Chapter 1210: Perfecting the Political Jigsaw Puzzle

When it came to his own political career, Takekami was very cautious.

He thought about it for a week before making up his mind and calling Junpei Hinata on his personal phone.

On the evening of April 14th,

Junpei Hirata arrived at a quiet restaurant in Tokyo and met Takeuchi and Obuchi in a private room.

'Takeuchi-kun, Obuchi-kun, I'm sorry to keep you waiting!'

'We just got here too, Junpei-kun, please sit down!'

'Thank you!'

After rising and exchanging a few words with Junpei, Takeue and Obuchi invited him to sit down. After ordering, the three of them drank tea. Obuchi demonstrated his kung fu tea art, and from his flowing movements, it was clear that he had studied kung fu tea on a daily basis.

'Chunping, Obuchi has told me everything. Can you tell me the details?'

'As you know, this matter has a huge impact, so I have to be extremely cautious!'

Takeshi Takeue said solemnly to Hisashi Junpei, looking at him intently.

Junpei smiled and nodded: 'Of course, we sincerely want to make a firm ally with whom we can have a heart-to-heart conversation.'

'Takeshi-kun, I wonder if you have heard any rumours in the past two days?'

Takeshi Takeue was taken aback, and after a moment of thought, he shook his head: 'No, I don't know what you're talking about.'

Tatsuhei Tsumura smiled and said: "Nippon Television Network (NTV) has changed hands, just two days ago!'

Takeshi Takeue and Keizo Obuchi were both taken aback by this news.

Takeshi Takeue asked: "Tatsuhei-kun, I remember that NTV is the core television station of the Yomiuri Shimbun Group, so how could the Yomiuri Shimbun Group sell it alone?'

Junpei Hinata nodded affirmatively: 'Although it's hard to believe, it's the truth.'

'You might as well take a look at this, it's not a lie.'

With that, Junpei Hinata took out a photocopy of the transaction contract with Yomiuri Shimbun Group and handed it to Noboru Takeue.

'Why would I not believe Junpei-kun? It's just that it's too unbelievable!'

Noboru Takeue said, but he quickly took the photocopy from Junpei Hinata.

The contract was clear at a glance, and Takeuchi quickly saw the words 66.9% of the shares and 100 billion yen, as well as the official seals of Yomiuri Shimbun Group and Nomura Securities and the signatures of the relevant personnel.

'Junpei-kun, congratulations!'

Takeuchi returned the document to Junpei Tsuchiya with a warm smile, congratulating him.

Junpei Hinata casually put it aside after receiving it, then smiled faintly as he introduced part of his strength, which was also the media resources that attracted Takeue Noboru and the others the most.

'Takeue-kun, Island TV is only the most crucial core TV station we have acquired, and it will be one of the cores of our efforts to build the sixth largest private TV news network in the island country.'

'In addition to Island TV, we have also invested in and acquired hundreds of local TV stations and commercial radio stations.'

'And we also have hundreds of local newspapers, including top local newspapers such as the Chunichi Shimbun, Tokyo Shimbun, Nishi Nippon Shimbun, Hokkaido Shimbun, Shizuoka Shimbun, etc. These hundreds of newspapers have completely covered all regions of the island country, with a local newspaper in every constituency.'

'Compared to the current five giants, our media power is only lacking a national newspaper. If integrated, it is no worse than the five giants.'

'If we had a national newspaper, we would be able to compete with the Yomiuri Shimbun Group!'

'It's just that there's no need to integrate for the time being. It would attract too much attention, and it would not be conducive to election propaganda at the end of the year, would it?'

At this point, Junpei Hinata paused for a moment, looking at the shocked Noboru Takenouchi and Keizo Obuchi, and then smiled lightly and said,

'And to be honest, the five major national newspapers, such as the Yomiuri Shimbun and the Asahi Shimbun, although they have a great influence, when spread across 295 electoral districts, their influence is actually not as great as that of local newspapers.'

'After all, the pages of these major newspapers are limited, and a large part of them have to be used for reporting non-local news, so there is not much space left for local publicity. On the contrary, local newspapers have more space for publicity, and the effect of canvassing votes will be better!'

'Don't you agree?'

Takegami Noboru and Obuchi Keizo nodded in agreement.

Takegami Noboru even said with a smile, 'Junpei-kun is right, local newspapers really have a wider audience, and residents are also more concerned about local news.'

'I didn't realize that you guys actually had such a strong strength!'

Takegami Noboru was still in shock at what Junpei Hinata had said.

If what Junpei Hinata said was true, just those few hundred newspapers would be able to give him unparalleled assistance.

Plus those TV stations and radio stations, ready to build the sixth largest civilian TV news network.

The integration of newspapers and TV networks is definitely the sixth pole of the island's media industry!

And the current five major media groups, all support one or two factions, and their strength is quite dispersed.

If he can have the support of a media giant of the same level, it will definitely be enough for him to build a first-class faction, and there is a good chance that he will surpass the Tanaka faction!

He didn't doubt whether what Junpei Hinata said was true. Just being able to buy the absolute controlling interest and management rights of Island Television from the Yomiuri Shimbun Group for 100 billion yen could reflect a lot.

Because he could see clearly, that's why Takeue Takeru was overwhelmed, and the surprise had already exceeded his expectations from the past week of consideration!

As a result, the draft he had prepared for tonight was basically useless, and he could only improvise!

Jun'ichi Hyuga looked indifferent, smiling as he looked at Obuchi and said, 'Takeue-kun, as I told you before, our strength and resources are absolutely beyond your imagination, and our determination is extremely firm.'

'Do you know that before this, we have screened the entire island's political scene, spending nearly two years observing, and finally selected a few people to make the final choice.'

This was a lie, but it had a very good effect.

You could tell from the solemn expressions of Takenobu Takeuchi and Keizo Obuchi.

In an instant, the initiative had quietly shifted to Junpei Hinata, and because of the strength Junpei Hinata had revealed earlier, Takenobu Takeuchi and Keizo Obuchi were unable to take back the initiative.

After receiving a glance from Takenobu Takeuchi, Keizo Obuchi suddenly asked curiously, 'Junpei-kun, may I know, apart from my teacher, who else has also gained your approval?'

Junpei Hirata smiled and said, 'I can't say, just like if someone else asks me, do you want me to name you?'

This rhetorical question left Obuchi speechless, and he could only give a wry smile in response.

Junpei Hirata once again shifted his gaze to Noboru Takeuchi and asked, 'Takeuchi-kun, I wonder, what do you think of our sincere cooperation?'

Facing Junpei Hirata's bare-faced olive branch, Noboru Takeuchi knew that he could no longer avoid it.

He took a deep breath and said with a serious expression, 'Mr. Junpei, first of all, thank you for recognising my abilities and for your expectations. This is the greatest honour for me as a politician!'

Junpei Hinata gave a small smile and continued to wait quietly for Takeuchi's next words.

'What we are talking about tonight not only involves my personal future, but also my friends and those who trust me. I have to be responsible to all of them.'

'And I also need to be able to convince them, to make them believe in me, to follow me and completely side with me!'

'So I hope that the two of us can be open and honest with each other. Mr. Junpei, how much support can you give me?'

After saying this, Takeyama's gaze burned with intensity as he looked at Junpei Tsurumi, his attention reaching a peak.

The same was true of his sidekick, Obuchi Keizo, who sat with his back straight, as if nervous, his fists even clenched.

Junpei Taira also sat up straight, and his gaze met Takeuchi's to show his sincerity.

He said in a deep voice, 'Takeuchi-san, I have already told you about the resources in the media field, and I will now give you some more details.'

'Although we do not have a national newspaper, as long as you become our partner, then the Chunichi Shimbun, Shizuoka Shimbun, Hokkaido Shimbun, and Nishinippon Shimbun, the top first-class newspapers, can all give you their full support.'

'The daily circulation of these newspapers, such as the Chunichi Shimbun, is now as high as 3.88 million copies, the Tokyo Shimbun has a daily circulation of 820,000 copies, the Hokkaido Shimbun has 2.03 million copies, the Shizuoka Shimbun has 1.55 million copies, and the Nishi Nippon Shimbun has 1.21 million copies.'

'It can be said that, excluding sports newspapers, we directly occupy four of the top five local comprehensive newspapers, and we have taken the top three spots!'

'In addition, our current media strength is not the end. We will continue to strengthen our media presence in the future. We are currently spending a huge amount of money acquiring newspapers and television stations, but we are keeping it low-key for the time being, and to facilitate a surprise attack during the year-end election, so it is not widely known at the moment.'

Takeshi Takeue nodded in agreement, and the scales in his heart tilted again.

Junpei Hirata took a sip of tea and continued, 'Then there are political donations and campaign funds. We also have a plan for that. The money will not be donated directly to you, but you can control how it is spent.'

'For example, if you want to support or cultivate someone, plan how much money and resources are needed for the event, and then report directly to us after you have spoken with them. We will make the arrangements, so that if the money is spread out among many people, the amount will be very small, and it will not attract the attention of other people. Relatively speaking, you will also be safer and you don't have to worry about your political enemies getting hold of evidence against you.'

In response, Takeue was indeed very satisfied, and even a smile appeared on his face.

Over the past few decades, many people have fallen because of political contributions suspected of bribery and violations.

Now that Taira can take this factor into account and focus on dealing with it, it is indeed the best for him.

If you really have to cooperate with people like Taira, you can be sure that every cooperation will be a handle. So until the day he dies, he dares not rebel, unless he wants to step down or go to prison.

He is perfectly willing to give Junpei Hinata and the others leverage, after all, this is the price of gaining support. As long as he doesn't choose to break away, then this leverage will be useless.

But if it falls into the hands of political opponents, then it will be dangerous!

Junpei Hinata continued his story.

'In addition to political resources, we will also focus on improving the lives of members of your faction, so that you don't have to worry about the quality of life at all.'

'You don't need to accept corporate bribes. In our opinion, this practice of trading the future of your political career for money is the lowest of the low!'

'Our financial sector is very strong. My Nomura Securities is not the only financial company. You can use legal channels to obtain more money.'

'Let family members participate in the shares of the high-quality companies we provide, or invest in our domestic or foreign investment funds. We can create an investment fund specifically for you, and the return on investment is guaranteed to be a 100% rate of return!'

'However, such funds are for a period of one year, and will be dissolved and rebuilt after the maturity date. Otherwise, if there is too much capital, we cannot guarantee such a high compound rate of return after a few years!'

Takeshi Takeue's face was already full of a smile at this time. He said with deep approval, 'Junpei-kun, even if it is only a one-year 100% rate of return, if it is announced, it will be able to shock the island country. This is already an excellent condition.'

When he heard Takekami Noboru say this, Junpei Togami's heart was completely set, and he secretly thought that it was a done deal.

He laughed, saying, 'Takekami-kun is the Minister of Finance, and you know the situation in the financial industry like the back of your hand, so I won't go overboard with the self-praise.'

'Our sincerity is already here, and if our conditions are announced, they will definitely attract a large number of people.'

'So, what is your choice?'

As soon as Junpei Hiromitsu finished speaking, Obuchi Keizo held his breath and turned his head to look at his side, with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

He screamed in his heart, 'Say yes!'

If it were up to him, he would definitely say yes.

After all, the terms of cooperation offered by Junpei Hiromitsu were too favourable, with a full range of considerate services, even taking into account the quality of life, without them having to go out and get money to improve their quality of life and flatter other people.

Money and resources are sufficient to create a closed-loop faction. All members of the faction only need to do their best, fulfil their political ambitions, and focus on climbing the ranks. This political path is simply too smooth!

In Obuchi's opinion, with such resources, even an ordinary person can be promoted to the position of senator.

However, although he wanted to agree immediately, he could only worry as Junpei Hirata asked about Noboru Takeshita.

Fortunately, his teacher did not let him down.

Takeshita looked solemnly at him and said in a sonorous voice, 'Tsuruhira-kun, thank you for your recognition. I don't think I have any reason to refuse. I believe we will be the staunchest allies!'

Tsuruhira-kun, with a smile on his face, extended his hand to Takeshita.

Takeshita immediately reached out his hand, and the two hands shook tightly.

'Happy cooperation!'

'Clap, clap...'

Kobuchi, who was standing nearby, couldn't help applauding in celebration.

After they parted ways, the atmosphere in the room became much more harmonious. After all, they were all on the same side.

Without waiting for Junpei Hirata to ask, Noboru Takeuchi volunteered, 'Junpei, I've actually been planning to start my own business for a long time. I've already prepared a lot, have many like-minded allies, and have also been keeping an eye on young and promising officials.'

'After I go back, I will get started immediately and set up my own faction soon. I will list the first batch of resources I need for you then.'

'No problem, I look forward to hearing good news from you!'

Jun Pingxiang nodded without hesitation and smiled.