Chapter 2089

"No matter how busy I am, I must make time to see Chairman Zhou. You have truly brought great honor to our country."

Ambassador Cui laughed heartily, his laughter bright and bold, as if the entire room were filled with his joy.

"Back home, you might not feel this sentiment so deeply, but living here in Japan, I have experienced it firsthand. It's not just the embassy; many Japanese people are discussing your acquisition of Sony shares and your becoming their fourth-largest shareholder.

From their tone, I can deeply feel their anger, but even more so, their unwillingness and helplessness. This makes me exceptionally happy; whenever I hear someone mention this, I cannot help but puff out my chest."

Ambassador Cui's words were filled with pride and glory. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and his voice was impassioned and powerful, as if it could pierce through the walls and let the whole world hear.

His words were highly infectious. Huang Zhenhai and the other two embassy staff felt a strong sense of national pride welling up in their hearts, and their gazes simultaneously fell upon Zhou Andong.

They recalled the scene when they first arrived here, facing a highly developed Japan, and then thinking of their own country's poverty and backwardness, their hearts were filled with bitterness and helplessness.

But now, seeing Zhou Andong achieve such success, they felt incomparably gratified. Because they knew that this young man represented not just personal success, but the manifestation of China's economic rise.

"As the saying goes, 'Only when the vast sea rages does the true character of a hero shine through,'" Ambassador Cui continued. "Comrade Andong may only be a businessman, but he harbors a deep dream of a strong nation.

When our country faced unfair treatment and humiliation while applying to join the International Space Station, he donated one billion US dollars to the country without hesitation. This patriotic spirit is admirable and worthy of all of us to learn from!"

Hearing this, even with Zhou Andong's peerless thick skin, he couldn't help but feel his face heat up slightly at this moment.

"Leader, you flatter me. In truth, the achievements I have made today are entirely inseparable from the country's support and cultivation. It is precisely because I have such a powerful backing that I have been able to grow and thrive.

Therefore, facing this heavy responsibility, I can only redouble my efforts and continue to forge ahead so as not to fail the country's expectations of me. From now on, I will continue to go all out and contribute even more strength to the motherland's economic development!"

When it came to spouting official jargon, Zhou Andong was absolutely inferior to no one, but to Ambassador Cui and Huang Zhenhai, this was modesty and open-mindedness. Otherwise, at such an age, how could he possibly have such achievements?

Huang Zhenhai sighed and said, "If there were more talents like Chairman Zhou, our country would surely become stronger and stronger, and our influence on the international stage would grow ever greater."

Another middle-aged woman nodded and said, "As long as we are of one heart and mind, and strive hard, the country will surely get better and better, and the people's lives will become happier and happier."

Ambassador Cui once again grasped Zhou Andong's hand: "Comrade Andong, you are a microcosm of us Chinese people; no matter when or where you are, you can create miracles!"

Zhou Andong's face wasn't just hot; he felt it burning. The Ambassador to Japan was a vice-ministerial level official, so he couldn't let Ambassador Cui continue like this.

Being praised by a leader of this rank, once or twice was fine, but wave after wave like this—who the hell could stand it? If he didn't stop it, he would surely float away.

But before he could say anything, that woman spoke first.

"Leader, let's not stand; let's all sit down and talk."

"Right, right, right!" Ambassador Cui realized: "Comrade Andong, let me introduce you. This lady is the head of our embassy's secretarial group, Min Huifen."

Then, Ambassador Cui introduced the young man beside her who had been silent all along: "His name is Xie Quan, and he is an attaché (the lowest-ranking diplomat) at our embassy."

Zhou Andong introduced Yuan Wanqi to Ambassador Cui and the others: "General Manager of Xiangjiang Qiudongfang, Yuan Wanqi. This acquisition of Sony shares was handled by General Manager Yuan."

For a talent like Yuan Wanqi, especially since she was from Xiangjiang, Ambassador Cui and the others similarly gave the respect and enthusiasm that was due.

Then, everyone sat down, and Zhou Andong said, "Leader, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and see me."

"Comrade Andong, coming to meet with you is also my job," Ambassador Cui said with a smile. "The central authorities attach great importance to your commercial negotiations with Sony this time and have issued a notice to the embassy that we must provide all possible assistance.

Therefore, if you have any difficulties or needs, you must bring them up, and I will think of every possible way to solve them for you. Remember, standing behind you is the motherland and over a billion people."

Zhou Andong was truly moved: "I didn't come this time to join Sony's board of directors."

"Oh?" Ambassador Cui asked in confusion: "Do you want to sell the shares back to Sony?"

"No, my goal is Sony Music and Sony Pictures."

Zhou Andong explained his plan, with the focus naturally on resisting Hollywood's cultural aggression, which made Ambassador Cui and the others admire Zhou Andong even more.

"Comrade Andong!" Ambassador Cui said with a serious expression: "I just said that if you need help, you must bring it up, and the embassy will spare no effort to assist you."

"I don't need it for the time being," Zhou Andong said with a sincere tone: "If I encounter difficulties and need help, I certainly won't be polite."

"Good!" Ambassador Cui nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you aren't polite; I was just afraid you would be."

This exchange lasted for over an hour. Finally, Ambassador Cui invited Zhou Andong to visit the embassy, where he would invite some entrepreneurs from the Japanese Chinese Chamber of Commerce to attend a banquet.

Zhou Andong agreed, promising to go before returning to the country. He and Yuan Wanqi then saw them out to the hotel entrance, and only returned after watching their car leave.

……………………

Sony Headquarters!

Watanabe Jingyuan stood before the floor-to-ceiling window with a cup of coffee, looking at the brilliant lights outside with a sinister gaze.

Yoshioka Kunihiko stood beside him, holding a cigar in his hand, his expression so gloomy it could drip water.

They were very, very angry, but this anger did not come from Zhou Andong, but from Mitsui Gen'nosuke.

Others didn't know why Mitsui Gen'nosuke was so enthusiastic toward Zhou Andong, but they could guess seven or eight parts of it.

The Mitsui family wanted to sell the Sony shares in their hands, and the best buyer was Zhou Andong.

There were many people interested in Sony, but at this time, it wasn't easy to sell shares for a good price.

But Zhou Andong was different. That guy already held 13.6% in his hands. If he got the 8.9% in the Mitsui family's hands, then Zhou Andong would leap to become Sony's second-largest shareholder.

In this way, Sony would truly be in danger. Holding over twenty percent of Sony's shares, with just a little more effort, he could make Sony change hands. Who could resist this temptation?

Therefore, the shares in the Mitsui family's hands could only maximize their profit if sold to Zhou Andong. And Zhou Andong would certainly spare no cost.