Chapter 125: Yakuza Are People Too

Zhao Yuanxi sat in the car, the faint sound of the Tokyo Bay waves reaching his ears, only then realizing how close he was to the sea.

He wore a bitter expression. "Boss Tao, why is your way of doing things so ominous? This is clearly a case of 'if I don't agree, you'll toss me into the sea.'"

Tao Zhiming paused, then burst into laughter. "Where is your mind at? I’m a respectable person."

"If I don’t want to take on this project you mentioned, can I just do something else?"

"You can check the contract; this is just an employment agreement. It’s written clearly: three months, a salary of 5 million yen, to help me prepare and set up the company’s preliminary operations. At the end of the three months, if I’m satisfied, I’ll appoint you as the general manager of the offshore holding company." Tao Zhiming handed him the contract.

Zhao Yuanxi flipped through the pages while deep in thought.

According to information from Sada Nick, Tao Zhiming was indeed a legitimate student at the University of Tokyo, currently in his senior year. His former superior at Nomura Securities, where Nick used to work, held Tao in high regard, claiming his financial investment analysis skills were top-tier. Since he started helping Tao, everything provided had been complete, and the payments were prompt.

Most importantly, the way this man spoke and acted... how to put it? He carried the air of an old hand in the business. It was hard to imagine how a mere student could possess such an aura.

Honestly, Zhao Yuanxi found him quite likable—at least he wasn't as stiff, somber, or dreary as his previous two bosses. But he was undeniably reckless.

The contract was exactly as described. Zhao Yuanxi asked, "The dangerous project you want to take on—will that also be funneled through the offshore holding company?"

"Afraid of being held responsible?" Tao Zhiming sighed. "I told you, if you don't want to do it, I'll use another plan. Actually, if you are willing to do it, the risk is at its lowest. It’s just a land deal, but there are many people eyeing that plot, and because I’m tied up with two different conglomerates, it’s not convenient for me to step forward personally."

"A land deal?" Zhao Yuanxi asked hesitantly. "Don’t take this as me being overly cautious, but I have to ask: how much capital is involved?"

"It’s just a plot of over 3,000 square meters, but the location is very unique." Tao Zhiming understood his caution, but he didn't have many other options. Time was tight, and the people around him were either too easy to trace back to him or simply lacked the capability.

Zhao Yuanxi, at least, had some real-world experience, and since he had only worked at Toyota for a little over a year, it would take some time for others to investigate him—and they might even get sidetracked, assuming he was a proxy for Mitsui.

"Can I get out of the car to get some air?" Zhao Yuanxi suddenly asked.

"I told you, that was just to emphasize the importance of the matter. You think I’d really keep you under house arrest? You’re not a girl." Tao Zhiming shook his head, opened the door, and stepped out first.

Zhao Yuanxi: ...

The two walked to the edge of the parking lot. Zhao Yuanxi observed the surroundings. "This looks like the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens?"

"That’s right. You know it?"

"I used to work around here and came to hang out with Nick." Zhao Yuanxi paused before exhaling. "Boss Tao, I really didn't expect you to bring up the job offer in this way again."

"If I had the luxury of time, I would have preferred to get to know you slowly. You should realize that by doing this, I’m taking a certain risk myself."

"That’s exactly why I’m in such a dilemma. If I sign this contract and find out something is wrong, I won't be able to easily walk away."

"Giving up, then?"

Zhao Yuanxi took a deep breath. "Boss Tao, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

Zhao Yuanxi stared at him. "You can make money so easily in the financial markets; why get involved in something potentially dangerous?"

"You have to understand one principle," Tao Zhiming said calmly. "Once your business reaches a certain level, everything becomes like this. The marketplace is a battlefield—do you think that’s just a figure of speech?"

"I’m not someone who seeks stability."

"I know that, otherwise I wouldn't have asked Nick to invite you. People who seek stability don't keep jumping from job to job. Were you feeling suppressed by your previous two companies? Standing here facing the sea, don’t you have a desire to realize your full potential?"

Zhao Yuanxi looked at him and laughed. "Even in such a serious setting, Boss Tao still likes to make jokes."

"What else should I do? Act like I have a hidden agenda every day? I’d rather laugh until I get crow's feet than scowl until I get frown lines." Tao Zhiming gestured with both hands. "Besides the fact that there's a lot of money to be made, I mostly just find this interesting. Snatching a bite from the mouths of the big conglomerates feels like it would be quite a thrill."

"Just for the thrill, you'd go and provoke the major Japanese conglomerates?"

"It’s not really provocation. In a sense, I’m ultimately working for one of the conglomerates on this matter, but I want to earn a bit more. The benefits they stand to gain are far greater than the price I’m asking."

Zhao Yuanxi watched him stretch his body and thought for a moment before asking, "Boss Tao, when you asked me for my opinion on the events of '97, what exactly were you trying to confirm?"

Tao Zhiming stopped and turned to look at him. "I wanted to confirm which side your heart is on."

"What do you mean by that?"

Standing by Tokyo Bay, Tao Zhiming listened to the waves and said calmly, "If you think the handover is a good thing, then we are brothers from now on."

"And if I think it’s bad?"

"Then I’ll fire you eventually," Tao Zhiming grinned.

"..." Zhao Yuanxi had truly never met anyone like this.

Tao Zhiming turned back to the bay. "I think you have talent, and that’s as much as I know for now. I can understand your current reaction; after all, we aren't close yet. Regardless, it doesn't really matter to me. If this works out, great; if not, I won't be short of people to get things done in the future. Zhao Yuanxi, I’ve expressed my stance very clearly today. Any more questions?"

Zhao Yuanxi was silent for a moment before saying, "One last question. Tao Zhiming, what is your true goal in building a media group?"

Tao Zhiming’s gaze sharpened as he looked out at the sea. "So that we, the Chinese people, can have a powerful voice in the global arena in the future!"

Zhao Yuanxi nodded. "When I resigned from Toyota, I cursed out my section chief."

"Oh? How did you curse him?" Tao Zhiming became interested.

"He didn't understand. I insulted him in Cantonese."

Tao Zhiming felt deflated. "In that case, the subsequent plans will have to be adjusted."

Zhao Yuanxi was stunned. "What does that mean?"

"Forget it, doesn't talking about this mean we've already decided?" Tao Zhiming threw an arm over his shoulder and started walking back toward the car. "Go sign it."

Zhao Yuanxi chuckled dryly. "Why does talking about this mean I’ve decided to sign?"

"If you didn't want to work with me, why bring up old stories? If we were just going to be strangers, I wouldn't have any interest in knowing you." Tao Zhiming grinned. "It’s the right decision. Working with me will be great fun. Save your calm and collected act for dealing with outsiders; in life, you should be happy. Actually, I’m planning to turn that plot of land into a dance hall—let me tell you, it’s going to be absolutely wild!"

"..." Zhao Yuanxi was completely bewildered.

This person was truly enigmatic—one moment full of ambition, the next acting like a prankster. But... he was indeed different from anyone he had ever met. There was a sense of carefree spirit about him that made one look forward to the future.

Watching him sign his name without further hesitation, Tao Zhiming teased, "Actually, it’s because the 5 million yen salary and the 1 million USD bonus were attractive enough, right?"

Zhao Yuanxi, holding the pen, stiffened. "I just overcame the psychological pressure of facing a huge danger!"

"It’s not that dangerous; I was just stating the worst-case scenario upfront." Tao Zhiming picked up the contract with satisfaction and handed him the check. "Now, let me tell you about the project."

Zhao Yuanxi gritted his teeth as he took the check. "Don't worry, I signed it, so I intend to do the job. It’s only for a few months, and the pay is good. After this is done, I’ll see what kind of person you really are. Your ambition... it moved me. It gave me the urge to do something."

"That’s the right attitude!" Tao Zhiming praised. "What doesn't have risks? And never turn your back on money."

"Like I said, it’s not about the money! I want to see if you have the determination to follow through on what you said about having a 'big voice'!" Zhao Yuanxi stared at him. "I’ve studied abroad, worked in Tokyo, lived in Hong Kong—I’ve taken plenty of abuse."

"Then keep watching. At least for the next ten years, you won't see a thing. You might even find out that I’m just a vulgar person—someone who loves money, loves women, and loves meddling in many industries." Tao Zhiming noncommittally replied. "Let’s talk about the project. Come on, let's talk in the car. We'll speak Cantonese; others won't understand us anyway."

"..." Zhao Yuanxi felt like he had just boarded a pirate ship.

One moment he was full of grand ambitions, and the next he turned into a mercenary fellow. Loving money, loving women... honestly, who doesn't?

Tao Zhiming put his arm around his shoulder again and walked toward the seaside, tilting his chin in a certain direction. "The target is a factory over there..."

As he slowly explained, Zhao Yuanxi finally understood the full picture.

Centered on the interests surrounding the privatization of the National Railways and set against the backdrop of the Tokyo land wars, the special significance of the Takeda Manufacturing plot was revealed by Tao Zhiming.

Only then did Zhao Yuanxi realize that the matter involved almost all of Japan’s top conglomerates, where a piece of land worth 10 billion yen was tied to the division of trillions of yen in interests.

"You're shaking a little," Tao Zhiming said, standing to the side and looking him up and down. "Is it fear or excitement?"

"Both."

"Don't worry. Since you’ve decided to do this, I will certainly show you my power." Tao Zhiming’s gaze was profound. "Let’s start with my strategy..."

...

In a high-end restaurant in Minato, Zhao Yuanxi and Tao Zhiming waited for their guests.

He felt a bit nervous, yet also thrilled. After hearing Tao Zhiming’s strategy, Zhao Yuanxi admitted that the plan wasn't as dangerous as he had thought. At least from his perspective, the work he needed to do wouldn't even primarily take place in Japan.

Moreover, he caught a glimpse of that ambition in the plan—it didn't seem so vulgar after all; it held a certain depth.

It was just that he hadn't expected Tao Zhiming’s methods to be so wild.

Tao Zhiming looked at the stiffly sitting Zhao Yuanxi and laughed. "Relax, Yakuza are normal people too."

"Look at what you're saying. Are Yakuza normal people?" Zhao Yuanxi rolled his eyes. "Do you think I haven't seen the underworld in Hong Kong?"

"Then what’s there to be nervous about?"

As soon as Tao Zhiming finished speaking, a voice from outside the private room said, "Excuse me," and the door slid open. Two people entered.

Zhao Yuanxi and Tao Zhiming stood up together. Tao Zhiming greeted them with a beaming smile, "Yo, long time no see, Yuta."