He Made a Killing

Wang Ye had not sprung the tax increase on them without warning. Before coming, he had Rosiana inform the family.

Sure enough, when Wang Ye brought it up, Konstantin nodded calmly.

Turning his head, he said, "You may all leave. Chairman Mikhail and I need to talk alone."

Everyone, including Rosiana and her parents, withdrew. Only Wang Ye and Konstantin remained in the enormous living room.

Konstantin did not speak immediately. Instead, he got up, fetched a small cigar case, opened it, and took out two thick cigars. He handed one to Wang Ye and kept the other for himself.

Clearly, he knew Wang Ye fairly well. He knew Wang Ye smoked and occasionally enjoyed cigars.

Wang Ye did not stand on ceremony. The two cut their cigars, lit them, and began smoking.

After a few puffs, Konstantin finally let out a long breath and said, "In principle, I support this taxation plan. After all, the additional taxes will be used to raise the birth rate, which will greatly benefit the country."

Wang Ye knew Konstantin certainly had more to say, so he did not rush to respond.

After a pause, Konstantin continued, "But I cannot agree to this so easily.

"Because it would set a very bad precedent. If I agree so readily this time, then whenever the country lacks money in some area in the future, will taxes be raised again?

"Once that starts, raising taxes is easy, but lowering them again will be difficult.

"Misha, you run businesses too. You understand how difficult it is for a large conglomerate to maintain healthy operations.

"Perhaps a company has made a great deal of money these past few years, but what about several years from now? Will it still be able to make that much?

"Besides, our telecommunications industry