Chapter 1656
Kobayashi Stomach Pill was the key product of Kobayashi Pharma, which generated most of the
company’s revenues and profit. Kobayashi Pharma would definitely suffer a devastating loss if they
rivaled Apothecary Stomach Pill heads-on after it wasunched. 3
Therefore, someone asked Kobayashi Masayoshi, "Mr. Chairman, we can''t just sit and await our
dooms! Do you have any idea on how to deal with it?" 2
Masayoshi replied, "Indeed, there is a way to deal with it. We must increase our investment in drug
research and development, and we must also quickly upgrade our current products. If our
Kobayashi Stomach Pill can surpass Apothecary Stomach Pill in terms of potency, I''m sure we can
dominate and monopolize the market!" 5
The person in charge of research and development continued, "Mr. Chairman, if we want to
increase the funding for our department, we need a huge budget. Can we still afford it since the
company was scammed not long ago?"
Masayoshi cleared his throat and answered, "This is what I''m about to tell you. Our current capital
flow is not very optimistic. This is due to the huge investment we put in on the Osaka production
base, coupled with the previous unexpected losses. All
these incidents have left us with less than 50 million dors to invest in research and development.
My idea is to raise funds as soon as possible. I would like a t least one billion dors to upgrade our
research and developmentboratory!"
Everyone sat upright as soon as they heard about the fundraising proposal. Someone in the crowd
added, "M r. Chairman, do you have a suitable financing partner now?" 3
Masayoshi nodded and said, "Chairman Jiro has been consulting and negotiating with Ito Yahiko-
san, the patriarch of the Ito family, regarding the financing matter. I''m sure you all know about this."
The crowd nodded.
Kobayashi Jiro had always wanted to obtain Ito Yahiko''s investment and even wanted to be
his son-inw. That was why he was willing to spend so much money sponsoring thebat and
fighting championship in which Nanako participated. This was an open secret within Kobayashi
Pharma. 5
In fact, everyone was anticipating the corporate marriage between Kobayashi Pharma and the Ito
family, but unfortunately, Jiro disappeared before the marriage was officially proposed.
Everyone assumed that the cooperation with the Ito family would be terminated following Jiro’s
disappearance, but never did they expect that Masayoshi would reignite negotiations with the Ito
family again.
The audience was worked up by the news, and another question was asked, "Mr. Chairman, how
much can the Ito family give us?"
Masayoshi cleared his throat and spoke, "Ito Yahiko-san of the Ito family is willing to invest 4.5
billion dors in Kobayashi Pharma at a valuation of 15 billion, representing 30% of Kobayashi
Pharma after the investment!" 3
"A valuation of 15 billion?!"
The beserk crowd burst into chatter that echoed across the conference room.
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
This was not the valuation that Jiro and Yahiko had talked about. Back then, Jiro had informed them
that the valuation would be at least 20 billion. Why had it suddenly dropped so much now? 7
Someone questioned, "Mr. Chairman, the previous offer from the Ito family was not this low. Why
did it shrink so much all of a sudden?" s
Another person interjected, “That’s right! It should be a t least 22 billion. A valuation of 15 billion is
daylight robbery..."
Masayoshi grimaced awkwardly and said, "You have t o understand that we are facing internal and
external problems now. Not only did Jiro disappear into thin air, but the Apothecary Stomach Pill
had also emerged on the Oskia market. If we don’t take advantage of the investment now, we will
be caught unprepared by the Apothecary Stomach Pill, which will greatly affect our performance. By
then, we probably can''t even get a 10 billion valuation!"