Chapter 221: The Back Side of the Negotiation Table
As the people from Yuhou Bank left, the conference room fell into a brief silence.
Shirakawa Kaede looked at Sasaki Kikuharu who was sitting at the top of the table and wanted to say something.
However, after seeing that there were many people present on both sides, he tactfully shut his mouth.
"Shirakawa-san, let's stop here for today.
It has been so long since I returned to Akita, but I wonder if Mr. Shirakawa has ever tasted the Inaniwa udon noodles from his hometown.
In addition to rice, Akita's other delicacies are equally amazing."
When Shirakawa Kaede heard Sasaki Kikuji talking about the delicious food in his hometown, his expression changed.
"Sasaki-san is right. I haven't tasted the food from my hometown for a long time.
You must not miss this trip back home." Bai Chuanfeng also stood up and said goodbye to him.
Sasaki Kikuji nodded, "Then I will wait for the good news from Shirakawa-san."
Coming out of the Akita Prefectural Office, Shirakawa Kaede shivered due to the cold wind outside.
"President Shirakawa" next to Arai Yu tightened his windbreaker and said, "The situation of Ugo Bank seems to be more complicated than expected."
"So, Mr. Arai, do you think Ugo Bank will agree to our conditions?" Shirakawa Feng walked down the stairs and chatted with him as they walked.
"I personally hold an optimistic attitude. What do you think, Yamada?" Yu Arai said halfway and began to cue Professor Yamada beside him.
"It's clear that they are very interested, but as Baichuan said, it's difficult to make a unified decision when the equity is too dispersed."
There is no doubt that the conditions we offer are absolutely tempting.
However, when it comes to changes in equity holdings, I believe everyone will be extremely cautious.
Shirakawa Feng understood what Professor Yamada meant, so he nodded.
"Looks like I need to visit that Sasaki-san again."
Hiroshi Arai and Professor Yamada smiled but said nothing. Some things cannot be solved simply at the negotiating table.
On the second day, Professor Yamada and Hiroshi Arai went to appreciate the scenery of the north.
But Shirakawa Kaede came to a detached house carrying souvenirs.
"Is this Mr. Shirakawa? Please come in." A middle-aged lady with a kind face stood at the door and bowed.
"I'm sorry to trouble you." Baichuan Feng changed into slippers at the entrance, and then was led by the lady to a study.
"Please come in"
"Thank you." Baichuan Feng bowed and walked into the room.
This is a typical traditional Japanese room, and the owner here is wearing a kimono, holding a book in his hand, sitting cross-legged on the natural wood-colored tatami.
"Sorry to bother you, Sasaki-san." Shirakawa Kaede came to the tatami and sat facing him.
"What do you think of the food from your hometown, Shirakawa-san? Does it taste the same in Tokyo?"
Sasaki Kikuji put down the half-read book in his hand and asked with a smile.
"I heard that Madam's udon noodles are excellent, so I'm sorry to come visit you today. I hope you won't ."
"Haha, I didn't expect that Shirakawa-san is also such a wonderful person."
Sasaki Kikuji laughed, then raised his hand and motioned for Shirakawa Kaede to taste the tea.
"Don't worry. I've already asked Madam to prepare the best udon noodles and piri-ko sauce as a side dish. I won't let Shirakawa-san down."
Sasaki put down his teacup and boasted proudly. He had great confidence in his wife's cooking skills.
"That's really exciting," Baichuan Feng flattered at the right time.
Brie caviar is a specialty of Akita, and it is considered a rare ingredient in this harsh winter season.
From this, it can be seen that Sasaki also attaches great importance to Shirakawa Kaede's arrival.
After putting down their tea cups, the greetings between them came to an end.
Baichuan Feng glanced at the various photos hanging on the walls of the study and said with emotion.
"Sasaki-san has made amazing efforts for the development of Akita."
Following his gaze, Sasaki looked back at the photos on the wall and nodded slightly with complacency.
“That was the signing ceremony for the Taikan Airport project when it was officially launched.
I think Akita should not have just one airport, but should have greater development prospects.”
While saying this, Sasaki Kikuji looked at Shirakawa Kaede opposite him with burning eyes.
He can indeed be said to have devoted his heart and soul to the development of Akita.
Since he was first elected governor of Akita Prefecture in 1979, he has actively promoted the planning and implementation of various infrastructure projects.
Odate Airport, Akita Shinkansen, Akita Highway Network, Daio Paper, Akita Asahi Broadcasting, etc.
It was thanks to his efforts that these things were finally planned and implemented in Akita.
And now it is only 81 years, and it is not even two years since he officially came to power.
So even though he is over 60 years old, Kikuharu Sasaki is still ambitious and eager to make further progress during his tenure.
Therefore, he still has ideas about companies like Shirakawa Electric.
From the other person's eyes, Baichuan Feng also read what he was hinting at.
"Sasaki-san, Shirakawa said that it is my duty to contribute my part to the development of my hometown.
But..." Shirakawa Kaede looked embarrassed, "If Shirakawa Electric wants to make a difference in Akita, it also needs the support of local companies.
Especially the banking industry, which is the top priority for the company's development. Without its protection , Baichuan would feel uneasy. "
It was as if Sasaki was meeting Shirakawa Kaede for the first time. Could it be that this shameless skill was the key to Shirakawa Electric's success?
If Shirakawa Feng knew what Sasaki was thinking at this moment, he would definitely say bingo and turn on the light for him.
You guessed it right.
Although his eyes were strange, Sasaki knew what Shirakawa Kaede really cared about, or what the conditions were.
This matter is a bit complicated. Many of the shareholders behind Yuhou Bank are prominent families with a history of more than a hundred years in the local area.
These old money people may not be as financially strong as Baichuan Feng, but their influence cannot be underestimated.
Sasaki felt a little conflicted, as Ugo Bank really needed the financial support of Shirakawa Electric.
But the group of vampires behind the scenes is not easy to deal with, and this is the business of Yugo Bank and Shirakawa Electric, if I get involved...
"Sasaki-san"
Just when Sasaki was looking conflicted, Shirakawa Kaede's voice suddenly came again.
"It's been almost two years since your son graduated from Waseda University."
Only then did Sasaki notice that Shirakawa Kaede was staring at a photo on the wall, seeming to be thinking about something.
That was a photo of Sasaki and his second son at the Waseda graduation ceremony.
Sasaki was also very satisfied with his second son, Eiji. "Yes, two years have passed in the blink of an eye."
"I wonder where your son is now?" Bai Chuanfeng turned his eyes, his expression a little subtle.
Sasaki's mind moved, "I work for a local insurance company and am currently a small section chief in the department. It's totally not worth mentioning."
"That's such a waste of talent," Baichuan Feng sighed with regret.
Although he knew what Shirakawa Kaede was hinting at, Sasaki Kikuji picked up the teacup and took a sip, still keeping a calm expression on his face.
"You said..." Baichuan Feng leaned forward slightly, "Isn't it a bit of a waste of talent for your son to be in a position like the executive secretary of the shareholders' meeting of Yuhou Bank?
Sasaki Kikuji didn't hold the teacup steadily, and some tea spilled onto the tatami under his seat.
"Excuse me." Sasaki took out a handkerchief and wiped his knees carefully.
With this cover, the rapid heartbeat in my heart subsided a little.
However, the occasional trembling of his fingers still revealed his inner unrest at the moment.
The executive secretary of the shareholders' meeting is just a secretary.
But if you can enter the shareholders' meeting, you are a shareholder.
Even if the shares granted were small, think about the total assets of Yuhou Bank, which is over 100 billion...
Sasaki felt his teacup becoming unstable again, so he simply put the cup down and rested his hands on his knees.
"Thank you Mr. Baichuan for your concern for me. As long as we can help, I and I will do our best."
"It's all thanks to you."
They raised their teacups and gestured to each other tacitly, then took a sip each.
After drinking the cup of tea, Baichuan Feng finally put his worries to rest and his expression became relaxed.
For lunch, I had Inaniwa Udon. When I was in a good mood, everything tasted delicious.
Coming out of the single-family house, Baichuan Feng turned around to take a look at this ordinary residence and chuckled.
People always have various weaknesses, be it money, power, or beauty.
Fortunately, this person's weakness was very obvious and I didn't have to think too much about it.
Sasaki Kikuji is from Kazuno County, Akita Prefecture. He graduated from Tohoku University and is a non-partisan.
He was definitely a local autonomous bureaucrat, but what Shirakawa Feng cared about most was the last one: a non-partisan person.
To be a politician in Japan, one needs to participate in elections, give speeches on the streets, and campaign in various places.
All these activities require a lot of financial support.
Ordinary partisans raise funds from their respective parties and mostly do not need to worry about the cost of elections.
But non-partisans do not have a party as a nanny, so they can only find a way out on their own.
Japanese law has already made clear regulations and restrictions on political donations, and any violation of them will constitute a political scandal.
What can Baichuan Feng do then?
It is not excessive to hire the other party's son as the company's secretary, even if this secretary is the secretary of the shareholders' meeting.
Since the employee has been hired and the company values talent very much, it is not excessive to give him certain equity incentives .
Although this equity is bank equity, I am not a listed company. What right do you have to control me?
You see, this all makes sense, right?
It is indeed reasonable. Besides, Mr. Sasaki, the governor of a prefecture, actually lives in an ordinary one-family house.
It's a loss of status, Baichuan Feng is heartbroken.
So with a slight hint, Sasaki-san also felt the need to improve his living environment.
At this point, the initial confusion is no longer a problem.
Some of the local old money have long lost the glory of their ancestors and are now just trying to maintain superficial decency.
Now there are younger and more promising talents in the local area.
It's only right that you move your butt a little and make room for the younger generation.
Besides, Mr. Baichuan’s identity is not necessarily much worse than theirs.
However, this matter is rather complicated, and with Shirakawa -san 's current financial resources, he no longer needs to pay attention to these things.
All of the above made Kikuji Sasaki very clear about what choice he should make.
