Chapter 263: They Seem Serious

"You mean, those Japanese are really doing some serious research?"

"They seem to be. They're constantly writing and sketching, and their cameras are clicking away like they're not worried about running out of film! Looks like they're serious!"

In the evening of that day, Francis, who had been working as a guide all day, reported back to Maclin.

"Hey, something's strange! What's with this Toyota guy and the one from Trill? They're kind of in the same business. Why didn't you mention that? Tell me exactly what happened from when you met with those Japanese."

"They were just doing normal stuff, taking photos and probably making some rough terrain sketches. They were jotting down notes in Japanese, so I couldn't see. But they didn't bring any surveying equipment, so it was probably just rough notes."

In response to Maclin's inquiry, Francis recollected and recounted:

"Then they mainly asked about the average wages here, what kind of factories are in the city, how many people work there usually, how many are unemployed now, and questions like that about general education levels."

"So, they're really serious about it?!"

Maclin was astonished.

The Japanese were inquiring about almost everything related to factories. Taking photos of the terrain, this was probably material to send back to their headquarters in Japan for discussion; inquiring about wage levels was likely to estimate labor costs; asking about education levels was to evaluate the quality of workers.

It was puzzling!

People who actively sought him out didn't show up, but those he faced coldly were pushing hard. Were these Japanese people all stubborn?

Maclin, who had just been made a fool of, was taken aback. The inquiries made by these Japanese almost all pertained to factory-related matters. Terrain sketches and photographs were likely materials to be discussed back at their headquarters in Japan; asking about wage levels indicated an estimation of labor costs; inquiring about general education levels implied an evaluation of the quality of workers.

This was quite surprising!

Originally, he planned to be enthusiastic in dealing with these people, but now, Maclin found himself having little interest in entertaining them. Introductions, assigning guides – it was all more of a perfunctory manner of dealing with affairs.

A couple of shots here and there. Who knew, maybe one lucky shot would hit a foolish bird?

"I see! Maybe we'll really get an auto factory here! By the way, I suddenly thought of something. That young man named Toyota Akinomaru seems to be very interested in Mr. Blake. He often asked me questions about Mr. Blake!"

"That guy seems to have a pretty high status among the Japanese. The leader seems to listen to him a lot. If that's the case... Okay, you go first. Wait, give me the address where they're staying. Tomorrow, we'll meet together!"

After seeing off Francis, Maclin hurriedly knocked on Creel's office door.

"Do you think they know each other? No, if they did, Carter wouldn't avoid them and that young man wouldn't be asking about Carter everywhere."

After hearing Maclin's description, Creel searched the armrest of his chair, deep in thought but unable to find an answer.

In theory, the situation with Carter, handled by Carter himself, resulting in a mistake like that of Trill Corporation would be normal. Even though Carter had always done well, Maclin could understand such a situation.

After all, young people are impulsive! Radical!

The problem hadn't been resolved yet, but they were eager to push forward. This matched the psychology of young people eager for success.

One thing led to another. Now that there was a potential opportunity, it somehow inexplicably involved Carter. At this point, the dilemma lay before the two of them.

Should they bring Carter back?

If he came back, would the young man, who obviously had a high status among the Japanese, perhaps be influenced by Carter to lean more towards them?

With the other party showing clear interest, even a slight increase in negotiation could affect the final outcome. Perhaps, while the other side was still hesitating, a suggestion from that young man with personal bias might prompt the decision-maker to start a factory in Georgia?

But then again, if they called Carter back, would this young man again sabotage this clearly possible outcome?

"Whether they know each other is not important. The key question is, should we ask him to come back?"

"Let's wait a bit. You're planning to personally greet those Japanese tomorrow, right? When the time comes, talk to them subtly to get a better understanding of the situation, and then decide whether to call Carter back. If they're seriously considering starting a factory, their research won't be over in a short time. At least, not just here, they'll definitely be going around nearby areas, Savannah Port will also be on their agenda!"

After hesitating for a moment, Creel, under the influence of the idea that "empty vessels make the most sound and the wisest men do the least", denied the idea of calling Carter back.

"If it's needed later, or if you judge that the young man has a good impression of Carter and has considerable influence, then it won't be too late to call Carter!"

"Alright, then I'll go prepare the documents!"

"Thanks, I'll have someone help you."

...

...

"How's it been today? I mean, what kind of vacation are you on? You're running around all day!"

On the beach in front of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel in Hawaii, surrounded by seagulls, Jim handed Carter a mojito. At the same time, he lazily stretched.

"Hey, I can't help it! One thing after another, I can't seem to stop."

Taking a sip of the chilled cocktail from the ice bucket, Carter casually tossed his briefcase aside onto the beach chair.

These past few days, Carter felt like he had returned to the days of running his business. Back then, he would carry a bag and shuttle from one company to another, promoting his inexpensive management courses.

One improvement was that now Carter didn't have to suffer as much as before. In the scorching heat of summer, with temperatures over thirty degrees Celsius, he used to wear long-sleeved shirts and squeeze onto crowded buses, patiently waiting at the doors of companies.

Nowadays, he just wore a small polo shirt, carried a small leather bag, and even hired a Cadillac from the hotel as his private car. With such style, regardless of his occupation, most companies would grant him an audience, perhaps even considering him a major client of his own company.

It's unpleasant to admit, but that's just how things work. If you foolishly stand waiting at a company's door all afternoon, you might not even get a chance to see anyone.

"It all depends on how you plan things. As long as you don't want to stop, there will always be something to do. You could work for a lifetime and still not finish everything! When it's time to rest, just rest. Why bother?"

Jim shook his head helplessly. He knew that what he said was basically useless.

"You must have been annoyed by those Japanese folks these past few days, right?"

"Well, why bring that up? They have money in their pockets now, and you're thinking about it! Naturally, you'll have to endure a bit of annoyance."

As Carter unbuttoned his shirt to cool off, he spoke nonchalantly.

Compared to his previous experiences running his own business, enduring a bit of discomfort now seemed like nothing. If you can't handle a little inconvenience as a businessperson, you might as well not do business at all! You could always go back to farming, although even that's a business these days!

"But, let me tell you something! These Japanese folks nowadays seem a bit arrogant! Those who know they're in America act as if they're in Japan! They're all so high and mighty!"