Beiyuan Yangtao, a political reporter at the Daily News Tokyo headquarters, was 27 years old. He was the young reporter who had tried to persuade Murakami Hiroaki last night.
In fact, he had long taken note of the rapid growth of Nozawa Financial Corporation, and he deeply despised the continuous expansion of this lending company.
Although Nozawa Financial Corporation was a legally operating formal company with reasonable interest rates and non-violent collection thods—not as hated as previous ones like Takeda Fuji—this was precisely what made it terrifying.
Previously, ordinary citizens had suffered greatly under various usurious lending companies. Compared to them, Nozawa Financial Corporation seed humane, but what wasn’t seen was how Nozawa Financial was using the thod of "slowly cutting the flesh," draining all the remaining value from the bones and marrow of these people.
Visible was Murakami Hiroaki’s suicide over uncontrollable debts and invisible were countless people like Murakami Hiroaki currently being exploited by Nozawa Finance.
As a political reporter, Beiyuan Yangtao had a certain acuteness to societal developnts. He realized that if things continued this way, countless citizens would beco clients of Nozawa Financial Corporation, and that spelled big trouble.
So after witnessing Murakami Hiroaki’s suicide by jumping into a river last night, he could no longer remain silent. Combining the related facts he knew, he had penned that report.
He had thought such a vehent article would be blocked by the chief editor, but to his surprise, it not only passed the review uncensored, it even made the front page headline today.
This reinforced his determination to continue a deep investigation into Nozawa Financial Corporation and report persistently on it.
He aid to let the world recognize the potential dangers posed by this corporation and to urge citizens against borrowing recklessly.
Reporters nowadays still have so integrity, delving into perilous investigations to uncover certain truths, even at the risk of losing their lives, unlike so future journalists who fabricate news for traffic.
At ten in the morning, Beiyuan Yangtao hurriedly left the newspaper headquarters. He was busy today as he had scheduled interviews with three people unable to pay back their loans to Nozawa Finance.
"Hello, are you Mr. Beiyuan?"
He had just reached his car when a middle-aged man waiting there asked with a smile on his face.
"I am. May I ask who you are..." Beiyuan Yangtao nodded, looking at the middle-aged man with so confusion.
The middle-aged man handed him a business card.
Beiyuan Yangtao’s face darkened as he took it—the visitor was a middle managent and public relations person from Nozawa Financial Corporation.
"I apologize, but I have another appointnt. Excuse ."
Beiyuan Yangtao’s words dropped as he went to open his car door.
"Bang!" The middle-aged man pressed the slightly ajar car door back and said, "Mr. Beiyuan, it seems you have a prejudice against our corporation. As a reporter, you should at least ensure that your stance is fair and just. In that case, why not listen to our explanation? There’s no harm in it, right?"
"Where shall we talk?" asked Beiyuan Yangtao.
The middle-aged man opened the door of a nearby Toyota sedan and said, "I know a nice tea house."
Beiyuan Yangtao hesitated briefly but then got into the car.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at a tea house in Chiyoda District. The middle-aged man had a reservation there, and upon giving his na, they were led into a private room.
"Speak your piece—I still have others to interview." Beiyuan Yangtao urged as soon as they were seated.
The middle-aged man calmly made tea, speaking in an even tone, "Mr. Beiyuan, it is only right and natural to repay debts. You agree with this principle? Our company’s procedures are legal, our interest rates are lawful, and we never force our clients to borrow. If they can’t repay the money and seek death, is that our fault as well?"
He felt their corporation was extrely wronged.
"Does legal an correct?" Beiyuan Yangtao retorted sharply. "With the economy in downturn and a massive number of people unemployed, those without financial resources have no choice but to borrow. You don’t have to force them— they would co to borrow on their own. Without you, they would have nowhere to borrow from and naturally wouldn’t end up burdened with debts and in desperation from collection efforts commit suicide."
"Mr. Beiyuan, you’re being too extre. Your words are as ludicrous as blaming a knife seller for soone’s murder with a purchased knife. Are we to ban the sale of knives then? Besides, if it weren’t for our help during their tough tis, perhaps they wouldn’t wait for collections to push them; they’d already die from starvation."
"To take a step back, how many people driven to suicide by collections? Murakami Hiroaki is just an anomaly! Aren’t most people managing just fine? We even provided them with jobs!"
"Mr. Beiyuan, I hope you imdiately stop this kind of reporting. Your reports contain strong subjective opinions and are not entirely factual. They have already impacted our company’s reputation and operations..."
"You can sue ." Beiyuan Yangtao cut him off.
The middle-aged man’s breath hitched, and after a mont of silence, he said, "Mr. Beiyuan, why be so stubborn? With so many news items, why fixate on us? How about this— if you’re willing to relent, we are ready to show our sincerity."
Bribing journalists.
That was standard practice for businessn and politicians.
"If I were also one of those you could buy off, then this morning’s report wouldn’t have appeared in the first place." Beiyuan Yangtao’s words fell, and he took a sip of his tea, "Good flavor. I must leave now."
He rose from his seat, took out his own money for the tea, slapped it on the table, and then strode off.
"Idiot! Dare to toast and refuse to drink, face the penalty."
Watching his retreating figure, the middle-aged man bit his teeth and cursed, slamming the tea cup on the table, spilling several drops of scalding tea.
He pulled out his phone to call Yehua Yiren.
"President Yanahara, it’s a failure. Beiyuan Yangtao is completely imperable to influence, unyielding to both soft and hard approaches."
"What a stubborn young man," sighed Yehua Yiren, then said, "Co back first."
She planned to personally visit the higher-ups of the Daily News tomorrow to resolve this issue. They must ensure no further reports against their corporation appeared, or other dia watching this developnt would follow suit.
Many dia and journalists knew that Nozawa Financial Corporation’s background was complex and deeply entangled, so they never wanted to report on related matters.
Now, Daily News had fired the first shot, and if they couldn’t keep Daily News quiet, other dia would follow suit by day after tomorrow at the latest.
Once all the dia began to extensively report, then public opinion would form. Even if so dia were paid to clear up the matter positively, the escalating situation wasn’t what the figures behind Nozawa Finance desired.
After all, the issues behind Nozawa Financial Corporation were significant and couldn’t stand close scrutiny. Once soone dug into their collusion with several banks to misappropriate national savings for loans, it would result in a bloodbath.
...
That evening, Yehua Yiren arranged a dinner with Chief Editor Ikuta of the Daily News.
"Chief Editor Ikuta, nice to et you. Please take good care of ." Yehua Yiren closed the door behind her and slightly bowed to Jingchuan Qingsong in greeting.
Jingchuan Qingsong, over fifty, had sparse hair. Glancing lecherously at Yehua Yiren, he said, "I never expected President Yanahara to be so beautiful. Such frail shoulders carrying the vast scale of Nozawa Financial Corporation, truly admirable. Please have a seat."
Yehua Yiren hadn’t dressed up specially, not even changing her clothes, her black suit skirt highlighting her beautiful face and figure, exuding the allure of a young matron.
This left Jingchuan Qingsong parched and tongue-tied.
"Chief Editor Ikuta is too kind." Won are sensitive to the glances of n. Yehua Yiren, accustod to n’s desirous stares, calmly sat down. "Does the chief editor have any complaints about us?"
Jingchuan Qingsong was taken aback by her direct and strong attack. After a pause, he asked dumbfoundedly, "Where did that co from? I didn’t know you before; how could I have any complaints?"
"Why then insist on troubling a re woman like myself?" Yehua Yiren said with a touch of grievance.
Jingchuan Qingsong shook his head, "President Yanahara is mistaken. As the dia, we are committed to presenting the truth to the public, not causing trouble."
"But in reality, it has caused trouble for our corporation," Yehua Yiren sighed and lifted her drink, "Chief Editor Ikuta, I’m just a pitiful employee. Please show so rcy considering this, and I will surely express my gratitude."
I have backers; consider that before you act.
Jingchuan Ikuta knew the Yanchuan Family stood behind Nozawa Financial Corporation, and he didn’t intend to hold on stubbornly, which would bring him no benefit.
The reason for allowing the article to be published was first to stir up traffic, and second to signal Nozawa Finance to quickly send money to settle the matter, taking the opportunity to hit them up for money.
Many dia did this, but since Daily News was major with a solid backing, they covertly extorted only large corporations.
However, on seeing Yehua Yiren, he entertained another plan; he desired both the money and the person.
Jingchuan Ikuta stared at Yehua Yiren unblinkingly and after taking a sip of his drink, he chuckled, "Let’s not talk business during dinner; it might upset our stomachs. President Yanahara, if you really want to discuss this, how about going to my place for so tea after we are well-fed?"
At his age, Jingchuan Qingsong was long past his pri—won who could still arouse him were few and far between, so he seized every opportunity to pursue them for a taste.
"Chief Editor Ikuta, please behave," Yehua Yiren caught his insinuation, anger rising within her, her pretty face chilling.
Rejected, Jingchuan Qingsong felt embarrassed and beca enraged, "I rely invited President Yanahara to my ho for tea. What is inappropriate about that? Don’t tell you thought I was trying to seduce you? That’s laughable. You’re overly sensitive; thanks for the hospitality, I’ll take my leave now."
He hurried out, annoyed and upset, scoffing as he threw down his drink and stood up.
Idiot, acting all pure and innocent with !
Taking a few steps, he stopped and said ominously, "Beiyuan Yangtao is a righteous and thoughtful young man. I admire him. Revealing the truth for the citizens is the purpose of Daily News! We don’t need President Yanahara telling us what to report."
As one of Japan’s leading newspapers, Daily News was influential and well-backed, and with its left-leaning stance, it wasn’t afraid of Nozawa Financial Corporation.
"Wait," Yehua Yiren suddenly called out to him.
Jingchuan Qingsong’s mouth curled up; he knew this woman couldn’t bear the consequences and would inevitably compromise under his threat.
After all, it was not her first ti; what difference does it make who she’s with?
He turned around slowly, smiling with the pose of a victor, "President Yanahara..."
"Whoosh!" Yehua Yiren threw her drink straight in his face, and coldly stated, "An old man driven by lust, can you even perform? Let cool you down, you disgraceful dog!"
As she finished speaking, she put down the glass, grabbed her purse, and slamd the door as she left, her face icy.
It wasn’t just that she was unwilling to sleep with that old man.
Aoyama Xiu Xin wouldn’t be willing either, and she clearly knew her body didn’t belong to herself but to Aoyama Xiu Xin; naturally, she couldn’t agree to such a matter.
These so-called paragons of the cultural sector, all pretentious with morality but internally corrupt and vile!
After being splashed with a glass of drink.
Jingchuan Qingsong didn’t calm down.
Instead, he beca even more enraged, standing there trembling with fury. As the chief editor of Daily News, he was a highly respected figure throughout Japan,
belonging to the highly esteed in the literary circles.
When had he ever been treated with such disrespect?
"Idiot! Wench! You’ve created a big problem for yourself!"
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