Capítulo 205: Chapter 203
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Arasaka Tower.
Jungle Meeting Room.
A holographic projection on the conference table is playing footage from a bilateral meeting press conference. All members of the board are present, either frowning or with their arms crossed in front of them, silent and tense.
"This is outrageous!"
A board member's criticism is the first to break the silence in the room. Everyone turns their gaze toward the speaker, who looks furious, seemingly extremely angry at Tang Yu's actions in the footage.
As a new round of offensives began, someone chimed in, "Director Yamamoto, what do you mean by that? Perhaps Minister Tang has already tried his best to negotiate, but couldn't break Militech's will and had no choice but to make such a decision."
Director Yamamoto sneered twice and continued, "What did Tang Yu initially promise the board? He hasn't kept a single one of the negotiation bottom lines set by the board. If Arasaka had planned to publicly apologize from the start, what was the point of him negotiating?"
Upon hearing this, the other board members began to laugh and sneer. The original negotiation terms set by the board did not include a proactive apology.
Director Takahashi then subtly added, "While Director Yamamoto's words are harsh, they are true. Considering that Tang Yu is the new Public Relations Minister and his negotiation skills may be lacking, deciding to issue a public apology on his own was a terrible move. Having worked in the company for so many years, does he still not understand that important matters must be reported?"
After speaking, Takahashi quietly observed Michiko Arasaka, noticing her calm demeanor and lack of concern about Tang Yu's rash behavior.
To those present, Tang Yu had committed a grave professional mistake by defying the company's board and making decisions on his own. At the very least, he could face internal disciplinary action or, at worst, be directly dismissed. His public apology on behalf of Arasaka has severely impacted the company's reputation, sparking widespread online debate and causing Arasaka's stock prices to drop. Most opinions suggest that Arasaka has shown weakness compared to Militech.
Director Yamamoto immediately continued, "Talking about reports and approvals? Some people, accustomed to smooth sailing, become conceited and forget about seeking approval. They wouldn't have made such a big mess if they knew how to gauge their actions properly. I believe this matter must be strictly handled."
"I agree with Director Yamamoto. If mistakes are made, there should be consequences. Recently, in the wake of failed attack operations, many related departments have conducted thorough self-reflection, with numerous department heads willing to take responsibility and face punishment. We can't let some individuals get away with only a slap on the wrist just because they have past achievements. This must be addressed fairly to maintain discipline," another board member stated.
Seeing the favorable turn of events, Director Yamamoto declared, "I do not agree with Tang Yu's decision to publicly apologize on behalf of Arasaka. The reputational damage was too severe, and he acted without board approval. This is a serious breach of authority."
As soon as he finished speaking, several board members voiced their agreement. Director Conti interjected, "Director Yamamoto, your disagreement with the public apology is understandable, but calling it a breach of authority is incorrect. The Public Relations Department has the right to engage in external communications, including making statements on behalf of the company. By appointing Tang Yu as the negotiation representative, wasn't there an implicit acknowledgment of his autonomy during the negotiation process?"
Director Yamamoto paused, realizing that Conti's points were valid, and then shifted focus, "Regardless of whether there was a breach of authority, he should have carefully considered the severe impact of a public apology."
Michiko Arasaka was taken aback by the collective assault on Tang Yu, a situation far beyond her expectations. She wasn't concerned about whether Tang Yu would face punishment, seeing his continued service to the Arasaka Family as evidence of his value. The core issue was why board members collectively attacked a newly appointed minister.
Tang Yu, having climbed to his high-ranking position, had indeed made many enemies, but it wouldn't justify being the focal point of a collective board attack. Clearly, there were higher forces or individuals behind this assault on Tang Yu. She suspected that her uncle, Saburo Arasaka, was likely using this opportunity to eliminate Tang Yu, a thorn in his side, through power struggles.
Tang Yu, caught in the chess game between Saburo and his son Yorinobu, had limited self-preservation as a company employee. Michiko found it somewhat tragic that such a talented individual like Tang Yu could end up cornered and forced out due to internal power struggles. Looking around the boardroom, Michiko saw it filled with incompetent individuals more skilled in forming alliances than doing actual work. She felt a bit of sympathy for Tang Yu.
Arasaka needed this hard-won peace, but it also required a dignified image. Those caught negotiating between two giant corporations often ended up crushed.
Michiko Arasaka wanted to help Tang Yu but found herself at a loss.
She had dealt with Militech for years and knew their temper and tactics well. Militech had been eyeing Night City for a long time. Since the reunification of New America, their strength had increased daily, giving Militech fertile ground for development. In contrast, Arasaka Corporation lacked a solid and reliable rear.
To consolidate its position, Arasaka had spent enormous effort to dominate Kyoto's political scene, regaining the opportunity for free development and striving to occupy the limited survival ground globally. Militech was not afraid to go to war with Arasaka; in fact, they had prepared thoroughly for this day. They had the confidence to win the Fifth Corporate War, just as they won the Fourth.
From Michiko's perspective, Tang Yu's compromise with Militech was inevitable. A full-scale war might not break out, but any escalation in localized conflicts would seriously impact Arasaka. The mass transportation of materials to the Arasaka Tower in Night City relied on maritime routes, followed by land transport across North America. If these transport lines were continuously harassed by Militech, the Arasaka Tower in Night City would become chaotic within two weeks.
Michiko furrowed her brows. Although she understood the stakes, she couldn't speak a word in Tang Yu's favor. First, she no longer had the decisive vote in the board as she used to, and saying too much would backfire. Second, she was in a sensitive period of power transition within the Arasaka family. Whether Yorinobu could ultimately seize control of Arasaka was crucial, and supporting Tang Yu would mean openly opposing the hawks.
Michiko sighed inwardly with a bit of helplessness. Perhaps abandoning the power and status given by Saburo Arasaka and ceasing her confrontation with Yorinobu was the best way out.
"Avoid direct confrontation—that's what you taught me. I hope you learn it too."
Soon, the board members reached a consensus, rejecting Arasaka Corporation's apology statement and remaining silent on the attack issue, pinning all the blame on Tang Yu, accusing him of abusing his authority and severely damaging the company's reputation.
Director Yamamoto was quite pleased with the outcome of the discussion and pretended to be enlightened: "This severe diplomatic impact is not entirely due to Tang Yu's negligence. After all, the attack did indeed go wrong, and the relevant departments must also take responsibility and be penalized."
None of the board members objected.
Yamamoto suddenly thought of something: "Hasn't Tang Yu returned to the Arasaka Tower? Let him join the meeting via remote connection and see if he has any explanations. We might consider reducing the penalty."
The meeting secretary then contacted the public relations department and reported back to the board: "Minister Tang has indeed returned to the Arasaka Tower with his team, but he is not in the public relations department. It is currently unclear where he is."
Director Takahashi showed displeasure and questioned, "Contact him directly. How could he miss such an important meeting? Doesn't he understand the gravity of his mistake?"
The meeting secretary nervously replied, "We have contacted Minister Tang directly, but he has refused all external communications."
"Hah, unyielding Tang," Takahashi sneered. This was a first for the Arasaka Tower board. Normally, Arasaka had no problem contacting any employee, as all inductees had undergone some degree of cybernetic implantation. But Tang Yu was different; he hadn't even accepted basic cyberization, making forced tracking impossible.
Finding Tang Yu in the vast Arasaka Tower could only be done through video surveillance. Takahashi waved to his private bodyguard, instructing him to retrieve the surveillance footage from the security department to track Tang Yu's whereabouts.
Soon, the bodyguard reported back, "The security footage shows that Tang Yu took a public elevator to the top floor of the Arasaka Tower."
The top floor?
Takahashi and the other board members were visibly surprised. Everyone knew the significance of the top floor: Saburo Arasaka's office. Since the reconstruction of Arasaka Tower, no one had entered that office. The board members knew it was custom-built for Saburo Arasaka in every Arasaka Tower worldwide.
Such a highly classified office had no public surveillance. The public elevator reaching the highest floor was the last piece of the puzzle.
Why did Tang Yu go to the top floor of the Arasaka Tower?
The board members looked at each other, and before they could react, they received an important directive. Their cybernetic eyes rotated, each viewing a directive from a higher authority.
"Order the Night City Arasaka Tower board to immediately issue a public apology to prevent any escalation of conflict with Militech and minimize the impact."
[Approved by: Saburo Arasaka]
The room fell silent once more.
After reading the directive, Michiko smiled contentedly and asked, "Director Yamamoto, since you are so concerned about the ensuing impact, I believe you, as the board representative, are quite suitable to deliver the public apology."
Yamamoto was rendered speechless. He looked around, only to find that the board members who had backed him were now silent, leaving him at a loss.
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