Reborn in Russia as a Big Shot

Chapter 111 The Fertile Ground of the Mafia

SM Entertainment CEO Kim Young-min had just returned to his office when his secretary brought in a document sent from Ildo.

SM Entertainment is the largest entertainment company in South Korea, with three major artists under its umbrella: TVXQ, Super Junior, and Girls' Generation. It is a pioneer in the "Korean Wave" idol industry.

In South Korea, the president is equivalent to the general manager, and the chairman is the chairman of the board.

Founder Lee Hyo-man resigned as president in 2005 due to being embroiled in a corruption scandal and no longer manages the company's daily affairs, but as chairman, he still holds supreme power.

"New Century Entertainment?"

Kim Young-min grew up in Japan and is very familiar with the Japanese entertainment market.

He was initially unfamiliar with the name New Century, but after thinking about it carefully, he quickly recalled the industry joke about Les selling New Century.

Upon opening the document bag, one finds an official letter.

"Strategic cooperation? What kind of idea is this?" Kim Young-min found it ridiculous. After reading the letter of intent, he wanted to throw it in the trash, but then he thought he should tell Lee Soo-man.

Kim Young-min dialed Lee Soo-man's number. "I received an official letter. New Century, the company that Shinwon Yui bought, wants to invest in us and become a strategic shareholder."

"I don't think it's necessary, but I'll ask you anyway."

"Should we reply and discuss the price? They may not have many resources, but they seem to be quite wealthy. Didn't you sell some shares recently? If you want to cash out some more, you can talk to them."

Li Xiuman replied, "I've already raised enough money. It's best to avoid dealing with these shell companies; they're all troublesome."

"That's all," Kim Young-min reminded him before hanging up, "Don't forget, you've arranged to play ball with Chairman Lee this weekend."

"You old lecher, I can't forget him even if I want to."

At Peter's urging, Li Xiang left South Korea and flew to Vladivostok.

Sidanko has many oil re-export traders overseas, and "Far East International Oil," which Peter registered in Cyprus, is just one of them.

The crude oil from Siberia's inland areas is transported by rail to the port of Nakhodka in Primorsky Krai, and then exported to Northeast Asia.

Our main clients are from China, Japan, and South Korea.

Peter was only released on parole and cannot wander around; he must report to prison regularly. His place of supervision has been moved to Vladivostok.

Vladivostok is the capital of Primorsky Krai.

Friedman was willing to share a portion of the illicit profits from oil re-exports with Peter because he recognized the growing influence of the Ivanov family in the Far East.

In densely populated large cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, with sound judicial systems and sufficient police force, the marginal benefit of violence is very low.

The Far East is a different story.

With a small population, a close-knit community, and a vast, sparsely populated area, the police force's coverage is extremely limited, making it a lawless zone everywhere.

Without the protection of public power, the boundaries of benefits for violence, a private power that supposedly grants equality to all beings, are significantly raised.

The desolate mountains and wild fields are covered in snow. Let alone burying a few people, you could just throw them there and they would be carried off by wolves. There's no need to bury them at all.

Peter initially looked down on the barren land of the Far East, but after only a short time since his parole, he has fallen deeply in love with this fertile land.

The Mafia was created to fill the void left by public authority; when the law fails, the Godfather provides protection.

"Given our relationship, is it alright for you to bring me to this place?" Peter led Li Xiang to a high-end KTV in Vladivostok.

Peter paused for a moment and said, "What are you thinking? This is my place."

Peter found an empty private room, ordered a lot of alcohol, but didn't call any girls.

"I'm here today on behalf of the old man to talk to you." Peter took two empty glasses, filled them with wine, and handed one to Li Xiang.

"What's the matter that's so formal?"

"Good thing." Peter took a check out of his briefcase, placed it in front of Li Xiang, and said with a smile, "Take a look."

"Twenty million, that's quite a lot of money."

Peter explained in detail: "Aren't you looking for funding for Shopee? This money is an investment from your father. You can decide on the valuation yourself. Here's the money first, we'll finalize the investment agreement later."

"Where did he get this money?"

Just after Li Xiang met with Mrs. Huo and refused her, Peter turned around and brought over the money. He naturally assumed that the money came from the Huo family.

Whether Peter knew about the lingering relationship between Andrei and the Khosn family was unclear to Li Xiang, and he couldn't bring himself to say it outright.

"Who cares where it came from? Just take it if it's offered to you. Why not take it if it's free?"

"Don't you feel uncomfortable when he gives you money?" Li Xiang asked casually.

Peter raised an eyebrow and said, "That's a bit disrespectful of me."

Li Xiang lightly slapped his own mouth, picked up his wine glass, and said, "I misspoke, I'll drink this as punishment."

Peter smiled, clinked glasses with Li Xiang, and then drank his wine.

Before Peter could even reach for the bottle, Li Xiang poured him a drink. "Was this money invested by Andrei, or did he invest for someone else?"

"As you know, many of Shopee's transaction orders are fake. If it's someone else's money, then you have to be careful."

Peter analyzed, "He said it was borrowed, but he didn't mention who he borrowed it from. Twenty million US dollars is not a small amount. Besides Potanin and Friedman, who else could it be?"

Peter then changed the subject, saying, "He asked me to tell you that the iPhone will be available in Russia in October, so you can prepare in advance."

After considering for a few seconds, Li Xiang said, "Let's talk about financing at the end of the year. We'll wait until the iPhone officially enters Russia and see how Shopee performs before I do a valuation."

Peter: "Then the valuation will drop, don't be polite with him."

Li Xiang explained, "I'm not just being polite. I want to take this opportunity to squeeze out the inflated figures and bring Shopee's valuation back to a normal level. That way, the issue of fake orders and money laundering will be forgotten."

"This isn't a one-off round of financing. The sooner we defuse the risks, the sooner we can have peace of mind. Tell Andrei to wait a little longer."

"Okay, we'll do it your way."

Seeing that Peter was about to take the check back, Li Xiang quickly said, "I'm a bit short on funds right now, can you lend me the money first?"

"Then take it," Peter said after thinking for a moment. "You'd better prepare a letter of intent first, proving that you've accepted the money, so that the confirmation of the shares can be postponed."

"The old man certainly didn't take this money for nothing. Potanin and Friedman might have a share in it. Give him a receipt so he can explain himself if anyone asks."

"I'm just guessing, I have no proof."

"By the way, the old man specifically said he didn't want voting rights, so I guessed that some of these probably belonged to other people as well."

"Who cares whose it is? As long as it's not officially related to those oligarchs, it doesn't matter whose money it is. Just set up an anonymous company for the old man and let him hold shares through the company without disclosing his identity."

Li Xiang's lips curled slightly. "You know quite a lot now."

Peter raised his glass smugly and said, "My Far East Oil is also an anonymous offshore company. I even know how to avoid taxes!"