Chapter 1149

1177, Excellent talents (workhorses) all bring their own dry rations!!

In this era, communication was not as convenient as in later generations. Even if there were mobile phones, it might not be possible to get through in some places with poor signals.

So most people would agree on their itinerary with relatives and friends in advance before going on a long trip.

On one hand, it's so that if relatives suddenly can't reach them, they won't worry; on the other hand, in case of any accident, they know where to go for rescue, don't you think?

Naoki Nagayama is not a reclusive person, so naturally, he would explain his journey for the next half month to his family before going out, especially to those in Tokyo!

So after reporting to his parents, he called Tsuruko, who should be in the apartment~

"Yes, Tsuruko." Naoki Nagayama said into the receiver, "I'm going on vacation! Taking Akina and little Xia Hua with me!"

"Eh~~~~"

Tsuruko let out a loser's wail,

"Nii-chan, going out to play again... How can you be so leisurely?! Doesn't the company need to work?!"

"........ Actually, it doesn't... I am the boss!"

Naoki Nagayama gave a fatal blow, and then asked with some confusion:

"I'm saying, Tsuruko... shouldn't university be the most relaxed and happiest time? Being stylish with classmates, skipping classes with friends, going out to play with your boyfriend... haven't you experienced any of these?!"

"Baka Nii-chan, what are you talking about!" Tsuruko said into the receiver, "University students are very hard-working, okay? We have to attend classes every day, participate in club activities, prepare research topics, participate in research groups... and write papers in the future..."

"Hmm? Don't you skip classes?" Naoki Nagayama asked.

Even in his arduous university life in his previous life, he would skip classes during elective courses... and finally fail some exams too~

"How can I skip classes?! I won't have enough credits!"

Tsuruko said in surprise,

"Especially after reaching the third year, everyone is working hard to catch up on credits, hoping to graduate!"

Waseda University is strict in entry and strict in exit. If you don't have enough credits, they really won't give you a graduation certificate. People more talented than you are working harder than you; this is reality~

"Tsk..." Naoki Nagayama made an ambiguous sound, "Then Tsuruko, what direction do you plan to choose for your graduation thesis?"

"Hehehe... The development trend of postmodern literature!" Tsuruko said with a smile, "Analyzing from youth romance novels..."

With her own brother, a Naoki Prize winner, as an interview subject, and the manuscripts of emerging best-selling novels like 《Love Letter》, 《Koizora》, 《My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday》, and 《Tokyo Love Story》 as first-hand materials, her thesis must be based on solid evidence, have clear arguments, and be highly influential...

Think about it, if a literature graduate student has a research topic on emerging internet literature, and has people like Tomato, Chen Dong, and Xue Hong appearing to explain it to you, then writing the thesis must be like having divine help!

"....."

Naoki Nagayama was stunned for a moment, a helpless expression appearing on his face,

"Tsuruko, you are thinking way too well!"

"Hehehe... The near water tower gets the moon first..."

"Then have you ever thought, if you choose this way, what will you do if your brother doesn't give you an interview?!" Naoki Nagayama raised the corners of his mouth, "My stupid little sister... I have your graduation thesis in my hands!"

"You..." Tsuruko was startled, then instantly reacted, very confident, "Hmph, if Nii-chan you dare not help me, I'll tell Mother!"

"......"

Pfft, how old are you, still snitching!

Do you think I, Naoki Nagayama, am the kind of person who is afraid of family nagging... Actually, I really am!

"You win!"

After hanging up the phone, Akina, who was holding the baby and listening on the side, laughed:

"Naoki-san, every time I hear you talk to Tsuruko on the phone, it's very funny!!!"

"She is the only sister I and my big brother have who hasn't started a family... No choice..." Naoki Nagayama shook his head and took Xia Hua over, "Akina, don't you do this when you talk to your siblings?"

"Not this funny..."

Akina shook her head with a smile. Her family is a big family, and the relationship between the siblings is quite good now, but Akina contacts her two older sisters more, and her two older brothers just call occasionally to ask how she is.

Saying this, Akina dialed her maiden home's phone and also started reporting her itinerary to her mother-in-law, Chieko...

"Okaasan, Naoki-san and I are going on vacation for a while..."

Little Xia Hua in Naoki Nagayama's arms didn't know what they were going to do later and was flapping happily. And Naoki Nagayama looked at the cat on the cat tree pretending to sleep and Eitaro, who was raising his head and wagging his tail at him by the sofa...

"Eitaro... it's not that I won't take you... but you know dogs can't take planes, right?!"

"And dogs can't soak in hot springs either. You don't have sweat glands and will die of heat!"

"So you just wait for the arrival of spring in Shanying Yuan!"

Now Shanying Yuan has a butler and a nanny, so Naoki Nagayama can rest assured leaving the dog behind...

"Wang wang wang! (That's a private plane, dogs can get on too!)"

Eitaro barked unwillingly, seeming to want to arouse his owner's compassion.

"Alright, alright... When we come back, I'll take you to the dog park and find you a little girlfriend, how about that?!"

"Wang wang! (It's a deal!)"

At the entrance of the Shuyou Building in Ikebukuro.

Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki came to the Shuyou Group for the first time. After signing the contract, the three of them were already veterans of Shuyou's subsidiaries and could be considered Shuyou's people.

"This is the long-famed Shuyou Building~"

Isao Takahata looked up at this sturdy, simple, and atmospheric seven-story office building. In the bustling district of Ikebukuro, it stood as solid as a rock.

"I originally thought the Shuyou Group should be in a high-rise building in Shinjuku or Roppongi, but I didn't expect it to be in Ikebukuro..."

Toshio Suzuki also sighed. He had considered for a long time at Tokuma Shoten and finally decided to advance and retreat with Studio Ghibli.

"Let's go, let's go see the place where we will work in the future!"

Hayao Miyazaki said. According to the acquisition contract, they would go through a period of integration. The current workplace would temporarily be in the Anime Department of the Shuyou Building until 《My Neighbor Totoro》 was finished.

"I hope it's not like a cubicle..."

Isao Takahata whispered. He didn't want to be like being in prison. After all, for a profession like a manga artist, you need to be relaxed and comfortable when working.

Just after the three walked into the lobby, Xing Jiahua Xing immediately stepped forward to greet them:

"Good morning, are you Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, Mr. Isao Takahata, and Mr. Toshio Suzuki?"

It was obvious that Xing Jiahua Xing had already recognized the identities of the three.

"We are!" Toshio Suzuki was a bit more active and could be considered the mouth of the three. He said to Xing Jiahua Xing, "We received information from Department Manager Gosho Aoyama and came to Shuyou to report..."

"Hai, Department Manager Aoyama also notified the front desk. Next, I will lead everyone to visit the Shuyou Building, and then take everyone to the Anime Department..." Xing Jiahua Xing showed a bright smile, "I am the Administrative Section Chief - Xing Jiahua Xing!"

"Nice to meet you..." X3

After a round of bowing, Xing Jiahua Xing did not take them directly to the elevator, but instead started leading the three to pass by floor by floor from the stairs.

"The first floor is our front desk and exhibition hall, with many meeting rooms... and a large exhibition hall that can accommodate press conferences and various ceremonies..."

"The second floor is Shuyou's Entertainment Department, focusing on agency business... You can often see popular idols appearing, such as Shizuka Kudo and Junko Ito, etc..."

"The third floor is the Shuyou Film Department, including offices, editing rooms, storage rooms, etc., but most of the crew members work at the filming base in Ota Ward. The colleagues in the Publicity Department are stationed here, and the directors come more often during post-production..."

"The fourth floor is tentatively the Music Department. Currently, the business is merged with the Entertainment Department and has not been separated yet..."

The idol industry is not a long-term career, but the music industry is popular all over the world. Professional singers who transition from idols will all be here in the future... Currently, Shuyou's full-time singers are only Yutaka Ozaki and Izumi Sakai.

"Ah... we have arrived at the fifth floor..." Xing Jiahua Xing led them to the fifth floor, "This floor is the Anime Department... I won't take you to visit this floor; let Department Manager Aoyama lead you personally..."

"The sixth floor is the floor for the General Affairs Section and Finance Section, and then it's the top floor, which is the office of the three executives: General Manager Otomo Fangcun, Department Manager Shuichi Ido, and Chairman Naoki Nagayama..."

Xing Jiahua Xing saw Gosho Aoyama walking over and hurriedly quickened her speaking speed to explain the functions of the two floors above, and only then greeted Gosho Aoyama:

"Department Manager Aoyama... I have brought the three newcomers from your department!"

"..... Why is Hua-chan suddenly so distant..." Gosho Aoyama walked over with a smile, "Didn't you call me Gosho before..."

"After all, it's the first time for newcomers to come to Shuyou, so naturally, it should be more formal."

Xing Jiahua Xing also explained with a smile,

"Then my task is finished, and the three of them are handed over to you!"

"Good~"

Watching Xing Jiahua Xing's beautiful figure disappear, Gosho Aoyama said to the three,

"Ha, you are new here, so you are a bit unfamiliar... Actually, after getting to know each other, everyone at Shuyou is very easy to get along with, and there is no overly strict hierarchy... This is the corporate culture that started from Naoki-san..."

"....."

Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki looked at each other but didn't speak.

They have also worked before, experienced old companies like Toei and Tokuma Shoten, and have deep feelings about the workplace culture in Japan. They won't believe words like the company is a big family and everyone is a family... It's all lies!

If it were a family, why can't we spend the money the company makes!

Gosho Aoyama didn't ask them to integrate from the beginning, but led them to visit the Anime Department:

"Our department hasn't been established for long, only half a year... Currently, apart from me and Yoshihiro Togashi as superiors, there is no other management... Ah, the Anime Affairs Department is under the charge of Shuichi-san, but the main direction is set by Naoki-san."

"These are the artists who just joined..."

Gosho Aoyama introduced the artists who were burying their heads in drawing in the large open room to them, as well as the animation production area after being partitioned, large drawing machines, etc...

This is a one-stop production line that starts from drawing manga and goes all the way to making animation...

Moreover, it is spacious, reasonably partitioned, and full of the fragrance of ink and paper, belonging to a very good office environment.

Gosho Aoyama led them to an independent office space partitioned by frosted glass curtain walls. Inside were three rows of open desks and independent offices. After entering, the sound outside could no longer be heard.

"This is the office area for the three of you... People recruited in the future will also work here..."

Gosho Aoyama said,

"Naoki-san has already given instructions. Your current work is to produce 《My Neighbor Totoro》. You can request manpower and materials... The tools in the original office have already been moved here directly by the moving company!"

"....."

Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki silently looked at this bright, open, and clean office area. This is much more atmospheric than their small studio in Koganei City.

The crowded manuscripts, drawing tools, and various reference books in the original studio actually seemed very empty after moving here...

Is it that everyone likes that kind of crowded working environment? It's because there's no money!

"Where is Naoki-san?" Hayao Miyazaki said, "We should go thank him..."

"Eh..." Gosho Aoyama was a bit helpless, "Naoki-san is currently preparing to go on vacation, so he is not in the company... Perhaps he won't appear for a long time."

"Generally speaking, Naoki-san is away a lot... If you have any needs, you can directly submit them to the General Affairs Section. If you apply for a budget, submit it to me, and then give it to Shuichi-san for approval..."

"......"

Hayao Miyazaki didn't believe it,

"With such a large Shuyou Group, Chairman Naoki Nagayama actually doesn't come to the company much?! Can this be managed well?"

"You can't say that..."

Gosho Aoyama was a bit embarrassed. He also only sees Naoki-san about once a week. He helped Naoki Nagayama make up for it,

"Naoki-san has many companies and is very busy usually, so he can't always be in one company..."

"The executive CEO of our Shuyou Group is General Manager Otomo Fangcun... He is always in the company."

"Oh..."

Isao Takahata asked,

"Then our original drawings are finished, who confirms them?"

"Of course by yourselves! Just like the final person in charge of the drawing of 《Slam Dunk》 is me and Yoshihiro Togashi."

Gosho Aoyama said,

"Naoki-san has instructed that you are an independent and free team, and you are responsible for the final result yourselves!"

"Eh... giving such a large degree of freedom?" Toshio Suzuki asked in surprise, "Aren't you afraid the effect won't be good..."

"Ha, don't doubt the person you use, and don't use the person you doubt. This is Naoki-san's principle!"

Speaking of this, Gosho Aoyama is very proud. Naoki Nagayama will not interfere with their usual creation,

"Moreover, for your own team projects, there will be a certain percentage of commission after selling... This is a share given directly to your own team! In addition to the basic salary, the better the project effect, the higher your income!"

"The share is several times the salary!"

"!!!"

Why don't employees work hard? It's because the money wasn't given enough!!!

If the company makes money and doesn't raise the employees' wages, then what does the company's good or bad have to do with the employees?!

Many bosses don't think about sharing money with employees, but want employees to be workhorses... This is something only feudal landlords would do!

"Then, the three of you..."

Gosho Aoyama said,

"Familiarize yourself with the office environment today and adapt. After work, let's go for a drink to welcome you!"

"Alright... arrange the rest of the time yourself!"

Saying this, Gosho Aoyama retreated himself, leaving the large space to the three.

Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki looked at each other, found their seats, and sat down, feeling a bit idle for a while.

They originally thought that Shuyou spent a high price to acquire Ghibli, so they must value them very much... Didn't expect that if you say they value them, they value them very much. The office area, office facilities, etc., are all equipped, and even the autonomy of project production is very large, almost no different from the original place.

But if you say they don't value them, they also don't value them very much!

The three of them, the backbone, reported, and Naoki Nagayama was fine, but even Shuichi Ido didn't appear. Only a department manager received them... and after receiving them to the office area, he left them alone!

Is this some new management method?! Relying entirely on employee self-consciousness?

Toshio Suzuki finally sighed:

"So... this place seems quite good?"

"Yes..." Isao Takahata shook the ergonomic chair, looking very comfortable, "This chair is also very comfortable..."

"Then, what should we do next..."

Toshio Suzuki also asked after experiencing it for a while.

The three looked at each other, and then Hayao Miyazaki said:

"Let's draw 《My Neighbor Totoro》!"

"Let's start by sorting out the story..."

So, excellent talents (workhorses) all bring their own dry rations... ah no, they all have extremely strong self-drive!

As long as you fertilize them and put them there, they will grow hard on their own and then bear rich fruits!

As a boss, you just need to harvest on time!

(End of chapter)