Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 197 Preparing to Wrap Up Filming

"Tesla is an independent brand of our Guojun Group, and it is also the first car brand in Hong Kong, thanks to the Governor's many efforts in the past..."

Upon meeting, Chen Jiajun immediately began to fawn over him.

Although both sides were already aware of each other's existence, this was the first time the Governor of Hong Kong had seen Chan Ka-Chun in person. The last time, Chan stood him up at the Justice of the Peace awarding ceremony.

As the saying goes, one cannot hit a smiling face. Mai Lihao smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, you are too kind. You did a better job. I often hear the name Guojun. Guojun Academy in Tuen Mun is doing a good job."

"We were just doing some small things that we, as Hong Kong entrepreneurs, should do."

Chen Jiajun responded with a humble smile.

“Governor Malihao, please come with me.”

As soon as Chen Jiajun led everyone to the double-decker bus, he started spouting nonsense:

"This is a double-decker bus that our Guojun team has painstakingly developed over ten years, a Tesla T1 model, with a V8 turbocharged engine, displacement..."

Anyway, you can brag no matter how awesome you are.

Mai Lihao interrupted her ruthlessly, saying, "As far as I know, Guojun Group was only established last year."

Chen Jiajun was temporarily staying in Bengbu, and the atmosphere became quite awkward...

Lu Yongyu, Lu Yeqiang, and the others didn't know how to respond.

Chen Jiajun, quick-witted, pulled over Wrenchman En and explained, "Our engineer Wrenchman En has been studying the automotive field for ten years."

"Hung Hing Tuen Mun's FIT boss, the wrench guy?"

Mai Lihao looked at the short, wrench-wielding man in front of her and chuckled.

He was clearly familiar with Chen Jiajun's true identity and the structure of the Hung Hing Group.

Chen Jiajun stayed in Bengbu again. Will this conversation even continue?

Governor Mak Lai-ho gestured and said, "Continue."

"This is the culmination of ten years of dedicated effort from our Guojun team..."

Chen Jiajun repeated what he had just said.

"Is the fuel tank that big?" Mai Lihao asked curiously.

“That’s right!” Chen Jiajun opened the car door and entered the interior of the bus, where one’s eyes were immediately drawn to its modernity.

Whether it's space utilization or the equipment inside the bus, it's far superior to the current buses of minibuses and KMB.

The second floor of the double-decker bus, in particular, is very transparent due to the extensive use of glass.

After the bus tour, the next professional part was handed over to Wrenchman En, who proudly stated:

"Our Guojun Group's Tesla T1 buses have developed the RSC vehicle rollover prevention system to prevent rollovers when cornering..."

After the explanation, Governor Mak Lai-ho was completely bewildered. He understood one thing: the vehicle was designed to prevent rollover.

Due to road design issues, buses in Hong Kong frequently overturn. In addition, double-decker buses have a fatal weakness of a high center of gravity, making them much less controllable when cornering at high speeds compared to single-decker buses of the same length.

But Mai Lihao still had some doubts. In terms of technology, buses are definitely not as sophisticated as cars. However, a car is still a car. Without reputation and testing, who knows how well it performs?

When he raised his concerns, Chen Jiajun waved his hand and said, "How about this, Governor Mai Lihao, we'll show you around and let you experience the Tesla bus."

"Okay." Wrench started the bus immediately.

"Shouldn't we let the professionals test this?"

Governor Mak Lai-ho was immediately terrified, as he did not want to be used as a guinea pig.

“Governor Mai Lihao, don’t worry. You sit tight and hold on to the handrail. I’m sitting in the front of the car. If anything happens, I’ll be the first one to be hurt.” Chen Jiajun said, sitting down in the front of the car.

The vehicle doors slowly closed, and the Hong Kong Governor, Mak Lai-ho, who had been tricked, along with senior executives from China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus, had no choice but to find a seat and settle down.

"Roar."

A roar like a bellows filled the air, demonstrating the Tesla Bus's powerful engine. Everyone leaned back involuntarily as the Tesla Bus shot forward, sending a strong surge of power through them.

Once on Tuen Mun Highway, the scenery on both sides of the window rushed past, but to everyone's surprise, apart from the commotion when the bus started, there was no noise inside the bus.

The air conditioning delivers refreshing coolness, and the ergonomic hard plastic seats, while not as comfortable as genuine leather sofas, are sufficient for a bus.

"Slow down, slow down."

Transport Director Yan Dunli turned pale as he watched the bus weaving past other vehicles on Tuen Mun Highway.

Ignoring the wrench, he overtook a Mercedes.

Everyone escaped unharmed, but before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, a sharp bend appeared ahead, and the car's speed increased instead of decreasing.

"Slow down, the speed is already over 50."

"No, no. It's going to tip over."

Screams echoed throughout the bus.

As the bend drew closer, many people couldn't help but close their eyes.

Yan Dunli quickly shielded Governor Mak Lai-ho, his eyes wide with surprise.

They could clearly feel the car tilting, and their bodies were being involuntarily thrown to the side. Centrifugal force was constantly assaulting their senses, but the next moment...

"boom."

The car landed with a slight sound.

"You're sitting on the first floor now, but the second floor will be much more exciting."

Wrench En let out a strange, creaking laugh and took a puff of his cigar.

Everyone finally understood what an anti-rollover system was. At that speed, a regular double-decker bus would have already overturned.

But the Tesla bus performed exceptionally well.

After undergoing a series of perilous tests, the Tesla bus slowly pulled up in front of the Tesla factory in Tuen Mun.

When everyone got off the bus, they felt as if they were floating on air, their steps unsteady.

Chen Jiajun looked at everyone with confidence and said, "Everyone, how did Tesla perform in the performance test just now?"

"It's good, but it feels like my brain has been smashed."

Transport Commissioner Yan Dunli was pale.

Governor Mak Lai-ho realized that Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus were preparing to expand their businesses, replace their buses with double-decker buses, and improve the group's service level... Where would the buses they purchased come from? They would come from Tesla.

As Tesla is a new company, Kowloon Motor Bus Group and China Motor Bus Group invited him to visit the factory, with the aim of letting Governor Mak Lai-ho experience it firsthand and dispel public doubts.

As an Englishman, Mai Lihao knew that England's automotive industry was very developed, but he was well aware that his base was in Hong Kong.

If Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus purchase a large number of buses from Tesla, it could boost business confidence in Hong Kong, and a single car company can drive a wide range of upstream and downstream industries.

He looked at Chen Jiajun and asked, "Mr. Chen, how much does a Tesla double-decker bus of this type cost?"

"One million per unit. Our benchmark product is the O305 double-decker bus produced by Mercedes-Benz in West Germany. In terms of price, we are 200,000 Hong Kong dollars cheaper than them, and our buses also have many advantages..."

Chen Jiajun pondered for a moment before answering.

Mai Lihao looked at China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus Group, "How many double-decker buses are the two groups planning to purchase?"

“3000 units. 1000 units from KMB Group, 1000 units from China Motor Corporation, and another 1000 units from our joint venture, Sunshine Bus Company. Governor Mak Lai-ho, since the total procurement amount has reached 30 billion yuan, we need to use the development funds of the two groups, and we also need to take out a loan from HSBC.”

"That's what KMB Group's Tang Wing-keung replied."

"One more thing, our two groups are public service groups. Governor Meryl Streep, could you help us apply to HSBC for a reduction in some of the interest?"

Lu Yongyu added from the side.

After pondering for a moment, Mai Lihao looked at Yan Dunli of the Transportation Department and asked, "What is Director Yan's opinion?"

"We at the Transport Department agree in principle to use the development fund, but the final decision rests with Governor Meryl Streep," Yan Dunli replied, having received many benefits from Chen Jiajun.

After a moment's consideration, Mak Lai-ho realized that this was a win-win situation and immediately said, "The Hong Kong government will use its resources to help the two groups reduce the interest rates when borrowing from HSBC. However, your two groups must put some effort into bus operations."

“Yes,” Deng Yongqiang, Lu Yongyu, and Wu Guangzheng replied immediately.

"In addition, Director Yan, please conduct some more safety tests on the Tesla T1 double-decker bus in the next few days."

Although Mai Lihao had just experienced it, he still had many concerns.

"Understood," Yan Dunli replied.

Lei Juekun, who was listening nearby, was dumbfounded. Did Kowloon Motor Bus, Chung Bus and Tesla really distinguish between each other?
Aren't they all backed by Hung Hing boss Jun?

Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and China Motor Bus (CMB) purchasing buses from Tesla are simply transferring money from one pocket to another. With ease, the tycoon Jun squandered the development funds accumulated by the KMB and CMB groups over the past decade…

Moreover, he even got the Governor of Hong Kong to come forward and get a loan from HSBC. How could Sir Michael Sandberg not give the Governor face?

As the former general manager of Kowloon Motor Bus Group, Lui Kwok-kwan even said that buses have very low technical content.

They usually purchase the chassis from well-known car manufacturers, and then manufacture the car body themselves.

With ease, tycoon Jun amassed a fortune of 30 billion.

Lei Juekun was amazed that someone could do business to this extent.

Seven days later.

The headlines of major newspapers in Hong Kong all reported that Kowloon Motor Bus, China Motor Bus, and Sunshine Bus had purchased 3000 double-decker buses from local Hong Kong bus company Tesla, with a total purchase amount of HK$30 billion. The company had used the development fund and also took out an interest-free loan of HK$20 billion from HSBC.

At the same time, the two bus groups joined forces to establish Sunshine Bus Company and invested heavily in Hong Kong to set up 1000 public bus stops.

Meanwhile, news that Sunshine Bus Company was preparing to launch multiple routes in the New Territories was also published in the newspapers.

According to sources, fares for residents of the New Territories and Kowloon are about half the price of fares offered by privately operated non-licensed bus companies in Hong Kong.

The news was immediately welcomed by residents of the New Territories and Kowloon.

However, Hong Kong's underworld was a scene of utter devastation.

It is important to know that many bus routes in Hong Kong were controlled by triads, a phenomenon that persisted for 40 years.

Sunshine Bus Company purchases the latest double-decker buses and deploys them in the New Territories and Kowloon markets. The fares are half the price of those buses, and they also provide bus stop services. How can these privately operated buses compete with the big corporations?

Cutting prices in half to compete with Sunshine Bus Company for market share?
Wo Luen Shing, Tsuen Wan branch.

Big D took a drag of his cigarette and threw the newspaper on the ground: "Damn Hung Hing, their ticket prices are only half of ours. How are Sunshine Bus Company supposed to make a living?"

As one of the most popular gang leaders in Wo Luen Shing in recent years, Big D had already accumulated his initial wealth through bus routes. Even without relying on the bus routes from Tsuen Wan to East Kowloon, he could still live comfortably.

But this is, after all, an income of ten to twenty million yuan per year.

"Brother D, Boss Jun is not letting us live!" Longhair, Big D's leader, angrily shouted.

"Big D, what do we do?"

"Brother D, you need to think of something quickly!"

At this time, bus drivers from multiple minibus routes from Tsuen Wan to East Kowloon, as well as the head of the Luen Shing Tong triad, all came to the door.

As the most popular branch leader of Wo Luen Shing in recent years, Big D knows that with the change of leadership in Wo Luen Shing imminent, he must resolve this matter, otherwise it will damage his personal prestige and be detrimental to the election of the new leader.

Taking a deep drag on his cigarette and stubbing it out, Big D said, "Stop arguing, will arguing solve anything?"

“I went to Lui Kwok-kwan of KMB Group to act as an intermediary and negotiate with Boss Jun. We will continue to operate as usual these days.”

At this moment, Chen Jiajun, having finished his bus business, was at the Diamond Hill film set.

During this period, he has been busy acquiring Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus Group, and has not been able to check on the filming progress of "A Better Tomorrow" for some time.

Just as I arrived at the film set, Lei Juekun called: "Young Master Jun, Big D from Luen Shing Tsuen Wan would like to invite you out for tea. Are you free?"

"How much did you take for tea?" Chen Jiajun asked Lei Juekun with a smile.

"It's just a small amount, 50 taels of silver. I'm just acting as a middleman." Lei Juekun knew that he also had a share in Sunshine Bus, so he couldn't possibly side with outsiders.

"How many bus routes does Big D control now? And which triads control the bus routes in the New Territories?"

After pondering for a moment, Chen Jiajun asked.

Lei Juekun explained very clearly that, as the general manager of Kowloon Motor Bus, he knew who controlled the bus routes in the New Territories:

"Big D controls the area from Tsuen Wan to Sha Tin, and from Tsuen Wan to Yau Tsim Mong... As for the Sha Tin area, it's all owned by Cheung Leung-sing of the Sha Tin Sports Association. Cheung Leung-sing is the son-in-law of Sun Kee's Four-Eyed Dragon and one of the Four Tigers of Sun Kee..."

Cheung Leung-sing's father is Cheung Yan-lung, the former chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk in the New Territories. Cheung Yan-lung and Luk Wong-fat don't get along...

"Jun Shao, if you really want to get your hands on all the bus routes in the New Territories, you'll definitely have to deal with the Cheung family in the New Territories. As for Big D from Luen Shing, that's secondary."

The history of Hong Kong's triad societies is very complex.

Throughout the New Territories, the Luk surname is the most common surname, followed by the Cheung surname.

Before Lu Huangfa made his fortune, Zhang Renlong was the undisputed leader of the entire Heung Yee Kuk in the New Territories.

Who exactly is Zhang Renlong?

King of the New Territories, MBE awarded by the Queen of England, Justice of the Peace of the New Territories, veteran of the New Territories political arena.

Zhang Renlong was a close family friend of Xiang Qian, the father of Si Yanlong. Zhang Renlong's second wife was also the behind-the-scenes financier of Xinji. Zhang Renlong's biological son, Zhang Liangsheng, was one of the four tigers of Xinji.

Zhang Renlong also has a very famous son, who is said to be Li Xiaolong's successor. He is a famous martial arts star with the stage name Fu Sheng.

The success of Sun Kee's Sha Tin World was also due to the efforts of Cheung Yan-lung behind the scenes. Cheung Leung-sing and the Ling family set up a "Tsang Tai-wu United Walled Village Sports Association" in Sha Tin, which was called the Sha Tin Sports Association for short. The Sha Tin Sports Association appeared to be a sports organization, but in reality, it was full of Sun Kee's people.

The Sun Kee Association used the name of the sports association to win over local gangsters and gain their support, making it difficult for other triads to get involved in Sha Tin.

Geographically, Sha Tin has more convenient transportation than places like Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

In the past few years, real estate developers have had their eyes on this prime location.

Among them, Lee Siu-kei, the fourth uncle of the major shareholder of China Motor Corporation and the future richest man in Hong Kong, invested in Shatin First City in Shatin.

“Zhang Renlong, Hong Kong Eagle’s number one lackey, alright, I know. As the leader of Hung Hing, I personally went to negotiate with Big D, which is giving him too much face. I’ll give Brother Kun a call and have him contact you.”

"clear."

Chen Jiajun chuckled softly, hung up the phone, and then called Liang Kun to explain the matter to him.

"Hey, congratulations on becoming the bus king!"

When Dafei saw his elder brother coming over, he quickly led Zeng Ziwei and the others over and handed him a Davidoff cigar.

How's filming progressing?

Chen Jiajun took the cigar, and Zeng Ziwei took out a blowtorch lighter to light the cigar for the boss.

"Ah Da, filming is almost finished."

Chen Jiajun hasn't been to the set for two months, while Dafei has been coming to the set to keep track of the progress whenever he has free time.

"Chen Sheng."

When Chen Jiajun led everyone into the film set, the staff of "A Better Tomorrow" kept bowing to him and greeting him.

"It's nothing, I just came to check on things. You guys continue, it's on me tonight."

Chen Jiajun waved to the crowd.

“Ah Jun.”

Just then, a handsome young man ran over. This man was none other than He Xin's biological son, He Tianbao.

"Tianbao, since you're here too, don't leave. It's my treat tonight."

He Tianbao is a well-known doting brother. After He Tian'er got a minor role in A Better Tomorrow, He Tianbao went to the film set every day to bring her sweet drinks and takeout.

“Okay.” He Tianbao smiled broadly.

That evening, we finished work.

Chen Jiajun drove a Mercedes-Benz six-wheel SUV, carrying director Wu Yusen, lead actors Chow Yun-fat and Leslie Cheung, and others to Kowloon.

"Senzi, how's the filming progress?"

On the way, Chen Jiajun smoked a cigar and asked about work.

When the boss asked about the work progress, Wu Yusen replied, "We expect to wrap up in seven more days. Kun, Xu Ke, and I are planning to book a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui for our wrap party. You absolutely have to come, boss!"

Thanks to thorough pre-production work and the strong support of director Chen Jiajun, the filming of "A Better Tomorrow" proceeded very quickly.

Chen Jiajun said with satisfaction, "Let me know about the wrap party. Also, have Hung Hing Films produce the posters immediately. The new buses from KMB and New World First Bus will soon be put into service, and the bus stops are under construction. I will use the bus group's resources to advertise 'A Better Tomorrow'."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yusen hesitated somewhat: "Boss, won't we be spending too much on advertising?"

"not much."

"The filming costs of 'A Better Tomorrow' have already been covered by advertising fees from major brands, and the box office is pure profit. It is only right for us to spend more money on advertising now."

"In addition, you can edit another trailer and put in the exciting scenes. I will then send it to ATV and TVB for advertising."

"Yes, I understand."

Wu Yusen nodded firmly, relieved.

(End of this chapter)