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

"Kuchukuchukuchuk!"

The special train returned to Tianjin from Shimen.

This ordeal lasted four or five days, and Shinichi Ito got nothing useful. He became very angry and developed a large blister on his lip.

Lin Ze also asked with concern, "Minister Yidong, why are you so angry? How about I buy you a couple of pounds of medicine to cool you down?"

Shinichi Ito snorted coldly, turned his head away, and ignored the annoying guy.

Keep being arrogant! This time, the Mitsui family and several other families have even colluded with the head of the planning institute. Regardless of whether there are any problems or not, I'm going to find out something wrong with you. Then we'll see if Okamura will protect you. In any case, the zaibatsu are determined to get their hands on the port and factories in Tianjin!

After getting off the train, Shinichi Ito went straight back to the Astor Hotel.

This high-ranking and powerful head of the planning institute's industry department actually went to report to Akihiro Nomura.

Nomura Akihiro was drinking tea in his room when Ito Shinichi entered. He frowned and asked, "Minister Ito, how is the Jingxing Coal Mine?"

Shinichi Ito sat on the sofa, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp, scalding it so much that he grimaced.

Nomura Akihiro frowned as he looked at him.

Shinichi Ito saw his expression and felt disdain. He thought to himself, "What are you pretending for? If I hadn't been lucky enough to be noticed by Ikeda and adopted as his son, do you think I would have given you face?"

The Mitsui family is incredibly powerful; they were also the first Japanese zaibatsu to implement a system where the founding family remained behind the scenes.

Decades ago, Mitsui & Co. brought in its first "outsider," Takashi Masuda, who spearheaded Mitsui & Co.'s expansion and reaped substantial profits in the Korean Peninsula.

He then handed over the reins to Ikeda Shigeaki, and from the Ikeda era onward, the Mitsui family completely withdrew from the front lines of management.

Setting down his teacup, Shinichi Ito said, "I don't know what method Lin Ze used, but the Germans acquired the Jingxing Coal Mine. I estimate they're trying to recoup their investment. Okamura is going to take up a post in Nanjing, and they can't take these assets with them, so they might as well cooperate with the Germans to exchange them for money. I plan to continue investigating the North China Transportation Company. That Yoshimura Yuta is no good. Over the years in North China, he's embezzled countless assets. Lin Ze is definitely involved, and Okamura is also implicated. As long as we have their weaknesses, we're not afraid they'll obediently hand over the port."

Nomura Akihiro quietly poured tea, but his mind was already making plans.

If they can sell the Jingxing coal mine, why can't they sell the port?

What's the difference between selling to Germans and selling to these Japanese zaibatsu?

"Minister Ito has worked hard. Since you want to investigate the North China Transportation Company, please do so as soon as possible and don't delay for too long. The period before Okamura takes office in Nanjing is our most valuable window of opportunity. If we miss this opportunity, it will be difficult for us to force them to comply."

Shinichi Ito went out, and one of Akihiro Nomura's assistants came in.

"Nomura-kun, President Ikeda sent a telegram inquiring about the progress."

Nomura Akihiro took a sip of tea. “I’m reporting to the president that I’m planning to change the plan. I’ll have Ito Shinichi go out and bite people, while I’ll play the good cop. Since they can sell the Jingxing Coal Mine, why would they hold onto the port? It’s just a matter of price. Anything that can be solved with money isn’t a big problem.”

..........................

On the other side, Niu San'er and his men picked up Lin Ze and drove back to Lin's mansion.

On the way, Niu San'er reported: "Master, Yasuda Hideo did go to see Wang Zhulin, and Nomura Akihiro has been staying in the hotel without making a move."

Lin Ze nodded. "Nomura is the real boss. Yasuda and the others are still too green. They're just being used as pawns."

Niu San'er asked curiously, "Sir, there's something I don't understand. Since you intend to sell the port to them, why do you still want to divide them?"

Lin Ze laughed and said, "I'm going to sell it. How could I refuse money offered to me? But it would seem too strange to sell it to them so easily. They have to pay a price. Besides, these tycoons have set their sights on me. I have to teach them a lesson. There's an old saying that two peaches can kill three warriors. Today, I'm going to wipe out all the tycoons in one port!"

"You mean........"

"Whoever gains control of the port and its affiliated factories will seize control of North China's economic lifeline, at least that's how they see it. If they could monopolize it, who wouldn't be tempted? The Japanese are cunning; don't expect them to cooperate sincerely. Just wait and see, there's plenty of drama ahead! Has Miyamoto returned?"

"Miyamoto has arrived and is waiting for your instructions."

"Send him to contact Iwasaki Taichi!"

..............................

Tianjin International Club.

This place was originally called the Country Friendship Club, and it has a very prestigious history. It was originally built by Detring, the Inspector General of Customs, but it was later burned down. Jingming & Co. rebuilt it on the original site.

Jingming Foreign Firm was likely the only foreign firm whose core business was architectural design. It built many buildings in Jiangcheng, and some still exist today.

This Tianjin Hometown Club is mainly made of red bricks, with white eaves and pillars, a stained glass dome, and inside there is a ballroom with fine wooden spring floors, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, a billiards room and a Western restaurant.

It also has a backyard with a tennis court, a mini-golf course, and an outdoor swimming pool.

The environment is very elegant, the decoration is exquisite, and it has a strong English country style. The building still exists today, and you can visit it for free by making an appointment in advance.

After the Japanese turned against the United States and England, the building was naturally taken over and bought by Miyamoto Trading Company, which renamed it the International Club and used it as a reception venue.

At that moment, Miyamoto Ichiro was sitting on the large sofa in the cigar room, holding a wine glass, like an evil, fat penguin.

A short while later, a servant led in a person.

Miyamoto Ichiro put down his wine glass, stood up with great difficulty, and stretched out his chubby hand. "Iwasaki-kun, please forgive me for not being able to entertain you immediately after your arrival in Tianjin."

It was Iwasaki Taichi who arrived.

Mitsubishi made a fortune from military orders during the war, and Miyamoto Corporation also had many military supply orders. The two sides had had brief contact before and knew each other to some extent, so Iwasaki Taichi was not too surprised when he received Miyamoto's invitation.

"President Miyamoto, you are very busy, how could I dare to bother you? I am honored that you invited me to be your guest. This is a small gift, please accept it as a token of my appreciation."

Miyamoto waved his hand, signaling him to put the gift aside. The two sat down, drinking whiskey, smoking cigars, and chatting about interesting things in Tokyo.

Taichi Iwasaki comes from a prominent family and has high emotional and intellectual intelligence. He speaks fluent Chinese and English and can also utter meaningful laughs when talking about the various ways to enjoy Tokyo's ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants).

After chatting enthusiastically for half an hour, Miyamoto finally said, "Iwasaki-kun, coming to North China was the right decision. I dare say that the Empire will definitely develop and operate North China as an important strategic region in the future. The importance of North China far exceeds that of Manchuria. There are many factories and mines here, abundant resources, and well-developed ports such as Qingdao and Tianjin. It is also very close to South Korea and our country. This is the future!"