ryethenovel Chapter 116 Hokkaido Amber
Chapter 116 Hokkaido Amber
In late September, the wind in Hokkaido had become as sharp as a knife.
The sky over the Tokachi Plain was a leaden gray, with low-hanging clouds that seemed poised to press down on the vast expanse of black earth at any moment.
"Boom!"
The deafening roar of engines shattered the silence of the wasteland.
Twelve dark green John Deere heavy-duty combine harvesters lined up in a long, straight row, frantically devouring the crops on the ground. Huge metal rollers tumbled, uprooting potatoes buried deep in the frozen soil and feeding them onto the cargo boxes of accompanying trucks via conveyor belts.
Dirt flew everywhere, and black smoke billowed.
Traditional manual agriculture appears so insignificant in the face of the power of industrial harvesting.
Kohei Otsuka stood on a high point on the edge of the field, holding a walkie-talkie in his hand, his oil-stained baseball cap fluttering in the wind.
"Machine number three! Watch your row spacing! Don't cross the adjacent row!"
He roared, his voice transmitted through walkie-talkies to the operators in each unit.
Watching the endless stream of brown tubers emerging from the ground, a look of gratified joy spread across the face of this tech enthusiast. His technical theories had finally been put into practice, and the first attempt had yielded such excellent results.
This year's unusually cold weather caused a 20% reduction in harvests for ordinary farmers, but S-Farm, relying on deep cultivation techniques and special fertilizers, managed to achieve a bumper harvest.
Moreover, the potatoes produced here are far superior in both quality and cost compared to those from traditional agriculture. In the future, with technological advancements and increased economies of scale, the cost will only continue to decrease.
"drop--!"
A sharp whistle interrupted his command.
At the farm's exit, the once unobstructed gravel road is now blocked by three white vans bearing the words "JA Ogawara".
More than a dozen members of the farmers' association's "inspection team" in green uniforms jumped out of their vehicles, holding red batons and megaphones, and blocked the S-Farm convoy of heavy trucks that was preparing to head to the port.
"Stop the car! Stop the car completely!"
The leading agricultural association cadre held a megaphone, spitting as he spoke.
"According to the Hokkaido Agricultural Products Distribution Adjustment Law, any fresh agricultural products that have not been inspected by the agricultural cooperative distribution center are strictly prohibited from being transported across regions without authorization! You are disrupting market order! This is a crime!"
The truck drivers were not to be outdone, honking their horns furiously, the deafening sound of which sent shivers down everyone's spines.
Dozens of local reporters and onlookers who had heard the news raised their cameras, and the flashes went off wildly in the gloomy sky, capturing the explosive scene of "farmers' association confronting capitalists".
"Get out of the way! This is our private road!"
S-Farm's security personnel, wielding riot shields, confronted the attackers. The two sides shoved and pushed each other in the muddy water, shouting and sirens blaring, and the scene was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
……
Less than fifty meters from the center of the riots.
A black Nissan President sedan was parked quietly in the shadows behind the windbreak.
The car windows were tightly closed, covered with dark privacy film, completely shutting out the noise and cold outside. The heater was on inside, maintaining a comfortable temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of Shizuoka sencha.
Satsuki sat on the leather sofa in the back seat.
Today she was wearing a well-tailored dark houndstooth wool coat, a beige cashmere scarf around her neck, and holding an exquisite bone china teacup.
Opposite her sat an elderly woman with gray hair and a slightly plump figure.
Iwamura, president of the Okawara Farmers' Association. This "local tyrant" who wields immense power in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido is currently sitting on a chair with half his buttocks dangling off the ground, the handkerchief in his hand crumpled from wiping his sweat.
"Miss Saionji, what do you think... this scene outside is quite realistic, isn't it?"
Iwamura smiled apologetically, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead under the car's interior lights.
"The one who led the trouble is my nephew from the same clan. He has a loud voice and is perfect for playing this kind of hothead. As soon as this photo appears in the newspaper tomorrow, all the farmers in Hokkaido will know that our agricultural cooperative dares to stand up to even a big conglomerate like the Saionji family in order to protect their interests."
Satsuki gently blew on the floating tea leaves on the surface of the tea, but did not reply immediately.
She turned her head and looked through the one-way glass at the "hothead" outside who was red-faced and fuming, even trying to lie down under the truck wheels.
"The acting was a bit over the top."
Satsuki put down her teacup, the porcelain bottom striking the tray with a crisp sound.
"However, it's enough to fool voters who only believe in 'victim narratives'."
Iwamura Inui chuckled twice, then quickly pulled a thick brown paper file folder from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.
"Here's what you wanted."
Satsuki took the file folder and untied the tangled cotton thread.
Inside was a stack of customs clearance documents stamped with a bright red seal.
Special Agricultural Product Processing Raw Material Transportation Permit
Certificate of Quarantine for Non-Edible Starch Raw Materials
Each piece of paper was stamped with the highest-level "special approval" seal of the agricultural cooperative.
With these documents, the thousands of tons of high-quality first-grade potatoes that should have been exploited at every level or even forcibly destroyed to "protect prices" were transformed into "industrial waste" that was not subject to any quota restrictions.
They will sail smoothly into the port, be loaded onto the long-awaited roll-on/roll-off ship, and then appear in the central kitchen of Chiba Prefecture tomorrow morning.
"Chairman Iwamura, this is a serious case of 'dereliction of duty'."
Satsuki's slender fingers lightly flicked the document, a playful smile curving her lips.
"Selling top-grade agricultural products as scrap—if the farmers who still have to queue up to pay their grain taxes find out, they might tear your house down."
"Oh dear, Miss Saionji is joking."
Iwamura rubbed his hands together, his expression becoming somewhat obsequious, even tinged with fear.
"In this day and age, who doesn't know the Saionji family's influence in Nagata-cho? Last month, even those from the Takeshita faction were invited for tea by the Special Investigation Department, but only Representative Osawa... oh no, now he's the leader of the 'Osawa faction,' he's at the height of his power."
He lowered his voice, as if he were talking about something taboo.
"I heard... the Diet will be reviewing the Agricultural Reform Bill next month. Representative Osawa seems to have some... rather immature ideas regarding the clause on 'compulsory purchase rights by agricultural cooperatives' in that bill?"
At this point, Iwamura's shrewd little eyes were fixed on Satsuki, his gaze full of pleading.
That's the real reason he's fawning over me today.
Since the Recruit scandal broke, Ichiro Osawa, whom the Saionji family had personally promoted, has risen rapidly under the guise of being a "pure stream" figure, and has now become a key figure influencing the situation within the Liberal Democratic Party. If Osawa were to utter even the slightest whim in the Diet, the agricultural cooperatives, this cash cow, could be uprooted.
Compared to that, what's a few truckloads of potatoes? He'd be willing to carry sacks of potatoes for the Saionji family himself.
"Mr. Osawa is a reasonable person."
Satsuki carefully put the document away and handed it to Fujita Tsuyoshi, who was sitting in the front row.
"If our friends at the agricultural cooperatives understand what 'coexistence' means, I think Mr. Osawa won't do anything so ruthless. After all, we're all working for Japan's future."
Upon hearing the words "coexistence," Iwamura seemed to receive a pardon, and he relaxed completely, slumping back in his chair.
"Yes, yes, yes! Coexistence! It must be coexistence!"
He wiped the cold sweat from his face and nodded repeatedly.
"From now on, all of S-Farm's business in Hokkaido, as long as you give the order, is a matter for our agricultural cooperative! Anyone who dares to set up roadblocks on the road will be the first to be skinned alive!"
Satsuki nodded slightly.
"Then Iwamura, I'll have to trouble you."
She glanced out the window.
"The act's almost over. Make way."
"Okay!"
Iwamura pushed open the car door and stepped into the cold wind. He straightened his collar, instantly adopting a righteous and heartbroken expression, and waved to the opposing crowd.
"Disperse! Disperse!"
He held up a megaphone, his voice filled with grief and indignation.
"After difficult negotiations! In order to prevent these potatoes from rotting in the fields and polluting the environment, we reluctantly agreed to have them transported away as 'industrial waste'! But this is the last time! There will be no next time!"
"Give Way--!"
Amidst the angry shouts (performed) of the farmers' association members, the roadblocks were removed.
The security personnel at Saionji Temple lowered their riot shields, and the few people who had been rolling on the ground got up "indignantly".
S-Farm's fleet has been restarted.
A massive diesel engine belched black smoke as the truck, laden with "Hokkaido Amber," roared into the distance, crushing the road where the people had just rolled.
……
Late at night, Rumoi Port.
This isn't some major international port; only a few dim streetlights sway in the cold wind.
A massive roll-on/roll-off ship, the "Sunflower No. 5," lay quietly at berth number three. Its hull was wide open, swallowing up a steady stream of trucks.
The sea breeze was strong, carrying snow pellets.
Satsuki stood under the crane at the dock, holding a steaming hot roasted sweet potato in her hand, which she had just bought from a roadside stall.
"Young Miss".
Fujita draped a heavy coat over her shoulders, while another guard held an umbrella.
"The first batch of 1,200 tons has been fully loaded onto the ship. It is expected to arrive in Chiba tomorrow night."
"Um."
Satsuki breaks open a sweet potato, and golden steam rises in the cold wind.
She looked at the trucks.
Under the dim light, the potatoes and onions covered in mud shimmered with a rustic and profound luster through the gaps in the crates.
These ordinary agricultural products are about to become the ingredients for millions of curry rice, meat and potato dishes, and croquettes in S-Food's central kitchen. They will flood into Tokyo's convenience store system like a torrent, breaking through the defenses of all competitors, at a cost 30% lower than the market price.
This is a war without gunfire.
"Is everything arranged?"
Satsuki took a bite of the sweet potato, and the sweet and glutinous texture melted on her tongue.
"Everything is arranged," Fujita replied in a low voice. "In Chiba, Mr. Shimomura has already tested and launched the 'system.' As soon as this batch of goods enters the warehouse, each potato will have its own 'identity ID.'"
"very good."
Satsuki nodded.
She raised her wrist and glanced at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch.
It's 11 p.m.
"At this time..."
Satsuki gazed in the direction of Tokyo, her eyes softening slightly.
"At this time, she should already be sitting in the study room at the University of Tokyo, right?"
Fujita was taken aback for a moment, then realized who the young lady was referring to.
"Yes. As you instructed, Miss Suzuki has been sent to the 'Special Training Program' in the Faculty of Science at the University of Tokyo. It is said that Professor Tanaka is very strict with her, and on the first day he gave her three books that were as thick as bricks."
"Being stricter is better."
Satsuki chuckled softly, her breath dissipating into the night.
"If I don't fill her mind, she'll have time to overthink. Only in that suffocating academic hell can she be shaped into the person I need most."
"Tell the people over there to keep a close eye on her. Except for sleeping and eating, she's not allowed to leave the lab even for a moment. Buy her any equipment she needs immediately, even if it means dismantling the supercomputer."
"Yes."
The steam whistle sounded.
"Waaah—"
The deep, resonant sound echoed in the empty harbor, sending shivers down one's spine.
The massive ship began to shake, the mooring lines were untied, and the propeller churned the black seawater, creating white foam.
The "Himawari No. 5" slowly departed from the shore, carrying the ambitions of the Saionji family, and sailed into the dark Sea of Japan.
Satsuki stood at the edge of the dock until the ship's taillights became a distant dot of light.
The wind picked up.
She swallowed the last bite of sweet potato and patted the crumbs off her hands.
"Let's go, Fujita."
She turned around, her long black hair flying in the wind.
"We have the ingredients. Next, let's go to Chiba."