Chapter 129: Suspicion and Decision (3/4)

"What? You mean that Hong Konger is offering 100 million yen for the production line at Takeda Manufacturing's old plant?" Hiroshi Omiya bolted upright in bed.

The woman beside him was startled awake, looking at him with a hint of fear.

"Yes," the voice on the other end of the phone said. "Takanao Takeda must have some plan with that Hong Konger. Looking at it now, he’s been suspicious of me ever since his outburst earlier. In my judgment, Takanao Takeda will likely accept these terms. After all, he only needs to sign the agreement to receive 100 million yen in emergency funds for materials, and the equipment doesn't have to be shipped to Hong Kong until the agreed-upon date in September."

Omiya threw off the covers and stood up. After clearing his head, he said, "So, it’s highly likely a decision will be made today?"

"Exactly! After all, he has to pay the magnetic powder supplier tomorrow."

"We must stop this!" Omiya said, before suddenly adding, "No, wait..."

He rubbed his temples, thought for a moment, and then said, "Facilitate it!"

"President!" the voice on the other end exclaimed. "If that happens, there won't be any issues with the order from Henghe Trading! In that case, Takanao Takeda will have no reason to abandon his partnership with Henghe to turn to Youhe!"

"Do as I say!" Omiya raised his voice slightly, his tone stern.

"...I understand. I'll go to the factory at daybreak and persuade him!"

After the call ended, Omiya paced to the window.

"Omiya-sama..." the woman on the bed spoke timidly.

Omiya waved a hand. "Go back to sleep. I have things to take care of."

He thought for a moment, began to dress, and walked out without a second glance.

If the magnetic powder supplier received their money and Henghe Trading received their goods on schedule, they would no longer have any leverage over Takeda Manufacturing. Therefore, if that were to happen, Sumitomo would certainly take other actions. Only under such circumstances would Mitsubishi, distracted by too many other concerns, potentially agree to let Youhe step in to do something.

...

"You’ve worked hard visiting so many companies over the past two days. Don't rush today; just get some good rest and wait for Takanao Takeda's reaction," Tao Zhiming said into the phone after returning to his research lab.

"By having me act this way, are you trying to muddy the waters?" Zhao Yuanxi asked. "It’s highly probable that someone inside Takeda Manufacturing has been bought off. Are you saying that because of what happened yesterday, things might get very lively at Takeda Manufacturing today?"

Tao Zhiming glanced at the securely locked door and laughed softly. "Indeed. Whatever the situation, Takeda Manufacturing will face new pressures today. In any case, let's see what moves the others make. If Takanao Takeda doesn't contact you during the day, give him a call tonight to ask how he’s considering things."

"Fine, I'll wait then and watch some television at the hotel."

"Try chatting with Nick; see if you can get him to jump ship and work for you," Tao Zhiming teased. "I need someone to manage my investment portfolio, and you are my future holding company general manager, after all."

"...He's quite motivated at Bloomberg right now."

"How much motivation can one have without money? I don't suppress people here," Tao Zhiming said cheerfully. "I can pay very well. As long as the pay is high enough, his integrity will surely follow."

"...I don't know what you're talking about. I'll give it a try."

After hanging up, Tao Zhiming checked the market. There was nothing worth noting; the current wave of slight devaluation hadn't ended yet. Runa Onodera was already lending out money, and several housewives had already been reeled in.

He thought for a moment, then leaned over the desk and began writing a letter. On a custom envelope from the University of Tokyo next to him, the recipient was written as Takanao Takeda.

Regardless, Takanao Takeda had to make a decision today.

Once the letter arrived tomorrow, whether he had accepted Zhao Yuanxi's terms or not, Tao Zhiming would need to have a word with him.

Meanwhile, Tao Zhiming prepared. Takanao Takeda waited until the afternoon, but he received no new calls and saw no other developments. He couldn't help but call Zhao Yuanxi. After the hotel operator connected him, Takeda asked directly, "Regarding the terms you mentioned yesterday, do we really only need to ship the equipment to Hong Kong before September?"

"That's right! I know you need money urgently. As soon as the agreement is signed, the money can be given to you in full!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll break the contract later?" Takeda asked in a low voice.

"Naturally, I am confident you won't."

"This agreement is just a new noose around my neck, isn't it? What is your real goal?"

Zhao Yuanxi sounded calm on the phone. "President Takeda, I understand that you are suspicious of everything right now. But you must make the judgment and the decision yourself. As far as the partnership we are discussing is concerned, unless you truly break the contract, I am the one taking the risk."

"100 million yen is too little! You can keep your shares, but I must have 150 million!"

"No, the shares are your guarantee that you will provide us with process and technical guidance. Forgive my bluntness, but an extra 50 million yen in cash won't solve the fundamental problem of your debt to Mitsubishi."

Takeda gritted his teeth. "You really do have a hidden agenda!"

"...President Takeda," Zhao Yuanxi sighed. "I'm just offering a reminder. Now that the Japanese yen has appreciated so much, a brand-new set of equipment wouldn't cost even a million US dollars, which is only 160 million yen, am I correct? Not to mention that these are machines you've already used for two years. Between depreciation, dismantling, and reassembly, don't you think receiving 100 million yen in cash and 20% of our new factory's shares is reasonable? Do not assess the current value based on what you paid for the equipment back then. Furthermore, considering the trouble Takeda Manufacturing is in, letting you become a shareholder in our factory is a gesture of goodwill on my part. At this very moment, have you received many partnership offers fairer than this one?"

Takeda was speechless. It wasn't imported equipment; how could he argue based on the rise in the yen's purchasing power?

"So, please consider it carefully."

"If you truly have such sincerity!" Takeda paused, thinking of his current predicament, and said, word by word, "Come here one more time! Don't say you don't want to get caught in a whirlpool; since you sought me out for a partnership at this time, don't pretend you have no other motives!"

Zhao Yuanxi smiled. "Does that mean President Takeda has decided?"

"130 million yen!"

"...President Takeda, then let's make it 120 million yen. But in that case, the shares I can offer you in the new factory will only be 10%."

"I don't need those shares! If 10% of the shares are worth 20 million, then give me 140 million yen!"

Just as Zhao Yuanxi was about to speak, he heard Takeda continue: "The process technology can be fully authorized and taught to you, including training and guidance, all of which can be written into the agreement. But this part is valuable experience—give me 150 million yen in total!"

"..." Zhao Yuanxi was silent for a moment.

In the previous terms, Takeda Manufacturing was only responsible for the dismantling, transport, installation, and technical guidance of the equipment. While it would teach the new factory's workers how to make magnetic tape, the quality... Takeda was offering to hand over all the optimization techniques and experience for just over 60,000 USD?

Zhao Yuanxi confirmed, "Will it reach the same quality as Takeda Manufacturing's current products?"

"That will depend on the level of your workers. As for the technology, it will be exactly the same as what we possess. We can write it into the contract; I will have my production manager stay at your factory for two months!"

"Please wait a moment, I need to consider this."

He hung up the phone and called Tao Zhiming to explain the situation, then asked in surprise, "Is their process experience really only worth 10 million yen? Could there be a trap?"

Tao Zhiming said noncommittally, "Don't overestimate the sophistication of their process. If Takeda Manufacturing were truly excellent in technology, how could they be just a mid-sized factory? At most, they have some experience and tricks that can make the production line more stable and reduce the scrap rate. 10 million is 10 million; it still has value for us. Besides, didn't we prepare 150 million anyway? This way, we even saved 20% of the shares."

"Then... will there be any danger if I go there with this much cash?"

Tao Zhiming laughed. "Are you afraid of being robbed? That would be great! If that actually happened, I would have an even better excuse to act. Don't worry, it won't happen. He is just desperate right now, and our terms are actually quite good; they happen to solve his immediate difficulties."

"...Fine, I'm heading out then."

Tao Zhiming said lightly, "Confirm the agreement, make sure there are no issues, and after everything is done, remind him to look out for tomorrow's mail. Since we are all in Tokyo, it should arrive tomorrow."

After speaking with him, Zhao Yuanxi opened his suitcase. Inside was 150 million yen in cash, stacked neatly. Tao Zhiming trusted him enough to hand it over just like that. However, were the yakuza he had seen that night watching him from the shadows?

Zhao Yuanxi didn't dwell on it. After confirming the contents, he called Takanao Takeda to confirm his stance. Afterward, he packed his things, made one final call to Nick Sata, and said, "In any case, you might want to consider it. Things have changed, and I might head back to Hong Kong today, so our meeting tonight is canceled."

"Eh? Today?"

"That's how it is." Zhao Yuanxi hung up, checked out of the hotel, booked a flight through the hotel, and walked out pulling his suitcase.

"To Takeda Manufacturing, near the Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens." As he sat in the taxi, Zhao Yuanxi glanced around. A few gazes flickered toward him and then shifted away. He didn't know if there were Tao Zhiming's people or the other conglomerates' people that Tao Zhiming had mentioned.

But not long after, news reached the people from Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Mitsui.

"That Hong Konger went to Takeda Manufacturing again."

"Just confirmed it. He booked a flight for tonight and went there with a suitcase. It seems he wants to persuade Takanao Takeda one last time before leaving. Director, do you think it's possible he knows the situation at Takeda Manufacturing?"

"..."

In the president's office at Takeda Manufacturing, Takanao Takeda reviewed the revised agreement, looked at Zhao Yuanxi, and said, "For something this important, I want my management team to take a look together."

Zhao Yuanxi smiled. "I have no objections."

A while later, Goro Takeda, Hideita Kimura, and Kazuo Tanimura arrived at his office. Takanao Takeda read their expressions and said, "In short, I have decided. Only the three of you know about this for now! I am going to sign it right now!"

Kazuo Tanimura let out a sigh of relief, looking pleased. "Actually, Hideita told me about this last night. No matter what, we can breathe a sigh of relief. President, I support your decision!"

Takanao Takeda looked at Hideita Kimura in surprise, only to see him sigh. "You decide, President. Anything is better than having no future."

Goro Takeda seemed to want to say something but held back.

Takanao Takeda was actually confused. He had truly decided to sign, and no one was coming to stop him? What exactly were these people planning?