Chapter 45: The Terminal

After leaving the bank and arriving at Nomura Securities, Kudo Changle was stunned by what Tao Zhiming said: "Two hundred and fifty million yen?"

Tao Zhiming nodded. "That's right. Quickly increase the position. You can leverage more now!"

Kudo Changle was still processing the information and couldn't help but ask, "Who... exactly are you?"

"What’s the matter? Haven’t you ever handled a position this large?" Tao Zhiming asked with a smile.

"Are you joking? Don’t be fooled by how I look—I’ve handled massive funds too." Kudo Changle insisted, but truthfully, he’d never been authorized to manage an account at this scale on his own.

He was considering calling his manager when Tao Zhiming added, "We’ve been in contact often enough. I’ve decided—it’ll be you handling my trades. Stick to the previous strategy, and don’t waste time now. Also, open another account for her, with the same leverage standards and execute the same operations."

"A new account?" Kudo Changle glanced at Onodera Runa, then simply nodded.

Although Tao Zhiming said he’d let Kudo manage it, Kudo still called his supervisor, then had to process the funds while saying, "That’s the company rule... but Tao, are you sure I’m up to it?"

"You’re just carrying out my instructions; the responsibility is mine," Tao Zhiming replied with a smile. "Besides, you’ll earn a higher commission."

Kudo Changle saw the 250 million had indeed been deposited into the account and couldn’t help but marvel, "Honestly... Tao, your constant position increases are already surprising enough. But at this pace, if profits continue as before, the results will be astounding..."

Tao Zhiming asked, "Have I already attracted attention internally?"

At this stage, he was just starting out and had to rely on securities companies qualified for trading to operate. Once he laid the foundation over these two months, he’d have to consider setting up his own company to obtain trading qualifications. Otherwise, even though other clients wouldn’t know his records and profits, the staff at the securities firm would. It wasn’t a problem while the volume was small, but eventually, it would attract too much attention.

"Of course. The manager is very interested in performance. On Monday, he mentioned wanting to meet you."

"The manager? That’s fine."

Tao Zhiming had little footing in Tokyo, so expanding his network would only be beneficial.

Perhaps, in the eyes of relevant people, his rise had been too rapid. But if he held back out of caution and missed this opportunity for explosive profit, it would hardly be worth it. He, Tao Zhiming, was certainly not some naïve college student. Years of experience taught him that only by quickly establishing his own strength before others reacted could he mobilize resources.

Kudo Changle’s supervisor soon appeared.

"My, it's lucky to meet Tao so soon!" Kawasaki Ichiro, after inviting Tao Zhiming into the reception room, greeted him with a beaming smile. "Changle tells me Tao’s trading strategies are all self-devised, and the results are unbelievable! How much more assets do you have, Tao? With your ability, why not invest even more at once?"

Tao Zhiming smiled. He thought, 'I’m slowly piecing this money together, aren’t I?' He neither confirmed nor denied, instead asking, "Kawasaki, am I now considered a significant client?"

"Of course!" Kawasaki Ichiro dared not take him lightly. "I’ve been looking forward to meeting you."

Previously, it was only because the account’s return was remarkable, but now he’d learned that the funds had suddenly reached over 250 million yen. Anyone capable of investing such an amount at once was someone to be taken seriously.

Tao Zhiming stated his intention, "If a client like me encounters trouble, Nomura Securities should have the capacity to introduce people who can help, right?"

Kawasaki Ichiro was taken aback. "Are you in some difficulty, Tao?"

Tao Zhiming shook his head. "No, but as I manage more funds, I worry about attracting unwanted attention in the future. In short, I’m someone who knows to make preparations ahead of time. Kawasaki, if needed, could you introduce such contacts?"

"…Yes, I could." Kawasaki hadn’t expected this topic, but after a moment added, "Tao, please trust in Nomura’s professional ethics. We would never divulge a client’s private information!"

"I have no doubt." Tao Zhiming laughed. "But I believe Nomura has great power in the legal sphere. In the future, as my investments grow, I’ll consider establishing my own firm and might need to ask for your help with various matters."

Kawasaki Ichiro’s eyes lit up. "If you need legal counsel, we can certainly provide it."

The needs of the wealthy are often similar, and companies like Nomura integrate many high-end services. This Tao seemed to have such requirements—perhaps a scion of a prominent family, preparing to start his own enterprise and assemble his own team after receiving start-up capital?

Tao Zhiming left this impression with him and didn’t pursue the subject further, instead requesting that Kudo Changle continue to handle his trades. Although Kudo’s skills and internal priority weren’t high, he would now prioritize Tao’s orders.

"That’s no problem. Changle will surely remember your support," Kawasaki said with some appreciation.

With Tao Zhiming’s asset level, he was already qualified to request Nomura assign more experienced traders to serve him directly. Allowing Kudo to continue was a real opportunity for Kudo’s advancement.

Kawasaki Ichiro sighed, "Such confidence—Tao clearly has his own insights into investment analysis. The speed at which your assets have grown proves it."

"By the way…" Tao Zhiming brought up another matter besides increasing his position ahead of the rate cut announcement. "Kawasaki, I’d like to install a display terminal at home. I’ve found an interesting product. Do you guys use Bloomberg terminals yet?"

Kawasaki Ichiro was surprised. "You know about this latest product, Tao?"

Tao Zhiming thought, 'Of course I do; it’s only recently been released.'

In an era of scarce and slow information sources, a tool that integrates financial data is crucial.

"Can it be used here in Japan now?" Tao Zhiming asked, uncertain.

He wasn’t sure whether this future giant had entered Japan yet.

Kawasaki replied, "I know they’re only just attempting to enter Japan. Even we at Nomura have only procured three units, mainly for researching overseas markets… If you just want a personal display terminal, there are more mature products available."

But Tao Zhiming’s eyes lit up. "Kawasaki, could you introduce me to their contacts? Have Bloomberg set up an office in Tokyo?"

"They’re still preparing. If you’ve made up your mind, I do know their people…"

"Please!" Tao Zhiming, knowing that in the late 80s and 90s the Bloomberg terminal was the best tool available, would certainly not choose the more outdated so-called "mature products."

Onodera Runa listened, completely bewildered.

What on earth was that?