Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Besmertnech quickly realized that he had not misheard.

One hundred million US dollars exceeded the initial pilot scale proposed by the Leningrad Working Group. It was enough to cover hospital supplies, port cold storage facilities, and several food processing enterprises simultaneously, and it also meant that Saionji was willing to bear the procurement and transportation costs for these projects before the Soviet Union completed its payment.

Gorbachev did not immediately inquire about the conditions, but only looked at Satsuki.

What should we purchase in the first batch?

Satsuki reopened the project catalog brought by the Soviet side, her finger tracing over the pages of the two hospitals and the port cold storage facilities, finally stopping at the estimated amount column.

"Pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, milk powder, cooking oil, cold storage equipment, backup generators, and port parts can all be included in the first batch of purchases."

She turned the catalog to Gorbachev.

"Saionji Trading Co., Ltd. is responsible for procurement and transportation, and the cooperating bank opens letters of credit. After the first batch of projects is completed, accepted, and repaid, the credit line will be restored, and it can be used again."

Gorbachev looked at her.

Do you accept the ruble?

"We do not accept deferred payments in ordinary rubles."

"The Soviet side may use US dollars, Japanese yen, or exported goods confirmed by both parties for payment. Nickel, palladium, titanium, timber, and aquatic products can all be discussed."

"What about the crude oil?"

"Besmertnech asked."

"That's also acceptable."

Satsuki picked up the wine cup, but didn't drink it.

"However, the war (the Gulf War) is over. The money people were willing to pay extra for each barrel of oil three months ago is now disappearing."

"Waiting for oil prices to solve the Soviet Union's foreign exchange problem might take longer than waiting for those five agencies to simultaneously stamp their seals."

The atmosphere in the private room became slightly subdued.

During the Gulf War, the Soviet Union was still able to mediate between the United Nations and various countries, while the Japanese government bore a huge amount of military expenses.

But when the war actually entered the desert, diplomatic seats and funds on paper needed to be turned into something tangible.

The Soviet Union still held its position as a major power, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to exchange domestically produced goods for equipment needed by hospitals.

Tokyo handed over that staggering check, but the Japanese team that actually entered the battlefield came from Saionji's Global Rescue.

Satsuki did not intend to comment further on the war.

She put the wine glass back on the table.

"The Soviet Union had resources, while Japan had funds and equipment."

"What's really lacking right now is a channel that allows goods to leave the warehouse and money to reach the recipient."

Gorbachev's expression did not change noticeably after hearing this.

"Is Saionji Temple willing to build this passageway?"

"willing."

"And the price?"

Satsuki looked at Chizuru.

Chizuru opened the second folder and placed a short memo on the table.

The first few pages contained information on credit limits, the scope of goods, and payment methods. Besmertnech read quickly, only slowing down when he reached the appendix.

Each item has five confirmation points listed after it.

The central governing body of the Soviet Union.

Relevant departments of the Russian Republic.

Leningrad City Government.

The actual operating unit.

Designated settlement bank.

After reading the first item, Besmertnech looked up.

"The Russian Republic is not qualified to be recognized alongside the Union Central Committee for this kind of foreign cooperation."

"Then please ask them to confirm as the project implementing agency."

"This is still not appropriate."

"Who owns the warehouses at the Port of Leningrad?"

"nation."

"Who exactly opened the door?"

Besmertnech did not answer.

Satsuki reached out and turned the document to the next page.

"Reorganization of administrative organs, changes in enterprise affiliation, and adjustments to ownership forms do not affect the continuity and validity of existing contracts, repayment responsibilities, operating licenses, and priority rights."

Her finger stopped below that line.

"This also needs to be confirmed by all parties involved in its implementation."

Besmertnech's expression turned completely serious.

"Ms. Saionji, this has gone beyond the scope of ordinary business risks."

"For Saionji, every day that the goods are detained in the port is a business risk."

"You are demanding that the Russian Republic assume the obligations alone, and you are also taking into account changes in the state's organizational structure."

He paused.

"What exactly do you think will happen to the Soviet Union?"

After the translator's voice faded, only the occasional soft crackling of charcoal in the brazier remained in the private room.

Gorbachev did not stop the Foreign Minister.

He is also waiting for an answer.

Satsuki looked at the document and seemed to consider it seriously for a while.

"The committee that was responsible for approving port equipment last month has changed its name this month."

She looked up.

"The Russian Republic is demanding its own financial and corporate management authority, and the city of Leningrad is also developing independent foreign trade cooperation methods. These things don't need to be predicted by Saionji."

"I believe in the promises made by Mr. Gorbachev."

"The captains of ships that transport medicine cannot judge which seal is more authoritative among Moscow, the Russian Republic, and Leningrad."

Gorbachev slowly leaned back in his chair.

"So you need everyone to sign."

"Confirmed by someone who can actually open the warehouse door, move the trucks, and complete the payment."

"This gives the impression that the central leadership of the alliance can no longer represent the entire country."

Satsuki remained silent; the answer was self-evident.

Shuichi put down his wine glass at that moment.

"Mr. Gorbachev."

His tone was very gentle.

"Saionji bore the risks of procurement, transportation, insurance, and delayed payments. However, Saionji had no control over which agency within the Soviet Union was responsible for these tasks."

"Having relevant departments jointly confirm this does not weaken the central government's commitment. It simply ensures that each level of commitment has specific individuals responsible for fulfilling it."

Gorbachev looked at Shuichi.

"Did Mr. Saionji also believe these clauses were necessary?"

Xiu Yi smiled.

"I would prefer that all projects could be completed with just a word from you."

"But last year's compressor system taught us that reality is not so simple."

Gorbachev glanced down at the document.

The dish on the table had been changed to Hokkaido beef. The waiter kept the charcoal fire burning steadily, and after the thinly sliced ​​beef was placed on the ceramic plate, the edges were quickly rolled up, and the fat seeped out along the fine lines.

The aroma of burnt oil wafted out, but no one touched their chopsticks.

After a while, Gorbachev suddenly asked:

"Did this beef also come from Saionji's farm?"

Satsuki reached out and flipped a piece of beef off the edge of the ceramic slab. The fat fell onto the hot slab, making a soft, sizzling sound.

"Tokachi, Hokkaido."

Gorbachev then looked at the tender asparagus next to him.

"What about vegetables?"

"Most of them come from the group's farms. For seasonal vegetables in the spring, we still purchase them separately according to their place of origin."

Gorbachev picked up a slice of freshly grilled beef and glanced at the contract appendix that was not yet closed on the table.

"It seems that even a dinner in Saionji requires going through many departments."

"At least they know when and where to deliver things."

Gorbachev chuckled, and the tense atmosphere in the private room eased a little.

Besmertnech did not laugh along; his gaze remained fixed on the surroundings.

"The confirmation of ports and banks can be discussed, but the item concerning the Russian Republic must be removed."

"This is a matter of principle."

Satsuki swallowed a mouthful of beef and nodded.

"Can."

Besmertnech was somewhat surprised.

"After the deletion, Saionji will only conduct spot transactions, will not provide revolving credit, and will not assume any responsibility for deferred payment or customs clearance."

"The goods were loaded onto the ship after payment was completed at the Japanese port. What happened after they arrived in the Soviet Union was handled by the Soviet side."

Besmertnech's expression froze.

This is the safest approach.

But this also meant that the Soviet Union had to provide hard currency first; Saionji would not advance them a single yen, nor would it arrange port renovations or long-term supplies.

Gorbachev looked at Satsuki and suddenly asked:

"What about research institutions?"

"We can collaborate on another project."

Satsuki left the credit plan in the center of the table, then pressed her fingertips against the list of research institutions at the end of the project directory.

"Saionji is willing to offer civilian research contracts and pay project stipends to researchers in the fields of communications, precision optics, materials, and control. Some personnel can come to Japan to work, while those who remain in the Soviet Union can also obtain equipment and funding through the project."

"How many people do you want to take with you?"

"We haven't even seen the first batch of names yet."

Satsuki smiled slightly.

"I can't possibly book a flight without knowing the other person's name, can I?"

Gorbachev laughed too.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' concerns about you do not seem to be unfounded."

"What else did they say?"

Shuichi lowered his head to adjust his napkin, showing no intention of participating in the conversation.

Gorbachev glanced at him, his smile deepening.

"It seems that Mr. Saionji already knows the answer."

"It is more appropriate for diplomatic evaluations to be kept by diplomatic personnel."

Xiu Yi said in a very serious tone.

Satsuki turned to look at her father for a moment, but did not ask any further questions.

Besmertnech reviewed the memo again.

"Personnel information of research institutions cannot be handed over to foreign companies."

"I need information on research direction, project leader, equipment status, and funding gap."

"Sugatsuki said."

"Home address, political affiliation, and military projects can be removed. But Saionji at least needs to know who will ultimately receive the project fees."

"What about the sensitive findings?"

"Never touch it."

"Dual-use technologies are very difficult to clearly define."

"Let's start with hospital equipment, industrial control, and civilian communications."

Satsuki did not continue to press on this point.

"The Soviet side will first provide a list of publicly available projects for collaboration, allowing Saionji to choose. If no suitable projects are found, this part can be temporarily postponed."

Gorbachev looked at her.

He gradually realized that what Satsuki valued most today was always the port, warehouse, settlement, and contract fulfillment.

Scientific research collaborations can be postponed, procurement catalogs can be adjusted, and credit limits can be opened in stages.

She didn't really back down on those few confirmation points on the document.

Gorbachev picked up the memo again and turned to the first batch of pilot projects.

The old cold storage facility No. 3 in Leningrad Port.

The 15th Municipal Hospital.

Children's Clinical Hospital.

The amounts involved in these projects are not exorbitant, but they all relate to issues that have been delayed for several months.

He looked at it for a long time before finally placing the document in front of Besmertnech.

"The Central Committee of the Alliance retains political authority."

"The Russian Republic, the city of Leningrad, the operating unit, and the bank are identified as the implementing parties."

Besmertnech immediately turned his head.

"Mr. President—"

"If the alliance can continue to exist, these signatures will not change anything."

Gorbachev interrupted him.

"If a local government is unwilling to even verify the warehouses it manages, we cannot expect Japanese companies to take on the risks for it."

After he finished speaking, he pushed the document back in front of Satsuki.

"In exchange, Saionji needs to announce a Soviet-Japanese urban livelihood and technology cooperation plan after I leave Japan. Also, this credit line must be truly implemented and cannot just be an achievement written in the minutes of the meeting."

Satsuki zoomed in on the document and flipped back to the initial purchase list.

"The cooperation plan can be announced. Once the Soviet side confirms the equipment model, quantity, and receiving unit, Saionji Trading Co., Ltd. will immediately start the procurement and open the first batch of letters of credit within fifteen working days."

As she said this, she flipped the document back to the few blank confirmation fields.

"But before that, I need to know how many days the Soviet side plans to take to complete these signatures?"

Gorbachev looked at the Foreign Minister.

Besmertnech remained silent for a moment.

"Seven days."

"Ten days, I guess."

"Sugatsuki said."

"I don't want the Soviets to set up another committee just to save time."

This time, even Besmertnech couldn't help but laugh.

Chizuru reprinted the revised meeting minutes.

The paper was slowly fed from the printer hidden behind the partition, and for a moment the only sound in the private room was the soft hum of the machine. After checking the page numbers, she placed the documents in the hands of both parties.

Gorbachev did not sign any specific commercial contracts.

He wrote his approval for proceeding on the last page of the minutes and signed his name next to it. Besmertnech then signed the confirmation of diplomatic and departmental coordination, while Xiu Yi, representing the Saionji family, signed on the other side.

Satsuki watched as Chizuru put away the portion that belonged to Saionji.

The list of projects originally brought by the Soviet side only had one spot waiting for Moscow's stamp.

In the reprinted attachment, there were five blank spaces.

The meeting ended close to 11 p.m.

Gorbachev stood up and took the coat offered by his attendant. Before leaving the private room, he glanced back at the documents on the table.

"Miss Saionji".

Satsuki also stood up.

"Don't you really know what the Soviet Union will eventually become?"

Satsuki looked at him.

Outside the private room, the Soviet guards had already opened the door leading to the back courtyard. A night breeze drifted in through the crack in the door, stirring the unfinished attachments in Chizuru's hands.

"I have no idea."

Satsuki reached out and pressed down on the top page.

"So everyone who might continue to exist should leave their name here."