Chapter 259: The East Wind Rises

"They probably wouldn't dare to touch the tourism industry easily, after all, too many of us tourists 'give away money' to them."
Li Huilin analyzed.
They believe that our confidence in doing so stems from our growing technological strength and economic size.
In particular, many of the cutting-edge devices used in this deep-sea exploration, such as high-precision sensors and data processing chips, rely heavily on the support of our own semiconductor industry.
Therefore, they want to strike at the heart of the problem, directly attacking the lifeline of our technology industry…
According to analysis, the most likely target is the semiconductor industry.”
Photoresist, fluorinated polyimide, and high-purity hydrogen fluoride.
These three things may sound complicated, but they are raw materials for the semiconductor industry.
The crucial point is that Japanese companies hold over 80% of the global market share for these three core materials.
And nearly 90% of the semiconductor supplies for domestic companies are imported from Japan.
This is practically a knife to our throats, the most powerful scythe Japan can wield against us.
"So, those old foxes in the Japanese government are well aware of this.
They want to use this rope to tighten the noose around our necks, forcing us to submit at the negotiating table."
This is modern warfare.
Between nations, it's no longer about swords and guns.
Instead, it's about using their respective economic lifelines, finance, and technology to crush and suffocate their opponents!
This is the true game of great power rivalry.
"So, Jiang Jin is in trouble? And that Xia Lian will suffer too."
“Yes. The specifics are still unclear, but I estimate those two companies are already in a state of emergency.
Although the Japanese government hasn't officially announced it, the rumors are spreading so strongly; it's probably only a matter of days.”
Just then, a familiar, tingling vibration crept up Su Hao's fingers.
His intuition, in this unique way, sent a warning:
Something big is about to happen between the two countries!
Su Hao's eyes sharpened: “It seems we also need to keep a close eye on the Japanese market.”
“Okay. Should I have the research department prepare a detailed data report on the Japanese market immediately?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I'll contact the research department right away and get the report ready as soon as possible.”
The meeting was about to end when Li Huilin brought over a thick stack of documents, thick enough to be used as a brick.
“Chairman Su, this was sent by Fang Huan Shipping.”
“…Why is it so thick?” Su Hao's eye twitched.
"They said they've prepared several project proposals, including detailed route plans and various data, to formulate the next strategic step. They hope you can...give them a comprehensive evaluation."
The report was so thick it could be used as a brick, hitting the target every time.
But Su Hao was helpless; after all, he was the one who set this rule.
Compared to before, this was much better.
Back then, Fang Huan Shipping's people would call to consult him on every little thing, making Su Hao wonder if he was really the general manager of the shipping company.
Later, Su Hao decreed that he could decide the small matters himself, and the big matters could be put on hold, changed to submitting a "massive report" every quarter, allowing him to review it all at once.
“Well, I can't participate in tonight's guild activity again.” Su Hao rubbed his temples helplessly.
“How about… having our team take a look and make a summary for you?” Li Huilin tentatively asked.
Su Hao's heart skipped a beat; that was a good idea.
Many hands make light work, better than him struggling alone…
“…?”
However, just as he was about to nod, his pupils suddenly contracted.
A faint golden halo quietly seeped from between the pages of the “brick report,” flickering like breath.
Su Hao took a short breath, then slowly exhaled, dispelling the thought from his mind.
"No need. I'll read this report myself."
"Ah? Okay!" Li Huilin paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Then I'll go prepare dinner and a late-night snack for you right away."
"Okay, thank you."
Once he was alone in the office, Su Hao dragged the heavy report to his side and opened it to the first page.
"Wow, a bombshell right from the start!"
Normally, even if a report was long, he only needed to read the parts marked with a golden halo.
But this one, from the first page onwards, the light flickered like a breathing light, alternating between bright and dim, all the way to the last page.
Looks like he'll definitely have to cancel the guild event he arranged tonight.
***
Fanghuan Shipping General Manager's Office.
"General Manager Du, it's said that the entire semiconductor industry is on edge, almost suffocating with tension."
"Is that so?" Du Yuanhang, General Manager of Fanghuan Shipping, asked the Vice President with a serious expression.
"Yes! Rumors are flying everywhere. They say the Japanese government will officially take action as early as tomorrow, dropping that bombshell."
For domestic semiconductor companies, this is like a fire burning their eyes.
Initially, everyone held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that even if Japan was aggressive, it wouldn't dare threaten someone with a core material that could shake the global semiconductor supply chain, right?
But judging from the information circulating now, this time they really mean it.
"That hawkish Japanese Prime Minister, his little schemes are going on and on," the Vice President said indignantly.
"His previous 'Bei'an Economics,' with all that printing money, and what was the result? It was basically a failure.
He desperately needs a trigger to divert public anger and discontent over the economic stagnation, and our exploration report has just happened to hit him where it hurts."
"These bastards, their own political careers are almost over, so they're targeting law-abiding businesses like ours. They're utterly despicable!"
"In that case, we need to make some preparations. If they really want to bypass Japan to urgently purchase those three items, they'll definitely have to use our shipping."
"Exactly. So, from the outcome, this is actually a huge boon for Fanghuan Shipping," Du Yuanhang said.
"Once Japan imposes export controls, they'll only be able to import raw materials from other countries.
The transportation work will all fall into our hands, won't it?"
Jiang Jin and Xia Lian Group were indeed caught in the crossfire of the power struggle between the two major powers, suffering quite a bit.
But thanks to them, Fanghuan Shipping can seize this opportunity to make a fortune.
"So, what about our side? How are we going to retaliate?"
"Well... to be honest, we don't seem to have any cards to play that are equivalent to Japan's." The vice president sighed.
"A complete ban on tourism is unrealistic, so the higher-ups are probably trying to guide public opinion and mobilize public opinion.
That way, fewer tourists will go to Japan, and fewer people will buy Japanese goods."
But the problem is, compared to their direct trade controls that target core supply chains, this kind of public boycott is at best a scratch.
It's like someone stabbing you in the heart, and you retaliating with "I'll never buy your toilet seats again"—the impact is on a completely different level.
"Hiss... even though we're making the money, why do I feel so frustrated?"
"A bit, actually."
Throughout history, nothing has ignited the emotions of the Chinese people more than a "battle between two nations."
In sports, losing to anyone is acceptable, but losing to Japan is unacceptable; this is almost an obsession etched into the bones of every Chinese person.
Even the most obscure sport can see its viewership explode instantly if it's labeled "a showdown between two countries".