Interestingly, a girl nad Ayako Sasaki applied for a job at the television station and beca a host. Her sweet and charming appearance led her to beco the host of Japan’s first children’s program.
She soon beca a household na across Japan, affectionately known by children as "Sister Ayako."
...
In Hardy’s office.
A sheet of paper lay on Hardy’s desk, listing various terms: heavy industry, light industry, banks, gangs, black markets, red-light districts, television stations, radio stations, newspapers.
Since arriving in Japan, he had accomplished many things.
Working with the seven major financial groups, he took control of Japan’s heavy industry and converted it all to civilian enterprises. He also dominated Japan’s light industry manufacturing and consur goods sectors, effectively transforming Japan into an industrial base for the United States.
As for small and micro enterprises, they essentially served as subsidiaries to these larger companies, aning they were also under his control.
Hardy acquired several major Japanese banks, and the few that he did not buy were struggling to survive, unlikely to last much longer. Experience new stories on .Côm
He ford the Straw Hat Group to unify Japan’s underworld, gaining control over all of Japan’s black markets. The managent of the country’s red-light districts was entirely in Hardy’s hands, controlled by companies based in the Cayman Islands. In the future, these districts would still be operated by the gangs.
All land, buildings, and businesses were owned by an entertainnt company. If any gang disobeyed, they could be easily replaced without affecting operations. Essentially, the gangs were just pawns, the visible hunting dogs.
ABC Television and ABC Radio had now established a nationwide network in Japan, and together with the Global Tis, Hardy held a substantial influence over Japan’s dia.
Moreover, the U.S. continued to impose strict cultural controls on Japan. Local TV and radio stations were not even operational, and newspapers, the only remaining form of dia, were heavily censored. Any content that displeased the Aricans could result in imdiate arrests.
ABC Television and the Global Tis, however, did not face such restrictions, as they were Arican-owned dia. Hardy, being a cultural envoy, was untouchable, publishing whatever he wished.
For instance, they could run social comntaries without fear.
While Japanese newspapers treaded cautiously, the Global Tis spoke freely, and its global reach allowed it to provide the latest world news.
As a result, many Japanese, especially those in mid-to-high-level positions, subscribed to the Global Tis, which had beco the country’s leading newspaper.
It could be said that aside from military matters, Hardy’s control over Japan was already very high, rivaling that of MacArthur.
Checking the ti,
Christmas was just around the corner.
Hardy decided to visit Hong Kong.
He left his assistant in Japan to handle any urgent matters and prepared to depart for Hong Kong.
The plane landed at Hong Kong Airport.
Victor was there to greet him. As soon as Hardy got off the plane, Victor approached respectfully, "Boss, I hope the journey wasn’t too exhausting."
"It was just a few hours on the plane, nothing strenuous. How are things in Hong Kong?" Hardy asked casually.
"It was chaotic for a while, but things have cald down a lot," Victor replied.
"Hmm, we’ll talk back at the villa."
The convoy returned to the hillside villa. As they settled in, Victor began recounting recent events in Hong Kong.
In November, just a month ago, the Fourth Field Army, despite being poorly equipped and lacking experience, managed to occupy Guangzhou and advance to Luohu, a short distance from Hong Kong, before being forced to halt.
Hong Kong was thrown into a state of concern, but not panic. Despite so initial fears, many recognized that the ragtag forces of the CCP, with their rudintary equipnt and limited training, were no match for the well-ard, well-trained British troops stationed in the city.
The British military presence had been steadily increased to over 10,000 soldiers, supplented by warships capable of quickly responding to any potential threat. These forces far outmatched the improvised and underfed soldiers of the CCP across the border.
When reporters questioned Governor Grantham about Hong Kong’s defense capabilities, he acknowledged the challenges of a prolonged siege but expressed confidence in the British garrison’s ability to deter any imdiate attempts by the CCP to seize the city.
The truth was that the British forces, with their advanced weaponry and superior training, posed a serious threat to the impoverished and disorganized CCP troops, who would have struggled to maintain a lengthy assault.
"Recently, many have been offloading assets. I’ve taken the opportunity to acquire a lot of real estate and artwork at very low prices," Victor reported.
"Aren’t you worried about the communists actually coming in?" Hardy asked.
"Boss, you previously said that despite their posturing, they were not in a position to take Hong Kong by force. I trusted your judgnt, and sure enough, they eventually withdrew. Their large army retreated after a brief standoff, and Hong Kong remained secure under British protection," Victor said.
"Boss, your prediction was spot on." Victor looked at Hardy with admiration.
Hardy smiled.
What prediction? It was simply a matter of understanding that the CCP lacked the capability to challenge the British in a prolonged siege, especially with the U.S. Army positioned less than 500 miles away, watching closely.
"So, any recent changes in Hong Kong?" Hardy asked.
"The situation is much more stable now. People are back to business, and daily life is returning to normal. Recently, the British governnt announced in the newspapers that they plan to establish diplomatic relations with China to reassure the public and maintain stability. Boss, you’re a British baron and have connections with high-ranking officials in Britain; is this information true?"
Hardy nodded.
"It’s true. According to the intelligence I’ve received, the two sides have already had several formal discussions. Next month, Britain will officially send representatives to China to submit diplomatic notes, recognizing China and establishing diplomatic relations."
This information ca from Hardy’s intelligence departnt’s UK branch, which relayed it through the Global Tis.
After hearing Hardy’s words, Victor beca excited. "Boss, if peace is indeed restored, Hong Kong will quickly regain its forr prosperity. By then, the value of the assets we acquired will multiply several tis over."
"We’re making strategic investnts here, and seeing our assets increase tenfold or more is well within our expectations," Hardy replied with a smile.
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