Spy Wars: I can get rewards by being a bully!

Chapter 1169 The Strategy of Change

Yamaguchi Miki glared at his youngest daughter again before turning apologetically to Lin Ze, saying, "Lord Lin Ze, I'm truly sorry. Their mother passed away early, and Ayaka is very gentle and virtuous. However, Natsuko has been somewhat lacking in discipline..."

Lin Ze handed over the cigarette tray, gesturing for Yamaguchi to take a smoke. "Mr. Yamaguchi, there's no need to explain. Ayaka is gentle and virtuous, Mae is quiet and graceful yet lively, and Natsuko is quirky and clever. All three of them have wonderful personalities."

Yamaguchi Miki was overjoyed to hear this.

Sure, I'm glad you like it!

"I've come to see you today to report on the work of the cigarette factory..."

Lin Ze quickly waved his hand, "Don't joke around. The cigarette factory job? I'm incredibly busy right now. I finally got a few days off at home. Even if it's the port construction site, it's not something I have to worry about. What's a cigarette factory compared to that?"

“Mr. Yamaguchi, I have complete trust in you. Moreover, Miyamoto Trading Company sends a report every month. The cigarette factory’s costs have remained stable, and profits have increased year by year. You’ve done a great job. There’s no need for you to report anything further.”

Yamaguchi Mitsuyoshi became increasingly agitated, displaying a strong sense of loyalty and humility.

Yamaguchi is an old-fashioned Japanese soldier, deeply influenced by the hierarchical system of ruler and subject.

Although he was the father of the Yamaguchi sisters, he was also a subordinate of Lin Ze, much like the emperor's father-in-law, who still had to be respectful and deferential to the emperor.

After chatting for a few more minutes, it was almost dinnertime, so Lin Ze asked him to stay: "Mr. Yamaguchi, it's time to eat. You haven't seen the three sisters in a while, so let's have dinner together."

Yamaguchi Mitsuyoshi was greatly surprised. "Sir, do they usually dine with you?"

After saying that, he looked at Yamaguchi Ayaka with a pained expression, as if to say, "Your two younger sisters are being unreasonable, but aren't you being unreasonable too?!"

Lin Ze quickly stopped him, "Alright, alright, Mr. Yamaguchi, we're all eating together, not just a few of them. It's too much trouble to have several tables in one family's home."

While nodding in agreement, Yamaguchi Kenji also whispered some advice, saying things like "rules cannot be abolished" and "Lord Lin Ze's position is extraordinary, so he shouldn't be too approachable." Lin Ze laughed and said, "Mr. Yamaguchi, if that's the case, then as the director of a cigarette factory, you probably won't have the chance to have dinner with me."

Yamaguchi Kenji naturally wanted to build a better relationship with Lin Ze during the meal, so he said with a smile, "I am deeply grateful for Lord Lin Ze's kindness towards my daughter."

Upon arriving at the table, Lin Ze insisted on personally serving the wine, but Ling Jia quickly took the wine pot from him.

The other women ate upstairs, and only Lin Ze and the Yamaguchi father and daughter were present at the table.

After drinking two glasses of wine, Yamaguchi Kenji relaxed a little. Natsuko kept making faces at him and even took off her soft shoes, placing her white-socked feet on Lin Ze's lap.

Mo Hui became much more obedient, working diligently and occasionally smiling at Lin Ze, radiating youthful energy.

Ayaka Yamaguchi glanced at her father, who was both restrained and excited, and then at Lin Ze, who was chatting and laughing freely. Her heart was filled with excitement, and her beautiful eyes sparkled.

During the meal, Yamaguchi Mitsuyoshi said, "Sir, I recently returned to Japan. With your help, our Yamaguchi family has finally turned things around. Old acquaintances who hadn't been in touch for a long time have started contacting me again. Once, while drinking in Ginza, I overheard some news. I'm sure you've already noticed that something's not right with those few zaibatsu!"

Kojiro Daiki also reported on the recent frequent secret contacts between several major financial groups in Tokyo, especially the Iwasaki family, but he still didn't understand what these old financial groups wanted to do.

"Mr. Yamaguchi, your family was once very prominent, so you should have a deep understanding of these zaibatsu. In your opinion, what exactly are they trying to do?"

When Yamaguchi Kenji heard Lin Ze say that his family had once been prominent, he became excited again. This was Lin Ze's recognition of the Yamaguchi family!

"Your Excellency, I am but an old man, and I should not presume to speak in your presence..."

Ayaka Yamaguchi suddenly spoke up calmly, “Father, when you brought us from Manchuria to Beiping, you were already destitute. Even if you had sold some of your jewelry, you probably wouldn’t have had a place to stay. Now that you have such a position, you should be even more grateful for Master Lin’s kindness. Don’t say such things anymore. Since Master Lin asked you, just answer him.”

Instead of being displeased by his daughter's suggestion, Yamaguchi Miki repeatedly agreed.

"Your Excellency, I believe it is related to the situation in the Pacific! Three months ago, when General Yamamoto was inspecting troops, the plane he was traveling in was shot down by the Americans. This news was strictly suppressed. Our domestic newspapers were still reporting victories in various places, but at the higher levels, people's hearts began to waver!"

"So even the chaebols can't sit still anymore?"

"That's right. When Yamamoto was alive, he provided a large number of orders to several financial conglomerates. Now that Yamamoto is dead, the Navy's power is not facing a reshuffle, but a question of whether it can continue to exist. So the financial conglomerates are also anxious. They may want to increase their control over China's economy, at least the economies of several important coastal ports, to ensure that their own expansion is not affected!"

As we all know, the navy is the most expensive military. It is certainly exciting to see warships being built up like dumplings in a pot, but behind that is the ever-increasing military spending.

The reason why the major conglomerates are so powerful is that they have almost monopolized all military equipment orders.

Just think about it, if Miyamoto could make a fortune by supplying clothing, cigarettes, and some light weapons, how much money must Iwasaki, Mitsui, and Yasuda have made by building airplanes and ships?

Doing business is like rowing against the current; if you don't move forward, you fall behind. The military industry is an industry with heavy capital investment. The major established families have spread their businesses too far. Once the military's procurement is reduced on a large scale, they will not be facing a profit problem, but a cash flow and return on investment problem!

Now that Yamamoto is dead, any sensible person in the Japanese army can see that it is almost impossible to defend the Western Pacific and stand up to the United States!

Therefore, not only the military needs to change its strategy, but the chaebols also need to change their strategies accordingly.

Where will they turn their attention?

Without a doubt, China.

Their economic and resource plundering in Manchuria had already made them realize how abundant China's resources were. What about North China and Central China? Could they replicate the Manchurian model?

Lin Ze raised his glass. If the established financial tycoons were eyeing the interests of North China, wouldn't that be the same as them eyeing him?

They need to be taught a lesson!

After finishing their meal and seeing off Yamaguchi Kenji, Lin Ze called Niu San'er to his study.