I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Souji: "Tachibana-kun?"

Aoto's sudden silence left Souji, Harada Sanosuke, and the young samurai... Iwasaki Yataro, all feeling bewildered.

It's no wonder that Qing Deng suddenly did something so bizarre.

Because... his mind was overwhelmed by intense shock!

Aoto doesn't understand Japanese history.

He knew absolutely nothing about famous historical figures in Japan.

However, he still knew the name of the "founder of the Mitsubishi Group"!

Mitsubishi Group founder - Iwasaki Yataro!

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Today is December 30th. Readers who still have monthly tickets, please be sure to vote for this book! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

PS: Yesterday, many readers guessed that this Tosa man was Sakamoto Ryoma... You guys failed history (stupid leopard.jpg). Ryoma was a rich kid, not an underground ronin.

Chapter 606 Qing Deng and Iwasaki Yataro's "Longzhong Dialogue"! [4500]

Mitsubishi—in modern times, anyone who regularly watches social and economic news is certainly no stranger to this giant corporation.

It initially focused on shipbuilding, then ventured into mining, banking, insurance, warehousing and trade, and later expanded into paper, steel, glass, electrical equipment, aircraft, oil and real estate, playing a pivotal role in the modernization of Japanese industry.

Its founder was a man named Yataro Iwasaki.

Before the journey, Qingdeng had watched a popular science video online.

The video details two business geniuses from 19th-century Japan.

One of them is Eiichi Shibusawa, who is hailed as the "Father of Japanese Enterprises," the "King of Japanese Finance," the "Pioneer of Modern Japanese Economy," the "Father of Japanese Capitalism," and the "Father of Modern Japanese Industry."

The second is Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of the Mitsubishi Group.

Although it was a long time ago, Qingdeng still remembers the general content of that video.

According to him, Yataro Iwasaki's life was a classic example of "fortune changes every thirty years, never underestimate a young man's potential."

Yataro Iwasaki was born into a poor family.

His ancestors, seven generations ago, painstakingly acquired the status of village gentry, thus elevating the Iwasaki family from commoner status.

However, his family later fell into poverty, and his grandfather had to sell his status as a samurai. From then on, the Iwasaki family was excluded from the ranks of regular samurai and became underground ronin.

Although they were a poor mule-horse herd, fortunately, Iwasaki Yataro's mother was a very farsighted person who devoted a lot of effort to Iwasaki Yataro's upbringing.

She discussed it with her husband and sent Iwasaki Yataro to study at his uncle's private school.

Yataro Iwasaki's lowly family background and humble status meant that he suffered discrimination and neglect from a young age.

These experiences of submission and suffering in the lower classes cultivated his indomitable and striving character.

Therefore, while studying at his uncle's private school, he studied diligently and was highly regarded by his uncle.

Soon after, Yataro Iwasaki got the opportunity to go to Edo for further studies.

After arriving in Edo, he received guidance from renowned teachers and made great progress in his studies.

If things go as expected, Yataro Iwasaki will become a highly learned scholar and achieve a remarkable turnaround in his life.

However... the stories of hardcore and ruthless people are always full of ups and downs.

And so, unsurprisingly, Yataro Iwasaki's life took an unexpected turn.

Just when Iwasaki Yataro's academic journey was going smoothly, he suddenly received news that his father, Iwasaki Yajiro, had been framed and imprisoned. He rushed back to his hometown from Edo to plead for his father's innocence.

However, not only were his accusations not accepted, but he was also deprived of his right to attend the trial.

Unable to contain his grief and indignation, Iwasaki Yataro wrote furiously on the pillars of the magistrate's office and on the white walls outside, "No official can be made without bribes, and crimes are judged by likes and dislikes."

Enraged, the officials of the magistrate's office arrested him and imprisoned him.

At this point, Yataro Iwasaki's studies were completely ruined, and he was also found guilty.

If things proceed as expected, Yataro Iwasaki's life will end in a tragedy reminiscent of Xiangzi the Camel.

However, his life trajectory took another unexpected turn, as expected.

After being arrested and imprisoned by the officials of the magistrate's office, Iwasaki Yataro was locked in the same cell as a woodcutter who was good at arithmetic.

The woodcutter taught Iwasaki Yataro arithmetic in less than a month.

Iwasaki Yataro was so grateful that he promised the woodcutter that if he ever became the richest man in the world, he would repay the woodcutter with a whole cabinet of gold.

He spent nearly a year in prison before regaining his freedom.

Qingdeng doesn't remember what happened next.

All that is known is that in the years that followed, Iwasaki Yataro, relying on the arithmetic knowledge he learned in prison, as well as his intelligence, diligence and hard work, gradually accumulated wealth, slowly growing bigger and stronger, and finally built the huge Mitsubishi Group, truly becoming one of the world's richest men.

As for whether he did give the woodcutter a large box of gold as promised after becoming as wealthy as a prince, opinions vary.

—He is Yataro Iwasaki?

Qingdeng's gaze swept across the other person uncontrollably, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

A poor appearance, an indomitable gaze... such an image certainly fits the characteristics of a "poor boy with lofty ambitions".

Just to be on the safe side, Qingdeng decided to double-check:

"Don't you have a younger brother named 'Iwasaki Yanosuke'?"

Yanosuke Iwasaki – the second-generation president of the Mitsubishi Group.

Yataro Iwasaki stared wide-eyed at Aoto in astonishment, as if he had heard an incredible incantation.

"No, that's right! I do have a younger brother named 'Iwasaki Yanosuke'... Lord Niou, please forgive my boldness in asking: how did you know my brother's name?"

He was so surprised that he became less fluent in his speech.

"This kind of thing is not important."

Aoto casually brushed off Iwasaki Yataro's question.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Qingdeng heard his heart pounding.

An overwhelming surge of emotion welled up within him, like boiling water.

His innate "Emperor's Art" activated—he forcefully suppressed the corners of his lips that were almost curled to the sky.

The founder of the Mitsubishi Group was standing right in front of him... In that instant, countless thoughts flooded Qing Deng's mind. They were like strands of yarn, intertwined and tangled together, eventually forming a messy ball of yarn.

The "ball of yarn" spun and tightened, eventually settling into one sentence—the best candidate for the newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce has emerged!

"Sōji, I'm sorry, I'll be missing lunch today."

Souji: "Huh?"

Before Souji could raise any questions, Aoto pointed at Iwasaki Yataro and said to Harada Sanosuke:

"Zanosuke, bring him to the council chamber! Now!"

Harada Sanosuke/Iwasaki Yataro: "Eh?"*2

After leaving this brief order, Qingdeng turned around and strode back to his residence without the slightest hesitation, his heels kicking up a trail of dust.

Watching Qing Deng's receding figure, Souji and the others looked at each other, their faces filled with deep confusion.

……

……

The newly elected group's residence, the council chamber—

Iwasaki Yataro knelt awkwardly in the center of the room, his legs pressed together and his shoulders hunched.

He glanced at the wall on his left, then at the window on his right, and finally fixed his gaze on the front—Qing Deng was sitting cross-legged, casually facing him.

"Iwasaki-kun, don't be nervous, relax, just treat yourself as if you're at home."

As he spoke, he gave a kind smile.

However, his words had no effect; instead, they had the opposite effect—the other person's facial features became increasingly stiff.

Yataro Iwasaki swallowed hard, then took a deep breath:

“Lord Ren-ou, please forgive my boldness in asking… Why did you summon me alone? I am but an unknown nobody, and have no right to speak with you…”

Qingdeng smiled slightly, without responding, and silently took out the silver mirror he had just made from his pocket.

"Iwasaki-kun, please take a look at this."

As he spoke, he placed the silver mirror on the tatami mat and pushed it forward, placing it in front of Iwasaki Yataro's knees.

The instant the silver mirror entered his field of vision, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, his expression dominated by intense shock.

"What is this...?! Lord Niou, may I pick it up and take a look?"

Qingdeng nodded slightly and gestured "please go ahead".

After receiving Qing Deng's permission, Iwasaki Yataro hurriedly picked up the silver mirror and carefully examined it with trepidation and meticulousness.

His cautious demeanor might lead an unsuspecting person to believe he was admiring some fragile antique that could break at the slightest touch.

Qingdeng remained silent, giving the other party ample time to react and think.

More than three minutes later, he said quietly:

"Iwasaki-kun, what would you think if I told you that I have mastered the method of mass-producing this mirror at low cost?"

"what?"

With a hiss, Iwasaki Yataro gasped sharply.

Then, his eyes gleaming, he said in a trembling voice:

"Lord Renwang, you've acquired a mountain of gold!"