"Ugh, I just don't understand, what's so good about serving a bunch of little devils," Luo Guoqing took a drag of his cigarette and cursed disapprovingly, "If it were me, I'd have chased them out long ago, who the hell needs their investment!"

"You can't say that," Lin Chuan smiled and said, "After all, we're still in a backward state, and when you're backward you get hit. If we're inferior to others, we should learn from them, it's a normal thing, so, you have to understand."

"Understand what?" Luo Guoqing snorted coldly, "The little devils' intent to destroy us never dies, so we must be cautious and vigilant."

"It's a peaceful era now," Lin Chuan smiled, "There won't be any knives or guns involved, even if there were conflicts, it would be economic or trade wars, not real knives and guns. Understand? These aren't things we're good at, let others handle them, we'll just watch."

"I really wish we could fight them in a real battle with real knives and guns," Luo Guoqing snorted coldly.

A bunch of people were herded into a room, with some dishes laid out on the table, but these were no grand dishes, just some home-style cooking. The hotel manager smiled and said, "Gentlemen, this is your lunch. Since Secretary Liu instructed, you all are not allowed to drink alcohol, so we can offer beverages."

Lin Chuan didn't mind, but Luo Guoqing frowned and said, "Damn it, serving the little devils is all about big fish and big meat, how come when it comes to us it's just this kind of dish?"

"It's fine." Xiao Xue smiled and said, "These are all the home-style dishes I like, much tastier than big fish and big meat."

Xiao Xue seemed very satisfied. Others, however, were full of complaints, especially Luo Guoqing.

But that's how Liu Dagu had arranged it, so what else can be said? The subordinate units should comply with the arrangements made by the superior units. Xiao Xue hurriedly served herself some rice, and seeing Lin Chuan sitting there, she handed him the bowl of rice she filled, saying, "Here you go, I helped you scoop some."

"Thank you!" Lin Chuan nodded.

Luo Guoqing was stunned, he joked, "Wow, Lin Chuan, you're quite lucky with the ladies. To think that Secretary Tang's secretary fancies you? Tsk tsk... lucky in love."

"Go away," Lin Chuan said irritably, "She kindly helped me scoop some rice, what nonsense are you talking about? Don't ruin the girl's reputation."

"What reputation or no reputation. Why does she only serve you and not me?" Luo Guoqing murmured softly.

"You're not handsome," Lin Chuan shot him an irritable glance, "Why should she serve you?"

People chatted and laughed, and there was a different kind of fun in the restaurant. The diners were all subordinates who had come along from Jiangbei City, either drivers or secretaries. Several people gathered around one table. As for the ten-plus people from the Zhu Corporation who had come along, they were all arranged at a big banquet table in the hall, with over twenty people seated there.

In the restaurant, Tang Yumeng and Fujii Katsuyoshi were sitting close to each other, with Liu Dagu to the left of Tang Yumeng and Qingzi to the right of Fujii Katsuyoshi. It seemed that the woman named Qingzi had a somewhat special relationship with Fujii Katsuyoshi.

"Mr. Fujii, I heard that your company is planning a large-scale investment in Wujiang?" Tang Yumeng cheekily asked, "I've always heard Secretary Liu say so, but I couldn't believe it, seeing you this time, I still feel some disbelief, is this really true?"

"Of course!" Fujii Katsuyoshi nodded, "Wujiang is a nice place, its tourism resources are very rich, if they are developed, it would definitely become a tourism hotspot."

"Is that so?" Tang Yumeng smiled, "Although Wujiang is beautiful, the transportation here is not convenient, and most importantly, the population nearby isn't big. But I just don't understand, why Mr. Fujii has a soft spot for this place? Is there something Mr. Fujii is hiding?"

"Of course not." Fujii Katsuyoshi shook his head and smiled, "It's merely a wish of my grandfather."

"Your grandfather?" Tang Yumeng became even more cautious.

"Yes." Fujii Katsuyoshi nodded, "My grandfather was once a marine in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. He was drafted into the marines as a teenager, later he went with the troops on an expedition to China, and opened the China battlefield, later when the sea transportation routes were blocked by the United States, to open a path to the Southwest battlefield, my father moved towards the Southwest with the large troops, finally, my father stopped here in Wujiang. It's just regrettable that our Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was not realized."

Everyone stared in shock, a blatant invasion! When the other party talked about these invasions, it seemed they felt no guilt, instead they wore a face full of pride and arrogance.

Tang Yumeng immediately said, "Mr. Fujii, please mind your language, that was an invasive war, not some Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere."

"To you it's an invasion, but to us, it was the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere War," Fujii Katsuyoshi contemptuously smiled, "If our war had succeeded back then, perhaps, your country wouldn't be so backward, but rather a more prosperous world with lush greenery and clear waters. Look at your current state, economically backward, technologically backward, your textbooks preach not taking the path of first polluting and then managing, yet... your air quality, food quality, water quality... which of these meet the standards? You can't even meet the standards for the air you breathe every day

"Invasion is invasion. Even if you mask it with falsehood, it doesn't change its essence." Tang Yumeng fiercely retorted.

"No." Fujii Katsuyoshi smiled: "That's colonization. Think about it, Australia today is also a colony of the United Kingdom, and yet they live well, they have the advanced technologies from the UK, they have a good living environment, they have a civilized cultural environment. Don't all these prove that colonization is not an invasion, but merely a technical colonization, a cultural colonization? And that it can bring you better, more advanced, more perfect living conditions, isn't that good?"

Bang...

Suddenly, Tang Yumeng slammed her chopsticks onto the table, and said with a smile, "Mr. Fujii, when Japan controlled the three eastern provinces, how many resources did you take from the three provinces? That was plundering. Don't sugarcoat aggression, it's just an excuse. If Mr. Fujii insists on justifying that part of history, I think... we might as well not talk about the investments."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dagu hurriedly stood up to smooth things over: "Secretary Tang, Mr. Fujii, history is already in the past, we should look forward. Let's not dwell on the past. Besides, aren't we promoting China-Japan friendship now?"

"Right, right, right!" A group of people hastily added: "China-Japan friendship, China-Japan friendship."

Tang Yumeng looked disdainful, while Fujii Katsuyoshi's lips slightly curved upwards. He had no interest in others, but he was somewhat interested in Tang Yumeng. Fujii Katsuyoshi said with a smile, "Alright, Miss Tang, I apologize for my slip of the tongue, this cup of wine is to make amends."

Having said that, Fujii Katsuyoshi immediately raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.

Only then did Tang Yumeng's expression slightly improve.

"Mr. Fujii, we can avoid discussing history, but as a person, you should learn to face history squarely," Tang Yumeng said earnestly. "If a man dares not speak truthfully about history, then he is not fit to be a man."

Her words were so intense that they made Liu Dagu standing by break into a cold sweat. He feared that Fujii Katsuyoshi and his companions might slam the table and leave. Hence, Liu Dagu hurriedly kept making eye signals to Tang Yumeng, but to no avail as Tang Yumeng wouldn't even glance at him.

Liu Dagu anxiously used a hot towel from the table to wipe his face, his heart pounding with fear.

"Um, Miss Tang, you spoke very well," said Fujii Katsuyoshi, who not only was not angry but even applauded.

Tang Yumeng was somewhat puzzled; she was clearly scolding him, but why was he reacting this way? Liu Dagu was also astonished. However, seeing that Fujii Katsuyoshi was not upset, Liu Dagu quickly raised his glass and said: "Mr. Fujii, Miss Qingzi, you've come a long way, and must be tired, this drink is for you."

Fujii Katsuyoshi did not raise his glass, simply continuing to gaze at Tang Yumeng. With Fujii Katsuyoshi not raising his glass, no one else dared to raise theirs.

Therefore, Liu Dagu was even more dumbfounded, standing there alone, foolishly holding the glass, with no one to join him.

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Tang Yumeng raised her glass and gave a smile: "A visitor from afar is a guest, whether you invest or not, it does not affect our hospitality."

These words from Tang Yumeng were well-received. Fujii Katsuyoshi nodded: "Very well said, just for Secretary Tang's this remark, I will add an additional one hundred million yen to our investment."

Wow...

There was a buzz of surprise among everyone; the additional investment was too quick, wasn't it? The preliminary investment discussions hadn't even been settled and yet an additional investment seemed somewhat unrealistic? Everyone was visibly confused, visibly astonished. Fujii Katsuyoshi slowly stood up and smiled: "This time, our investment will be the largest investment of Zhushi Society this year. So, you have to consider it well."

"Mr. Fujii, we... let's eat first, then talk about the investment," Liu Dagu hastily said.

Fearing that the almost secured investment might slip away, Liu Dagu continued to play the peacemaker, hoping both parties could calm down. Fortunately, both parties heeded his advice, and bowed their heads to eat.

The dining table soon became quiet.

Finding the atmosphere somewhat awkward, Liu Dagu humorously asked, "Mr. Fujii, after we finish eating, let's take a walk nearby to introduce you to our local customs, what do you think?"

"Good idea," Fujii Katsuyoshi nodded, saying: "I think that's great. I really don't know much about Wujiang, mostly what I've heard from my grandfather. I heard there's a spring in Wujiang, which is warm in winter and cool in summer, right?"

[The update has not ended, there are more explosive developments to come. Please vote for recommendation.]

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