"I wonder if you’ve called your families to make sure they’re safe?"
Dongchuan Ichiro’s words made Takayama, who had just sat down, stand up again. They knew very well that if Dongchuan Ichiro was not dead, their families would suffer.
"I don’t think you would do that."
Matsumoto, standing to the side, tried to force a smile, but it looked worse than crying.
"After all, you really like the cakes my mom makes."
Matsumoto’s words reminded Dongchuan Ichiro of his childhood. He often went to Matsumoto’s house, where Matsumoto’s mother would make the small cakes she was best at to entertain him.
Though the cakes didn’t look good, they gave Dongchuan Ichiro a warmth he had never felt within his own family.
In that moment, Dongchuan Ichiro’s heart felt like it had been whipped; it tightened up involuntarily.
But soon Dongchuan Ichiro forced himself to calm down. He covered his face with his hands, and when he took them down, the softness that had made Matsumoto happy was gone, replaced by a coldness only found in those at the top.
"It’s precisely because of that little cake that your family isn’t under attack right now."
Dongchuan Ichiro raised his hand, pushing two glasses of red wine in front of Matsumoto and Takayama.
"Now you both have another chance to choose. It all depends on what you decide."
Matsumoto and Takayama glanced at each other before reaching out to the glasses of wine in front of them. Their actions made Dongchuan Ichiro nod in satisfaction, then he took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Black Dragon First Chief, it’s really troublesome for you, but could you have your people withdraw?"
Hearing this title, Matsumoto and Takayama’s faces couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat.
They knew very well what the words ’Black Dragon First Chief’ represented. He was a true battle maniac within the Black Dragon Association.
The structure of the Black Dragon Association was very simple: at the top was the only President, and beneath him were three Vice Presidents, each in charge of different sectors.
The so-called Chiefs were the ones responsible for combat. Since Dongchuan Ichiro referred to him as the First Chief, it meant the person surrounding their families was that legendary figure.
"No problem. Since it’s the President’s order, we will make sure the task is done beautifully."
From the other side of the phone came a man’s slightly deep voice. Though it was somewhat hoarse, it didn’t hinder but instead gave an impression of being seasoned and experienced.
"Please send my regards to the President. Once I’m done with family matters, I’ll definitely treat you to a drink."
After Dongchuan Ichiro said this, the satisfied laughter of the Black Dragon First Chief came from the other end of the phone. This chief had no other hobbies but loved to drink, though ordinary wine couldn’t satisfy his taste.
"I wonder what we need to do after this?"
At this moment, Matsumoto and Takayama had no thoughts of resistance left in their hearts.
After all, these Dragon Country people already seemed hard to deal with, not to mention that behind Dongchuan Ichiro stood the Black Dragon Association.
Thinking of what the Underworld Three Giants had done recently, Matsumoto and Takayama seemed to have suddenly realized something, cold sweat running down their cheeks.
They finally realized how ridiculous their previous actions were, thinking that having the support of two major clans would allow them to rest easy.
Little did they know, the influence of the Underworld Three Giants, led by the Black Dragon Association, was so great that even the two major clans wouldn’t dare to easily tear their relationship apart.
"I just want to assimilate and reorganize the Dongchuan Business Federation."
After Dongchuan Ichiro said this, Matsumoto and Takayama exchanged a glance and instantly understood his intentions.
This guy had a huge appetite. They had originally thought Dongchuan Ichiro just wanted to take them over, but now they knew he aimed to assimilate all the commercial groups within the Business Federation.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Dongchuan Ichiro guessed their thoughts.
"Your thoughts are only half right. While I do want to assimilate and reorganize, I will allocate shares proportionally. I just want to see a consolidated and powerful Dongchuan Group with unified management and coordination!"
As he said this, an unusual look of exhilaration appeared on Dongchuan Ichiro’s face, mirrored by Matsumoto and Takayama.
The conditions offered by Dongchuan Ichiro were indeed a reassurance, putting them somewhat at ease. When he said shares would be returned proportionally, it likely wouldn’t be the same as their original holdings.
Matsumoto and Takayama were more aware than anyone of the influence of the Dongchuan Business Federation in the commercial sector. If all the commercial groups within the Federation were integrated, even with reduced shares, the benefits would still exceed what they had before.
More importantly, as Dongchuan Ichiro said, if the commercial groups within the Dongchuan Business Federation became a unified and cohesive entity, their market share would be even higher.
"If that’s really the case, then we agree."
Originally, Matsumoto and Takayama had been filled with despair, but Dongchuan Ichiro’s words brought them hope.
Seeing the expressions of dormant ambition on their faces, Dongchuan Ichiro discreetly glanced at Lin Beichen with an admiring look.
Dongchuan Ichiro’s approach had actually been taught by Lin Beichen. Lin Beichen smiled and nodded, feeling immensely proud inside.
"This carrot and stick tactic has been used by our ancestors for thousands of years. Handling people like you is a piece of cake."
In the time that followed, Dongchuan Ichiro, Matsumoto, and Takayama briefly discussed some future plans.
Although the plans sounded good, executing them would definitely not be easy. Many heads of corporations or heirs of commercial families would stand up and oppose.
"What do we do when that time comes?"
Matsumoto asked, looking at Dongchuan Ichiro with some concern.
Hearing Matsumoto’s words, Dongchuan Ichiro let out a cold laugh.
"I’ll make those people agree faster than you, because I haven’t tasted each family’s little cake."
Though Dongchuan Ichiro spoke with a smile, it sounded like a full-blown threat to Matsumoto and Takayama.
This suffocating sense of impending death gave them the illusion that the person before them wasn’t the young boy they grew up with, but a seasoned ruler who hid his emotions well.
After leaving Dongchuan Ichiro, Matsumoto and Takayama felt like they had walked through Hell.
"I think we should go back quickly and implement this matter so that our families can still gain some benefits."
After all, their families were essentially merchants. The merchant’s nature is to chase profit. As long as they could gain benefits, or preserve their lives while ensuring their profits weren’t overly compromised, they would join in without hesitation.
At this moment, Lin Beichen stood by the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the tiny ant-like people down below moving about, and suddenly understood why ancient emperors always wanted to climb to the top.
"Mr. Lin, is there anything else we should be aware of?"
With no outsiders present, Dongchuan Ichiro didn’t act high and mighty towards Lin Beichen as he did before.
"Nothing else, just don’t forget that after the Dongchuan Business Federation is consolidated, you need to get these people placed in."
As he spoke, Lin Beichen handed a piece of paper to Dongchuan Ichiro, who took a quick look and nodded with a smile.
There were only four names on the paper, far fewer than Dongchuan Ichiro had guessed.
If it were just these four people, even if they controlled actual power, it wouldn’t significantly affect him, at least he would still hold about 50% of the decision-making power.