Chapter 124: The Fierce Boss (Seeking First Subscription)

After this round, Tao Zhiming’s financial foundation was thoroughly established.

Next, what he needed was a team. So he extended an invitation to Maebara Kumina, and now he was driving to the airport again.

Zhao Yuanxi was taken aback when he saw Tao Zhiming. “Boss Tao, you actually came to pick me up?”

“Just trying to win some goodwill,” Tao Zhiming said candidly, smiling as he led him toward the parking lot.

Zhao Yuanxi followed alongside, dragging his suitcase, and remarked, “You’re straightforward.”

Tao Zhiming chuckled. “Of course I am. Honestly, you won’t regret coming with me. In some ways, this is a chance in your life.”

Zhao Yuanxi was speechless; this guy really was confident.

“Thanks for your hard work this time. Things moved quickly,” Tao Zhiming said sincerely. The concept of an offshore company was likely unfamiliar to someone young like Zhao Yuanxi; at least, he hadn’t personally handled it before. But with a little guidance from Tao Zhiming, Zhao efficiently found a law firm in the U.S. and completed the process.

In response, Zhao Yuanxi also spoke earnestly, “I learned a lot this time.”

“Stick with me, and you’ll learn even more,” Tao Zhiming promised.

Zhao Yuanxi glanced at him; every sentence seemed to have a purpose.

On the way to the hotel, Tao Zhiming asked, “Old Zhao, you used to be in Hong Kong, right? What’s the general view there about the joint declaration signed at the end of the year before last, regarding the events of ’97?”

“Events of ’97?” Zhao Yuanxi was puzzled by his interest. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Apart from the wealthy and powerful, us ordinary folks are pretty worried. Mainly because we’re unfamiliar with the changes and fear things might shift too drastically.”

“And what’s your personal take?” Tao Zhiming asked without averting his gaze, as if making casual conversation.

“I haven’t thought deeply about it yet. What exactly do you want to confirm, Boss Tao?”

Tao Zhiming looked at him and smiled. “Why do you assume I want to confirm something?”

“Because the first thing you said to me was in Mandarin. Later I thought about it and felt there might be some deeper meaning.”

“There’s no hidden meaning. I’m an outsider here in Japan,” Tao Zhiming said lightly. “My grandfather was from South Guangdong. He was brought here as a laborer back in the ’40s. Lucky to survive. He stayed here since then, no way to return. I have another name too—Tao Zhiming.”

Only then did Zhao Yuanxi realize he was a descendant of the Xia nation and said with some surprise, “Ah, that explains why you speak Mandarin.”

“I can speak a bit of Cantonese too,” Tao Zhiming switched dialects. “Not very well, since I don’t practice. But at school, I met a Xia student, so I spoke Mandarin with her a lot.”

Hearing the familiar language, Zhao Yuanxi smiled warmly. “You speak quite well.”

“Old Zhao, I want to find someone from my own kind. You get it?” Tao Zhiming glanced at him again. “I know you’re cautious about your third job, especially since you’re getting a bit older.”

“...Not that old, right?” Zhao Yuanxi thought to himself; he was only 26.

“I’m looking for a professional manager, not just a regular employee. You studied in the U.S. and worked in a Japanese company. Don’t you want to fully utilize your talents? You left your family business in Hong Kong because the good positions were already taken by relatives, right?”

“Boss Tao, since you brought it up, I actually want to ask,” Zhao Yuanxi became serious. “Why did your company register offshore from the start?”

“Do you think it was unnecessary? Why not get the business going first?” Tao Zhiming smiled. “Old Zhao, frankly, while you were in the U.S., my assets multiplied several times. If I’d directly operated in Japan, I’d be crying over the taxes next year.”

“Several times?” Zhao Yuanxi was stunned. “How is that possible…”

“Anyway, I’m a pro at forex trading,” Tao Zhiming thought about future crises and long-term profits, confident in his persona. “Since we have time in the car, I told you my future plans last time. Did you analyze them?”

Zhao Yuanxi gathered his thoughts before replying, “Honestly, I’m being very cautious about deciding my future path again. Registering offshore first definitely helps with the group’s structure, your personal assets, and tax matters. The next step involves investment and financial management. Since you’re a pro at that, no doubt. But why start the cultural publishing side with bookstores?”

“Bookstores are great,” Tao Zhiming smiled. “Japan is one of the few countries where this industry can survive well. Besides, once the chain is established, expanding into publishing isn’t such a loss at the start. Then magazines, newspapers, all with a solid distribution base.”

“I just don’t get it. You make money so fast in finance. Why bother with this?”

“Haha!” Tao Zhiming laughed. “Making money isn’t a burden anymore. Everyone needs a pursuit in life. Doing this makes me happy.”

“Cultural publishing... makes you happy?”

“Absolutely. It suits my status as a graduate of the University of Tokyo!”

“So basically, you make money in finance to support your dreams?”

Tao Zhiming’s gaze on the road deepened. “Exactly—to pursue my dream. But who says cultural publishing can’t be profitable? If I build it up into a global media conglomerate, it’ll be very lucrative.”

Zhao Yuanxi was shocked. “A global media group? Without newspapers or TV stations, what kind of media group is that? Running newspapers and TV isn’t easy. Or to be blunt, with your skin color—even if you have Japanese citizenship—you couldn’t make that happen here.”

“You’re insightful,” Tao Zhiming smiled at him. “That’s why I’m starting with bookstores.”

Zhao Yuanxi couldn’t grasp the logic.

How does opening bookstores lead to a media conglomerate? Was he crazy?

Tao Zhiming couldn’t explain that unique path in detail; it would take two or three decades of development. So he said simply, “Anyway, if you want a more exciting life, following me is a great choice. Just think of me doing cultural publishing as a way to spend money. I’ll spend on other things too.”

Zhao Yuanxi thought Tao Zhiming was just overconfident because he’d made quick money in finance.

“The U.S. dollars needed for the offshore registration have already been transferred. Now we just wait for the formalities to complete. Once the framework is set, my funds will go out first, then back into Japan to establish the subsequent companies,” Tao Zhiming shifted back to practical matters. “Meanwhile, you stay in Tokyo. How about we do something big?”

“Something big?”

“To give you a clearer understanding of my current level,” Tao Zhiming’s expression turned serious. “In March, I interviewed with Tokyo’s hottest new real estate powerhouse—Mogami Real Estate.”

He proceeded to detail the planning process for the “Mogami Paradise Town” project, including Kinoshita Hidekaze’s attention to him, the 52 million yen annual consulting fee, bringing in another company, Yuwa Trading, to form a new company, and the 1 billion yen “Mogami Paradise Town” design plan.

Zhao Yuanxi was stunned and couldn’t help but say, “You have this kind of capability… Why not just do real estate? Isn’t that the fastest way to make money? Or… if you have this ability, why even interview?”

“Why limit myself?” Tao Zhiming smiled. “As for the interview… it’s to meet some big players. Besides, as I said, I was out of cash at the time. The interviews pay well, tens to hundreds of thousands of yen each.”

Zhao Yuanxi had no response.

“I’m not lying to you,” Tao Zhiming grinned. “I’m telling you this not just to show I might be someone worth following, but to get practical. Things have changed recently—I need someone to step up and handle some matters. Honestly, it’s a bit risky. If you pull it off, the pay will be substantial. I expect results within six months. If not, I’ll still give you 100,000 U.S. dollars. If successful, 1 million U.S. dollars.”

Zhao Yuanxi’s heart skipped. “One million U.S. dollars?”

“Yes, let’s be realistic about money,” Tao Zhiming nodded firmly. “But you must act as the general manager of the company I’ve already registered. Think of this as negotiating your salary and your first project bonus.”

“I’m suddenly a bit nervous,” Zhao Yuanxi admitted. “Risky? This isn’t illegal, is it?”

He couldn’t understand how a legal job could pay so much in six months—and that was just his share; the bulk would go to Tao Zhiming.

“Illegal? No way,” Tao Zhiming looked at the road, steering smoothly. “It’s legitimate. I’ll only tell you the details after you sign the contract.”

“If you don’t explain, I can’t decide.”

“I warned you—if you sign, be prepared to be locked in Japan for at least a year,” Tao Zhiming parked the car in a lot, cut the engine, and looked at him.

The atmosphere suddenly turned tense.

Zhao Yuanxi stared. “Boss Tao, what do you mean by that?”

“Nothing much,” Tao Zhiming smiled. “I’m just asking you to seriously consider whether it’s worth trying for a million dollars. When I say there’s some risk, it’s just business competition—rivals might play dirty. But don’t worry, I have helpers in both legal and other channels.”

Zhao Yuanxi gave a wry smile. “Boss Tao, aren’t you a University of Tokyo grad? What do you mean ‘both channels’…”

“I’m serious,” Tao Zhiming’s smile faded. “This project involves competition among Japan’s top financial conglomerates. Old Zhao, don’t you want to take a shot? Life doesn’t offer many chances like this. Don’t think you’re young at 26—you’re actually kind of old and cautious.”

“...” Zhao Yuanxi thought, You’re young, yet you say stuff like locking me up here for at least a year.

“The reason I want you is because you’re not Japanese. You can buy me some time. I guarantee you won’t be harmed. How about it? Just think it over.”

Zhao Yuanxi shook his head firmly; “Not harmed” sounded too scary.

Tao Zhiming pulled a contract and a check from the car’s glove compartment: “Sign this contract, and this 5 million yen check is immediately yours. If after hearing everything you feel you can’t handle this, just focus on the bookstore and investment management company. The 5 million yen will be your three-month trial salary.”

Zhao Yuanxi stared blankly.

Tao Zhiming met his gaze. “I’ve laid everything out. The decision is yours. If you can’t sign here and now, then our connection ends with that 2,000 U.S. dollars. Don’t worry, I haven’t even told you the details, so locking you up is just a joke.”

“I hope the person I choose isn’t timid or indecisive. If you don’t want to work with me, I won’t come looking for you again. The offshore registration will be completed, and the remaining money will be yours. Old Zhao, I’m sure you’ve already learned a lot about me from Satani Nick. After all these days, it’s time to decide—will you forge a path with me or continue searching for a place to use your talents as an employee? Think carefully.”

Zhao Yuanxi was genuinely overwhelmed; who recruits people like this? Both carrot and stick.

Is the boss always this fierce?