1979 My Life in the Era

Chapter 314
A few days later, in the Hong Kong district of Shanghai Stock Exchange, inside Toshiba's Shanghai office.

In a Japanese tea room, Maori Taro knelt and watched Kumamoto across from him tinkering with their tea ceremony.

Big Ben's movements were unhurried, but he looked out of place in a suit. Although he was not tall, he had broad shoulders and was considered a sturdy man among Japanese people.

"Mr. Mori, please~" After a moment, Kumamoto put a small cup of dark green tea on the small coffee table.

"Ha~" Maori Taro bowed respectfully, picked up the black lacquer teacup with both hands, took a light sip, and showed an expression of enjoyment.

Just like the usual exaggeration of the Japanese.

Bear Ben smiled, very satisfied with the other party's reaction.

While sipping his tea, he said, "Mr. Maori, I have read your report on establishing a joint venture with the Chinese factory."

Upon hearing this, Maori Taro immediately straightened up and listened carefully.

Big Ben Kumaji said: "It's a good idea, but three million color display tubes..."

Maori Taro immediately brought up Ning Weidong's argument: "Sir, according to my investigation, China's current television consumption potential is huge. In the next ten years, at least 30 million televisions will be needed, of which at least % will be color TVs. If distributed annually, it will definitely exceed million."

Big Ben Kumaji smiled with a bit of amusement on his face. He did not delve into Maori Taro's words and asked, "The Handong Electronics Factory you mentioned in your report is just a newly built factory. If you must form a joint venture, why choose them? We can definitely choose a partner with stronger strength."

Maori Taro felt a little guilty, but he pretended to be calm: "Sir, although this factory is newly built, the person in charge behind it is very important."

Big Ben Kumaji narrowed his eyes and said "Oh?"

Maori Taro said: "This man is called Ning Weidong, and his in-laws are from the Beijing Machinery Department... If we cooperate with him, it will be of great help to the company's future development in China."

Big Ben Kumaji smiled and said, "It may be a big benefit to Maori-kun~"

Maori Taro quickly lowered his head: "I dare not."

Big Ben Kumaji reached out and patted him on the shoulder: "You don't have to do this, Maori-kun. But... it's not that easy for these Huaguo people to get a production line for free without spending a penny."

Maori Taro couldn't help but lick his dry lips. It was obvious that Omoto Kumaji had already learned some of the circumstances in advance and also knew Ning Weidong's background.

"Hayi!" He didn't dare to say anything else. At this point he could only put aside his other thoughts.

However, from what Big Ben said, it seems that he is not opposed to setting up a joint venture, but he needs to discuss some conditions.

Maori Taro said, "Sir, do you think... can I meet Ning Weidong?"

Big Ben had a blank expression on his face. He picked up the teacup and put it to his mouth. He thought for a few seconds before taking a sip. "It's not that easy to meet me."

"Ha~" There was a flash of disappointment in Maori Taro's eyes. If Omoto Kumaji agreed, the matter would undoubtedly be half done.

But he was also very sensible and knew that he had no face in front of Big Ben. The other party had already spoken and it would be offensive to persuade him again.

Big Ben Xiong Er said again: "By the way, I heard that Ning Weidong's factory failed in assembling color TVs not long ago?"

Maori Taro was stunned. He really didn't understand this.

I was secretly surprised, it was obvious that Big Ben Kuma II came prepared.

"I'm sorry, sir, I..." Maori Taro did not hesitate and admitted his mistake immediately.

Big Ben Kumaji said: "It doesn't matter. As far as I know, their domestically produced cathode ray tubes are not compatible with our integrated circuits. That's why they want to build a joint venture with us."

Maori Taro suddenly realized.

Big Ben Xiong Er continued: "But before the joint venture factory is established, they will definitely obtain cathode ray tubes through S and get the factory running first."

Maori Taro reacted very quickly and immediately understood what the other party meant: "Sir, do you want to stop?"

Kumaji Omoto smiled with satisfaction: "That's right, you say hello to the people from the Kuroshio Group and increase the price of cathode ray tubes for China by 30%." "Huh!" Maori Taro was puzzled and didn't quite understand what Kumaji Omoto meant by doing this.

If we just want to put pressure on Ning Weidong, there is no need for this method.

The black market price increased by 30%, so the money could not reach Toshiba and it directly offended Ning Weidong. Only the Kuroshio Group benefited.

"Step back~" Big Ben Kumaji said lightly.

Maori Taro agreed again, knelt down and moved back twice, then stood up, opened the paper door and went out.

Big Ben was left alone drinking tea in silence, then he took out his wallet and opened it to examine it.

There was a photo of a young man in the wallet, who looked 70% like Bear Ben.

Seeing the photo, Big Ben Kumaji couldn't help but pinch his wallet until his fingers turned white, muttering, "Xingping~ Dad will definitely avenge you!"

……

On the other side, Ning Weidong received the news as soon as Big Ben Xiong Er arrived.

At around three o'clock in the afternoon, Ning Weidong received a call from Taro Maori and arranged a meeting.

The location is still the International Hotel as last time.

Toshiba's Shanghai office has booked a suite here all year round.

After the meeting, Maori Taro apologized first: "I'm very sorry, Ning-san, I have tried my best, but Mr. Omoto refused to meet you."

Ning Weidong was not too disappointed, and waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter, what else did he say?"

Maori Taro did not hide anything and immediately told him about his meeting with Omoto Kumaji, and even told him about Omoto's order for the Kuroshio Group to raise the price.

Although they are both Japanese, Maori Taro and Ning Weidong are now allies with common interests and they very much hope to facilitate the establishment of the joint venture factory.

Ning Weidong frowned.

Kumamoto may have other considerations for refusing to meet, but it is too unfriendly to directly instruct the price to be raised.

Ning Weidong was not sure what the other party meant.
Waiting for a good price, intimidation and pressure... or just plain malice?

If it's the former, you have to make the request first and see if I agree.

What's the point of putting pressure on me right away?

Originally, because the cathode ray tube is not compatible with the integrated circuit, the cost has to be increased by using S-type cathode ray tube. If the price of S-type cathode ray tube is further increased, it will be like adding insult to injury.

As for the 'Kuroshio Group' mentioned by Big Ben Kumaji, it is an S-type group in the East, and is upstream of the An family.

Ning Weidong said: "Mori-san, based on your understanding, what does Big Ben Kumaji mean?"

"This..." Maori Taro pondered, "It's hard to say. Mr. Omoto's mind is very deep, and no one knows what he thinks. But... I think he still left room for meeting you in the future."

"Is this how you leave room for maneuver?" Ning Weidong sneered, but he also knew that he could not get more information from Maori Taro, and could only wait and see what Omoto Kumaji's next move would be.

After the meeting, Ning Weidong took a car from the International Hotel back to the guesthouse.

As soon as I entered the guesthouse, I saw Abao fidgeting in a chair next to the front desk.

Seeing Ning Weidong, he immediately came forward and said, "Brother Ning, Sister An Ning called just now and said that something happened at the factory and asked you to come back. Call back immediately."

Ning Weidong's heart trembled and he immediately thought of the missing injured worker.

(End of this chapter)