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

Chapter 689 Dividing the Firepower
Seeing that Bao Yugang had given him the opportunity to speak, Li Changhe was not intimidated.

"Uncles, the truth is that Yud's intention in contacting us is very simple: he wants my uncle to speak to me and publicly support the British rule over this area."

“They want to play the public opinion card, using our statements to represent the public opinion of Hong Kong Island, and then use this to increase their bargaining power in the negotiations with Beijing.”

After hearing what Li Changhe said, He Tian and the others nodded in agreement. This information was actually quite similar to what they had gathered.

However, for He Tian and his team, this kind of news has a drawback: it's difficult to determine whether it's true or false.

Without knowing the true thoughts of one side from key figures, all the information they possess is unreliable.

Therefore, these messages can only be called rumors and cannot be confirmed as intelligence.

"Ah Yang, we know most of this news, but we don't know what the outcome will be."

"What exactly are you two thinking? Especially Qi Ran, you have a good relationship with Downing Street, do you really think the two countries could go to war?"

"We are not afraid of negotiations, but we are afraid of war."

Guo Desheng then took the initiative to ask further questions.

He was closest to Bao Yugang, so he took the initiative to ask about some things.

Their biggest concern is war, because once war breaks out, it will be a devastating blow to real estate developers.

"War is impossible."

Li Changhe then spoke decisively.

"Ok?"

"Ah Yang, are you so sure?"

He Tian asked in surprise at this moment.

Li Changhe nodded: "That's right, that's what I think."

"First of all, as for the North, they didn't attack Hong Kong Island thirty years ago, and they're even less likely to do so now."

"They are now carrying out reforms, which are actually about appropriately introducing commercial capital to revitalize their economy."

"However, such reforms will definitely be implemented on a small scale in the early stages and cannot be rolled out on a large scale."

"After all, a small boat is easier to turn around. If the experience is successful on a small scale, it's not too late to gradually promote it."

"On the other hand, the West is probably still skeptical about the reforms in the North. They need the North to make changes, but they are also on guard at all times."

"The current situation is that both sides have their own concerns, and neither side dares to go all out."

“The North has its own concerns, and Europe and America also have their hesitations. Under these circumstances, I think the upper echelons in the North are very wise. They are taking a point-to-area approach, starting with a few special economic zones to gradually test the waters, and also using these special economic zones to deal with the West.”

"The fact that they placed the Special Administrative Region in Shenzhen clearly indicates that they chose Hong Kong Island."

"In my view, Shenzhen is an internal experimental special zone that they have chosen themselves, while Hong Kong Island is the bridgehead that they have chosen for European and American capital to enter the mainland."

"Therefore, Hong Kong Island is located here and can be considered a non-combat trade zone in cooperation between the two sides. Under such circumstances, the possibility of them taking it back by force is not high."

Hearing Li Changhe's analysis, Guo Desheng and the others nodded. This was indeed consistent with the information they had learned after contacting the top leadership in the north.

"But what about Britain? Are you sure they'll back down?"

"If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, will the British choose war? After all, they just won the Falklands War and are a long-established Western power."

Li Zhaoji then asked as well.

Li Changhe shook his head and smiled: "Fourth Uncle, if Britain hadn't fought the Falklands War, I think Downing Street might have had some confidence."

"But it was precisely the Falklands War that made Downing Street realize just how much military strength they actually have."

"I've gotten some inside information about the Falklands War. To put it simply, if it weren't for the diplomatic maneuvering where Britain got the US and France to cut off military equipment aid to Argentina, the outcome of the Falklands War would have been very uncertain."

"And the strength of the Argentine army is incomparable to that of the north."

"In my view, the British might come to negotiate with the mainland with the momentum of their victory in the Falklands War, but they would absolutely not dare to start a war, because the British could not afford the consequences of losing once a war broke out."

"That would completely strip it of its status as a great power and severely impact its international standing."

"In terms of diplomacy, the mainland is not Argentina. The United States and France may choose to support Britain and abandon Argentina based on their diplomatic interests."

"But they would never abandon the continent to support Britain, after all, the north is far more important to them than Argentina."

"The United States is on good terms with the mainland in order to share the pressure brought by the Soviet Union. In this respect, the importance of a hundred Hong Kong islands is not as great as that of one Soviet Union."

"Therefore, my judgment is that the North doesn't want to fight, and Downing Street doesn't dare to fight! In the end, both sides will have to return to the negotiating table to resolve this issue."

"But Downing Street doesn't have many cards to play right now."

"This may also be why they are so eager to play the public opinion card; they have very few cards to play."

After listening to Li Changhe's analysis, He Tian and the others relaxed, but they were deep in thought.

The previously shrouded situation suddenly became clear under Li Changhe's detailed analysis.

"Now I understand why you had A-Yang talk about this, Qi Ran."

"You know what, now that he says it, the matter really does become clear!"

Guo Desheng said with great emotion at this moment.

There are some things that those involved are blinded by, and they don't have enough information. For example, Britain's performance in the Falklands War and the inside story of its victory are things that Guo Desheng and his real estate tycoons could never find out.

Therefore, it is impossible to compare the negotiating strength between China and Britain.

As everyone knows, Li Changhe has extensive connections in the United States and can even speak with the French president. His investments in Paris are no secret and have long been known throughout Hong Kong.

Guo Desheng and his group did not doubt the inside story of the Marshvina Island war that Li Changhe revealed.

"Ah Yang, so according to you, Hong Kong Island will eventually return to the mainland?"

"In that case, will our system be changed?"

"When we went to Beijing before, we did get assurances that things wouldn't change here, but to be honest, those assurances were too vague, and we weren't really sure about them!"

Feng Jingxi then hesitated before asking a question.

Guo Desheng and the others looked at Li Changhe again, wanting to hear his analysis.

The negotiation logic between the two countries has been clarified, but there's still the mainland side to consider.

“I’ve been following the news lately, and the mainland has been frequently proposing a concept of two systems. I don’t think they are just talking nonsense.”

"To reiterate, Hong Kong's uniqueness lies in its role as a bridgehead for Western capital. This is not only true for the British, but also for the Americans, the French, and even the entire Western world. They all need such a special region." "Once the social nature of Hong Kong changes, it also means that it loses the trust of Western capital. I think the top leadership on the mainland is very clear about this consequence, and they do not want such an outcome."

"Personally, I believe that the other side's idea of ​​two systems will definitely be implemented. Hong Kong Island will definitely gain some special status to ensure that it can continue to gain the trust of Europe and the United States."

"But similarly, I think everyone understands the concept of a blood oath. Hong Kong Island can be a whole, but it can also be a collection of separate entities. Even if the overall system remains unchanged, as long as sovereignty returns to the North, they will definitely have influence."

“I know that all my uncles and elders have been making frequent overtures to the capital. I personally think that these overtures should be strengthened. In any case, our Bao family has already strengthened our cooperation with the mainland.”

"Of course, this is just my suggestion. You uncles and elders can consider it according to your own circumstances. I won't say more about it."

"I have another opportunity to talk to you uncles and elders."

Li Changhe was now preparing to lay the bait.

"Oh? What opportunity?"

Guo Desheng asked curiously.

"Buy the dip!"

"According to my information, there will definitely be a top-level meeting between China and the UK this year, and regardless of whether an agreement is reached, news will definitely leak out."

"There are only two kinds of news. One is that Britain has won, but as I said, I am not optimistic about this. And even if it comes out, everyone will just be saying the same thing – the economy will continue to develop steadily."

"Another possibility is that the UK fails in negotiations, which would have a huge impact on Hong Kong Island. Not to mention anything else, the real estate market would definitely be the first to be affected."

"The stock market and even the foreign exchange market will likely be impacted."

"This is the opportunity I was talking about to buy at the bottom."

"I'm planning to raise some funds to buy stocks at rock-bottom prices. I wonder if any of you uncles and elders are interested?"

Li Changhe slowly revealed his plan.

The people present looked at each other in bewilderment.

Buying at the bottom?

"Ah Yang, are you so sure that once this news comes out, it will impact the Hong Kong Island real estate market and other sectors?"

He Tian asked curiously at this moment.

Bao Yugang finally spoke up at this point.

“Ah Yang had talked to me before, and his idea was that once the news came out, many people would definitely choose to leave Hong Kong Island.”

“For example, the Zhang family, who started out selling medicine, sold counterfeit and expired medicines to the mainland during the Korean War. They must be afraid of being purged.”

"There are also many people who have been criticizing the mainland in newspapers, including some who cannot accept the mainland's system."

“If there is any disturbance, these people will definitely choose to leave immediately. Once they leave, they will sell their properties, exchange them for cash, and flee out of the country.”

"Ah Yang thinks this will be a trigger, causing a wave of change that will lead to the collapse of the real estate and stock markets."

“I think what he said makes a lot of sense, and his judgment has been very accurate over the years, so I support him on this matter.”

“If you are interested in this, you can cooperate with him. If it is handled well, it will be a huge opportunity for you.”

"On the other hand, even if such an opportunity does not arise, we will not suffer any loss. It will just be a waste of time and effort."

At this time, Bao Yugang stood up for Li Changhe and won over Guo Desheng and his group.

Hearing Bao Yugang's words, Guo Desheng and the others were also slightly tempted.

The main point is that the other party's analysis is indeed quite reasonable, and as Bao Yugang said, if such an opportunity does not occur, the impact on them will not be significant.

However, if they prepare in advance and buy at the bottom, the potential profits will be beyond imagination.

"You know what, putting everything else aside, the Zhang family really does seem to be dealing with their assets."

"Logically speaking, given the booming property market on Hong Kong Island last year, prime office buildings like the Federal Building should have been firmly held in hand. Even if Wheelock had debt pressure, it could have easily alleviated it through loans."

"But Wheelock still sold it without hesitation, which surprised me quite a bit."

"Perhaps, just as Qi Ran and A Yang said, they actually wanted to run away."

Feng Jingxi then spoke up.

He brought this up because he was the buyer of the Federal Building.

The Federal Building is a Grade A office building located on Des Voeux Road in Central. For a time, it was the tallest building on Hong Kong Island. It is a building located in Central.

Madden's Wheelock became a minority shareholder and the Zhang family became the majority shareholder of Wheelock because of its acquisition of the Zhang family's Federal Properties.

The vast majority of the value of federal real estate comes from the Federal Building.

Of course, Feng Jingxi didn't acquire it himself; he was just the middleman, helping a foreign consortium with the acquisition, which is why he knew the inside story.

"I think this is a good idea, Ah Yang. If you don't mind, I can get involved!"

Guo Desheng spoke first at this point.

Li Zhaoji then chimed in, "I also think this matter has potential, and I'm willing to participate."

At this point, Li Zhaoji felt that Bao Zeyang's analysis made a lot of sense, and he wanted to take the gamble this time.

Even if they make a mistake, it doesn't matter; it won't affect their business much.

"I'm not going to get involved in real estate anymore, but I could get involved in the stock market. My bank just started operating, so I can make some investments and use it as a way to establish a reputation."

Feng Jingxi then chimed in.

He's no longer involved in real estate; instead, he's ventured into finance. He started with Sun Hung Kai Securities, and in March of this year, he obtained a license from the Hong Kong government, upgrading it to Sun Hung Kai Bank.

If Hong Kong stocks really do experience a sharp decline, it would naturally be good news for his securities and banking businesses.

"Fine, you guys can participate, I won't!"

He Tian shook his head and said helplessly.

Although Hang Seng Bank is now a major bank in Hong Kong Island and operates independently, its major shareholder is HSBC.

Li Changhe's so-called "bottom-fishing" is, in a sense, profiting from a crisis, something Hengsheng really shouldn't be involved in.

“If you three uncles are interested, I’ll find some time in a few days for us to meet and discuss the specific framework for cooperation.”

Li Changhe smiled and said that he didn't care whether He Tiancan participated or not, as long as someone participated, that was enough. All he wanted was for someone to help share the firepower!

(End of this chapter)