91: Chapter 91 The Alliance of Conglomerates: The Awakening of an Economic Behemoth

In the northern suburbs of Tokyo, a manor named "Jinghu Manor" was hidden within a dense oak forest.

This manor nominally belonged to an anonymous overseas tycoon, but in reality, it was a property secretly purchased by the Suzuki Conglomerate three years ago—surrounded by high walls, dense with surveillance, and even the air was permeated with a low-key yet stern atmosphere.

At this moment, however, the interior of the manor was no longer as tranquil as usual.

In the banquet hall, crystal chandeliers refracted brilliant light, and melodic classical music flowed through the air.

Dozens of men and women dressed in high-end bespoke suits and kimonos, holding champagne, moved back and forth with smiles on their faces, chatting in low voices.

They were all helmsmen or core members of various small and medium-sized Zaibatsu in the island nation; although they interacted in daily life, they rarely gathered together like this.

"Chairman Suzuki has really gone all out this time; I'm afraid a lot of thought went into this manor, right?"

A Zaibatsu head who operated a chain of department stores said with a smile to the person beside him.

"It's more than just 'going all out'; didn't you see the security at the entrance? Even the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's special response team isn't this strict."

Another boss engaged in the logistics industry lowered his voice, "In my opinion, today is definitely not as simple as just 'networking'."

Everyone was thinking the same thing.

The Suzuki Family suddenly issued invitations in the name of a "family private banquet," specifically naming the heads of each Zaibatsu to attend, which in itself was unusual.

Especially after experiencing the "forced to pay" turmoil, everyone vaguely guessed that this gathering might concern the future of the Zaibatsu.

Unlike the liveliness of the banquet hall, the atmosphere in the conference room next door was heavy.

Sitting around the long mahogany conference table were the true giants of the island nation's financial world—

Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki, the Ooka Zaibatsu helmsman (Ooka Momiji's grandfather) Ooka Tadashi, Tanaka Zaibatsu head Tanaka Masao, and several other top Zaibatsu leaders who controlled energy, finance, and manufacturing.

They had no superfluous pleasantries; as their eyes met, they were full of the caution and sharpness of business veterans.

"Chairman Suzuki, Mrs. Suzuki."

Ooka Tadashi broke the silence first. He tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop, his aged yet still sharp gaze falling on Mr. and Mrs. Suzuki,

"Let's be straightforward; inviting us all here with such fanfare can't really be just to have a drink and chat, right?"

Tanaka Masao also nodded and echoed:

"Old Mr. Ooka is right. What time is it now? The US military is still watching from outside Tokyo, and those people in the government are eyeing our purses. Gathering so many people at this juncture carries significant risk. If it's just 'networking', I don't think it's necessary."

The other Zaibatsu leaders also nodded one after another, clearly waiting for a clear explanation.

Suzuki Shiro glanced at his wife, signaling her to speak.

He knew that in such an occasion requiring boldness and calculation, Suzuki Tomoko's methods were far more suitable for leading the situation than his own.

Suzuki Tomoko smiled slightly, picked up the microphone on the table, and with a gentle press of her slender fingers, the conference room instantly quieted down.

She did not answer directly but spoke slowly: "Everyone, you haven't forgotten what happened in the Imperial Palace conference room a few days ago, have you?"

In one sentence, the expressions of everyone present darkened.

Ooka Tadashi snorted coldly:

"How could I forget? Those politicians treat us like meat on a chopping block, to be hacked however they want—300 million, 200 million, 150 million... they say it more easily than buying groceries at the market! My Ooka Family has been in the shipping business for a hundred years, and I have never suffered such indignity!"

Tanaka Masao's expression was also extremely ugly:

"Isn't that so? How much tax does my Tanaka Family's electronics factory pay to the country every year? How much employment do we provide? And what's the result? We turn around and get slaughtered like fat sheep! That 150 million US dollars is enough for us to build three chip laboratories!"

"And on my side,"

An energy Zaibatsu leader frowned, "They not only want money, but they also hinted that future energy supplies to US military bases must be 'prioritized and guaranteed'. This is clearly asking us to pay out of our own pockets to provide logistics for the US military!"

Complaints rose one after another; everyone's tone was filled with anger and unwillingness.

Which of these people wasn't a figure who dominated the business world and made politicians show them respect? Yet now, being schemed against by a group of bureaucrats, they couldn't swallow this anger no matter what.

Suzuki Tomoko waited until they had vented enough before speaking again, her voice calm but with penetrating power:

"Everyone, have you ever thought that this time it's only 1 billion US dollars, but what about next time?"

"Will they ask for 2 billion next time? 3 billion? Or even demand that we transfer industries at low prices and give up core technologies?"

Her words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing everyone's anger, but allowing a deeper fear to spread.

"If there is a first, there will be a second; if there is a second, there will be a third."

Suzuki Tomoko's gaze swept across everyone,

"Today they can use 'US military pressure' as an excuse to force us to pay, and tomorrow they can use 'stabilizing the overall situation' as a reason to strip us of our industries. At that time, we so-called 'Zaibatsu' will be nothing but pawns that they can sacrifice at any time."

Ooka Tadashi's expression became grave: "Does Mrs. Suzuki mean... the government wants to take action against us?"

"Not 'wants to', it has already started."

Suzuki Tomoko shook her head, her tone resolute,

"The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's words were ostensibly about apportioning costs, but in reality, they were testing our bottom line. If we endure it, they will only push for more;"

"If we are scattered like loose sand, fighting on our own, sooner or later we will be eaten up one by one."

The conference room fell into silence, with only the ticking of the wall clock. Suzuki Tomoko's words were like a sharp knife, slicing open the surface calm and revealing the surging undercurrents beneath.

Tanaka Masao took a deep breath: "Then, in Mrs. Suzuki's opinion, what should we do? We can't really break with the government, right? They have the military and the law; we can't fight them."

"Can't fight them?"

Suzuki Tomoko smiled, that smile carrying a confidence that saw through everything, "Mr. Tanaka Masao, have you forgotten what we hold in our hands?"

She stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and pointed in the direction of downtown Tokyo outside the window:

"We hold the economic lifeline of the island nation! Suzuki Conglomerate's retail, Ooka Zaibatsu's shipping, Tanaka Zaibatsu's electronics, Mitsui Zaibatsu's energy, Mitsubishi Zaibatsu's manufacturing..."

"Combined, we contribute more than 80% of the national GDP, control 90% of import and export trade, and support tens of millions of families!"

"The government may have the military and the law, but can they do without the economy?"

Suzuki Tomoko's voice suddenly rose, "Without us, factories will stop production, shops will close, the yen will depreciate, and even the money for them to pay salaries and buy weapons will become a problem!"

"At that time, never mind the US military's protection fees, I'm afraid they won't even be able to hold onto their own positions!"

These words were like a thunderclap, splitting the fog in everyone's hearts.

Yes, they were used to "cooperating" with the government, used to exchanging money for policy favors, but had forgotten that they were the true "providers" of this country.

A glint flashed in Ooka Tadashi's eyes: "Does Mrs. Suzuki mean... to unite?"

"That's right, unite!"

Suzuki Tomoko turned around, looking at everyone with burning eyes, "Establish a 'Zaibatsu Alliance'!"

"Zaibatsu Alliance?" Tanaka Masao repeated it, lost in thought.

"Yes."

Suzuki Tomoko walked to the conference table and pushed a document that had been prepared long ago in front of everyone,

"In the past, we each swept the snow from our own doorsteps, information was blocked, actions were inconsistent, which gave the government an opportunity. But as long as we twist into a rope, establish a unified alliance, share information, and act in unison, who would dare to touch us?"

She pointed to the terms in the document:

"Within the alliance, if any member is treated unfairly by the government, other members must unconditionally support them—it could be withdrawing capital, stopping production, or a joint boycott! We must use the power of the economy to make them understand that we are not to be trifled with!"

"More importantly,"

Suzuki Tomoko's tone carried a hint of ambition,

"After the alliance is established, we can integrate resources, monopolize core industries, set industry rules, and even... influence the direction of policy."

"At that time, it won't be the government deciding our fate, but us deciding the economic direction of this country!"

The conference room was deathly silent.

Everyone's breathing became rapid; the prospect depicted by Suzuki Tomoko was too tempting—it was an unprecedented power, an economic hegemony that stood above the government.

Ooka Tadashi picked up the document, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.

He had lived for most of his life, having experienced the golden age of the Zaibatsu, as well as the low valley of being suppressed by the government, and had dreamed of recreating the glory of the days when the Zaibatsu controlled the country.

"I agree!"

Ooka Tadashi slammed the table, a resolute look appearing on his aged face, "Ooka Zaibatsu joins the alliance! If anyone dares to scheme against us again, I will make the entire port of Tokyo shut down for three days and let them taste our power!"

"Good!"

Tanaka Masao also picked up a pen, "Tanaka Zaibatsu joins too! I'd like to see how the government's high-tech projects will proceed without our chips!"

"Count us, Mitsui, in!"

"Mitsubishi joins!"

"And us!"

Within just a few minutes, the top Zaibatsu leaders in the conference room expressed their stance one after another, their faces all carrying a ignited fanaticism.

They were able to sit in their positions today because they all had the genes of adventurers in their bones; they would never miss this opportunity to control their own destiny, and even control the direction of the country.

Suzuki Shiro watched this scene, feeling deeply moved.

He turned to look at his wife, his eyes full of admiration. It was she who, with keen insight and extraordinary courage, had brought this group of "old foxes," who originally had their own agendas, together.

Suzuki Tomoko smiled slightly and said to everyone:

"Since everyone agrees, I announce that the 'Island Nation Zaibatsu Alliance' is officially established! I propose that the Suzuki Conglomerate temporarily serve as the Alliance Chairman, responsible for daily operations. What do you all think?"

Naturally, no one had any objections. This alliance was led by the Suzuki Family, and the strength of the Suzuki Conglomerate was sufficient to convince the public.

"Next, we have one more big thing to do." Suzuki Tomoko's tone became grave, "Defense alone is not enough; we must teach the government a 'lesson' so they know the power of the alliance."

"What does Mrs. Suzuki intend to do?" Tanaka Masao asked.

A cold light flashed in Suzuki Tomoko's eyes:

"Do you remember that Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry who took the lead in forcing us to pay? I found out that he is recently promoting a new energy project, with many politicians' interests involved behind it, and the core technology patent for this project is in our alliance's hands."

Her smile carried a hint of coldness: "Starting tomorrow, all technology licensing, equipment supply, and financial support related to this project will be suspended."

"I want to make this project a mess, and let those politicians who support him taste the bitterness of 'investment failure'!"

"Good! That's exactly how it should be done!"

Ooka Tadashi slapped the table in approval, "I will also have my shipping company 'happen' to have a 'minor breakdown' at the port in his hometown, to let him know the consequences of offending us!"

Others also offered their suggestions one after another; the atmosphere in the conference room changed from grave to excited, and a kind of ruthlessness and calculation belonging to the Zaibatsu permeated the air.

In the banquet hall, those heads of small and medium-sized Zaibatsu didn't know what had happened in the conference room, only vaguely sensing the change in atmosphere.

When Suzuki Shiro, Ooka Tadashi, and the others walked out, the unprecedented high spirits on their faces made everyone realize—something major had happened.

Suzuki Tomoko walked onto the banquet hall's podium, picked up the microphone, and said with a smile:

"Everyone, I have some good news to tell you. After just now's discussion, we have decided to establish the 'Island Nation Zaibatsu Alliance'. From now on, we will look out for each other and develop together."

Although she didn't elaborate on the specific function of the alliance, the four words "look out for each other" already made the eyes of these small and medium-sized Zaibatsu, who had suffered much oppression from the government, light up. They applauded one after another, their eyes filled with anticipation.

The night grew deeper, the lights of Jinghu Manor went out one by one, and the Zaibatsu motorcades quietly drove away, disappearing into the night.

But what they took away was not just the lingering warmth of the banquet, but a secret capable of changing the fate of the island nation—an economic behemoth composed of Zaibatsu had already quietly awakened.

And at this moment, in the Prime Ministers Official Residence, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry was still complacent about having "handled" the Zaibatsu's money, completely unaware that a storm targeting him, and even the entire government, was quietly brewing.

The chess game in Tokyo, due to the addition of the "Zaibatsu Alliance," had become more complex and dangerous.

And this game, intertwined with money, power, and hatred, had just entered its most exciting stage.