Chapter 94: Right Guess, No Reward

Okamoto Machinery Research Corporation, with a registered capital of 17,613,350,000 yen and a debt ratio of 76.5%, has exceeded the normal range by nearly 20%. Due to strategic missteps by the management, Okamoto Machinery’s factory in the archipelago has seen its market share further eroded. At present, the entire factory faces pressure from multiple creditors and a stagnant sales outlook. It is rumored that this strategic blunder was triggered by a power struggle among the factory management’s immediate family members. Both official and unofficial sources have reported on the matter.

“This is all the information I could gather about the company’s liabilities—what do you think?” With just one day and Li Qing’s network of connections, this was all she could find for now.

Zhang Tianfeng pondered for a moment before replying, “It’s not bad. At least I can work with it.”

“How will you work with it? Is there anything you need me to do?” Li Qing was eager to learn Zhang Tianfeng’s next move, curious to see how he would manage to profit from a factory on the brink of collapse.

“I need to think. You two sit tight for now,” Zhang Tianfeng said, rising to pace around the room.

His broad plan was already set, but the smaller steps depended on the intelligence he received. Judging from the situation, Okamoto’s crisis was severe—something he could not change for the moment. His objective was to strike while the iron was hot, ideally recruiting a few core technical staff to bring back home and cultivate mechanical talent. If that proved impossible, he would at least secure several maintenance workers to keep the factory running. The factory’s shortage of funds was its Achilles’ heel—the only leverage he had.

With this in mind, he picked up his pager and sent out a message. Afterward, he returned to his desk to write.

“What’s going on with him?” Li Qing whispered.

Gao Ran took a bite of her apple and replied, “Don’t worry, he’s just like this—very focused once he starts working. Just watch.”

He remained busy for an hour. On the second morning after arriving in the archipelago, at ten o’clock, an employee from the Huo family’s local office delivered the information Zhang Tianfeng had requested.

“Thank you, please convey my gratitude to Mr. Huo. I’ll thank him in person when I return to the port city.”

“Mr. Zhang, you’re too polite. Mr. Huo told us to assist you with whatever you need—be it permits or funds, we’re prepared to help as much as we can.”

“All right, that’s all for now. Thank you for your trouble.”

The courier smiled, nodded, and quietly departed.

As soon as Zhang Tianfeng closed the door and turned around, he found Gao Ran’s face close to his own, the scent of apple lingering.

“What are you up to?”

“What are you up to, all mysterious? What’s that in your hand?”

“A form of identification,” Zhang Tianfeng said. “I had a friend help me get a temporary investment permit for the archipelago. We’ll use this to negotiate with Okamoto’s factory.”

“Li Qing, I’ll need your help again. Contact your friend and let them know we plan to visit. You may hint that we’re looking to set up a factory and will require a large amount of equipment.”

“Alright, I’ll get in touch right away.”

...

At two in the afternoon, Zhang Tianfeng returned to Edo City, now dressed in a sharp suit. Gao Ran had donned the attire of a legal professional, while Li Qing played the broker.

“This time, we’re meeting the sales director of Okamoto’s third sales division. They place great importance on this deal. Tell me in advance if you need anything—I’ll coordinate with you.”

The person they were meeting was significant, and Li Qing worried about making a misstep.

“Just translate what I say. Leave everything else to me.”

Li Qing nodded, straightened Gao Ran’s outfit, then pushed open the door to the conference room rented by the other party.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang.”

The overwhelming air of authority made Zhang Tianfeng a little uncomfortable. After shaking hands, he took a seat by the window.

The other party had brought three people—two men and one woman. The woman wore black-rimmed glasses and had long hair draped over her shoulders, giving her the air of a girl next door. Curiously, as they settled in, the Okamoto sales director glanced at the female secretary three times—not with desire, but with fear, the trepidation of a subordinate before a superior.

Noting this, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Let’s begin. My time is limited—I have another appointment with someone from Yamazaki Mazak.”

“Tell them to hurry. If their quote doesn’t satisfy me, I’ll switch suppliers.”

“Is that appropriate?” Li Qing hesitated.

They hadn’t even introduced themselves properly, and Zhang Tianfeng was already throwing down the gauntlet. This could jeopardize the cooperation.

“Money talks. I’m the one paying, so they’ll listen to me. Just translate what I say. If you question me again, you won’t need to work here.”

Li Qing forced a smile and faithfully translated Zhang Tianfeng’s words.

As expected, the sales director, Izumiyama Yushi, turned pale and hurriedly pulled out the blueprints from his file, quietly discussing them with Li Qing.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhang Tianfeng leaned against the window and lit a cigarette. Two minutes later, he began to urge them on. Even without Li Qing’s translation, Izumiyama Yushi seemed to sense Zhang Tianfeng’s impatience and attempted to speak in awkward Mandarin, “Mr... Mr. Zhang, please wait a moment.”

Wait? Today was the day to strike while the iron was hot, venting frustration on behalf of the domestic factories. Those factories paid exorbitant prices for equipment, shelling out tens of thousands each year in maintenance fees, sometimes resorting to begging and pleading. It was time for the tables to turn.

Glancing at his watch, Zhang Tianfeng said, “Before my cigarette burns out, have him present the highlights of their products, or I’ll leave.”

With that, he stepped outside—not for fear of offending the three archipelago representatives, but because his smoke was bothering Gao Ran.

Standing in the corridor, watching the busy traffic below, Zhang Tianfeng contemplated his next move. Soon, footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to see the secretary. She smiled calmly and asked, “Sir, may I speak with you privately?”

Her Mandarin, tinged with a Beijing accent, caught Zhang Tianfeng off guard.

Narrowing his eyes, he asked, “Privately? Is Okamoto planning to negotiate with me directly?”

“Not exactly. I just feel you’re overplaying your hand, Mr. Zhang.”

“Overplaying? How so?” Zhang Tianfeng maintained a calm facade, but he was already a little uneasy inside.

The young woman spoke softly, “According to the information, you’re here to invest in the archipelago, your credentials registered by the Huo family in the port city.”

“The Huo family is a major capital group here. If they announce investment in any sector, it attracts a crowd.”

“Yet, until now, none of my colleagues have been able to gather any information about you.”

Pausing, she tucked her hair behind her ear and continued, “You don’t dare to release information—either your identity is questionable, or you have a compelling reason that forces you to cooperate with Okamoto.”

“Sir, am I correct?”

She was spot on, but there would be no prize for it.