The Tyrant Billionaire

Chapter 529 Self-Control And Professional Ethics



What if they didn't agree? That's also not a problem.

Then their competitors would be supported. There were plenty of similar companies, and it wasn't necessary to support them specifically. Although these companies would become famous in the future, if they were killed off now, Panasonic could be replaced by "Aoi Electronics."

Toshiba could become "Hatano Electronics."

Before coming to Japan, the seven major financial groups had already formed an alliance.

Aside from the acquisition of 300 military related companies, all other acquisitions in Japan would follow a cross shareholding model. Unless a group voluntarily gave up its acquisition of a particular company, all acquisitions would be jointly controlled.

Each of these financial groups had registered hundreds of companies in the Cayman Islands. All acquisitions of Japanese companies would be carried out under the names of these Cayman Islands companies.

Behind these companies, however, was a complex web of cross shareholding. Only insiders from the major financial groups knew the actual controllers of these companies or the distribution of shares.

In short, this acquisition effort was the seven major financial groups banding together to face all of Japan's companies. There was no chance for a Japanese company to negotiate with Company A and then run to Company B to raise its value.

The typical negotiation tactics of the business world were completely useless here.

What's the scariest kind of business? Monopoly. And now, the seven major financial groups were planning to monopolize Japan's economy and its companies.

Of course, on the surface, the Japanese would not be able to tell.

Hardy did not participate in the acquisition activities. Instead, he accepted an invitation from the Japanese Foreign Minister to go on a tour.

The convoy stopped at the entrance of a traditional estate. The Foreign Minister invited Hardy to get out of the car and step inside. It was a courtyard with a strong Japanese aesthetic, and at the back stood a typical Japanese-style building.

The Foreign Minister explained, "This estate was built in 1884, combining both Western and Japanese styles. General MacArthur now resides in a similar estate."

Hardy thought to himself, he's not only living in a Japanese style estate, but he's also sleeping with a Japanese woman.

In recent days, Duncan had gathered a lot of information on MacArthur. Most of it was public knowledge, but it was still helpful for Hardy to better understand the current MacArthur.

After arriving in Japan, MacArthur had been courted intensely by the Japanese. First, they gifted him a Japanese mansion, and then they sent him a woman.

That woman's name was Setsuko Hara, Japan's most famous movie star at the time. She had acted in films directed by Akira Kurosawa, visited Europe, met Hitler, and was fluent in both English and German. She was also a close friend of Yoshiko Yamaguchi.
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After MacArthur took control of Japan, Yoshida Shigeru—yes, the very same Prime Minister Yoshida who now leads Japan—arranged for Setsuko Hara to meet MacArthur. Soon, Setsuko Hara became part of MacArthur's life, with the 28 year old star becoming the mistress of the 70-year-old general.

The fact that Setsuko Hara became MacArthur's mistress was an open secret in Tokyo. Many people knew about it, but no one really cared. The Japanese sent Setsuko Hara to serve MacArthur with a purpose in mind—using a honey trap to sway him and secure benefits for Japan.

Indeed, Setsuko Hara later played a significant role in that regard.

As they passed through the front courtyard and entered a room, Hardy saw a typical Japanese interior—wooden floors, tatami mats, wooden lattice partitions, and a low tea table.

For a moment, Hardy felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen this scene in a film from the future.

"Mr. Hardy, there is an even larger garden in the back with beautiful scenery. If you ever decide to live here, you could take walks in the garden," the Foreign Minister said with a smile.

The two walked into the rear garden.

It was indeed large, with even a small lake, and a wooden pavilion sitting by the water. As they walked, they came upon a large bed of hydrangeas in full bloom, and from behind the flowers emerged a girl wearing a kimono.

She stood about twenty meters away, looking in their direction.

The girl was exquisitely beautiful, with delicate, fair skin and bright, clear eyes. She looked to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a pink floral kimono, standing daintily in the sea of purple flowers, as if she were the centerpiece of the garden.

Hardy's heart stirred, was this another one of Yoshida Shigeru's schemes to use a honey trap?

The Foreign Minister smiled and introduced her, "Mr. Hardy, this is Miss Ayako Sasaki, a student at the Japan Film Academy. She's 17 years old, fluent in English, and her father is a diplomat. She can be your personal assistant and translator."

Upon hearing the Foreign Minister's words, the girl took two steps forward, stopping seven or eight meters from Hardy, and bowed at a 90-degree angle.

"Greetings, Mr. Hardy," she said softly in English.

A house and a woman.

Clearly, they were trying to bribe him. Naturally, they hoped to gain more from Hardy. The Japanese were quite skilled in such tactics.

Hardy glanced at the girl and then turned to the Foreign Minister with a calm expression. "There's no need for the house. I'm used to living in Western-style homes. The Hardy Group already owns a property in Japan—a Western-style villa that's even larger than this. I've been busy since arriving, and staying with the delegation makes work more convenient. But I appreciate your kind offer."

The Foreign Minister was momentarily stunned. "Ah, then Miss Sasaki can still be your assistant and translator."

Hardy looked again at the lovely young girl. She indeed bore a striking resemblance to a famous future actress from the future, someone sweet and irresistibly cute.

But despite Hardy's fondness for women, he had principles.

Accepting such a woman was too troublesome.

Not because he was afraid.

But because he didn't want a woman to influence his decisions.

A man must control his desires. It doesn't mean he can't enjoy the company of women, but rather that he should know how to do so without letting his desires control him.

"No need, I already have my own translator."


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