Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 466

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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466. I’ll handle the rest myself.

A few days later.
The torrential rains that had poured down until yesterday ceased as if they were a lie, and beneath a cloudless sky of brilliant blue.
Inside a massive hangar at Sheremetyevo International Airport stood a Gulfstream IV business jet, its fuselage painted in a striking two-tone color scheme, positioned with commanding presence.
The cabin interior, carpeted so thickly that one could walk barefoot without discomfort and appointed with refined décor, held Seok-won in a pale sky-blue shirt seated across from Landon Shore, who was impeccably dressed in formal attire.

“I understand President Ivanov has decided to sell off some of the government’s stake in state-owned oil companies.”

Landon Shore, receiving my gaze, answered immediately.

“Yes. Six oil companies in total—Sibneft, East Oil Company, Norsi Oil, and others.”
“Sibneft is the company where Alexei Smirnov, an oligarch and close associate of President Ivanov, serves as chairman.”
“That’s correct.”

Oligarchs were the newly emerged tycoons who had accumulated vast wealth during the Soviet Union’s dissolution by colluding with those in power to acquire state-owned enterprises at rock-bottom prices as they were being privatized.

“It’s quite famous how he intimidated and pressured competitors to acquire a 49% stake in Sibneft—worth tens of billions of dollars—for a mere 101 million dollars, just 100,000 dollars more than the auction’s opening bid.”

Most oligarchs like Alexei Smirnov had been able to seize vast fortunes from the state and its people through all manner of improper and illegal methods during the chaos of the Soviet collapse.
Though I was one of the most prominent oligarchs and a petroleum magnate of astronomical wealth, I was more deeply imprinted in people’s minds as the owner of Chelsea, the British Premier League club.

‘Along with Arab princes, I poured endless oil money into it, truly demonstrating the tremendous power of wealth.’

Alexei Smirnov had appeared fearless, ostentatiously displaying such immense wealth, but it did not last long.
Once he fell out of favor with the power that had backed him, and as nations worldwide imposed sanctions on oligarchs due to the invasion of Ukraine, he lost everything in an instant, like a sandcastle crumbling.

‘Just as the saying goes—those who rise by the sword fall by the sword. He built his fortune and became a tycoon by relying on power, but it eventually came back as a boomerang.’

Clearing my thoughts, I leaned back against the plush seat and spoke.

“The government’s stated justification for selling its stake and privatizing these oil companies is to resolve serious fiscal problems.”
“That’s right. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank provided an additional 22.6 billion dollars in bailout financing on the condition that Russia implement a strict economic reform program. This sale is part of fulfilling that condition.”

Upon hearing this, I let out a scoff.

“That’s just an excuse to hand over valuable state-owned assets at bargain prices to oligarchs who fund their political campaigns.”

Landon Shore didn’t bother denying it and picked up the thread.

“While they claim the equity sales will happen through auction, as you say, most of it will end up in the oligarchs’ hands. There are even rumors that it’s already been decided who gets which company’s shares and at what price.”
“That’s probably true.”
“I think so too.”

I stroked my chin thoughtfully for a moment, then lifted my head to ask Landon Shore sitting across from me.

“How much of the Sibneft stake is being auctioned off this time?”
“23%.”
“Since Chairman Smirnov holds 49%, that’s just under half.”
“Correct.”

I spoke with sudden gravity.

“Let’s acquire it ourselves.”
“Pardon? You mean the Sibneft stake?”

Landon Shore’s eyes widened as he asked for clarification, and I nodded.

“It’s a premium company producing 660,000 barrels of crude oil daily—certainly worth the investment.”

Landon Shore then answered carefully, his expression slightly troubled.

“That may be true, but didn’t your boss say that Smirnov, both an oligarch and Sibneft’s chairman, has essentially already been decided to receive the stake? Isn’t the auction just a formality?”
“True. But he hasn’t actually won the bid yet.”

I shrugged as if it were obvious.
Seeing Landon Shore’s puzzled expression, I spoke calmly.

“If Chairman Smirnov has President Ivanov backing him, then we’ll use Prime Minister Vasily.”
“…Prime Minister Vasily?”
“You should know that unlike the previous prime minister who was President Ivanov’s loyal subordinate, Prime Minister Vasily is a heavyweight considered a leading presidential candidate in the election two years from now.”
“Of course. They originally wanted to appoint someone else as prime minister, but after the parliament rejected the nomination twice, they had no choice but to nominate Prime Minister Vasily, who enjoys considerable support from the opposition and the people.”
“Restoring the prestige of the former Soviet Union and building a strong Russia—that’s what Prime Minister Vasily has been advocating all along.”

It was truly ironic to think that just a year later, I would seize power and, championing the same Slavic nationalism, push Prime Minister Vasily aside to become the top authority.

“Since the Soviet Union’s collapse, the economy has crumbled and the nation has suffered greatly. Most of the people can’t help but long for the glorious past when Russia stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States as a superpower. Prime Minister Vasily’s rising popularity is largely a result of that sentiment.”

Seok-won asked with a meaningful expression.

“Do you know what Prime Minister Vasily claims must be done first to restore Russia’s glory?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Purging corrupt politicians and oligarchs.”

Landon Shore let out a small exclamation upon grasping the implication.

“So you’re suggesting we use Prime Minister Vasily. The oligarchs, including Chairman Smirnov, won’t be able to continue accumulating wealth by purchasing state assets at bargain prices.”
“Exactly.”

A thick smile spread across Seok-won’s lips.
Landon Shore’s eyes brightened as his mind raced ahead.

“Regardless of political conviction, President Ivanov and the oligarchs will want to break their spirits to win the presidential election in two years.”
“Chairman Smirnov must have committed countless illegal acts in his rise to his current position. If we uncover a few and deliver them to Prime Minister Vasily, he’ll handle the rest on his own.”
“You’re saying we should give Prime Minister Vasily the justification he’s been waiting for—the opportunity to wield his blade.”

Seok-won nodded, confirming that was precisely his meaning.

“Since Pavlovich, the regional governor, is a former KGB officer, if we entrust him with the task, he’ll uncover the necessary evidence.”
“Understood.”

After discussing the matters that needed to be handled in Russia for some time, Landon Shore suddenly rolled up his sleeve to check his watch and wore a regretful expression.

“My, the time has gotten away from us. I should take my leave now.”
“I’m counting on you to wrap up the Russian affairs cleanly.”
“I’ll finish it neatly, so don’t worry.”

Landon Shore flashed a confident smile.
Since he had never disappointed me in his commitments thus far, I could entrust him with the task and depart Russia first with peace of mind.

“By the way, I understand this investment is only worth around two million dollars. Is it really such an important contract that you’d travel to the United States personally?”
“It is. If it grows as I expect, it will deliver a jackpot that surpasses my earlier investments in Netscape and Yahoo.”
“To that extent?”

Landon Shore’s expression shifted slightly in surprise.
My initial investment of six million dollars in Netscape during its early days had yielded a staggering one billion eighty million dollars in less than two years—a phenomenal return rate of 17,900% that remained legendary on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley to this day.
My investment in Yahoo, where the value of my equity stake exceeded several billion dollars, had also contributed to earning me the nickname “the Midas Touch.”
To hear of an investment that would generate even greater returns than these two extraordinary ventures was nothing short of astonishing.
Landon Shore glanced at my expression, and recognizing the complete sincerity in my unwavering gaze, he found himself swallowing hard without realizing it.

“If things unfold as you say, you’ll be writing yet another legend in Silicon Valley venture capital.”

I responded not with words but with a confident smile, my teeth flashing as I laughed.
The gesture conveyed my absolute certainty in this investment, and Landon Shore felt genuine excitement stirring within him.

“The venture company you’ve decided to invest in this time is Google, correct?”
“That’s right. You’ll be hearing that name frequently from now on, so remember it well.”
“Ha ha ha. I certainly will.”

Rising from his seat, Landon Shore bowed once more in respect.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

Remaining seated, I watched as Landon Shore descended from the private jet with a respectful bow.

“Report on the progress regularly.”
“Yes, sir.”

As I watched Landon Shore exit the aircraft, I lifted my teacup to my lips.
The coffee had grown cold during our lengthy conversation.
Just then, Bella approached with a smile, her long hair tied back and wearing her uniform trousers.

“We’ll be taking off shortly, so please fasten your seatbelt.”

As I fastened my safety belt, Bella cleared away the teacup that might shatter during takeoff.
After completing the final checks, she moved toward the rear and fully closed the cabin door below.
Moments later, the Captain’s announcement crackled through the speaker mounted overhead.

[We will be taking off shortly. The flight to San Francisco will take approximately twenty hours. The upper atmosphere shows some turbulence, so the aircraft may experience sudden jolts. Please remain in your seats and keep your seatbelts fastened until the air currents stabilize.]

The private jet slowly began to move, exiting the hangar and following the taxiway toward the runway for takeoff.
After receiving clearance from the control tower and coming to a stop at the holding point, the engines on both wings roared louder, causing the fuselage to vibrate subtly.
The private jet then throttled to maximum power and surged down the long, straight runway with tremendous force.
When Seok-won turned his head to look out the window, the airport facilities and parked aircraft rapidly disappeared behind him through the round porthole.
Moments later, with the nose lifting upward as if being thrust skyward, the private jet pushed off powerfully from the ground and soared high into the heavens.
As the altitude increased, the vast plains and mountains visible below the porthole became as small as toys.
The private jet, having successfully taken off and reached cruising altitude, leveled its nose and began steady horizontal flight.
Anticipation and excitement filled Seok-won’s expression as he sank into the plush seat, contemplating the historic contract that lay ahead—one that would be recorded as the moment Google, destined to become the victor of the internet age, was born.

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