As summer progresses, the temperature in inland Almaty is getting warmer.

In 1992, Almaty was taking on a new landscape that had never been seen before in this land. Some become part of the landscape, others become a backdrop that the new one does not shine through.

On the streets of the embassy district in Almaty, there was a sudden and tooth-aching sound of brakes.

The 1988 Ford F-150 Classic pickup truck is the most suitable car for Kazakhstan with vast terrain. Nowadays, on the empty streets of Almaty, such a car with a rather powerful and unique shape is speeding by, which will naturally attract a lot of attention.

"Hey, pretty girls!"

A white man wearing a cowboy hat and a red sun on his neck stepped down from the F-150 that had just stopped, and whistled at the beautiful Kazakh girl on the street: "I still lack a dance partner for the diplomatic ball of the Chinese Embassy, is anyone willing to go with me?"

A few Kazakh girls dressed in fancy clothes could understand English, so they quickly tidied up their clothes and surrounded them with the most enthusiastic smiles. All of a sudden, this short street was a man's paradise.

The picky red neck was among a group of beauties, and instead chose a girl who was a little shy to hide behind. In the voices of regret and frustration of the crowd, he smiled as if he had found the most precious pearl in the sand.

Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia, and the Kazakh people have a stunning face after mixing Asian and European races, which can meet the aesthetic needs of almost everyone at the same time. What's more, beautiful girls have everything on TV, but this delicate woman's style is even more exciting.

"What do you call you, beautiful girl?"

"I'm Ayiman, hello sir. Ayiman leaned over a little shyly, with a look full of admiration, and asked curiously, "Sir, are you an American?"

"Of course!" Red Neck stretched out his hand, showing two rows of white and neat teeth, and introduced himself with his brightest smile: "Matthew Bush, you can call me Matthew, a native of Texas, and I work for Shevron. ”

Ayiman shook hands with Matthew with some surprise, and said longingly and cautiously: "Matthew, can you tell me about the United States? What kind of life do you live?"

"Ha, that's fine. Matthew Bush nodded, pulled the door and started the engine, "My family is in rural Texas, and I grew up on my family's Crawford farm, which has more than 1,600 acres ......."

The embassy reception is not a new thing for Europe, the United States, and the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, but for the newly built Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan, it is the first time that a big girl has been on a sedan chair. However, fortunately, the organizer of the reception did not use public funds, but a sponsor from China. The Salazik Hotel, which once served only the Kazakh elite, is now more respectful of the US dollar, and provides guests with meticulous enjoyment in accordance with the standards of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

By the time Matthew Bush and Ayiman drove to the Chinese embassy, the courtyard was already full of dizzying luxury cars.

The waiter, dressed in a military dress with epaulettes and other markers removed, trotted over to open the door of the F-150, and then put his hand on the door and politely invited the two of them down.

"Mr. Bush, what a coincidence!"

As soon as he got out of the car, someone recognized Matthew. A bald guy stood next to his Rolls-Royce, waved warmly, and then Shi Shiran walked over.

Matthew was a little proud and reserved, nodded to the visitor, and first introduced the identity of the other party to the female companion: "Ayiman, this is Mr. Viktor of Kazakhstan Energy Group, and he is the largest oil supplier in Kazakhstan. ”

"Compared to Shevron, I'm just a little bit of a fight. ”

The bald-headed Victor has the boldness of a Russian, laughed and hugged Matthew, nodded and said: "Ms. Ayiman is really a great beauty, and Mr. Bush's vision is really amazing!"

As he spoke, he put his arm around Matthew's shoulders and looked out at Ayiman: "I'm sorry ma'am, I need to borrow a few minutes from Mr. Bush, Ayiman, don't you mind?"

However, Matthew was very gentlemanly, and instructed the waiter next to him, "Please help me take care of her, and I will be back in a while." ”

As for Ayiman, of course, it is impossible to have any opinions...... bar.

Victor and Matthew walked a little farther before standing in the bushes beside the parking lot.

"The Tianjiz oil field we are seeking has a rival. ”

Victor's words made Matthew frown: "What's the matter? There are other energy groups entering? I haven't heard such news internationally." ”

"Of course you don't hear about it, because it's a Chinese company that's involved. Victor raised his chin slightly, and said to the crowd in front of the embassy: "The reception held by the Chinese side this time is not simple at all!"

"Chinese, why are they?" Ma Xiu said with some disdain: "This is not the place where they should appear, the international oil market has its own rules." ”

As an energy businessman, Matthew has the reason, the capital, and the confidence to evaluate any Chinese oil company in this way. Two barrels of oil is certainly impressive in terms of size, but the oil trade has its own peculiarities. Unlike the consumer market, it is more like the arms market. The relationship between buyers and sellers is not only influenced by economic factors, but also by political factors.

With the prestige of the United States and China's current international situation, if Chinese oil companies want to make a name for themselves in the international energy market, shouldn't they first serve the international oil giants and then throw you a little scrap to the cold?

For example, let's first open up the refined oil market, let European and American energy groups merge a few large refineries, and so on, and then maybe throw a few chicken rib oil fields out internationally to decorate the façade of Chinese energy companies.

However, as far as Matthew's news channels are concerned, it is obvious that he has not received such an inside story.

Kazakhstan's Tianjiz oil field was the largest onshore oil field discovered in the world in the 80s, and this is a feast for the wealthy of energy capital! Behind Shevron's hot hegemon is the United States, the hot hegemon of the earth, and what is behind the Chinese enterprises?

"The Chinese have no presence in the international energy market, they do not pose a threat to us. Kazakhstan wants to develop the Tianjiz oil field, and only we at Shevron can do it. ”

"I believe so, too. Victor nodded, but was obviously still a little worried: "But the news from the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan is already very indicative." ”

"That's it......" Matthew thought for a while, although the United States does not have the idiom of "groundless", but the truth is always understood: "Shevron does not have much influence in Kazakhstan for the time being, but I will contact some Russian friends, and they will use their influence in Kazakhstan to help us drive Chinese away." ”

"Oh, that's a good idea!" Victor's eyes lit up, and he realized the mystery after thinking about it.

Although the United States is already the world hegemon, the Soviet Union collapsed too quickly and unexpectedly, and the huge size of the Soviet Union made it difficult for the United States to build a power projection network in a short period of time. Kazakhstan, as a less important part of the Soviet system, will clearly not be in the first echelon of the construction of pro-American political forces.

Although Shevron has some agents in Kazakhstan, his level and intensity are still a little worse.

Viktor, the owner of a company affiliated with the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan, is already Shevron's closest local agent at the moment. And his biggest political capital is to buy the factory he manages with a dollar loan, and then arrange a decent job for the children of the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan.

This kind of thing can't always go through official channels, and Abisevic is certainly happy to see more people in the competition.

Connections like Victor are quite effective in inquiring about information, but they are a little powerless in influencing the direction of policy.

Of course, on the other hand, it is inevitable that there will be some off-the-counter moves to drive out Chinese oil companies, and may even violate Kazakhstan's laws and upset some of the balance of power in oil field development. These measures are very likely to become ammunition for Kazakhstan's various means against US capital in the future, as far as Shefron and Shevron's affiliated enterprises, which are determined to take over the Tianjiz oil field.

As an international energy group, it is not that such a thing as shutting down the door and beating the dog has not been encountered, but there is no time that it has not been encountered.

After the investment is landed, the kowtow machine in the oil field is more efficient than the money printing machine, who doesn't think that they should have their own share?

In investment risk management, Shevron must find a pair of white gloves in this situation.

The proxies within Kazakhstan are insufficient, so a hand can be extended from Russia. The newly independent Kazakhstan has little resistance to interference by Russian political forces.

"So be it. Matthew looked at his watch and said impatiently, "I've been in that ghost place in Tianjiz for more than two months, and now it's time for me to enjoy life!"

Victor laughed with Matthew and stretched out a thumbs up: "Then I won't bother Mr. Matthew, and besides, your taste in choosing women is really good!"

"Alright, it's time for us to get in. ”

Matthew turned around and put his arm around Victor's shoulders enthusiastically, and the two of them walked out of the bushes in high spirits.

Not far from the bushes, Ayiman, who had a well-behaved and longing expression, brushed his hair from his ears, and trotted over in surprise when he saw Matthew.

"Have a happy evening, Mr. Matthew. ”

Victor blinked, a "I understand" expression.

PS. Congratulations for the Wandering Earth!