Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 3062 They stole our money!

For most Chinese people, Christmas is a holiday that doesn't really matter whether it's celebrated or not; in fact, most have never even heard of it.

But for Western countries, this is the most important holiday of the year.

Since the government spent a huge sum of 69 million dollars to hold the 'Hong Kong Festival' in 400, the Christmas atmosphere has been permeating Hong Kong.

In the following years, Hong Kong's economy developed rapidly, and even during the pandemic, the streets were still decorated for people to enjoy the festive lights.

Hong Kong has had a smooth year, hosting international gaming events and attracting many foreign tourists.

The rapid economic development has allowed the local administrators to see greater potential, but it has also revealed a hidden crisis.

Especially after that giant had stood up, its economic development, military progress, and technological strength that was catching up with the world's pace all weighed heavily on Britain's heart.

Some even proclaimed in the newspapers that they were about to lose the beautiful city of Victoria.

Of course, such voices are not loud at the moment, because in their minds, they are the powerful Britain, the mighty British Empire.

The Governor's House of Hong Kong.

Helen dressed up in her finest attire to attend tonight's party.

As a member of the family, she must serve the family while enjoying the benefits she has.

Even if this service requires her to sacrifice her own happiness, she is willing to do so.

Her mother had told her this a long time ago.

She can do anything as long as the family needs her, and no one will interfere.

But when her family needed her, she had no right to refuse.

This is her mission.

Inside the room, standing in front of the dressing table, Helen turned left and right, her pure white evening gown swirling around with her. A sapphire hung on her chest, and she wore a diamond tiara on her head, the sparkling diamonds falling on her long golden hair, making her look like an exceptionally cute porcelain doll.

"Oh, darling, it's absolutely beautiful."

Helen heard her mother Susan's voice from the doorway. She quickly turned around, smiled, and then curtsied.

"Mother, you look beautiful today too."

Compared to Helen, Susan's style was all about glittering jewelry and exuded a mature charm.

"Come on, your father is waiting for you outside."

"We need to go see our guests."

Helen nodded, and then followed Ms. Susan out of the room.

Turning the corner of the stairs, Susan saw her father, the master of the governor's mansion, Winston Edward.

The previous lord of the Governor's House, Sir David, was transferred back to Britain to recuperate due to health reasons, and my father was assigned here to maintain order.

The Edwardian family, according to the Old English meaning, is 'the guardian of wealth and the protector of happiness,' a principle that their family has always upheld.

After arriving in Hong Kong, my father indeed accomplished this, making outstanding contributions to Hong Kong's stability and economic development.

Even within the British aristocracy, it garnered unanimous approval.

Of course, at this moment, in Helen's eyes, her father was a tall and safe haven.

With her father around, she was a carefree little angel.

"Beautiful little angel, you've finally come out! If you hadn't come out soon, the guests below would have broken their necks from looking up."

As he spoke, Winster shook his head and swayed his neck as if he were moving his neck.

Helen chuckled, "That will cure your cervical spondylosis."

"Oh, this joke isn't funny at all."

As Winster said this, he laughed first.

Helen then took her father's arm, and the family came down the stairs together.

A lively cheer erupted in the hall at that moment.

Those who are here are all powerful figures in Hong Kong.

These people aren't just people who can get in with money; they also need to have a voice.

Inside, most of the people are Westerners, with only a few locals, who are dressed in suits but have a cold heart.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

"Good evening, everybody!"

As the applause subsided, Winster stood on the platform and looked enthusiastically at the crowd.

"On this warm and grateful holiday, my family and I extend our sincerest wishes to every family and every citizen: Merry Christmas!"

Papapa

Amid applause, Winster nodded slightly, while Helen and Ms. Susan bent their knees slightly and lifted the sides of their skirts with their hands, nodding respectfully.

Christmas is a time for us to reunite with our dearest family and friends, and a time to enjoy freedom and share joy.

"Looking back on the past year, we have achieved tremendous success and demonstrated remarkable achievements on the international stage."

"This is inseparable from the efforts of everyone present; it is you who make Hong Kong so vibrant."

May God bless you and your families, and wish you all a peaceful, joyful, and hopeful Christmas!

The speech ended with applause, but the banquet officially began at that moment.

Winston led his wife and daughter into the venue, greeting everyone as he went, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Sir, I wish you good health!"

As soon as Winster stepped down, an elderly man with a Mediterranean-style hooked nose and blue eyes approached him.

"Thank you, Mr. Henry!"

Winster raised his glass in acknowledgment, and Henry did the same.

The two smiled, but there was an unspoken understanding between them.

The last incident involving the telephone company ended with Winston's intervention, and the old man in front of me, Henry, is the new chairman of the telephone company.

Henry was Mr. Winster's business partner, and the two had a close personal relationship, often collaborating when they were in Britain.

"Sir, this is truly an enticing path to wealth!"

Henry said with a smile, his face flushed, whether from the wine or from being in a good mood, it was hard to tell.

Winster smiled as well when he heard Henry's words.

In their circle, talking about money is perfectly normal; of course, they'll use a very elegant term for it.

finance!

"is it?"

Winster was curious about exactly how much money Henry had mentioned.

Upon hearing Winster's question, Henry immediately replied, "The pager has only been running for two days, and the company's profit has already reached 500,000 US dollars, which is more than 200,000 in local currency."

"And this is just the beginning. I heard that another 300,000 pagers were delivered from the other side today. Based on our investigation of Hong Kong, these 800,000 units are simply not enough to meet the demand."

"According to the company's human resources survey department, more than half of the people in Hong Kong will need pagers."

"And this will generate five to ten times our previous profits in daily telephone communication costs."

"Sir, this is insane!"

Henry's expression was exaggerated, yet filled with intense longing.

A British economist once systematically explained the relationship between profit levels and risk-taking behavior.

When profits reach 100%, capital dares to trample on all laws!
When profits reach 300%, capital is willing to commit any crime, even risking execution.

Now that they'll make five times the profit, what wouldn't they dare to do?

And this is exactly what Winster wanted.

"Henry, I've always believed you're a great partner."

"Hong Kong is an important platform for our cooperation and a place where we can earn more benefits for Britain."

"This is equally important to my career!"

Winster raised his glass, and Henry smiled and clinked glasses with it. "Yes, sir."

This will be our stage!

"Cheers to the stage!"

"cheers!"

The two chatted happily, and the success of pagers in Hong Kong became a hot topic of discussion.

Especially after the news of the telephone company's profits over the past two days spread, everyone realized that this was a golden goose.

And now, they have the hen in their grasp.

Of course, the hen doesn't completely belong to them yet.

Kelley was a key director of the telephone company, and even before Henry became chairman, he was the most likely successor.

However, with Winster's strong intervention, Henry ultimately succeeded in taking over, while he remained on the bench.

However, Henry's decision has brought so much profit to the company that even the British higher authorities have sent congratulatory letters, which has further solidified his position.

And he could only become a laughing stock among others.

After a few drinks, Carlyle could no longer contain his resentment, and the sighs and envy of those around him seemed more like mockery to him.

So, as the two beautiful young women beside him discussed the pager again, Kelley immediately shouted out his own voice in anger.

"Didn't you notice that all the messages on these pagers are in Chinese?"

"Don't you know that each pager costs five hundred dollars to buy?"

"Don't you know that every pager has to pay a usage fee of thirty yuan per month?"

"The hundreds of thousands of dollars you see now are right there!"

Kylie pointed in the direction of Kowloon Community, "There, it's just a newly established small company, and it only took two days, two days!"

Kyle held up a finger, then said with a regretful tone, "They've already amassed tens of millions of dollars!"

"Tens of millions of US dollars!"

Kelley's voice instantly silenced the previously lively and peaceful atmosphere in the hall!

Many people were still unaware, then whispers spread, and they immediately gaped in astonishment.

Many of the people present were not even worth tens of millions, let alone hundreds of millions.

And this is just the beginning.

Immediately, people started asking about the name of that small company.

Then, a name that would be remembered appeared in everyone's mind.

Hong Kong Branch of Red Star Information Media Co., Ltd.
The name is very representative, clearly telling everyone the power behind it.

But in reality, the name was only chosen for the sign at the entrance of Hong Kong.

Domestically, all business activities are ostensibly managed by the Ninth Department, but in reality, they are subject to the control of Chen Lao and others.

The Ninth Division only knows a number as to how much money was earned; the money will not be given directly to the Ninth Division.

However, none of that matters; what matters is making money overseas.

Winster held his wine glass, his gaze falling on Henry, who nodded helplessly.

"This is something I don't want to mention, because compared to them, what we earn is indeed insignificant."

"Moreover, it can easily undermine our confidence!"

Winster frowned slightly, then said in a cold voice, "They stole our money!"

Henry nodded, then asked helplessly, "So?"

Winster gripped his wine glass, his face turning pale.

“I contacted people in China and consulted several universities. Several professors said that base stations are not a problem, and that with sufficient funding, they could definitely make a pager.”

"But the most difficult part is the computer responsible for core operations, although they use small computers called PCs!"

"This is a bit difficult!"

Henry said helplessly, and of course, he was even more shocked when he received the information.

When did powerful Britain fall behind in technology?
Moreover, it's still lagging behind a semi-industrialized country!

It was beyond his imagination.

"A computer? That makes a pretty good impression!"

Winster frowned slightly, then suddenly remembered something his daughter had told him: she wanted a computer.

Then I heard that they had started selling computers today, but the quantity was limited, which is why I asked him to help me buy one.

Looking at Helen, who was standing to the side and seemed a little nervous, Winster knew the worries in his daughter's heart.

Upon reaching this point, Winster's expression immediately turned serious. "Henry, it seems they're going to sell computers to the public."

"I need you to buy as much as possible."

"As you wish!"

Henry had the same idea.

The success of pagers in Hong Kong made him see even more business opportunities.

If a paging service can be established in Britain, all the profits from the computers, personnel, and base stations will be ours.

At that time, I will get all the profits.

As for the difficulties?

That's a scientist's business; he's just a businessman!
Moreover, British scientists are among the best in the world; I believe they will solve this problem!
Henry was dreaming of immense wealth, while Winster walked to the center of the hall and looked at the somewhat flustered Carey.

"gentlemen!"

Kelley also realized his rudeness; such behavior was a serious breach of etiquette and disrespect to the host family on such an important occasion.

"Kayler, you're right, our money is flowing into other people's pockets, so what should we do?"

"Just because we earn less, does that mean we should deny or reject it?"

Winston looked at everyone present. "Gentlemen, what do you think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, one of the middle-aged men, a portly man in a suit, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and smiled.

Everyone recognized him; he was Jefferson, the general manager of horse racing!
This person is very active in the circle and is a frequent guest of many people.

Of course, wealthy people will become sought-after guests.

Jefferson approached Winston, bowed, and said with a smile, "Sir, who could refuse the benefits it brings?"

"At the very least, because of this little thing, more people can place bets without having to go to the venue!"

"Profits will continue to rise!"

Who could refuse free money?

Everyone present laughed; to them, the money was indeed free.

Jefferson continued with a laugh, "We can't smear this way of making money just because we picked up less than others; that would be immoral!"

"If anyone's to blame, it's us for not picking up more!"

"certainly…"

The fat man took a pager out of his pocket, then looked at Kylie and laughed, "Mr. Kylie is right, the Chinese on this is really awful!"

"If only it were written in our beautiful language!"

"That way, it can be as renowned worldwide as Mr. Shakespeare's masterpieces!"

After he finished speaking, everyone laughed again, and many people even squinted their eyes, as if they had discovered a new way to make money.

As a universal language, they naturally possess a huge market.

Compared to this, Chinese can only be considered a regional need.

Currently, these pagers only support Chinese, which is clearly short-sighted.

Therefore, anyone who develops a pager suitable for the whole world can amass immeasurable wealth.

What others could think of, Winster could naturally think of as well.

Approaching Henry, who was all smiles, it was clear that the two had the same idea.

"We must figure this out as soon as possible; it's a golden road!"

Henry pondered for a moment, then spoke solemnly.

Winster smiled and nodded, "Then we'd better hurry, there are quite a few people watching!"

Henry laughed. "Don't worry, no one can beat us!"

Winster raised his glass again, and his daughter Helen walked over, her face beaming with happiness.

On the other side, Kelley walked up with Jefferson.

"Hey buddy, this is our chance!"

Jefferson's small eyes lit up, and Kelley was equally excited; all previous prejudices had vanished.
"Dude, I need your help!"

As Kyle said solemnly, Jefferson raised his glass, "Don't worry, my nephew is a top student from Oxford University!"

"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"

"Happy cooperation!"

The sound of clinking glasses echoed throughout the hall, and then more people began looking for partners.

In their view, China has found the key to wealth, but not the right direction.

And they will surpass their opponents on this golden road and make a fortune!

(End of this chapter)