Chapter Eighteen: Laying the Plan
If this had happened just a few days earlier, Wei Hua would not have paid any attention to Sato Emon. However, after organizing and analyzing the information preserved by the bio-computer over the past few days, Wei Hua realized that the next two years—namely, 1974 and 1975—would be a period of economic downturn in the United States. The Dow Jones Industrial Average would drop from 1,000 points in 1972 to around 800, and then a bear market would begin, lasting nearly a decade. Those ten years would hardly be a good time to make money. Meanwhile, the Japanese economy would experience rapid growth, not encountering turbulence until the signing of the Plaza Accord. Wei Hua had already thought of making his fortune in Japan, though he knew nothing about the country's situation. Sato Emon’s arrival was, therefore, timely.
Wei Hua had an initial plan. He intended to take advantage of the Yom Kippur War at the end of the year, when Arab nations would stir up the oil futures market, to make a substantial profit. Afterward, he would shift his investment focus to Japan. The project he had in mind for Japan was video game consoles—the very venture that made Nintendo a fortune in the late seventies and early eighties. Since the technology was already mature, he could develop the market himself, leaving Hiroshi Yamauchi of Nintendo to watch as the piece of cake that should have been his was taken away. Wei Hua had already decided on the name of his gaming company: Blizzard.
Wei Hua did not take the challenge at the Judo Hall to heart. Firstly, Sato Emon had said it would be merely an exhibition match. Secondly, Wei Hua had confidence in his own body, which had been strengthened and transformed by the bio-computer using electrical energy. Now, he could truly be called superhuman. In addition, with his spiritual awareness, Wei Hua was certain he would not lose, no matter what kind of master the Judo Hall brought in—unless Sato Emon invited someone truly extraordinary, beyond human caliber.
What occupied Wei Hua’s thoughts now was how he would live in the future. He had been in the United States for more than half a year, and American values had made a deep impression on him. Americans believed in striving to realize one’s own value, a concept that clashed with the Confucian doctrine of the mean so deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. The influence of Confucianism permeated every aspect of daily life for Chinese people. In his previous life, Wei Hua had also been affected by this, leading to a less-than-satisfactory life in a fiercely competitive society. Yet, on a spiritual level, he had considered himself happy—at the very least, he lived according to his own wishes. But after coming to the academy, Wei Hua saw in Jesse, Mary, and Kathleen a passion for pursuing personal value, which made him start to reflect on his own future.
Wei Hua knew he was not a savior; it was impossible for one person alone to accomplish the rise of the Chinese nation, even with the help of a bio-computer. He did not want to be a messiah; he wanted his own life as well. Enjoying life was one of his goals, and he intended to help his homeland achieve economic prosperity while also savoring the pleasures of living.
The match with the Judo Hall was scheduled for one week later. The Judo Hall did extensive publicity for the event, and their efforts bore fruit—within a day, word had spread throughout the academy that the mysterious boy from the East would compete against the members of the Japanese Judo Hall. Upon hearing the news, Kathleen, Jesse, and Mary rushed to the library where Wei Hua often studied, found him, and pulled him outside to ask:
“Wei! Is it true? Are you really going to duel someone? Why did we never know you could do Chinese martial arts?”
“It’s true! The people from the Judo Hall challenged me, and I’ve already accepted. But you should know, it’s just a match, not a duel! As for why you never knew I practiced Chinese martial arts, it’s simply because you never asked me! Kathleen, you should understand the Chinese character—we’ve always valued humility and caution as guiding principles in life. If no one asks, we generally don’t take the initiative to reveal our strengths.”
“That’s right! Father James once told me about this common trait among Chinese people. He thinks it's the greatest difference between your culture and ours,” Kathleen replied.
“Wei! Since you know Chinese martial arts, will you teach the three of us? We really want to learn!”
“No problem! As long as you’re willing. But let me warn you—learning Chinese martial arts is hard work. I’m afraid you might not be able to endure it.”
“No way! We’ll definitely learn it well, as long as you’re our teacher!” Jesse declared.
The day of the match soon arrived. Sato Emon proved resourceful, managing to rent the school gymnasium and set up the contest in the basketball court. In the center, a special platform had been constructed. A large number of students came to watch, filling every seat in the gym.
Wei Hua’s opponent was a young Japanese man, about twenty years old, whom Wei Hua did not recognize. Both men stepped onto the platform, and Sato Emon introduced Wei Hua’s adversary:
“Mr. Wei! This is Mr. Kinoshita Naosuke, the head of our Kinoshita Dojo and one of the heirs of the Kinoshita family. He will be competing against you today!”
“I am Kinoshita Naosuke. Please, Mr. Wei, grant me your guidance,” Kinoshita said, bowing to Wei Hua.
“You’re too kind. It’s just a friendly exchange of skills,” Wei Hua replied, returning the bow.
At that moment, Sato Emon signaled the referee to begin. At the sound of the bell, the match between Wei Hua and Kinoshita Naosuke officially commenced.