Chapter 37: The Proper Way to Squeeze Value from a House

"The core of the agreement is four points."

Tao Zhiming raised one finger. "First, I need to sell at a price of 100 million yen, according to my terms."

Runa Onodera’s eyes widened—even earlier, hadn’t he said seventy million?

Ryu Inoue sneered inwardly, saying nothing; since Tao was so confident, he’d listen to the end.

"Second, after signing the agreement, the money must be paid to me immediately."

Ryu Inoue raised his eyebrows, but still kept silent.

"Third, we need to stipulate that until the president has acquired all the properties in that area, I can continue living there."

Ryu Inoue opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but held back.

Tao Zhiming smiled and held up a fourth finger. "Fourth, as an exchange for the special clause in the third point, the president may consider me as renting the place. I can pay a monthly rent of 125,000 yen."

Ryu Inoue was taken aback—this was quite an unusual solution.

Renting his own house? What was the purpose?

125,000 yen per month in rent?

He pondered for a while, then said, "As expected of a genius from Todai, this plan is... creative. But the main issue is still the price. One hundred million yen... Tao, are you serious?"

"High?" Tao Zhiming smiled and shook his head. "Many people quote prices three times the market value."

"Those owners usually still hold the land rights," Ryu Inoue said strangely. "But the land where you live has already been purchased by Mogami Holdings. Just the property rights—how could it be bought at three times the price?"

"No, according to the latest prices, it's already just 2.8 times," Tao Zhiming said confidently. "Very soon, the price of 100 million yen will become the market price. As I said before, if I pursue that strategy, President Inoue will soon have to pay the same price anyway."

Ryu Inoue fell silent; by his own judgment, the trend was indeed as Tao described.

He was now trying to persuade Mogami Holdings—the property prices were rising too fast. If they continued with the original agreement, profits would shrink, maybe even turn into losses.

Mogami Holdings would have to pay much more.

At that moment, Tao Zhiming spoke again. "By the way, yesterday I attended Mogami Holdings’ briefing. President Inoue, you can contact President Kinoshita of Mogami Holdings right now."

Ryu Inoue was dumbfounded. "You met President Kinoshita yesterday?"

"Yes." Tao Zhiming replied confidently, "I offered him a solution."

Ryu Inoue, half believing, dialed the number. Kinoshita Shufuu was in his office. In front of Runa Onodera and Tao Zhiming, his tone and demeanor became respectful. "Excuse me, President... Yes, you know already? Tao is here... Yes, yes... Really? You can provide a 1 billion yen low-interest credit line? What rate... Yes, yes, I understand! Eh? Would you let Tao speak?"

Ryu Inoue looked at Tao Zhiming with astonishment and curiosity. Tao had already walked over with a calm smile, picking up the receiver. "President, thank you very much for your attention."

On the other end, President Kinoshita Shufuu of Mogami Holdings spoke boldly: "Dairou, once this matter is settled, hurry and sign the oath. As long as you join Mogami Holdings, you’ll be proud to see your old neighborhood become Tokyo’s new center. Rest assured, once the redevelopment is complete, you’ll be able to buy a new home there at a very low internal price."

"Thank you for your appreciation, President. I look forward to that day as well. I’ll give you a definite answer on the oath before the end of the month. Please rest assured, after finalizing things with President Inoue, I’ll turn the idea I discussed with you into a concrete plan and send it over as soon as possible."

"Is that so? I’m looking forward to it!" Kinoshita Shufuu laughed warmly. "I won’t disturb your negotiations. Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken to him."

"Alright, goodbye then."

Tao Zhiming handed the phone to Ryu Inoue, who exchanged a few more polite words before putting it down and sitting there, looking at Tao Zhiming somewhat awkwardly.

It was as if he wanted to assume a lofty posture, but couldn’t manage it.

Tao Zhiming smiled. "So, President Inoue, even by your true estimate—around sixty million yen—the price is only forty million higher. You still have more than a year before Mogami Holdings’ final deadline. The internal credit line of a billion yen at only five percent interest is something I won through a proposal that even President Kinoshita found compelling. Over more than a year, the rent I pay you will offset the interest on that forty million."

Ryu Inoue stared at him, dazed. So that’s how it worked?

What kind of proposal could make a figure like Kinoshita Shufuu offer a billion yen in low-interest credit all at once?

With that money in hand, there were countless ways to make more.

Tao Zhiming pointed at Runa Onodera. "Meanwhile, I’ll help Miss Runa secure at least one client and speed up your progress. So, President Inoue, do you think my proposal is feasible? One hundred million yen, with special clauses."

Ryu Inoue’s mind was in turmoil.

Was this the person Suzuki Daiki, the Wakato of Shindo Group, meant when he said to pay special attention?

He had just been thinking about how to get more money out of Mogami Holdings—and Tao immediately gave him such a huge surprise.

With this in mind, Ryu Inoue said earnestly, "Tao! I believe you didn’t offer President Kinoshita your valuable proposal just to sell your property for a higher price. One hundred million yen—no problem! Continuing to live there until Mogami Holdings starts their plan—no problem! As for the rent, please don’t mention it; I have plenty of spirit myself!"

Runa Onodera stared, dumbfounded. Was this Tao?

No wonder he was unmoved by her fifty million offer—he’d planned to negotiate with Mogami Holdings from the moment he attended their briefing.

Every step was following his plan.

Tao Zhiming felt pleased. It was settled.

The greatest value of this house, of course, was to squeeze out funds at this moment.

Yet he felt a bit wistful.

Now, he could only leverage his intellect and the help of other powerful figures to move things.

But when would his name alone make people like Ryu Inoue instantly adopt a “we’re brothers now” attitude?

"Thank you for your generosity, President Inoue!" Tao Zhiming thought only a fool would refuse—no matter how small, even mosquito meat was still meat; he’d save 125,000 yen each month.

He immediately smiled and asked, "President, are you already considering how to make good use of that billion yen loan? Shall we discuss another business?"

Runa Onodera was thoroughly dizzy—another business?

She saw President Inoue looking serious and expectant. "Tao, what kind of business?"

Tao Zhiming smiled mysteriously. "A business that can earn the president about ten percent per month."

"Per month?" Ryu Inoue was shocked. If he put in a hundred million, he could earn ten million every month?

Tao Zhiming nodded. "The reason I’m willing to sell the house at such a ‘low’ price is because I’m confident. President Inoue, I know trust takes time. You’ll soon get a billion yen loan, so as a trial, let me try with fifty million first."

"In a month, I’ll give you a five million dividend, and tell you exactly how it was earned. We can write this into our separate agreement. At that point, you can decide whether to invest more for me to manage! If you want to withdraw, I’ll immediately get the hundred million yen, and you can rest assured I’ll have fifty-five million ready for you."

Runa Onodera quietly complained—one hundred million yen, called a ‘low’ price?

Did Tao misunderstand the word ‘low’?

"...This sounds very hard to refuse," Ryu Inoue finally put away his last doubts about Tao.

So thorough—just fifty million? He could produce it in minutes.

He’d even explain how it was earned, and let him decide?

Indeed, if he was about to pay Tao a hundred million yen, just a month later, if he decided not to continue, he could easily give him fifty-five million.

After all, Ryu Inoue would definitely check the contract.

Thinking this, Ryu Inoue was genuinely impressed, saying meaningfully, "Tao, how exactly do you make so much money?"

Tao Zhiming just smiled. "President Inoue, you know, of course—it’s in the financial markets."

Ryu Inoue was startled. "Stocks and forex? That... carries a lot of risk."

Tao Zhiming pointed to his head. "This is a Todai mind, after all. I’ve mastered a method for steady profits. And, isn’t there an agreement? If anything really goes wrong later, President Inoue should trust that I have the ability and confidence to repay the debt, right? President Kinoshita would rather give you a billion yen low-interest loan than miss the chance to have me join Mogami Holdings."

"Perhaps, President Kinoshita has already arranged for Honji Kamiki, Deputy Director of the Planning Department, to contact me regularly and help you accelerate the acquisition. President Kinoshita has decided to turn the acquired land in Minato Ward into what I described. I think, even out of respect for Mogami Holdings’ trust, you’ll have basic confidence in me?"

To maximize the value of his house, Tao had naturally offered Mogami Holdings the same proposal as he had to Tomokazu.

And with land already in hand, Mogami Holdings showed much more interest than Tomokazu.

Now, it all depended on Ryu Inoue’s decision.

Ryu Inoue stared at him, uncertain.

What should he do? Suddenly, he wasn’t nervous anymore.

Tao spoke with such reasoned confidence.