Chapter 349: No Cooperation, Death
Chapter 349: No Cooperation, Death
Tokyo, Betsuin.
Kazuo Tanaka knelt at the top, drinking sake and admiring the graceful dance of the courtesan.
"Team leader, that Chinese guy named Xie called again and said he wants to meet with you." said Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi, the confidant sitting on his left.
"idiot.
"This idiot is really endless. Tell him that I won't spend $100,000 to buy his crappy house in Hong Kong Island, and I'm not interested in investing in building a house in Tokyo!
"We are now a defeated country. What if MacArthur gets upset one day and drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo again?
“And the red tickets across the sea, will they call us?
"My brother is a soldier. He has witnessed the bravery of the Red Ticket Soldiers. They are a group of crazy people who are not afraid of death. They will definitely seek revenge.
"Building a house now is absolutely a stupid suggestion."
Kazuo Tiangang got furious when he thought about the big promises made by that stutterer.
"He said he didn't want to sell the house this time and wanted to discuss port cooperation," said Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi.
“The port has been closed by the US military.
"This damn bastard keeps talking about deals worth at least millions of dollars. He's a lunatic and I don't want to see him again.
"Next time he comes to my house, just beat him up."
Kazuo Tiangang raised his hand in annoyance.
"He said Hong Zhi wants to see you." Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi said again.
“Hong Zhi has?
"Is he the Chinese who caused Sakata Hisao to lose a shipload of treasures?" said Kazuo Tanoka.
"Yes.
"This man's nickname is 'God of Wealth'.
“He is now the special envoy of the Bay Island and a friend of General Randall.
“He had a shipyard, a winery.
“The luxury house that Xie sold in Hong Kong Island is this person’s property.
"Xie Ruolin said that Hong would come to visit in half an hour.
"Will you see me or not?"
Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi asked.
"Hong... Zhiyou, um, a little interesting, let's meet him." said Kazuo Tanoka.
"Where is Sakata Hisao? Ask him to come over."
After drinking the wine in one gulp, he asked again.
"I don't know. Sakata-kun has been hanging out with Ikeda Sugigami every day lately and basically doesn't respond to any contacts from the group." Kobayashi Mitsuyoshi said.
"idiot!
"This bastard!
"Get ready. Hong Zhiyou is General Randall's friend, so we have to give him some face." Tian Gang Yixiong relaxed his brows and ordered.
He had little interest in Hong Zhi and was simply doing Randall a favor.
……
One p.m.
Hong Zhiyou drove to Tiangang Kazuo's house.
At the door, the member in black briefly checked and raised his hand and said, "Please come in."
Hong Zhiyou arrived at a small wooden house inside and met Tian Gang Kazuo.
Kazuo Tiangang became famous through beatings, killings and imprisonment.
He was not tall and rather thin, but his pair of narrow, long eyes were sinister and cold, and he looked like a tough and ruthless character.
Three people from Hong Zhi walked in.
Seeing that Tian Gang Yixiong did not stand up, Hong Zhiyou just looked at him coldly. The two men's eyes intertwined, as if they were engaged in an invisible battle.
Kazuo Tanabe attaches great importance to "Tao".
In order to train his ruthlessness, he once used a goshawk to expose his eyes. As a result, he developed a murderous aura that made him so powerful without even getting angry. Even a goshawk would be terrified when looking into his eyes.
When ordinary team members and even some cabinet officials met him, they would not dare to look him in the eye due to his power.
However, Hong Zhiyou stared at him for more than ten seconds, with only a slight smile of contempt on the corner of his mouth.
Kazuo Tiangang did not read any fear, not even a trace, in the eyes of this young man who looked gentlemanly and noble.
"Everyone, please take a seat."
Kazuo Tiangang stood up and raised his hand to greet him.
Hong Zhiyou nodded slightly, and the three of them followed the local customs and sat cross-legged.
"Mr. Hong, is there anything I can help you with?" Kazuo Tiangang asked straight to the point.
"have.
"Two things. Mr. Tian Gang, please take a look at this first." Hong Zhiyou glanced at Xie Ruolin.
The latter immediately took out Ichiro Matsumoto's testimony and handed it over.
"Sakata Hisao assassinated you last night?
"Then you can go find him."
Kazuo Tiangang took a look and handed it back.
"I don't care about Sakata Hisao, I only know that the Yamaguchi-gumi is trying to assassinate me." Hong Zhiyou said with a smile.
Xie Ruolin was translating simultaneously on the side.
"What do you mean? Do you want to put the blame on me?" Tian Gang Yixiong narrowed his eyes and asked with a sneer.
"That's right.
"I give you two choices. One is to clean up the mess yourself.
“Second, let the U.S. military wipe out the Yamaguchi-gumi.
"You choose one."
Hong Zhiyou said aggressively.
"Mr. Hong, this is Tokyo, not your Jinhai or Wandao, so be careful with your words.
"We are the Yamaguchi-gumi, it is not your turn to point fingers here."
Kazuo Tiangang slammed the table in anger.
"To put it bluntly, the Yamaguchi-gumi is a group that helps Japanese cabinet officials make money.
“But you didn’t come at a good time.
"The top brass of the U.S. military have taken over all the money-making projects, and your Yoshida Shigeru cabinet can only watch helplessly.
“Otherwise, why would they even take away the port business?
“To put it bluntly, you are no longer valuable to Yoshida Shigeru.
"On the contrary, in the eyes of the US military, you are the cancer of Onigashima, and it only takes a word to wipe you out."
Hong Zhiyou sneered.
Tian Gang Yixiong's eyes flashed coldly, his lips trembled, and he took back his words.
"Tian Gangjun.
“I heard that Hisao Sakata has been very close to the Kobe branch recently.
"He frequently appeared with Ikeda Sugigami at various banquets hosted by high-ranking U.S. military officials. It is said that he has been secretly trying to win over the Americans in an attempt to regain the port's business and gain the support of more team members.
"He also recruited a large number of elite Kwantung Army soldiers who had escaped to serve as his thugs.
“How many days can you remain as the team leader?
"One is from the Sakata family, and the other is a reckless man who loves to fight and kill.
"Who do you think Yoshida Shigeru and Ikeda Sugigami will choose?"
Hong Zhiyou continued.
These words were like a sharp sword that instantly pierced Kazuo Tiangang's heart.
His face darkened: "Mr. Hong, this is my family affair, there is no need for you to instigate it."
“Instigation?
“We Chinese have an old saying: Good words cannot persuade a damned person, and mercy without salvation will only lead to the destruction of others.
“Since Tian Gang-kun is unwilling to be my friend.
“Then you can make a bet, will you die at the hands of the American army or at the hands of Sakata Hisao.
"Farewell!"
Hong Zhiyou stood up and the three of them walked out.
"Mr. Hong, please stay!
"Please stay!"
Kazuo Tanaka stood up and shouted.
Hong Zhiyou turned his head and sneered, "Have you figured it out, Mr. Tiangang?"
“Let’s not talk about this matter, I would like to make friends with Mr. Hong.
"Someone come!
"Bring out my best sake and call up the most beautiful girls."
Kazuo Takao shouted.
"No!"
Hong Zhiyou raised his hand to stop him, "There are too many people and too many eyes."
"Yes, yes!" Kazuo Tanaoka quickly sent away the servant who had entered the room.
“Hisao Sakata assassinated General Randall’s friend.
“With this reason, I can clean up the mess.
"But Economic Minister Ikeda Sugigami has a close relationship with him. Ikeda is MacArthur's man. If he attacks me, my Yamaguchi-gumi will also suffer.
"This is also the reason why I have not yet taken action against Sakata Hisao."
Kazuo Tiangang stopped pretending and said with a somewhat helpless tone.
“I can handle Ikeda Sugami!
"Not only can I help you secure your position as the leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi.
“At the same time, it can help you restore the port’s business.
"It is used to transport the food and supplies I purchased."
Hong Zhi has the Tao.
"Are you serious, Mr. Hong?" asked Kazuo Tiangang, frowning.
"Hong never jokes."
Hong Zhi raised his eyebrows, and Wan An pushed the suitcase in front of Tian Gang Yixiong.
Kazuo Tiangang opened it and found bundles of US dollars inside.
“Here is fifty thousand U.S. dollars in cash.
“It is also my investment in you and the Yamaguchi-gumi’s port business.
“Money is always the most trustworthy partner.
"You don't trust me, but you can't trust Franklin?"
Hong Zhiyou took out a bundle and threw it in front of Tiangang Kazuo.
Fifty thousand US dollars!
Considering the current prices in Tokyo, this is a huge sum of money.
"Mr. Hong, you are a true gentleman!
"I'm determined to be your friend!"
Kazuo Tiangang took a quick look at the contract, signed it impatiently, put his fingerprints on it, and handed it to Hong Zhiyou.
For him, the port business was already a waste.
Now he can come back and help his brothers make a living, and he can also make 50,000 US dollars for free.
Kazuo Tanoka had no reason to refuse.
As for the port manpower, ship priority dispatch rights, and 10% of the shares mentioned by Hong Zhi in the contract, those were not a big deal.
It’s not luck for anyone.
Ten percent shares.
Whether this business can be sustained is another matter, let alone 10%, what about 20 or 30 percent?
Xie Ruolin on the side took the contract and put it directly into his briefcase without even looking at Wan'an.
"Mr. Hong, aren't you afraid that I will break my promise in the future?
"Don't forget, this is Tokyo.
"It's not Jinhai and Wanbei." Kazuo Tiangang closed the box and asked with some confusion.
“Tian Gang, you should know that a gentleman should keep his promises as strong as Mount Tai.
“Of course, you’re not a gentleman either.
“Then we can only practice the way of ghosts.
“As the saying goes, money makes the world go round.
“My best skill is managing money.
"I don't have to come to Tokyo, but I can get money. You don't want to live in fear for the rest of your life, do you?"
Hong Zhiyou smiled.
Seeing that Tian Gang Yixiong was about to speak, Hong Zhiyou raised his hand to stop him and continued:
“You’ll kill people too.
“But I will set up a special foundation for you.
“Whether I am alive or not, as long as you violate this agreement, the Foundation will start the process of hunting you down.
"So, don't take any chances!"
Tian Gang Yixiong's thoughts were revealed by Hong Zhiyou, and an embarrassed look appeared on his face, but then he laughed out loud: "Mr. Hong, we are friends.
“Best friends, friends forever.
"I swear to you in the name of Bushido that as long as I am alive, I will abide by the contract and fulfill Mr. Hong's obligations today."
"It's a pleasure working with you!" Hong Zhiyou stood up and shook hands to say goodbye.
……
Back in the car.
Wan An glanced behind him and said, "There is a spy watching us. It might be Sakata Hisao's man."
"It doesn't matter.
"Even if Sakata Hisao knew that we had met Tanoka Kazuo, he wouldn't take it seriously.
“After all, in his world, Ikeda Sugami is a god-like existence.
"Kazuo Tanabe can't turn over."
Hong Zhiyou unbuttoned his shirt and spoke casually.
Xie Ruolin flipped through the contract carefully.
The contract that Hong Zhi has is quite cruel, with all kinds of priorities. It would be fine if Tian Gang Yixiong can't get up, but if he does, he will definitely be an employee of the Hong family for the rest of his life.
“I heard that there are many gangs on Ghost Island, and the internal fighting is very serious. There are often fires... gunfights and assassinations.
“The Yamaguchi-gumi is quite strong, but it’s not overwhelming.
"I hope this guy won't be a short-lived ghost."
Xie Ruolin smiled.
"No." Hong Zhiyou smiled and didn't explain further.
In fact, Kazuo Taoka is the longest-serving third-generation leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, ruling the Yamaguchi-gumi for thirty-five years. Under his leadership, the Yamaguchi-gumi grew rapidly and became a giant that even the Onigashima Police Department feared.
Investing fifty thousand dollars in a person like Kazuo Tanoka who has not yet truly risen is definitely a good deal.
Even if Kazuo Tanoka only fulfills half of the contract, or even 1% of its execution, it will bring huge convenience and financial returns.
“Don’t be too optimistic.
“Although Sakata Hisao is a wakashira, his family roots are deeper than Takao Kazuo’s.
"It's hard to say who will live and who will die."
Wan An's mouth trembled slightly, clearly not believing it.
"Master Wan, how about we make a bet... a bet?" Xie Ruolin raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"What are you betting on?" Wan An asked.
“Bet a thousand dollars.
"I bet Tian Gang Yixiong will win." Xie Ruolin said.
"it is good!
"I bet on Sakata Hisao to win." Wan'an agreed readily.
"I'll be a witness." Hong Zhiyou said.
……
In the next few days, Hong Zhiyou took Wan'an and Xie Ruolin to Tokyo to eat and drink every day and have a good time.
This made Wan'an very unhappy.
Apart from blindly spending money, Hong Zhiyou just enjoys himself.
I met MacArthur to discuss aid and food purchases, but he didn't even mention it in nearly half a month.
This made Wan'an more convinced that Hong Zhiyou was a scum who defrauded the party and the country's funds and came to Ghost Island to have fun.
It is true that Hong Zhi is happy.
There is another purpose, to wait for others.
night.
Hong Zhiyou often drinks with girls in nightclubs.
"Mr. Hong, there's a gentleman next door who wants to see you." The bartender came in and spoke in broken Chinese.
"it is good."
Hong Zhiyou gave him a five-dollar tip and stood up.
Wan'an was afraid that he was in danger, so he followed him to the next room.
When he reached the door, he was stopped by two burly men.
"Lao Wan, it's okay, I'll go in and meet him."
Hong Zhiyou smiled and walked in with his head held high.
Got inside.
Under the dim light, Rongbin and Xiaohui, who was wearing cheongsam, stopped and stood.
"Secretary Hong." Rong Bin bowed politely as always.
"elder brother."
Hong Xiaohui threw herself into her eldest brother's arms.
After not seeing her for a long time, she has become much more mature.
Not only the figure, but also the temperament.
"Silly girl, why are you here?" Hong Zhiyou patted her on the back gently, indicating that she could let go.
"Brother, I miss you."
Hong Xiaohui hugged him tightly and refused to let go.
In the past, she didn't know her eldest brother very well.
At least not deeply.
She only knew that her elder brother was a well-known figure in Jinhai Station, and that he was a busybody in order to make money and had connections with many famous people.
He also secretly helped Hongpiao.
But in Hong Xiaohui's view, it is just a relationship based on interests.
It was not until she became an important member of the North China Bureau's intelligence line and came into contact with more information through the oral narration of Sanmin and Rongbin that she learned that her elder brother had done many things for the red ticket.
Apart from not being a party member, his contributions are immeasurable.
In the past, when Yancheng was in its most difficult times, he secretly transported countless amounts of arms, food, and medicine to Yancheng, making him the ace among the friendly forces.
The comrades he protected and saved include Huang Zhong, Jiang Aimei, Yong Manzhu, etc.
This elder brother who seemed to only care about money and had tried to stop himself from joining the revolution was the truly remarkable man!
Looking back now, Hong Xiaohui realized how naive and stupid she was in the struggle in the past and realized the good intentions of her elder brother's repeated persuasion.
I contradicted him time and time again, and I felt so helpless about his anger.
"Okay, Jianfeng's chamberlain is next door, and I have something important to discuss."
Hong Zhiyou reminded her with a smile.
"Yeah." Hong Xiaohui let go of her hand, lowered her head and wiped away her tears.
Hong Zhiyou was too lazy to pay attention to her and said directly to Rong Bin:
"Young Master Rong, is the boat in place?"
"It's in place. Three cargo ships are docked at Yokohama Port." Rong Bin said.
"Three ships are a little too few. We need at least two more." Hong Zhiyou shook his head.
“I’m afraid it’s too late to send a ship from Hong Kong Island.
"I can rent two British ships." Rong Bin said after thinking for a while.
"Ok.
“I came here mainly to discuss the food issue with MacArthur on behalf of the Party and the country.
"I inquired last time and found out that the US military has a large amount of food stored here.
"Except for some of the aid to the devils.
"Another part was transferred from the Department of Defense to the Allied Command before the withdrawal. At that time, there were 500,000 American troops on Ghost Island, but Truman later cut the number to 400,000.
“So there was a lot of food left over.
"MacArthur supplied all this old grain to the Japanese as new grain aid.
"According to intelligence, MacArthur still has at least five million metric tons of food.
“The annual grain imports to the Taiwan Strait are only two to three million metric tons.
“If we can negotiate, I can use the price difference to squeeze out at least a million tonnes of grain for the mainland.
"As for the steel that Randall is going to deal with, it's just a side job."
Hong Zhi has the Tao.
"Very good.
“When the Chiang Kai-shek government retreated, it took away almost all of its heavy assets, such as gold. Now Western countries have imposed a massive blockade on us, and there is a huge food gap for 400 million people.
“Hong Kong has also imposed an embargo on exports to the mainland, so the food we can get is limited.
"It would be great if we could get food from Chiang Kai-shek, the Americans, and the Japanese."
Rong Bin said happily.
"I will persuade MacArthur to sign a long-term grain trade and aid contract with the Chiang government.
"Then, through the port here, we can transport grain to the mainland in a long-term and stable manner.
“Of course, you have to pay.
“I can earn less, but I can’t earn no money,” said Hong Zhiyou.
Free doesn't conform to the business philosophy of making money from money.
Providing low prices, ensuring continuous transportation, and not bringing his own company down are the bottom line that is beyond his reach.
Otherwise, with its size, it would collapse within a year.
Then it will lose its value.
Once a person loses his value and capital, his connections and resources will inevitably disappear with the wind, making it difficult for him to move forward.
By then, let alone getting food, no one would pay attention to him even if he begged for mercy.
There are no real friends in this world.
He just spent all of his money and high-quality connections to achieve this.
“Understood, business is business.
"It's a rare opportunity for you to get food. Although it's a bit difficult to get money, I won't let you lose money." Rong Bin knew Hong Zhi's difficulties and expressed his opinion immediately.
"I will go to MacArthur to negotiate in the next two days. Please prepare the ship as soon as possible."
Hong Zhiyou ordered.
"Okay, then you guys chat, I'll go back to the hotel first."
Rongbin knew that the brother and sister must have had a private conversation, so he said goodbye and left first.
……
(End of this chapter)