Naruto: Uchiha Youngjo's Konoha Spring

Chapter 131 Does he know who he is talking to?
Two weeks after Kakashi left on a business trip, Uchiha Douguang heard the obituary of Princess China in the court.

Uchiha Douguang, as the Minister of State, sent him his sorrowful condolences.

Then he returned to the Hokage's office and divided the money with Kakashi, who had returned to the village overnight.

According to Kakashi, Princess China was bullying the people in her fiefdom and doing all kinds of evil. Compared with this princess, even Danzo could be considered a righteous partner. He couldn't help but kill the princess and took back all the money in her vault.

Uchiha Tokugawa didn't say anything about this. After reading the mission report brought back by Kakashi, Uchiha Tokugawa realized that he seemed to have overestimated the moral level of these feudal nobles.

"In future development plans, we should pay special attention to this area and give them some policy support." Uchiha Douhuan said. The report brought back by Kakashi showed that the people living in the princess's fiefdom were so miserable that he felt a little sorry for them.

After the princess' obituary reached Konoha, the grain merchants were scared half to death. They had just found out who was behind the investigation, and less than two weeks later, the princess died. This kind of thing was simply not worth thinking about. For the sake of their lives, they could only lower the price of grain, which already had only a little profit.

These grain merchants were obedient, but some merchants in other industries were not so sensible.

The Fire Nation moved its capital to Konoha, and everything was in ruins. Many big businessmen smelled the business opportunities in this area. They were spread across various industries, and many of them had industries as large as Cardo's. Compared with them, those grain merchants who needed to rely on the nobles to make a fortune were at most just small-time players. After all, these grain merchants didn't even have a decent ninja, and their subordinates basically had some top-level ninja masters from small ninja villages. With their strength, it was no problem for them to influence the rise and fall of some small countries.

At this moment, they also gathered together, intending to pool their strength to fight against the new tax law implemented by Uchiha Douguang.

"70% tax? I've been doing business in the ninja world for so many years, and I've never paid such high taxes! Uchiha Douguang is clearly robbing us!"

"That's right! If he had told us earlier that we had to pay such high taxes, none of us would have come to Konoha. Now that everyone has set up their businesses, and he suddenly changed the tax rate, isn't that just robbery?"

"That's right, we have to unite and show him that we are not to be trifled with!"

The remarks made by some people at the party scared Cardo half to death. Cardo took a few steps back without saying a word. These people could seek death, but as long as their blood didn't splash on him, it would be fine.

His residence was right near the guard corps, and he had witnessed with his own eyes the might of Susanoo, which was like the descent of the god of thunder, on the night of the Konoha coup. He knew clearly that even though these people were rich and could easily get some top-ranked ninjas from small ninja villages to work for them, it was estimated that even if all of them joined together, they would not be able to break the defense of the giant war god in front of Uchiha Tokou.

However, things did not go as planned. Cardo had hoped to just miss out on this gathering of colleagues, but someone on the stage suddenly called out his name: "Mr. Cardo, you are the first of us to arrive in Konoha. Please come up and say a few words to everyone!"

Cardo's scalp tightened and he glanced outside the door. He knew that his personal bodyguard, Uchiha Tobishima, a senior ninja from the Uchiha clan, must be keeping an eye on the situation inside the party. If he said something wrong, he would be shot in the back with six kunai and commit suicide tonight.

But at this moment, all the eyes in the audience were on him, and he had no choice but to go on stage.

"Well, everyone, I am very optimistic about the development prospects of Konohagakure Village. You will definitely be able to make a lot of money here." Cardo said.

"Hey, Cardo, you don't need to explain this! Everyone knows that Konoha can make money now?" A wealthy businessman whose ancestral home is the Land of Lightning said, "We want you to talk about the tax issue!"

Cardo glanced at the person who was speaking, feeling a little dissatisfied, and secretly memorized the person's appearance.

"As for taxes, let's not be so one-sided. Didn't the Grand Minister introduce a policy that allows tax deductions for investments in the Land of Fire?" said Cardo.

"Invest? Apart from the area around Konoha, where else in the Land of Fire is there worth investing in?" the businessman complained. "Investing in factories in those poor places, how long will it take to recoup the funds? Besides, why would he use our money to build the Land of Fire?"

Cardo shrank his neck, then said, "We should also take a long-term view. If the lives of the people of the Fire Nation improve, we will also be able to make more money."

"Huh, is this something you, Cardo, can say? Why didn't you build a factory and invest in that poor place when you were in the Land of Waves?" At this time, another businessman said.

"Since you all have your own ideas, what else do you want me to say?" Cardo finally came to his senses. Why should he be left here to suffer this? As the first person to pledge his loyalty to Uchiha Douguang, his family's wealth had shrunk significantly, and several bodyguards had moved into his home. But on the bright side, his quality of life hadn't declined at all. After Uchiha Douguang took his money, he had great opportunities to do business in the Fire Country. Although he had to share 70% of his profits with them, the scale of his business was much larger than before.

So, as long as you hold on to Uchiha Douguang, why would you be afraid of not making money?

As for his colleagues, he felt that he had done his best for them. After all, it was difficult to persuade a damned ghost with kind words. If they still wanted to die after he had reminded them, then he could not care less.

Besides, isn't the happiest thing in the world to die in the same profession? Why should I worry about them so much? If they die, I might even get a piece of the pie.

After figuring this out, Cardo toughened up and said, "I'm already prepared to invest in building a factory in the Fire Nation. As for what you want to do, don't drag me into it."

After Cardo finished speaking, he stood up and left the party.

After returning to his carriage, Cardo immediately changed his expression and said to Uchiha Tobishima beside him: "Mr. Tobishima, you should have heard what they said just now. I suggest you report this to the Minister of State immediately. These people are really lawless!"

"Well, I will report this to the clan leader. You did a good job!" Uchiha Tobishima nodded.

Half an hour later, after Uchiha Tobishima sent Cardo home, he went straight to the Hokage Building and reported the matter to Uchiha Tokou.

"I just asked them to pay taxes, yet they dared to accuse me of robbery?" After hearing Uchiha Tobishima's report, Uchiha Douguang's eyes widened and he said angrily, "Do they know who they are talking to? A bunch of businessmen, what are they!"

"It seems these guys have had a good life for too long and have forgotten the bitterness of life. We must let them experience what it's like!" Uchiha Douguang said, "Uncle Feidao, who are the leaders among these businessmen?"

"According to Cardo, this gathering was initiated by a businessman named Yokogawa Yuhiro. According to Cardo, this guy's business started out selling rubber shoes in the Land of Lightning. Now his business covers various daily chemical products. The largest daily chemical brand in the ninja world is his Yokogawa Daily Chemicals."

"So that's it, it's him." Uchiha Douguang nodded, "Inahori." "Here." Uchiha Inahori walked in.

"Go to the security team, bring some people, and shut down this guy's businesses in the name of a tax audit. Then, have a good chat with President Yokokawa and find out what he's up to!"

"Yes!" Uchiha Inahori took the order and left.

……

Soon, the largest daily chemical retail store in Konoha and the warehouses around Konoha were sealed off by the security team. Yokogawa Yuhiro was furious when he learned the news, but the next moment, Uchiha Inahiri came to the door.

"The Hokage's secretary is visiting?" After hearing the news, Yokogawa Sukehiro was a little irritable, but he still patiently invited Uchiha Inahori in. There was no other way. He had invested a huge amount of money in order to enter Konoha this time. Now that the industry has been closed, if he cannot resume operations as soon as possible, he will also face the risk of a broken capital chain.

"Good afternoon, President Yokokawa." Uchiha Inabi, dressed as a ninja, swaggered into Yokokawa Sukehiro's house.

Yokogawa Yuhiro frowned repeatedly. In his opinion, Uchiha Inabi was just a lowly ninja, but now the other party had no respect for hierarchy in front of him, which was really rude.

At this time, the senior ninja under Yokogawa Sukehiro saw this and stepped forward to teach Uchiha Inahib a lesson. However, Uchiha Inahib just opened his Sharingan, and the moment he saw the two magatama, the other party dared not move. This senior ninja from Kusagakure Village had naturally heard that Uchiha was always one on two. At this moment, when Uchiha Inahib's Sharingan opened, the other party understood that the man in front of him must not be provoked.

"President Yokokawa, the people under you are a little ignorant." Uchiha Inahiro turned around and said coldly.

Seeing this, Yokogawa Yuhong cursed in his heart, but when he thought of his property that had been seized by the security team, he could only endure his temper and said to his jonin: "Why don't you retreat!"

After the jonin took the order and left, Yokogawa Yuhong said with a smile: "My subordinates are ignorant and have made the Hokage's secretary laugh. I hope the Hokage's secretary will forgive me."

Uchiha Inabi nodded when he heard this, and swaggered over to the sofa in the living room of Yokogawa Yuhiro's house and sat down.

Seeing this, Yokogawa Sukehiro could only curse inwardly, but he still had to ask his servants to serve tea and water to the other party.

"I wonder if the Hokage's secretary is visiting me today. Is there anything he wants to talk to me about?" asked Yokogawa Sukehiro.

"President Yokokawa, aren't you asking this question even though you already know the answer? We have received a report that there are tax problems with your company, so we are here to ask President Yokokawa to go back with us for an investigation." Uchiha Inahiro said coldly.

"Tax problem? How could that be? Our Yokogawa Group has always operated in compliance with the law and has always paid taxes in full." said Yokogawa Sukehiro.

"President Yokokawa still has a long way to go in complying with the new tax law implemented this year," said Uchiha Inahiri.

"Are you referring to the 70% tax rate?" Yokogawa Yuhiro said patiently, "Our Yokogawa Group can't afford such a high tax rate."

"Didn't the Grand Minister also introduce a tax deduction policy for investing in factories in the Land of Fire?" Uchiha Inahime said, "We haven't received your tax payment for this year, nor your investment plan. This puts us in a difficult position, President Yokokawa."

"Hokage Secretary, with all due respect, we're in business to make money, not to send money to a particular country!" Yokogawa Sukehiro said, patting the soles of his shoes. "I started my rubber shoe business in the Land of Lightning, and I climbed from the bottom to my current position. I've been in the business world for so many years, but I've never encountered a situation like this."

"President Yokokawa, you don't have to tell me these. You just need to tell me whether you will pay this tax or not?" Uchiha Inahiro gradually lost his patience when he heard this, and asked bluntly.

"Hokage's secretary, please go back! I will not pay this unreasonable tax!" said Yokogawa Sukehiro.

"Okay, I hope you won't regret it, President Yokokawa." Uchiha Inahiro nodded, "Then let's talk about the conspiracy you gathered last night."

"This... how is it possible?" Yokogawa Yuhong was shocked, but he still said with all his strength, "You can't just make up a reason to slander a good person!"

"Whether it is slander or not, the security team will naturally provide evidence. President Yokokawa, please come with us!" Uchiha Inahiri said coldly.

"You can't do this! Someone come! Someone come!" shouted Yokogawa Sukehiro.

"Stop yelling! The ninjas under your command are so weak, they're no match for the security team." Uchiha Inahimi stood up and reached out to hold Yokogawa Yuhiro down. "If you don't want to suffer any physical pain, please behave yourself, President Yokogawa."

……

Yokogawa Sukehiro was taken to the security team. Although he was released that night after investigation, bad news came one after another in the following days.

First of all, the security team not only did not lift the ban on the industries under his name, but also increased its efforts on the industries under his name. In the entire Konoha, any businessman who had any business dealings with the Yokogawa Group would be inspected by the security team every few days.

In addition, under the instruction of Uchiha Douguang, Cardo also began to take action to intercept the other party's business.

In just one week, Yokogawa Sukehiro in the security team received all kinds of unfavorable news about his group in the Land of Fire, and the entire Yokogawa Group was severely damaged.

It was at this time that Yokogawa Sukehiro received an invitation to a dinner party from Uchiha Tokou.

……

(End of this chapter)