Chapter 29: The Arrival of Mitsukuni

  The Commerce Bureau suddenly became busy, with business delegations from Japan, Hong Kong, the United States, Germany, France and other countries making appointments one after another. Apparently, when news of a German company investing $100 million to build a factory in Wuxi was reported and verified, companies from various countries that were eager to expand into overseas markets, especially those that had already intended to invest in China, finally set their sights on this emerging city in northern China, which the Chinese government had vowed to turn into "China's Silicon Valley".

  Among them, apart from Hong Kong and British merchants, the Japanese-funded enterprises that are eager to open up China's market are most interested in Wusong. Compared with the southern special zone, Wusong is closer to Japan, has a developed shipping foundation, and is adjacent to the capital. Perhaps it was already a place coveted by the Japanese. Now, with a large amount of German capital as the vanguard and the Chinese government's ambitious development plan, the Japanese business pioneers of the new era are swarming in like flies seeing a gap.

  At three o'clock in the afternoon, Lu Zhong had just returned to the office when Chen San Shui, director of the Investment Promotion Office, came to his office. This 77-year-old Peking University graduate was simply dizzy with work these days. A month ago, he was still busy running around for a $70,000 investment from a Hong Kong glasses company. Just a few days ago, he proudly reported the results to Director Lu Zhong, but now, the business delegation he received had an obviously much higher level, and even included world-renowned multinational corporations.

  Today, the person who met with Chen San Shui was a representative of one of Japan's most important financial conglomerates. The business card that Chen San Shui handed to Lu Zhong had "Taro Yamamoto, Chief Representative of Mitsubishi Bank of Japan Urumqi Branch" printed on it.

  "Director, the representative of Mitsubishi has been sitting in my house for a long time, hoping to see you. Secretary Qin Huailiang of the Municipal Committee called and asked us to entertain them well."

  Lu Zhong slightly nodded, having had a few dealings with Qin Huailiang before. The oily and shiny middle parting of his hair made Lu Zhong dislike him at first glance. However, this municipal party committee secretary-general was highly favored by Municipal Party Committee Secretary Duan Zhongcheng. Although the current committee secretary-general (office director) is not yet a member of the standing committee, his treatment as a non-voting delegate to the standing committee meeting showed his status in political life. Qin Huailiang had just been promoted not long ago and was now a deputy department-level cadre, but he might be the most popular person among the deputy department-level cadres in Wushan.

  "Bring it over." Lu Zhong said casually, getting up to make a cup of tea.

  Before long, the office door knocked gently, and behind Chen San Shui was a middle-aged man with a fat head and big ears. The vermilion beard on his lips was almost a symbol of Japanese middle-aged men. He must be Yamamoto Taro.

  When Chen San Shui introduced Lu Zhong: "This is our Director Lu", Yamamoto Taro bowed respectfully, handed over his business card, and spoke a lot of Japanese, with the glasses beside him translating, nothing more than polite words like "Please take care of Director Lu".

  Lu Zhong had dealt with Japanese people in his past life and was very familiar with the character of some Japanese businessmen, who seemed humble but were actually arrogant. On the surface, no matter how polite they were, deep down, there were not many people who looked up to Chinese people.

  Lu Zhong smiled and stood up, shaking hands with him. Yamamoto Taro's palm was thick and solid, and it felt quite comfortable to shake hands with him.

  "Mr. Yamamoto, has Mitsubishi set up a representative office in our Wushan? I didn't know that?" Lu Zhong asked strangely after gesturing for Yamamoto Taro to sit on the sofa across from the tea table.

  Yamamoto Tarō bowed his head and said "Hai" in a low voice, seemingly to apologize, then muttered something under his breath.

  The bespectacled, slender and refined translator beside him said, "I apologize, Mr. Yamamoto says it was his oversight."

  "Although the People's Bank of your country has approved our request to set up a representative office in your city, the relevant procedures have just been obtained from the People's Bank of your city and have not yet been approved by the municipal government. The business cards we printed in advance caused you misunderstanding, extremely sorry!"

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly.

  In accordance with the *** issued "Administration Measures for Representative Offices of Foreign Financial Institutions in China", foreign financial institutions applying to set up a representative office in China shall submit an application to the People's Bank of China. For setting up a representative office in a provincial capital city, the application materials shall be submitted to the local provincial branch of the People's Bank of China; for setting up a representative office in other cities, the application materials shall be submitted to the local municipal branch of the People's Bank of China. After examination by the local branch of the People's Bank of China, the application materials shall be reported to the head office of the People's Bank of China for review and approval.

  There are six types of application materials to be submitted to the People's Bank of China: (1) an application letter signed by the chairman or general manager addressed to the Governor of the People's Bank of China; (2) a copy of the business license or certificate of lawful operation issued by the competent authority in the country or region where the company is located; (3) the company's articles of association, list of board members or main partners; (4) annual reports for the past three years; (5) an approval document issued by the financial regulatory authority in the country or region where the company is located agreeing to its establishment of a representative office in China, or a letter of recommendation from the industry association; and (6) other materials required by the People's Bank of China.

  After obtaining approval from the headquarters or relevant branches of the People's Bank of China, the applicant must register with the relevant government department at the representative office within thirty days. In Wushan, this relevant department is the Economic Planning Commission, which reviews and verifies the documents according to government regulations and issues an approval certificate.

  Lu Zhong now knew why Yamamoto Taro had come to see him, it was to apply for the final procedure of establishing a representative office. Now this matter is handled by the Commerce and Trade Bureau, in other words, he needs to sign his name lastly.

  But to be honest, I don't have the final say in this matter. I will definitely sign it, otherwise neither Secretary Duan of the Municipal Committee nor Mayor Huang Mingtai would let me off.

  But doing business in Wushan, naturally requires a good relationship with local officials responsible for investment promotion. In terms of interpersonal relationships, East Asian countries are similar, and there is a certain degree of official-business relationship. Businessmen must establish a good relationship with the government and officials to gain the greatest benefits.

  Yamamoto Taro's visit is also for this reason.

  "Director Lu Zhong, these are some materials from our Mitsubishi Bank." Under the gaze of Yamamoto Taro, the bespectacled interpreter handed a small paper bag to the tea table in front of Lu Zhong with both hands.

  Lu Zhong smiled and nodded slightly.

  In fact, Mitsubishi Bank's past and present life, how could Lu Zhong not know?

  Mitsubishi, Japan's largest conglomerate, was founded during the Meiji Restoration and later grew with its controlling family, the Iwasaki, into one of Japan's largest keiretsu.

  As Japan continued to wage war, domestic demand for military-industrial products surged, and the Mitsubishi group, centered on heavy industry, achieved unprecedented development.

  During World War II, "Mitsubishi" produced various bombs, cannons, aircraft carriers and large warships for the military. It can be said that Mitsubishi made great contributions to Japan's invasion of China, Southeast Asia and the United States. In several battles in Shanghai during the invasion of China, all eight aircraft carriers and more than 30 warships deployed by the Japanese army were manufactured by Mitsubishi.

  After World War II, Japan's zaibatsu were dissolved at the request of the Allied powers, and Mitsubishi was split into three separate entities.

  However, after that, the various companies of the Mitsubishi conglomerate still maintained a close relationship. In the 1950s, the presidents and chairmen of the main enterprises of the Mitsubishi conglomerate began to establish informal organizations such as the Mitsubishi Friday Club in order to exchange information and maintain relationships with each other.

  Unlike the pre-war Mitsubishi conglomerate centered on Mitsubishi Shokai, the post-war Mitsubishi companies formed an equal Mitsubishi Group. However, the cohesion of this group was stronger than that of other zaibatsu. The core enterprises within the Mitsubishi Group made a significant contribution to Japan's heavy chemical industry development.

  Some people say that if Mitsubishi breaks through the constraints of the Peace Constitution, it can quickly arm Japan as a military superpower, which is not an exaggeration.

  Facing Mitsubishi's arrival, Lu Zhong also had a surge of emotions in his heart.

  If it were just after demobilization, before rebirth, when he saw these Japanese people from Mitsubishi, Lu Zhong might have said "Scram!" with a slap, and then followed up with several kicks. If he had a gun in his hand, he might have smashed the butt of the gun against them.

  But now Lu Zhong understands what it means to be patient and learn. The Japanese have qualities worth learning from, especially in today's environment where one can't afford to be reckless.

  As for saying that the majority of Japanese people are friendly to China, it's simply deceiving. In the 1980s, it was still okay, after all, China was a poor and backward image in the eyes of the Japanese, as a "stronger" country, coupled with the political need to exempt war reparations, Japan provided a large amount of various interest-free loans. However, if China develops further, the island nation mentality of Japan will inevitably rebound, and it will not allow China to develop to the point where it can rival Japan. Throughout Japan, those who are friendly to China are only a very small minority, including before World War II when Japan launched aggressive wars, saying that ordinary people were deceived is just self-deception.

  "Director Lu Zhong, Mr. Yamamoto says that there will be a banquet at the Wuzhou Hotel tonight and you are cordially invited to attend. Secretary General Qin Huailiang of the Municipal Committee will also be present." After Yamamoto muttered something, his glasses-wearing interpreter translated beside him.

  Lu Zhong just smiled. The Japanese way of thinking is often similar to that of our countrymen. Bringing up Qin Huailiang means they don't want to refuse themselves.

  "Alright, I'll definitely go." Lu Zhong smiled and nodded, Mitsubishi Bank? He should be paying more attention to it himself.

  Yamamoto Taro listened to the translation of Lu Zhong's words and finally showed a satisfied smile on his chubby face.

  Lu Zhong easily flipped open the Mitsubishi Bank's documents on the tea table.