great-warnovel Chapter 397 Toll Fees
Chapter 397 Toll Fees
The first round of testing on the jade box ended earlier than scheduled.
The number of online nodes on the control panel had stabilized for over ten minutes, and temperature, communication, and power supply data remained within safe ranges. The engineer in charge of the equipment area was finally able to relax a little, leaning back in his chair and stretching his stiff shoulders.
The two people sitting at the very front showed no sign of stopping.
"Connect sixteen more groups."
Amy stared at the constantly refreshing data on the screen, her finger already moving to the start command for the next set of nodes.
Shimomura Tsutomu reached out and pressed the keyboard.
"That concludes today's testing plan."
"All data is normal now, and adding more nodes will allow us to test the communication bandwidth."
"The cooling system has only just stabilized."
"That's why we should test it now."
"We can test you tomorrow too."
"We need to test the storage system tomorrow."
"Then the day after tomorrow."
"There will be a fault tolerance test the day after tomorrow."
Shimomura Tsutomu looked at her.
"So you're planning to finish it all today?"
"Since everyone's here and the machines are already running, what's the harm in doing a little more?"
"It's related. The people responsible for power supply and cooling have been working continuously for over ten hours."
"Then let them switch shifts."
"There is no second shift in the test plan."
"Add it now."
"Do you think changing the test plan is the same as ordering food?"
"You can add pudding when ordering food, so why can't you add nodes during testing?"
The two started arguing across the control panel.
Shimomura Tsutomu tried to place the printed original plan in front of Amy, but Amy placed her node state diagram on top of it. The engineers nearby exchanged glances, and none of them dared to join in.
Satsuki stood outside the observation window, watching the two of them chatting away, and couldn't help but laugh.
"They seem to be getting along quite well."
Chizuru followed her gaze.
Shimomura Tsutomu was tapping out the test plan with a pencil, while Amy had already pushed his hand aside and started calculating the heat generated by adding more nodes on the terminal.
"Ms. Suzuki doesn't seem to think so."
"Mr. Shimomura probably wouldn't agree either."
Satsuki watched for a while longer and found that the two had gone from arguing about how many nodes to add to who would stay in the server room to be on duty that night.
She didn't go in to disturb them, and turned to walk towards the elevator.
"Let them keep arguing."
"Isn't the young lady waiting for the second round of testing?"
"The machine is already running; leave the rest to them."
Satsuki paused for a moment, then looked into the isolation door.
"But remind the person in charge of the cafeteria to prepare two extra meals tonight. At this rate, none of them will be going home today."
"clear."
The elevator ascends from the underground computing area.
Many floors inside the Saionji Pagoda are still unfinished, and different construction noises can be heard outside every time the elevator passes through a section.
The lower levels are filled with the roar of vehicles and equipment; the middle levels feature the sounds of metal cutting and curtain wall installation; and further up, the surrounding sounds are gradually replaced by the wind at high altitudes.
Satsuki transferred to a construction elevator in the already enclosed high-rise building and finally arrived at the temporary viewing platform below the tower crown.
There's still some distance to the top of Saionji Pagoda here, and the steel structure supporting the tower's crown is still visible overhead. The side facing Tokyo Bay has been completely covered with glass, while other areas are separated by metal railings and heavy protective panels, primarily used by project managers and senior executives to monitor the construction progress.
As Satsuki stepped out of the elevator, the first thing she saw was Tokyo Bay.
Looking out from here, most of the buildings in Odaiba are below view.
The Rainbow Bridge, currently under construction, spans the sea. High-rise buildings in Shibaura and the port area cluster on the other side of Tokyo Bay, while ships move slowly along the waterway, leaving long water trails in the sunlight.
The headquarters buildings, hotels, and construction sites that already looked quite large below the Saionji Pagoda now appeared much shorter.
Satsuki walked to the edge of the viewing area, her gaze quickly passing over the buildings below the tower and landing on the area near the coast.
That shoreline has completely changed its appearance.
Two breakwaters under construction extend out to sea, roughly shaping the harbor basin. Temporary embankments have been erected on the landward side, with several construction barges moored nearby, and vehicles constantly moving in and out along the unfinished road.
The permanent berth is still under construction.
Rows of piles have been driven into the water, and cranes are transporting steel beams and prefabricated components to the shore. The storage yard behind has been initially leveled, and only the main structures of several warehouses have been built, but the dedicated road leading to Saionji Pagoda and the logistics center has already taken shape.
Once this area is fully completed, the Saionji Group will own a seaside port area in Tokyo Bay that serves both industrial and residential purposes.
Heavy equipment, building materials, energy units, and precision instruments can all be transported directly to the site by sea, significantly reducing the costs associated with transshipment and urban road transport.
Then, the employee commuter ferry and business passenger ferry will also use the berths on the other side to connect Shibaura, Harumi and Odaiba.
In the future, with the opening of hotels, convention centers, and commercial facilities in Odaiba, Saionji will also be able to connect its passenger transport to Tokyo's water transport system.
The money invested by the group will flow back along different berths.
"Young lady, are you looking at the port area?"
Eguchi Tokuhiro noticed that Satsuki was staring at the coastline and immediately went to her side.
"The project is currently on schedule. Warehouses, hoisting equipment, and port dispatching systems have been procured, and some equipment has been delivered to the platform via the group's internal logistics. Once the main structure of the berth is completed, installation can begin."
He didn't even look at the documents in his hand, clearly having already memorized the crucial dates.
"The permanent industrial berths are expected to be put into use before the end of the year, while the passenger transport section will be completed a little later, according to the current schedule, it can be completed next year."
Satsuki nodded.
"Continue at the current pace."
She glanced again at the engineering vessel working in the harbor basin.
"We can't postpone this date any further. There's still a lot of large equipment coming into the computing center, and many of the power units in the energy center, as well as the elevators and air conditioning equipment inside the Saionji Tower, need to be shipped by sea."
"Transferring ships from Yokohama and Shibaura and then transporting them by truck to Odaiba would increase both time and cost. Once the pier is operational, ships can dock directly here."
"clear."
Jiang Kou lowered his head.
"Saionji Logistics is already in contact with shipping companies. Once the first batch of permanent berths is completed, they will arrange for the second phase of the energy center's units to enter the port first. The tower equipment will also be transported in batches according to the installation sequence."
"very good."
Satsuki raised her hand and pointed to the few empty plots of land behind the port area.
"The storage yard should not be completely filled; leave room for future expansion. The roads between the passenger area and the industrial area should also be separated, so that once regular passengers start using the area, they cannot be mixed up with transport vehicles."
"The planning map already reserves a segregated passageway. However, given the current land use, if we continue to add berths in the future, we may need to apply to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to expand the shoreline usage area."
"Let's get this part done first."
Satsuki smiled.
"As long as there are ships queuing up to dock here, Tokyo will be more anxious than we are."
Eguchi also laughed.
Odaiba is still consuming large amounts of public funds, and many plots of land have been halted due to the bursting of the bubble economy. However, if Saionji can prove that the port area can bring businesses, cargo, and a steady flow of passengers, Tokyo will find it difficult to refuse further expansion.
At that moment, Chizuru walked over from behind.
She didn't speak immediately, but waited until Eguchi stepped back half a step before whispering in Satsuki's ear, "Young lady, the Solomon brothers' men have arrived in Odaiba."
Satsuki turned her head, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"If I remember correctly, the meeting was in the evening, right?"
"Yes, the original location was the group headquarters."
Chizuru also felt that this matter was somewhat sudden.
"Mr. Gutfred and his party arrived at headquarters ahead of schedule. The secretariat told them that you were still inspecting Odaiba and asked them to wait a while, but Mr. Gutfred insisted on coming directly to see you."
Satsuki raised an eyebrow.
"How come the CEO of Solomon Brothers is acting like a second-rate debt collector, chasing you all the way to the construction site?"
Several people in charge of the construction of Saionji Temple lowered their heads, pretending they hadn't heard what he said.
"Should we arrange for them to go to the reception room downstairs first?"
Satsuki thought for a moment, then looked back at the distant port area.
"Since Mr. Goodfred is in such a hurry, let him come up directly."
"here?"
"He's already willing to follow me all the way to the construction site, so we can't just not let him see it."
Chizuru nodded in agreement and turned to arrange security and the elevator.
……
About ten minutes later, the elevator on one side of the platform opened again.
John Goodfred was the first to step forward.
Behind him followed Williams, Salomon Brothers' chief risk officer, the head of the Tokyo branch, and several staff members carrying briefcases. Everyone was still dressed in formal suits, but now they were carrying hard hats used when entering construction sites.
As they walked along the temporary passage, a light layer of dust had settled on the surface of their expensive leather shoes.
Gutfred himself didn't care at all.
Satsuki greeted her with a smile.
"Mr. Goodfred, welcome to Odaiba."
Her gaze lingered on the other person for a moment.
"Hopefully the dust from the construction site won't get your suit dirty."
Satsuki glanced at it again.
"Single-breasted with a single button, and the shoulder line is beautifully tailored... Huntsman?" (A highly recognizable bespoke tailor on Savile Row, with easily identifiable designs)
Gutfred glanced down at his collar and smiled as he took Satsuki's outstretched hand.
"Good eye, this was made for me by No. 11 Store."
As he spoke, he gently adjusted his cuffs.
"And if it's for the purpose of letting me meet a beautiful lady, then this suit has fulfilled its mission."
Gutfred paused, then his smile deepened.
"Especially this beautiful lady, she can earn me seven billion dollars."
"I feel relieved to hear that."
Satsuki released his hand and walked side by side with Gutfred, who had stepped forward, toward the viewing area.
"It seems my client is quite satisfactory that Mr. Gutfred felt his trip was worthwhile."
She glanced at the man beside her.
"But that seven billion dollars, after all, was personally secured at the negotiating table by you. Isn't it a bit too polite to attribute it all to me now?"
"Anyone who lets me take that money is certainly someone I should treat with courtesy."
Gutfred's tone was quite frank.
His initial offer of 20% was indeed almost outright robbery. However, the financial market never criticizes those who provide access simply because the price is high.
At the time, Saionji needed Solomon's liquidation capabilities, Wall Street connections, and compliance protection, and Solomon accurately seized that opportunity.
Seven billion US dollars is a price that both parties can accept.
"Then I'll accept this compliment."
Satsuki smiled and agreed.
The two had already reached the observation deck.
"But since you'd rather forgo the tea offered at headquarters and come all the way to Odaiba, you must have prepared something more valuable than praise, right?"
"Of course, it's not gentlemanly to disappoint a beautiful lady."
Gutfred took a document from his entourage but did not immediately hand it to her.
His gaze remained fixed on the coastline.
"Is that pier also owned by the Saionji Group?"
"The industrial berths will be opened first at the end of the year, while the passenger berths will have to wait until next year."
Are you planning to enter the shipping industry?
"First, ensure that your goods can enter smoothly."
Satsuki leaned against the railing of the observation deck, speaking in a very casual tone.
"As for whether the ship will be loaded with Saionji's goods or someone else's, that depends on who is willing to pay."
Gutfred chuckled after hearing this.
"Ms. Saionji always manages to find a way to make money before any expense is even completed."
"That's why Saionji had the money to pay seven billion dollars."
Satsuki turned to look at the documents in his hand.
"So, what's the money-making method Solomon brought today?"
Gutfred finally handed over the documents.
"Of the business currently being handled by Salomon, the first batch of $35 billion in options has been fully settled."
Satsuki took the document.
She opened the cover, inside which were Solomon's compiled settlement details, escrow accounts, and fund flows.
Gutfred continued, "According to the original agreement, Solomon received 20 percent. The remaining $28 billion has been deposited into several escrow accounts designated by SA, as per your request."
Satsuki turned two pages.
The account, amount, and settlement date were all correct; Frank's team had clearly checked them beforehand.
"You came all the way to Odaiba, surely not just to deliver a receipt to me?"
"Of course not."
Guterfred approached the observation deck and looked out at Tokyo Bay in the distance.
"The Nikkei index is still falling."
"Your remaining put contracts are also appreciating in value. However, the market situation is different from last year. Funds that can take on these contracts are becoming more cautious, and regulators and clearing houses are watching every large fund flow."
He turned his head.
"Relying solely on SA's own account for a slow withdrawal would take a very long time. If the actions are more concentrated, it might attract the attention of the clearinghouse again."
He paused for a moment, then spoke solemnly.
"Solomon is willing to continue to be responsible for the subsequent liquidation."
Satsuki raised her eyes.
"What about the price?"
"Four percent of the profit."
Gutfred answered quickly.
"In addition, over the next three years, SA will prioritize entrusting its large-scale clearing business in the US market to Salomon."
Satsuki did not speak immediately.
She lowered her head again and found the clause that Gutfred had mentioned in the agreement.
Four percent.
Compared to the initial 20%, this figure is already considered cheap.
Solomon bought Saionji's future potential with seven billion dollars, and Saionji also used that seven billion dollars to obtain a funding channel that could bypass many obstacles.
Now both sides know each other's value.
Gutfred naturally wouldn't offer the same price as when they first met.
Satsuki raised her head and looked at him with a half-smile.
"Mr. Goodfred has suddenly become generous, dropping from twenty percent to four percent?"
"Last time, Solomon built a road for you that didn't exist before, so the price was very high."
"And this time?"
"The road has been repaired."
"And I hope that every car will pass through here from now on," Gutfred said with a smile.
Satsuki looked at the agreement again.
She seems to be seriously considering it.
Gutfred did not urge him, but waited quietly.
In his view, this was an attractive collaboration for both parties.
SA needs to continue exiting its remaining positions, which allows Solomon to lock in a top client that has already generated $7 billion in revenue for the company.
Over the next three years, as long as Saionji remains active on Wall Street, liquidation, financing, acquisitions, and cross-border fund transfers could all become new expenses.
Gutfred had every reason to come to Odaiba in person.
However, Satsuki's considerations were slightly different from what he had imagined.
The Solomon brothers still look incredibly successful today.
With a staggering seven billion dollars in revenue, Gutfred is enough to make any investment bank on Wall Street envious, and he remains the man known as the "King of Wall Street."
However, within Solomon's inner circle, some people have already reached out to places they shouldn't be touching.
Before long, the irregularities in the US Treasury market will be exposed. Then, this man will leave his office, and Solomon will transform from Wall Street's most formidable trading machine into an asset waiting for others to determine its price.
Four percent is certainly very attractive.
The three-year priority option is more attractive.
Because Solomon might not even survive these three years.
However, Satsuki wasn't planning to agree too readily.
The overly smooth negotiations would make Gutfred re-examine the contract and question why Saionji was willing to accept such a long-term constraint.
Only by negotiating the right terms can this agreement appear to be a normal business deal.
Satsuki closed the file.
"Priority is acceptable, but exclusivity is not."
A very subtle change flashed in Gutfred's eyes.
"Were you dissatisfied with Solomon's service last time?"
"Very satisfied."
Satsuki held the document in her hand and turned to look at the unfinished port area in the distance.
"But you can charge tolls for a bridge, but you can't just lock the city gates along the way."
Gutfred remained silent for a moment.
He was clearly not prepared to give up just because of a refusal. But he also knew that Saionji's willingness to give him priority meant that Solomon had a considerable advantage in the future competition.
As for the exclusivity clause, it was originally intended as a bargaining chip.
"Miss Saionji is very cautious."
Gutfred smiled again.
"However, Solomon does not dislike cautious companions."
Satsuki handed the document to Chizuru.
"Have both parties' legal departments revise the contract. Under the same conditions, Solomon has the right of first refusal for a period of three years."
"Commission of four percent."
"Settle accounts based on the actual profit realized for each batch."
Gutfred added.
"certainly."
Satsuki reached out her hand to him again.
"So, it's a pleasure working with you?"
"It's a pleasure working with you."
Their hands clasped together again.
Both of them had smiles on their faces.
Gutfred found a path to SA's future business, while Satsuki, looking at this man still standing at the top of Wall Street, had already planned the price when the path ended.
Outside the observation deck, a barge loaded with equipment is slowly sailing toward a temporary berth that is not yet completed.
Construction is still ongoing in the port area.
However, the first ship has already arrived.