Chapter 12: The Heart Contains a Fierce Tiger
"Ten billion, it rolls off the tongue…" Yamada's expression became indescribably shocked.
His lips trembled as he raised a finger to push up his glasses, "You must be joking… No company on the market could possibly produce such a large sum."
"I'm not joking," Bai Wei took out a piece of paper and calculated, "Based on the market price, the land itself is worth around 200 million yen."
"So we give…"
"In fact, the price cannot be calculated this way. We need to take into consideration its future value. Nowadays, the development speed of New Tokyo is extremely fast and due to its large land area, there is a high possibility for this small town to merge with Hanafan-cho in the future. An electric station has already been established here and there is a high possibility for a commercial center to be set up within a radius of 10-20 kilometers, causing the price of office buildings to skyrocket. According to our estimates, we can earn back the two hundred million yen within just over two years at most."
"But we still have the initial investment cost."
"Hehe, Mr. Yamada," Bai Wei put down his pen and said blandly, "You must not ignore the inflation rate. In Yingzhou, where the economy is growing rapidly, real estate itself is a profitable and safe business. How were the housing prices three years ago and how are they now? They will continue to rise in the future. At this rate, it would be too easy for them to increase by a few tens of thousands of yen each year. If we also consider the inflation rate, in just a few short years, the two hundred million yen may be worth only two-thirds of its current value."
Yamada took out his handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. "Well, uh…"
"You and I both know that when it comes to economic development, even a pig can fly with the wind at its back. So let's speak candidly. No matter which company comes knocking on our door, if they can afford one billion, then we'll talk. And by the way, this is only the price of the land. We haven't even factored in the construction costs yet."
"What? Construction costs?"
"Yes, construction costs. If you're really going to buy the land, I request that all the buildings and vegetation here be moved to another location. I'll choose and purchase the land myself, but the buildings must be rebuilt to the last detail." Bai Wei raised her eyes. "This part should also be borne by your company… I'm sentimental, but the house is too old and perhaps it should be repaired."
Yamada lowered his head and tried to refute several times, but he was refuted each time.
This young man didn't talk to him in any other way, but with professional descriptions and inferences to suppress and refute him. After a few short rounds, the initial momentum of pulling out the contract had dwindled away.
He was secretly shocked. This person was so young and faced such a huge sum of money without even the slightest temptation. Moreover, he knew so much that he didn't look like an ordinary commoner… Ah, he came from the Ming Country! Development there was much faster than in Yingzhou, no wonder he knew so much!
Yamada forced a smile. His bottom line was actually five hundred million, but he didn't expect the other party to make an outrageous request which was twice the amount. He simply couldn't agree to it, and neither could the company's finance department. This would drain the company's cash flow.
"Your request is something no company would agree to."
"I think so too, but it's not something I'm concerned about," Bai Wei replied. "First of all, this isn't my house. When Simozi reaches adulthood, it will be up to her to decide. I can only try to make sure she doesn't get shortchanged. Secondly, I think it's quite nice living here."
Yamada put away the contract. "Mr. Bai, I cannot argue with you. However, I will definitely come to visit more often in the future. I hope we can have a cup of tea next time."
"As long as we can have a civil conversation," Bai Wei nodded.
"I also hope so, but some people are not capable of it." Yamada sighed regretfully. "I chose to visit today in the belief that Mr. Bai would take it seriously. The news of your hospitalization is known by many people."
Yagyū Simozi turned her gaze, sharp as a sword, towards Yamada.
The burly muscular man beside them pressed down on the table, his muscles bulging.
"Daimon-jun…" Yamada held the man's arm. "It's okay. Yagyū-sama has misunderstood. My words were not a threat. In fact, we are not among those people… Our company is legitimate, and we pay taxes in accordance with market contracts. The government has been keeping a close eye on us, and we do our best to stay out of trouble."
"Oh?" Bai Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Despite the company's legitimacy, not everyone within the company is honest… Personally, I detest violent means and bringing Daimon-jun was purely for self-defense. However, that group of people is different. When the company executives become impatient, they would order that group to use any means necessary to acquire this land." Yamada swallowed and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. "Our company also tries to avoid contact with those ignorant individuals."
Yagyū Simozi glanced at the robust man. "Isn't he also a member of the gangster?"
Daimon Ukyo crossed his arms, "I used to be a fifth-degree judoka and have retired from the Yakuza. I am currently the head of security. Furthermore, when I was a gangster member, I belonged to the Kumakura-gumi and not that group of worthless thugs from the Sanada Group… Hmph!"
There was a hint of disdain in his words.
"The Sanada Group is also a radical faction within the Kanto Federation. They need to demonstrate their abilities if they want to rise to the top, so I can understand why they are going all out. However, their methods are too extreme…" Daimon Ukyo continued, "Now they are targeting you and your sister. If you choose to collaborate with the acquisition department, they will lose their reason to go after you. This is the reason why Yamada came to find you, and I just followed along."
Bai Wei laughed, "So you're a good person after all."
"I am unworthy of such praise." Yamada lowered his head. "But if I can avoid trouble, I should."
"What about reducing the price?"
"That's the responsibility of a company employee - to save wherever possible."
"I'm the same. I can't let my sister suffer a loss, give me one billion."
"Please spare me…"
After a moment, Yamada stood up and said his farewells.
Before the bear-like Daimon Ukyo left, he was stopped by Yagyū Simozi, "I think I have heard of you before. You used to be the captain of the Judo club and also a famous Judo practitioner… Why did you give it up?"
Daimon Ukyo paused, his eyes filled with nostalgia, he shook his head. "It's all in the past. Rather than saying I gave up, it's more accurate to say that I realized no matter how strong I was, I was still just human. I couldn't compare myself to those real demons."
"Demons?"
"The demon, or rather the monster devoted to the path of Shura." Daimon Ukyo subconsciously touched his left hand, "If you wish to regain the school plaque in the future, those monsters will be the ones you have to face…The true meaning of winning or losing with a real sword is life or death, a single enthusiastic or talented spirit is far from enough."
The gate closed and the two left the mansion.
Yagyū Simozi returned to the room and saw Bai Wei pouring and drinking for himself. She felt that her brother was somewhat different from the past.
"Brother, are you serious about what you just said?" Yagyū Simozi asked.
"Which words are you referring to?"
"One billion yen…"
"Then may I ask you, did you really give me the decision-making power?" Bai Wei asked in return.
"Hmm," she nodded seriously. "I believe my brother won't betray me."
"It's not about betrayal, it's just weighing the pros and cons," Bai Wei said calmly, "If the other party accepts the offer, I will indeed sell it. And even if you disagree, I will persuade you. Purely land itself has little value, but when converted into money, it can provide enough funds for opening a martial arts gym in the future. And as I said, another set of houses can be rebuilt. After all, one cannot just cling to the past and must also look ahead."
"I understand, and I'm not staying here just for my parents' memorial service," Yagyū Simozi smiled calmly. "Thank you, brother. If it were me, I definitely wouldn't be able to handle it as flexibly as you."
She quickly changed her expression and said, "However, they have indeed kidnapped my brother once, so there will probably be a next time… I'm not personally afraid though, the Shogunate and the University can guarantee my safety and they wouldn't dare to act rashly. My sword is not to be trifled with either, but my brother's safety…"
She wondered if there was still a necessity to insist on a bid of one billion.
Without hesitation, Bai Wei said, "Actually, I'm not willing to sell it for one billion. When you come back next time, I will add another 50 million."
"What?"
"For medical expenses and mental loss, also the cost of dignity being trampled upon… It made you worry about your big brother so much, and my self-esteem is hurt."
"Brother, please be serious."
"Clearly marked prices, the highest bidder wins. That's how business works," Bai Wei said calmly. "If they won't pay, let them try to take it by force, as long as they dare to come…"
All those who dare to come will be force-fed with cement and dumped into Tokyo Bay to sink, surely the Sanada Group doesn't have one hundred people left, do they?
…
"Daimon, do you think they will compromise?" asked Yamada.
"It's difficult to say." Daimon Ukyo shook his head. "The young man doesn't seem to show any signs of fear or panic. He is usually a calm and collected person, and I rarely see him like this. I always thought he was fearless, but it's ironic that someone like him would get kidnapped."
"I'm also curious. People like him are not common even in the Ming Country. It's best to let the Sanada Group handle it and negotiate for a peaceful resolution." Yamada paused, "I will report what he said tonight and try to raise the price as high as possible."
"You are very dedicated, aren't you?"
"Haha…" Yamada laughed weakly. "I don't want to repeat what happened last time. I still have nightmares about it."
"Stay positive," said Daimon Ukyo, patting Yamada's shoulder. Suddenly, the bear-like man became silent and his expression stiffened.
"What happened?" Yamada asked.
Daimon Ukyo shook his head and rubbed his forehead, "I feel exhausted, maybe I didn't sleep well."
An indescribable feeling of fatigue rushed over him, like the kind of complete exhaustion after facing a fierce tiger with all his strength.
This feeling is rare even in his prime. He was unconsciously sweating profusely.
He wiped the sweat from his face and muttered, "It must be an illusion."
