usatvline Chapter 1960 How much does rice cost?
Chapter 1960 How much does rice cost?
Chapter 1960 How much does rice cost?
“‘Guangxinglong’ Company hoards goods and profits, exploits the people, and seriously infringes upon the interests of the empire,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Taking action against them can be considered as eliminating a scourge for the people.”
Atsuto Kawada nodded slightly, signaling Kentaro Miyazaki to continue.
"Moreover, our approach is already much more moderate and benevolent than Guangxinglong's own approach," Cheng Qianfan said with a smile. "We only require them to buy our grain, and it has to be genuine grain. Moreover, at this price, they will not only not lose money, but if they are lucky, they may even make a small profit."
“Okay.” Atsuto Kawada nodded.
“It’s not appropriate for me to get involved in this matter,” Cheng Qianfan said. “Besides, with my status, I can’t intimidate Li Cuiqun and make them and Jing Muyun make painful sacrifices.”
“What do you need me to do?” Atsuto Kawada asked.
"Please, Young Master Du, arrange for someone of sufficient influence, someone that even Number Seventy-Six would be wary of, to serve as the apparent head of the Paimon Trading Company," Cheng Qianfan said.
After saying that, he looked at Atsuto Kawada with expectant eyes.
His request was very important to the established plan.
Moreover, Cheng Qianfan believed that Kawada Atsuto would not refuse this request.
Through his years of wooing and corrupting influence, the young master of the Kawada family has become a very important part of this interest-based alliance.
Atsuto Kawada will receive a substantial share of the profits from this resale of military rations. His role is to leverage the influence of the Kawada family at crucial moments to safeguard the transaction.
……
"I'll have Yusuke Mitoma meet with you to discuss the specifics of what needs to be done," Atsuto Kawada said.
"Mr. Sanmo is actually..." Cheng Qianfan was astonished.
This wasn't an act; he genuinely didn't know that Yusuke Mitoma was actually a member of the Kawada family.
Yusuke Mitoma was the manager of the Astor House Hotel. Of course, the hotel is no longer called the Astor House Hotel, but people still usually refer to it as the Astor House Hotel.
According to the intelligence he possessed, the boss behind the scenes was Yusuke Mitoma, and the current owner of the Astor House Hotel was Tomoki Sakai.
Tomoki Sakai is a Japanese businessman who has lived in Shanghai for many years. He is a mysterious figure, and it is widely rumored that he and Takeo Imai are close friends.
Cheng Qianfan had always believed that the powerful backer behind Mitsuko Yusuke was Imai Takeo.
Unexpectedly, Yusuke Mitoma was connected to the Kawada family.
……
“Tomoki Sakai is a member of the Sakai family,” Atsuto Kawada said.
"What?!" Cheng Qianfan exclaimed in surprise. He thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. "Tomoki Sakai and General Sakai of the 15th Division..."
“General Naotsugu Sakai is Tomoki Sakai’s cousin,” Atsuto Kawada said.
"I really didn't expect this," Cheng Qianfan exclaimed in surprise. "Mr. Sakai was able to keep this relationship so secret."
Then he looked at Atsuto Kawada, "So, General Sakai..."
From this perspective, it seems that Onodera Shogo was able to go to the 15th Division because the division commander, Sakai Naotsugu, was an alumnus of the same school as Ikeuchi Junichiro, the commander of the Shanghai Military Police Headquarters.
However, Onodera Shogo was actually able to work alongside Sakai Naotsugu because of his connection to the Kawada family.
In other words, Sakai Naotsugu, the commander of the 15th Division of the Japanese Army, was actually a member of the Kawada family, or at least had a secret close relationship with the Kawada family.
……
"It's good that you understand," Kawada Atsuto said.
"Yes, sir." Cheng Qianfan quickly said with a serious expression, "I will definitely keep my mouth shut."
“Yūsuke Mitoma will meet with the ‘Guangxinglong’ company and request that they purchase our grain,” Atsuto Kawada said.
As he spoke, he looked at Cheng Qianfan and asked, "Kentaro, what price do you think would be appropriate for us to sell the grain to Li Cuiqun?"
"I'd like to hear Mitsumata Yusuke's opinion," Cheng Qianfan said with a smile.
Kawada Atsuto smiled. "Alright."
……
"Should we contact Onodera about this?" Cheng Qianfan said to Kawada Atsuto after thinking for a moment.
Atsuto Kawada glanced at Kentaro Miyazaki, understanding what Miyazaki meant.
This matter should not be related to him. As a lieutenant colonel in the military police, Onodera Shogo is the most suitable person to step in at certain times.
Furthermore, Onodera Shogo is currently serving in the Imperial 15th Division and is highly regarded by Division Commander Sakai Naotsugu, while Mitoma Yusuke is backed by Division Commander Sakai. Under these circumstances, it is still somewhat necessary to make contact with Onodera Shogo.
“No need.” Atsuto Kawada shook his head. “He’s in the military, which makes communication difficult and could easily attract criticism.”
"It was my oversight," Cheng Qianfan said apologetically.
His plan failed; he wanted to have a direct contact with Shogo Onodera so he could obtain useful information from Onodera's telegrams.
However, Atsuto Kawada is clearly very cautious and follows the rules when it comes to important matters.
When one plan failed, he had no choice but to look for another way.
……
“Four thousand fiat coins for one shi of rice,” said Mitsumata Yusuke.
That's really ruthless.
Cheng Qianfan looked at Mitsumata Yusuke.
“Guangxinglong cannot accept this price,” he said.
“Based on market prices, they can still make a profit,” Mitoma Yusuke said.
Cheng Qianfan knew that Mitsumata Yusuke was referring to the black market price.
Today's black market price is 4,300 francs per shi of rice.
It seems that you can earn 300 legal tender per shi of rice, and there is indeed still money to be made.
However, the problem is that the grain is stored in Huaqiao, Kunshan. Transporting it from Huaqiao to Shanghai requires manpower and resources. If we really calculate it strictly, if Guangxinglong Company really buys this batch of goods at a price of four thousand legal tender per shi of rice, it will be good if it can break even.
……
“‘Guangxinglong’ is no ordinary trading company. Behind them is No. 76, Li Cuiqun and Jing Muyun,” Cheng Qianfan said with a frown. “Usually, they are the ones who exploit and bully others, extorting money from them. Now that the tables have turned, they won’t just sit back and suffer the loss.”
Mitsumata Yusuke glanced at Cheng Qianfan, then shook his head with a smile.
Although Cheng Qianfan wielded considerable influence in the French Concession and even held a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Wang Jingwei regime, he also had considerable influence in Nanjing.
However, Cheng Qianfan was ultimately just a Chinese man, and there was a principle he couldn't understand: even the arrogant and domineering Seventy-Six, like Li Cuiqun and Jing Muyun, were nothing more than dogs of the Great Japanese Empire.
“Mr. Sanmo,” Cheng Qianfan said, “there’s an old Chinese saying, ‘Cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents.’ Those people at Number 76 are known for their tyrannical and domineering ways. If…”
"Please rest assured, Mr. Cheng," said Yusuke Mitoma. "I am a legitimate businessman of the Great Japanese Empire, with the Great Japanese Empire as my solid backing."
"I understand." Cheng Qianfan nodded.
Yusuke Mitoma smiled.
Although Kawada Atsuto instructed him to cooperate with Cheng Qianfan, he actually couldn't understand why young master Atsuto would involve Cheng Qianfan in such a secret matter.
Furthermore, although he was polite to Cheng Qianfan, a powerful figure in the French Concession police force, out of businessman's habit, he still looked down on Cheng Qianfan, a Chinese man, even though Cheng had always been close to the Empire and was friends with Master Duren.
……
"Yūsuke Mitsumata from the Astor House Hotel wants to see me?" Ye Qisui glanced at Qian Minquan and said in surprise.
“Yes, that’s the man,” Qian Minquan said. “The Astor House Hotel called this morning, saying that Mitsumata Yusuke has something he wants to discuss with the Minister and asked the Minister to come to the Astor House Hotel for a talk.”
"Damn it," Ye Qi cursed.
He felt unhappy.
It was clearly Mitoma Yusuke who wanted to see him, yet he didn't come to No. 76 in person, but instead called him to go to the Astor House Hotel. He's just a Japanese businessman, yet he's incredibly arrogant.
“Then I’ll go back and tell you, Minister, you don’t have time…” Qian Minquan said.
"Fine, let's go see this San Ting," Ye Qi said. "I want to see what this guy is up to."
Mitoma Yusuke himself was nothing to be afraid of, but Sakai Yuki, who was behind Mitoma Yusuke, was unusual. It was rumored that Sakai Yuki was a close friend of Imai Takeo, a Japanese man who was very polite to even the chairman. So he naturally had to be careful.
"Has Paimon Trading Company replied yet?" Ye Qi asked.
“Not yet.” Qian Minquan shook his head. “The people from Paimeng Trading Company said they need to report to their boss.”
"Send someone to urge them again," Ye Qi said thoughtfully. "If all else fails, put some pressure on them."
“I understand,” Qian Minquan said.
……
That afternoon.
Astor House Hotel.
Ye Qi then met Mitsumata Yusuke.
Yusuke Mitoma was an obese man. Fat people are afraid of the heat, and even though the ceiling fan was spinning loudly, he was still covered in sweat.
After the pleasantries.
"I didn't know Mr. Sanmo had invited me here..." Ye Qi said, "What brings you here?"
"Wasn't it Mr. Ye who wanted to see me?" Mitoma Yusuke chuckled and said.
"When did I..." Ye Qi asked, puzzled.
Yusuke Mitoma didn't say anything, but picked up a rice ball from the table, pinched one into his mouth and chewed it, looking like he was really enjoying this delicious food.
Ye Qi frowned. He had noticed the rice balls on Mitsumata Yusuke's table when he entered the room and was wondering what the Japanese were up to.
At that moment, a thought suddenly struck him.
Ye Qi then looked at Mitsumata Yusuke, "Mr. Mitsumata and Paimon Trading Company..."
……
“It seems Mr. Ye understands,” said Mitoma Yusuke. He picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, then picked up a cigarette holder, took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, lit it, took a deep drag, and said calmly, “To be honest, Paimon Trading Company is a small business of mine.”
He glanced at Ye Qisui and said, "I heard that Mr. Ye wants to buy the grain I have..."
“Mr. Sanmo may have misunderstood,” Ye Qi said.
He was surprised to learn that Mitsumata Yusuke was the owner of Paimon Trading Company.
This also means that Li Cuiqun's previous instruction for him to offer 800 legal tender per shi of rice to Paimeng Trading Company was no longer appropriate.
Yusuke Mitoma is no ordinary Japanese businessman. It's impossible for him to agree to such a low price, and it's even less likely that Yusuke Mitoma's backer, Tomoki Sakai, would accept it.
It seems this matter needs to be considered carefully. At the very least, he needs to go back and report to Li Cuiqun, and then ask Li Cuiqun to make a decision on how to proceed.
"Is it a misunderstanding?" Mitoma Yusuke looked surprised. He glanced at Ye Qisui and said, "But I've already taken it seriously."
Mitoma Yusuke flicked his cigarette ash, his expression turning cold. "Mr. Ye wants to buy the grain I have, and I have already agreed to sell it. Now Mr. Ye is saying it's a misunderstanding..."
He scoffed, "Is Mr. Ye making a fool of me?"
……
Has Mitsumata Yusuke agreed to sell the grain to 'Guangxinglong'?
Ye Qi was greatly surprised.
How could the Japanese agree to a price of 800 French francs per shi (a unit of dry measure) of rice?
Yusuke Mitoma would never agree to that.
Ye Qisui was convinced of this, and then he realized that Mitsumata Yusuke was retaliating.
Is he deliberately being sarcastic?
"Mr. Sanmo, perhaps your subordinates didn't express themselves clearly when relaying the message, which led to the misunderstanding," Ye Qi said with a light laugh.
“No, there’s no misunderstanding, I understand perfectly well,” Mitoma Yusuke said. “You want to buy grain, and I agree.”
Ye Qisui was also a little angry when he saw that Mitsumata Yusuke's attitude was tough and his tone was unfriendly.
If he were facing Sakai Yuki, he might deliberately swallow his anger and bear the humiliation of seeing Sakai Yuki's backer, Imai Takeo.
However, Yusuke Mitoma was just a manager under Tomoki Sakai, yet he was so aggressive towards him, it was simply outrageous.
“Mr. Mitoma, I said it was a misunderstanding, and it was a misunderstanding,” Ye Qisui said, giving Mitoma Yusuke a cold look. “'Guangxinglong' has always been committed to honesty and fairness, and to making money through harmony. Mr. Mitoma, please don’t misunderstand anything.”
“Mr. Ye may not have understood what I mean yet,” Mitoma Yusuke said. “You said you wanted to buy my grain, and I agreed.”
"Mr. Mitoma wasn't just saying that out of anger?" Ye Qisui looked at Mitoma Yusuke, and he seemed to understand what Mitoma Yusuke meant.
……
Are the Japanese really going to sell them grain?
In that case, a price of 800 legal tender coins per shi of rice would naturally be impossible.
Both parties will naturally need to discuss a reasonable price.
"I wonder at what price Mr. Santo intends to sell his grain?" Ye Qi asked, pausing before adding, "Also, I wonder how much grain Mr. Santo actually has?"
“One thousand tons of rice,” Mitoma Yusuke said. “I’ll sell all of these one thousand tons of rice to you.”
There are actually a thousand tons of rice?
Ye Qi was greatly surprised.
The intelligence they had gathered earlier indicated that Paimon Trading Company had about 500 tons of rice, a quantity that had already greatly surprised Ye Qisui. However, he never expected that this fat Japanese man would have 1,000 tons of rice.
He was secretly delighted.
If we could really acquire this batch of rice from Japan, reselling a thousand tons of rice would fetch a considerable profit.
Moreover, this thousand tons of rice is located in Kunshan, and the distance to Shanghai is not far, which saves on transportation costs.
The more I thought about it, the more reliable this deal seemed.
"I'll say it again," Ye Qisui said, looking at Mitoma Yusuke, "I wonder what the price of this batch of rice is, Mr. Mitoma?"
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(End of this chapter)