The breath of early spring is spreading in the Caucasus, and people are relieving themselves from the winter storms and snowstorms.

From 1813, Russia signed the Treaty of Gulistan with Persia, which formally incorporated the Caucasus, including Baku, into the country. Since then, this area has become the territory of Russia, and Baku has been the base of the Russian oil industry since the opening of an oil well in 1871.

At one point, Baku accounted for more than 80% of Europe's oil supply during the time when Romanian oil was not being exploited on a large scale. Even after Romanian, Persian and American oil poured into Europe to squeeze market share, Russia still held the largest share of the European oil market with the Baku oil field. It's just that now in the face of the closure of the Black Sea straits, Baku's oil has suddenly lost those deep-pocketed foreign buyers, and now it is in depression.

Inside the Baku Oil Company, General Manager Alexander Tikov sat in his luxurious office, and chairs made of Italian lambskin and mahogany did not ease his mood in the slightest. His complexion, like the weather in Baku right now, was cloudy, all because of the company's annual report he had seen. He was annoyed that the Baku oil company had lost money last year, and that an oil company had lost money after the war had broken out. You must know that now the oil companies all over the world are taking advantage of the war to make a lot of money, and the only one who loses money is Baku Oil.

Despite the fact that the Black Sea Straits were closed and oil could not be shipped by sea, he was still determined to take a good look at the company's moths, these people were so bold that they even purchased oil pipelines at a price half higher than the market, and if the Baku Oil Company was not brought down, they would not be dragged down.

Of course, as a smart man, Alexander Tikov does not intend to pursue too much the fact that his small body cannot afford to pursue those whose identity and background are connected to St. Petersburg and Moscow. He only intends to deal with those who are bold and unscrupulous without enough status, so that they idiots can feel the wrath of General Manager Tikov.

Tikov did this not so that Russian officials could feel his abilities, but so that other shareholders could see his attitude. Because most of the shares of the Baku Oil Company, where Tikov now works, are held by the United States, Britain, and France. Even before the war, there were a small number of German shares, but after the war broke out, these shares were very quickly divided among other countries.

Russia is clearly the largest shareholder in Bakuft, but the company has many policies that need to be interfered with by Britain and France. It's just that now after the outbreak of war, these distractions are much less. But Tikov will not let his guard down, he still has to make some achievements to show that he is still capable of doing well.

Just as Tikov was about to clean up his short-sighted subordinates, his secretary knocked on the door and came in.

Seeing that it was his secretary, Tikov asked unceremoniously. "What's the matter?"

At this time, Tikov saw his secretary's eyes glancing left and right, and found that there was no one, so he sneakily walked up to him and whispered. "Boss, there's a foreign businessman who wants to buy oil."

Tikov heard the secretary's words and asked vigilantly. "Who is it?"

Then he continued. "If it's German, Austrian or Turkish, let him go, don't appear in front of me, I haven't lived yet."

Seeing his boss's reaction, the secretary was also a little hesitant, and I wasn't sure if this person was from the above-mentioned allies, but thinking of the $1,000 check from Citibank in his jacket pocket, he decided to take the risk, and he would go to live in the United States.

"Of course, the boss is not from the Allies, and the businessman who came to buy oil this time was very bold and willing to give a 30% rebate."

Tikov, who had no idea what his secretary was really thinking, thought about it, and in the end the 30% kickback was very tempting, and he planned to meet this foreign businessman with great powers.

"Bring him in quietly."

After a while, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in a trench coat and a gentleman's hat walked into Tikov's office under the guidance of the secretary. He took off his hat and greeted Tikov as he spoke. "Hello, Mr. Tikov."

Tikov looked at the middle-aged man expressionlessly and asked in an emotionless voice. "I don't know what this gentleman is called?"

The middle-aged man didn't seem to see Tikov's expression, and introduced himself enthusiastically.

"You can call me Bobokov, an oil merchant looking for an opportunity."

Tikov still sat in his chair, not wanting to get close to him in the slightest, and still asked. "Then Mr. Bobokov, I don't know how much oil your Excellency wants to buy."

"Of course, the more the better, as long as Your Excellency dares to sell, I dare to buy, and we can also negotiate the price."

Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Tikov laughed out loud, and then asked in a foolish tone. "Are you sure you can buy them all?" You must know that the daily production of the Baku oil field is not low. ”

Even if Tikov's attitude was not friendly at all, the middle-aged man replied without changing his expression. "Of course."

"Then you need to tell me which one you are buying from. Mr. Bobokov. ”

Tikov deliberately accentuated the other party's name, which already showed that he did not believe that the other party was his real name.

"Do you have to know who I'm behind it?"

Tikov replied quite resolutely. "Of course, I won't sell you a drop of oil without knowing your true identity. Since you have found me directly, I believe that Your Excellency has also done some research. ”

The Popov glanced at Tikov's secretary, who had been observing him for a long time, and said to his own secretary. "You yourself pour this Mr. Bobokov a cup of coffee, and give me a cup of black tea, and add two pieces of sugar to Indian tea leaves."

This was Tikov's secret message to his secretary, telling him to call two armed guards to wait outside, and as soon as he activated the code, let them come in and arrest people immediately. He also has to prevent accidents, his life is still very precious, and there is no loss to him.

"Okay, I'll go get ready."

The secretary, who knew his boss very well, responded and went out to prepare a 'drink', leaving only two people.

"Now Your Excellency can speak."

Tikov calmly asked Bobokov in front of him.

"Of course." Bobokov continued. "My real name is Jan Srques, an oil merchant from Romania, because the domestic industry needs it, and we want to buy a batch of oil to help with production."

Looking at the Romanian oil merchant in front of him, whose real name was Srgeis, Tikov thought deeply. He had long known that Romania had produced its own oil, and now it was self-evident that he had come to import it. And of course, he is also very clear about Romania's oil order with Germany and Austria, which is simply a naked robbery for money.

After listening to the new introduction of the oil merchant whose real name is Srgeis, Tikov was a little undecided.

"You let me think about it."

Seeing Tikov's hesitation, Srgis didn't say much, he picked up his hat and flicked the dust that was not on it at all, and said to it. "It's okay, I can wait for your news, I'll stay at the Postov Hotel, I'm sure you can find me in Baku."

After saying that, he turned around and left the office, leaving Tikov sitting in his place and thinking to himself. His secretary came to the office to check on his boss's well-being after Srgis walked out.

The secretary asked curiously. "Boss, who is this Bobofu?"

"That's not what you should care about."

Tikov was interrupted by the secretary's words and spoke a little impatiently. Seeing his boss's attitude, the secretary decided to wait outside for his boss to calm down before coming in, which was a good choice.

Seeing that the secretary was about to go out, Tikov stopped him. "Wait a minute."

"What's the boss going on?"

"Don't talk about today's events to anyone."

"Okay boss."

The secretary replied and left the office, leaving Tikov alone behind his desk to wonder if he needed the cooperation of a Romanian.