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Chapter 1258: Chapter 114: Strong Medicine (Subscribe please!)
Another side.
Tang Qing hung up the phone.
Indeed, just as Maruyama Takeshi had guessed.
On both sides.
It could truly be said to be "one of our own", on one hand due to the relationship with the Ge Family of the United States, and on the other, Maruyama Clan was an entity within Tang Qing’s consortium’s plan that could be brought on board.
Add to that the status of Maruyama Takeshi’s mother.
A triple relationship.
Saying they were "one of our own" was not an overstatement. At present, the fighters over there had not yet made contact with Maruyama Takeshi, but it was only a matter of time. By the end of the year, Japan’s consortia would formally establish themselves.
Now was the preparation and development stage.
South Korea would be even later than this, as the consortia of the two countries were deeply entrenched. To stir up a good game within such a stronghold was an art.
It couldn’t be accomplished overnight.
Taking advantage of the financial crisis of these two years.
He had to dig a big pit.
And put some people into it. South Korea and Japan were two countries with very stable social hierarchies, which, put bluntly, meant severe class stratification. To break the old rules, potent medicine was needed.
What was potent medicine?
Potent medicine was.
This year.
All the way to the end of the year.
The consortia of both countries might not experience much peace.
For instance.
Just five days ago.
A professor from Seoul University publicly delivered a speech on the media titled "On the Role of Samsung Consortium in the South Korean Economy", concluding that its monopolistic status had created and deepened class stratification and hindered fair market competition.
It should be dismantled.
In the coming period.
He would continue to wave the flag and cry out.
Just one professor.
Little influence.
However.
This wasn’t even the appetizer, just an initial propagation of a concept. The rest needed to be broken from the inside. This speech was merely to instill a "solution" in everyone’s minds.
When things went wrong later.
Some people who saw the benefits would cast their votes with their feet.
...
The following day.
Morning.
Maruyama Takeshi arrived as promised.
He brought along a slew of carefully chosen gifts.
Although he had previously settled an account using a shipping company, he couldn’t possibly show up for the first time empty-handed. At the moment, only Tang Qing was in the manor; the others had gone to a nearby scenic spot to watch a performance.
They wouldn’t return until noon.
With Tang Qing there.
Maruyama Takeshi did not feel slighted.
Lake Pavilion.
Several plates of pastries were set out on the table.
"Come, have a taste."
Tang Qing brewed a cup of tea for Maruyama Takeshi.
"Thank you." Maruyama Takeshi accepted with both hands, took a small sip, and couldn’t help himself, drinking it quickly and then smiling awkwardly at Tang Qing. "I’m sorry, it’s just so delicious."
"If you like it, pour it yourself," Tang Qing said with a laugh.
"Thank you."
Maruyama Takeshi couldn’t resist pouring himself another cup, but he didn’t drink as quickly this time. Seeing that they were alone with the bodyguards far away, "Boss Tang, about that matter on the Atlantic, thank you."
"A mere trifle," Tang Qing said with a dismissive wave and a smile.
"No matter what, you have shown me great kindness. I truly couldn’t have anticipated that you would appear before me in this manner. I used to think that I might never meet you in this lifetime," Maruyama Takeshi sighed.
"If it’s meant to be, we will meet."
"Thank you for treating the employees of Meijo Shipping well. I heard they are all doing quite well and even got a raise in wages," Maruyama Takeshi had heard that the person who took over Meijo Shipping had not changed the base salary, but had increased the sea duty allowance.
"That company has nothing to do with me," Tang Qing said with a teasing smile.
Maruyama Takeshi got the message and hurriedly said, "Right, nothing to do with it. So please pass on my thanks to your friend for me."
"I will."
"..."
The two enjoyed the warm breeze,
chatting away.
Time passed quickly.
They were much closer by now, and Takeshi Maruyama was also planning to attend Ge Feng’s wedding at the end of the month. Hearing that Tang Qing would be there, he was very pleased, signifying that the foundations of the alliance between the two were solid.
At noon,
the uncles returned.
Tang Qing introduced Takeshi Maruyama to them.
Tang Kai was puzzled.
He wondered how Tang Qing could have a friend from Japan, so he pulled him aside. Tang Qing shared the explanation they’d agreed upon, "His mother is Chinese, and the Maruyama Family is also a good friend of the Ge Family."
After hearing the explanation,
Tang Kai nodded.
As long as it wasn’t an abnormal connection, a friend of the Ge Family shouldn’t be someone with ulterior motives. Plus, Tang Qing had mentioned that the guest owned more assets than he did, so Tang Kai immediately dismissed his concerns.
As for the gift that clearly wasn’t cheap,
he didn’t think much about it either.
It’s just that the guy was wealthy.
And Takeshi Maruyama’s politeness
also earned the unanimous favor of the Tang Family.
...
In the evening,
Takeshi Maruyama left.
Afterward,
two plainclothes officers arrived.
They showed identification badges with the National Emblem.
"Boss Tang, may we ask about Mr. Takeshi Maruyama’s purpose for visiting you?" They were National Security operatives, tasked with following him after his entry into the country, primarily for protection.
After all,
Takeshi Maruyama’s mother was from Huaxia.
The Maruyama Clan had almost been exposed at one point and then was mysteriously cleared of suspicions, with no leads detected by intelligence outposts to this day. Such a major incident had mysteriously dissipated into silence.
Utterly bizarre.
And they couldn’t find any clues in Takeshi Maruyama’s connections.
They were very curious about his purpose for visiting Huaxia, surprised that it was to meet Tang Qing, given that there had been no prior contact between the two. Thus, at noon, orders from above came in to ask Tang Qing.
"Making a friend," Tang Qing said casually.
"Making a friend?"
"Yes, I mean, what era are we in now? I meet a friend from Japan, whose mother is Chinese, and you start interrogating me? Is that really within your scope of work?"
After speaking,
Tang Qing feigned surprise, "Or are you implying that Takeshi Maruyama is a problem?"
The two exchanged glances.
"No no no, Takeshi Maruyama isn’t a problem. He’s quite a well-known tycoon in Japan. His sudden entry into the country, especially coming directly to Qingyan City – we have to be responsible for national security," one of them quickly explained.
"I see."
Tang Qing seemed convinced
and began to clarify, "A friend is getting married, and he was the matchmaker. Knowing my relationship with the groom’s family, he thought of visiting. After all, I have some capital and his company wants to enter the Huaxia market in the future, so he came early to scout things out."
This explanation
they could accept.
Otherwise,
they couldn’t very well press Tang Qing further. What status did Tang Qing hold? The wealthiest man in inland Huaxia with extensive connections – without the nod from a big shot, even their superiors wouldn’t have the authority to take him in for interrogation.
Now it seemed
there was no issue.
"The friend, is it Ge Feng from the United States?"
"It seems you know a lot," Tang Qing nodded.
The lead officer smiled, "Just routine procedure, thank you for your cooperation. Sorry for the inconvenience. We hope you can keep tonight’s conversation confidential and not mention it to others. Goodnight."
"Safe travels."
The two quickly left the manor.
"Is that it? Why not ask more?"
"What else is there to ask? Our goal was to clarify Takeshi Maruyama’s reason for coming to Huaxia. Since that’s known now, there’s nothing more to inquire about." Seeing his subordinate wanted to speak, he preempted,
"Don’t forget what we do. It’s inelegant to rely so much on questioning."
"Right... that’s true."
