The literary era since 1979

With a loud bang, the shoji door was opened, and a waitress in a kimono walked in carrying kaiseki cuisine.

"Let's eat first and talk while we eat."

Fangyan and Kadokawa Lehiko smiled at each other and poured sake into their wine cups.

Masayoshi Son suppressed his curiosity. He was disappointed with a two-dimensional library that was being prepared. To him, it was just a piece of chicken ribs, tasteless to eat and a pity to throw away. It could not solve the urgent needs of SoftBank, which currently owed a huge debt of 10 billion. But he was unwilling to just find an excuse to leave.

After all, if SoftBank could try harder and get a big order from Kadokawa Shoten, it would have already halfway overcome the crisis.

So, he took the initiative to toast Fangyan and Kadokawa Koyomi, "In fact, whether it is a small retailer or a large chain bookstore, we at SoftBank are very welcome to cooperate with them. If you need anything in the future, you may contact me or our marketing department directly..."

"That's strange. We have already contacted the marketing department."

Kadokawa Koyomi narrowed his eyes. "But your subordinate told us that SoftBank has temporarily stopped developing new partners. He did write down our contact information and said that he would notify us separately. But there has been no news so far. I have no choice but to contact you directly."

Nani? !
Son was shocked. When did he give such an order? Why did Komure lie about such news?

He was shocked. If he had decided to resign many days ago, why did he wait until today to hand in his resignation letter? Could he be plotting something secretly to secretly bring Kadokawa Shoten's high-quality customers to his next company?

As soon as he thought of this, he became more and more uneasy, but on the surface he pretended to be calm and unhurried: "Indeed, because I took over the company again, I need to spend time to sort it out, so I have suspended the development of new cooperation, but I will start again soon. In the past two weeks, a new work plan has been formulated. Thank you very much for both of you still attaching so much importance to SoftBank under such circumstances!"

Fang Yan said meaningfully, "Then, wait until Mr. Sun finishes dealing with the company's internal affairs and start a new battle as soon as possible. The computer and software industry is indeed a very important field with a very promising future. I look forward to our cooperation in more areas in the future."

"I didn't expect Fang Yanjun to be so optimistic about the computer and software fields."

Masayoshi Son was absent-minded, his mind full of thoughts about the resignation drama of Kogure Kazuhiro and others today. Could it be a premeditated conspiracy?

“Not long ago, I had the honor of attending the Nebula Awards and the Hugo Awards in the United States.”

Fangyan said casually, "During the award ceremony, I heard that the National Science Foundation of the United States has established its own computer communication network called 'NSFnet'. This confirms my guess about the development of the information industry and the concept of the global Internet."

When he heard the word "Internet", Masayoshi Son was immediately attracted.

Kadokawa Leyan said: "President Matsumoto should have read the science fiction novels such as "Midnight Ring" and "Artificial Intelligence" written by Fang Yanjun?"

Son Masayoshi had just recovered from a serious illness and was eager to take over the messy SoftBank. He worked overtime day and night and had no time to watch "The Ring". However, he insisted: "How could I not have read such a science fiction masterpiece that caused a sensation in the Japanese literary world!"

Kadokawa Lehiko smiled and said, "In these novels, Fangyan-kun has made predictions about the future of computers, the Internet, and cars."

"It's just that the Japanese auto industry doesn't seem to be interested in the electric cars I mentioned."

Fang Yan's eyes flashed with an intriguing light, "I'm betting on hydrogen-powered cars."

"It may be because the upstream materials for lithium batteries are almost completely non-existent in Japan, and hydrogen energy is the most likely technical route to succeed." Masayoshi Son has no interest in new energy vehicles, but is very concerned about the "Internet" and "computers" in the dialect.

The three of them ate and talked at the same time, most of the time, speaking in dialect with reservations. Kadokawa Koyomi spoke whenever he had the chance. Masayoshi Son was inattentive at first, but gradually he became fascinated and even forgot to eat his food. He kept asking Fangyan questions about computers.

"I didn't expect Fangyan-kun to understand so deeply."

Son couldn't help but sigh, and then half-jokingly said that he didn't know if he would be willing to contribute to "oh! PC" or "oh! MZ" founded by SoftBank. These monthly magazines are aimed at a large number of manufacturers and engineers, and are also the best-selling PC magazines in the Japanese industry.

“I just understand a little bit.”

Fang Yan said that this was an in-depth investigation required for his investment in the future technology industry and the creation of recent science fiction novels.

Masayoshi Son's eyes widened in shock. The investment of more than 1 million yen in the Second Dimension Library was still within his understanding. After all, even if light novels and novels adapted from comics were not in the field of literature, they were at least in the field of entertainment. But what about investing in the computer industry?
"Writer is just one of my identities. I am also an investor who respects science and technology very much."

Fang Yan said: "For example, I have previously invested in a couple of Stanford University teachers. They designed a device called a 'multi-protocol router' that allows different types of networks to connect to each other. The first prototype will be produced soon."

"router?"

Masayoshi Son had never heard of this. He originally thought that he was just investing in stocks like IBM and Microsoft, but he didn't expect that he was serious about it?!

Fangyan suddenly stood up and said, "My name is Cisco. If you are interested, you can learn a little bit about him."

Seeing Kadokawa Lehiko stand up, Masayoshi Son realized that the dinner was over, so he stood up as well.

Looking up at Fangyan, I always feel that he is the president of a super company that controls billions of yen.

In such a condescending attitude, I felt like a newbie who had just started a business and needed his investment.

He took a deep breath and then smiled, "I will definitely learn more about the 'Cisco' company that Fang Yanjun mentioned. Of course, if I have some free time, I hope to meet Fang Yanjun again and have a chat to hear your understanding of the computer and software industry."

"Then it's agreed."

Fang Yan took out a business card box from his pocket and handed over a business card. "Perhaps you don't have my contact information yet?"

Masayoshi Son took the business card and took a closer look. There was no other information except a name and a phone number.

I originally wanted to ask him more about investment, but when I saw that he said nothing, he and Kadokawa Kotohiko drove away in a leisurely manner.

As he watched the car gradually disappear from his sight, more and more doubts emerged in Masayoshi Son's mind.

Why is today's meeting so strange?
I originally thought that Kadokawa Bookstore was purchasing software products for its chain bookstores, but I didn't expect that they would repeatedly invite me, the president, just for a mere library that was still in preparation. After meeting, they seemed to be in no hurry about the matter and didn't even discuss things like the purchase price and scale.

And when Fangyan mentioned investment in the technology industry just now, it seemed like he had some hidden meaning.

“I don’t understand technology, but precisely because I don’t understand technology, I support and respect technology more than anyone else!”

Could it be that he really has his eyes on SoftBank?

But even if such a great writer is rich and can invest 1 million yen in Kadokawa Bookstore's two-dimensional library, can he invest another 10 billion or 20 billion yen in SoftBank? Moreover, SoftBank is facing the dilemma of strong enemies, debts, and desertion from friends and relatives.

But no matter what, when the final desperate measure comes, maybe we can try to use dialect as the last straw.

………………The next day, SoftBank.

Masayoshi Son couldn't sleep the whole night yesterday. All he could think about was the resignation of Kazuhiro Kogure and others. If they were really in collusion and if they really stole customer resources, SoftBank, which is already in crisis, would only be in even worse shape.

So he rushed to the company and found one of the few senior executives in the marketing department, the head of the headquarters, Yosuke Furuya.

"President, how was your conversation with Vice President Kadokawa last night?"

"We have reached a preliminary cooperation intention. As long as we pass the assessment of Kadokawa Bookstore and gain the trust of Kadokawa's vice president, we will receive more and more software orders in the future." Masayoshi Son's eyes rolled.

"That's really great!"

Yosuke Furuya was extremely excited. This was the best news he had heard since Masayoshi Son returned to the front line!

"But I also got some bad news from Vice President Kadokawa and others. Now, SoftBank is facing a new crisis!"

Masayoshi Son looked solemn.

Furuya Yosuke said, "Are you talking about the people from the marketing, business, and technical departments who resigned yesterday?"

"Yes, Furuya-kun, you are also a member of the marketing department. Did you notice anything suspicious about Kogure Kazuhiro and the others?"

Masayoshi Son asked with a frown.

Furuya Yosuke pondered for a while, "You mean..."

Son Masayoshi said: "The timing is too coincidental. I suspect they are likely to defect to Nishi Kazuhiko like the traitors before!"

"No way, Kogure-kun and the others have been following the president for a long time." Furuya Yosuke shook his head. "In fact, regarding Kogure-kun, I heard another story. There are rumors among the members that the people in the marketing department seem to have received investment from outside and are going out to start their own business."

"No wonder we all resigned together..."

Son's face changed. "Not good! If the people in the marketing department and the business department get together, they will know all the secrets of our customer resources, purchase prices, wholesale prices, etc. that we have accumulated over the years."

My heart immediately skipped a beat, and the feeling of uneasiness grew stronger and stronger: "Are they also going to distribute software?"

"I'm afraid that's the case. Yesterday's incident proved that the rumors that have long been circulating among the members are true. If this hadn't happened, I wouldn't have known until now." Yosuke Furuya suddenly realized. All the strange behaviors of Kazuhiro Kogure and the others before made sense.

Son said, "Guoya-kun, did they reveal who invested in it?"

"You know Kogure-kun. He is very tight-lipped."

Furuya Yosuke said helplessly, "Isn't it because of this that you valued him that you let him take charge of important secrets such as customer resources in the marketing department?"

"Now it seems that I have chosen the wrong person!"

Masayoshi Son expressed the concerns that had been weighing on his mind all night.

Furuya Yosuke was shocked: "What, you suspect they stole our trade secrets!"

"I'm not sure yet. But the most urgent thing is that we have to come up with a countermeasure." Son Masayoshi looked at him and was silent for a while before asking: "Guoya-kun, facing this situation, are you willing to stay and fight with me?"

"What a joke!"

Furuya Yosuke vowed: "During the time when you were away from the company for treatment, Nishi Kazuhiko and his gang tried to recruit me several times, but I rejected them all because from the moment I started working for you, I was determined to achieve the goal of having a computer on every desk."

"Thank you for your trust and support, Furuya-kun!"

Son Masayoshi was a little happier, but then he stopped smiling. "Then I'll have to trouble you to be the director of the merchandise department! Also, we need to figure out what Kazuhiro Kogure and the others will do next? Will they surrender to Nishi Kazuhiko or start their own business?"

"Hi Yi!"

Yosuke Furuya bent down slightly, then walked out hurriedly.

Masayoshi Son paced back and forth in the office, feeling uneasy.

Whether Kazuhiro Kogure sets up his own business or joins Nishi Kazuhiko, it will bring immeasurable losses to himself and SoftBank, especially if high-quality customer resources like Kadokawa Shoten are poached. Then, SoftBank will be in an irretrievable situation.

As he was thinking, for some reason, Fangyan's face suddenly appeared in his mind.

That half-smile on his face and the suggestion that he should deal with the company's internal affairs first, does he know something?
Masayoshi Son immediately gave up the idea of ​​looking for him immediately. He just didn't want to look for him immediately, and he didn't want to ask him to invest in SoftBank right away.

This will only make Fangyan underestimate the value of himself and SoftBank, and thus make an offer that is far below his psychological expectations.

Those who save themselves will always be saved by others!
He is confident that he can find out the real mastermind and purpose behind this and solve it in every possible way!

Within a week, the truth came to light.

In the newspaper, Masayoshi Son was deeply hurt by Kogure Kazuhiro's statement: "If all products are handed over to SoftBank, the prices will be controlled. We will explain the sales method of software and open retail stores with a more substantial system than SoftBank!"

Kazuhiro Kogure, who became the company's president, looks high-spirited and proud in the photo.

After all, behind his new company stood Nishi Kazuhiko, Mori Jiro, and some unknown people, a total of five companies working together.

"How can it be repaired?"

Son slammed his fist on the desk: "Traitor!"

Furuya Yosuke did not hide his anger: "Whether it takes three years, five years, or ten years, we must wipe out these rebels!"

Being betrayed by his once trusted subordinates, being attacked by his old enemy with such a conspiracy, and facing a financially powerful investment team, Son took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth: "We must win! Absolutely! We must win! Absolutely! We will win!"

Yosuke Furuya's eyes were shining, he just admired Masayoshi Son's unstoppable momentum and his always firm belief!
Son Masayoshi did not dare to slack off. SoftBank was short of people, customers, and most importantly, money! He needed money so badly! (End of this chapter)