Watanabe spoke casually, but before others could react, Wang Yu's expression changed.
"If we completely cut off engine supplies to the island, would your country collapse?"
Watanabe's words were an undeniable threat.
Wang Yu himself was naturally not worried. The Jiangyang County Automobile Factory, like a small boat, could turn around easily and had long achieved basic self-sufficiency in production, sales, and supply.
But what about the large enterprises in the country?
A cutoff of engines from the island… no, even if it wasn't a complete cutoff, just a thirty percent price increase would be enough to ruin them!
After all, it wasn't about inflating the enemy's prestige while deflating one's own, but their domestic engine technology was truly beyond being described as just garbage!
In what was almost a vacuum, the only effect of domestically produced engines was that they could make noise, and that was it!
"Hmph, that's other people's business. What does it have to do with us?"
Han Jun, standing nearby, was indignant. "What does it matter to us if others live or die?"
Han Jun said, then appeared very smug,
"Our little factory director's foresight and meticulous planning have made preparations. Even if you and your esteemed guests from the island cut off engine supplies, so what?
We will continue to live carefree and unaffected. In fact, if other factories are affected by this and their output is reduced, it would be a great boon for us. We can directly seize the opportunity to rise and occupy the vast market they leave behind!"
Han Jun's words immediately drew cheers from other ordinary employees of the automobile factory.
It was indeed true!
If these "little Japanese" who lived so well played such a dirty trick, perhaps their automobile factory could even rise directly!
Seizing the opportunity to directly take over the vast market occupied by those big factories! That was a lot of profit and space!
Thinking about such a beautiful prospect was incredibly exhilarating!
Everyone looked at Watanabe with immense pride, thinking that the people from the island could only vent their anger on others, but they had no way to deal with their little factory director! Heh heh!
Unlike the optimistic mood of everyone else, Wang Yu's brows were tightly furrowed, and Wu Lingling beside him also showed a worried expression.
"Heh heh, Mr. Wang, your subordinates' ideas are very naive."
Watanabe smiled slightly, stood up towards Wang Yu, and then nodded politely.
"If we cut off engine supplies, and then spread word that the ultimate reason is because of you, I'm very curious, what reaction would the major automobile and industrial machinery manufacturers across your country have?"
Watanabe said with a smile, his tone very leisurely,
"I wonder if they would retaliate against your small automobile factory, or perhaps unite to pressure you into being abandoned, to appease the anger of us from the island?"
Uh…
Watanabe's words immediately stunned everyone in the automobile factory who had been optimistic.
This kid… this esteemed guest is too insidious!
With such a wicked tactic, the small Jiangyang County Automobile Factory would naturally become the enemy of all giant enterprises in the country!
They would probably pursue both options simultaneously!
Wang Yu sighed helplessly in his heart. Such a situation was foreseeable. If it truly happened, those large factories would definitely find ways to deal with him, even using all sorts of connections and channels!
At that time, even Secretary Yang or the 367th Institute might not be able to protect him!
After all, most of the large automobile factories or mechanical companies in the country have strong state-owned or central-state-owned backgrounds. If they were to move against Wang Yu, it would inevitably render him incapable.
This was not to demonize them, but a necessary choice when their vital interests were threatened. They also had to support their countless employees and contribute to the local economy. They would certainly not suffer huge losses for an unfamiliar small figure like Wang Yu!
The final outcome would be to sacrifice Wang Yu for the sake of protecting the interests of the vast majority.
This was called the overall picture, like sacrificing a rook to save the king in chess!
For the sake of the overall picture, for their country's development which could not afford disruptions, they would have to abandon Wang Yu as a pawn!
This left Wang Yu with only two choices:
Either he agreed to Watanabe now, accepted all the benefits and conditions from the island, and directly joined Japanese citizenship;
Or he stubbornly refused, and then waited for the island to cut off engine supplies, causing the major domestic factories to jointly pressure him, abandon him, and finally bow and join Japanese citizenship…
In any case, the outcome would not change regardless of the process! And Wang Yu would end up being disliked by everyone!
A naked, blatant stratagem!
"Mr. Watanabe, you have gone to great lengths to deal with a small figure like me! I, Wang, am truly flattered!"
Wang Yu sighed slightly towards Watanabe.
"Heh heh, Mr. Wang, you are an inconspicuous small figure in your country, but for us from the island, you are an extraordinary technical genius. We from the island are eager for talent, and naturally, we must show you our utmost sincerity."
Watanabe smiled at Wang Yu, "As I said before, this recruitment effort is under the instruction of our island's behind-the-scenes council. So please do not doubt my sincerity and determination. What I said earlier was not an exaggeration or bluffing.
We are truly eager for Mr. Wang's talent!"
After speaking, Watanabe bowed directly to Wang Yu.
This guy, as the President of the East Asia region of the Tobai Group, was a successful figure of considerable influence. Yet, he actually bowed to Wang Yu, a small factory director with little fame, and had shown such respect for talent before.
This could truly be described as a combination of soft persuasion and hard tactics, using both carrot and stick!
After finishing his bow, Watanabe spoke to Wang Yu again,
"So, Mr. Wang, what is your choice? Will you join us proactively as a friend, or will you be forced to join us after becoming an enemy?"
Watanabe remained gentle and polite, but the expressions on Takemoto and the men in black suits behind him were all smug, as if they had already won Wang Yu over, appearing very annoying and arrogant.
But… it made people feel so helpless!
Would you join? Or would you join?
The island had presented two choices that seemed to lead to the same outcome!
As he spoke, Watanabe extended his hand towards Wang Yu, adopting a handshake posture.
His attitude was clear: as long as Wang Yu chose to shake his hand, he would have wealth, power, status, beautiful women, and even his ideals and ambitions!
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, in full view of everyone, Wang Yu faced Watanabe's outstretched hand and also slowly extended his own hand…