mc.risingsun-第35章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


〃
　〃In　Japan？〃
　〃Exactly。〃
　〃Who　will　know　that？〃
　〃Akai。〃
　
　The　Japanese　receptionist　tittered　when　she　saw　Connor's　badge。　Connor　said；　〃We　would　like　to　see　Mr。　Yoshida。〃　Yoshida　was　the　head　of　the　pany。
　〃One　moment；　please。〃　She　got　up　and　hurried　away；　almost　running。
　Akai　Ceramics　was　located　on　the　fifth　floor　of　a　bland　office…block　in　El　Segundo。　The　decor　was　spare　and　industrial…looking。　From　the　reception　area；　we　could　see　into　a　large　space；　which　was　not　partitioned：　lots　of　metal　desks　and　people　at　the　phones。　The　soft　click　of　word　processors。
　I　looked　at　the　office。　〃Pretty　bare。〃
　〃All　business；〃　Connor　said；　nodding。　〃In　Japan；　ostentation　is　frowned　on。　It　means　you　are　not　serious。　When　old　Mr。　Matsushita　was　the　head　of　the　third　biggest　pany　in　Japan；　he　still　took　the　regular　mercial　jet　between　his　head　offices　in　Osaka　and　Tokyo。　He　was　the　head　of　a　fifty…billion…dollar　pany。　But　no　private　jets　for　him。〃
　As　we　waited；　I　looked　at　the　people　working　at　the　desks。　A　handful　were　Japanese。　Most　were　Caucasian。　Everyone　wore　blue　suits。　There　were　almost　no　women。
　〃In　Japan；〃　Connor　said；　〃if　a　pany　is　doing　poorly；　the　first　thing　that　happens　is　the　executives　cut　their　own　salaries。　They　feel　responsible　for　the　success　of　the　pany；　and　they　expect　their　own　fortunes　to　rise　and　fall　as　the　pany　succeeds　or　fails。〃
　The　woman　came　back；　and　sat　at　her　desk　without　speaking。　Almost　immediately；　a　Japanese　man　wearing　a　blue　suit　came　toward　us。　He　had　gray　hair；　horn…rimmed　glasses；　and　a　solemn　manner。　He　said；　〃Good　morning。　I　am　Mr。　Yoshida。〃
　Connor　made　the　introductions。　We　all　bowed　and　exchanged　business　cards。　Mr。　Yoshida　took　each　card　with　both　hands；　bowing　each　time；　formally。　We　did　the　same。　I　noticed　that　Connor　did　not　speak　Japanese　to　him。
　Yoshida　led　us　to　his　office。　It　had　windows　looking　toward　the　airport。　The　furnishings　were　austere。
　〃Would　you　like　coffee；　or　tea？〃
　〃No；　thank　you；〃　Connor　said。　〃We　are　here　in　an　official　capacity。〃
　〃I　understand。〃　He　gestured　for　us　to　sit　down。
　〃We　would　like　to　talk　to　you　about　the　purchase　of　MicroCon。〃
　〃Ah；　yes。　A　troubling　matter。　But　I　am　not　aware　that　it　should　involve　the　police。〃
　〃Perhaps　it　doesn't；〃　Connor　said。　〃Can　you　tell　us　about　the　sale；　or　is　the　agreement　sealed？〃
　Mr。　Yoshida　looked　surprised。　〃Sealed？　Not　at　all。　It　is　all　very　open；　and　has　been　from　the　beginning。　We　were　approached　by　Mr。　Kobayashi；　representing　Darley…Higgins　in　Tokyo；　in　September　of　last　year。　That　was　the　first　we　learned　the　pany　was　for　sale。　Frankly；　we　were　surprised　that　it　would　be　offered。　We　began　negotiations　in　early　October。　The　negotiating　teams　had　the　basis　of　a　rough　agreement　by　mid…November。　We　proceeded　to　the　final　stage　of　negotiations。　But　then　the　Congress　raised　objections；　on　November　sixteenth。〃
　Connor　said；　〃You　said　you　were　surprised　that　the　pany　would　be　offered　for　sale？〃
　〃Yes。　Certainly。〃
　〃Why　is　that？〃
　Mr。　Yoshida　spread　his　hands　on　his　desk　and　spoke　slowly。　〃We　understood　that　MicroCon　was　a　government…owned　pany。　It　had　been　financed　in　part　by　funds　from　the　American　government。　Thirteen　percent　of　capitalization；　if　I　remember。　In　Japan；　that　would　make　it　a　government…owned　pany。　So　naturally　we　were　cautious　to　enter　into　negotiations。　We　do　not　want　to　offend。　But　we　received　assurance　from　our　representatives　in　Washington　there　would　be　no　objection　to　the　purchase。〃
　〃I　see。〃
　〃But　now　there　are　difficulties；　as　we　feared。　I　think　now　we　make　a　cause　for　Americans。　In　Washington；　some　people　are　upset。　We　do　not　wish　this。〃
　〃You　didn't　expect　Washington　would　make　objections？〃
　Mr。　Yoshida　gave　a　diffident　shrug。　〃The　two　countries　are　different。　In　Japan　we　know　what　to　expect。　Here；　there　is　always　an　individual　who　may　have　another　opinion；　and　speak　it。　But　Akai　Ceramics　does　not　wish　a　high　profile。　It　is　awkward　now。〃
　Connor　nodded　sympathetically。　〃It　sounds　as　if　you　want　to　withdraw。〃
　〃Many　in　the　home　office　criticize　me；　for　not　knowing　what　would　happen。　But　I　tell　them；　it　is　impossible　to　know。　Washington　has　no　firm　policy。　It　changes　every　day；　according　to　the　politics。〃　He　smiled　and　added。　〃Or；　I　would　say；　that　is　how　it　seems　to　us。〃
　〃But　you　expect　the　sale　to　go　forward？〃
　〃This　I　cannot　say。　Perhaps　the　criticism　from　Washington　will　be　too　much。　And　you　know　the　Tokyo　government　wants　to　be　friends　with　America。　They　give　pressure　on　business；　not　to　make　purchases　that　will　upset　America。　Rockefeller　Center　and　Universal　Studios；　these　purchases　that　make　criticism　for　us。　We　are　told　to　be　yōjinbukai。　It　means　。　。　。〃
　〃Discreet；〃　Connor　said。
　〃Careful。　Yes。　Wary。〃　He　looked　at　Connor。　〃You　speak　Japanese？〃
　〃A　little。〃
　Yoshida　nodded。　For　a　moment　he　seemed　to　consider　switching　to　Japanese；　but　did　not。　〃We　wish　to　have　friendly　relations；〃　he　said。　〃These　criticisms　of　us；　we　feel　they　are　not　fair。　The　Darley…Higgins　pany　has　many　financial　difficulties。　Perhaps　bad　management；　perhaps　some　other　reason。　I　cannot　say。　But　that　is　not　our　fault。　We　are　not　responsible　for　that。　And　we　did　not　seek　MicroCon。　It　was　offered　to　us。　Now　we　are　criticized　for　trying　to　help。〃　He　sighed。
　Outside；　a　big　jet　took　off　from　the　airport。　The　windows　rattled。
　Connor　said；　〃And　the　other　bidders　for　MicroCon？　When　did　they　drop　out？〃
　Mr。　Yoshida　frowned。　〃There　were　no　other　bidders。　The　pany　was　privately　offered。　Darley…Higgins　did　not　wish　to　make　known　their　financial　difficulties。　So　we　cooperated　with　them。　But　now　。　。　。　the　press　makes　many　distortions　about　us。　We　feel　very　。　。　。　kizu　tsuita。　Wounded？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　He　shrugged。　〃That　is　how　we　feel。　I　hope　you　understand　my　poor　English。〃
　There　was　a　pause。　In　fact；　for　the　next　minute　or　so；　nobody　said　anything。　Connor　sat　facing　Yoshida。　I　sat　beside　Connor。　Another　jet　took　off；　and　the　windows　vibrated　again。　Still　nobody　spoke。　Yoshida　gave　a　long　sigh。　Connor　nodded。　Yoshida　shifted　in　his　chair；　and　folded　his　hands　over　his　belly。　Connor　sighed；　and　grunted。　Yoshida　sighed。　Both　men　seemed　to　be　entirely　focused。　Something　was　taking　place；　but　I　was　not　clear　what。　I　decided　it　must　be　this　unspoken　intuition。
　Finally；　Yoshida　said；　〃Captain；　I　wish　no　misunderstanding。　Akai　Ceramics　is　an　honorable　pany。　We　have　no　part　in　any　。　。　。　plications　that　have　occurred。　Our　position　is　difficult。　But　I　will　assist　you　in　whatever　way　I　can。〃
　Connor　said；　〃I　am　grateful。〃
　〃Not　at　all。〃
　Then　Yoshida　stood　up。　Connor　stood　up。　I　stood　up。　We　all　bowed；　and　then　we　all　shook　hands。
　〃Please　do　not　hesitate　to　contact　me　again；　if　I　can　be　of　assistance。〃
　〃Thank　you；〃　Connor　said。
　Yoshida　led　us　to　the　door　to　his　office。　We　bowed　again；　and　he　opened　the　door。
　Outside　was　a　fresh…faced　American　man　in　his　forties。　I　recognized　him　at　once。　He　was　the　blond　man　who　had　been　in　the　car　with　Senator　Rowe　the　night　before。　The　man　who　hadn't　introduced　himself。
　〃Ah；　Richmond…san；〃　Yoshida　said。　〃Very　good　luck　you　are　here。　These　gentlemen　are　just　asking　about　MicroCon　baishū。〃　He　turned　to　us。　〃Perhaps　you　will　like　to　talk　to　Mr。　Richmond。　His　English　is　much　better　than　mine。　He　can　give　you　many　more　details　you　may　wish　to　know。〃
　
　〃Bob　Richmond。　Myers；　Lawson；　and　Richmond。〃　His　handshake　was　firm。　He　was　suntanned；　and　looked　as　though　he　played　a　lot　of　tennis。　He　smiled　cheerfully。　〃Small　world；　isn't　it？〃
　Connor　and　I　introduced　ourselves。　I　said；　〃Did　Senator　Rowe　get　back　all　right？〃
　〃Oh　yes；〃　Richmond　said。　〃Thanks　for　your　help。〃　He　smiled。　〃I　hate　to　think　how　he's　feeling　this　morning。　But　I　guess　it's　not　the　first　time。〃　He　shifted　back　and　forth　on　the　balls　of　his　feet；　like　a　tennis　player　waiting　for　a　serve。　He　looked　slightly　concerned。　〃I　must　say；　you　two　are　the　last　people　I　ever　expected　to　see　here。　Is　there　anything　I　should　know　about？　I　represent　Akai　in　the　MicroCon　negotiations。〃
　〃No；〃　Connor　said　mildly。　〃We're　just　getting　general　background。〃
　〃Is　this　to　do　with　what　happened　at　Nakamoto　last　night？〃
　Connor　said；　〃Not　really。　Just　background。〃
　〃If　you　like；　we　can　talk　in　the　conference　room。〃
　〃Unfortunately；〃　Connor　said；　〃we're　late　for　an　appointment。　But　perhaps　we　can　talk　later。〃
　〃You　bet；〃　Richmond　said。　〃Happy　to。　I'll　be　back　in　my　office　in　about　an　hour。〃　He　gave　us　his　card。
　〃That's　fine；〃　Connor　said。
　But　Richmond　still　seemed　worried。　He　walked　with　us　to　the　elevator。　〃Mr。　Yoshida　is　from　the　old　school；〃　he　said。　〃I'm　sure　he　was　polite。　But　I　can　tell　you　he　is　furious　about　what　happened　with　this　MicroCon　thing。　He's　taking　a　lot　of　heat　from　Akai　Tokyo。　And　it's　very　unfair。　He　really　was　sandbagged　by　Washington。　He　got　assurances　there　would　be　no　objection　to　the　sale；　and　then　Morton　pulled　the　rug　out　from　under　him。〃
　Connor　said；　〃Is　that　what　happened？〃
　〃No　question　about　it；〃　Richmond　said。　〃I　don't　know　what　Johnny　Morton's　problem　is；　but　he　came　right　out　of　left　field　on　this。　We　made　all　the　proper　filings。　CFIUS　registered　no　objection　until　long　after　the　negotiations　were　concluded。　You　can't　do　business　like　this。　I　just　hope　John　sees　the　light；　and　lets　this　thing　go　through。　Because　at　the　moment　it　looks　pretty　racist。〃
　〃Racist？　Really？〃
　〃Sure。　It's　exactly　like　the　Fairchild　case。　Remember　that　one？　Fujitsu　tries　to　buy　Fairchild　Semiconductor　in　eighty…six；　but　Congress　blocks　the　sale；　saying　it's　against　national　security。　Congress　doesn't　want　Fairchild　sold　to　a　foreign　pany。　Couple　of　years　later　Fairchild　is　going　to　be　sold　to　a　French　pany；　and　this　time　there's　not　a　peep　from　Congress。　Apparently；　it's　okay　to　sell　to　a　foreign　pany　…　just　not　a　Japanese　pany。　I'd　say　that's　racist　policy；　pure　and　simple。〃　We　came　to　the　elevator。　〃Anyway；　call　me。　I'll　make　myself　available。〃
　〃Thank　you；〃　Connor　said。
　We　got　on　the　elevator。　The　doors　closed。
　〃Asshole；〃　Connor　said。
　
　？
　I　was　driving　north　toward　the　Wilshire　exit；　to　meet　Senator　Morton。　I　said；　〃Why　is　he　an　asshole？〃
　〃Bob　Richmond　was　the　assistant　trade　negotiator　for　Japan　under　Amanda　Marden　until　last　year。　He　was　privy　to　all　the　strategy　meetings　of　the　American　government。　One　year　later；　he　turns　around　and　starts　working　for　the　Japanese。　Who　now　pay　him　five　hundred　thousand　a　year　plus　bonuses　to　close　this　deal。　And　he's　worth　it；　because　he　knows　everything　there　is　to　know。〃
　〃Is　that　legal？〃
　〃Sure。　It's　standard　procedure。　They　all　do　it。　If　Richmond　worked　for　a　high…tech　pany　like　Microsoft；　he'd　have　to　sign　an　agreement　that　he　wouldn't　work　for　a　peting　pany　for　five　years。　Because　you　shouldn't　be　able　to　peddle　trade　secrets　to　the　opposition。　But　our　government　has　easier　rules。〃
　〃Why　is　he　an　asshole？〃
　〃This　racist　stuff。〃　Connor　snorted。　〃He　knows　better。　Richmond　knows　exactly　what　happened　with　the　Fairchild　sale。　And　it　had　nothing　to　do　with　racism。〃
　〃No？〃
　〃And　there's　another　thing　Richmond　knows：　the　Japanese　are　the　most　racist　people　on　earth。〃
　〃They　are？〃
　〃Absolutely。　In　fact；　when　the　Japanese　diplomats…　〃
　The　car　phone　rang。　I　pushed　the