Chapter 133: Financial Conglomerate in Shock (3/4)

Not long after Tao Zhiming hung up the phone, Hidetaka Kinoshita was still in the middle of planning how to handle the Reiko Ishibashi incident when his office door was suddenly pushed open.

"Hidekaze!" Although Zen-ei Anzai appeared calm on the surface, his tone and hurried footsteps betrayed him. "Things have taken a turn for the worse!"

"Anzai-kun, have you seen the news about me as well?"

Zen-ei Anzai nodded gravely. "I have. But the situation is even more dire than that!"

"..."

Kinoshita’s heart sank. His primary point of contact with Anzai was regarding Takeda Manufacturing. He quickly asked, "What has happened with Takeda Manufacturing?"

Zen-ei Anzai sat heavily onto the sofa. "Takanao Takeda brought his financial director and produced the full amount in cash to pay for the raw materials!"

"...Where did they get that kind of money?"

"That is exactly why things are so dire!" Anzai slapped the arm of the sofa, grinding his teeth. "It is highly likely that Mitsubishi intervened! With this cash, Takeda Manufacturing will be able to produce the goods needed by Henghe on schedule. Two of our most effective methods of strangling them, as utilized by Sumitomo, have been severed!"

He then looked at Kinoshita and said, "Your situation isn't simple either! The reform plan for NTT has been finalized, and discussions and hearings for the National Railways reform are about to begin. If you need to divert a large portion of your prepared capital to resolve your current predicament, we will find ourselves in a very passive position!"

Kinoshita frowned and walked over to him. "Indeed, I have considered that. The incident occurred last night; how could Reiko Ishibashi alone have stirred up such a massive commotion in just one night?"

"Hidekaze, you must ensure that your capital reserves are sufficient," Anzai stared at him. "Our current funds are tied up in the foreign exchange market, and we cannot guarantee the safety of our positions. If we liquidate now, the losses will be significant!"

"...I understand. Then, what about Takeda Manufacturing?"

"This move by Mitsubishi..." Anzai’s face turned grim. "Since they want to break the shackles we, Sumitomo, have placed on them, we must respond. As for our current options... one of them requires your assistance."

Kinoshita stared at him. "You don't mean to ask me to have Brother Kazushi arrange for some men to disrupt Takeda Manufacturing’s production so they can't deliver on time?"

"If necessary, we can be even more ruthless!" Anzai’s eyes were cold. "The raw material supply is officially Takeda Manufacturing’s responsibility to transport. I can give you the delivery schedule and vehicle information!"

Kinoshita shook his head firmly. "According to our agreement, I am only providing additional financial support and asking Brother Kazushi to help deter their yakuza influence. Taking direct action like this exceeds our previous agreement! The risk is too high; I will not ask Brother Kazushi for this."

"I can arrange a time to persuade Lord Inagawa myself!"

Kinoshita looked at him with disbelief. "Such crude methods would easily become a vulnerability for Mitsubishi and Mitsui to exploit! Aside from strangling them through Henghe, what other arrangements do you have?"

"If Takeda Manufacturing completes the order and receives the final payment," Anzai said irritably, "they will pin their hopes on negotiating with Mitsubishi to pay the interest first and the principal later. This is a common practice. It was only because Mitsubishi offered a loan 3 billion yen higher than the land's assessed value at the time, and Takanao Takeda was confident in his repayment ability, that they agreed to pay both principal and interest together. Now, if he has the money to pay the interest first, even if he proposes a slightly higher interest rate, he will choose to survive this year's crisis first. Most importantly, with this money, he won't even consider selling the land or being acquired!"

"So the pressure from Henghe remains the most effective..." Kinoshita realized. "Does Mitsui know about this situation?"

"It’s not certain yet, but they should know by now!"

"Then why not wait and see what move Mitsui makes? After all, their overall acquisition strategy is the most passive. They don't have the card of Mitsubishi’s loan, nor the card of Sumitomo’s order."

Anzai clenched his fist. "The initiative must be in our own hands! Kinoshita-kun, please contact Lord Inagawa."

Kinoshita sighed as he looked at him. "Fine. But from what I know of Brother Kazushi, he won't agree to this."

"That is for me to persuade him!"

...

"What exactly is Sumitomo doing?" In an office at Mitsubishi’s headquarters, a man sitting behind a massive desk looked confused.

"I am also puzzled," the person reporting said, bowing his head slightly. "In short, after Takanao Takeda left the magnetic powder supplier's plant, their president rushed to Sumitomo in a panic. It seems they didn't expect Takeda Manufacturing to be able to pay in cash. My inside source confirmed that just yesterday, they were still asking Takeda Manufacturing to pay using equity as collateral."

"So... what is Sumitomo doing?" The high-ranking executive tapped his fingers on the desk. "Judging by this reaction, is it trying to create the illusion to Mitsui that it was us? Are they trying to force the passive Mitsui to concentrate their efforts on us?"

"Since it wasn't us, it must be either Sumitomo or Mitsui. Managing Director, why don't you think it was Mitsui? That man from Hong Kong previously worked for Mitsui..."

The Mitsubishi Managing Director frowned. "It wasn't Mitsui! In the long run, their plan is actually the most beneficial for Takeda Manufacturing. Helping Takeda Manufacturing resolve the pressure from Sumitomo does not serve their interests. Only when Takeda Manufacturing is truly at the end of its rope and calmly evaluates the situation will they choose the most favorable path: joining the Mitsui Group to gain more room for development."

He then muttered to himself, "Does Takeda Manufacturing have other secret accounts? If our previous investigation was correct... that man from Hong Kong is indeed the most suspicious. You said earlier that during his last visit to Takeda Manufacturing, he carried a suitcase?"

"Yes, and afterwards, he went straight to the airport and left Tokyo..."

"Cash for the payment?" The Managing Director's eyes sharpened. "Whatever Sumitomo is planning, since one of their reserves is running into trouble, let's make that trouble even bigger! Besides, doesn't Yuhe want to do something? Tell them to explain their strategy to me! They can be informed of the current situation!"

"Understood, I will handle it immediately!"

...

With a single move from Tao Zhiming, waves of chaos began to swirl around Takeda Manufacturing.

Zhao Yuanxi suddenly became a focal point of suspicion, and two forces were now certain that the money had come from him.

Tao Zhiming asked into the phone, "Are you saying that in Hong Kong, you also discovered people suspected of investigating you?"

"That's right. It's incredible. Two friends called me today saying someone was beating around the bush asking about me, acting as if they admired and valued me. Just now, after I finished the paperwork to go to Nan Yue, I found a car following the taxi I was in."

"Watch your own safety," Tao Zhiming paused. "If necessary, use the money I gave you to hire two bodyguards. It will give you some prestige in the mainland and act as a precaution."

"What about my family and friends..."

Hearing his worried tone, Tao Zhiming smiled. "It's not that exaggerated. Everyone knows that with such a big matter, if you are a key figure, you couldn't possibly have told your family and friends. Besides, your background is easy to investigate; they will essentially only target you. Once you get to the mainland, you will be absolutely safe. The budget I gave you is enough, isn't it? If you really must, hire an extra person to secretly keep an eye on your home."

"...Just as you said, this business is a bit dangerous."

"For 1 million US dollars, this risk is controllable. Don't worry, you only have to face this pressure for a short time." Tao Zhiming’s voice was calm. "Takanao Takeda should have received my letter by now."

"...Alright, that’s the current situation. I'll hang up now; I need to prepare for my safety."

"Caution is better," Tao Zhiming laughed. "Let's talk again tomorrow."

No sooner had he hung up than the phone rang again.

After picking up, he heard a voice ask, "Are you... the contact person Zhao-kun mentioned?"

Tao Zhiming’s eyes brightened, and he said with a smile, "Yes. President Takeda, how has your day been?"

Takanao Takeda asked in a deep voice, "Your name?"

"Let's save that for when we meet," Tao Zhiming countered lightly. "Have any large companies looking to acquire Takeda Manufacturing suddenly contacted you with more lenient terms?"

"...They have."

Tao Zhiming was even more certain. "President Takeda, there is someone around you who cannot be trusted. Let's talk when we meet."

"...Following the method in your letter?"

"That's right, it's better to be cautious. How about this evening?"

"Why choose the school where Taro is attending?" Takanao Takeda’s tone was filled with distrust. "You really are up to no good!"

"President Takeda, you'll understand once we meet. It's a school, after all; surely you don't suspect I would do anything inside a school?" Tao Zhiming’s voice was calm. "How about 6 PM? Is that alright?"

"...Fine!"

Takanao Takeda hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

Present in the room was only his nephew, Goro Takeda.

"Goro, remember to confirm the progress on the shipments! Make sure the remaining cash is well-guarded and do not deposit it into the bank for now, do you understand?"

Goro Takeda nodded heavily and then asked, "What about Sony and TDK..."

"Everything will wait until I return!" Takanao Takeda interrupted him, then added, "I have left a message at the home where Taro is staying. If Taro calls back, tell him to be extremely careful. Even at school, try to avoid being alone!"

"I understand!"

Only then did Takanao Takeda stand up, determined and somewhat angry as he prepared to leave.

That Zhao Yuanxi had readily provided 150 million in cash; he definitely had an ulterior motive!

As soon as the payment was made today, those large companies preparing to acquire Takeda Manufacturing began to move.

Their intelligence was remarkably sharp.

The person who sent him the letter stated bluntly that some of his subordinates might have been bought off. Some forces were able to learn about every move Takeda Manufacturing made immediately.

As Takanao Takeda walked out of the plant, he couldn't help but glance around.

Who were the people watching him?

Not only had something happened at home, but now, was his son being targeted as well?