Chapter 129: Does He Know Who He's Talking To?
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Two weeks after Kakashi left on his trip, Uchiha Douhuan heard the obituary notice for Princess Chi'na during the court assembly.
Uchiha Douhuan, in his capacity as Grand Minister of State, sent condolences expressing deep sorrow.
Then, back in the Hokage office, he split the money with Kakashi, who had returned to the village overnight.
According to Kakashi, this Princess Chi'na could be said to have preyed upon the common people in her fiefdom, committing every imaginable evil. Compared to this princess, even Danzo could be considered a partner of justice. He couldn't restrain himself and ended up killing the princess, bringing back all the illicit wealth from her treasury.
Uchiha Douhuan didn't say much about this either. After reading the mission report Kakashi brought back, Uchiha Douhuan also realized that he seemed to have overestimated the moral standards of these feudal nobles.
"In future development plans, let's pay special attention to this region. Give them some policy support," Uchiha Douhuan said. According to Kakashi's report, the people living in this princess's fiefdom were suffering terribly; seeing it made even him feel somewhat sympathetic.
After the news of the princess's obituary reached Konoha, those grain merchants were instantly scared half to death. The person behind them had just been investigated, and less than two weeks later, the princess was dead. Such a matter simply couldn't withstand scrutiny. For the sake of their own lives, they could only each lower their already meager-profit grain prices slightly further.
These grain merchants became obedient, but merchants in some other industries weren't so perceptive.
With the Land of Fire relocating its capital to Konoha, everything was waiting to be rebuilt. Quite a few major merchants smelled business opportunities in this area. They spanned various industries, and many among them had operations on the scale of Kado's. Compared to them, those grain merchants who needed noble backing to prosper were, at most, involved in minor skirmishes. After all, these grain merchants didn't even have a decent ninja in their employ, whereas these major players basically kept Jounin-level experts from smaller ninja villages on their payroll. With their strength, influencing the rise and fall of some small countries was entirely possible.
At this moment, they had also gathered, intending to pool their resources to resist the new tax law implemented by Uchiha Douhuan.
"Collect seventy percent tax? I've been doing business in the ninja world for so many years and have never paid such high taxes! He, Uchiha Douhuan, is clearly robbing us in broad daylight!"
"Exactly! If he had said earlier he would collect such high taxes, none of us would have come to Konoha! Now that everyone's businesses are set up, he suddenly changes the tax rate. Isn't this blatant robbery?"
"That's right! We need to unite and show him we're not to be trifled with!"
The statements made by some people at the gathering scared Kado half to death. Kado inconspicuously took a few steps back. Let these people court death if they want; just don't let the blood splatter on him.
His residence was right near the Security Department headquarters. On the night of the Konoha coup, he had personally witnessed the might of that Susanoo, which seemed like the descent of a thunder god. He knew clearly that although these people seemed wealthy and could easily hire Jounin-level experts from some small ninja villages to work for them, these individuals, even if they all attacked Uchiha Douhuan together, probably wouldn't even be able to break through the defense of that giant war god.
However, fate had other plans. Kado originally intended to just blend in and get through this peer gathering, but someone on the stage suddenly called his name: "Mr. Kado, you were the earliest among us to arrive in Konoha. Come up and say a few words to everyone!"
Kado's scalp tightened. He glanced sideways towards the door. He knew his personal bodyguard, the Jounin from the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Feidao, must be constantly monitoring the situation inside this gathering. If he said even one wrong word, tonight he would end up committing 'suicide' with six kunai in his back.
But at this moment, all eyes in the venue were on him. He could only brace himself and go up on stage.
"Uh, gentlemen, I am very optimistic about the development prospects of the Hidden Leaf Village. Everyone will surely be able to earn a lot of money here," Kado said.
"Hey, Kado, you don't need to tell us that! Who doesn't know Konoha is profitable right now?" A major merchant originally from the Land of Lightning spoke up. "We want you to talk about this tax issue!"
Kado glanced at the speaker, feeling somewhat displeased, and secretly memorized the person's appearance.
"As for the taxes, everyone shouldn't be so one-sided. Didn't His Excellency the Grand Minister of State also introduce policies where investing within the Land of Fire can offset taxes?" Kado offered.
"Investment? Besides the area around Konoha, where else in this Land of Fire is worth investing?" this merchant retorted discontentedly. "Investing to build factories in those poor places, how long would it take to recoup the funds? Besides, by what right does he use our money to develop the Land of Fire!"
Kado shrank his neck slightly, then said, "We should also take a longer view. When the lives of the Land of Fire's populace improve, we too can earn more money."
"Hmph, are these words Kado can say? Back in the Land of Waves, why didn't you build factories and invest in that poor place?" another merchant interjected at this point.
"Since you gentlemen have already made up your minds, what more do you want me to say?" Kado finally came to his senses. Why should he suffer this sandwich-predicament? As one of the earliest to pledge loyalty to Uchiha Douhuan, although his assets had shrunk significantly and several so-called bodyguards now lived in his house like overlords, looking on the bright side, his quality of life hadn't decreased at all. After Uchiha Douhuan took his money, doing business within the Land of Fire became much more convenient for him. Although he had to give them seventy percent of the profits, the scale of his business operations had grown much larger than before.
So, as long as he hugged Uchiha Douhuan's thigh tightly, need he fear not making money?
As for these peers, he felt he had already done everything he could for them. After all, good words cannot persuade a ghost destined to die. If they still insisted on courting death after he had reminded them so much, then he couldn't manage it anymore.
Besides, isn't the happiest thing in the world when your competitors die? Why should he worry about them? If they died, he might even get a slice of the pie.
Having figured these things out, Kado also toughened up and said, "Anyway, I am already prepared to invest and build factories in the Land of Fire. As for what you all want to do, don't drag me into it."
After speaking, Kado directly stood up and left the gathering.
Once back in his carriage, Kado immediately put on a different face and said to Uchiha Feidao beside him, "Mr. Feidao, you should have heard what they said just now. I suggest you report this matter to His Excellency the Grand Minister of State immediately! These people are truly lawless!"
"Mm, I will report this matter to the Clan Head. You did well!" Uchiha Feidao nodded.
Half an hour later, after Uchiha Feidao dropped Kado home, he went straight to the Hokage Building and reported this matter to Uchiha Douhuan.
"Just asking them to pay taxes, and they dare say I'm robbing them?" Uchiha Douhuan, after hearing Uchiha Feidao's report, narrowed his eyes and said angrily. "Do they know who they're talking to? A bunch of merchants, what do they amount to!"
"It seems these fellows have had it too good for too long and have forgotten the hardships of the world. They must experience this taste!" Uchiha Douhuan said. "Uncle Feidao, among these merchants, who are the leaders?"
"According to Kado, their gathering this time was initiated by a merchant named Yokokawa Yūhiro. His business, according to Kado, started by selling rubber shoes in the Land of Lightning. Now his industry involves various daily chemical products; the largest daily chemical brand in the ninja world is his Yokokawa Nichika."
"I see, it's him," Uchiha Douhuan nodded. "Inahi."
"Present," Uchiha Inahi walked in.
"Make a trip to the Security Department, take some men. Under the pretext of investigating taxes, seal up all this guy's businesses. Then go have a good chat with this President Yokokawa, see what exactly he wants!"
"Yes!" Uchiha Inahi accepted the order and left.
...
Soon, the largest daily chemical retail store in Konoha, as well as the warehouses around Konoha, were sealed by the Security Department team. Yokokawa Yūhiro flew into a rage upon learning this news, but the next moment, Uchiha Inahi arrived at his door.
"The Hokage's Secretary is visiting?" After hearing this news, although Yokokawa Yūhiro was somewhat irritable, he still patiently invited Uchiha Inahi inside. He had no choice; he had invested heavily to enter Konoha this time. Now that his businesses were sealed, if he couldn't resume operations quickly, he would face the risk of a broken capital chain.
"Good afternoon, President Yokokawa," Uchiha Inahi, dressed as a ninja, swaggered into Yokokawa Yūhiro's home.
Yokokawa Yūhiro frowned repeatedly. In his view, Uchiha Inahi was just a lowly ninja, yet now the other party showed no respect for hierarchy in front of him; it was simply too impolite.
Just then, the Jounin under Yokokawa Yūhiro's command stepped forward, intending to teach Uchiha Inahi a lesson. However, Uchiha Inahi simply activated his Sharingan. The moment the Jounin saw the two tomoe, he didn't dare move again. This Jounin from Kusagakure naturally knew the reputation that Uchiha were worth at least two opponents each. Now that Uchiha Inahi's Sharingan was activated, the opponent understood that this person absolutely could not be provoked.
"President Yokokawa, your subordinate is somewhat ill-mannered," Uchiha Inahi turned his head and said coldly.
Seeing this, Yokokawa Yūhiro cursed inwardly, but thinking of his sealed businesses, he could only endure patiently and order his Jounin subordinate, "Withdraw!"
After the Jounin took his leave, only then did Yokokawa Yūhiro put on a smiling face and say, "My subordinate was ill-mannered, apologies for the poor showing, Lord Hokage Secretary. Please forgive him, Lord Hokage Secretary."
Hearing this, Uchiha Inahi nodded and swaggered over to sit down on the sofa in Yokokawa Yūhiro's living room.
Witnessing this scene, Yokokawa Yūhiro could only curse silently again, but still had to have his household servants serve tea and water to the guest.
"May I ask what business brings Lord Hokage Secretary here today?" Yokokawa Yūhiro inquired.
"Isn't President Yokokawa asking knowingly? We received reports that your esteemed enterprise has tax issues, so we specially came here to invite President Yokokawa to come back with us to undergo investigation," Uchiha Inahi said coldly.
"Tax issues? How could that be? Our Yokokawa Group has always operated legally and paid taxes in full every time," Yokokawa Yūhiro stated.
"The new tax law implemented this year, President Yokokawa is still quite short," Uchiha Inahi said.
"Are you referring to that seventy percent tax rate?" Yokokawa Yūhiro said patiently. "Our Yokokawa Group cannot afford such a high tax rate."
"Didn't the Grand Minister of State also introduce policies where investing and setting up factories within the Land of Fire can offset taxes?" Uchiha Inahi countered. "We have neither received your tax payment for this year nor your investment plan proposal. This makes things very difficult for us, President Yokokawa."
"Lord Hokage Secretary, forgive my bluntness, but we businessmen are all here to make money, not to send money to a particular country!" Yokokawa Yūhiro said, slapping the sole of his shoe. "Back then, I started selling rubber shoes in the Land of Lightning, climbed from the very bottom to my current position. I've navigated the seas of commerce for so many years and have never encountered such a situation."
"President Yokokawa need not tell me these things. You just need to tell me, will you pay this tax or not?" Uchiha Inahi, upon hearing this, gradually lost patience and asked bluntly.
"Lord Hokage Secretary, please return! I will not pay such an unreasonable tax!" Yokokawa Yūhiro declared.
"Alright. I hope President Yokokawa won't regret it," Uchiha Inahi nodded. "Then let's talk about you gathering people last night to discuss rebellion."
"That... how is that possible?" Yokokawa Yūhiro's heart jumped, but he still braced himself and said, "You can't just fabricate a reason to slander good people!"
"Slander or not, the Security Department will naturally produce evidence. President Yokokawa, you'd best come with us!" Uchiha Inahi said coldly.
"You can't do this! Guards! Guards!" Yokokawa Yūhiro shouted.
"Stop shouting. Your subordinates' amateurish skills are no match for the Security Department," Uchiha Inahi stood up, reached out, and restrained Yokokawa Yūhiro. "If you don't want to suffer physical pain, please cooperate, President Yokokawa."
...
Yokokawa Yūhiro was thus taken away to the Security Department. Although he was released the same day after investigation, bad news followed one after another in the subsequent days.
Firstly, not only did the Security Department not lift the seal on his businesses, but they also increased the pressure on his affiliated industries. Throughout Konoha, any merchant having any business dealings with the Yokokawa Group would receive frequent visits from the Security Department for inspections.
Furthermore, under Uchiha Douhuan's instruction, Kado also began to make moves, intercepting business deals from the other party.
In just one week, Yokokawa Yūhiro, still within the Security Department's purview, received various pieces of unfavorable news regarding his group within the Land of Fire. The entire Yokokawa Group suffered heavy losses.
Just then, Yokokawa Yūhiro received a dinner invitation from Uchiha Douhuan.
...
(End of Chapter)
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