Chapter 288: Funds, Transactions, and Intelligence

There are mainly two types of companies in Japan: one is the large-scale joint-stock company; the other is the medium-sized limited liability company.

The definition of a joint-stock company is relatively strict, requiring registered capital exceeding 10 million yen, three directors, a fixed place of residence, and a statutory auditor.

A limited liability company, however, is very simple; it only requires 3 million yen to be deposited into an account, along with one director and a Japanese representative.

Anjiu Bookstore is not listed on the stock exchange, so it naturally takes the form of a limited liability company.

Therefore, the procedure for Akiwara Yuto to acquire the bookstore from Anjiu Gangyi was not complicated.

However, a small problem arose when it came to the transfer of funds.

Anjiu Gangyi insisted on a one-time full payment of 2 billion yen.

His reason was that he was optimistic about South Korea's economic potential and intended to invest in the South Korean stock market immediately.

Upon hearing this, Akiwara Yuto felt surprised.

It was not strange that Anjiu Gangyi wanted to leave Japan; after all, he had no reason to stay after selling Anjiu Bookstore.

He was merely surprised that the other party actually wanted to go to South Korea to invest.

After the Japanese economic bubble, both domestic and international capital began to flow into South Korea, which caused the South Korean economy and stock market to climb steadily.

But by 1997, South Korea suffered a crushing defeat during the Asian financial crisis; it could be said that they sold off half the country.

It is currently 1993, and if Anjiu Gangyi enters the South Korean stock market at this point in time, he could probably make a profit.

But four years later, he would likely have to pay back the money he earned.

However, Akiwara Yuto did not try to persuade him, because due to this incident, the friendship between the two had already vanished.

In order to raise the insufficient funds, he even had to dispose of some intangible assets facing depreciation.

……

Two days later, Chiyoda Ward.

Akiwara Yuto, accompanied by Asano Aiko and Lawyer Kitaoka, arrived at Kejiaoguan together and met with the editor-in-chief of "April Youth," Da Cheng Lixiang, as well as three other people in charge at Kejiaoguan.

His purpose for coming today was regarding the sale of the copyright for the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series.

In fact, he had made an offer of around 1.5 billion yen, intending to sell both the film and television adaptation rights for the next 10 years and the work's copyright.

After a brief conversation between the two sides, Da Cheng Lixiang said politely, "Teacher Akiwara, regarding the copyright offer for 'Furuhata Ninzaburo,' we believe 500 million yen is more appropriate."

Akiwara Yuto did not reply, while Asano Aiko smiled and said, "Editor-in-Chief Da Cheng, judging from the ratings of the second season, the 'Furuhata' series is still a hit work. Is such a work really only worth 500 million yen?"

Da Cheng Lixiang retorted, "Ms. Asano, after all, two seasons of the TV series have already been filmed, and the ratings have dropped slightly compared to when it first aired. We cannot guarantee how future broadcasts will perform."

Asano Aiko was about to retort, but Akiwara Yuto waved his hand and asked a question.

"Editor-in-Chief Da Cheng, do you know how many copies of the 'Furuhata' series' collected volumes were sold in the first half of the year?"

Da Cheng Lixiang asked in confusion, "300,000 copies?"

Akiwara Yuto laughed, "A full 600,000 copies, and basically no advertising or promotional fees were invested."

Because of the hit TV series, even without deliberate promotion, the "Furuhata" series still had many fans purchasing it.

And he did not believe the other party would be unmoved by a work with an annual sales volume that could reach 1.2 million copies.

After hearing this, Da Cheng Lixiang had a female accountant beside her start calculating with a calculator.

600,000 copies in half a year means an annual sales volume of 1.2 million copies; even if each book is priced at 2,000 yen and the net profit is only about 50% in royalties, the annual net profit is 1.2 billion yen.

Looking at it this way, a copyright fee of 1.5 billion yen is actually quite reasonable.

After reaching this conclusion, she immediately discussed it with Da Cheng Lixiang and the others.

Akiwara Yuto watched their actions, appearing calm and unconcerned.

In fact, his statement had a certain degree of misleading nature; the 600,000 copies sold in the first half of the year were inseparable from the TV series and the previously accumulated fans.

Moreover, the "Furuhata" series would only be popular for these two or three years.

Not only that, judging from his past-life experience, it would at most be filmed for three seasons and two or three movies.

As the usable tricks became fewer and fewer, this series would still follow the same path as Conan, appearing with more repetitive tropes, making the audience and readers feel weary.

By that stage, it would be good if annual sales could reach 300,000 copies.

However, Akiwara Yuto did not intend to cheat the other party; this offer of 1.5 billion yen would not cause the other party to lose money, at most they would just earn a little less.

Twenty minutes later, Da Cheng Lixiang and the others seemed to have reached a result.

She smiled and replied, "Teacher Akiwara, if there are no problems, let's sign the contract."

Akiwara Yuto nodded and then handed the contract to his lawyer to look over once more. After simply modifying a few sentences, both sides signed the agreement.

The film and television rights and distribution rights for the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series for 10 years were sold to Kejiaoguan for a one-time price of 1.5 billion yen, with the latter acting as the distributor.

However, there was a special note included: the "Furuhata" series still being serialized in "April Youth" would no longer be marked with the words "Authored by Akiwara Yuto."

Regarding this point, Da Cheng Lixiang had no objections.

After all, this work had already found others to ghostwrite and continue it, so it was no longer appropriate to specifically emphasize Akiwara Yuto's name.

If they continued to hang a sheep's head but sell dog meat like this, it might be similar to the ghostwriting incident at "Tokyo Youth" and be boycotted by readers.

"Teacher Akiwara, come to my office and have some tea."

After the signing was finished, Da Cheng Lixiang extended an invitation.

Akiwara Yuto agreed. After letting Asano and the lawyer return, he went to Da Cheng Lixiang's office.

"Editor-in-Chief Da Cheng, is there something you specifically wanted to find me for?" Akiwara Yuto did not believe that the other party would specifically pick a time to invite him alone.

"Can't it just be a chat between acquaintances?" Da Cheng Lixiang smiled and then took the initiative to pour him a cup of tea. "Teacher Akiwara, you sold the 'Furuhata' series this time because of your relationship with Jingfan Society, right?"

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused and asked back, "Could it be that you even have... inside Jingfan Society?"

Da Cheng Lixiang smiled without answering, and Akiwara Yuto was completely speechless.

Among the four major publishing houses, Kejiaoguan had basically infiltrated them all; was this intelligence work a bit too outstanding?!

However, he didn't feel there was anything wrong with it, so he replied, "Yes, I currently have some conflict with Jingfan Society."

Da Cheng Lixiang nodded; she actually didn't find it strange.

Jingfan Society had dominated the mystery publishing market for more than a day or two, and Akiwara Yuto's rise had broken their monopolistic rule over this market.

Conflict between the two sides was bound to erupt sooner or later.

But the timing of this conflict was a little earlier than she had thought.

She thought for a moment and decided to do Akiwara Yuto a favor, saying, "Teacher Akiwara, Jingfan Society has already specifically established a group targeting you, and they might be planning to..."

Listening to the intelligence she provided, Akiwara Yuto's expression gradually became serious...