Gangcheng that Ye Haodong ran into him last time he returned. Back then, he was convicted of fraud for claiming to be Luo Baolong's son and borrowing money everywhere without paying back. No one expected this kid to actually be the offspring left behind by Luo Baolong during his rustication in Taixian County. When Ye Haodong met him, Luo Jiaxing was lavishly spending with his girlfriend; they didn't have much common language, so after a brief exchange, they parted ways and exchanged contact information.

  Luo Baolong was a fellow practitioner with Zhang Tianpeng. A veteran smuggler who had been engaged in Sino-Russian trade for many years, he transformed from a folk smuggler to an official smuggler through a marriage and later became one of the representatives of Chinese businessmen engaging in Sino-Russian trade. Ye Haodong contacted Luo Baolong through his only son, Luo Jiaxing.

  Huálóng Rìhuà and Hàotiān Fúshì two factories started together, the initial investment was huge, and Yuè Hǎodōng alone could not afford it. Luò Bǎolóng seized this opportunity to win the future with his keen business sense. The two parties cooperated and merged. Huálóng Rìhuà was controlled by Luò Bǎolóng with 51% of the shares, while Hàotiān Fúshì was held by Yuè Hǎodōng and Zhāng Tiānpéng's Hàotiān company with 70% of the shares. The two parties cross-held shares and jointly bore the financial pressure of the initial development. Yuè Hǎodōng was responsible for the specific construction of the factory, while Luò Bǎolóng was responsible for organizing raw materials and technical personnel in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.

  The two new plants invested over 1 billion yuan in the front and back, and were put into operation at the end of that year. The daily management personnel are all arranged by Luo Baolong's side, while Ye Haodong's side is responsible for security and liaison with local governments. More than 2,000 workers were recruited locally, effectively promoting the increase in local employment rates. For this reason, A Yeshayev even applied for a government award for them. After the first batch of products was produced, Peng Cheng Trading became the first cooperative distributor of the new plant. The market reaction is unexpectedly good.

  All things have finally settled down after a year of hard work, and Ye Haodong can finally return home to rest.

  The winter in Harbin is very beautiful. Ye Haodong took Aiguli to the ice sculpture exhibition and strolled around casually.

  After traveling over 5,000 kilometers from Xinjiang, Aygul got off the train and didn't feel tired at all. She excitedly pulled Ye Haodong to rush to the long-awaited Harbin Ice Sculpture Exhibition site.

  In the Ice Sculpture Museum of Fairy Tale Kingdom, a martial arts cultural theme exhibition is being held. Today's exhibit features characters from the Legend of the Condor Hero series. Ye Haodong accompanied Aiguli to take photos with various works everywhere. A familiar figure flashed before his eyes, it was Jiang Lan. When Ye Haodong noticed her, she also saw Ye Haodong and Aiguli holding hands. The three ice sculptures between them were Zhou Zhiruo, Zhang Wuji and Xiaoyao reluctantly bidding farewell hand in hand.

  Aiguli's face is as delicate as a fairy, with skin as white and smooth as milk, reminiscent of Xiao Zhao. Jiang Lan and Ye Haodong have been together since childhood, with a hint of Zhou Zhiruo's flavor. However, Ye Haodong's thick and rough personality doesn't have the slightest bit of Zhang Wuji's gentle and indecisive shadow.

  Jiang Lan surprisingly managed to remain calm and stood still on the spot, only a pair of small fists clenched with white knuckles.

  Jealousy burning in Zhou Zhiruo and Zhang Wuji's hearts, but that most annoying Song Qingchu didn't see it. Just as they were stuck there, Song Qingchu arrived. Viktor came over with two cups of coffee from the vending machine. He immediately noticed Ye Haodong, who had not been seen for many days and was sporting short hair. Jiang Lan sulkily walked over to take the coffee and stretched out her hand to hold Viktor's hand in a rare display of affection. Ye Haodong watched as they walked up to him hand in hand. Viktor cheerfully greeted Ye Haodong, but he didn't reciprocate and instead charged at him, punching Viktor to the ground while cursing: "Damn foreign devil, what are you doing? I was watching you in prison, and now you're coming over here to steal my thunder."

  Aiyiguli stared foolishly at Jianglan, feeling very embarrassed and unsure of what to say. Viktor's three bodyguards rushed over with Paul Yang Junhu, the five big men eyeing each other with swords drawn. Viktor stood up, rubbing his chin, and shouted loudly: "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! This is my friend!" Ye Haodong looked at this guy's wretched appearance and felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart, scolding: "Damn foreign devil, who would be friends with you? Haven't you heard that a friend's wife is not to be trifled with?"

  Victor finally understood this time. He looked at Jiang Lan who was panting with rage and then at Ye Haodong who was glaring fiercely, and burst out laughing.

  Jiang Lan strode forward, saying: "What misunderstanding? With your status, you still need to be afraid of this little rascal? I'll make it clear to him that from now on, we're inseparable. You can't control us, Ye Haodong!" After finishing speaking, she pulled Viktor and left.

  Ye Haodong stood still, not moving. Aiguli wanted to catch up and explain a few words, but was tightly held back by Ye Haodong. "Let her go, if fate allows it, she won't be able to walk far; if fate doesn't allow it, you'll chase after her in vain. Besides, you can't even clarify our relationship."

  Aiguli shed tears and pulled Ye Haodong's hand, saying: "But I really don't want to hurt her, you originally belonged to her, I'm with you for nothing, I just can't help but like you, but I never thought of competing with her for you."

  Ye Haodong patted her little head and smiled: "It's okay, let's go back to the hotel."