allonlinenovel Chapter 969 Bullying goes too far
Chapter 969 Bullying goes too far
Mitsui Kazuki heard this and a flash of realization flashed in his eyes. He put down his teacup and talked to Xiong Chang about tea culture. He said, "Director Xiong is right. Tea culture is indeed a unique art form. In Fuso, we also have a deep affection for tea culture. However, due to historical reasons, our tea culture has been influenced by China in many ways."
Xiong Chang nodded in agreement: "Cultural exchange is an important part of human civilization. China and Japan have had close cultural exchanges since ancient times. Tea culture, as an important part of the cultures of the two countries, is no exception. We hope that through this exchange, we can enhance mutual understanding and friendship."
As the conversation deepened, the atmosphere in the reception room gradually became relaxed. Mitsui Kazuki and Xiong Chang found common topics in the exchange of tea culture, and the barriers and tensions between them gradually dissipated.
After Xiong Chang mentioned tea culture, Mitsui Kazuki slowly stood up, picked up the teapot skillfully, and began to make tea for Xiong Chang in an almost artistic way.
His technique is smooth and rhythmic, as if every movement contains deep meaning.
"Director Xiong, please allow me to make a pot of tea for you." Mitsui Kazuki said with a smile, his voice gentle and powerful, revealing a calm temperament.
Xiong Chang smiled and nodded in agreement. He watched Mitsui Kazuki brew tea, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. He knew that the tea ceremony was not just a way of brewing tea, but also a manifestation of culture and spirit. And Mitsui Kazuki obviously had a deep understanding and attainments in the tea ceremony.
As Mitsui Kazuki brewed tea, he explained his technique: "This is Guan Gong patrolling the city. The teapot is moving among the teacups, just like Guan Gong patrolling the city. This is the nodding of the phoenix. The teapot is gently swaying above the teacups, just like the nodding of the phoenix."
Xiong Chang quietly admired Mitsui Kazuki's tea-making skills, nodding his head from time to time to show his approval. He exclaimed: "Mr. Mitsui's attainments in tea ceremony are really admirable. It seems that you not only have a strong interest in Chinese culture, but also put a lot of effort into studying it."
Hearing this, Mitsui Kazuki showed a proud smile on his face: "Director Xiong, you are too kind. I do have a strong interest in Chinese culture. Tea ceremony is an important part of Chinese culture, and I have always wanted to learn and understand it in depth. For this reason, I have spent a long time studying Chinese tea ceremony."
As he spoke, he poured the brewed tea into the teacup, and the tea fragrance filled the air, intoxicating people. Xiong Chang took the teacup, took a sip, and exclaimed: "What a good tea! Mr. Mitsui's tea ceremony technique is indeed extraordinary. The tea fragrance is rich and lasting, and the tea flavor is long and delicate. It really makes people have endless aftertaste!"
Mitsui Kazuki smiled and responded: "Director Xiong, you are too kind. The tea ceremony emphasizes the harmonious unity of the mind and nature. In the process of brewing tea, we must calm our minds and become one with nature. Only in this way can we brew truly good tea."
As the aroma of tea spread, the atmosphere in the reception room became more harmonious and relaxed.
Mitsui Shou, who was quietly observing, saw that the conversation between his father and Xiong Chang was always centered around tea culture, and did not touch upon the core topic of the meeting. He could not help but feel anxious. He coughed lightly, trying to attract the attention of the two, and then took the initiative to speak, with a hint of urgency in his tone: "Although Chinese tea is indeed very delicious, what our Mitsui family is more concerned about at this moment is what attitude the Chinese side has towards our previous request."
Hearing this, Xiong Chang gently put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Mitsui Shou calmly, and a smile of understanding appeared on his face. He slowly spoke in a steady and powerful voice: "Mr. Mitsui Shou is right. Regarding the request made by your family, our President Su attaches great importance to it and has personally responded. However, I must inform you in advance that the conditions proposed by President Su may be more stringent, and I hope you can be prepared."
Hearing this, Mitsui Kazuki's smile did not diminish, but became even warmer. He gently patted Mitsui Shou's shoulder to comfort him, then turned to Xiong Chang, his eyes revealing a kind of sophistication and calmness: "Director Xiong, don't worry. We know that there is no easy task at the negotiation table. Whether the conditions are harsh or not, they are all a reflection of the positions and interests of both parties. The essence of negotiation is that both parties communicate frankly and express their own opinions until a balance point acceptable to both parties is found. Please speak frankly, Director Xiong, and tell us President Su's conditions in detail."
Xiong Chang nodded, his expression turned serious, and he began to elaborate on the conditions proposed by Su Zhengyang one by one.
"First, President Su emphasized that after the war, the Mitsui family must be placed under the strict supervision of China." Xiong Chang's voice was clear and powerful, and every word seemed to carry an irresistible force. "This means that all actions of the Mitsui family, whether business decisions or personal behavior, must be under the control of China. Once you do anything that may harm China's interests or violate international law, you will be severely punished and pay for your mistakes."
At this point, Xiong Chang's eyes swept over Mitsui Kazuki and Mitsui Hisashi, and both of them showed varying degrees of surprise and uneasiness on their faces. But Xiong Chang did not pause and continued to repeat the second condition: "Secondly, President Su requires that the Mitsui family not only hand over the wealth accumulated over the years as initial compensation for war crimes, but also must promise to hand over 60% of the income to China every year in the future. This is to make up for the huge losses suffered by our country in the war, and also to make the Mitsui family deeply aware that their actions have brought immeasurable pain and harm to the people of both countries."
Mitsui Kazuki's expression became more solemn, and he subconsciously tightened the teacup in his hand, while Mitsui Shou looked at Xiong Chang in disbelief, as if to confirm whether he had heard something wrong. However, Xiong Chang did not give them a chance to refute, but continued to state the last condition: "The last and most crucial point is that President Su clearly stated that all decisions of the Mitsui family, whether it is business investment or internal family affairs, must be approved by China. You are no longer a free family, but subjects under our supervision. You can only make any decision with the permission of China."
As soon as Xiong Chang finished speaking, the entire reception room fell into silence. Mitsui Kazuki and Mitsui Shou fell into deep thought, with complex emotions intertwined on their faces: shock, anger, helplessness, fear... Xiong Chang quietly waited for their reactions. He knew that these three conditions were undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Mitsui family, but this was also the reality they had to face.
In the oppressive silence, Mitsui Shou's emotions suddenly erupted like a volcano. He stood up suddenly, and the teacup in his hand seemed to be the carrier of his anger. He threw it hard on the ground, making a crisp and loud breaking sound, and the tea and fragments splashed everywhere, breaking the originally silent atmosphere.
"This is too much! China is simply too much!" Mitsui Shou roared angrily, his face full of anger and unwillingness, "They don't take the Mitsui family seriously at all. These conditions are simply an insult to us! If we really agree to such conditions, what dignity will the Mitsui family have left? What's the difference between us and China's slaves?!"
Mitsui's voice trembled with anger, and his words were full of defense of family honor and despair for future fate.
Mitsui Shou was angry not only because the current conditions were harsh, but also because these conditions deprived them of their freedom and dignity as an independent family.