America: My Time

Chapter 416 The Koreans' Compromise

Chapter 416 The Koreans' Compromise
"It's time to prepare for a retreat. We can't let those Japanese guys catch us off guard after they've made preparations. Those Japanese guys are no good. Perhaps it's time to prepare to relinquish the game world. Those Japanese guys probably already have considerable technological reserves!" Seeing the performance of the Japanese steel industry, John couldn't help but think of the semiconductor and gaming industries. Although Sony, Panasonic, and Hitachi wouldn't breach the contract, it didn't mean they wouldn't hand over their technology to other Japanese home appliance giants. Japan has ten major home appliance giants, so such 'cooperation' is perfectly normal.

Although the gaming world has been developing rapidly and constantly updating, over time, Sony, Hitachi, and Panasonic have also mastered many technologies in the gaming world. With Japan's current strength, cracking these technology patents is not difficult, so John had to prepare in advance.

John quickly made a decision: to raise funds and secretly acquire shares in Standard Chartered Bank. This time, John did not intend to rely too much on the power of Japanese banks to prevent his plans from being leaked and arousing Standard Chartered's suspicion, which would ruin his scheme. John did not believe that the Japanese were trustworthy.

After John left, Akio Morita sighed inwardly. Of all the Japanese businessmen, he knew John best. From the beginning, he hadn't been optimistic about the situation. However, as a member of Mitsui and a bigwig in the Japanese business world, Morita had accepted the persuasion from various parties and organized the party. For a nobody who could rival the Rockefeller conglomerates to be outmaneuvered by the Japanese steel industry was simply laughable. While their honey trap had been successful, it was impossible to use it to make John abandon his own interests; even the women themselves didn't have that kind of power.

"These guys are too stupid, too arrogant. Perhaps because Japan's economy is getting stronger and stronger, they've forgotten what caution is. If quantum mining were so easy to invest in, why would those American conglomerates have let go so easily? It can only be said that they've all lost their minds and done something they shouldn't have done, alerting John, this little fox. They've stirred up trouble. These guys are too stupid!" At this moment, looking at these steel industry giants who were still talking loudly, Akio Morita couldn't help but sigh inwardly, lamenting the foolishness of these guys.

What was originally a win-win deal turned into John profiting from Japanese companies in the mouths of these guys. These guys simply don't understand how precarious Japan's situation is. The North American market is not as simple as they make it out to be. Perhaps these bastards don't care about the North American market, but it's a completely different story for the semiconductor industry, the automotive industry, and the home appliance industry. They can't afford to fail in the North American market. That's why Sony keeps penetrating deeper into the United States and acquiring Columbia Pictures, even knowing it will lose money. But now, many guys in Japan are too arrogant and haven't realized how great the dangers Japan is facing are.

Perhaps after this party, John, that little fox, will have a different view of Japan. This is what Akio Morita is most worried about. However, these guys in the steel industry seem not to see such a threat. They are still immersed in their own beautiful fantasies and still think that Quantum Mining's iron ore exports cannot be separated from the Japanese market.

Would no one in Japan see the danger behind this? Not seeing it doesn't necessarily mean Quantum Mining will cooperate with Japan. Taiwan has a considerable demand for iron ore, and South Korea also has a huge demand. Not to mention that Quantum Mining itself has now entered the steel industry, so they have overstated the role of the Japanese market.

Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly! Unfortunately, Akio Morita could see things clearly, but he was powerless to stop it from happening. No one would believe him or agree with his views. In many people's eyes, Quantum Mining's cash flow was already very tight, and the slightest disturbance could cause it to collapse. Therefore, these guys in the steel industry all felt that their ideas were correct and that Quantum Mining wouldn't last long.

Amidst the arrogance of these Japanese guys, John negotiated with the South Korean consul in Tokyo. It wasn't John who proactively approached this guy; rather, they proactively contacted John because they had lost their confidence. South Korea is also a resource-importing country, and their development is inseparable from steel and oil. Now that Quantum Mining's iron ore has the ability to be exported, this is the opportunity they crave most. They no longer have the arrogance they had at the beginning.

"Consul Park, I understand your demands. Quantum Mining can help you overcome your difficulties, but business is a two-way street. It's impossible for me to make all the sacrifices while you bear no cost at all!"

“Mr. John, please feel free to state your demands. If I cannot make a decision, you can report it to the government, and I am confident that you will receive a satisfactory answer! What happened before was caused by ignorant fools, and it was not our intention!”

John didn't believe these words. He knew how greedy the Koreans were, but he didn't want to expose them at this time. There was no need. He was an adult and wouldn't ruin his plans, his operations in South Korea, or even his own development because of a momentary impulse.

"That's good. Actually, my requirements are very simple. I want a television station license and a network communication qualification. If possible, I would even like to register an airline there to complete Pan Am's network!" "Mr. John, although I would love to agree to your proposal, I don't have the capability. I will contact my home country and believe I can give you a reply soon. I won't keep you waiting long!"

"Sure, but I hope it can be done quickly. I won't stay in Tokyo for long, and I believe this is beneficial for both of us. You get everything you want, and I get everything I want. Most importantly, with our investment, there will be rapid development in television, internet communications, and aviation."

Although John's demands seem a bit excessive, they are not too unreasonable, because the situation in South Korea is not ideal at this time, and South Korea's exports have also been affected. They do not have much time to wait and adjust.

To John's surprise, the next day, good news came from South Korea. They agreed to John's proposal to end the conflict and save their own economy. Upon hearing this good news, John breathed a sigh of relief. Although the 'cooperation' in the oil refinery had failed, they had gained opportunities in television, aviation, and communications.

South Korea's compromise surprised Japanese steel companies, but it didn't cause them any concern. These Japanese steel companies didn't believe their South Korean counterparts could threaten their development. Moreover, many in Japan dismissed John's "South Korea threat" theory, considering it a joke. They believed that with South Korea's current strength, it was impossible for them to catch up with Japan, as there was a huge gap between the two countries.

However, these guys seem to have forgotten the existence of the United States, and forgotten that their rapid development has caused unease in the United States. The trade deficit between the United States and Japan is now staggering. Under such circumstances, how could the Americans possibly turn a blind eye? Before long, they will pay a heavy price for their arrogance.

When Pan Am and Global Online entered South Korea, the old guard in the US sighed. Although the Mandarin Oriental Group had expanded in the US, John hadn't given up his overseas expansion as they had hoped. Now that South Korea had compromised and conceded defeat, many were shocked by John's tough approach. It also instilled fear in those old guard; now, even if they wanted to restrict John's development, they couldn't.

The US wanted John's expansion in semiconductors, but unfortunately, John chose to expand the Mandarin Oriental Group's businesses in real estate and restaurants. When its restaurant expansion stalled, regardless of the reasons behind it, the Mandarin Oriental Group shifted its investments from restaurants to real estate, specifically shopping mall acquisitions.

When Morgan discovered the change in the Mandarin Oriental Group, he couldn't help but sigh, and he was even more furious with those bastards on Wall Street who were ruining their plans. However, Morgan soon discovered another problem: John was selling shares in the game world, albeit in small amounts, but this was constantly driving up the price of the game world's shares and recouping funds, which made Morgan somewhat suspicious.

Nvidia is about to go public, so why is John selling his shares in Game World at this time? What's his purpose? Does this little guy have a new project and is raising funds? What kind of project could make John, this little fox, give up his shares in Game World? Game World shares are highly sought after and incredibly valuable. John wouldn't make such a choice if he didn't have a better project. Could it be that this little fox has a new target during his trip to Japan?

Unfortunately, Morgan couldn't inquire about this secret, nor could he speak up. John's actions must have involved enormous profits. This wasn't just something Morgan discovered; the entire Wall Street community gradually realized it. John wasn't selling many shares, only a small amount, but it had a significant impact on Wall Street, causing many to chase after the shares he released. It wasn't that no one wanted to take this opportunity to suppress the game world's shares; however, they simply didn't have enough shares, so no matter how many ideas they had, they couldn't realize them!

(End of this chapter)