How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

“Department Head Cha wants to know why you wished to meet with him, CEO Du.”

Having provided an opportunity for the two sides to talk, Vice Chairman Wei Chen stepped into the background.

Du Zhiguo, CEO of BYG Auto, gave him a slight nod of thanks before turning to me.

“I have a question for you, Department Head Cha. Are you really on close terms with President Douglas?”

I had never even met President Douglas in person. Yet for some reason, CEO Du Zhiguo believed the two of us were close friends.

Of course, I could have mentioned Advisor Graff and vaguely confirmed that connection. However, I had absolutely no desire to sell my conscience just to make a deal with him.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve never personally met President Douglas.”

CEO Du Zhiguo turned toward Vice Chairman Wei Chen. As though he had read Du’s mind, Wei Chen answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Department Head Cha regularly speaks with Advisor Graff, Douglas’s closest confidant, over the phone. And after every conversation, Advisor Graff reports its contents to the President. Although they have never met in person, you can’t exactly say there is no connection between them.”

“And what do you think of Vice Chairman Wei’s assessment, Department Head Cha?”

‘Well, he’s basically right.’

“It’s true that I’m on friendly terms with Advisor Graff. However, I don’t know whether he reports the contents of our conversations to President Douglas.”

“He’s his right-hand man and personal advisor, so of course he reports to him.”

Since CEO Du Zhiguo had reached that conclusion himself, there was no point in arguing with him.

“If that’s what you believe, then I have nothing more to add.”

“In that case, let’s consider it settled that you have connections with President Douglas.”

“I’d appreciate it if you left it at that.”

“Now I’ll tell you why I wanted to meet with you.”

“I’m listening.”

“At present, our country’s economy is suffering from a severe slump. Our company, BYG Auto, which manufactures electric vehicles, is also on the brink. We were already barely hanging on through EV exports, and now President Douglas has raised import tariffs from 25% to 100%. Could you perhaps make an effort, Department Head Cha, to persuade him to lower the tariffs back to their previous level?”

At present, Chinese automakers were exporting electric vehicles at prices bordering on dumping. As a result, automakers all over the world, including those in South Korea, were suffering.

Why in the world would I agree to Du Zhiguo’s request if I were in my right mind?

Still, I didn’t voice my true thoughts directly.

“President Douglas won the election by promoting a policy of ‘nationalist conservatism.’ Moreover, public support for his policies has reached its highest level since he took office. In other words, the public fully supports the policies he’s pursuing.”

I paused to catch my breath before continuing.

“To successfully win reelection for a second term, President Douglas will most likely strengthen his ‘nationalist conservative’ policies even further.”

“Are you implying that import tariffs on electric vehicles could rise even higher? Is that true?”

“According to Advisor Graff, he intends to completely destroy China’s electric vehicle industry. Within the next year or two, he plans to raise EV import tariffs to 200%.”

“Oh, damn it...”

Faced with such a bleak prospect, Du Zhiguo looked up at the ceiling and let out a heavy sigh.

Even so, I didn’t feel the slightest urge to show him mercy.

“Recently, the European Union also raised import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to 46.3%. But you should keep in mind that the rate could rise as high as 100%.”

“One hundred percent?!”

“Not long ago, Advisor Graff met with EU leaders on a secret assignment from President Douglas.”

“Haa...”

The heavy sigh that seemed capable of making the ground cave in fully reflected Du Zhiguo’s despair.

“For BYG Auto to survive, the best solution would be to focus on the domestic market.”

“We’d gladly do that, but the domestic market is already oversaturated!”

“If you look around carefully, you may find a ‘blue ocean’ market.”

“A ‘blue ocean’ market? What do you mean?”

“You’d be better off asking Director Pan Kai for the details.”

“Me?” Pan Kai asked in surprise, pointing at himself.

“You told me about it yourself a couple of days ago.”

“Ah, you mean that?”

“Director Pan, hurry up and tell me what you’re talking about!” Du Zhiguo cut in impatiently before I could speak.