Traveling through the Great Northern Wilderness and marrying the most beautiful educated youth.

"Hahaha, how can that be?"

"You're a guest; how can you expect a guest to pay for their own meals?"

Minister Li waved his hand.

"I'll arrange it; we'll calculate it according to the embassy's translation standards."

This standard is not low.

Embassy translators receive subsidies equivalent to those for division-level cadres.

In terms of conversion, one month's salary is equivalent to two years' income for a farmer.

"Minister Li, you're really generous," Lin Baiweng joked with a smile.

"I'm willing to give up anything for the friendship between China and the Soviet Union!" Minister Li said meaningfully.

"The banquet has begun. Let's take our seats."

Seeing that it was almost time, the director of the reception office walked over discreetly and asked with a smile.

"Alright, take your seats." Minister Li nodded.

The provincial government attached great importance to this reception.

They specially prepared Western food with the flavors of the Bear Kingdom to make the Bear Kingdom delegation feel at home.

The delegation members gladly took their seats.

The group ate and chatted.

It was supposed to be casual conversation, but it actually contained a hidden meaning.

Both Lin Baiweng and Minister Li wanted Andrei and the business delegation to...

Implement the investment as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, Andrei was not optimistic about any of the projects he proposed.

He always says, "Let me think about it, let me think about it..."

Minister Li complained to Lin Baiweng in distress:

"Honestly, these bear-like people are using stalling tactics on us..."

"It's said that people from Xiongguo (a country in China) have a rough and rugged character."

"I think he's even more cunning than an old fox."

Lin Baiweng also felt a slight headache.

Although the affairs of Heilongjiang Province were not under his jurisdiction, he was in charge of China's economy.

We also very much hope for Xiong Fang's investment.

However, the initiative is now in someone else's hands, making us too passive...

With no good solutions at the moment, the two could only complain and feel anxious.

Andrei watched the two ministers speak in hushed tones.

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

I am fully aware of the other party's intentions.

Before I came, someone from Xiong Kingdom told me that if the conditions were right, I could invest.

With a willingness to help.

However, after Andrei learned about the situation, he found that the conditions were far too poor!

Building a factory is impossible.

Neither policies nor the business environment are stable.

The general level of education among the people is low.

Building a factory requires too much investment and carries too much risk.

And conducting trade is also very difficult.

China was extremely poor, possessing nothing, and its foreign exchange reserves were close to zero.

What will we use for the transaction?

Therefore, Andrei had already made up his mind.

If nothing unexpected happens, they'll abandon two unremarkable projects.

Let's just consider it a gesture of appeasement.

After all, they're neighbors, so we should at least offer some thanks.

With the important matter settled, he felt relieved.

Andrei took a bite of the bread; it was alright.

I took another bite of the beef brisket; it was tender and quite good.

After taking a couple of bites, he picked up his wine glass.

This wine was specially sent from the capital to entertain the Xiong Kingdom delegation.

He took a sip, smacked his lips twice, and frowned slightly.

The director of the reception office kept a close eye on his situation.

Seeing him frown, she quickly stepped forward to ask him what was wrong.

"Commander Andrei, are you dissatisfied with the food or the wine?"

The director was very nervous.

This reception was taken very seriously by everyone, from top to bottom.

If the guests are not satisfied, that would be terrible.

"It's still okay..."

Out of politeness, Andrei couldn't possibly say anything unpleasant.

But he still had some regrets:

"The food is alright..."

"It's just that the taste of this wine doesn't suit my palate."

That old fox of a man, even when expressing his dissatisfaction, still had a smile on his face.

However, the director of the reception office is a shrewd and calculating person.

He immediately understood the unspoken meaning behind Andrei's words.

The food was alright, just so-so, enough to fill your stomach.

There's nothing we can do about it; we've been closed off for so many years.

The chef couldn't quite grasp the tastes of the Xiong Kingdom people.

But if the taste of the wine doesn't suit his palate, then things will be difficult.

It is well known that the people of Xiong Kingdom love to drink alcohol, and some are even addicted to it.

Therefore, the director specially brought out the Beijing-exclusive liquor.

Then I realized something was wrong.

What the Chinese consider good wine doesn't meet the standards of the Xiong people!

What to do? It's too late to change the wine now!

The director of the reception office immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Although it was summer, he felt a chill on the soles of his feet.

There are no small matters in diplomacy.

Such an important banquet reception,

If outstanding results are not achieved, it is considered a dereliction of duty!

His position is no longer secure!

He is the manager of Friendship Hotel and also serves as the director of the Provincial Government Reception Office.

This is a coveted position that countless people are eyeing.

The slightest mistake will cause trouble.

The director's cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

He, who was usually so shrewd and charming, was standing there blankly.

My body felt like it was filled with lead.

"Commander Andrei, please apologize first."

"Our chef has never cooked Xiongguo cuisine before, we apologize for the neglect..."

Minister Li looked at Andrei.

"Not at all, it's already quite a feast," Andrei said with a polite smile.

"Director Ma."

"Remember that!"

"Entertaining guests requires not only grand gestures but also heartfelt care."

Minister Li turned to look at Director Ma, his tone gentle.

What seemed like earnest instruction was, in Director Ma's ears,...

It was almost like a thunderclap.

The deafening roar sent shivers down his spine.

Minister Li is in charge of the province's economy.

Both the reception office and the Friendship Hotel were under his direct management.

Changing yourself is just a matter of a word.

A leader at this level is unlikely to harshly reprimand others.

Even if you're unhappy inside, you'll still talk with a smile.

And Minister Li actually said so much to him.

This means that he is already very dissatisfied!

Director Ma felt his legs go weak.

I want to leave, but I can't take a step.

He tried hard to control his body, just in case he fell and made a fool of himself.

Then it's all over...

Suddenly, a hand supported his body.

"Director Ma, I have some food. May I offer it to Commander Andrei to try?"

Su Qingyun was holding her backpack.

"what?"

Director Ma was startled by him.

Turning around and seeing it was Su Qingyun, he gave an awkward smile.

"This is a specialty product from my own farm."

"I think it will suit the tastes of the people of Xiongguo."

"So, I wanted to let them try it."

"You don't need to worry about safety, I'll vouch for it." Su Qingyun looked at him.

"Do you have any local specialties you want the people of Bear Country to try?"

Director Ma was taken aback.