Saving the Nation by a Roundabout Route

Saying no was not easy.

If it had been possible, or if it had been something else, Alexei would definitely have helped Wang Ye.

Unfortunately, it was this matter...

Before refusing Wang Ye, he had already considered all sorts of consequences.

If he agreed to Wang Ye's request and lent him the money, then if his political opponents seized on it and made a big issue of it...

Both he and Wang Ye would be in deep trouble!

When that time came, he would not only harm himself, but Wang Ye as well.

If he refused but explained the seriousness of the matter to Wang Ye, he believed Wang Ye would understand his difficulties.

Nor would he resent him. He believed Wang Ye was not so narrow-minded.

So, after much consideration, he refused.

Hearing Alexei's words, Wang Ye did not get angry. He simply asked again in an unhurried manner, "Then do you know that although the use of this money is managed by your Ministry of Energy, its ownership actually belongs to Yukos Group and Gazprom Industrial Group? Because this money is essentially prepaid oil and gas energy fees!"

Alexei blinked. He truly had not considered that question.

Hearing Wang Ye put it that way, it did seem right. The money did not belong to the Ministry of Energy; he was merely managing it on its behalf...

After hesitating for quite a while, he asked tentatively, "So you mean... taking the money through Yukos Group? No, that's not right! According to the agreement, the funds from both China and Japan were deposited into an account designated by our Ministry of Energy. We are responsible for supervising the construction of the pipeline, so we still have the final say in how the funds are used."

Alexei felt he had nearly