Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 150 Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game)!
Regarding Hong Kong in the 1980s, Chen Jiajun's most vivid memories are of the acquisition battles between Wharf Holdings, Caring Group, and Hutchison Whampoa.

In other words, Chen Jiajun's magic touch has come to an end.

With his HK$30 billion in funds, it was simply not enough to compete with the behemoth that was Jardine Matheson.

Therefore, this is the main reason why he wanted to form a landlords' association.

Faced with this choice—weapons and guns versus twenty million—everyone knew which to choose.

Sima Xiang asked again, "Mr. Chen, are you really planning to invest 30 billion yuan in the stock market?"

HK$30 billion would be an astronomical figure whether it were in 2024 or 1980.

It should be noted that in 1972, Sir John Paul Woo invested HK$3 million in the Hung Hom Tunnel.

In 1978, Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Holdings was worth just over 6 million.

Currently, there are no more than ten people in Hong Kong who can come up with 30 billion in cash.

Chen Jiajun put down his teacup, smiled, and replied, "Strictly speaking, they are Japanese bank stocks."

Huang Shitong asked in bewilderment, "Why Japanese stocks?"

Chen Jiajun replied with a smile: "The reason is simple: Hong Kong's real estate economy is overheated, coupled with rising labor costs, manufacturing is slowly shifting to other countries and regions."

If this continues, the currency of a region without a real economy to support it will inevitably depreciate.

Since 1980, the aftereffects of Hong Kong's overheated economy have begun to gradually emerge, and the currency is depreciating at an accelerated pace.

During the Sino-British negotiations in 1983, the Hong Kong dollar had a different price every day, and at its peak, 1 US dollar could be exchanged for 9.6 Hong Kong dollars.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Chen Jiajun decided to take advantage of the current situation to withdraw some funds from Hong Kong to invest in Japan.

In the 1980s, after the basic completion of industrial transformation, Japan's economy entered a stage of capitalization.

During this period, the Japanese stock market experienced its largest bull market to date.

As Japan's economy has become more capitalized, industrial concentration has continued to rise across various sectors, with large enterprises rapidly growing and small and micro enterprises being eliminated from the market.

In the 80s, the most well-known companies were large Japanese manufacturing enterprises, such as Toyota and Honda in the automobile industry, and Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba in the home appliance industry.

However, many people may not know that at the time, the size of Japan's major banks was much larger than these well-known giant corporations.

Of the top 10 companies by market capitalization in the world in 1990, 8 were Japanese companies, and 6 of them were major Japanese banks.

The decade from 80 to 90 saw the biggest bull market in Japanese history.

During this 10-year bull market, the Japanese banking sector saw a gain of 831%, ranking first among all sectors.

After the Plaza Accord, the yen will appreciate even faster, and Japan will enter an unprecedented period of prosperity.

Investing in bank stocks on the Japanese stock market today, and then having that money return to Hong Kong a few years later, would be an astronomical sum.

Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong, and the others exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of shock in the other's eyes. As top-tier agents in Hong Kong, they naturally understood this as well.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to withdraw all their funds in time before the stock market crash.

And Chen Jiajun, a gang leader who came from a gangster background, was only twenty-three years old, yet he was able to perceive the subtle changes here.

It is clear that Chen Jiajun's previous three moves were not just a stroke of luck.

"Great! Mr. Chen! We support you!"

"Since you think so highly of us, Mr. Chen, we'll help you manage these three billion yuan!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Chen, there won't be any problems."

Huang Shitong, Sima Xiang, and others all gave a thumbs up, patted their chests, and were the first to express their support.

"it is good!"

"This money will be deposited into your accounts. Please exchange all the funds into Japanese yen and US dollars first."

“If you manage this money well for me, I will not treat you unfairly.”

"How about you receiving 10% of the stock as dividends in the future?"

Chen Jiajun nodded with a satisfied smile.

Huang Shitong and the others had no reason to refuse: "No problem, we'll do as Mr. Chen says."

The big boss gave them 20 million to split equally, and promised them a 10% stock dividend. All they had to do was manage some funds. There's nothing better in the world.

Even if the other party's true identity is the leader of Hung Hing, so what?
"Hahaha."

Chen Jiajun laughed heartily after getting the answer he wanted, handed the Browning card on the table to Yaqi, and then pointed to the two decks of cards next to the corner of the table, saying, "We're having a great chat, we haven't even played the cards yet."

"I invited you guys over to play cards, how can we not play cards? Play a few rounds, grab something to eat, and then you can leave."

There were already more than a dozen tea and snacks on the food cart next to us, but they hadn't been served yet.

Zhan Peizhong brought over several servings and then unfolded the playing cards.

Huang Shitong asked, "Mr. Chen, what do you like to play?"

"Dou Dizhu! I love playing Dou Dizhu!"

"Oh? Dou Dizhu?"

"Mr. Chen, so you also have this taste."

"We just love playing Dou Dizhu!"

Huang Shitong, Chen Zhan, and the others exchanged glances and smiled.

On that day, a landlord's association that would later stir up countless waves in the financial world was born.

However, most people only know the names of Zhan Peizhong, Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong and others in the landlords' association, but do not know who is in charge behind the scenes.

The card game didn't last long. Half an hour later, Chen Jiajun threw out a royal flush, winning the final hand. He lit a cigarette and, without asking Zhan Peizhong to shuffle the cards again, Huang Shitong and the others knew the game was over. Afterwards, Huang Shitong and the others got up and left the teahouse, while Zhan Peizhong, on Chen Jiajun's behalf, saw them off from Lu Yu Teahouse.

……

the next day.

The group booked a suite at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and agreed to play cards once a month to exchange industry secrets.

Chen Jiajun naturally wouldn't attend such a card game; Zhan Peizhong would represent him.

But if Chen Jiajun wants to see them, he will arrange for someone to pick them up privately.

Because illegal trading is very common in trading, and with the securities regulatory laws becoming more comprehensive, illegal trading is becoming increasingly commonplace.

This is not an intentional violation of the law, but rather a means to protect Chinese-owned companies.

Therefore, the group agreed that if the "Landlord Association" were ever investigated and it was unavoidable, the oldest member would step forward and take responsibility.

As the oldest person, Sima Xiang nodded in agreement to take on this responsibility for the big boss.

He believed that Chen Jiajun had enough power to protect himself!

Sima Xiang didn't know why he had such confidence in Chen Jiajun.

But whether it was industry elites like Zhan Peizhong and Huang Shitong, or top tycoons like Sir Pao and Li Ka-shing, they were all deeply impressed by Chen Jiajun's charm.

Perhaps it's because Boss Jun is born with an aura that inspires confidence.

A few days later.

The chairman's office on the top floor of Guojun Building.

Standing before Chen Jiajun, Zhan Peizhong solemnly reported, "Boss, the total amount of HK$29 billion has been distributed to the top brokers. It will be converted into US dollars within the next week, and then into Japanese yen to purchase Japanese bank stocks."

"I understand, sit down."

Chen Jiajun pointed to the spot in front of him, tossed a cigar to Zhan Peizhong, and said, "From now on, have them write a report every week, and then you can compile them and bring them to me."

"Yes!"

"The company has withdrawn so much capital that its working capital is somewhat insufficient, and it will need to purchase land from Hutchison Whampoa next."

Ah Zhong, please go to HSBC as soon as possible and get me a loan of one billion, okay?

The funds were distributed to Zhan Peizhong, Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong and others. The entire Hung Hing Group, including himself, had only 1.22 million in funds, which was an astronomical figure for ordinary people.

But it should be noted that Hung Hing currently has a total of 8 members.

In addition, the acquisition of land from Hutchison Whampoa will definitely not be enough.

“No problem.” Zhan Peizhong took the cigar.

"Jingle Bell!"

The cell phone rang.

"Mr. Chen, this is Li Jiacheng."

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao will arrive.

"Mr. Li, are you done with your work?"

Chen Jiajun leaned back in his boss's chair, legs crossed.

“The Hutchison Whampoa business is all done. I’ve booked a table at the Chun Wo Private Club for tomorrow. Have some of the older gentlemen from the New Territories come over so they can all get to know each other.”

About a week has passed since Cheung Kong Holdings acquired Hutchison Whampoa, and Li Ka-shing's tone still couldn't hide his smile.

"Row."

The elderly men in the New Territories usually have nothing to do and plenty of free time, so Chan Ka-Chun can make decisions for them.

……

The next day.

West Ring Road.

Before Hong Kong Island was captured by the Japanese army, the Shek Tong Tsui area in Sai Wan was the most famous red-light district and money-burning den in Hong Kong Island.

This place once housed countless brothels with elegant names inscribed by renowned literati, as well as numerous private clubs designed and built by foreign architects.

The crowds of admirers thronged the streets, while the young ladies, lonely and yearning for solace, sought a place to express their longing.

It is said that the Cantonese slang term "咸湿" (xián shī), used to describe a man's lustfulness, also originated in Shek Tong Tsui.

Historical records indicate that in the 20s, the ladies of Shek Tong Tsui often entertained coolies who worked at the nearby pier.

These men, sweating profusely from a long day of labor, their skin covered in salt crystals after being exposed to the sea breeze, reeked of salt and fish. Thus, the women described these pleasure-seeking men as "salty, wet men."

After it spread, it was widely used and has become a common expression among Chinese people all over the world.

After the Japanese army occupied Hong Kong Island, the once bustling and decadent Shek Tong Tsui was also reduced to ashes by the war.

Times have changed, and today's Shek Tong Tsui has lost all traces of its former glory. Although some private clubs and restaurants have reopened here, they are not as grand or impressive as the famous clubs before the war.

The only entertainment venue built here after the war that could rival the private clubs built before the war was the Chunhe Private Club.

This five-story building was designed by an English architect and its specifications were modeled after the Governor's House and the detached villas of high-ranking British officials.

The marble steps at the entrance are made of top-quality natural materials ordered from Italy. Even the glass in this clubhouse is imported thickened glass, with bronze window frames that can withstand the severe weather caused by typhoons that frequently occur on Hong Kong Island.

At this moment, in the café on the second floor of the club, several couples were chatting quietly, accompanied by the elegant jazz trumpet and soprano saxophone melodies of a small band.

(End of this chapter)