Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 299 The Obedient Guild

(Thanks to "ryhugs" for the author certification! And thank you to all the readers for the generous donations! Two chapters today~)

"Young Miss, the fundraising on the first floor is about to end."

Endo frowned as he looked at Yamada on the surveillance footage.

"The guests in the front hall will be leaving soon. He could easily be startled and rush out from the food preparation aisle, causing unnecessary trouble. Should we send security over now to handle this?"

Satsuki sat in a leather swivel chair, her hands folded on her knees.

Her gaze fell on the man on the screen who was shivering from hunger and cold.

"It is indeed time to clean up."

"However, we need survivors."

Uh... Miss, I don't think I said I was going to kill him...

But does the young lady mean to capture this person?

Endo looked puzzled.

Saionji's security was certainly not so tight that they could have gotten away with someone sneaking in undetected. In fact, at least three security cameras and a sentry spotted him the moment he stepped into the hotel.

No one bothered him simply because of Satsuki's instructions.

Even if a bankrupt contractor was let in to test the reaction of the lower class to a charity gala, now that the gala is about to end, he can simply be expelled. What use is there in keeping him around?

Satsuki leaned back in the swivel chair.

"Executive Director Endo, the Ministry of Finance's 'Total Quantity Regulation' has already cut off credit support for the real estate sector, and the downward trend in the market has become entrenched. Can you predict what changes will occur at the bottom of society in the next few months?"

Endo pondered for a moment before answering.

"Wide-scale corporate defaults."

"Small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on high-interest bridge loans to stay afloat will go bankrupt and be liquidated en masse. This will be accompanied by an extremely severe wave of unemployment. Millions of workers will lose their source of income."

"right."

Satsuki tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of the seat.

"In our CTRPS acquisition model, one of the metrics is 'R' (restructuring feasibility). We don't need unruly unions."

"When the Saionji family returned to Japan with US dollars to acquire those bankrupt industrial giants, the rigid traditional labor unions within the target companies became the biggest obstacle to our restructuring. They would resist our asset divestiture in order to keep their jobs, and even organize strikes."

Satsuki looked at Yamada on the screen.

"In the face of such organized strikes, simple legal proceedings are too time-consuming and will seriously reduce the efficiency of capital turnover."

"The coming Great Depression will create millions of unemployed homeless people who will not receive their owed wages. This huge and resentful force will only turn into an undisciplined mob if we do not guide it."

"But if we take this opportunity to select a compliant agent, organize these scattered, low-level workers, provide them with funding and shelter, and establish a 'shadow union' that is completely under our control..."

Endo stood beside the control panel, his breathing gradually slowing down.

"When we push forward with mergers in the future, we will encounter obstruction from traditional corporate unions."

Satsuki continued speaking.

"This shadow union, composed of the unemployed, can be used by us. Outside the negotiating table, we can divide, infiltrate, and even physically disrupt their formation."

"At the same time, this grassroots force can also provide a solid base of public opinion for our newly supported political agents in future electoral battles."

Endo pushed up his glasses.

My skills are still no match for the young lady's. I never expected that a mere bankrupt contractor could uncover so much hidden value.

"I understand." Endo bowed slightly. "I will inform Fujita to go to the corridor to pick him up."

"You also have your own tasks."

Satsuki picked up a legal document from the table and handed it forward.

"The presidents of those companies on the first floor who are on the verge of bankruptcy have scraped together this money tonight, hoping to apply for relief in the name of their corporate entities to cover their bank loans that are due tomorrow."

Endo stepped forward and took the document.

Satsuki looked at Endo.

"Putting hundreds of people on the verge of bankruptcy into a corner at the same time will only cause unnecessary trouble and will not bring any real benefits. This deal is not worthwhile."

"We need to divide them."

"Let those industrialists with technology and factories see a way out and voluntarily stand on our side. As for those empty shells that are left with only debt, block their path."

Endo opened the document, his gaze sweeping over the core clauses of the charter.

"...To prevent the donations from being forcibly seized by creditor banks, this fund will not transfer them into corporate accounts in the form of free cash to repay financial debts."

Endo read the first paragraph aloud and nodded silently.

This means that the channel for funds to flow back to the bank has been directly cut off, eliminating any hope that company presidents might try to balance their accounts.

"...However, for small and medium-sized enterprises that possess core technologies and complete production lines, and are willing to cooperate in divesting non-performing debts and prioritizing the protection of employee rights, Saionji Corporation will acquire their core assets through a 'supply chain-specific capital injection' to maintain factory operations."

Endo's gaze sharpened slightly as he read this.

"...For companies that are insolvent and refuse to restructure, the Saionji Finance Team will directly contact their labor unions and, based on employee rosters and unpaid wage slips, distribute relief funds directly to individuals, bypassing the corporate entity."

Endo closed the file.

Suppress some, win over others.

Those shell company owners who rely solely on land speculation and are burdened with bad debts, as well as bank executives hoping to recover loans, will be ousted; while those factory owners who are truly engaged in real industry, have no other options but still have value, will abandon their original banks and join the SA Group's camp in order to receive targeted investment from the Saionji family.

At the same time, the lower-level workers are also successfully incorporated into the workforce because they bypass the company's direct salary payment system.

"Go and announce this rule."

Satsuki looked at Endo.

"Let those who are truly valuable come to our side. As for those useless people who only know how to work for the banks, let them accept the reality of bankruptcy sooner rather than later."

"Then, have Fujita bring this little mouse up."

Endo carefully put away the bylaws and documents, then turned and headed towards the door of the VIP room.

My hand just touched the brass doorknob.

Satsuki's voice came from behind again.

"By the way, Endo. Can you act?"

……

In the shadows of the logistics and food preparation corridor to the side and rear of the lobby.

Yamada crouched behind a pile of spare bar stools.

In the front hall, separated by a wall, someone seemed to be reading out some regulations.

The voice seemed to be talking about where the funds would ultimately go.

Yamada pressed himself against the wall, holding his breath.

He couldn't understand the overly complicated financial and legal jargon. What about cutting off the channels for funds to be transferred into corporate accounts to repay bank debts, followed by the proposal to acquire high-quality factories with core technologies?

So, the factories that actually do the work get acquired, right? But what happens to the factory employees after the acquisition?

The sounds of clinking glasses in the front hall ceased. Several suppressed curses and the dull thud of glasses hitting the table drifted in through the crack in the door.

Yamada swallowed a mouthful of dry saliva.

Then, Endo's voice rang out again.

This time, Yamada understood.

"For those shell companies that are insolvent and refuse restructuring, the Saionji Finance Team will directly contact their labor unions and, based on employee rosters and unpaid wage slips, distribute relief funds directly to individuals, bypassing the company's legal representative..."

"Payment will be made to individuals based on the outstanding wage slips."

Yamada repeated the words hoarsely in his throat.

He felt the spasms in his stomach caused by hunger disappear, replaced by a violent heartbeat in his chest that felt like it was about to shatter his ribs.

They really are going to hand out money. The Saionji family is actually going to bypass those banks and bankrupt company presidents who run off with the money and give cash directly to these low-level workers.

He leaned against the cold wall, swaying as he stood up. His soaked overalls trousers rubbed against the wall.

Knowing this is enough.

Next, I need to go back and bring this news to my fellow workers who haven't had a proper meal in two days.

Yamada turned around and took two steps.

At the corner of the corridor, a tall figure blocked their way.

Fujita was dressed in a dark black suit, his hands hanging naturally at his sides. His gaze pierced through the dim light and landed directly on Yamada's face.

Yamada felt his blood run cold instantly. He took half a step back, his back slamming heavily against the wall.

Fujita took a step forward. He raised his right hand, palm up, fingers together, pointing to the closed private elevator deep in the corridor.

"Sir."

Fujita looked at Yamada.

"Our young lady invites you in."