The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 796: An Inspection of Kuala Lumpur!
Lin Zhiyuan carefully studied the market data of Malaysia, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

He noted that Malaysia's middle class is growing rapidly, with per capita disposable income increasing by 28% over the past five years, which is a golden age for the retail industry.

“The consumption potential of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru is particularly outstanding.” The Southeast Asia Market Director pointed to the heat map on the screen and analyzed, “Especially in areas with large Chinese populations, consumption habits are very similar to those in China, and the consumption level is much higher than in China.”

The operations director added, "More importantly, the Malaysian government has just introduced the 'three-year tax reduction and two-year tax exemption' policy, which allows foreign investors to enjoy tax breaks for the first three years of their investment in Malaysia."

The legal team stated, "Although Malaysia has a diverse ethnic background, its society is stable, and its government has a higher level of efficiency than other countries, ensuring the security of investments."

Lin Zhiyuan finally made the decision: "We will send an advance team to Kuala Lumpur next week for on-site investigation!"

At the same time, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has also extended olive branches to Chinese companies.

The Malaysian Minister of Commerce personally sent invitations to major Chinese companies operating overseas, inviting them to visit and promising to provide one-stop service, assisting them throughout the entire process from site selection to opening.

This contrasted sharply with Wenlai's bureaucratic style, further strengthening Lin Zhiyuan's resolve.

On the flight to Kuala Lumpur, Lin Zhiyuan gazed at the azure Strait of Malacca outside the window, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his face.

He vaguely sensed that this trip to Malaysia would become the next breakthrough for expanding overseas markets.

Kuala Lumpur is actually not far from Lee Kappo. It is located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, adjacent to the northern shore of the Strait of Malacca. It is the Federal Territory and capital of Malaysia, and also one of the diplomatic centers of Southeast Asia.

With its unique charm, Kuala Lumpur has transformed from a small river town into a modern international metropolis.

Its rise is not only accompanied by a rich cultural history, but also inseparable from the city's economic and geographical development.

Before the Age of Exploration, Kuala Lumpur was just an obscure river mouth.

With the arrival of Western colonizers, it became the capital of Malaysia due to its unique geographical location, ushering in a development opportunity.

After its founding in 1860, Kuala Lumpur developed rapidly during the colonial period, especially with the construction of railways strengthening its position as a transportation hub.

The fusion of diverse cultures here has laid the foundation for its status as an international metropolis.

As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur's status was significantly elevated during the colonial period.

The colonial authorities devoted a great deal of effort to promoting infrastructure development here.

As early as 1892, the first railway connecting Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang was built, which greatly improved Kuala Lumpur's connectivity.

Over time, before the Japanese occupation during World War II, Kuala Lumpur's road network had become quite well-developed, making it an important land transportation hub connecting the three colonies.

As a transportation hub, Kuala Lumpur experienced rapid economic development, surpassing not only Klang, the then-state capital of Selangor, but also leading the economic prosperity of the surrounding areas.

As the city continued to grow, a large influx of people from the Malay Peninsula poured into Kuala Lumpur, gradually transforming the city into a metropolis dominated by immigrants and a blend of diverse cultures.

This rich urban cultural heritage lays a solid foundation for Kuala Lumpur to become a leading international metropolis in the future.

The Strait of Malacca, a body of water located between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, has been a vital maritime route connecting the East and the West since ancient times.

Today, it remains as bustling as ever, with merchant ships from all over the world shuttling back and forth, carrying endless trade and hope.

As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has naturally become the focus of development.

To further enhance Kuala Lumpur's status, "Malaysia" has brought together the nation's best resources here, making it the country's economic, political, and cultural center.

After getting off the plane, Lin Zhiyuan and his party checked into the five-star Four Seasons Hotel on Yelai Road.

The Four Seasons Hotel is also a foreign-invested enterprise, specifically a Hong Kong-invested enterprise.

This is a five-star chain hotel. It belongs to the Peninsula Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's three largest hotel groups, along with other famous hotel brands such as The Peninsula Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Regent Hong Kong, Shangri-La Hotel, Westinghouse Prince Hotels & Resorts (Japan), Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Korea), and Ramada Hotels (America).

The Peninsula Hotels & Resorts is now one of the world's top three hotel groups and the most diversified hotel group.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, it operates 13 hotel brands in 45 countries across six continents, with nearly 7000 hotels and more than 618,500 rooms.

The Peninsula Hotels & Resorts operates a full range of brands, from high-end luxury to award-winning budget hotels.

In addition to its headquarters in Hong Kong, the company also has offices in major countries and cities around the world, including London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, New Delhi, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, New York, Paris, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok, with a total of more than 100,000 employees.

The Peninsula Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest conglomerates controlled by Liu's Overseas Capital.

The business model is divided into two types: self-management and franchising. The franchising model has played a significant role in the Peninsula Hotels Group's global expansion. By combining the group's proprietary technology and diversified brand selection with the capital of hotel owners, it has achieved rapid market penetration in a short period of time.

However, "speed" is not the key to the success of The Peninsula Hotels Group. Its unique hotel management approach, adherence to globally unified service standards, and respect for localized differences under international standards are the reasons for The Peninsula Hotels Group's success.

As a global company, The Peninsula Hotels Group focuses on both a global perspective and local initiatives.

From positioning and facilities to services, its various hotel brands not only cater to international travelers but also strive to localize for both domestic and international travelers.

Even in different national cultural contexts, the Peninsula Hotels Group maintains specific and objective standards: it strives to understand the characteristics, preferences, and needs of travelers from different regions and at different levels, and while providing different products and services to travelers from different regions and at different levels, it also establishes its brand image through various localized marketing channels.

In addition, the Peninsula Hotels Group's robust operating system, its large-scale Peninsula Hotels rewards program, its excellent leadership talent pool, and its sound business philosophy are also multiple guarantees for its outstanding achievements.

Ramada Hotels, a brand under the Peninsula Hotels Group, has nearly 830 mid-to-upscale hotels worldwide, offering guests complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary high-speed internet access, and the opportunity to earn or redeem points through the Peninsula Rewards program.

Some Ramada hotels also offer in-store dining, lounges, room service, concierge services, meeting facilities, banquet facilities, and business centers.

The Liu family owns three major financial conglomerates and controls countless companies both domestically and internationally.

These companies enjoy preferential subsidies and other policies at their respective hotels when holding annual meetings, various events, product launches, employee business trips, vacations, and so on.

The "RT-Mart" Group is also a holding company of the Liu family, so Lin Zhiyuan and others also chose to travel to hotels under the "Peninsula Hotels Group".

There are only "four-star hotels" near Jalan Yap Ah Loy in Kuala Lumpur, and Jalan Yap Ah Loy was one of the destinations that Lim Chee Wan and his group inspected.

Today's Kuala Lumpur is a city that developed from the rise of the surrounding tin mining industry.

Jalan Yap Ah Loy, located in downtown Kuala Lumpur, is one of the oldest roads in Kuala Lumpur. It was built during Yap Ah Loy's tenure as Kapitan and consists of two muddy roads, namely a section of about 30 yards connecting Petaling Street and Ampang Lane.

Those familiar with history know that the earliest names of streets are often related to the unique culture and outstanding figures of the time and place. To understand the origin of the name Yap Ah Loy Street, the best way is to first understand who Yap Ah Loy was.

Yap Ah Loy came from Huizhou, Guangdong Province, and was the father of Kuala Lumpur's development. He went from being an immigrant who came from the south with nothing to becoming the builder and ruler of Kuala Lumpur.

In the mid-19th century, when the first wave of Chinese immigrants swept into British Malaya, an ordinary young man from Huizhou, Guangdong Province, followed the trend and came south to begin his struggle in Malaysia. He was Yap Ah Loy.

Looking back on Kuala Lumpur's more than 100-year history as a port, Jalan Yap Ah Loy is the first street in Kuala Lumpur named after a Chinese person. It has remained the same length since ancient times, has not been renamed, and has continued for a hundred years.

The three main ethnic groups in Kuala Lumpur are Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Among the approximately 1.8 million people in Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese make up more than 30%.

It is easy to see that both the Chinese people and Chinese culture hold an indispensable place in Kuala Lumpur.

It was midday.

Wu Dafang drove his Mercedes-Benz S600 with Lin Zhiyuan and his assistant to Wei Ji Fried Rice Restaurant, a few kilometers away from the Four Seasons Hotel.

A dish of Hakka fried pork, a grouper, a plate of scrambled eggs, and a bowl of white rice—this was a simple meal that the fifty-something-year-old Malaysian "Diamond King" hosted for his guests.

"This Hakka cuisine is authentic and affordable, and the owner is a familiar place, so I come here often."

Wu Dafang is the founder and chairman of the board of directors of "Dome Gold & Diamond Jewelry" in Malaysia. His ancestral home is Meixian, Guangdong Province. He was born in Malacca and belongs to the second generation of Malaysian Chinese.

He was successively conferred the titles of "Datuk" and "Tan Sri," which are special honors bestowed upon prominent figures in the business or political spheres in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, with a population of 27 million, Malays make up 60% and are the largest ethnic group, controlling Malaysian politics. Chinese make up nearly 30% and are the largest immigrant ethnic group, yet they control the Malaysian economy.

Lin Zhiyuan and his group had come from afar and were unfamiliar with the area, so they needed to visit the local bigwigs.

Through the introduction of Zhou Wen, manager of "Liu's Overseas Capital" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Lin Zhiyuan visited Dato' Wu Dafang, a Chinese businessman.

There are 300 million Chinese in Kuala Lumpur, and Wu Dafang is one of the high-ranking members of the Chinese community.

With Wu Dafang's help, RT-Mart supermarket group's expansion in Kuala Lumpur will be much more efficient.

While pouring tea for Lin Zhiyuan, Wu Dafang said in Mandarin with a Hakka accent, "Mr. Lin is new here, why don't you try this Hakka fried pork first?"

We Hakka people value "fat, salty, and fragrant" flavors, and this dish is a secret recipe passed down for three generations.

The intense sunlight outside the window filtered through the palm leaves, casting dappled shadows on the dining table.

During the meeting, Wu Dafang gave a detailed introduction to the retail landscape in Kuala Lumpur: "The supermarket industry here is divided into three major camps - local Malay capital, Chinese conglomerates and international chains."

To gain a foothold, it is essential to penetrate the markets of the three major demographic groups.

Just then, the waiter brought over a plate of golden and crispy fried meat.

Wu Dafang suddenly lowered his voice: "Next month, Kuala Lumpur will auction off a plot of land in the Bukit Bintang shopping district. I've received word that the Japanese Aeon Group is also eyeing it." He dipped his finger in a special sauce and drew a simple map of the shopping district on a napkin. "If RT-Mart can acquire this land, they can build a flagship store in a prime location."

Lin Zhiyuan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over the yellowed old photos on the restaurant wall.

In the photo, a young Yeh Ah Lai stands on a muddy street, with a simple tin mine worker's shed behind him.

More than a century later, the street named after him has become the most bustling commercial artery in Kuala Lumpur.

At this moment, the melodious greetings drifted in from outside the window, mingling with the Cantonese conversations inside the tea restaurant, a microcosm of the city's diverse culture.

Lin Zhiyuan is not familiar with Malaysia. If RT-Mart wants to enter Kuala Lumpur and compete with locals for the market, it is simply impossible without being familiar with the local situation.

Wu Dafang then told him in detail about the history of Kuala Lumpur and the history of the struggles of generations of Chinese.

“Without Yap Ah Loy, there would be no Kuala Lumpur,” said Wu Dafang. As the “King of Kuala Lumpur” and the city builder of the Malaysian city-state, Yap Ah Loy’s legend is widely circulated among the Chinese in Southeast Asia.

Yap Ah Loy was born in 1837 in Danshui, Huiyang, Guangdong Province. He only attended a private school for two years. At the age of 17, in 1854 (the fourth year of the Xianfeng Emperor's reign in the Qing Dynasty), he went to Malaysia with 18 copper coins in his pocket and worked as a miner, shop assistant, cook, peddler, and even bodyguard.

In 1857, 87 Chinese laborers sailed up the Klang River along the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in small boats and discovered "tin ore"—tin sand—at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers.

After that, Malaya flourished thanks to the tin mining and rubber industries, and at that time, the colony brought in a large number of Chinese laborers to Southeast Asia to do hard labor.

"The maintenance of the Malay states depends entirely on the tax revenue from tin mines... Among those who work in tin mines, the overseas Chinese are the foremost."

As a result of their efforts, half of the world's tin consumption was supplied by the peninsula.

Their talents and labor have made the Malay Peninsula what it is today.

"In fact, as early as the Han Dynasty, Chinese people began to come to Malaysia. The number of Chinese people came to Malaysia increased during the Tang and Song Dynasties. However, most of them came and went because there is an old Chinese saying: 'Fallen leaves return to their roots.'"

“Back then, mining was all done by gangs, which today would be a bit like organized crime. Yap Ah Loy was a gang leader,” Wu Dafang continued. He added that Fujianese people who came to Malaysia controlled the fishing and transportation sectors, while Hakka people from Guangdong controlled the commerce sector.

By 1869, at the age of 32, Yap Ah Loy had distinguished himself and was appointed as a Chinese "Kapitan" by the local Sultan, in charge of the administration of Kuala Lumpur, the "muddy estuary," and the tin mines.

However, his career was not smooth. The small town of Kuala Lumpur, which was gradually developed by Chinese laborers mining, had docks, shops and streets. However, due to the local lords fighting for mining taxes, civil war broke out frequently. Between 1870 and 1873, Kuala Lumpur was lost twice and burned three times. Mine collapsed, shops were looted, houses were burned, and people's hearts were scattered.

Yap Ah Loy raised low-interest loans from the Selangor authorities to restore tin mining production and install steam-powered pumps to increase the tin mining rate. He then added mining tools, repair workshops, quarries, brick and tile factories, tin mine wharves, cargo ships and other supporting facilities.

However, in January 1881, a major fire broke out in Kuala Lumpur, burning down more than 220 houses, and in December, a major flood washed away more than 90 newly built shops and residences.

Over the past 10 years, Kuala Lumpur's richest man and Chief Executive Yap Ah Loy has worked tirelessly, like a busy ant, to rebuild the city time and time again.

Wu Dafang said that his own experience was extremely similar to that of Ye Yalai—he went to primary school barefoot, sold vegetables on a bicycle to finish junior high school, opened a gold jewelry store, and also encountered a fire that caused his business to collapse, as well as the predicament of shareholders pulling away their staff to start anew. However, the resilience and adaptability to harsh environments that are common among Chinese people ultimately enabled him to overcome difficulties and create a gold and diamond kingdom.

There's a saying among people from Fujian: "Of ten who leave their hometowns, six survive, three die, and one returns home."

“By now, the Malaysian Chinese have reached the fifth generation. There are still a few second-generation Chinese, who are probably in their eighties or nineties. Most of them are third or fourth generation.”

Wu Dafang said that the earliest Chinese to come to Malaysia were those who mined, established rubber plantations, and engaged in overseas trade. A considerable number of Chinese also became artisans, such as tailors, shoemakers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, sculptors, locksmiths, painters, bricklayers, and weavers.

Many overseas Chinese were also engaged in agriculture, horticulture, and fishing. Later, they shifted towards commerce and service industries, establishing banks, engaging in finance, opening restaurants, and developing tourism.

(End of this chapter)