The Tyrant Billionaire

And when Hardy arrived in Japan and delivered his first speech, he mentioned that "Japan may rejoin the international community," giving the Japanese people hope—something MacArthur hadn't offered them. Hardy brought hope, and the Japanese would certainly listen to Hardy's words, hoping he could help Japan regain its independence.

And who had controlled Japan's politics before?

MacArthur, of course.

Now, MacArthur found himself cast as the villain in the public's eyes, while Hardy was seen as a savior.

The thought of this made MacArthur even angrier.

Previously, MacArthur hadn't cared about Hardy, and now, even after a day and a night, Hardy still hadn't called him. It was clear Hardy didn't care about him either.

MacArthur was, after all, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers.

He was the highest authority of the Allied forces or the U.S. in Japan, and yet Hardy hadn't shown him the respect his position demanded.

True, Hardy was part of a major conglomerate, but without MacArthur's support, MacArthur believed Hardy's economic reforms might not go as smoothly as he expected.

MacArthur, with a pipe in his mouth and a sneer, told his aide: "Go tell the troops: Without my orders, no one is to dispose of or touch any of the seized military-industrial enterprises."

The aide was taken aback for a moment, "Sir, haven't those factories already been sold by the Economic Envoy?"

MacArthur snorted, "I am the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. I oversee all matters in Japan. Nothing can be done without my approval, even if Congress passes it. Inform me when Hardy decides to pay a visit. For now, I'm going to inspect the troops."

The aide understood: Hardy had sold off the seized factories without consulting MacArthur, and this was the General's way of creating trouble for him.

"Yes, Sir," the aide replied, and then went off to inform the troops guarding the factories.

After a day of rest, everyone adjusted to the time difference and recovered some energy. The conference room at the Imperial Hotel was reserved for Hardy and the leaders of the seven major conglomerates, where they discussed their next steps.

The first step was to take over the purchased military-industrial enterprises, then send management teams to inspect their conditions. If they could resume operations, preparations would be made to restart them.

The companies encompassed by the seven major conglomerates spanned across numerous sectors, so restarting these enterprises was not difficult. The specific work could be handled by the respective companies involved.

The second step was to continue acquiring Japanese civilian companies, either through complete acquisitions or by injecting capital to take controlling shares.

This included sectors such as banking, finance, agriculture, infrastructure like water, electricity, and gas, highways and railways, and manufacturing, including oil, automobiles, real estate, food and lodging, tobacco and alcohol, textiles, and wood processing, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, among others.

The seven major conglomerates had a large appetite. Their privately formulated strategy was to fully control the Japanese economy. They didn't need to acquire everything, just control the leading industries to reap the greatest benefits.

Moreover, Hardy's plan was to heavily invest in civilian industries and continue to compress the military-industrial and heavy industries, thereby gradually weakening Japan's industrial capabilities.

This strategy aligned perfectly with the current U.S. policy of controlling Japan.

Hardy had brought with him legal, financial, and management teams, all personnel drawn from Wells Fargo and Hardy's group.

During the meeting, Hardy instructed them to take the U.S. documents and contracts and begin receiving the enterprises and factories from the military.

With the tasks delegated, Hardy returned to his room, where his assistant handed him a telegram. "Boss, it's a telegram from the U.S."

Hardy took the telegram and smiled. It was from Hedy, who had read the newspapers and learned that Hardy was in Japan. She had sent a telegram expressing how much she missed him, and suggested that if he had time, she could come to Japan to visit him.

Hardy smiled and said, "Reply that after this busy period, I'll visit her in the U.S."

The assistant went off to send the reply.

The hotel had a dedicated telegram room.

The people staying at the Imperial Hotel were either wealthy or influential, including many ambassador level figures or major business leaders, so the hotel had set up a telegraph office for the convenience of its guests.

After sending the telegram, the assistant returned with a visitor: the Japanese Foreign Minister, who had come to deliver an invitation. "Mr. Hardy, this is an invitation for you and the members of your delegation to attend a welcome dinner at the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow evening."

Hardy smiled and accepted the invitation.

"Very well, I will bring the delegation to the dinner tomorrow evening," Hardy replied.

"Special Envoy, I won't disturb you any longer. We'll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow evening," said the Foreign Minister.

"See you tomorrow," Hardy said.

The Foreign Minister bowed and took his leave.

Not long after, the team Hardy had sent to receive the seized factories returned. The vice president of Hardy's group, who was leading the team, was furious. "Those soldiers were extremely unreasonable. I presented them with U.S. government documents, but they insisted that we needed an order from MacArthur."

Hardy thought for a moment.

"They're not entirely wrong. Contact MacArthur and let him know I plan to visit him."

Hardy intended to meet MacArthur. After all, he was the commander of the occupying forces, and many matters would undoubtedly involve him. It would be polite to greet him and obtain his signature as well.

However, not long after, the vice president returned and said, "Boss, the military said that MacArthur has gone to inspect the troops and is not in Tokyo. They have informed him, and he said he'll meet you when he returns."

Hardy frowned slightly.

He remembered from his conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida yesterday that MacArthur was in Tokyo. How could he have suddenly gone out for an inspection today?

Moreover, the military's firm stance in blocking the handover of the factories seemed premeditated. It raised suspicions.

Recalling MacArthur's personality,

MacArthur was known for his arrogance and love of the spotlight. After arriving in Japan, he became even more self absorbed and authoritarian, offending both colleagues and the president.