Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 444

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

444. It appears Russia has made a grave mistake.

Russian Federal Government Building, Moscow.

“What did you say?”

Igor Korochenko, the Chief Secretary, furrowed his brow and straightened his posture, causing the staff member standing before his desk to shrink back nervously.
Korochenko, who had just crossed thirty and was far too young to serve as the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, hailed from a rural village four hundred kilometers outside Moscow and was woefully ignorant of worldly affairs. He leaned back against his chair and spoke with irritation.

“So the Deputy Minister himself didn’t come, and now some mere Deputy Minister is asking to see the Prime Minister. Is that it?”

This was no ordinary Deputy Minister, but a key figure within the Ministry of Finance—a powerbroker who wielded influence over the global economy alongside Minister Frank.
Even setting that aside, he was the United States Deputy Minister of Finance, a position that absolutely could not be dismissed, regardless of Russia’s standing.
Yet Korochenko seemed to see only the lowly title of Deputy Minister, giving no consideration to such circumstances.
He appeared to labor under the delusion that Russia remained a superpower locked in nuclear arms competition with America during the Cold War, despite the Soviet Union having long since dissolved into an empty shell.
The staff member was inwardly exasperated, but knowing that Korochenko was prideful, unwilling to listen to others, and possessed a volatile temperament, he swallowed the words rising in his throat.

“He says his schedule is quite full and it would be difficult to make time.”

Korochenko spoke with a frown, and the staff member looked up in alarm.

“Are you saying we should reject the meeting request?”
“Yes.”

The staff member, unable to conceal his bewilderment, hurried to dissuade him.

“Deputy Minister Henick is already in Moscow. Perhaps you might reconsider?”

At this, Korochenko crossed his arms and settled into his chair with a thoroughly sullen expression.

“No matter how powerful America is, it’s beneath the Prime Minister’s dignity to meet with a mere Deputy Minister.”
“…I beg your pardon?”

The employee’s jaw dropped in utter disbelief.
The absurdity was so complete that for a moment, I doubted my own ears.
Setting everything else aside, Henick had come to Moscow precisely to assist Russia with its economic difficulties, which made this response all the more inexplicable.
To demand protocol from someone who had come to offer help struck me as utterly unreasonable.
Yet I couldn’t voice such thoughts aloud, and instead maintained my composure while attempting to persuade Igor Korochenko.

“Unilaterally canceling a scheduled meeting could escalate into a diplomatic incident.”
“Tsk.”

Igor Korochenko clicked his tongue with visible displeasure.

“How pathetic. Who said anything about being straightforward? Simply make up an excuse—it’s that simple.”

The employee felt bewildered by that dismissive gaze, as if questioning whether I lacked even that much sense.
This was a scheduled meeting, not some sudden uninvited visit, and it should proceed as planned—yet here was this man creating problems over some inexplicable pride. The irony was infuriating.
Being called pathetic by him ignited a fury within me.

“Perhaps you might reconsider this matter once more?”

Despite my repeated persuasion, Igor Korochenko remained immovable.

“When those American bastards match our protocol, then the Prime Minister will meet with them.”

With that, he waved his hand dismissively as though the matter bored him.

“Now get out.”

No matter how I considered it, this seemed wrong, but reasoning with this man was impossible.

“Yes, understood.”

I bowed reluctantly and stepped out, then exhaled a deep sigh before the closed door.

“Damn it. I don’t know if this is even acceptable.”

Though this seemed like a catastrophic mistake in the making, I had no choice but to follow the absurd directive from above.

“Sigh….”

The employee left with heavy steps, unable to shake off the lingering discomfort.

***

In the living room of the Royal Suite at the Radisson Royal Hotel, grandly and elegantly constructed on the banks of the Moscow River, Henick, Deputy Minister of Finance, sat on the sofa sipping coffee while reviewing documents.
Then, as a shadow fell across him, an aide approached and spoke.

“We’ve just received a call from the Prime Minister’s Office.”

Henick kept his gaze on the documents as he asked.

“We’re still meeting at the White House tomorrow as scheduled, correct.”

The White House was a nickname for the Bely Dom, the Russian Federal Government Building, whose exterior walls were painted a pristine white.

“…Well, about that.”

When the aide hesitated and didn’t answer immediately, Henick looked up to meet his gaze.
The aide’s expression grew troubled as their eyes met, and he reluctantly opened his mouth.

“Tomorrow’s meeting may be difficult to arrange.”
“What do you mean?”
“Prime Minister Popov says he has suddenly come up with another engagement.”

Upon hearing this, Henick’s brow furrowed deeply.

“He’s suddenly come up with another engagement?”
“Yes, sir.”

Henick set down the documents in his hand on the table and spoke in a subdued voice.

“What could be so urgent that he’s postponing a meeting scheduled a week in advance?”
“He’s attending the groundbreaking ceremony for a newly constructed food manufacturing plant in Saint Petersburg.”

At the aide’s response, Henick momentarily wondered if he had misheard.

“So he’s postponing a meeting set a week ago just to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a food manufacturing plant.”
“Yes, sir.”

The attendant nodded with a rigid expression.

“Ha.”

Henick, who had let out a hollow laugh as if finding the situation absurd, abruptly shifted to a cold demeanor.

“They’re trying to play games with me right now.”
“That doesn’t seem to be the case, sir.”
“Then what is it?”

The attendant hesitated briefly before speaking carefully.

“It appears the trip to Saint Petersburg is merely a pretext, and there’s another reason behind it.”
“The groundbreaking ceremony for the food manufacturing plant can’t be more important than Russia’s serious financial situation, so that’s obvious. I have no idea what they’re plotting.”
“It’s that… they subtly expressed dissatisfaction, saying that you lack the proper standing to meet with Prime Minister Popov. At minimum, someone of Minister Frank’s rank should attend.”
“What?”

Henick’s face crumpled instantly.

“So they’re saying my rank isn’t sufficient, and I need to bring someone higher up. That’s what this is.”

The attendant, sensing the anger in his low voice, kept watching his expression carefully as he replied.

“Yes, sir.”
“These people still think Russia is a superpower standing shoulder to shoulder with the United States.”

It was utterly infuriating to see them clinging to pride against the United States, a true superpower, when Russia was nothing but a hollow shell of its former self.

“Shall I contact the Prime Minister’s office to reschedule?”

At the attendant’s question, Henick folded his arms and deliberated for a moment before lifting his head again and speaking coldly.

“There’s no need for that.”

Though it was the Russian Prime Minister’s office that had caused the problem, the attendant found himself anxiously asking instead.

“Then what will you do…?”
“If they’re bold enough to act this way, it means they still have some room to spare. Since they’re unwilling, there’s no reason for us to lower ourselves and meet them.”

Henick pushed the documents to the side with a curt, rigid tone.
The papers had been prepared for the meeting, but since the talks themselves had fallen through, there was no need to review them any further.

“I’m returning to the United States. Have my luggage repacked.”

His aide was startled and asked in disbelief.

“Are you truly leaving, sir?”
“What, do you expect me to sit here twiddling my thumbs until they decide to meet with us? Do I look that idle to you?”
“N-no, of course not, sir.”
“They’re the ones who cancelled the talks, not us. They seem to have lost their senses. This is an opportunity to show them exactly who holds the upper hand.”

Henick’s stern demeanor suggested this wasn’t merely frustration speaking—it was calculated resolve.
Recognizing this, the aide approached him cautiously with a troubled expression.

“I understand your displeasure, sir, but if we simply leave Moscow now, the situation could escalate unnecessarily. Perhaps we should attempt one final conversation with the Prime Minister’s office?”

Henick considered the aide’s earnest appeal for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“Very well. I’ll grant them one last chance as you suggest. But if they spout more nonsense, I’m returning to the United States immediately. Make that clear.”
“Understood, sir.”

As the aide hurried away, Henick remained alone on the sofa, his eyes gleaming with an icy intensity.

“They don’t know their place. I’ll have to teach them some manners.”

***

After showering, Seok-won emerged from the bathroom and immediately grabbed his phone, which was vibrating on the table with a low humming sound.

[Boss, something’s happened in Moscow!]

The moment I answered, Landon’s voice burst through, brimming with excitement.
From his tone, it was clear that the U.S.-Russia talks had gone poorly—exactly as I remembered from my previous life.
I dried my hair with a towel and responded with calm indifference.

“Explain it in a way I can understand.”
[Henick never even met with Popov. He’s already left Moscow.]
“They didn’t hold talks at all?”
[The details haven’t been released yet, but that appears to be the case.]

Landon Shore, who had been anxiously watching Russian bond prices rise ever since I’d shorted them, delivered the news with barely contained excitement.

[What’s clear is that Henick and the entire American delegation expressed significant displeasure and canceled all remaining schedules after just two days, heading back home.]

Seok-won, the only one who had anticipated this outcome, asked calmly.

“What’s the Kremlin’s reaction?”
[There’s been no official statement yet, but they appear quite flustered by the American delegation’s early departure.]
“Given that the ruble is already weakening and Russian bond prices are under pressure, this kind of bad news will only amplify market anxiety.”
[And as I mentioned, the International Monetary Fund delegation is also in Moscow.]
“Right.”
[They proposed increasing tax revenue to reduce chronic fiscal deficits, but the Russian government rejected it. The persuasion failed.]

Seok-won’s eyes gleamed.

“Two major pieces of bad news hitting simultaneously like this—the timing couldn’t be worse.”
[I share that assessment. It seems Popov, despite his inexperience, has made a catastrophic blunder.]

Yevgeny Popov, only thirty-five this year, was far too young with a short political career, yet despite opposition from Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, he had been appointed Prime Minister through President Ivanov’s favor.

“By now, everyone should have heard the news. How is the market reacting?”
[The ruble, which had been declining slightly, is rebounding again, and Russian government bonds are widening their spreads—showing anxiety plainly.]
“With concerns already running high, this is like pouring gasoline on the fire. Foreign capital will start fleeing Russia in earnest.”
[Hedge funds, investment banks, and mutual funds are already showing those signs.]

Money truly reacted faster than anything else.

“With Asia showing signs of crisis resurfacing, investors will be quick to withdraw funds and move them to safer havens whenever they sense danger.”
[I’d do the same in their position.]

Landon Shore marveled once again at how Seok-won’s assessment proved correct.

[You said the talks between America and Russia would be difficult, and this time too, you’ve called it precisely. Truly remarkable.]

Hearing the sincerity in his voice, Seok-won smiled and responded.

“This incident will likely serve as a trigger for the situation to deteriorate rapidly. Keep monitoring developments and let me know immediately if anything changes.”
[Understood.]

After exchanging a few more words and ending the call, Seok-won set down his phone and muttered to himself.

“A tremendous tsunami is about to sweep over Wall Street.”

As Russia crumbled, the greedy capitalists of Wall Street would descend upon it like vultures circling prey, yet they remained utterly oblivious that the very blade they wielded would ultimately turn against themselves.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————