CHAPTER 1789: CHAPTER 1768: TAKING THE INITIATIVE

The people who belong to Grand Ivan are actually scattered throughout Ukraine, but Kiev is the military and political center of Ukraine, so some of the more important people are still in Kiev.

Since the traitorous betrayer has been cleared out, the remaining few people just need some encouragement, supplemented with substantial rewards.

With Collins, the traitor as a negative example, Gleyanov as the role model, and Rebrov giving a personal account, the effect is bound to be good.

Gao Yang’s meeting with his subordinates could be described as an audience. Everyone was meeting him for the first time, but under the shock of blood and fire, driven by significant interests, everyone who met Gao Yang expressed their awe.

Originally holding high positions, yet each person respectfully expressed their obedience to Gao Yang when they met him. For a moment, Gao Yang indeed felt a great sense of satisfaction psychologically. It was only when he stood in front of them in person, rather than commanding them remotely, that he could experience the sense of achievement that power brings.

Gao Yang genuinely felt the taste of power, but he quickly started to be vigilant about his feelings. The position of Grand Ivan is tempting but difficult to occupy.

Only one last person needed to be met. On the road, Gao Yang received a phone call, and when he answered it, he found that it was from Baskov.

"We’ve found Anastasia’s information. I’ll read it to you, listen up."

"Okay, go ahead."

"Anastasia, currently going by the name Kasha Dianova, has been teaching at Moscow Linguistic Academy since 1991 and has never left. She lives in the school dormitory."

Gao Yang said slightly nervously, "Is she living alone or does she have a family?"

"She’s alone. Here, write down her phone number."

With a phone number, things become much easier. Gao Yang made a gesture, Rebrov was baffled, but Yarebin took out a small notebook and noted the number for Gao Yang.

After the number was noted down, Gao Yang quietly asked on the phone, "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, I want to know why you’re looking for Anastasia. If you want to kill her or do something else, you need to tell me in advance so I can prepare accordingly. If you just want to catch up with her, then I’ll pretend I didn’t know about it."

Gao Yang spoke softly, "It’s nothing big, just want to see her. No need for much trouble. If there really needs to be any big action, I will contact you."

"Alright, one more thing. Yarebin should have told you, but I need to emphasize it again. In the future, you can come to me for anything, as long as it doesn’t involve Russia’s security issues. I’ll help as much as I can. I can’t take orders from you, but I will respect Yarebin’s chosen successor and will provide the necessary help. That’s all, goodbye."

Baskov ended the call. While driving, Gao Yang, taking advantage of his fresh memory, immediately dialed Anastasia’s number. After a moment, the call connected, and a very gentle female voice said, "Hello, may I know who this is?"

The background noise was somewhat loud. Gao Yang thought for a moment and softly said, "I’m looking for Anastasia."

"I haven’t used that name in a long time. So, who are you?"

The other party acknowledged the identity, and Gao Yang softly said, "It’s like this, Brian is looking for you."

Anastasia replied with uncertainty, whispering, "Which Brian? I know several people named Brian."

Gao Yang thought for a moment and softly said, "It’s the one you’re thinking of, no mistake."

Anastasia urgently said, "Isn’t he dead? Who are you really?"

Gao Yang cleared his throat and said, "You don’t need to worry about who I am. I want to tell you that Brian isn’t dead. He’s just been imprisoned for twenty years. He’s long been released and has been looking for you. I happened to meet him. Brian couldn’t find you, but I can, so I’m calling to ask if you’re willing to meet him."

"Let me see him!"

Gao Yang took a breath and said softly, "Don’t you want to know what kind of attitude he has towards you before making a decision?"

"There’s no need to know. I want to see him, no matter what he wants to do, please let me see him. What do you want? Anything I can do..."

"Enough, I just need to know your attitude. No need to elaborate. Just wait for the call."

After putting down the phone, thinking for a moment, Gao Yang whispered to Yarebin in the passenger seat, "There’s one more person left, you go meet them for me. I need to hurry and find Brian. Do you want to drive there yourself, or shall I arrange a driver for you?"

Yarebin had already said he would leave everything up to Gao Yang’s decision. Since Gao Yang decided to help Brian, there was no need to consult Yarebin’s opinion again.

The trouble was that Yarebin thought if Brian was able to find him again, only then would he have some skill and be of use. So there was no thought of leaving any contact information, but now Gao Yang had to actively seek out Brian.

With a smile, Yarebin said, "I’ll go myself, you go ahead and help Brian if you’re willing, but don’t waste too much time, it’s not worth it, and right now your time is very precious."

Gao Yang nodded and said, "I understand, I’m going to Odessa now. I’ll find Brian if possible, if not, well, he’s just unlucky. I’ll be back before tomorrow morning."

While speaking, Gao Yang made another call, asking one of the people he had just met to arrange a flight to Odessa immediately. It’s hundreds of kilometers from Kiev to Odessa, driving would be too time-consuming.

Although already accompanied by Rebrov, Gao Yang was still driving because they were in a small car, and while the front seats were fine, the back seat was not spacious enough. Not wanting to be crowded in the back, Gao Yang had to drive himself.

After arranging everything, Gao Yang parked the car by the roadside and shouted to Rebrov, "Come with me."

Without speaking further, Gao Yang took Rebrov straight to a military airport on the outskirts of Kyiv. For safety reasons, Gao Yang did not tell the person arranging the plane that he wanted to use it himself, only that his subordinates needed the plane to fly urgently to Odessa. Even so, he received the best treatment, and after being escorted inside the military airport, the plane was already waiting on the runway.

Coincidentally, a medium-sized An-74 transport plane was arranged for Gao Yang. Of course, this wasn’t really a coincidence since Ukraine primarily uses Antonov-style transport planes.

Already mulling over how to empty the resources of Antonov Design Bureau, after boarding the plane, Gao Yang was even more determined to start implementing his plan the next day. Sitting beside him, Rebrov finally couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, "Excuse me sir, may I ask what we’re going to do?"

Gao Yang was pulled out of his deep thought, but he wasn’t annoyed. After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "How should I put it, we’re going to play matchmaker for two unfortunate souls. It doesn’t quite fit, but that’s essentially what it is."