Cyber Era Witch-Chapter 71 - 54 Jumen Commerce Corporation

71: Chapter 54 Jumen Commerce Corporation

71 -54 Jumen Commerce Corporation

From Asa Katsuragi’s description, that black man is very much like Matteo.

As a Synthetic Human from Black Fire Innovation, there indeed could be more than one Matteo, but it’s unknown whether the original had transmitted the information back.

However, the fact that Black Fire Innovation’s reach has extended here is undeniable, and measures must be taken to avoid their surveillance and to prevent any conflicts with them.

Asa Katsuragi distributed more weapons she acquired to the others, arming the entire team.

She also purchased various combat-support equipment, giving Xu Yang a belt with a pistol holster, a multi-pocket tactical vest for easy carry, along with multiple boxes of ammunition and grenades.

Mainstream handgun ammunition comes in four calibers, determined by the Corporate Alliance during the Witch Wars: 14mm, 9mm, 7mm, and 5mm.

Xu Yang received 3 boxes of cartridges, totaling 240 rounds, while Well Tiger’s magazine could hold up to 13 rounds of 9mm bullets, providing ample firepower.

In the rat-infested environs of Aizu City, the power of bullets was more than enough — precision would ensure a kill.

Now we too have become a militarized team.

Xu Yang and the others prepared their gear and loaded their ammunition, securing some ability to defend themselves in the impending Rat Tide crisis.

If the black man Asa Katsuragi encountered truly was another replica of Matteo, then a future confrontation was inevitable to prevent future threats.

Lila steered the shuttle machine toward Zuo Hongchen’s company.

After Asa Katsuragi made contact with him, at his entrance he had several friendly and well-trained company personnel courteously invite Xu Yang and his group inside, and someone was specially assigned to guide Lila to store the shuttle machine in the company’s underground garage.

“Jumen Commerce Corporation is a thriving trading company,” a woman wearing a black suit jacket and a short skirt with sheer stockings introduced Xu Yang and his group to the company.

“The president is a shrewd businessman who, after inheriting his father’s enterprise, has continuously expanded its scale.”

Xu Yang really didn’t doubt Zuo Hongchen’s ability to run a company.

Given that corporate hierarchy had crystallized, it was very difficult for a conventional enterprise to grow, as any and all business opportunities would be preempted by the conglomerates.

The interior decoration of the commerce corporation was simple.

Through a huge glass curtain wall, Xu Yang saw dozens of company workers hunched over their desks, incessantly typing on computers in movements stiffer than robots.

It was lunchtime.

Up high, the nutrient paste transport system was continuously operating, constantly dumping boxes of nutrient paste near their stations.

From their desks, they occasionally reached out a hand to take the nutrient paste and, after a few seconds of consumption, they were back to work.

It reminded Xu Yang of modern slaughterhouses or livestock farms.

“With countless diligent employees striving for success, and the President’s selfless dedication and the bright, correct leadership, Jumen Commerce Corporation is bound to thrive,” said the woman guiding them with conviction.

“Corporate dog,” Cui Junyou muttered under his breath.

Although it was not a large company, it had already aligned itself closely with the practices of the giant corporations.

Xu Yang entered Zuo Hongchen’s office.

The company had its employees working day and night, depriving them of their own time, working as soon as they woke up, and having to sleep after work, with any other time spent instilling loyalty.

Zuo Hongchen sat at his desk, leaning back in a black, comfortable executive chair, surrounded by data panels dangling from the ceiling that refreshed continuously with the latest stock market information and futures market conditions.

Looking up, Xu Yang saw that Zuo Hongchen was monitoring the economic conditions in different giant corporate territories, seemingly an ambitious fellow.

Locations such as the Taixi Continent, New Taixi State, Near East Region, Archipelago Continent, and Xia District were particularly important.

Taixi Continent was where the Witches had risen and developed, while New Taixi State was the first vast area where corporations landed and took control, both being incredibly prosperous.

The Near East Region had gained significance due to the discovery of the legendary energy source “Spice.” Archipelago Continent, isolated in the midst of the Great Ocean with fragmented topography, held a unique status.

As for Xia District, it was an area with a long history and splendid culture, showcasing a different face from that of the Witches’ culture.

However, due to the Corporate Alliance’s systematic suppression of history, Xu Yang knew very little about his own culture’s past.

“Welcome,” Zuo Hongchen said pleasantly.

“Brother, I owe you one for last time.” Though he said this, his gaze never left the data panels above, with particular attention to the financial news from New Taixi State.

After all, the Corporate Alliance was based there, making it a key point in the world.

“This is a nice place,” Xu Yang looked around.

The office décor was tasteful, with an antique charm.

A huge screen depicted cranes and the rising sun in a style reminiscent of the Xia District.

“You must be from the Xia region, too, right?”

“Yes,” Zuo Hongchen nodded.

“My father came to the Archipelago to do business, and I took over his company.”

“For a small company like this to prosper,” Xu Yang said, “a certain degree of investment is inevitable.”

“Are you interested in investing in my company?” Zuo Hongchen’s eyes brightened, and he quickly gestured to the woman who had led the way.

“Please follow me to the guest suite,” she said quickly, eagerly ushering the others out and closing the door behind them.

In the office, only Xu Yang and Zuo Hongchen remained.

“I plan to invest in your company for a certain share,” Xu Yang said.

“Of course, a complete acquisition would be even better.”

“…That’s out of the question.” Zuo Hongchen’s expression changed immediately, and he shook his head decisively.

“This is the legacy my father left me, and I will never hand it over to anyone else.”

“I never said I wanted to buy the whole thing.”

“But…

I guess it’s only a matter of time.”

“Does your annual turnover reach ten million?” Xu Yang observed Zuo Hongchen’s expression.

“That’s our company’s trade secret,” Zuo Hongchen quickly replied.

During the conversation, Xu Yang had already used Digital Mind to access the internet and looked up information about Jumen Commerce Corporation.

With a registered capital of only 500,000, it could only be described as tragic to have grown to its current size.

Clearly, the Zuo father and son must have exhausted their efforts.

“Think of me as an investor,” Xu Yang said.

“Jumen Commerce Corporation, without a substantial amount of funds to back it up, will remain a small underground company even if it survives another 10 years.”

“Our company is operating steadily,” Zuo Hongchen declared firmly.

“We’re consistently adopting prudent yet enterprising business strategies.

The number of orders and partners are increasing.

One day, it will become the largest import and export company in Aizu City.”

“Aizu City is in danger,” Xu Yang kindly reminded him.

“Perhaps it’s time to relocate.”

“Are you threatening me?” Zuo Hongchen misunderstood Xu Yang’s intention.

“Even though there are some rats outside, do you think you can threaten me into selling my assets?”

“I never said that,” Xu Yang shook his head.

“…Very well.”

According to publicly available information, acquiring this company would need about 10 million, and the majority of the shares were held by Zuo Hongchen.

Other shareholders had little say, so convincing Zuo Hongchen would be enough to take over.

Unfortunately, he valued control too highly, and there was no easy solution for the moment.

“I apologize,” Zuo Hongchen’s tense expression softened.

“Maybe I need some time to think.

How much funds do you have?”

“An amount that is countless for you,” Xu Yang said.

“Take your time to consider.”

He left Zuo Hongchen in his office and strolled out.

Jumen Commerce Corporation had several complete suites of VIP rooms, originally intended to entertain important guests.

However, they had been vacant for many years due to a lack of valuable investors visiting.

Now, they finally came into use.

After asking for directions and reaching the place via elevator, Xu Yang saw that the décor was like that of a high-end hotel.

The corridors were so clean that they reflected one’s image, the lighting was warm, and the potted plants were meticulously maintained.

Other members of his team were pointing at and discussing the lavish decorations.

“Let’s rest here for a while,” Xu Yang said, turning to the others.

“This place is truly suitable for resting,” Asa Katsuragi couldn’t help but admire.

“I’m indeed grateful for the senior’s blessing,” Li Xiaomin nodded repeatedly.

However, this was merely a temporary refuge.

The Ratman’s next attack was like a ticking time bomb; one knew it was inevitable, just not when and how it would strike.

The terror of the unknown was truly the most frightening.

Xu Yang instructed Lila to always be on guard, then entered one of the rooms to lay down, discarding his coat, closing his eyes, and starting to rest and recuperate.

Farosa followed him inside and closed the door.

The tranquil atmosphere made her feel a certain longing, and her modern apparel gave her a fresh sensation.

She had seen countrywomen dressed in long robes, taking pride in their chastity, but modern women had the freedom to display their bodies.

She gently touched her own thigh, attempting to catch Xu Yang’s attention.

However, Xu Yang was still considering matters related to the Rat Tide and wasn’t interested.

“You can access the internet here,” Xu Yang opened his eyes.

“I’ll teach you how to surf the web.”

The room was equipped with a smart screen tabletop, much like an oversized tablet computer, only it was integrated with the table.

Xu Yang taught Farosa how to use the internet and browser to discover the outside world.

Her eyes began to light up with pleasure, and she quickly got the hang of it, continuously inputting content to search for information, seeking to analyze and understand each of the marvelous things she had previously heard of.

A deluge of information flooded Farosa’s mind, and with her Witch’s abilities, she easily assimilated it all.

In ten minutes, she had browsed through the amount of information it would take a normal person an entire day to read.

Xu Yang watched from the side.

The pages on the screen changed rapidly, with countless words flickering and switching.

Xu Yang’s brain, having been trained by a Neural Network Engineer and equipped with a high-end processor, could keep up with the pace.

Seeing Farosa’s capability, he realized the Witch’s knowledge allowed her to remember everything clearly.

Only now did he understand why the company imposed so many restrictions on Witches; they were a group far superior to humans.

With access to the internet, Farosa too would grow rapidly.

If one were to score Farosa’s level of modernization, wearing a full set of modern clothes would rate her a 30, barely understanding the current world’s operating rules a 50.

But if one added web surfing, forums, online gaming, streaming, games, and a virtual helmet, it would surely be no less than 300!