Of course, what Horikawa Nobuhiko was waiting for here was Tao Zhiming's call.

The ringing of the phone made Takagi Renpachi's heart lift into his throat, as if he had reached the moment of judgment of fate.

Although he couldn't believe what Nobuhiko Horikawa would really do, Tao Zhiming wanted Nobuhiko Horikawa dead. What if this guy went crazy?

Takagi Renpachi was disappointed that Nobuhiko Horikawa could clearly judge the situation like this, so what good end could he have as a traitor?

After all, he is not as able to grasp Nobuhiko Horikawa's psychology as Tao Zhiming.

At this time, Nobuhiko Horikawa was no more relaxed than him.

Looking at the phone on the table, Nobuhiko Horikawa took a deep breath and ordered: "Answer the phone, President Takagi."

"...Mr. President, I..."

Nobuhiko Horikawa smiled: "Answer."

The man with the gun was tall and hard. Takagi Renpachi gritted his teeth and picked up the phone tremblingly: "...Hello?"

"Takagi-san?" Tao Zhiming's voice on the phone was full of smiles and joking, "You are answering the call from Horikawa-san's office. Is he busy?"

Takagi Renpachi didn't dare to explain that he was being pointed at by a gun, so he just handed the phone over: "President...it's President Tao."

"As I said, you are the president now." Nobuhiko Horikawa said first, then took the phone and said, "President Tao, I've been waiting for a long time."

"Horikawa-san, why are you trying to scare Takagi-san?" Tao Zhiming seemed to have seen what was going on in the room, "This is not how you treat your subordinates."

Horikawa Nobuhiko was silent for a long time, wondering if he meant his adopted brother Haruno Takizo who was abandoned and dealt with by him.

Now I can only plan for the worst-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is that I have actually become transparent in front of him.

So he sincerely asked: "President Tao, I wonder what your decision will be after communicating with other people? Now everyone at First Quanye Bank is very much looking forward to you becoming the president and helping us in the same boat. I

I also sincerely admire President Tao’s talent!”

In speech, I have started to address you as "you" respectfully.

But Takagi Renpachi was still unmoved.

"Horikawa-san, I feel the same way. You are worthy of being Horikawa-san!" Tao Zhiming praised, and then said, "It's really unseemly for me to serve as the president. After all, I have no respect for Daiichi Kanye."

There is no knowledge inside the consortium. But since it is just in the name of absorbing your bad debts, then why not inject part of the funds into Daiichi Quanye Trust Bank through my Zhiming Trust and become a shareholder."

Horikawa Nobuhiko's mind was racing at this moment. This plan was the friendliest way in his imagination.

Zhiming Trust injected capital into First Quanye Trust Bank and became a shareholder, and Tao Zhiming himself received part of the benefits.

However, before Dai-ichi Banking and Trust Bank officially holds shares in Dai-ichi Bank, Tao Zhiming will not become a shareholder of Dai-ichi Financial Group in advance, causing fear to other companies.

The principal of Daiichi Quanye Trust Bank has expanded, which can absorb the larger-scale bad debts of Daiichi Quanye Consortium, and can also make the old guys like Ito Chu Yukibei more dependent on themselves. At this time, they proposed to let them give up part of their shares.

Even if he and Takagi Renpachi were only allowed to hold the shares for other financial groups, the goal was initially achieved.

Do you really have to rely on yourself? Is there really no fraud?

Nobuhiko Horikawa couldn't believe it and still insisted: "President Tao, now because of the secret investigation team and the investigation results against Fukumoto Xiong and others, Abe-san and others are also vague about the Itochu family head and others. It is what they are most afraid of."

time. If they see that you are the new foreign aid, they may become less worried and miss the best opportunity for negotiation."

"Horikawa-san, in their eyes, I should also be eager to have such an opportunity to become a shareholder of a large consortium. I don't have much negotiation capital." Tao Zhiming said with a smile, "So, being able to enter the First Quanye Trust Bank and become a shareholder

Shareholders, as for how many shares First Quanye Trust Bank can hold in the parent bank, it is up to you to fight for it. Look, isn’t the situation created before effective?”

Nobuhiko Horikawa gritted his teeth and asked: "So what will be the direction of handling the investigation results of the secret investigation team? What about Fukumoto Yu and others?"

Tao Zhiming just answered him meaningfully: "I will do my best to help you build momentum. Director Banze of Neon Bank, who was in charge of the investigation, has been dismissed from his post and has been assigned to serve as a special director of the Financial Research Center established by the Ministry of Finance at the Gate of Heaven.

On the surface, the matter was considered serious and long-term, but the Tokyo Prefectural Prosecutor's Office quickly launched an investigation into Ogami."

Horikawa Nobuhiko was shocked. Does this mean he must kill the chicken to scare the monkey?

But the ones who are more implicated in the Ogami Seam are Furong and Sanhe, aren't they? To build momentum for their next annexation plan?

With their interests at the forefront, how could Ito Chu Yukibei and the others be willing to give in?

So I listened to Tao Zhiming continue: "As for Fukumotoo... Horikawa-san, President Tsutsumi used him to bribe the directors of your Daiichi Kanye Foundation with artworks, and obtained a huge amount of money by falsifying accounts.

The matter of the loan will also be exposed when the investigation on Ogami spreads to Chairman Tsutsumi.”

The plan was so detailed that Nobuhiko Horikawa almost believed that he was really just doing it for profit.

But how dare you believe it, unless you clarify those words.

【Is your real target me? 】

【How much do you know?】

【How long has it been planned?】

Everything is just speculation. The previous resignation as chairman and the invitation to join the company can be seen as just a stress reaction to the Fukumoto Oo incident and what Tao Dalang said was "overthinking."

But this point must be confirmed.

I have made a mistake once and cannot make another mistake.

"President Tao, do you know what I'm worried about?" Nobuhiko Horikawa finally spoke, "The answers I want to know are not just these."

On the phone, Tao Zhiming didn't speak for a long time.

The longer the silence lasted, the more Nobuhiko Horikawa felt that his guess was correct.

Finally, Tao Zhiming spoke: "I came from being penniless slowly. During this journey, I took the initiative to fight for and manage every opportunity and connection. I became rich suddenly as a young man and was alone in my family.

It requires both boldness and caution. Don't you think so, Horikawa-san? I believe you understand it."

"...Of course." Nobuhiko Horikawa guessed why he said this.

The next sentence made Horikawa Nobuhiko extremely heavy: "So Horikawa-san took the initiative to cooperate with me in the first place, and even entrusted Haruka to me even though he knew that I had an engagement with the Ueda family.

, and became unprecedentedly cautious.”

Is it really related to Haruno Haruka? It is impossible for that child to know anything, so his investigation... Since he can take down Fukumoto Yu so quickly, how much has he mastered?

Tao Zhiming continued: "In short, since Haruno Takizo is your adopted brother, and he committed suicide because of something similar to Moonlight Village, I must beware of the traps here. Horikawa-san, you can understand this.

Bar?"

"...I understand it very well."

"But the Hachiman Research Society is indeed a platform that I really hope to enter and exert influence." Tao Zhiming said this first, and then said, "Also, Haruka... is indeed cute."

It sounds like it's motivated by interests.

"So, compared with the possible rewards, I bear some past causal responsibilities. As long as I feel it is controllable, it doesn't matter." Tao Zhiming chuckled, "But I didn't expect that Mitsubishi and First Bank would still

There is another plan of the Trinity Foundation, and they made me the target of a breakthrough the year before last. After that, Horikawa-san has not given me a real explanation."

Horikawa Nobuhiko was shocked.

Is this the problem?

When he was under siege, he just used the opportunity to win over him and strengthen his relationship. Finally, Iwasaki took the initiative and admitted that it was the choice he made with Mitsui and Sumitomo under the pressure of cabinet policies. He didn't believe it? He thought he

Was he also involved? Even letting Yao get close to him in the first place had a purpose?

Nobuhiko Horikawa suddenly turned pale as he thought about what he saw on his yacht on October 18 last year.

That's right, since he was able to talk eloquently that day and silenced so many big shots in the cabinet, couldn't he have been able to do it before?

What cabinet policy would stimulate the simultaneous collapse of the real estate market and stock market, putting great pressure on the Iwasaki family, Mitsui, and Sumitomo. Since he could get the cabinet bosses and the old stubborn Mie Nofu to accompany him in formulating that new crazy plan,

How could the previous policy rhythm get out of control?

Horikawa Nobuhiko's eyes suddenly focused on Takagi Renpachi, extremely sharp.

After "Weekly Bunshun" bombarded the Tao Dalang incident, the person who attended the negotiation meeting at that time was Takagi Jinpachi.

Although I have verified it with many people, was Takagi Renpachi already bribed at that time, rather than after October 18 last year?

In Horikawa Nobuhiko's view, only after experiencing the "debate" on the yacht last year can one truly feel Tao Dalang's unparalleled influence and the irreversibility of their plan. In this case, if Takagi Renpachi

It was discovered that they had joined forces to target Nobuhiko Horikawa, and it was indeed impossible to fight against the general trend.

But the year before last?

If Takagi Renpachi had been conquered at that time, then...then...

Takagi Renpachi was stared at by him and he was sweating again. He thought that Horikawa Nobuhiko was just angry. After all, his hand holding the gun was a little shaken.

He didn't know that Nobuhiko Horikawa was trembling with fear.

"...I'm sorry, President Tao." Nobuhiko Horikawa tried his best to restrain himself and tried to confirm the possibility that Tao Zhiming was only angry because he had a hand in dealing with him. "You can also understand that in their plan, I

I have never been the leader. That’s why I sincerely want to cooperate with you. After all, we are all people who have risen from the dust."

He tried hard to explain: "As for Haruka... you must know by now that the Hachiman Research Association is not so clean. We have business interests, and we are on a platform that can facilitate many things, and Haruka is

A family relationship is the strongest alliance. When you proposed that Ueno-kun marry Takagi-san's daughter, I was very happy. Really, I thought you recognized this. Why now...

Are you worried about the trap I am using to ambush you through the distance?"

Takagi Renpachi felt aggrieved: his daughter, just to paralyze Horikawa Nobuhiko at that time, wanted to marry Ueno Yosuke, a guy who was as promiscuous as Tao Dalang.

Fortunately, Yoko seems to be quite obsessed with Ueno Yosuke, and Ueno Yosuke wants to show off. He is not as unscrupulous as Tao Dalang. He does everything in secret without letting Yoko know...

"Really not?" Tao Zhiming sneered, "Don't you want to know what Kijima-san said when he escaped from Kansai and came to Tokyo to find me? He said it, because he held the share of the Haruno family on his behalf.

, if I take over, then he will die."

Nobuhiko Horikawa hurriedly said: "That's because Kijima-san is overthinking! When people get older, they always overthink. You see, haven't we been in peace and harmony for so long? My focus is not at all.

Those things back then."

"That's because of Tanaka-sama's mediation!" Tao Zhiming said without politeness, "But the shares held by Kijima-san will always be handed over to me. Horikawa-san, when are you going to explain this to me?

Secret, so that I can feel at ease? I have been waiting, from 40,000 points on the Neon Stock Index to 10,000 points now! I don’t want to suddenly suffer a fatal blow when the plan reaches a critical moment!"

Instead, Nobuhiko Horikawa relaxed and said seriously: "I understand! If it's because of this, it's my fault. I'm very sorry! If President Tao has time, I will explain it to you in detail!"

"Okay, I'll wait for you at Hachiman Shrine tomorrow!"

Horikawa Nobuhiko was stunned: "Hachiman Shrine?"

"Of course." Tao Zhiming said, "Kijima-san said that there are secrets related to the Haruno family, which must be the death of Haruno Takizo that Haruka has always cared about. Although she is a miko, since she is my woman, I also

I don’t want her to always have a cold temperament!”

"...I understand. Then...see you tomorrow."

Nobuhiko Horikawa slowly put down the phone.

In order to survive, Kijima Genichi only pointed out this point to make him appear valuable, instead of dragging out all the secrets of the year?

Also, even if all those secrets were revealed, he would die without a burial place.

If you put it this way, there really is hope, and it's not the worst case scenario.

Also, it is only because of the huge interests that we need to go through so much trouble.

Nobuhiko Horikawa felt relieved, looked at Takagi Renpachi, whose hair was soaked with sweat, smiled, picked up the gun, and pointed it at his knees.

Takagi Renpachi became frightened, trembling his lips, and raised his hands: "President...you...you..."

"Click——"

Nobuhiko Horikawa tightened his grip on the trigger. There was only a muffled sound and no bullet was fired, but Takagi Renpachi's pants became quite wet with sweat again.

"Look, it's really a toy gun." Nobuhiko Horikawa looked innocent.

"...President!" Takagi Renpachi burst into tears.

"Come with me to see President Tao tomorrow." Nobuhiko Horikawa ordered, "By the way, the two families haven't had dinner together for a long time. Please bring your wife and children to my house in the evening so that they can get together and chat.

chat."

"...Yes." Takagi Renpachi wiped his tears and stood up obediently.

Seeing the water stains on the leather seat, he immediately lowered his head and said, "I'll go get another chair."

Seeing him pushing the chair out in embarrassment, Horikawa Nobuhiko thought about it for so many years, and sighed softly: "Ninpachi, thank you for your hard work."

Takagi Renpachi turned around and stood there bent over, knowing that there was no need to explain more.

A god and a demon, both of them are as smart as ghosts.

So in the middle of their confrontation, it was really hard. Takagi Renpachi felt aggrieved and burst into tears again.

Is this the way people should live?

Nobuhiko Horikawa said: "I don't blame you, I understand. But tonight, can you treat me as a big brother for the last time, help me, and tell me something?"

Takagi Renpachi immediately knelt on the ground: "Brother Horikawa... I will definitely... tell you everything. I... I don't want to do this either!"

After saying that, I burst into tears, feeling extremely aggrieved.

Horikawa Nobuhiko walked over quickly, helped him up, and then said: "Stop crying, wait a moment."

After saying that, he walked to the back room of the president's office, took out a complete set of clothes from the closet, and said warmly: "Don't go out like this, put on some clothes, they are prepared for you. There is no need to change the chairs, we brothers

The two have been together for so long that they can no longer tell each other apart."

He smiled and lifted up his suit and said, "Look, my shirt is actually wet with sweat too."

After that, he took off his suit, wiped the chair with it, pushed it back to his original position, sat down calmly, and said to him with a smile: "Go to the inner room to change your clothes, and go out decently."

"...Thank you, brother." Takagi Renpachi was very moved. He raised his arms and wiped his eyes with his sleeves. After bowing, he took the new clothes and walked to the back room.

Nobuhiko Horikawa kept smiling, and when he entered the door, he slowly put away his smile.

His eyes gradually moved to the safe. Nobuhiko Horikawa reached out and took out a magazine from inside.

After putting it in his suit pocket, he locked the safe again.

In the back room, Takagi Renpachi looked pale and looked at the dirty clothes he had changed out of.

Today's fear was real, all his reactions were real, it was like he had returned from hell.

But when things got to this point, that guy actually had a way to make Nobuhiko Horikawa trust him again. After going to the Yawata Shrine to explain something to him, it seemed like he could clear up the past feud?

Let's put it this way...the plan is not over yet, I still have to continue acting.

And tonight, is it the most difficult time for me?

Could it be that he had planned this link a long time ago, to force himself into the middle of a head-on confrontation with Horikawa Nobuhiko and break his own psychological defense?

He remembered the way those demons joined forces to play tricks on him and Nobuhiko Horikawa.

In this turmoil, did the movie stars even design a small goal of "undercover acting test to improve their acting skills"?

However... after being in a desperate situation once, it seems that I feel more confident about Horikawa Nobuhiko's questions that night.

Takagi Renpachi looked at himself in the mirror, the expression on his face was extremely complicated.

He swallowed a dirty word.
Chapter completed!