Chapter 46: Mixed Blood

The bewildered Runa Onodera left first after completing her account opening, while Zhiming Tao remained at Nomura Securities, waiting for the person Ichiro Kawasaki had mentioned. This fellow had just jumped ship from Nomura Securities to the soon-to-be-established Bloomberg Tokyo office, and Ichiro Kawasaki was still sighing, “Nick, that guy—had he stayed longer at the company, in two years he would surely be promoted from associate to department head. Now he’s gone to Bloomberg, an elite trader reduced to being like a salesman, it’s tough for him.”

Zhiming Tao found it amusing. “So, he left Nomura but still managed to sell products back to his old employer?”

“Exactly, that’s what makes him special.” Ichiro Kawasaki introduced with interest, “Nick Sata is a mixed blood; his mother’s American. Probably because he grew up in the States, he doesn’t quite fit in with our company culture. As he says, ‘Starting something new is always more fun.’”

A playful young man’s image took shape in Zhiming Tao’s mind.

Not long after, a casually dressed man arrived. Zhiming Tao glanced at him and immediately noticed the mixed heritage in his features—his facial structure was more pronounced, yet surprisingly, he wasn’t particularly handsome. Perhaps because his eyes happened to be rather small.

“Big brother Ichiro!” His Japanese was flawless, and Nick Sata asked excitedly, “You said there’s a client interested in our products?”

Ichiro Kawasaki introduced, “That’s right. Mr. Tao here specifically asked about your product, which surprised me. Sata-san, I didn’t expect you’d already made a name for yourselves.”

Nick Sata looked at the young Zhiming Tao in amazement. After greeting him, he asked with curiosity, “Tao, you know about our product? Actually, we haven’t even secured an office yet—how would we have time to properly introduce it to potential clients?”

Zhiming Tao smiled, “I heard from Kawasaki, didn’t Nomura Securities already lease three terminals?”

Nick Sata was surprised, “It seems, Tao, you really know something about us. Actually, if I hadn’t convinced my former boss to lease three terminals, I wouldn’t have gotten the manager position for the Tokyo office.”

Zhiming Tao had mentioned leasing, which was precisely Bloomberg Terminal’s business model. The machines were leased, and Bloomberg provided ever-expanding services inside, with additional charges for extra features.

Judging by his brash personality, Zhiming Tao could understand why Nick hadn’t fit in at Nomura.

“So, what’s the annual cost now? How long to get it installed?”

Nick Sata replied calmly, “Currently, it’s annual lease only—fifteen thousand US dollars.”

He watched Zhiming Tao, but the young man showed no sign of surprise. Instead, Zhiming Tao asked, “Payment in US dollars?”

“Yes.” Nick Sata brightened. “Since the Tokyo office isn’t officially open yet, we have to ship from the US. Rest assured, Tao, we’re in expansion mode and will give our utmost to handle everything.”

“I suppose I’m the first individual client here with an interest?” Tao laughed, “Any discounts for such a customer?”

“From the office’s standpoint, I can only apply the global standard. But you’re right, we haven’t yet sold to any individual clients—the product does have a high threshold for use…” Nick Sata bowed, “It’s my duty to explain this. Bloomberg has a unified price for all users, no discounts. But trust that we provide the most professional service!”

Zhiming Tao found it amusing. Although Nick was a Japanese-American, raised in the States, it seemed his father’s authority was stronger at home—judging by his impeccable manners.

Then Ichiro Kawasaki spoke, “Don’t worry, Tao is a genius from the University of Tokyo! Tao, you really have a secret weapon for investment analysis, don’t you? Even with such a novel product, you’re confident to use it. I’m looking forward to seeing how far your 250 million yen will grow.”

Nick Sata chimed in, “Tao, you’re amazing! The University of Tokyo—truly a place others can only aspire to. Investing 250 million yen, that’s a big move for an individual investor. Trust that Bloomberg Terminal will help you shine in the financial markets. After all, on Wall Street, Bloomberg Terminal is becoming standard equipment!”

His praise was sincere, both for Zhiming Tao and the product itself.

Zhiming Tao smiled, “Rest assured, as long as it’s available, I’ll definitely buy.”

The speedy response left Nick Sata overjoyed. It had been tough since he started this endeavor; while Bloomberg was unstoppable on Wall Street, the Japanese market hadn’t quite accepted it yet.

Moreover, Japan’s financial market had only fully opened last year, but Bloomberg was still striving to integrate all sorts of Japanese market data to build competitiveness. Until that step was complete, Bloomberg would struggle to truly break through in Japan.

Could it be that, at this stage, individual clients were unexpectedly an easy market to develop?

Zhiming Tao’s eagerness was due to genuine need. The Bloomberg Terminal was perhaps the only tool he was familiar with, one he could quickly pick up and master. Its later dominance in finance, and the founder’s rise to billionaire and even a stint as New York mayor, was all because at this point it was genuinely advanced.

While other terminals only offered basic scrolling quotes and query functions, Bloomberg’s provided intuitive chart displays, perfectly suited to Zhiming Tao’s habits.

More importantly, Bloomberg focused on financial data and information interaction. In the near future, Bloomberg itself would become synonymous with the financial world. At this moment, it had all the information Zhiming Tao needed most.

As for the annual fee of several million yen—Zhiming Tao could easily afford it now.

Time is money; he couldn’t keep relying on scattered information from television for his judgments.

To excel at one’s work, the right tools are essential.

Consulting through Nomura Securities about this was indeed the right choice, and it was unexpectedly an acquaintance from Nomura.

Zhiming Tao’s next question stumped Nick Sata, “Right now, my main need is information on the Japanese financial market. I know you’ve done well in the US, but what about Japan? Has your system for information and data been established? With your office still being set up, it’s a concern.”

“...Please rest assured, Tao!” Nick Sata steadied himself. “Japan is one of the world’s most important financial markets, we wouldn’t neglect it. Even now, Bloomberg can provide the most comprehensive and professional data and information for Japanese market users!”

Zhiming Tao thought it over and said, “Alright, I hope you’ll live up to the trust I’m placing. Let’s discuss the specifics. When can the machine be installed?”