After receiving Gorbachev's authorization and assistance, Seriosha flew to London with a secret mission to participate in the ongoing negotiations of the Soviet-English Natural Gas Agreement. Before that, Kalim had set off from Zurich in advance to London to assist Seriosha's operation.

Kalim's gallery business has been very good in the UK in recent years, so she has met many celebrities from both the upper class, political and business circles. Seriosha has no connections in the UK, and he needs Kalim to create connections for him that can talk to the cabinet. Seriosha is very clear that just doing a good job in coal exports will not make Gorbachev look at him differently, and promoting Gorbachev's visit to London and persuading the UK to actually give up sanctions and embargoes against the Soviet Union is the ultimate goal.

Although Seriosha had made a promise in Gorbachev, and this matter was theoretically feasible, Seriosha did not think about how to operate it. Although Seriosha came to the UK as a natural gas negotiator, he did not live in the same hotel as the entire negotiator, because there must be Americans monitoring there, which is not conducive to Seriosha's actions.

When Seryosha first arrived in London, he decided not to hurry up. Anyway, anyone with a discerning eye could see that the contradiction between the coal miners union and Thatcher's cabinet was irreconcilable. Unless a miracle happened, the strikes of coal miners across the country were inevitable. The longer the time was delayed, the more beneficial it would be for Seryosha. Seryosha felt that it would still be a strategy of business first and then politics, and now he would win over a group of companies that were severely affected by the rise in coal prices as a breakthrough point, such as the power industry and the steel industry.

In the next week, Seriosha, led by Kalim, began to participate in some commercial and social activities, which could only be considered temporary cramming. Seriosha could not reveal his identity as a Soviet person in these activities. Since the Iron Curtain Speech, the Soviets were not very popular in the UK. However, Seriosha had not yet entered the social circle of the British business community, and Kalim was a woman. At the party, he could only talk about topics such as art with those ladies, so it was not very effective. However, Seriosha still gained something, at least he received more and more invitations. At a banquet held by the British Bankers Association, Seriosha met a guy who helped him a lot.

"Mr. Ulyanov, I'm glad to see you again. When did you come to England?" A voice suddenly came from behind Seriosha, which almost made Seriosha choke. He didn't know anyone here, so how could anyone call out his name? Thinking of this, Seriosha quickly turned around. Kalim, who was chatting with several British ladies, noticed the situation on Seriosha's side and hurried over.

"Hello! You..." Selyosha came over and saw a man of similar age standing behind him enthusiastically. When he saw Selyosha turned around, he quickly raised the wine glass in his hand. Selyosha touched the wine glass gently, and then awkwardly wanted to ask the other party's identity. This was simply too rude, but Selyosha really couldn't remember when he had seen the other party.

"Hi! James, I really didn't expect to see you here. Didn't you go skiing in Switzerland?" Kalim took the lead and then let go, introducing to Seriosha: "This is Baron James, the member of the Rothschild family who helped us acquire Canadian Agriculture in the United States!"

Fortunately, Kalim came in time enough, so Selyosha was not as embarrassed as asking about the other party’s identity! He quickly grabbed the other party’s hand and said embarrassedly: “James, I really haven’t seen you for a while. I’m so angry!”

"You are so angry! Mr. Ulyanov, are you here in the UK to work on business or on vacation?" James asked casually.

"There are both, but my business is mainly in the United States, and this is my first time in the UK." Seryosha replied.

"Then you must come to our family's castle to give us a chance to entertain you! Of course, if you have any good business, don't forget to take care of our Rothschild Bank. We are looking forward to working with you again! Are you here this time to acquire a company in the UK?" James greeted warmly.

"Actually, I want to pay attention to the coal market in the UK. I have a lot of raw coal in my hand. I want to find a few powerful long-term customers here!" Selyosha replied truthfully. As soon as he said this, the two gentlemen who had a passionate conversation with others on his left and right suddenly turned around and joined the conversation between them.

"James, don't you introduce this gentleman to me?" said an old gentleman with a big belly, turning around and reaching out to Seryosha.

"Mr. Ulyanov, this is Mr. Atkins of Barclays!"

"Hello, I'm Belford of the Royal Bank of Scotland!" another old man with little hair introduced himself.

"I'm very happy to know you!" Selyosha quickly shook hands with them to show his friendship.

"Let's continue with the topic just now. I just heard that you have raw coal on your hands and want to take action, right?" Belford asked in a low voice.

"Yes, I have a lot of coal in my hands and I want to find a long-term buyer!" Selyosha emphasized.

"To be honest, I am also interested in the coal you have. A steel company we have credited with was already in a downturn. Now that the government has done this, the financial statements are simply impossible to read!" Mr. Atkins said with a sad face.

"We are the main bank for the British National Electric Power Company. If you have sufficient supply, we hope to sign a long-term supply contract. The price is easy to say. I only have one requirement, that is, not to cut off the supply!" Belford also won the credit companies of the bank where he is. Although the coal supply problem mainly affects industrial and power companies, as the bank supported by these companies, if their credit recipients are in trouble, the blow to the bank will be huge, and the loans may be difficult to recover.

"But to be honest, this gentleman, this is our first time meeting. I don't know if the raw coal you have in your hands is enough to supply both of our companies. We have large enterprises in our hands. If the supply is cut off, the losses will be immeasurable!" Atkins asked with some concern.

"Don't worry, I think James knows me. I look forward to cooperating with your two bank-backed companies. My coal transport ship will arrive in Manchester tomorrow, and there are still several ships on the way. If the two gentlemen are interested, they will understand when they go to the port!" Selyosha said confidently.

"James, who is that guy?" After hearing the conversation here, a thoughtful person pulled James aside and asked in a low voice.
Chapter completed!