Hong Kong: Rise of the Kings.

Chapter 910 0898 [Hong Kong Financial Group]

In the future, when talking about the richest man in Hong Kong, everyone will definitely say: Li Jiacheng.

Some people say that this is not the case. These are just the richest men who have been disclosed, and the "wealth" of the old four major clans is truly invisible wealth. Maybe the invisible richest man is among them.

The four old families currently considered by the mainstream academic school are the Chow Wing-tai family, the Ho Tung family, the Lee Pui-choi family and the Lee Hei-chun family.

Of course, there are also controversies in the academic community about the old four major families. Some people believe that they are the Ho Kai Tong family, the Lo Man Kam family, the Gao Kun Ning family, the Li Xi Zhen family or the Fu Lao Rong family.

But no matter how they are ranked, the Li Xizhen family is always among the top. It can even be said that the Li family is the best among the top ten old families in Hong Kong, especially in the real estate field. They are also the first Chinese real estate tycoon in Hong Kong's history.

The Li family originally lived in the countryside of Kaiping, Guangdong. In the late 1850s, gold was discovered in San Francisco, America. Li Xizhen's father went to San Francisco and got a job in a tobacco company. He also brought Li Xizhen to the United States for education. This was the first development of the Li family.

After that, the Li family moved to Hong Kong, but their fortune in Hong Kong was not glorious, as it was made through the opium trade.

There was an old saying at that time, "Shanghai is Du Yuesheng, Hong Kong is Li Xizhen".

Everyone has heard of Du Yuesheng. At that time, the opium company run by Du Yuesheng had an annual profit of almost one-third of the entire income of the Nationalist government. Li Xizhen in Hong Kong could be said to be even more ruthless than Du Yuesheng, and he directly monopolized the opium business in Hong Kong.

Unlike Du Yuesheng who spent money lavishly after becoming rich, Li Xizhen not only continued to make money from his opium business, but also invested all his money in legitimate industries, including real estate and finance.

In addition to the opium business, Li Xizhen also engaged in real estate investment and shipping. In 1923, his real estate company was successfully listed in Hong Kong.

It is said that Li Xizhen's most important investment was the purchase of a large piece of land in East Point, Hong Kong for 1924 million yuan in 385. All the land developed by Li Xizhen Real Estate Company thereafter originated from this adventure.

At that time, Li Xizhen was the real boss of Hong Kong. He was the largest real estate businessman.

However, the good times did not last long. Li Xizhen had a dispute with others over the monopoly rights of Macau's opium trade and was assassinated in 1928.

The next person to take over was Li Xiaohe, the third son of Li Xizhen. After graduation, he returned to China and served as a director of the British American Tobacco Company of Hong Kong and chairman of the United Soda Factory.

Li Xiaohe knew the cause of his father's death very well, so he never got involved in the opium business in his life, and tried hard to "launder" all the inheritance left by his father.

However, what really made him famous was the founding of Hong Kong Television Broadcasting Limited (TVB) together with his two younger brothers, with Li Xiaowo serving as the first chairman of the board of directors.

In addition to his own TVB, Li Xiaowo also has shares in Shanghai Commercial Bank, UnionPay Insurance, Xiangbao Finance, Hong Kong Semiconductor Company, Swire, Cathay Pacific, China Coal, and HSBC. In addition, Li Xiaowo also holds a considerable stake in Hutchison Whampoa. He is equivalent to a partner of Li Jiacheng, and the Li family of Hutchison Whampoa also has a certain say.

In addition, it is said that almost all of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong belongs to the Li family, and the current Hong Kong-listed company Hysan Development is an asset of the Li family.

Back to the present——
Now that Li Xiaohe is old, the only one in the Li family who can support the family business is his second son, Li Zhaoheng.

Li Zhaoheng is 35 years old this year. He graduated from Columbia University in the United States with a Master of Business Administration degree. In addition, he also invested in Wall Street in the United States. He is a veritable financial tycoon in the local area. His investment methods are ruthless and his vision is even sharper. He made profits nine out of ten times he invested, and the only time he failed was because the Americans temporarily modified the regulations.

It was such a strong man who, after returning to Hong Kong from Wall Street in the United States, immediately prepared to enter the real estate industry, and the place he chose happened to be Tsuen Wan where Du Yongxiao was planning to build a Mitsubishi car production line!
Tsuen Wan has always been a famous wasteland in Hong Kong, with land prices extremely low. Previously, no one was optimistic about the development of the Tsuen Wan area, believing that it was the poorest place besides Yuen Long and Kwai Tsing.

However, as the Governor's Office announced the development route for Hong Kong, transportation hubs such as the subway will be built in the Tsuen Wan area, which will suddenly revitalize this "dead land".

In an instant, this cheap land turned into a treasure trove.

Du Yongxiao had a sharp eye. He immediately used his connections to acquire 1,000 acres of land here at the lowest price, intending to build a car production line here.

At the same time, Li Zhaoheng, who returned to Hong Kong, also set his sights on this place as soon as possible. If high-end villas were built here on one thousand acres of land, billions of profits would be made!

Li Zhaoheng knew that he had been away from Hong Kong for a long time. If he wanted to snatch this land from the strong man Du Yongxiao, he had to win over the wealthy tycoons here, so Li Jiacheng became his first partner.

Li Jiacheng is no pushover either. He has long been salivating over the piece of fat meat that Du Yongxiao has grabbed. Now that Li Zhaoheng has extended an olive branch to him, he of course gladly accepts it. In his opinion, this time he and the Li family have joined forces, and no matter how fierce Du Yongxiao is, he has to give in three steps.

"Hong Kong Li Family?" James listened to Li Jiacheng's words and nodded slightly: "In terms of strength, Li Family is indeed capable of competing with Du Yongxiao. If you, Boss Li, are added, the chances of winning will be even greater. However, as the Commissioner of Police of Hong Kong and an Earl of the British Empire, Du Yongxiao is likely to use his power for personal gain. By then, no one will be able to compete with him."

What James meant was very simple. In terms of wealth, Li Jia and Li Jiacheng could rival Du Yongxiao, or even surpass him. However, in terms of power, Du Yongxiao held the real power, which was very scary.

"Power is a double-edged sword. It can kill the enemy but can also hurt yourself." Li Jiacheng picked up a grape from the fruit plate brought by the waiter, put it in his mouth, turned his head to look at James and said.

James also turned his head and stared at Li Jiacheng: "What are you going to do? How can you make Du Yongxiao hurt himself with the sword in his hand?"

"It's very simple. The crime Du Yongxiao committed this time was cooperating with the Japanese! Those people in the General Chinese Chamber of Commerce are all patriots, and so am I! How can we Chinese let a wolf into our house? Let the Japanese build factories and car companies on this land of Hong Kong, and then earn our hard-earned money?" Li Jiacheng spit out the grape seeds and said to James affirmatively.

"Haha, I get it! The best thing to do in this world is to love business! You can gain both fame and fortune, right?" Seeing Li Jiacheng's expression, James grinned: "Well, now I'm waiting for you to put on a good show and see how Du Yongxiao responds!"

After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but add: "If you can really beat Du Yongxiao this time, then the future of Hong Kong's wealthy people will be completely reshuffled! Li, you will take his place and become the real boss!"

"Don't say that. There is also the Li family in Hong Kong! Li Zhaoheng is also a hero and should not be underestimated!" Li Jiacheng said as he threw the fishing hook far into the sea.

……

Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong,
Private mansion——
Li Zhaoheng adjusted his collar in front of the mirror.

He has a square face, thick eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes, and a tall figure full of masculine charm, making people feel that he is like a mountain, solid and steady. On the large Simmons soft bed behind Li Zhaoheng, the woman who was pressed under him last night stood up naked, came over from behind with bare legs, and wrapped her two white arms around Li Zhaoheng's neck, with a lazy and seductive tone: "Mr. Li, you got up so early, why don't you sleep a little longer, I still want to continue to accompany you!"

Li Zhaoheng pushed the woman's hand away and said in a cold tone: "Please understand the situation. You accompanied me last night just for a business deal. I provided the money and you provided the people. If you think that you can become my woman after sleeping with me, then you are wrong. Do you know why? Because there are a lot of women who are prettier and have better figures than you waiting in line for my favor!"

"Why do you say that? You make me so sad." The charming woman slowly retreated back to the bed with a hurt expression.

Li Zhaoheng casually took out his wallet from his pocket, took out a stack of banknotes without counting and threw it to the woman: "Now, are you happy or sad?" After saying that, he didn't even look at the woman again, tidied his clothes, pushed the door and left the bedroom. Only the woman was left on the bed. She muttered a swear word softly, then pounced on the stack of banknotes, counted them, and found that there were actually six thousand yuan.

"Wow, so generous, it's a pity that he's not a rich man!" the woman muttered again.

Li Zhaoheng is certainly not a "sucker", he just treats others as "sucker".

Outside, it was raining heavily and the sky was gloomy.

The subordinates parked Li Zhaoheng's Mercedes in front of the villa. Li Zhaoheng looked into the distance and saw that a basketball court was being built in front of the villa area. Even though it was raining heavily, there were still workers working overtime.

Li Zhaoheng beckoned his male secretary Ah Sheng and asked him, "What's going on over there?"

“It seems like they are building community basketball courts and public facilities so that young people here can have time to play basketball.”

"Play basketball? Young people should study more. Why play basketball? It disturbs my sweet dreams! Go and discuss with the people over there. I want to buy this piece of land! What do you mean by public facilities? Buy it and turn it into a private garden for me. I'll invite people to have a party when I have time."

Ah Sheng glanced at the basketball court that was about to be built and said, "That piece of land belongs to the public area. I'm afraid it will be difficult..."

"Difficult? That means it requires a lot of money! You know, I, Li Zhaoheng, have nothing but money!" After saying that, Li Zhaoheng bent down and got into the car.

Ah Sheng quickly said, "Yes!" and got into the car and sat with him in the passenger seat.

In the heavy rain, the Mercedes-Benz slowly drove out of the villa area, followed by a Toyota Crown protecting it, and together they drove towards the Dawley family's big villa on the top of the mountain.

According to the rules of the Li family, no matter what you do, you must go home on time every morning to have breakfast.

This was the rule set when Li Xizhen was alive, and the same is true for the current helmsman Li Xiaohe.

As the heir that Li Xiaohe values, Li Zhaoheng must of course abide by this rule to avoid being caught by other family members.

Li Zhaoheng took the cigar handed to him by Ah Sheng and asked, "Has Mr. Li from Cheung Kong Group replied?"

Ah Sheng handed the cigar lighter to Li Zhaoheng and said, "He said he was going to meet with James, the foreigner from the Environmental Department, and he must ask James to help delay time. After all, the 1,000 acres of land in Tsuen Wan is a big deal, and it is still uncertain who will win in the future."

Li Zhaoheng bit his cigar, exhaled a puff of smoke, looked out the window at the heavy rain, and said, "That Boss Li is an old fox. He can't beat Du Yongxiao alone. When he saw that I dared to go to war with the Du guy, he immediately came over to take advantage of me - but is it so easy to take advantage? We are all businessmen. Your calculations are loud, and mine are not weak either!"

Ah Sheng drove steadily, as if he didn't hear what Li Zhaoheng said.

Li Zhaoheng continued, "Well, now everyone is using each other. I used him to deal with James and let James drag Du Yongxiao, and he used me to influence those people in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce."

"Speaking of which, our Li family still has some power in the Chinese Merchants Association. Which of the earliest people was not promoted by my grandfather? Is the Huo family powerful? If my father hadn't wanted to whitewash the family, how could he have been the chairman of the Chinese Merchants Association?"

Ah Sheng looked at Li Zhaoheng who was looking at him through the rearview mirror and said, "So Li Sheng, what should we do now?"

"How to do it?" Li Zhaoheng bit his cigar, took off the gold watch on his wrist and threw it aside, loosened the cuffs of his shirt, and said in a flat tone: "Of course we have to play the patriotic card! That Du Yongxiao colluded with the Japanese to try to annex the land in Tsuen Wan. In name, he was building a car production line, but in fact he was selling out his country for personal gain and acting as an accomplice to the enemy—"

After saying this, Li Zhaoheng leaned back in the car seat comfortably. "With the patriotic card played like this, I wonder how Du Yongxiao can resist? If he fights back, he'll be a big traitor! If he does nothing, then just wait for me to swallow up Tsuen Wan!"

The heavy rain outside has not yet subsided, and there are occasional thunderclaps.

The Mercedes soon reached the wealthy area of ​​Peak Road——
Seeing the car about to enter the villa, the Toyota Crown that had been following behind accelerated and overtook the Mercedes-Benz, driving towards the back door of the villa, while A Sheng drove the Mercedes-Benz and stopped steadily at the front door of the villa.

Two sturdy bodyguards in black got out of the Toyota that had been parked at the back door and walked to the back door of the Mercedes-Benz holding umbrellas.

One helped Li Zhaoheng open the car door, and the other held the umbrella for him.

Li Zhaoheng held a cigar in his mouth and looked up at the magnificent and tall Li mansion in front of him.

He grew up here and should have feelings for it, but he felt that this mansion was unfamiliar. In the heavy rain, it was like a giant beast overlooking him, and the slowly opening iron gate seemed to swallow him up at any time.

His trusted subordinate, A Sheng, looked at Li Zhaoheng standing in front of the door in silence, and said softly, "Li Sheng, it's time to go in! It's time to start the family breakfast."

"Yeah!" Li Zhaoheng nodded, then stepped inside.

The bodyguard helped hold the umbrella and followed him, letting the raindrops hit his shoulders and head, but not a single drop fell on Li Zhaoheng.

(End of this chapter)