Chapter 382: Doing Business, I'm a Professional

Xie Ruolin had arrived on the Ghost Island two months ago.

With his capabilities and the one hundred thousand dollars in "official business funds" from Hong Zhiyou, he had long since paved the way for connections here among the Japanese.

"Old Xie, you've put on some weight."

Hong Zhiyou looked at Xie Ruolin, whose face had grown fuller and who now sported a bit of a double chin, and said.

"That, that's a must. I'm here every day eating and drinking with the Americans and the Japanese, sleeping with... sleeping with their women.

"How could I not get fat?"

Xie Ruolin chuckled dryly.

"Don't even mention it, the Japanese women are truly quite good. No wonder that guy Mu Liancheng was so infatuated with Keiko back then.

"As long as the money is right here, they'll serve you just like you're their... their ancestor.

"I'll take you to... to enjoy yourself tonight.

"Don't worry, it's a high-end setup. The places MacArthur and his lot go to—I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

He turned his head to look at Hong Zhiyou and blinked.

"We'll see," Hong Zhiyou said with a wave of his hand and a smile.

"People on the outside all call you the... the Playboy, the Cannon King of Jinhai.

"Actually, that really does you an injustice.

"If you don't have money, no benefits, or if the woman doesn't catch your eye, you treat them all like dog shit.

"You'd rather be a monk."

Xie Ruolin, however, understood Hong Zhiyou.

"No, I just don't want to get poisoned," Hong Zhiyou said.

With the way those Americans are, it would be a miracle if the women they've touched were clean; MacArthur himself has the nickname "The Syphilitic General."

He certainly didn't want to become a "Syphilitic Colonel" at such a young age.

"Whatever fast food, main course, house flower, or wild flower.

"Who cares what kind of poison you get.

"How many days are there in a person's life?

"As long as it feels good, that's all that matters."

Xie Ruolin pressed the horn and continued.

Then, he began to report on his work:

"There's good news and bad news. Which... which one do you want to hear?"

"Let's hear the good news first," Hong Zhiyou said.

"The good news is that General Randall still thinks very highly of you.

"The bad news is that the news of your arrival on the Ghost Island is already known to the Minister of Economy, Ikeda Sugiue, and the Kong family. Kong Lingkan has sent his trusted aide, Wu Fangzhi, here to negotiate business.

"Our chances of winning aren't high.

"You know that MacArthur is the emperor of this place, and Ikeda Sugiue is his loyal lapdog. With that person making trouble, I don't think MacArthur will sell you grain," Xie Ruolin said.

"No.

"MacArthur will definitely sell it to me," Hong Zhiyou said with certainty.

"Huh?"

Xie Ruolin raised an eyebrow. Seeing that he offered no further explanation, he said:

"Alright.

"If you say he'll sell, then he definitely... definitely will."

In his heart, Hong Zhiyou was a true "divine calculator," especially when it came to business; he had never miscalculated.

"There, there's an even worse piece of news," Xie Ruolin said.

"Do you remember Miss Keiko, who was by Mu Liancheng's side?

"Her maternal family is the Sakata clan.

"They used to be members of the Military Cabinet. Although the Military Cabinet has been dissolved, her family still possesses significant influence. Among them, her older brother, Sakata Toshio, is a big shot in the local Yamaguchi-gumi.

"They all know about you blackmailing Mu Liancheng in Jinhai.

"Ikeda Sugiue and Sakata Toshio definitely won't let you off.

"No, I won't hide it from you, I was caught by this bunch of thugs just a few days after I arrived here, and I had a few ribs broken.

"If General Randall hadn't issued a strict order to get me back, I would have been buried alive by them long ago."

Xie Ruolin said it in an understated tone.

"Old Xie, I'm sorry," Hong Zhiyou said apologetically.

"Why say that?

"If you hadn't fished me out, I... I would still be selling intelligence, and that would definitely have been a... a dead end too.

"Besides, that brutal beating from Li Ya really took a toll on my body.

"I reckon I don't have many years left to live.

"Forget about breaking a few ribs; as long as they don't cut out my tongue or my little brother, even if they chopped off an arm or broke a leg, that... that would all be a small matter," Xie Ruolin stuttered with a laugh.

"Old Xie, actually, the fortune you've saved is enough to last you the rest of your life," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Little brother.

"Is what I earn just money?

"That is dignity, the value of a human life.

"Climbing from a small-time thug in the Party Affairs Bureau to now eating at the same table as... as MacArthur, and perhaps even sleeping with a woman he once played with.

"Damn it, just ask who... who else can do that!

"Even the Generalissimo and Jianfeng don't... don't have this ability."

Xie Ruolin tilted his chin proudly and smiled at him with a cheeky, raised eyebrow.

"Alright, you win," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's a must.

"Look at you, you're making money, but you live... live like a dog, worrying about this and that all day long.

"I'm different.

"If I'm in a good mood, I sell a few more houses. Whether it's Xiangdao, Ghost Island, or Wandao, I go wherever I want.

"What woman can't I play with?

"When I'm tired one day, can't earn money, and can't play with women anymore, I'll just take a handful of sleeping pills, close my eyes, and leave easily.

"As for the money.

"That... that thing, you can't bring it with you when you're born, and you can't take it with you when you die. If I haven't spent it all by then, just because Lele chases me around calling me 'Uncle' every day, it'll all be hers.

"Who, who cares about it!"

Xie Ruolin waved his hand and answered with great clarity.

Hong Zhiyou had nothing to say.

This guy didn't love money.

He just enjoyed the process of earning it.

Thinking of Old Xie working hard his whole life, a pure lifelong wage slave for the Hong family, Hong Zhiyou actually felt a bit ashamed.

Damn it.

It seems it's time to give Old Xie some shares and turn him into an even more productive beast of burden.

At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at Lele's good fortune.

Some people are born to be beasts of burden.

Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Lele was the latter.

Not to mention her own father, from the moment she was born, money and property were already prepared for her.

Her grandfather was a Major General.

She was a grand-niece personally recognized by Jianfeng.

Her future uncle-in-law was Liao Sanmin.

Her aunt was Hong Xiaohui.

Including her aunt Cuiping.

A pure-blooded elite.

With Sanmin's cleverness, if he could survive that period in the future, becoming the Mayor of Jinhai, or the Commander or Chief of Staff of the Garrison Headquarters, would be a piece of cake.

At the very worst, he could go to a small place and be an island garrison commander or a political commissar.

Not only did she have people in official positions, but she also had dedicated, tireless professional wage slaves like Xie Ruolin by her side.

And top-tier bodyguards like Sun Cheng and Zhou Yan.

Thinking about it carefully, Hong Zhiyou was so envious he felt numb.

If he had had the chance to tie the shoelaces for someone like Chou'er in his original world, he wouldn't have ended up working 996 until he died and transmigrated here to be a beast of burden.

Comparing people to people really makes one want to die of anger.

The car soon drove into the military camp.

At this time, there were hundreds of thousands of American troops on the Ghost Island.

MacArthur usually lived in a private residence converted from the former embassy.

As MacArthur's confidant, Randall was stationed at the Allied General Headquarters camp.

They arrived at the entrance.

A red-nosed, blonde-haired officer was already waiting.

This person was none other than Major General Randall, a staff officer at the Allied Headquarters.

"Mr. Xie, is this Mr. Hong?"

Upon meeting, Randall walked over and enthusiastically extended a large hand.

"General, a pleasure to meet you," Hong Zhiyou said in English.

"Hong, my good friend, I've finally seen you.

"Last time, thanks to you helping me handle that batch of scrapped ordnance and ammunition, otherwise my big ranch in Texas would have been hopeless," Randall laughed without reservation.

Don't look at the last arms deal as being at cabbage prices; the volume was so large that Randall made a fortune.

Of course, Hong Zhiyou earned even more.

There is nothing in this world more profitable than being a broker for arms and grain.

Once a deal is made.

Just by flipping it, the net profit starts in the hundreds of thousands of US dollars.

"General, it is my honor to cooperate with you," Hong Zhiyou said.

"It's a pity that the President has banned arms sales and aid to Wandao; not even a single bullet is allowed, otherwise we could definitely have made another big deal.

"You know, our baseball games have wiped out the Japanese Bushido spirit.

"We have confiscated piles of swords like mountains.

"Once the military factories start up, that will be countless guns and bullets."

Randall walked to the camp and poured wine for Hong Zhiyou.

Xie Ruo politely greeted him, then very professionally carried his wine glass and left the barracks to keep watch outside.

In business, one must respect the rules.

If Hong Zhiyou let him get involved, he would be eager to do so.

If he dared not get involved, he must never ask an extra word.

"General, with your status, what cannot generate money?"

Hong Zhiyou sipped the red wine and smiled confidently.

"I ask Mr. Hong to enlighten me," Randall asked hurriedly.

"I wonder if you have ever drunk Commander Kirk's Axe-brand red wine?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I have.

"That is a Falanxi brand, the taste is top-notch, and I like it very much," Randall said.

"That is not a Falanxi brand.

"It has long been bought out by me; if you are interested, I can cooperate with the Allied Headquarters to supply it exclusively to the US military and high-ranking Japanese officials.

"No, it is to let you be the agent for the entire island.

"For every bottle of wine sold, I will give you a net commission of 50 cents.

"Selling ten thousand bottles is five thousand US dollars.

"One million is five hundred thousand US dollars.

"What does the General think?"

Hong Zhiyou raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile.

"A great idea.

"However, without the permission of Chief MacArthur, I'm afraid it's difficult," Randall said.

"Then pull him in.

"I can spare him another 50 cents per bottle.

"I ask the General to introduce me so I can meet the Chief," Hong Zhiyou raised his wine glass.

"Of course," Randall clinked glasses readily.

"Actually, there is another ready-made fortune lying before the General," Hong Zhiyou said again.

"Oh?

"Speak quickly, speak quickly," Randall asked hurriedly.

"The General just said you collected a large batch of ironware; I want to know if these ironwares are under your direct control?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"I can make the call," Randall nodded.

"I have a friend who happens to be buying steel; the General can bundle these millions of samurai swords, along with some scrap metal from the Japanese military, and some construction steel bars and iron materials to sell.

"Of course, the price cannot be too high.

"I might be able to facilitate it and help you flip it.

"After all, it's just sitting there, and once it rusts, it will become worthless; why not sell it and buy a few more cows and a few roosters for your ranch?"

Hong Zhiyou said.

Randall's eyes lit up instantly.

He was just worrying about how to handle it; with Hong Zhiyou's casual pointer, the scrap metal instantly turned into gold.

"Perfect.

"Hong, this idea is very perfect, you... you are truly the messenger of light sent by God to save me.

"I simply love you to death, Hong!"

Randall put down his wine glass and gave Hong Zhiyou a big hug.

"Of course, I am a professional at making money!

"The faster the better; the General should pack it up first and stockpile it at the port of Yokohama, and my friend in Xiangdao will send a ship to transport it.

"As for money, that is not a problem.

"US dollars upon delivery."

Hong Zhiyou said.

"Of course, no one would doubt the credibility of a gentleman; drink, drink!" Randall nodded repeatedly.

After finishing the wine, Randall personally sent Hong Zhiyou to the car.

"Go back and contact Rong Bin, and send a ship to haul this batch of steel away," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Rong Bin?

"You want to haul this batch of steel to Shanghu?" Xie Ruo immediately understood.

"Of course," Hong Zhiyou said.

This batch of samurai swords collected from all over the country, as well as the steel left behind by the Japanese military industry and construction, is quite significant.

Right now, MacArthur has completely shut down the Japanese military industry.

To the US military, these are indeed scrap metal.

But by next year, the war on the Korean Peninsula will be on the verge of breaking out, and these will become raw materials for forging weapons.

If one can buy them now and find a way to transport them to Shanghu.

Not only can one make money, but it can also indirectly support a wave, and also indirectly drag the US military's feet for next year.

It is truly a beautiful thing that achieves three goals at once.

"Isn't it being shipped to Wandao? Handing it to the Red Ticket, you won't earn many pennies.

"That guy Randall is very stupid.

"If we lower the price and ship it to Wandao for military production, we can earn more," Xie Ruo said.

"You are overthinking.

"If I haul it to Wandao, Jiang Jianfeng won't give me a single penny; he will think it is only natural.

"Wandao is a political transaction.

"The Red Ticket is a principled business.

"Let's put it this way: even if I don't earn a cent, giving it to Rong Bin earns me a favor.

"Giving it to Jiang Jianfeng, at most I am considered a capable official, and later he will assign me more tasks to fleece me for free.

"Forget it."

Hong Zhiyou waved his hand, knowing the score.

"Hmm.

"That... that makes sense.

"Selling it to the Rong family, they are all our own... family," Xie Ruo laughed.

The Rong family holds quite a few shares in the shipyard.

Including the construction of Hong Island.

And the local connections with the Governor's Office and the Chief Inspector, all cannot do without the Rong family's arrangements.

Arriving at the hotel.

Xie Ruo said: "Why don't you just stay at my place?

"Staying at a hotel is too unsafe."

"With so many rooms, providing security is quite troublesome."

"Look at it the other way, having many rooms has its advantages. I'm off, stay safe," Hong Zhiyou said.

"I'm not afraid.

"They have already captured me once; Sakata Toshio isn't crazy enough to dare go against Randall."

After exchanging greetings, Xie Ruo took his leave.

Returning to the room.

Wan An knocked on the door and walked in: "Secretary Hong, who was that person just now?"

"Are you interrogating me?" Hong Zhiyou asked with a frown.

"No, Comrade Jiang Jianfeng has ordered me to ensure your safety," Wan An said.

"A friend.

"I used his connections to meet General Randall.

"I don't want to keep wasting time on this ghost island, waiting for Mao Renfeng and Kong Lingkan's people to assassinate me; the sooner I see MacArthur and complete the mission, the sooner I can leave."

Hong Zhiyou unbuttoned his shirt and said with some exhaustion.

"From now on, I need to follow you twenty-four hours a day," Wan An said in a very straightforward manner.

"Is this an order from Comrade Jiang Jianfeng?" Hong Zhiyou asked.

"Yes," Wan An said sternly.

"Of course!" Hong Zhiyou agreed readily.

As for the subsequent secret transactions, once Rong Bin arrives, he will naturally handle the liaison with Randall.

Even if there are still some important negotiations, he can find an opportunity to shake off Wan An.

……

Tokyo.

Inside Ikeda Sugiue's official residence, the sound of strings and bamboo flutes was chaotic to the ears.

Wu Fangzhi, Ikeda Sugiue, and Sakata Toshio sat cross-legged, enjoying the geisha's dance.

"Mr. Ikeda.

"Hong Zhiyou has already arrived in Tokyo and is staying at the Inada Hotel.

"According to information I obtained on Wandao.

"This person Hong Zhiyou coming here is highly likely to be a secret mission from Jiang Jianfeng to seek aid from Commander MacArthur in order to alleviate the food problem on Wandao."

Wu Fangzhi spoke in fluent Japanese.

"What is your brilliant opinion, Mr. Kong?" Ikeda Sugiue asked.

"Young Master Kong is currently seeking the positions of Vice President of the Executive Yuan and Minister of Economic Affairs on Wandao; as long as he can secure food aid, Lady Jiang can persuade Jiang.

"If he returns to Wandao and controls key positions, your ghost island's fruits, rubber, and the like will be in short supply in the future.

"Aren't you trying to develop the automotive industry and currently negotiating with North America?

"With the supply of cheap resources from Wandao, restoring your glory is just around the corner."

Wu Fangzhi said with exaggerated expressions.

"Yoshi.

"The idea is very beautiful, but it may not necessarily be realized.

"Hong Zhiyou is very close to the high-ranking U. . military; as far as I know, he went to see General Randall just this noon and stayed for a full hour.

"You know, we cannot interfere with U. . military officers.

"Furthermore, our farmers haven't had their land for long, haven't even finished paying off their loans, and are eating U. . aid.

"It is inappropriate to let you intervene."

Ikeda Sugiue sneered.

"That's fine.

"We don't need the food.

"But the premise is that Hong Zhiyou shouldn't think about getting it either. Mr. Ikeda, this is your home turf, don't tell me it's difficult?"

Wu Fangzhi said with a sinister look in his eyes.

"Rest assured, you go ahead and act; if anything happens, I can cover for you," Ikeda Sugiue pretended not to understand.

Hong Zhiyou has a friendship with the U. . military.

He wouldn't take the risk to assassinate him; if things go wrong, heads could roll.

Last time they captured a Xie Ruo, Randall flew into a thunderous rage and even alarmed MacArthur.

If Hong Zhiyou dies, it will be even more troublesome.

Those son-of-a-bitch Japs, they're quite cunning, taking money and then denying it... Wu Fangzhi said angrily:

"Mr. Ikeda, you misunderstood.

"I came here secretly this time and didn't bring any men. Furthermore, since it's your territory, it's more convenient for your people to do it."

Ikeda Sugiue smiled slightly and looked at Sakata Toshio: "Is it convenient? Mr. Sakata?"

Sakata Toshio, who still wore a samurai topknot, was burly and sturdy. As one of the leaders of the Yamaguchi-gumi, his face was tense with thick muscles, but he just drank silently without expressing an opinion.

"I remember your sister Sakata Keiko once sent a telegram saying she and your brother-in-law, the richest man in Jinhai, were returning to Nagoya with a ship full of antiques, gold, and silver.

"But when that ship was in Xiangdao, all the wealth was swapped, and even they themselves were executed at sea.

"The U. . Marine Corps was involved in this matter.

"And Hong Zhiyou had a good friendship with the commander of the Marine Corps at the time.

"Haven't you suspected that it was Hong Zhiyou who played dirty and swallowed your sister's wealth that was worth a nation?"

Wu Fangzhi touched the black mole at the corner of his lip and laughed coldly.

Bang!

Sakata Toshio's eyes turned fierce, and with force from two fingers, the delicate small wine cup shattered at the sound.

"Give me his intelligence, I want his life tonight.

"Additionally, I need one hundred thousand U. . dollars."

Sakata Toshio said coldly.

"Fifty thousand," Wu Fangzhi said.

"One hundred thousand."

"Fifty thousand."

"One hundred thousand."

"Deal."

After a simple round of bargaining, both sides reached an agreement.

"This is Hong Zhiyou's room number at the hotel. Tonight is Friday, and Commander MacArthur will hold a routine party at his residence; Hong Zhiyou will definitely be there by then.

"After he finishes attending the cocktail party and returns to the hotel, you act," Wu Fangzhi said.

"Can do," Sakata Toshio nodded.

"Remember, you must send elites and equip them with guns," Wu Fangzhi instructed.

"We know more about assassination than you do," Sakata Toshio glared at him fiercely.

Wu Fangzhi remained unmoved and turned to say to Ikeda Sugiue:

"At that time, I ask Mr. Ikeda to have the police near the hotel moved away, and it would be best to cut the telephone lines so Hong Zhiyou cannot call Randall for help."

"Easy to say," Ikeda Sugiue raised his wine glass.

Wu Fangzhi also raised his glass slightly and drank it in one gulp.

……

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

The phone in Hong Zhiyou's room rang:

"It's me.

"Okay, I understand."

"Wan An, let's go, accompany me to the Yoshino Restaurant," Hong Zhiyou instructed.

Wan An wasn't just sitting in the hotel eating vegetables either.

During the day, he drove around the entire area of Tokyo along the consulate.

As a professional security expert, the nearby streets and dozens of landmark buildings were already etched in his mind; he even remembered clearly where it was convenient for emergency evacuation and so on.

Arriving at the Yoshino Restaurant, they entered a private room.

Seeing Wan An follow in, Randall couldn't help but frown slightly: "Who is this?"

"This is Chief Attendant Wan An," Hong Zhiyou introduced generously.

"Is he reliable?" Randall asked.

"Of course, please feel free to speak; he understands foreign languages," Hong Zhiyou said.

"Good.

"The situation is not looking good; Kong Lingkan sent a person named Wu Fangzhi to negotiate.

"This person, through Ikeda Sugiue's introduction, gave MacArthur one hundred thousand U. . dollars, wanting to be a food broker. It is said that once achieved, there is another one hundred thousand U. . dollars in final payment.

"The Commander has already accepted the money.

"However, Ikeda is also lobbying the Commander behind the scenes, though the specific content is unknown."

Randall said.

"Two hundred thousand US dollars to secure the grain brokerage rights; Kong Lingkan is really going all out," Wan An whispered.

Two hundred thousand US dollars.

Given current prices, that is an astronomical figure.

"Eighty percent of Wandao's grain is currently imported.

"They need to import roughly three to four million tons of grain products annually; if Kong Lingkan turns around and inflates the prices, there will still be quite a profit to be made.

"Not to mention, the bulk of the grain imports are still paid for by the Party-State.

"Heh, this Young Master of the Kong family really knows how to calculate; he scraped the mainland people's hard-earned money dry, and now he's setting his sights on Wandao.

"He won't stop until he destroys the Party-State."

Hong Zhiyou joked.

Wan An felt his scalp tingle as he listened.

He did not understand economics very well, but he understood politics somewhat.

Once Kong Lingkan secured the brokerage rights, Wandao would become the second Shanghai; the prices and the New Taiwan Dollar, which had been stabilized with such difficulty, would likely collapse again as prices skyrocketed.

What wolfish ambition.

"I mentioned the Generalissimo's thoughts to MacArthur this afternoon, but the Commander was not very interested.

"It is mainly because President Du Lumen does not view the Jiang government favorably.

"The Commander feels that some matters are troublesome to handle and does not want to wade into these muddy waters."

Randall shrugged, expressing his helplessness.

"It is not that he does not want to wade into muddy waters.

"It is just that the money has not arrived.

"Did you bring the invitation? Tonight, Chief Attendant Wan and I will attend the Commander's party," Hong Zhiyou said, his expression remaining relaxed.

Randall did not have much contact with him.

He felt that the young man before him was a bit overconfident.

"Sakata Toshio is also attending.

"You must be careful.

"Wu Fangzhi has frequently visited this man's residence recently.

"He is a member of the Yamaguchi-gumi and is very likely to assassinate you; do not be careless."

Randall warned.

"Thank you.

"I still ask for the General's assistance."

Hong Zhiyou leaned in and explained the plan to him in detail.

"Rest assured.

"This is the invitation; I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

Randall set down two invitations to the dance and walked away quickly.

(End of chapter)