Ito Teppei then realized that Fujiwara Tomohito's visit this time was not simply to admire him. But what did this powerful figure want to discuss with him?
He suddenly felt a little nervous and waited respectfully for the other party to say something.
Ning Zhiheng waited until Takano Takayuki left and the door closed again before smiling and saying slowly, "Ito-kun, to be honest, I invited you here today because there is an important matter I want to discuss with you."
Ito Teppei, already prepared, quickly bowed and nodded, saying, "Please give your orders, Fujiwara-kun. I will do my utmost to fulfill any request that is within my power, and I will not refuse."
“Alright, Ito-kun is very straightforward, then I’ll speak frankly!” Ning Zhiheng nodded and smiled with pleasure.
"I heard that Mr. Ito came to Shanghai this time on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs to engrave the core engraving work for the currency that the Central Reserve Bank of Nanjing will soon issue, as well as the engraving work for the revised military scrip, is that right?"
As soon as Ning Zhiheng spoke, Ito Teppei felt a tightness in his chest. Although his mission in Shanghai was kept secret, it was no secret to someone like Fujiwara Tomohito.
At this moment, he vaguely guessed the other party's plan. After a slight hesitation, he nodded and replied, "That's right. We just finished redesigning and engraving the military scrip, but the design of the Central Reserve Bank coin is still in progress. We haven't started this work yet."
Ning Zhiheng stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Then I'll get straight to the point. I'd like to ask Mr. Ito for a favor. When you're carving the printing plates for the Central Reserve Bank of China, could you carve an extra set?"
Just as I suspected! Chairman Fujiwara was planning to counterfeit China Reserve Bank coins to make huge profits!
Teppei Ito finally understood the other party's intentions. He felt a chill run down his spine, sweat beaded on his forehead, and opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.
This matter was far too important for Teppei Ito to agree to. The printing plates for banknotes were the most crucial secret in currency production, so the Ministry of Home Affairs had very strict requirements for them and had long warned them that the consequences would be extremely serious if the printing plates were leaked. Therefore, the Special Higher Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs' exclusive intelligence department, would supervise the entire process and dare not be negligent in the slightest.
Ning Zhiheng looked at Ito Teppei, who dared not speak and hesitated. This was within his expectations, after all, if the matter of copying the woodblocks came to light, the consequences would be very serious.
However, Ning Zhiheng knew even better that as long as there were substantial financial rewards, everything was negotiable.
He smiled slightly and continued, "Ito-kun, are you surprised?"
Ito Teppei forced a smile and nodded, saying, "Fujiwara-kun, it's truly a surprise, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ning Zhiheng waved his hand to interrupt him, saying nonchalantly, "Ito-kun, I know it's hard for you to make a decision right now, but this matter isn't as serious as you think. First of all, we're not counterfeiting our own country's currency; it's completely different in nature."
You should know that over the years, the empire has issued various currencies in China, such as the Central Bank Notes issued by the Kwantung Army, the Union Silver Coins issued by the North China Area Army, the Huaxing Notes issued by the Central China Area Army, military scrips, etc. They all have the same purpose: to seize more wealth on Chinese soil.
The Central Reserve Bank currency was the same; it was merely a currency issued by the provisional Chinese government that we had established. It was used to plunder the wealth of the people, purchase large quantities of supplies, and achieve the goal of using war to sustain war and continue fighting.
Their methods are all aimed at China's economy. They have no impact on their own economies and can easily plunder China's wealth. Everyone is doing such a good thing. The Kwantung Army is doing it, the North China Army is doing it, and the Central China Army is doing it. Why can't we do it?
Moreover, as far as I know, a large number of counterfeit legal tender notes were brought to Shanghai with you from China this time. These counterfeit notes are also one of the means by which our government plunders China's wealth, and their nature is no different.
Look, the imperial government is also counterfeiting. We all have the same goal. In the end, we just want to be one of the beneficiaries. And if we don't do it now, someone else will do it sooner or later. Do you believe it? After the issuance of the Central Reserve Bank of China's currency, counterfeit currency will appear on the market within one to two years at most. We are just taking the lead.
Furthermore, the profits involved are astonishing. I can guarantee, Ito-kun, that the rewards you receive will be more than enough to justify taking any risk.
At this point, Ning Zhiheng stood up, took out a leather suitcase from behind the table, gently pushed it in front of Ito Teppei, and gestured for him to open it.
Teppei Ito hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and opened the suitcase. He was immediately stunned by the neatly arranged, colorful banknotes inside.
"One hundred thousand US dollars!" Ning Zhiheng said with a faint smile. He had already prepared enough bargaining chips and was not afraid that Ito Teppei would not give in.
"This is your payment, and this is not a one-time payment. I am certain that after the issuance of the Central Reserve Bank coin, as the plunder of wealth deepens, it will soon undergo numerous revisions due to inflation. In other words, the Specie Bank will continue to print larger denomination Central Reserve Bank coins. And for each core engraving you provide, I will pay you again. That is to say, with each revision, you will increase your wealth by $100,000. Just think about how enormous that is."
Upon hearing this, Teppei Ito could no longer maintain his composure. One hundred thousand US dollars! For a commoner sculptor like him, this was a fortune he could never earn in a lifetime. Not to mention, Fujiwara Tomohito said that he would be paid one hundred thousand US dollars for each revision. It could be said that this was an absolutely astronomical price!
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