National Tide 1980.

Just as the atmosphere in the private room reached its peak due to Ning Weimin's question, "Do you believe it or not?", the waiter pushed the door open again with a tray, breaking the suffocating silence.

Four steaming hot stir-fries were arranged on the tray.

The Mapo Tofu is bright red and flavorful, with the tofu cubes coated in broth and glistening with oil.

The sweet and sour pork with pineapple is golden in color, and its sweet and sour aroma is mixed with the fragrance of fruit.

The braised prawns are a deep red color, with a thick sauce clinging to their bodies.

The stir-fried chestnut mushrooms are fresh and vibrant, carrying the fresh scent of the mountains and fields.

These four dishes are all classic dishes that cater to Japanese tastes, each with its own emphasis on salty, savory, sour, and sweet flavors.

The waiter quickly placed the dishes on the table. Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, he didn't dare to say anything. He bowed slightly and quietly withdrew, even closing the door very gently.

No matter how tempting the dishes on the table were, no one touched their chopsticks, and the wine glasses beside them remained untouched.

The steaming aroma of the food rose into the air, but it did nothing to warm the icy interior of the private room.

Almost everyone's mind was still preoccupied with Ning Weimin's threatening question. Those few words felt like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.

Only when the waiter's footsteps completely disappeared at the end of the corridor did Chi Jing slowly raise his eyes, his face so dark it could drip water, his tone carrying a hint of barely suppressed sarcasm.

"Mr. Ning is quite confident. But I really can't understand what makes you say such big words? The agreement is a done deal, and the government is on our side. Even if you have many tricks up your sleeve, do you think you can change the established facts?"

Huang He finally recovered from his shock and quickly echoed his sentiments.

His previous arrogance had vanished, and his mercenary nature made him dare not offend Ning Weimin easily again. His tone was full of heartfelt advice, and his anxious appearance inexplicably revealed a bit of sincerity.

"Yes, Mr. Ning! Please don't act rashly! In the current situation, the Beijing Amusement Park is basically in our hands. There's no point in saying such harsh words. Our General Manager Chi Jing is genuinely interested in cooperating with you. Why do you have to be so defiant, pushing us away and making things unmanageable?"

Faced with the two men's contrasting questions, one firm and one gentle, Ning Weimin remained unmoved, neither angered by Chi Jing's sarcasm nor heeding Huang He's feigned advice.

He simply rested his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, tapping his knuckles twice steadily, his movements slow yet undeniably composed.

He waited until the murmurs in the private room completely subsided before speaking slowly, his tone as calm as a deep pool of water.

"Many of our Chinese principles of conduct are inherited from history, and this is also true for doing business. From ancient times to the present, there has always been a business method here that maximizes profits, called the 'Method of Mending Pots.' General Manager Chi Jing has been doing business in China for many years, but I don't know if you have heard of it?"

Upon hearing this, Chi Jing frowned slightly and couldn't help but turn to look at Huang He beside him, a clear look of confusion appearing in his eyes.

Ikei is Japanese and has a very limited understanding of Chinese culture, limited to classic stories such as the Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West. He has never heard of any "method of mending a pot".

But to be honest, Huang He isn't much better.

Despite being from Hong Kong, he studied business in the UK and knew nothing about Chinese business anecdotes. In fact, he held a deep-seated contempt for traditional Chinese learning, considering it outdated and backward.

In that case, how could he know that this was a reference to the philosophy of thick-skinnedness and black-heartedness?
He immediately shook his head subconsciously, his face full of confusion, looking even more bewildered than Ikei.

"This is a very old story..."

Ning Weimin ignored their exchange of glances and continued, “In the past, iron pots in China were all handcrafted by blacksmiths. A single pot would last for generations and would never be easily discarded. If a pot leaked, people would find a pot mender to repair it. But when these pot menders repaired pots, they would initially tap and bang, claiming to be removing the soot from the bottom of the pot. In reality, they would take advantage of people's inattention to enlarge the small cracks on the pot, or even create new cracks in intact places. This way, more materials and time would be needed, further highlighting the pot mender's superior skills, allowing them to charge more money. The core of the pot mending principle is to destroy before building, that is, to artificially amplify the severity of the problem to attract sufficient attention and restructure the situation. This method also applies to other businesses. There are always some people who deliberately escalate things, intentionally let the situation get out of control, and try to aggravate other people's crises, then appear as the solver to gain absolute initiative and seize more benefits.”

At this point, his gaze suddenly sharpened, locking onto Chi Jing.

"General Manager Chi Jing, I just mentioned so many local resources. Did you really think that only your company, with connections to the municipal government, could pressure the district government? You're wrong. You're outsiders, while I, a local, certainly have my own official backing in Beijing. Of course, I could intervene in this matter through power. The reason I haven't is not because I lack the ability, but because there are better ways. I always feel that doing it this way wouldn't be worth the effort and the reward. So, if you refuse me today, I won't try to stop you. Instead, I'll watch you acquire the shares of Beijing Amusement Park. Once you think you have everything under control, I'll target your Achilles' heel. You should be able to imagine what would happen to an amusement park that attracts tourists with electric rides without a stable power supply, right? Unfortunately, Beijing's power supply infrastructure is outdated. Most of the power lines are exposed on outdoor poles, making them prone to power outages during strong winds, rain, and snow. Sometimes, troubleshooting and repairs take more than a week. Do you think if I let you ruin Beijing Amusement Park, the district government would still come begging to me again, and would they offer me better terms?"

Upon hearing this, Ikei's expression changed drastically, his gloomy look turning into one of panic.

He sat up abruptly, his fingers gripping the edge of the table tightening involuntarily, and his breathing became rapid.

When Ning Weimin explained the "method of mending pots" before, he only thought of it as an ancient Chinese trick and did not think about it in depth.

But now, combined with Ning Weimin's specific plan, he suddenly realized as if struck by lightning.

That's right, for amusement parks that rely on electric facilities, power supply is a fatal flaw!
The "pot" that Ning Weimin mentioned is actually the Beijing Amusement Park!
The Kumagai group, who thought they could take over the "pot," were unaware that they had already become part of Ning Weimin's plan to "make a big crack" in the system!
Ning Weimin's intention was not to prevent them from acquiring the shares, but rather to deliberately let them obtain them, and then personally sabotage their amusement park to make the district government completely disappointed in them.

When Ning Weimin reappears as a "savior," the district government will not only actively seek him out to take over, but will also offer him far more favorable terms than they are now, and may even package the district government's shares into a package for him as well.

This scheme is incredibly insidious.

Ning Weimin actually used their failures to pave the way for his low-price acquisition of the entire amusement park!

Thinking of this, a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out on Ikei's back, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

He finally understood the terrifying aspect of the "mending the pot method"—it wasn't simply about harming others for personal gain, but rather about precise planning, using others to create momentum, and ultimately reaping the greatest benefits without lifting a finger.

Ning Weimin calculated every step meticulously, from letting them take over to precisely striking their weak points, and finally reaping the rewards—each step was interconnected, leaving them completely bewildered.

His previous conviction and stubbornness became a joke at this moment.

Looking at Ning Weimin's calm and expressionless face, he felt a deep-seated fear for the first time. This man not only had money and resources, but also an exceptionally intelligent mind and a ruthless and decisive heart that was unfathomable.

"I don't believe you can do that!"

Ikei forced a calm demeanor as he retorted, but his voice trembled slightly. "Such methods are both illegal and unscrupulous. The municipal and district governments will never stand idly by. This violates our promises to attract investment. We are foreign investors, and your government needs our investment. You will do everything in your power to protect our interests."

"That's why I said you're outsiders. You've never even heard of the saying 'a local official is more powerful than a distant one,' have you?"

Ning Weimin scoffed and continued, "Let me teach you a lesson. Our power supply system in China isn't controlled by local governments; it's a separate, independent administrative system. Local governments can only try to communicate, they can't really control the power sector. Besides, this is just the beginning; I have other methods. Don't forget, there's the Bajiao Amusement Park in Beijing, your direct competitor. I can subsidize ticket prices to help Bajiao Amusement Park compete with you for customers and wage a price war. The Chinese people aren't wealthy; they're very price-sensitive. I can also get the Beijing media to focus on your high ticket prices and unreasonable product pricing." "Make a big fuss and create a negative public impression of you. Then, I can easily turn the 'fake losses' left by the joint venture between Japan and China into real losses. Believe me, if I wanted to, within three months of you taking over, the Beijing Amusement Park would be a complete mess, unable to generate income. What will the district government think of you then? What will the connections you've relied on think of you? Moreover, the district government has already been deceived once by Japanese companies. If you can't come up with a substantial profit to share with the district government, guess what kind of unprecedented anger you'll face?"

Listening to Ning Weimin's increasingly frightening description, Chi Jing was truly terrified, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

But he quickly forced himself to calm down, suppressing the panic in his eyes, and stared at Ning Weimin with a tough and sarcastic tone, revealing his stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

"Mr. Ning, you're being far too naive. Do you think these tactics can scare us? It's a lose-lose situation! You sabotage the power supply, wage a price war, and turn the amusement park into a mess. We admit we'll suffer losses, but do you think you can get away unscathed?"

Chi Jing's voice gradually rose, carrying a deliberate certainty, as if he were trying to persuade Ning Weimin, or perhaps encouraging himself.

"Subsidizing Bajiao Amusement Park costs money, right? Using connections and planning strategies costs money, right? In the end, the amusement park becomes a mess. Even if you take over and revitalize it, you'll need to invest even more money, right? The time and money costs during this period will be a huge drain on you! Moreover, the district government won't be easily fooled. We will expose your underhanded actions. If you fail in the end, you'll lose everything!"

He paused, his eyes fixed on Ning Weimin, his tone resolute, determined to remain stubborn.

"To put it bluntly, at worst, what you're doing will result in a lose-lose situation. Our Kumagai Group is a large and powerful organization that can afford this loss, and we won't compromise with you. But what about you? Are you going to squander all 20 billion yen that you've worked so hard to earn in Japan on this pointless internal strife? I don't believe you'd be that irrational! At worst, we'll fight to the end and see who gives up first!"

Huang He, standing to the side, quickly nodded in agreement, but his tone was far less firm than before, and even carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

He looked at Ning Weimin and a chill ran down his spine.

The previous disdain for traditional Chinese learning has completely vanished, replaced by a deep-seated fear.

After all, this was the first time he had truly witnessed how terrifying these schemes in traditional Chinese culture could be!
Without the clash of swords, he could drive his opponent into an abyss of no return with just words and a strategy.

Ning Weimin's "method of patching the pot" may seem like an old trick, but it actually hides a ruthless logic of undermining the enemy's strength and taking advantage of the situation, taking the "destroy before build" approach to its extreme.

He had previously only thought that Ning Weimin was rich and had resources, but now he realized that what was most terrifying about the other party was his precise control over people's hearts and the situation, and his strategic wisdom rooted in the depths of his culture.

Huang Heqiang suppressed his panic and tried his best to help Chi Jingqiang maintain the situation.

"That's right! Mr. Ning, we know you have many methods and extensive resources, but the Kumagai Group is not a pushover. A lose-lose deal is a losing proposition for everyone. Rather than fighting to the death, it's better to return to the negotiating table and discuss cooperation. That would be better for everyone!"

However, Ning Weimin heard Chi Jing and Huang He's earnest "advice" as if it were a trivial joke.

His face remained calm, and he even slightly curled the corners of his lips, his smile containing a hint of mockery and an air of complete control.

"A total loss? A lose-lose situation? General Manager Ikei, it seems you still haven't grasped the situation or recognized the vast difference in our strength. You've seriously underestimated me. In the end, it will only be you who get hurt."

He stretched out his finger and tapped the table lightly, speaking each word carefully.

"Subsidizing the Octagon Amusement Park, utilizing media resources, and cultivating relationships with various parties—the total cost of this price war, added together, amounts to at most 1 to 1.5 billion yen annually. For me, that's just a drop in the ocean, hardly a loss. I earn more from my restaurants in Ginza, Tokyo, every year than that. Besides, the ward government won't really take care of you. Do you really think they're willingly cooperating with you now? Aren't there any side effects to your underhanded tactics? If I can get things back on track, the ward government will be overjoyed; countless people would love to see you suffer. Guess who the ward government favors more, either of us?"

These words stunned both Chi Jing and Huang He, their confident expressions instantly freezing.

They know their own situation best; Ning Weimin's words were like a slap in the face.

Before they could process what was happening, Ning Weimin's words struck them like a thunderbolt.

"Moreover, even with these losses, I can easily make up for them through the Tokyo financial market, and even earn more. Don't treat me like an ordinary Kyoto person; I'm a Kyoto businessman who can go abroad. Right now, the Japanese stock market is in a one-sided downward trend. If I want, I can just short a few stocks or speculate on stock index futures, and I can make back all the losses here with a profit in no time. For me, making money in the stock market is much faster than doing real business."

Chi Jing's expression changed drastically, and he even missed a beat. He finally realized that he and Ning Weimin were not on the same level at all; the other party's financial resources and operational methods were far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Seeing the shocked expressions on their faces, Ning Weimin's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, I'd like to ask General Manager Ikei another question. You should remember that the person who relayed my message to you this time was General Manager Yoshida of Dentsu China, right? Can you guess how I managed to get him to do things for me like a subordinate? Do you think that the reason Dentsu listens to me is because I have a powerful wife who can make waves in the Japanese entertainment industry?"

Ikei nodded subconsciously—this was exactly the consensus he and Huang He had reached.

In their view, Ning Weimin was able to leverage the connections of a giant like Dentsu simply because of his wife, Keiko Matsumoto's, influence.

After all, Dentsu's advertising business is inseparable from well-known Japanese celebrities, and there are many vested interests between them and Keiko Matsumoto, so some compromise is understandable.

"No, you're completely wrong if you think that way."

Unexpectedly, Ning Weimin denied it without hesitation, his tone revealing a hint of coldness.

"Let me tell you some business secrets. In fact, when the Japanese dramas my wife filmed were broadcast on TV, all the revenue from the advertising slots was negotiated and distributed between us and the TV station. We also controlled the advertising resources of some affiliated companies. This put us in direct competition with Dentsu. Dentsu, which attempted to monopolize all TV advertising resources, felt that we had crossed their bottom line. They were not willing to be driven by me, and at one point they were even at odds with us. When I was in business battles with other companies, Dentsu even stabbed me in the back and blacklisted all the artists in my wife's company."

He paused slightly at this point, his tone carrying a hint of triumphant composure.

"But in the end, we still won. Once we had some free time, we successfully shorted Dentsu's stock through securities lending, and even teamed up with celebrities to boycott Dentsu, causing them huge losses. Yoshida is relaying this message for me because I promised the Dentsu president I was willing to reconcile with them—to stop shorting and no longer hold Dentsu stock. So, guess what? Will I target Kumagai-gumi's stock? And launch a surprise attack like that? Kumagai-gumi is a listed company, isn't it?" (End of Chapter)