Restarting life in Siheyuan

At Song Tangyun's house, Zhu Xuefeng withdrew his hand and stood up.

"Don't worry, she is recovering well now and is very conscious. The reason she was in a coma for so long is because she was in a coma for too long. Now her physical strength is too poor and her spirit can't keep up. If she eats normally, she will be well in a week."

A middle-aged couple finally breathed a sigh of relief. Their daughter had finally woken up, but she had been drowsy most of the day and was far less energetic than the girl from the Yang family. That's why they asked Zhu Xuefeng to come over to confirm.

This young man was able to wake up the two girls, and now he is a strange man in the eyes of the two families.

"That's good, that's good. I was worried when I saw Xiaoying being pushed out to the yard to bask in the sun, but our Xiaoyun could only lie down and sleep. "

"Oh, that's right. Xiaoyun's head injury was more serious, and she woke up later, so the impact on her body was naturally greater. It will be fine if she recovers slowly."

"Thank you so much, young man. But don't think your uncle is nagging. What Xiaohong said is true, right?"

When Xia Yuhong asked this question, Song's father's face turned red, but the eagerness and hope in his eyes made Xia Yuhong only sigh.

"Of course it's true. I can't lie about this. I told you last time that when your case is over, I will send you to another place and ask the elders to treat you. I will make sure you can have a lively girl again."

Only after getting Zhu Xuefeng's promise again did the couple feel relieved. Their daughter's current condition is actually very bad. Her waist was hit and the doctor said that she might not be able to stand up in her lifetime. For a girl who loves dancing, her life has lost its luster.

Song's father and mother sent Zhu Xuefeng and the other two out with tears of gratitude, but there was no sign of tears flowing from the eyes of the girl lying on the bed.

After giving a brief explanation, Zhu Xuefeng boarded the plane to Guangzhou. This was his second time taking this flight. After carefully observing for a while, he was relieved when he didn't see the flight attendant who had followed him.

Wu Qianqian had already arranged for a car to wait at the office, and we rushed to Hong Kong without stopping. It was already evening, which was not bad. The first time I came here, it took four full days, but this time I arrived in one day, although it also took more than ten hours.

"Master, this is the asset appraisal done by HSBC. The two shipyards plus equipment and other fixed assets are valued at 161 million, and the land is valued at 424 million, for a total of 585 million US dollars. There are also 29 in debts and nearly three months of unpaid wages for workers, which is also around 15, for a total of 629 million US dollars."

"Are there any other outstanding debts?"

Debt is a common trick used in later generations. A certain company was valued at 700 billion, but after the transaction funds were received, it was told that the company still owed 1400 billion. Since the company was acquired, the company's debt would of course be transferred as well. The shrewd Bald Eagle was disgusted by this trick of the Indians. Zhu Xuefeng had to be on guard, as there was nothing the Angolans could not do.

"No, this will be written into the contract. Hong Kong is now the territory of the four major foreign companies. Although they have many conflicts of interest, their internal communication is still normal, and their debts to each other are relatively clear."

After dinner, Zhu Xuefeng, who had finished cleaning, was checking the information in the study. HSBC's assessment was very detailed, and all kinds of factors had been calculated. It was quite professional. For Hong Kong, HSBC's assessment report was still very authoritative.

"Well done. The total is only over 6 million US dollars. How can Jardine Matheson ask for 9 million? They are already in arrears of three months' salary. If we don't take over, we will continue to lose money."

The situation now is somewhat different from when Mr. Li took over in later generations. When Mr. Li took over, the shipyard and onshore facilities had been moved away, and there was no concern about factory equipment, fixed assets, or the resettlement of workers. Therefore, more than ten years later, he was able to acquire the Huangpu Dock for US$30 million.

The purchasing power of more than 6 million US dollars today is not comparable to the tens of millions of US dollars in a dozen years. After the rapid development in the 1960s and 1970s, Hong Kong has accumulated enough wealth, especially with the emergence of countless Chinese tycoons. Now in Hong Kong, there are really no Chinese who can pay out 6 million US dollars in cash. In other words, as long as other foreign companies do not intervene, Zhu Xuefeng's acquisition will have no competitors. These news are better than expected.

Wu Qianqian smiled, "It's because the two foreign companies saw someone take over and wanted to make a fortune. After all, we are so famous now. When the news of Eastern Airlines came out, they thought Dongsheng Company was a piece of fat meat and wanted to take a bite."

"Have you had initial contact with the other party? How much do you think you can win?"

"The other party just quoted a price. I didn't want them to think we were desperate, so I didn't contact them again. If you hadn't said so, we would have won it as soon as possible even if it was more expensive. In my opinion, we would have to wait for a few years. First, the shipyard couldn't bear it. Second, according to your prediction, there will be a great depression in the real estate market in the next three years. By then, I think we might have won it even if we had a million less."

What Wu Qianqian said made sense. From a purely commercial perspective, it would be best to take it over after three years, which would save at least hundreds of millions of dollars. However, Zhu Xuefeng had other ideas and needs and really didn't want to wait. After considering for a while, he decided to take it over first.

"We will arrange to visit the site tomorrow morning, especially the shipyard and dock. If the equipment is still usable and can continue to build ships, we will take it at a loss. If the shipyard is of no value, we will not take it and only want the land on the shore."

Wu Qianqian seemed a little embarrassed. "Master, both foreign companies said that they would deal with the land together and would not buy the land separately. And I heard that the Hong Kong government also meant this. If you want this land, you have to take on the jobs of more than a thousand workers in the two shipyards, and you have to settle the debts and unpaid wages."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that the Hong Kong government wanted to solve the employment problem of these thousands of people. Their wages had been delayed for three months, and if they were not dealt with, there would definitely be trouble. This was what the Hong Kong government was most concerned about. As for how much the foreign bank offered, it had nothing to do with it.

As long as the land can be acquired, Zhu Xuefeng will not have to worry about employing a thousand people. As long as the shipyard starts production, these people will be far from enough. What's more, both companies have ocean-going cargo ships, and when they merge together, they will need a lot of crew members.

According to preliminary estimates, after solving the employment problem of these 1,000 people, there should be at least 3,000 to 4,000 workers left. Since the Hong Kong government cares about this, helping to solve the employment problem should also be a powerful bargaining chip. Of course, the two foreign companies that are to be sold do not care about this.

Zhu Xuefeng thought for a while, picked up the no longer hot coffee and took a sip. Wu Qianqian then realized that they had been talking for quite a while and the coffee had gone cold, so she stood up to change it.

Zhu Xuefeng stretched out his hand to stop him. He was not so particular. Of course, hot coffee was better. Now was not the time to change coffee.

"Have you discussed this matter with the Governor alone? Since he wants us to help him solve this problem, he should be happy to facilitate this matter. The price offered by the foreign company is obviously unreasonable, but he doesn't express his opinion?"

Wu Qianqian took two steps back and sat down. "I met Sir Barridge to report on the progress of the airline. He said that this was a commercial activity and he could not interfere and could not help."

Zhu Xuefeng was speechless about the Governor's attitude.

"This Scotsman is very cunning. He wants us to help him solve the problem, but he doesn't want to offend his fellow countrymen. He just wants to reap the benefits without any effort. He is so happy."

Because of the airline's business, Zhu Xuefeng met Sir Arthur Burridge twice. This old man is quite interesting. He is from Edinburgh, Scotland. He is 56 years old this year. He is very humorous, but his experience is very complicated. What's interesting is that he knows a lot about Chinese culture and he also respects it very much.

He was assigned by the British Isles to manage the colonies for more than 20 years. During World War II, the colonies fell and he was tortured by the captives. He was the governor of Singapore a few years ago and has only been the governor of Hong Kong for a few years. (Singapore has not yet become independent)
But this man was quite different in colonial management. In order to maintain the stability of the colony and for the benefit of the interest groups he represented, he often took into account many aspects such as the local economy, culture, and medical construction. Objectively speaking, he did a lot of good things for the colony, such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital which was completed last year, the Chinese University which is being planned, and the low-rent housing which was introduced to solve the housing problem caused by Hong Kong's population explosion.

It is precisely because of these actions that benefit the people of Hong Kong that it has left a good reputation among the people of Hong Kong.

But no matter what, he ultimately represented the declining Britain, and it was inevitable that he would lean towards the foreign companies. Zhu Xuefeng was mentally prepared for this. Although the two parties had some small cooperation on the airline, they ultimately represented different interest groups.

"I'm very pressed for time this time and don't have time to spend with them. I'll look at the shipyard and dock tomorrow. If it's suitable, I'll arrange a negotiation quickly. I have to go back within a week."

Wu Qianqian silently noted, "Master, no matter how Mr. Hu arranges it, he also wants to see you."

This is also one of the main tasks of this trip, and it is impossible not to do it. "Wait until the negotiation time here is set, and make some time. Otherwise, you can come to my house to talk in the evening."

After thinking about it, he rejected the decision to meet in the evening.

"Some things still need to be confirmed by visiting the market. Let's take a day off. This industry is very important to us in the future."

Mr. Hu started very early, but he was never heard of in Hong Kong decades later. It was probably the Sony crisis that made him completely bankrupt and he never had the chance to take off again. Zhu Xuefeng believed that under his own planning, Mr. Hu should have a different ending this time. Looking at the time, it was already late. After more than ten hours of hard work today, Zhu Xuefeng threw away the report and looked at the beauty in front of him with a smile on his face. How could Wu Qianqian not understand? She said quickly.

"There's still something else I haven't finished talking about. It's urgent and needs to be arranged..."

Zhu Xuefeng stood up and stretched.

"I am tired of sitting, I want to lie down and communicate..."

Zhu Xuefeng, who had not tasted meat for a long time, had finished the two most important things in his mind. Looking at the charming and attractive Wu Qianqian, how could he calm down and make arrangements? He gently pulled Wu Qianqian, whose face was flushed, and fell directly into his arms. Zhu Xuefeng picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

...

The two of them were eating breakfast while planning today's tour route. The butler stood far away with his hands hanging down.

"Let him rest first!" Zhu Xuefeng was very satisfied with the housekeeper, but there were some things that he was not qualified to inquire about.

Wu Qianqian quickly gestured, and the housekeeper bent down and left.

"Master, these two pieces of land are not small. Do you really want them to be left idle for a few years?"

"Well, who said it's idle? It's not appropriate to change the nature of the land use now. Isn't it industrial land? I have a lot of factories to build. I'll stay here for a few years, and then we can plan the industrial zone and move together. In the future, our industrial zone will be concentrated in one big park, and we won't have to pay rent to anyone."

These two places will be prime locations in the future and it is impossible for them to be used as factories forever. Zhu Xuefeng decided to follow the changes in the world and, after the shipyards and docks are moved away, this place will be built into a large-scale integrated real estate with residential areas, commercial streets and squares.

"There's no chance to build a hotel yet, and you're planning an industrial park. Master, you're moving too fast. I really can't keep up."

There are still many sites suitable for development in the centre of Hong Kong. Those that are of a certain scale are all included in the development plan of the Hong Kong government. Those that remain are not of a certain scale but are just small pieces. They cannot become large-scale industrial zones, unless the North District and Yuen Long District close to Guangzhou are developed. However, industry is now mainly concentrated in the south, and ports and airports are also concentrated in the Kowloon Peninsula. The logistics costs are obviously not appropriate.

We can only wait until the reclamation plan begins to be implemented and many places are opened up on a large scale. It is difficult for Zhu Xuefeng to wait that long. Who knows, the land price will increase dramatically by then. He has not made up his mind where to place the industrial zone. So he decided to do something about these two industrial zones first.

"By the way, did you say yesterday that there was something urgent that needed to be arranged?"

Wu Qianqian blushed when she thought of the ridiculous things that happened yesterday.

"Chen Dong and his team sent us news that the mining procedures for Nauru have been completed. We can continue mining until 20 years later, with an annual mining fee of 600,000."

"Only 600,000? Did they really agree to sign for 20 years?"

Zhu Xuefeng was very surprised. This is only 100,000 more expensive than others, but it is 20 years old! Aren't these people said to be very cunning? They are reluctant to sell it. 20 years is only 12 million US dollars. This is more suitable than selling it.

"Well, there is also a 17% transaction tax. You can dig as much as you want, and you have to pay a mining fee in advance every year."

That's right. The more you dig, the more you pay. This group of people even came up with a guano trading tax, which surprised Zhu Xuefeng.

“Were there taxes before?”

"I heard from Chen Dong and his people that there was no tax before, and they were eager for someone to help them dig it so that they could build the island. This was newly added this year. At first, the islanders wanted to set a tax of 25%, but the Germans refused. According to their scale last year, they would have to lose money if the tax was increased. Now it has been reduced to 17%. I heard that the Germans are not very interested now. If they can't find enough workers, this business will not make much money for them. Chen Dong hesitated for a long time before agreeing to sign."

Zhu Xuefeng had given him a budget, and this price plus taxes would be no problem. There are now hundreds of thousands of idle laborers in Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong. As long as the price is right, recruiting a few thousand people will not be a problem. The Hong Kong government would probably be happy to get rid of such a big trouble.

These people now have to collect fresh water and food at designated times and places every day with the card numbers issued by the Hong Kong government. Although each person can only barely get half full, the large population base is also a heavy burden for the Hong Kong government.

"But Chen Dong and his team specifically asked me to ask what to do with the guano they dug up. I heard that you didn't ask him to sell it to New Ceylon and Kangaroo Country. They are now preparing to come back to recruit people, and they will probably be able to go there by the end of the year. Where will the guano be shipped to by then?"

Zhu Xuefeng originally planned to transport it to the autonomous region, but this is not very realistic. The current sea transportation between the autonomous region and the outside world is not connected at all. It is estimated that expansion westward to the sea will have to wait until next year, and it will take even longer to build the road.

"Don't worry. It will take time for them to buy equipment and prepare a resettlement site. Besides, the contract will not start until next year. Let them dig up the guano and store it first. If we can reach an agreement with the shipyard, we will build a fertilizer plant as soon as possible. This is very important. I have a great use for this guano."

Wu Qianqian was very surprised. What great use could bird droppings have? Using them as fertilizer was a good choice.

Seeing that Wu Qianqian didn't understand, Zhu Xuefeng felt that there were no servants nearby, and then whispered, "These bird droppings can be used to make fertilizers, which are urgently needed by the autonomous region and the country. Another thing is that this thing can be used to produce high explosives, which is the fundamental thing."

"Explosives?" Wu Qianqian was shocked and asked in confusion. "Master, you said these bird droppings can be used to make explosives?"

"Of course, otherwise, why would I let Chen Dong and his men travel thousands of miles to dig this stuff? Although fertilizer is good, it's not impossible to buy it now."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that phosphate is formed by the phosphating deposition of guano and is an important material for making fertilizers and explosives.

"Let me tell you briefly that guano phosphating itself is a type of phosphate ore deposition and a relatively rare diagenetic process."

Wu Qianqian didn't understand this at all, so Zhu Xuefeng had to continue explaining.

"The liquid of guano is rich in phosphates. After the phosphates are concentrated and reprecipitated in limestone, they form guano phosphate fossils or original phosphate shell fragments. These can be used to make explosives after being refined. Do you understand?"

"I don't understand. I've already given back to the teacher what little chemistry I learned. Anyway, I can just make explosives. Why would I need to know that?"

Wu Qianqian tried to sound relaxed, but she was a little worried. The master wanted to manufacture arms in Hong Kong. Wasn't this a bit too far-fetched? Would the Hong Kong government agree? Would he do it without telling the Hong Kong government? Could he keep it a secret? It didn't seem realistic.

Seeing Wu Qianqian's expression, he knew she was worried. Zhu Xuefeng smiled and said, "What are you thinking about? Xiangjiang only refines and produces fertilizers. There is an arsenal in the autonomous region now. We can refine it and send it over there to do the work."

"Then it seems that we really need to negotiate this shipyard as soon as possible. Otherwise, if Chen Dong really wants to find someone to mine, there will be no place to store it."

According to Zhu Xuefeng's backup plan, the worst that could happen was that they would be stored in the space first. However, he did not want the space to be full of bird droppings, as there were a large number of cultural relics stored in it. Now, as an unexpected surprise, there is hope for the shipyard and dock, and fertilizers can be refined and produced in Hong Kong. The production conditions here are certainly better than those in the autonomous region.

As for the refined phosphate, it would be much easier to transport it back to the autonomous region. In this way, the raw materials urgently needed for the rocket launcher would be complete, the autonomous region would have another way to make money, and he could also repay the prince's favor. (End of this chapter)