It admittedly took some conscious effort on Hiroshi’s part to maintain a neutral expression at this particular occassion. Especially with Asami sitting to his right wearing a faint grin directed at Xing who sat across him. There was an air of playfulness from the industrialists’ daughter that set off his paternal instincts, something that was no doubt related to the incident a few nights ago, and more than just the spiteful joy of wringing Tarrlok of every yuan for sinking Asami’s speedboat.
Hiroshi could only conjure up baseless suspicions based on his own youthful outings with his late wife Yasuko, but the logical side of him had to admit that it would be unfair to both Asami and Xing to act on those baseless suspicions. The boy wasn’t showing any reason to earn distrust (yet), and remained unflappably professional, even downplaying his contributions in seeing through the Avatar’s folly, and shaming Tarrlok and forcing the water-brained councillor into a humiliating agreement.
If not for the former, Hiroshi would’ve gladly bestowed a hefty bonus on Xing for the latter. Tarrlok was indisputably the most disagreeable of the United Republic’s ruling council, barely masking his disdain for non-benders. Where the other councillors - most notably Tenzin - still offered a minimum concern for non-benders, the councilman from the Northern Water Tribe only ever pushed for preferential treatment of benders.
Hiroshi and other industrialists, most of whom were non-benders themselves, had invested in informants among the council’s staff, mostly to preempt any major shakeups - like that policy to transition from gas to electric streetlights that killed off a whole industry for firebenders, or the introduction of certifications for earthbending foundation workers. And each time without fail, they’d get word of Tarrlok trying to push for some bender preferential agenda or another.
It was thanks to his persistent obstruction that killed the investment of research into non-bending healthcare. Coupled with the continued subsidy for waterbending healers to set up their practices in the United Republic, it made preventative medicine especially underdeveloped and uncompetitive. Concessions were eventually given only because Yuanhua Pharmaceuticals had made a breakthrough in formulating a herbal remedy that effectively prevented pregnancy and the infection of most social diseases.
More recently, Tarrlok was also responsible for pushing the frankly obscene regulations on refrigeration technology. The only reason he received support from his Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation counterparts was because he based his stance on ‘maintaining suitable employment options’ for benders. Perhaps unsurprisingly for the ice-wielding bastard, he used the slippery slope argument that allowing mechanical refrigeration to proliferate uncontrolled would not only endanger poorer waterbenders by killing off an accessible job, but also set a precedent that’d see newer technology close off other avenues for impoverished benders to survive in the city.
(Admittedly, it was a minor bonus for Hiroshi and his Equalist compatriots, but still…)
Yet just months before this, that same Tarrlok had argued against the establishment of non-bender specific jobs, going on about how preferential treatment to any group of people might brew resentment among the Republic’s populace.
Thankfully, Tenzin had called the Northern Water Tribesman out on his idiocy in both occasions, though getting the other councillors to jump on board the ship of common sense was a chore as always.
It was a pity Tarrlok was so useful as a clear and active enemy to the Equalist movement, otherwise Amon would’ve likely kidnapped and strung up the councilman for propaganda long ago.
Tarrlok aside, Xing was earning Hiroshi’s begrudging approval by proving his competence. His handling of Korra’s defeat to Amon had not only increased public support for the Avatar, but also converted the campaign of sympathy into generous profits for Future Industries. By utilizing plants and tactical handouts of products, the people of Republic City were now buying head- and armbands, postcards pre-addressed to Air Temple Island, and basically anything Future Industries could stamp Korra’s face on, as a show of support for the brave teenage Avatar who had managed to fight off foul Amon’s ambush.
It was undoubtedly profitable, but Hiroshi still had to fight from wincing each time he mulled on how he (or more accurately Amon) was allowing this propaganda to go on unimpeded. Amon didn’t seem to mind having his movement’s reputation get trampled on, which Hiroshi guessed could be turned into an advantage…somehow…later down the line. Maybe the darker reputation might make dealings with the city’s underworld easier?
Regardless, it was of some relief to the industrialist that Xing wasn’t going to focus on milking Equalist hate dry.
“So…soup kitchens?” he asked the media director sitting across from him.
Xing gave a curt but confident nod. “In essence, yes. Except that we’ll make use of the gathered crowd.”
Hiroshi wasn’t the only one in the room who had his eyebrows raised at that.
“As I’m sure you know, Mister Hiroshi, simple word of mouth, when utilized properly, can be more effective than newspaper advertising. Not as far reaching as radio broadcasting for sure, but it’s often a far cheaper option.”
“True. But…I’ll have to be blunt, what’s the point of gaining the attention of the impoverished? They can’t buy anything off us.”
“They can’t, but they can serve as a resource.”
Hiroshi kept silent, prompting Xing to continue with a nod of his head.
“I’d like to have the Fire Ferrets visit some of those sites. It’d be easy publicity, especially considering the brothers’ rough past and how we’re portraying them as unlikely underdogs. Nobody will begrudge them for having them spend an hour serving bowls in those stations before apologizing for having to cut their visit short to pursue their training. It’s the sort of thing that the right reporters would make a story out of, and one that the middle and upper classes would lap up.”
The young director formed a wry smile. “It’s the sort of sympathy that would bolster the team’s reputation when they win the tournament, or even if they lose it - we can spin it as the brothers finding their real priorities in life. Either way, Future Industries would mostly gain positive associations for sponsoring them throughout their journey. More pertinently, we can capitalize on the goodwill and sympathy by timing your annual price increases with the positive reception of the charity works; most consumers will be associating it with the soup kitchens’ operating costs.”
“Hm… I suppose I can see that working… Though isn’t that rather…”
He gave a slight shrug. “Manipulative? But so’s Tarrlok recruiting Avatar Korra into his task force to burnish his reputation, or how the Earth Queen always brings up the horrors of the old war along with nonsense about sovereignty and solidarity before she plunders another vassal to fill up her coffers.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Xing blinked at the two pairs of eyes staring at him before shrugging again, this time more sheepishly.
“Ah, it’s something I followed back when I was in the White Lotus. Anyway, the point is that it’s a somewhat dirty but still legitimate tactic. And also, it might be a good distraction for Avatar Korra.”
“A distraction?”
Xing gave a nod before elaborating. “She has suffered a significant defeat, one that she might probably be feeling…resentful over. Before it festers to the point where she decides to act on it-”
“Go for another round with Amon?” Asami clarified, earning another nod from him.
“More or less. Before it comes to that, doing tours of the soup kitchens would allow her to mingle with her fans and supporters, and might take her mind off her defeat while she involves herself in something more constructive. At the same time, if we can…suggest the right words for her supporters to cheer her spirits with, we could refocus her attention back to pro-bending.”
Finishing with a silent but visible exhale, Xing slowly leaned back into his seat. “Of course, I cannot guarantee that these results would be achieved…”
“But it’s a smidge better than having the Avatar going about hunting Equalists?” Hiroshi wagered, earning another nod.
“It’d be a loss for us considering the amount we’ve invested in advertising the tournament. And pivoting Future Industries to align itself with the Avatar’s crime fighting might draw unwanted attention to the corporation as a whole.”
Xing sighed as he shared a worried glance with Asami before returning his attention to Hiroshi. “Thankfully, the Equalists have yet to target Future Industries for its support for Avatar Korra, even if indirectly through the pro-bending sponsorship. Likely, hopefully, they’re aware that damaging an influential company founded and run by a non-bender would not help their cause’s image. But that could change if Future Industries supports a more militant Avatar. It could be seen as an act of aggression, in a sense.”
Hiroshi had to consciously keep himself from stammering or letting the nerves show on his face. “Huh…Huh, you…raise a concerning point there, Xing.”
“My apologies for not considering that fact earlier.”
“No, no. It’s good that you pointed that out. We’ve all been too focused on the profits.” Though, using that excuse… Maybe Amon can work this into his plans somehow? Assuming he hasn’t already taken this into consideration. “I suppose it’s a good thing we haven’t used her involvement with Tarrlok’s task force for our advertising.”
“Yup,” Asami interjected. “Hence the tour of the kitchen soups; we can focus on giving Korra a friendlier face while emphasizing our own less violent involvement with her. Right, Xing?”
“Quite so.”
Hiroshi hummed as he mulled the idea in his head. Objectively, it’s a small, but not insignificant investment, for a rather long-lasting publicity stunt… But at the same time, if it could keep Korra from sniffing out Equalist cells while they’re still reorganizing…
“Hm… It sounds like a plan worth trying out. Where do you plan on establishing the soup kitchens, by the way?”
Xing seemed to brace himself as he sat straight once more. “Therein lies the main reason I’m bringing this proposal up with you personally, Mister Hiroshi. For sincerity and actual effectiveness, we’ll have to set up in the back alleys of Republic City. However, the biggest issue about setting up the soup kitchens away from the main streets would be competition.”
“Who from?” the industrialist asked, right as he realized the answer.
“The triads. They run their own charity works, mostly to serve as a recruitment or meeting spot without the police airships floating by getting too suspicious.”
Hiroshi sighed. That’s right, the damned triads. “Right. I forgot about them…”
Xing spoke up again. “From what I’ve been informed, anything past the main roads and its blocks - even in areas like Downtown - are under triad influence.” And the further away from the main roads you got, the more illicit the businesses they control or run directly.
“Usually, while we could apply for a permit from the city council, it’d be useless unless we can somehow hire round the clock security to keep the soup kitchens from being sabotaged, discounting the dangers its staff would face. I’ve spoken to Chief Lin, and she can only suggest that we set up shop along areas that the police patrols would likely frequent. So if we want to proceed with this idea, realistically, we’ll have to negotiate with the triads.”
Hiroshi scowled, and credit to Xing, he didn’t flinch as it was directed at him. “I suppose you have an idea to get around this, seeing that you’re bringing this up with me personally?”
The media director gave a curt nod, and Hiroshi didn’t miss the reassuring look Asami was giving him from the edge of his vision. “I’m not sure if you might know, Mister Hiroshi, the Triple Threat Triads are currently suffering a crisis of leadership after Amon stole their leader’s bending.”
Right, “Lightning Bolt” Zolt was one of the first examples made. It was the same ‘exhibition’ that got interrupted by Korra too… If Hiroshi remembered correctly, it was because one of the Fire Ferrets (pre-sponsorship), through some fluke, got netted as part of the show as well.
“Apparently, the captains are vying for leadership of the Triple Threats, so the triad currently fractured from infighting.”
“You want to throw your support behind one of them?” Hiroshi asked incredulously.
“I’d like to use the opportunity to…buy the ‘rights’ to sites owned by factions who might be strapped for cash. As they’re consolidating their resources to focus on their power struggles, some of the Triple Threats’...social projects have been abandoned.”
“Like the soup kitchens?”
Xing nodded. “Some of them. We’ll have to be careful in wording our proposal, to make sure it’s clear that we’re coming in as a neutral party that’s not interested in supporting one side or another. Seeing that soup kitchens aren’t a profitable venture by any stretch of the imagination, we should appear harmless enough.”
And the Triple Threats’ lieutenants would probably see the whole deal as a no-brainer, something they’ve practically nothing to lose.
“Hm… It’s still a risky move.”
“It is,” Xing said, meeting Hiroshi’s serious gaze. “I’m aware that this plan might have holes due to my own lack of context on Republic City’s finer workings. Which is why I’m bringing it up to you before anything is put into work.”
Hiroshi hummed again, and then a plan of his own clicked in his head. “Hm… The overall idea is good, but when dealing with the triads, you can’t expect them to be logical or good businesspeople.” He gave a huff as he slowly leaned back into his seat, flashing a frowning Asami a reassuring look. “Put this proposal into ink and paper. I want the details of what sites exactly you’d like to take, and why. See if you can make it all fit under 100,000 yuans, less if possible. I…know a guy who might offer better insight into the current state of the Triple Threats.”
He met Asami’s look and huffed again to interrupt the need to chuckle. “What? You think I didn’t have to deal with the triads when I was building up the company?” The embarrassment that flashed across his daughter’s face was all the answer she gave.
Then, looking back to a rather relieved Xing, Hiroshi beamed a reassuring smile. “You did good coming to me first, Xing. I know people your age who’d waste no time going straight into putting their great plan into action, just to prove themselves. Then they fall flat because their great plan overlooked one thing or another, and they’d be forced to start over again at a deficit.”
Faux exasperation filled Asami’s voice as she quipped. “Let me guess, you were one of them?”
And Hiroshi broke into a short laugh as he stood up, prompting the other two to rise as well. “Yup! Fell flat, but I managed to crawl my way back up again. I was lucky to get an investor though.”
“Thank you, Mister Hiroshi. I’ll have the report sent to you within the week.”
“Good, good.” Hiroshi walked over to give his subsidiary director a friendly slap on the shoulder. “I’ll start reaching out, and between the two of us, we’ll see if we can make this work, alright?”
Ideally, Amon could leverage this information to not only take advantage of the Triple Threat’s infighting, but also allow Xing’s plan to play out so Future Industries can buy enough goodwill to keep it above suspicion for when things really started to pick up. It’d mean leaving the Avatar alone during her publicity stunts, but it’s a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.
That being said, Hiroshi would have to come up with a plan of his own to really start testing his media director’s loyalties. Amon was right, unfortunately, it’d be a waste of talent to simply eliminate Xing.
Though, Hiroshi supposed, martyring the young man wasn’t completely off the table. Frame him as a victim of gang violence, or the Avatar’s incompetence…?