I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 135 What does a monthly income of five million yen mean? The leaders of Omagari City were all shocked!

Hiroshi Nohara couldn't stand it anymore: "Brother, let's go." Hiroshi Nohara patted Saji Nohara on the shoulder: "Since we have some free time today, let's go to the city and get the loan settled in one go."

"Huh? Oh! Okay!" Nohara Sashi seemed to wake up from a dream.

Hiroshi Nohara had discussed the loan with him on the phone before, and he nodded firmly without any hesitation: "I'll go get the car right now!"

And so the brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser, like a steel behemoth awakening, let out a deep yet powerful roar on that rustic dirt road.

Nohara Sashi gripped the steering wheel, his large, calloused hands appearing unusually steady at that moment.

Furthermore, according to Hiroshi Nohara's discovery, his older brother...

It seems he's also learned to drive with one hand!
Moreover, the Armani suit he was wearing, which he bought in Ginza, perfectly accentuated his robust physique with its sharp lines. He had a resolute demeanor and simple eyes, yet the experience of being the "president" these past few days had added a touch of confidence and composure that even he himself was unaware of.

Hiroshi Nohara nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's true what they say, 'Clothes make the man,'" he thought to himself.

My older brother now has a really great presence!

"Hiroshi, do we... do we really have to borrow that much money?" Nohara Sashi asked in a low voice, his voice filled with uncertainty, as he skillfully maneuvered the vehicle, which seemed a bit too large for the country roads.

“It’s not ‘we,’ it’s ‘you.’” Hiroshi Nohara said calmly, leaning back in the passenger seat. “You are the president of ‘Nohara Agriculture Co., Ltd.’ Taking out loans is something you, as the president, should do.”

These words surprised Nohara Sashi slightly: "Huh? Me?"

“Hmm.” Hiroshi Nohara shrugged. “But as a board member, I can also vouch for you. I’m your guarantor now.”

"Oh, oh." Nohara Sashi nodded thoughtfully.

Although he didn't quite understand.

But listening to your younger brother is the right thing to do.

As Nohara Sasuke gazed at the familiar, boundless expanse of emerald green rice paddies ahead, his honest and simple heart began to pound violently.

President...

This word, which I once only heard on television and seemed so unattainable, has now become the most authentic identity of Nohara Sashi.

This heavy honor, bestowed upon him by his younger brother, infused his already responsible heart with an immense power capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks!

"Okay! I understand!" He nodded heavily, all hesitation vanished from his dark face, leaving only the burning passion of a pragmatist!
The car soon entered the city.

The city center of Omagari City doesn't have the breathtaking skyscrapers of Tokyo, but it has its own unique prosperity and liveliness that belongs to a small city.

The agricultural cooperative's building is a five-story beige building that looks quite old, which contrasts sharply with the brand-new, modern building next to it that bears the "Akita Bank" sign.

Nohara Saji skillfully parked his car in the designated parking space in front of the agricultural cooperative. His demeanor was no longer awkward; instead, it exuded a confident air of being in charge.

However, before they could even get out of the car, the gleaming glass door of the farmers' association was suddenly pushed open from the inside with a "whoosh".

A middle-aged man, dressed in a sharp suit and with his hair neatly combed, who looked to be in his early fifties, strode out to greet them with a broad smile.

Behind him followed four or five others, all dressed in suits and ties, who looked like subordinates of the department head.

"Oh my! President Nohara! Department Head Nohara! You've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you for so long!"

The visitor was none other than Kentaro Suzuki, the chairman of the Omagari City Farmers' Cooperative.

This man, who usually ruled like a local tyrant in the agricultural system of Daqu City, now had an almost obsequious enthusiasm on his chubby face. His demeanor made it seem as if the Nohara brothers were not two juniors who had come to do business, but two top officials who had come down from Tokyo for an inspection.

"Chairman Suzuki, you're too kind." Nohara Sashi quickly got out of the car and shook hands with him, feeling somewhat flattered.

Although he is now the "president," he is still very inexperienced compared to these real local bigwigs.

Hiroshi Nohara simply stepped out of the car calmly and nodded respectfully to the overly enthusiastic chairman.

"Good morning, Chairman Suzuki."

"Oh dear! I don't deserve it! I don't deserve it!" Kentaro Suzuki quickly waved his hands. When he saw Hiroshi Nohara's face, which was even younger and more handsome than in the newspaper, his eyes, which were narrowed to slits, were filled with a shock that swept over his entire mind like a tidal wave!

"Minister Nohara... he's truly... truly a promising young man!"

He rubbed his large hands, slightly sweaty from excitement, his voice filled with barely suppressed awe and envy: "Your...your works, our entire agricultural association, from me, the president, to the cleaning lady, are all your loyal fans! Especially 'Super Transformation,' it's simply...simply a masterpiece! My good-for-nothing son at home, every day at home, tries to imitate those creative ideas from TV, using bed sheets to mimic ghosts, almost giving his grandma a heart attack!"

This kind of flattery, full of local flavor, made the leaders of the agricultural association standing nearby burst into good-natured laughter.

"It is! It is!"

"Chief Nohara is truly the pride of our Akita Prefecture!"

"Now we'll have something to brag about when we go to meetings and talk to agricultural associations in other cities!"

Praise poured in like a tidal wave.

"That's too kind of you." Hiroshi Nohara listened quietly with a gentle smile on his face, occasionally nodding politely in response to the praise.

He knew these were just a few delicate but filling appetizers served before the main course.

Sure enough, after exchanging pleasantries, Kentaro Suzuki respectfully invited them into the luxurious reception room on the top floor, which was usually only used when receiving important leaders.

"Minister Nohara, are you back this time to... further expand the scale of our 'Nohara Agriculture Co., Ltd.'?"

After they were seated, Kentaro Suzuki personally brewed top-grade Gyokuro tea for the two of them, his manner very humble.

He looked at the young man before him, whose calm eyes seemed to contain a vast universe capable of encompassing an entire era. His heart, already weathered by reality, began to pound uncontrollably.

He also came from a peasant background and only managed to climb to his current position through a bit of shrewd calculation.

He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to make a name for oneself in this seemingly peaceful countryside.

But this young man in front of me...

He recalled the almost mythical tales about Hiroshi Nohara that he had heard from his friends in Tokyo.

A third-tier director, the head of the independent production department, with three projects under his supervision at the same time, each of which is enough to make the entire industry tremble with the ratings phenomenon!
And his monthly bonus, it is said...

Thinking of this, Kentaro Suzuki's heart pounded even harder. He looked at Hiroshi Nohara and cautiously probed in an uncertain tone, "Um... Manager Nohara, I heard... I just heard that you get more than five million yen in bonuses a month at the TV station?"

"boom--!"

This number, like a real atomic bomb, exploded in everyone's minds!

In the meeting room, the agricultural association leaders who had just been sitting with the others gasped in shock at the same time, their faces filled with disbelief and horror!
five million!
One month!

What... what does this even mean?!

This amount of money is enough for these so-called "leaders" to save for a full ten years without eating or drinking!
And this is just someone's bonus for one month!

“It’s not that exaggerated.”

In this deathly silence filled with shock and absurdity, Hiroshi Nohara's voice was as calm as a bottomless lake.

He picked up his teacup, gently blew on the tea leaves floating on top, and slowly corrected, "Five million is just the base bonus. If you include advertising revenue sharing and year-end bonuses, on average it's probably... around ten million."

"..."

The entire reception room instantly fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

If five million is an atomic bomb, then ten million is a space-based weapon capable of destroying all their understanding!

Kentaro Suzuki felt as if his brain had been completely turned into a paste by a high-speed blender!
He stared blankly at the young man in front of him, who was calmly sipping his Jade Dew Tea as if he had just said a thousand dollars instead of ten million. His heart, which had long been worn down by reality, was completely shattered at this moment by an unprecedented force called "dimensional reduction attack"!

This is all beyond their comprehension!

Let alone Daqu City.

Even in Akita Prefecture, which young person or successful entrepreneur can earn that much?
"Minister No...Nohara..." His voice was hoarse from extreme shock, and he subconsciously changed his address to the most respectful honorific: "You...you can rest assured! From today onwards, the affairs of your Nohara family are the affairs of our entire Omagari City Agricultural Cooperative! All procedures will be expedited! All policies will be fully preferential! If anyone dares to trip you up behind your back, I, Suzuki Kentaro, will be the first to object!"

This declaration, which was full of the implication of a pledge of allegiance, made all the leaders of the agricultural associations present subconsciously straighten their backs, their faces filled with a sense of pride and determination.

"I am truly grateful to the leaders of the agricultural cooperative."

Hiroshi Nohara simply smiled calmly. He turned his head and gave a wink to his older brother, who was equally shocked by these words.

Nohara Sashi instantly understood.

He took out a thick envelope, tightly wrapped in kraft paper, from his seemingly ordinary briefcase and respectfully placed it in front of Kentaro Suzuki.

"Chairman Suzuki, this is just a small token of our brotherly affection. We hope you will accept it with a smile."

Kentaro Suzuki's eye twitched almost imperceptibly.

He looked at the envelope, at its thickness, at its weight…

His heart, which had long been thoroughly corrupted by money and power, was now pounding wildly.

He knew that this contained more than just money.

It was also a huge favor that allowed him to gain a firm foothold in this small piece of land!
"Oh dear! Nohara-buchi! Nohara-buchi! What are you doing?!" he said, but his chubby hand had already uncontrollably and subtly pulled the envelope to his side.

His smile grew even brighter, and his voice was filled with heartfelt enthusiasm: "By the way! I just heard President Saji say that you came here this time to... apply for a loan?"

"Yes." Hiroshi Nohara nodded.

"It's nothing! It's all nothing!"

Kentaro Suzuki slapped his thigh suddenly, as if Hiroshi Nohara didn't want a loan, but rather a large cabbage in his backyard.

He grabbed the phone on the table and yelled into the receiver in an almost commanding tone, "Hello! Is this President Oshima of Akita Bank?! It's me! Kentaro Suzuki! You, right now, immediately! Bring your credit department manager and get to the agricultural cooperative! I have a very important guest from Tokyo here! If you neglect him, you'll regret it!"

The domineering roar made everyone present instinctively shrink back.

Only Hiroshi Nohara remained calmly sipping his tea, a serene smile playing on his lips.

Don't be fooled by the fact that banks and agricultural cooperatives seem to have no connection.

However, their connection is quite deep.

If a bank wants to lend money, as long as it has connections with the agricultural cooperative, it will be just like it is now. As long as agricultural practitioners come, they will directly go to the bank that has a good relationship with the chairman.
This is real, tangible performance, and it's a continuous stream of results!
Kentaro Suzuki's phone call was less of an order and more of a presentation of an incredible achievement to Oshima, the president of Akita Bank, that would make him laugh in his sleep.

Sure enough, before Hiroshi Nohara could finish his second cup of Gyokuro tea, the heavy mahogany door to the reception room was pushed open again.

This time, it wasn't one person who rushed in, but two.

The man at the head of the group was a slightly overweight man with a receding hairline and a businesslike smile on his face. He was Keisuke Oshima, the manager of the Akita Bank Omagari City branch.

Behind him followed a young man wearing gold-rimmed glasses who looked shrewd and capable; he was Kobayashi Takuya, the manager of the credit department.

The two had clearly run all the way here, with a fine layer of sweat on their foreheads, and their crisp suits were wrinkled from the vigorous movement, but this did not affect the heartfelt, almost fanatical excitement on their faces.

"President Suzuki! We're here!" Keisuke Oshima's voice preceded his arrival, so loud it almost lifted the roof off.

When his gaze fell upon the reception room filled with leaders of the agricultural cooperative, and the two Nohara brothers, who were calm and composed as if they were enjoying tea in their own backyard, his eyes, which had long been thoroughly shrewd with money and worldly wisdom, instantly burst forth with a scorching light comparable to a searchlight!

He didn't even have time to exchange a few pleasantries with his "patron," Kentaro Suzuki, before rushing forward and bowing deeply to Hiroshi Nohara and Saji Nohara.

A standard 90-degree bow filled with awe and humility!

"Manager Nohara! President Nohara! It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Keisuke Oshima from Akita Bank! This is Kobayashi, the manager of our credit department! I've long admired you both, and meeting you today, you truly are... exceptional individuals, exceptional individuals indeed!"

This flattery, brimming with the air of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), caused Nohara Saji's dark face to instantly turn a deep purplish-red.

He stood up somewhat awkwardly, wanting to return the greeting, but unsure how to greet this usually aloof and superior leader.

After all, to ordinary people, the bank president is a high-ranking leader.

Hiroshi Nohara remained seated calmly, without even lifting his buttocks.

He simply smiled and nodded respectfully to the bank manager, who was practically bent over at a ninety-degree angle.

"President Oshima, you're too kind."

This nonchalant demeanor only intensified the awe that Keisuke Oshima felt, overwhelming his entire being like a raging storm!

The young man in front of him was definitely not someone that a local bank manager like him could easily offend.

"Alright, alright, stop standing and sit down to talk."

Kentaro Suzuki, the chairman of the farmers' cooperative, finally found an opportunity to demonstrate his "hostly hospitality." He greeted the two bankers like the most enthusiastic host and invited them to sit down.

"Oshima, I've called you here today because I have some incredibly good news to share with you."

He picked up his teacup, lightly skimming off the foam with the lid, his voice carrying an air of authority: "These two talented young men from the Nohara family are preparing to make their mark in our Daqu City, contributing to the agricultural development of our hometown. Now, they need some start-up capital. As a banker, shouldn't you... also offer your contribution?"

"Of course! Of course!" Keisuke Oshima nodded repeatedly, his Mediterranean-looking head bobbing like a rattle.

He turned to look at Hiroshi Nohara, his businesslike smile replaced by genuine humility.
"Minister Nohara, please rest assured! Regarding the loan, Akita Bank will definitely provide you with the most favorable and top-tier policy support! As for the interest rate, we will absolutely adhere to the lowest standard stipulated by the government! As for the procedures, we will also establish a special green channel to ensure that the funds are transferred to your company's account in the shortest possible time!"

This sincere statement earned nods of approval from all the leaders of the agricultural associations present.

“Very well.” Hiroshi Nohara finally put down his teacup. He looked at the two bankers in front of him, who were already feeling a bit suffocated by his invisible aura, and calmly said, “In that case, let’s talk about the specific details.”

He paused, and under the increasingly intense gazes of the two men, slowly extended three fingers.

"Three hundred million yen. This is our first loan request."

"..."

The entire reception room instantly fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

Keisuke Oshima and Takuya Kobayashi gasped almost simultaneously, their faces filled with disbelief and horror!

Three hundred million!

This number, like a real atomic bomb, exploded in their hearts, which were already used to dealing with the unit of "tens of millions"!

They thought the other party would lend them at most tens of millions, maybe a hundred million at most.

Who knew that this young man would open his mouth and say... 300 million!
This amount of money is enough for their small branch to meet its KPI for an entire year!
“No…Nohara-bumi…” Keisuke Oshima’s voice was hoarse from extreme shock, and a fine layer of cold sweat broke out on his bald head: “Three…three hundred million yen…this…this is not a small amount. According to regulations, we need…we need you, the guarantor, to provide…proof of your income and employment.”

As he spoke, his shrewd eyes subtly swept across Hiroshi Nohara's face, a final, tentative probe hidden deep within them.

He wanted to see if this young man truly had the ability, or... was just bluffing.

Moreover, banks are very strict in managing bad debts.

Although he is the president of the bank in Daqu City.

but……

We can't afford any risks!
“Of course.” However, Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly, as if all of this was within his expectations.

He took out a pre-prepared document, neatly wrapped in a transparent folder, from that seemingly ordinary briefcase and casually handed it over.

"These are a photocopy of my work ID, bank statements, and pay stubs for the past six months. You can take a look."

Keisuke Oshima and Takuya Kobayashi exchanged a glance, both seeing a barely suppressed tension in each other's eyes.

Kobayashi Takuya, the credit department manager, took a deep breath and, with an almost reverent gesture, accepted the thin yet seemingly immense folder with both hands.

Then it was slowly opened.

then.

His pupils suddenly shrank!
The first page of the folder contained a beautifully made photocopy of Hiroshi Nohara's work ID, featuring a one-inch passport photo.

The young man in the photo has delicate features, sharp eyes, and is full of confidence.

But the job title marked in bold Song typeface below the photo was like an invisible hammer, striking his heart hard!

Hiroshi Nohara, Head of Independent Production Department, Production Bureau, TV Tokyo

minister!

And he's also the head of the independent production department!

Kobayashi Takuya felt his breathing completely stop.

Although he was just a manager at a small local bank, he knew very well what the position of "minister" meant in a behemoth like TV Tokyo.

That means that this young man has already stood at the very top of the pyramid of the entire Japanese television industry!

He turned to the second page, his hands trembling.

It was a payslip with a simple format, but the content was enough to drive anyone crazy.

Name: Hiroshi Nohara

[Position: Head of Independent Production Department (Level 3 Director)]

Base salary: 100 million yen

[Job allowance: 50 yen]

[Project Prize (Yamishibai): 60 yen]

[Project Prize (Tales of the Unusual): 140 million yen]

[Project Prize (Super Transformation): 220 million yen]

Total: 570 million yen

"..."

The entire reception room fell into an eerie, deathly silence once again.

If the position of "minister" is an atomic bomb, then this string of numbers, long enough to suffocate anyone, is a space-based weapon capable of destroying all their understanding!

Keisuke Oshima felt as if his brain had been completely turned into a paste by a high-speed blender!
He snatched the payslip, his eyes, already thoroughly tainted by money and power, fixed intently on the astronomical total amount.

"One... ten... a hundred... a thousand... ten thousand... a hundred thousand... a million..."

He counted the string of zeros tremblingly, feeling like his heart was about to jump out of his throat.

"Five...five million seven hundred thousand yen?! This...this is only your monthly income?!"

"Do not."

In this deathly silence filled with shock and absurdity, Hiroshi Nohara's voice was as calm as a bottomless lake.

He picked up his teacup, gently blew on the tea leaves floating on top, and slowly corrected, "This is just the TV station's salary and bonuses. If you include my comic royalties and advertising revenue, on average it's probably... around ten million."

"..."

The entire reception room fell completely silent.

Everyone stared blankly at the young man who was calmly sipping his Gyokuro tea, their faces filled with disbelief and horror.

They felt as if they were not receiving a customer, but rather meeting a living God of Wealth who was walking among the people!
"No... Minister Nohara..."

Keisuke Oshima could no longer hold on, and this man who held absolute power in the entire Oguri City Bank slid off his chair with a "thud".

He scrambled to his feet to stand in front of Hiroshi Nohara. All the commercial smiles had vanished from his chubby face, leaving only a pure, soul-stirring admiration.

He immediately bowed at a 90-degree angle and said loudly:

"You...you don't need to worry! Three hundred million! No! Five hundred million! As long as you ask, Akita Bank will do everything we can, even if it means selling everything we own! The interest rate...we'll set it according to our bank's employee welfare standards! No! Even lower than that! Consider it...consider it a small token of our bank's respect for you!"

This humble statement caused everyone present to gasp involuntarily.

This bank manager had never been so polite before.

Only Hiroshi Nohara remained calm, sipping his tea and nodding, saying, "Then I'll leave it to President Keisuke Oshima."

……

As night falls, the lights are on.

Inside the most luxurious izakaya in Daqu City, the lights were on, and the warm orange glow cast a hazy, poetic glow over the entire private room.

A banquet brimming with both rustic charm and capitalist flair is in full swing.

"Come on! Let me toast Minister Nohara again!"

Kentaro Suzuki, the chairman of the farmers' cooperative, was already flushed from drinking. Holding his glass, he said, "President Nohara, you are the pride of our entire Omagari City! You are the pride of Akita Prefecture! From now on, our entire farmers' cooperative will follow your lead! If you tell us to go east, we will never go west!"

"Chairman Suzuki is right!"

Keisuke Oshima, the bank's president, was also slurring his words with alcohol. He clung to Nohara Hajime's arm as if it were a lifeline, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "President Nohara! From now on, we're family! Your 'Nohara Agriculture Co., Ltd.' is our Akita Bank's most valued VIP client! If you need anything, just ask! Money is no problem at all!"

Seeing this scene full of unexpected cuteness, Hiroshi Nohara and Saji Nohara looked at each other and saw a knowing smile of satisfaction in each other's eyes.

Time flies.

As this banquet, brimming with "strategic significance," finally subsided before the midnight bells rang, Kentaro Suzuki and Keisuke Oshima were already completely drunk and were being helped home by their respective subordinates.

Before leaving, Hiroshi Nohara stuffed the two bottles of "Juyondai" that he had prepared beforehand into Kentaro Suzuki's arms.

The president of the farmers' association, holding the two heavy wooden boxes as if they were two newborn children, mumbled repeatedly, "Good brother" and "good friend," his chubby face beaming with an immense sense of satisfaction as if he had won the whole world.

Just like the small-town leaders in China in 1990, even though they had drunk Moutai before, who could really ignore the two bottles of Moutai that were delivered to them?
This represents the quantity!

He patted his chest and drunkenly assured Hiroshi Nohara that tomorrow, no, tonight, he would draft a report overnight to report the Nohara brothers, these two exemplary figures of "returning to their hometown to start a business and giving back to their hometown," to Akita Prefecture!
We must strive to secure the highest honors and the greatest policy support for them!

After all, Japan is now advocating for rural development.

Develop agriculture.

Isn't this a good example that has been set?

Watching the cars wobbling and disappearing into the night, Nohara Sashishi let out a long breath of stale air mixed with alcohol and emotion.

"Hiroshi, we...we've...done it?" His dark face still carried a sense of unreality, as if it were a dream.

Three hundred million yen.

It only took an afternoon, then I had a meal, and I was fine?
"Okay, all done." Hiroshi Nohara nodded with a smile, tossing the keys to his Crown Majesta to his older brother: "You drive it, I'm a little tired."

"Huh? I... I've been drinking too." Nohara Sashi instinctively tried to refuse.

"It's nothing." Hiroshi Nohara simply waved his hand, his demeanor so nonchalant as if he were talking about something trivial: "Go ahead."

Looking at his younger brother's handsome profile, which seemed to say "I'm willing," Nohara Saji's concerns, fueled by alcohol, vanished instantly.

He grinned, revealing a憨厚 (honest and simple) smile, skillfully got into the driver's seat, and started the V8 engine.

The black behemoth let out a deep roar, carrying the two brothers into the tranquil night filled with the rustic charm of the countryside.

"Well, bro." Hiroshi Nohara leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the fields rushing past the window, and casually teased, "You've got some nerve now, daring to drive after drinking?"

"Hehe." Upon hearing this, Nohara Saji's dark face revealed a confident look typical of a seasoned country driver: "It's alright, I'm not drunk. Besides, in this rural area, there aren't so many formalities. The people on the street are either relatives or friends. If we run into a traffic cop checking our cars, we can just roll down the window, say hello, offer them a cigarette, and that's it. Nobody will really give us a hard time."

This logic, so full of the flavor of a "society based on personal connections," made Hiroshi Nohara unable to hold back any longer, and he burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha! Then why did you say you couldn't drive in front of Miss Yu Cai last night?" He turned his head, his clear eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint of anticipation.

"I……"

This stark contrast, like the sharpest knife, precisely pierced Nohara Sashi's already fragile heart.

His dark face turned red all the way to his ears at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"I...I...that was respect!" He stammered for a long time, but finally, with his neck stiffened, he roared in an almost furious tone, "You, as the younger brother, don't need to worry about your older brother's affairs! Just mind your own business!"

His blustering yet cowardly appearance only made Hiroshi Nohara laugh even harder.

Outside the car window, there was the bright moon over my hometown, and the boundless rice paddies shimmering silver in the moonlight.

Inside the car window, the long-lost laughter of the two brothers filled the air, a laughter brimming with warmth and joy.

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

Everything is getting perfect!
PS: Four chapters done for today! Hope you all give me some monthly tickets and recommendations~ I'll try to write more regularly~ I've had some things to take care of at home and work these past few days, otherwise I could have updated more frequently. Once I'm done with that, I'll get back to writing as hard as I can~ Thank you all for your support~
(End of this chapter)