My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 241 An Unpredictable Future: Four Fates of the Soviet Union

Luzhkov's political career can be described as a textbook example of a grassroots rise to power.

Lacking a distinguished background and impressive academic credentials, he worked quietly in technical fields such as chemical research until the age of fifty, a typical mid-level technocrat.

The turning point in his life came when he met the Ye family.

As Yeltsin rose to prominence in the Soviet political vortex, Luzhkov's career also flourished.

Qin Yuan knew very well that in future generations, the Ye family would seize supreme power from the ruins of the Union and become the first ruler of Russia.

At that time, on the advice of Western advisors, Yeh planned to promote "shock therapy" nationwide.

Luzhkov's remarkable achievement was that he did not blindly follow orders, but instead persuaded Yeltsin to entrust him with full authority to govern Moscow as a "special economic zone," allowing him to explore a different path of reform.

The image of the Moscow mayor in my memory, who often wore his signature baseball cap and went deep into factory workshops, school classrooms, and the homes of impoverished citizens, gradually overlapped with the image of the deputy mayor in front of me.

He doesn't put on bureaucratic airs and can mingle with people from all walks of life. This approachable style allows him to hear the most authentic voices and provides him with the opportunity to draw on public wisdom and formulate more practical policies.

It was under his leadership that Moscow, despite experiencing turmoil, did not fall into ruin like other cities.

He encouraged citizens to engage in business and used the collected taxes to vigorously repair infrastructure, build roads and construct buildings.

His privatization reforms were relatively mild and gradual, and through a series of favorable policies, Moscow was revitalized in just a few years.

At that time, Moscow was filled with high-rise buildings, thriving commerce, healthy business development, full employment, and improved citizen welfare and pensions.

It was a completely different world from the surrounding areas that had been devastated by shock therapy.

More importantly, he carried out sweeping reforms of the administrative system, established a bottom-up loyalty system, and skillfully used the fiscal budget and media influence to transform Moscow into an independent and efficient "kingdom".

By 1995, Moscow had contributed 4 trillion rubles in privatization revenue alone, accounting for one-third of the country's fiscal revenue at the time.

A man who, through his iron fist and wisdom, single-handedly created Moscow's prosperity and regarded the city's governance as his exclusive domain, would never allow any force to challenge his absolute power to set the rules in Moscow!

Whether this force comes from internal rivals or external capital.

Therefore, Qin Yuan's last words about the "right to make rules" were like a sharp knife, piercing through all of Luzhkov's hesitation.

It goes straight to their core political instincts and desire for power.

A brief silence fell over the office, broken only by the unconscious tapping of Luzhkov's fingers on the desk.

A moment later, he raised his eyes and looked intently at Qin Yuan:

"The matter has escalated significantly. The lawsuit filed by the ten banks with the central bank carries considerable weight."

"How do you want me to help you?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan knew that the most crucial step had been taken.

He immediately revealed his plan:
"Mr. Mayor, I hope that the city government can take a positive attitude and send a clear signal to friendly media such as Izvestia, affirming the Far Eastern Group's contributions to Moscow and counteracting the negative reports from Western media."

"At the same time, if necessary, could the municipal government issue a letter certifying that the Far Eastern International Bank's operations are in line with Moscow's development plans and that it is a welcome investor?"

Qin Yuan was well aware that the municipal government's statement would undoubtedly put enormous pressure on the central bank.

Moreover, it can boost depositors' confidence among the general public.

"The two points you mentioned are not difficult."

Luzhkov nodded after listening: "To be honest, the meeting we just had was about this matter. The city government will provide you with the necessary support. Maintaining a good business environment in Moscow is our responsibility."

Qin Yuan immediately smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Mayor!"

"With the strong support of the municipal government, foreign companies like ours, which are rooted in Moscow and dedicated to development, can operate with greater peace of mind and have more confidence and motivation to contribute to the construction of Moscow."

At this point, Qin Yuan's tone shifted slightly, as if casually mentioning, "By the way, Mayor, I heard that your wedding with Ms. Batulina is approaching?"

"Perfect timing! Our Far East Group has recently established a subsidiary focused on high-end community development and property management."

“If you two don’t mind, I would like to offer you the priority purchase right of Building 1 in our first boutique residential project as a small wedding gift to express my heartfelt wishes.”

"Ms. Batulina works for the municipal government and must have unique insights into urban development. We may have more opportunities to cooperate in this area in the future."

Luzhkov gave Qin Yuan a deep look; he hadn't told many people about his relationship with Batulina.

Even if we get married, we don't plan to make a big fuss about it.

But now Qin Yuan has taken the initiative to expose the truth and has even extended an olive branch regarding real estate.

This is going to take their relationship to the next level!

Qin Yuan's lobbying efforts initially focused on Moscow's interests and then shifted to his personal political achievements.

Ultimately, it all comes down to his family's interests, progressing step by step, demonstrating meticulous thinking and sound reasoning.

He had absolutely no reason to refuse.

After all, supporting Qin Yuan is equivalent to maintaining stability in Moscow, increasing personal political achievements, and also bringing benefits to the family.

Abandoning Qin Yuan and the Far East would not only damage the investment environment in Moscow that he had painstakingly built, but also negate the achievements he had personally cultivated.

More importantly, he will also lose a powerful ally.

This is a matter that cannot be clearer than it seems.

"Qin, you have once again changed my perception and impression of you."

Luzhkov smiled calmly and said, "Don't worry, I will personally communicate with the Central Bank of the Soviet Union."

"The Moscow City Government will never allow any external forces to interfere with the normal operation of our companies through improper means."

"By the way, is your Far East Group planning to enter the real estate market?"

He mentioned it casually.

"Yes, I am very optimistic about Moscow's future development potential, so I have purchased some prime land plots in advance, planning to develop them into high-quality office buildings and luxury apartment communities."

Qin Yuan admitted that he was very clear about how good the Moscow real estate market would be in the future.

As a city cluster that can contribute one-third of a country's revenue, how could it not have a bright future?

Until the collapse of the Soviet Union.

When Moscow became the last piece of paradise in the Soviet Union, when all the talents of the Soviet Union were striving for the development of Moscow.

When all the wealth was concentrated in Moscow.

How could Moscow not become Russia's megacity?
Although Luzhkov could not foresee that far ahead, he was happy to see Qin Yuan enter the real estate industry.

This will not only bring in huge tax revenue, but also serve as an important vehicle for him to promote urban renewal and showcase his achievements in governance.

His grand plan to transform Moscow requires a capable and visionary developer like him to work together to realize it.

He stood up, walked over to Qin Yuan, patted him hard on the shoulder, and said in a tone full of encouragement and expectation: "Qin, do a good job! Your decision to enter the real estate industry was absolutely right!"

"Moscow's future needs builders like you."

Just as Qin Yuan was maneuvering among various forces in preparation for the counterattack by the Ten Nations Bank.

Citibank's Williams brought together decision-makers from several of the most influential Western financial groups with interests in the Soviet Union.

The room was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Williams looked around at the crowd and said, "Gentlemen, Far East International Bank can now be considered a secondary threat."

"Secondary threat?"

UBS's Herrick frowned. "William, are you kidding me? Far East International Bank is aggressively poaching depositors from our target region. Now it's not just small banks affected; Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and UBS are all doing the same. If this isn't stopped..."

Williams raised his hand, signaling him to calm down, and interrupted, "At the end of June, our people obtained the latest intelligence assessment from the CIA regarding the situation in the Soviet Union."

How could anyone here not have heard of the CIA?

Herik's heart sank, and he immediately urged, "William, stop keeping me in suspense, what exactly did the report say?"

Williams took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled: "Based on the turbulent situation across the Soviet Union, economic data, ethnic conflicts, and... the dynamics of its ruling group, the CIA conducted a comprehensive analysis and listed several possible scenarios for the development of events in the Soviet Union."

He held up his first finger: "The first, and most promising, possibility is that the Soviet Union will undergo a systemic transformation. Intelligence predicts that the Baltic states, a few troublemakers in the North Caucasus, and Moldova will almost certainly secede."

"The remaining core, the three Slavic countries, will form a relatively loose alliance with the five Central Asian 'Stan' countries, led by Russia."

"It is worth noting that this route currently seems to have received some degree of tacit approval or even promotion from the two major factions of Gorbachev and Ye, and is the outcome that Washington considers most likely."

"However, there have been some changes on the Five Blue side. At the end of next month, our President will go to Kyiv to give a speech and seek a change."

Upon hearing that the United States was going to get involved, everyone immediately understood what was going on.

"What about other possibilities?" someone asked impatiently.

Williams continued, "There are two other possibilities in terms of intelligence, and the outcome is that the Soviet Union will overcome the current crisis. One is that Gorbachev will unite everyone around him and barely maintain the framework of the Soviet Union alliance to get through this survival crisis."

"The other is that conservative forces within the Soviet Union launched a coup, eventually seizing power in the country and suppressing all separatist forces with an iron fist, leaving the Soviet Union intact and undamaged."

Upon hearing the latter two possibilities, the expressions of all the bankers present turned rather unpleasant.

If the Soviet Union had actually survived in any form, even if it was just barely clinging to life.

All their previous plans may face enormous uncertainty, or even fail at the last minute.

As Williams said, compared to this, the Far East International Bank was not even a threat.

"There should be a fourth point, right?"

Herik asked tentatively.

Williams nodded. "That's right, there's a fourth point."

He scanned the crowd and slowly said, "The fourth possibility."

"The Soviet Union experienced a violent split, with all its constituent republics, including the Vladivostok, Russia, and others, gaining independence. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, our greatest threat will be gone."

hiss!
A collective gasp filled the air.

The Soviet Union... collapsed and disintegrated?
This was something they wouldn't even dare to dream of, even though the Soviet Union was in chaos and many of its constituent republics across the Baltic Sea were clamoring for independence.

However, the Soviet Union's standing army numbered as many as four million.

It remains one of the most powerful military nations on Earth today.

With such formidable strength, would they allow those small countries to secede?
Moreover, even the three core Slavic brothers will separate.

Some of them couldn't believe it.

but.
If that's the case, that would be wonderful.

What they didn't know was that the Americans were observing the Soviet Union, trying to overthrow the country.

Meanwhile, within the Soviet Union, there were also people working tirelessly for the country.

At this moment, the chairman of the Security Committee, Kryuchkov, was worried about his country.

The Americans were able to predict and analyze the future of the Soviet Union through their vast intelligence network.

As the head of what is perhaps the world's largest intelligence agency, how could he not know that the Soviet Union was on the brink of collapse?

The desk was piled high with reports from all over the country, the contents of which were shocking.

The economy is on the verge of collapse, ethnic conflicts are escalating, separatism is rampant in various regions, and high-level power struggles are intensifying...

All of this points to a bleak future.

He hesitated, wavering in anguish.

Is it to continue supporting Gorbachev's reform path, which he believes has proven to be a failure and is accelerating the disintegration of the country?

Or... must we take some extraordinary measures to turn the tide and pull this derailed country back onto the path it deserves—a path of strength and unity?
This decision carries immense weight.

Just as he was lost in his chaotic thoughts, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

"Comrade Chairman, someone just delivered a letter that you are required to open personally."

His secretary respectfully handed him a sealed letter.

"A letter?" Kryuchkov looked up from his thoughts, staring at the unmarked envelope with some confusion.

The fact that the messenger could bypass normal channels and deliver the letter directly to him, and that his secretary treated it with such seriousness, suggests that the messenger's identity is far from ordinary.

"Who sent it?"

The secretary replied, "The messenger did not identify himself, but judging from the vehicle and his manner of doing so, he should be from the Ministry of the Interior."

"Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

Kryuchkov's brow furrowed even more.

Although the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB were jointly responsible for Soviet national security affairs.

However, the two departments have long been at odds.

Did someone from the Ministry of the Interior deliver a letter to him?

Could it be Pugo (Minister of the Interior)?
Why not just call directly, instead of doing it this way?
Filled with doubt, he waved for his secretary to leave, then opened the envelope.

But after just one glance, his pupils suddenly contracted.

(End of this chapter)