1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 627 The End of Great Britain!
Deep Water Bay, Bao family mansion.

After Li Changhe came back, he came to the Bao family's mansion, had a meal, and wanted to talk to Bao Yugang about going to the capital.

"I already know that you are planning to go back. The New H Club sent an invitation, and it specifically states that you are invited as well."

"Are you planning to go back and invest openly as a Hong Kong businessman?"

In the study, Bao Yugang dismissed everyone else and started talking to Li Changhe alone in the study.

In a private environment, Li Changhe no longer concealed it.

"Uncle, I have a lot of money on hand now. It is difficult to keep up with the country's construction needs by just transferring money privately, so I must invest it back in an open and aboveboard way."

"Moreover, if there are too many private transactions, it will eventually attract investigations from interested parties. With HSBC's strength, as long as they investigate carefully, they will always be able to find clues."

After listening to Li Changhe, Bao Yugang nodded gently: "What you said makes sense. It is indeed not appropriate to rely on private payments all the time!"

"So what areas do you want to invest in this time when you go back?"

"On the surface, I am mainly discussing shipbuilding and ship purchasing with the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building."

Bao's main business nowadays is still shipping. The country invited him in the hope that Bao Yugang could place some shipping orders, improve the country's shipbuilding level, and earn foreign exchange by the way.

Of course, this is only apparent.

"Besides that, I may have to discuss shipping cooperation with the mainland, but I haven't thought about the details yet!"

Bao Yugang continued at this time.

For any country, shipping is an indispensable transportation resource. After all, in this era, the transportation of bulk goods still mainly relies on shipping.

This is also the reason why Bao Yugang is always a guest of honor at the heads of state of countries around the world. Shipping is too important for the development of a country.

Whether his materials are going out or raw materials are being brought in, shipping is required.

However, due to some special reasons, domestic shipping has not developed in the past years. At this time, it is extremely important to rely on external transportation conditions.

So Bao Yugang went there to discuss ship orders on the surface, but privately, he might have been discussing shipping business.

"Uncle, you can't talk about this, right?"

Li Changhe said with some surprise.

Shipbuilding and buying ships are fine, but in terms of shipping, Li Changhe feels that Bao Yugang can not provide much help.

The reason lies in the transportation mode problem of global shipping.

Although Bao Yugang's Global Shipping now ranks first in the world in terms of total tonnage, his shipping model is a financial model, renting out ships for long periods of time and relying mainly on rental income.

In other words, most of his ships are leased out rather than operated by himself, which means that a large part of his fleet's capacity is in the hands of tenants rather than himself.

This is a completely different operating method from the self-operated model of another shipping king, Dong.

"Yes, this is also where I am a little helpless. My fleet may seem large, but in fact the shipping capacity I control is limited. I am also thinking about whether there is a way to have the best of both worlds."

Bao Yugang said helplessly.

He wanted to help the country expand its overseas shipping capacity, but his operating model determined that he could not provide much help.

Li Changhe was also thinking.

For the country, the issue of maritime transportation must be resolved, including the development of its own long-distance shipping fleet in the future.

However, developing one's own long-distance fleet is a cyclical process, from personnel training to ship building, to the operation of offices around the world, especially offices in countries such as Europe and the United States, which all have their own set of rules.

The country did not have much contact with Europe and the United States in the past, so it had to figure out these operating rules step by step, and then slowly build its own ocean-going fleet to Europe and the United States.

Therefore, in this business, the country needs a company that plays the role of a "teacher".

Combining the memories of his previous life in his mind, Li Changhe can now deduce that the main force that later helped the country to do these things should be the fleet of Dong Chuanwang.

As for whether Bao's Global Shipping contributed, he was not sure. After all, such matters could not be made public.

Li Changhe remembered that due to the impact of the oil crisis in the past two years, the Dong family's shipping company was heavily in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy, because the Dong family's fleet was a self-operated model, and they took orders and earned the freight.

Moreover, one of Dong Ship King's preferences is to purchase large ships. He believes that large ships have a greater ability to carry cargo, and the number of crew members is similar, so the same crew members can earn more freight.

However, this model was greatly affected after the oil crisis.

When Dong's Orient Overseas was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was said that Mr. Huo extended a helping hand and helped it survive.

Later, Dong’s Orient Overseas was sold directly to COSCO Shipping.

Therefore, Li Changhe estimated that the chicken that the country was using to lay eggs was most likely the Dong family’s fleet.

"Uncle, does Third Uncle's company have any plans to expand?"

Li Changhe suddenly asked at this time.

Bao Yugang was quite surprised at this time and said: "Are you talking about Yuxing's company?"

Bao Yugang's third brother, Bao Yuxing, also runs a shipping company, but its scale is not as big as Bao Yugang's.

"Yes, it is very difficult for Global Shipping to provide shipping capacity to the country, because many of Global Shipping's ships are leased, and HSBC is also a shareholder of Global Shipping."

"If you make it too obvious, HSBC might notice it."

"I think it's just right to use Third Uncle's company."

"If Third Uncle wants to expand, I can inject capital or borrow money, and then let him order ships for expansion. I can let him buy back the company's shares slowly."

"Then I will use my third uncle's shipping company to help the country train some ocean-going talents."

"Besides, you and your third uncle are brothers, so it's normal for part of Global Shipping's global resources to work closely with his company. What do you think?"

Li Changhe said thoughtfully at this time.

He was not very familiar with Bao Yuxing, but Li Changhe estimated that Bao Yuxing should be able to guess his identity. After all, Bao Yuxing knew very well whether the Bao family had that relative or not.

After listening to this, Bao Yugang nodded thoughtfully: "Actually, my father and I have considered using Yuxing's company, but the problem before is that Yuxing's company is too small."

"It's not appropriate for me to transfer my money to him now. After all, if I really do that, anyone with a discerning eye will see that it's completely a cover-up!"

"But if you come forward, Ayang, I think the problem won't be that big. Your business has nothing to do with mine, nor with Yuxing's company. Your investment in him is a cooperation between you and your nephew, which is actually a good protection." "But shipping is an asset-heavy business. The price of a ship is not much cheaper than a building. Moreover, ships are subject to wear and tear, and shipping also has a cycle."

"When you make money, you may make a lot of money, but when you lose money, you also lose a lot. The shipping situation has not been good in the past two years. If you invest money, you may not make money or even lose money for many years."

After listening to this, Li Changhe smiled and shook his head: "Uncle, I think it's okay. I have a close relationship with some people in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia made a promise to me before, allowing me to open a foreign trade company in Saudi Arabia."

"That is to say, by then, I will undertake a lot of Saudi Arabia's global procurement business, plus my energy company in Singapore and the retail company here in Hong Kong Island."

"The volume of freight on my side alone is enough to support a shipping company, so it will be no problem for Third Uncle to expand."

"But in this case, part of the shipping orders will have to be handed over to the company of my third uncle."

Nowadays, many shipping orders for Li Changhe’s industries are handled by Global Shipping.

If Li Changhe turns to support Bao Yuxing's company, it also means that these orders will be transferred to Bao Yuxing's company.

In fact, in a disguised way, Global Shipping lost orders.

But why would Bao Yugang care about these?
"Orders are trivial matters. It just so happens that I have been wanting to reduce the company's tonnage. I will talk to Yuxing and then transfer some of the operating ships directly to him."

"When the time comes, you can accept both the order and the ship at the same time, which will not only expand the scale but also will not affect your own transportation needs."

After hearing what Bao Yugang said, Li Changhe nodded: "This is also a cover for me."

"It just so happens that I want to invest in heavy industrial equipment in the mainland. I have already discussed with the Rockefeller family that I want to invest in a machinery factory in the mainland that specializes in the production of heavy industrial equipment such as cranes and gantry cranes."

"If we include the investment in my third uncle's shipping company, then we can actually announce to the public that my group is making a big push into the ocean shipping business, and it won't seem out of place."

"Oh? You want to invest in heavy equipment?"

After listening to what Li Changhe said, Bao Yugang was quite surprised.

"Yes, this time I am going there, with two major directions. One is white appliances, including TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, etc., and the other is heavy equipment, excavators, gantry cranes, etc."

“The total investment is expected to be around $200 million to $300 million, depending on the final outcome of the negotiations.”

Li Changhe did not hide anything. After all, there were some data that Bao Yugang had to know. After all, Bao Yugang was a celebrity, and many interviews would probably fall on him.

Li Changhe himself is invisible. Most of the time, the public's curiosity about him is directed to Bao Yugang. In a sense, Old Bao is one of his door gods.

"White goods and heavy industry equipment? I don't know much about white goods. I know that Japan is very strong. However, heavy industry equipment is also very important to the country's industrial development. Your entry point is very good."

"Besides, we are in the shipping business. Well, if any reporters ask about it later, I will tell them that it was me who suggested it to you. I also arranged your cooperation with Yuxing during our family gathering."

"This way, your investment seems much more reasonable. After all, this is also a family business."

Bao Yugang immediately figured out the key, and then helped Li Changhe to patch it up.

At that time, as long as he recognizes it like this outside, Li Changhe’s investment can be completely regarded as the behavior of the Bao family, which can also be regarded as a supplement to its own industry, and Li Changhe’s investment will not appear particularly abrupt.

After all, the heavy industry is sometimes quite sensitive.

"Uncle, you..."

Li Changhe was somewhat emotional. The other party was really...
"There's no need to say thank you. This is all I can do for you."

"By the way, there is something I want to consult with you about."

"It's about Hong Kong Island. In fact, when I went there this time, Downing Street called me. They wanted me to test the mainland's attitude towards Hong Kong Island."

At this time, Bao Yugang revealed another secret to Li Changhe.

After listening, Li Changhe shook his head.

"Uncle, there is actually no room for discussion on this issue. The capital must take back its sovereignty!"

"I know, but Shen Bi has an idea. He proposed [exchanging sovereignty for governance]. To put it bluntly, it means returning the country in public, but the British will still manage it in private. Do you think the capital will consider his idea?"

Bao Yugang frowned again and asked.

Li Changhe smiled and shook his head: "Impossible, uncle, I can tell you this, the British don't have much say in the matter of Hong Kong Island."

"In my opinion, he is not even worthy of negotiating terms with the capital. After all, the UK right now is second-rate in my eyes."

"Of course, considering some other factors, I think Beijing will have appropriate talks with Downing Street, but many principled issues are impossible to compromise on."

"Shen Bi is just dreaming. Don't be fooled by him. The capital won't give in on this point."

"Well, I think so too, but don't you think too lowly of Britain?"

Bao Yugang said to Li Changhe speechlessly.

He agreed with Li Changhe's point of view, but he felt that Li Changhe underestimated Britain.

In any case, Britain is now considered one of the top three powers in the world, and the Commonwealth's sphere of influence spans the globe, with its influence second only to the United States and the Soviet Union.

Bao Yugang felt that Li Changhe was too critical of Britain.

After hearing what Bao Yugang said, Li Changhe did not argue. For people of Bao Yugang's age, British Columbia University left a special impression on them, because when they were young and strong, they witnessed the last glory of British Columbia University before its demise.

This is like those fans who have watched the basketball god Jordan play. Even though Jordan's level was not as good as before in his later years, in the eyes of many fans, he was not considered to have fallen and still had unparalleled influence.

For businessmen like Bao Yugang and Li Jiacheng who were born in the 1920s and 1930s, they probably have some "fan feelings" for British Columbia University.

But Li Changhe is different. In his previous life, he saw Britain become a follower and mouthpiece of the United States. Even the European Union disliked it, and the Commonwealth basically became an empty shell.

Perhaps in this world, Li Changhe himself is the only one who understands the weakness of Britain today.

"Uncle, this is what I think anyway. Without the subsidies from the colonies, Britain's own blood-making ability is too poor. In this regard, it is even worse than France."

"At least France still has many invisible colonies in West Africa that are vacant and is reaping the benefits."

"I think you might as well wait until the two countries have a formal meeting before discussing this matter. Now, just try to fool Downing Street."

Li Changhe's position is naturally very clear.

However, for Bao Yugang, this concept was still too shocking.

"I need to think about this matter carefully."

(End of this chapter)