What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 433 Uncle Me
Seven days after Rams arrived in Guangzhou, the third round of negotiations began.

This frequency is much higher than normal, but—there's nothing we can do about it:

Insurance companies are frantically bribing lawmakers, many small and medium-sized insurance companies are at risk of bankruptcy, and there is a shortage of many goods.

Wall Street has already bought enough stocks at rock-bottom prices; it's time for a rebound.

To convince numerous ship owners that the canal was safe to navigate, two Arleigh Burke ships were dispatched to the two ends of the canal, claiming to have erected an air defense barrier with a radius of 400 kilometers.

The Air Force's B-52 also performed a demonstration flight, proving that the Empire was capable enough to protect shipping safety.

While this did restore confidence to many shipping companies, the Imperial Navy became the one filled with fear.

The USS New Jersey even had to be repaired with a higher priority than the USS Enterprise in order to be put back into service as soon as possible.

Under immense pressure, Tomohiro Uchimura began actively lobbying and finally provided a feasible solution:
$10 billion in cash + $7 million in goods as a credit.

Why $10 billion in cash? Because that's the highest amount we expect to raise domestically.

While the cabinet did not acknowledge the purchase of battleships in official media reports, the calls for donations from private organizations were continuously reported and propelled to a fever pitch. They were even able to successfully organize donation drives in various daimyo, prefectures, schools, and companies, a feat that private organizations could not accomplish on their own.

Leaving aside large companies, Eita Horikawa directly represented Mitsubishi and contributed $1500 million, while no giant corporation contributed less than $1000 million.

Of course, this is just to serve as a demonstration; how much can actually be raised depends on the public.
Fifty-two years later, "Yamatou" still has an extraordinary appeal.

If you turn on any TV program, you'll see fundraising slogans within 20 minutes.

At school, kids clutched envelopes and dropped them into donation boxes, while long queues formed at donation points on the street.

Even many hunched-over immortals came out with faltering steps, trembling as they offered their retirement savings.

Meanwhile, the publishing company of Space Battleship Yamato stepped forward and launched a fundraising campaign among its readers to purchase the ship.

The cumulative donations are growing at an astonishing rate, and reaching $10 billion is almost a certainty.

However, on the surface, Tomohiro Uchimura agreed to offset $5 million in kind with home appliances and automobiles, and the cabinet would only need to contribute another $2 million.

Externally, the 5 million dollar amount was transferred from Puget Sound Shipyard through a direct loan secured by Imperial Bank of America and deducted from a dedicated account.

Both Rams and Zhao Hande were barely satisfied with the result and immediately began urging the payment to be made after signing the contract.

Privately, of course, the domestic demand was much greater. They took the opportunity to acquire a batch of high-end industrial equipment and materials, and having learned their lesson, insisted on receiving the goods before releasing the warships.

This put all the pressure on Tomohiro Uchimura, who was urged by both sides to coordinate everywhere, while also trying to obtain some sensitive equipment behind the Empire's back. It was no easy task.

……

"Uncle Tang Wen"

Yan Jing crossed her arms and awkwardly twisted her upper body in an attempt to look cute.

Yan Jian had always wanted to give Tang Wen a higher generation title, but after discovering that Tang Wen had a foreign girl, he didn't insist. Besides, he wasn't just a simple rich man.

After weighing the options, he preferred that his daughter have a simpler and happier life.

This led to an unforeseen situation:
Yan Jing, who is a year older than Tang Wen, readily acknowledged his status as "uncle" because she found that recognizing him as her uncle was really worthwhile.

After getting approved, she decisively started to become a freeloader:
I heard that the Greater Bay Area tourist area has added an aircraft carrier and an amusement park during the summer vacation. It's not too much to ask that my niece get to play for free, right?

"Hey, hey, hey, stop yelling!"

Tang Wen was so shocked by the forced cute voice that his scalp tingled, and he said directly:

"We now have VIP passes for the inner area. Go and have your ID card recorded. You'll then be able to enter all attractions and hotels for free."

Yan Jing, having succeeded in her scheme, gave a "V" sign and then nudged Guo Panpan, who was staring in disbelief.

After a year in university, the girl had evolved into the standard 90s early romance style seen in movies. Her ponytail-up cheeks slowly flushed, and she shyly tried to imitate it:
"Uncle Tang..." "Stop!"

If Yan Jing's shouting sounded like a spoiled brat with a lot of inside information acting up, then when it came from Guo Panpan's mouth, it sounded a bit like referring to her brother-in-law as "uncle," which inexplicably gave off a sense of immorality.

The two female students watched as Tang Wen pulled out several handfuls of silver coins from his pocket and stuffed them into their hands.
"There's a place in the scenic area where you can exchange this for RMB. Okay, go have fun!"

The large handful of silver coins was quite heavy. After Yan Jing stuffed it into her bag, it felt heavy against her shoulder. She stared at Tang Wen's pocket with a strange look.

"Wait, how come your pants didn't fall down with so many silver coins in your pocket? That doesn't make sense."

"Don't ask too many questions about the richest man... Be careful, there are many people in the scenic area, if there is any problem, just call security."

"You really do look like an uncle."

Yan Jing stuck out her tongue, then shook the still bewildered Guo Panpan:

"Didn't you have something to say? Speak up!"

"Hmm... Tang Wen, I'll listen to you and go study computer technology. The computers at school are strictly controlled. Can I borrow your computer to learn programming?"

"It's nothing. Why don't you go to Gaijin Network as an intern? You should be able to learn something from them."

Tang Wen didn't see anything wrong with it; in fact, he immediately thought of more:
“Your classmates and seniors can also apply. Gaijin is short of programmers, and the internship includes room and board and a salary. You should be able to get 500 yuan.”

"five hundred?"

Yan Jing, who was standing to the side, listened with her eyes shining and quickly asked:

"Can I do that too? I'll skip class if I want."

"You're a computer too?"

"No, I studied civil engineering."

"That's also an option, and your major even allows you to travel by plane."

"so good?!"

Tang Wen: "Of course, otherwise it would be easy to get sick if you travel by boat for too long to the Spratly Islands. We travel by plane."

"..."

Yan Jing pointed to her best friend, then to herself:
"She sits in the office playing on the computer while I go to work on the construction site in Nansha?"

"Outdoor sports are great too, I'll give you extra high temperature and business trip allowances of 125"

"We are now severing all ties between uncle and nephew! One day!"

Watching the two girls leave like the wind, Tang Wen couldn't help but feel a longing for university life.

Of course, this is not because of his academic qualifications. After his last trip to the United States, Tang Wen became a student at Michigan State University and should have already obtained his bachelor's degree. His direct admission letter for a PhD program at the University of California, Berkeley is on its way.

Rebirth from a vocational high school dropout to an overseas PhD sounds incredibly inspiring!
Tang Wenzheng was pondering whether to visit his doctoral advisor and offer him some silver coins when he suddenly felt an itch on his back. Turning around, he saw the ship girl scratching herself with her hair. Seeing him looking over, she immediately rolled her eyes and let out a light, melodious sound:
"Uncle~"

Tang Wen took a deep breath and put on a stern face:
"Uncle, I'm really a little angry."

……

"Uncle, are you still angry?"

"..."

The commander didn't speak, but tried his best to suppress his trembling legs.

(End of this chapter)