Chapter 128: Tao Zhiming's First Move (2/4)

"Is that really all there is to it?" Hiroshi Omiya asked, frowning at the phone while seated in his chair.

"Yes!" the person on the other end replied respectfully. "The president flew into a rage. That man from Hong Kong simply proposed that we cooperate with them to open a factory in Nanyue, China, and spent a long time painting a grand picture of the market potential for foreign goods in China."

Omiya chuckled dryly. "In a place as poor as China, how many tape recorders could they possibly sell? It's pure fantasy."

"Indeed," the voice on the phone agreed with a laugh. "And the president only realized at the very end that the Hong Konger's true goal was to leverage the prestige of our advanced Japanese manufacturing to exploit the Chinese officials' eagerness for foreign investment, thereby acquiring land in China at a low cost. Once they obtained authorization from our Japanese company, they would secure the land at a bargain, complete all the groundwork, and then withdraw, leaving the Japanese firm to operate it as a wholly-owned subsidiary. It’s actually not a bad strategy; after all, for some companies in need, it’s a way to handle the messy initial legwork by relying on local connections. The problem is that they aren't even willing to put up the initial capital. Simply put, they are just a hollow intermediary company."

"Zhao Holdings..." Omiya found it even more ridiculous. "Cunning Chinese. No wonder they came up empty-handed in Tokyo. Do they think we are all fools?"

"Exactly. The president has already clearly rejected him."

"And what is the situation with President Takeda now?"

"He has locked himself in his office. He still doesn't understand the true situation, but he only has one day left to prepare the payment for the magnetic powder."

Omiya had a clear picture of the situation. He nodded and said, "Keep me updated if there are any new developments."

"I understand!"

After hanging up, Omiya dismissed this trivial matter from his mind. Mitsubishi had suddenly locked up the funds of the major conglomerates in the foreign exchange market, but surely Sumitomo and Mitsui wouldn't just sit by idly, right?

Let them be the ones to disrupt the situation controlled by Mitsubishi; only then would Yuwa be able to make its move without being constrained by Mitsubishi.

But before that...

A flicker passed through Omiya's eyes. The arrangements he had made earlier should be set in motion.

...

Zhao Yuanxi sat on the sofa in his hotel room.

Having spent two days running around Tokyo, visiting one major Japanese cassette tape manufacturer after another, and proposing such suggestions like a cunning and shrewd foreign businessman, he had been met with plenty of polite yet deeply rooted contempt and disdain.

But it was all a facade, and Zhao Yuanxi endured it.

Now, he was waiting for a call from Takanao Takeda.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before the phone in the room rang.

Zhao Yuanxi picked it up and said, "It's me, Zhao Yuanxi."

After a moment of silence on the other end, Takanao Takeda's voice came through: "What is your motive for doing this?"

Zhao Yuanxi smiled as he sat on the edge of the bed. "President Takeda, I was right, wasn't I? Shortly after I left, didn't many of your subordinates come to ask you for information? Was what you told them the truth or a lie?"

"You people, are you still trying to undermine our unity at a time like this?" Takeda's tone was hostile.

"President Takeda..." Zhao Yuanxi chuckled, unbothered. "Since you've called me, the proposal I made still stands. From the perspective of Takeda Manufacturing, is there anything wrong with my suggestion?"

"There is nothing wrong with it. But you clearly know something. Why did you emphasize to me that this cooperation does not involve our shares or our land?"

Zhao Yuanxi asked with feigned surprise, "Does President Takeda not know your own predicament? I assumed you were well aware of it, which is why I specifically emphasized that point. I admit, I proposed this because Takeda Manufacturing needs money, but purely from a business standpoint, it shouldn't be detrimental to Takeda Manufacturing, right?"

Takeda remained silent for a long time before asking, "Takeda Manufacturing is not the company with the most advanced technology, nor have we established our own tape brand. Why choose us?"

"Because for 100 million yen, you are likely the only ones who can provide me with what I need."

Zhao Yuanxi stood up and began to pace. "In exchange for a complete production line and technical guidance, you receive 100 million yen in funding, and you retain a 20% stake in the factory we invest in. From a collaborative standpoint, is there any harm to Takeda Manufacturing?"

Takeda said in a deep voice, "The cost of the entire set of equipment—magnetic slurry preparation, coating, calendering, cassette injection molding, and assembly—is nearly 200 million yen!"

"That is why you also get a 20% stake in our factory. Besides, I am not asking for a brand-new production line. Isn't President Takeda also planning to focus development on the new plant?"

"Why use such a roundabout way to contact me? Why not negotiate openly?"

Zhao Yuanxi sighed. "President Takeda, I have some friends in Tokyo. I learned from them that Takeda Manufacturing is in dire straits, which is why I only offered 100 million yen. In fact, I could pay you a fair price, but I am afraid of being dragged into the vortex."

"What vortex?"

"Don't ask me that. In short, all I want is the production line and technical guidance, and all you need is money. Once you've read the contract, if you feel there are no issues, you can sign it and mail it to me."

Takeda demanded, "Meet again, and explain things clearly!"

"...President Takeda, do you realize that my visit to Takeda Manufacturing today may have already attracted a lot of attention? There are quite a few people watching you."

"If you don't tell me everything you know, the contract will not be signed!"

Zhao Yuanxi laughed. "Then please take some more time to think about it."

...

Takanao Takeda hung up the phone, his face grim.

Another opportunist looking to profit from his misfortune, and even claiming he was afraid of being "dragged into a vortex."

Someone afraid of a vortex wouldn't come knocking to discuss such a deal at a time like this.

But now, Takeda no longer knew whom to trust.

Shortly after Zhao Yuanxi left, Kazuo Tanimura and Shuta Kimura arrived, just as Zhao had predicted, to probe for details.

Already on edge, Takeda, as Zhao had anticipated, had flared up and recited the script he had been fed.

The anger was real.

Because Zhao Yuanxi's offer was too low, and yet his trusted subordinates were so curious about the details.

Opening the door he had kept locked for so long, Takeda walked out of his office.

Seeing the lights on in the factory workshop, Takeda paused, then walked slowly toward them.

"Shuta... you haven't gone home yet?"

Shuta Kimura was checking the machines, bending over to perform maintenance on the parts. "President, according to the agreement, will we have the money to pay for the raw materials the day after tomorrow?"

Takeda walked over to his side and watched him silently.

Receiving no answer, Kimura turned around with an inquiring look.

Seeing the sweat and oil on his face, Takeda said softly, "Shuta, if we don't have the money to buy raw materials, what do you plan to do?"

"I don't know, I haven't thought about it yet," Kimura said, standing up while touching the machine, his voice filled with confusion. "I haven't thought about what to do if we really have to shut down."

"Shuta!" Takeda suddenly grabbed his shoulders. "You've been with Takeda Manufacturing for sixteen years! Sixteen years! Is there anything you need to tell me?"

Kimura stared at him in astonishment, seeing the anxiety and hope in his eyes, and asked blankly, "What do you mean?"

Takeda didn't speak, just stared at him.

"...If you're talking about our situation, I've told you! People from Sony approached me, saying that if I could persuade you to agree to a merger, they could appoint me as the future president." Kimura wasn't stupid; once he realized the implication, he looked at him. "You don't suspect me, do you! I have always followed your instructions regarding production without the slightest negligence!"

"...Sorry." Takeda let go of his shoulders, feeling somewhat deflated. "I'm just too nervous."

"President, I think you were right. Those guys are just after this land, aren't they? But as long as we can keep operating, we won't be crushed!"

"How can we keep operating?" Takeda felt deeply exhausted. "Even if I want to sell my house, no one dares to buy it."

Kimura fell silent as well.

"Shuta..." Takeda's eyes flickered. "Actually, the merchant from Hong Kong who came today brought me a proposal. He can give me 100 million yen. With that money, we could pay for the raw materials the day after tomorrow."

"Eh?" Kimura looked at him, stunned. "Didn't you say he was just a swindler?"

Takeda turned his head and stared straight at him. "They want to invest in their own factory in mainland China and want to take our entire production line from this facility, along with our technical guidance, for 100 million yen."

"That's impossible!" Kimura's face flushed red immediately. "This set of equipment was purchased just two years ago after we got the loan. A mere 100 million yen..."

"Plus a 20% stake in their factory." Takeda searched his expression. "What do you think? He can wait until we finish the current order for Henghe, and he can provide the money in advance."

Kimura pressed his lips together tightly and shook his head. "The depreciation of this production line hasn't reached that point yet. And what use is a 20% stake in a Chinese factory?"

"...I see." Takeda seemed to take his words to heart. "Then let me try to find another way. It's getting late; you should go home early, too."

Kimura nodded and added, "100 million yen is too little. If we could get 160 or 170 million, that might work. As long as we can get through this immediate crisis and let the new plant start production, it's not impossible to replace it with better equipment in the future!"

"I understand." Takeda forced a smile, patted him on the shoulder, and left the workshop.

Once he turned away, Takeda's expression returned to one of gloom.

Regardless of whether Shuta Kimura was involved in anything, things wouldn't get any worse.

Whatever he said to anyone, there would always be someone taking the next step. For instance, if he were to ask that Zhao Yuanxi again, he would probably back out, just like the real estate company that had previously considered buying his house.

If there was no movement from the outside, then... it meant Shuta could be trusted!