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

Chapter 697 Love rival?

After speaking, Li Changhe got up and went to a tea room outside the reception room. Inside the tea room, his secretarial team had already brewed the tea and immediately made room for him.

Now, Li Changhe can finally appreciate the pleasure that wealthy people enjoy when they have nothing to do but play with Kung Fu tea, mainly because it allows him to pass the time in a peaceful way.

A short while later, the door was opened again, and He Houzhao and the others came out.

Then the group sat down opposite Li Changhe, who poured each of them a cup of tea.

"You've already made a decision so quickly?"

"Why bother with the order? It's too complicated, and it's as noisy as a market inside."

“We’ve decided that we won’t get involved in the real estate sector. You mentioned the stock market and the foreign exchange market, right? We’ll do those with you.”

He Houzhao shook his head helplessly at this moment.

They weren't very interested in real estate to begin with, and now seeing them arguing over street after street is even more pointless.

"Stocks and foreign exchange are also options. This wave of foreign exchange is relatively short-term, but stocks are a good place to buy at the bottom. If you can hold them for the long term, the returns will not be inferior to real estate."

Li Changhe said with a smile at this moment.

In capitalist regions like Hong Kong Island and Europe and America, the stock market is usually linked to the housing market; a good housing market will also be reflected in the stock market.

Moreover, Li Changhe also knew that once the Hong Kong dollar crisis ended next year and the Hong Kong government pegged the Hong Kong dollar to the US dollar, the Hong Kong stock market would effectively be pegged to the US stock market.

If US stocks rise, Hong Kong stocks will definitely follow suit.

Starting next year, the US stock market will embark on a bull market that will last for nearly 20 years, which will also drive the Hong Kong stock market to rise. Even the stock market crash of 1987 will not have a significant impact.

Furthermore, Ho Hau-chiu and his associates don't have a lot of money. Putting it into real estate wouldn't make much of a difference, so it's better to put it into the stock market for quick in-and-out returns.

"Vic, do you really think that Britain will give up Hong Kong Island this time?"

At this moment, Cui Shicheng, who was standing to the side, asked curiously.

Li Changhe smiled and said, "We'll see soon enough. I estimate that it won't be long before the two sides begin formal contact."

There's no point in talking about this kind of prediction. In many people's eyes, it's gambling. If you win, you'll naturally make a fortune. It's a winner-takes-all game!
About half an hour later, Ella came out of the room and whispered to Li Changhe, "Boss, they've reached an agreement."

Li Changhe nodded, then got up and went inside.

As for Ho Hau-chiu and his group, they were too lazy to go inside. Since they weren't involved in real estate anyway, they just stayed outside drinking tea.

"Have you all reached an agreement?"

After Li Changhe entered, he sat in the main seat and asked with a smile.

“Vic, we’ve discussed it all and divided the areas. In Central and Kowloon, we’ve divided it by neighborhood and reserved the acquisition quantity according to our own funds.”

"If there are too many properties available and the number of properties sold exceeds our budget, then you can take over the rest of the properties."

"You've already given us a huge concession by letting us have priority in buying shops and residences, so we won't be greedy."

As the representative of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Kwok Ping-sheung took the initiative to speak to Li Changhe.

Li Changhe smiled and said, "Alright, in that case, let's do it this way."

"But Yang, how should this acquisition proceed?"

"These are all being sold individually. Should we send someone to collect them?"

Li Jiajie asked hesitantly at this moment.

He is not yet twenty years old, and theoretically he has not yet completed his studies. This time, he was just arranged by his father, Li Zhaoji, to participate and also to build a relationship with Li Changhe.

"I have already had someone compile a list of real estate agents for a large part of Hong Kong Island. We will register a company and then work with these agencies. Of course, each agency can also arrange its own personnel for specific areas."

"For example, each company has its own lawyers and building inspectors, as well as accountants. I assume you all have these yourself, so I don't need to elaborate."

Second-hand property transactions in Hong Kong Island are much stricter than those in mainland China in later years. In mainland China, most real estate transactions are handled by real estate agents. Once the contract is signed and the property certificate is changed, the transaction is basically over.

However, on Hong Kong Island, both parties need to have lawyers and a property inspection agency. If it's a mortgage, the bank can handle the property inspection.

This is also why Li Changhe let them divide it themselves; as long as the areas are allocated properly, each company's home inspectors and cooperating law firms can provide personnel.

However, the acquired companies will definitely be acquired in a unified manner. Li Changhe will not allow them to acquire companies on their own, which is also to facilitate control over all the data.

Of course, Li Changhe knew that as long as the real estate market declined, Sun Hung Kai Properties and Henderson Land Development would definitely increase their acquisition efforts, and even acquire properties privately outside of their own companies.

These were all predictable actions; no one would obediently follow the rules, and he was well aware of this, nor did he care.

After all, Hong Kong Island is so big that he can't possibly take them all on his own. What he wants are the names of a few companies, especially the initial hype.

"There's one more thing, I hope you can do me a favor, this is also a personal request of mine."

Li Changhe then spoke up again.

“Vic, please speak up.”

At this moment, Guo Bingxiang spoke with great pride and magnanimity.

He was only a few years older than Li Changhe, and this was the time for him to make great strides. This time, he valued his cooperation with Bao Zeyang even more.

After all, he has two younger brothers who are not much younger than him.

Although the brothers have a very close relationship, he also feels pressure as the eldest son.

"Here's the thing, I've started a company in the US that offers immigration services. I'm thinking of placing two salespeople at each of their agencies to help my company attract more immigration clients."

"After all, most of those who sell houses are looking to emigrate. This business overlaps significantly with ours. I wonder if you all agree?"

Li Changhe said with a light laugh.

Upon hearing this, everyone present readily agreed.

This immigration business doesn't conflict with theirs; it only requires placing two salespersons, which is perfectly fine.

"Thank you very much."

"By the way, are there any other people interested in participating in the stock market and the currency market?"

Li Changhe then asked again.

Those present considered it for a moment, then shook their heads.

Their funds are limited, and they've already planned to invest them all in real estate.

Besides, they're not very familiar with the stock market and exchange rates, far less so than they are with the real estate industry, so they should just stick to the real estate sector.

"Now that everyone has agreed, let's operate according to these rules for now. If anyone wants to make any changes during this period, please contact me in time to avoid unnecessary conflicts."

"I hope to cooperate with you all for a long time, and make money together in harmony. Even if there are disagreements later, I hope to part ways peacefully. As the saying goes, even if a deal falls through, we can still be on good terms."

"Never ruin our relationships for the sake of short-term gains."

"Finally, I wish us a successful collaboration and that we both make a fortune!"

"I have arranged a banquet at the restaurant upstairs. If you are free, you are welcome to join us. Of course, if you have important business to attend to and need to leave, I will not insist."

Since Li Changhe had said all that, how could anyone leave? For many of them, the purpose of being there was simply to build a relationship with Li Changhe.

After ending the conversation, Li Changhe was about to find a place to rest when someone called out to him.

“Vic!”

The one who called out to Li Changhe was none other than Kwok Ping-sheung of Sun Hung Kai Properties.

"What's wrong, Walter?"

Walter Kwok's English name was Guo Bingxiang, so Li Changhe called him by his English name. "Vic, I'd like to speak with you privately. Do you have time now?"

Guo Bingxiang hesitated for a moment before speaking to Li Changhe.

Li Changhe glanced at Guo Bingxiang curiously, then nodded: "Alright, let's find a place."

Afterwards, Li Changhe led Guo Bingxiang to a private meeting room, where the two sat down.

"Walter, you can say what's on your mind now."

Li Changhe then said with a smile that he had not had much dealings with Guo Bingxiang and did not know him well.

The only memory I have is that this guy, like Li Ka-shing's eldest son Li Zeju, was kidnapped, and the kidnapper was Cheung Tze-keung.

It seems that he later fell out with his younger brothers because of this.

However, Li Changhe was not clear about the specifics.

"Vic, I heard you're getting married?"

At this moment, Guo Bingxiang asked in a low voice.

Li Changhe glanced at him curiously, then nodded: "That's right."

"I heard that your fiancée is from Shanghai, right?"

"May I ask if she comes from a wealthy or prestigious family, or is she from an ordinary family?"

At this point, Guo Bingxiang hesitated for a moment before continuing to ask.

Li Changhe didn't understand what this guy was gossiping about, but he still said, "She's from Shanghai, but she's just an ordinary person."

"Really?"

Upon hearing Li Changhe's words, Guo Bingxiang suddenly raised his head, looking at Li Changhe with surprise and delight.

Li Changhe was speechless when he saw his expression.

Dude, what's with that look on your face?

Seemingly sensing Li Changhe's surprise, Guo Bingxiang sighed and revealed the truth.

"Vic, to be honest, I'm getting married soon too."

"Your marriage partner is from the Gu family in Shanghai. I don't know if you know that?"

"The Gu family? The Gu family that runs a chemical business?"

Li Changhe asked curiously at this moment.

He did know about the Gu family, though he had only recently learned about them.

This is an old-money family that moved from Shanghai to Hong Kong Island in the late 1940s.

The Gu family initially worked in the chemical industry. They were the distributor of Imperial Chemical Industries, a British chemical giant, in Asia, and their business covered the entire country in the 1930s and 40s.

After arriving in Hong Kong, thanks to their relationship with the British, the Koo family did not decline but instead prospered, with their business spreading throughout Southeast Asia.

In addition, Li Changhe also knew that the Gu family had deep ties with another Chinese real estate developer, Chinachem Properties. Chinachem Properties was formerly Chinachem Chemicals, which was a chemical business that the Gu family partnered with.

Hua Mao Real Estate was founded by the son and daughter-in-law of Wang Tingxin, the founder of Hua Mao Chemical.

The name Chinachem was very famous in Shanghai in the 1930s and 40s because it was the business name of the Sassoon family. The Peace Hotel was formerly known as Chinachem Hotel.

Li Changhe knew these things because he knew a piece of gossip from his previous life when he was writing: the multi-billion dollar property dispute involving Chinachem Group.

He learned about Wah Mau's background through this inheritance dispute, and then he learned about Wah Mau's connection with the Sassoon family.

Therefore, the name "Chinachem" cannot be used casually in Hong Kong Island. Moreover, the Wang Tingxin family also came to Hong Kong Island from Shanghai. It is too much of a coincidence that these things all use such words. There must be a hidden connection between them.

After learning about the Gu family, Li Changhe finally connected the dots: Hua Mao's superior, or rather, the behind-the-scenes support force, was the Gu family.

The Gu family was a long-established comprador family hidden in Hong Kong Island. Back then, when it came to their relationship with the British, they were no less influential than the four traditional families.

So when Chinachem Properties was first established, it dared to get involved in the drama of Hongkong Land acquiring Dairy Farm. When Hongkong Land acquired Dairy Farm, the then chairman of Dairy Farm, Zhou Xinian, sought cooperation with real estate developers to develop Dairy Farm's land. The developer he sought was Chinachem Properties.

The root of the problem actually lies with the Gu family. With the support of the Gu family, Chinachem was not entirely without connections in Hong Kong, which is why it had the audacity.

The Gu family has been trying to get involved in the Hong Kong Island real estate business for years, and they have made some investments. For example, a building currently under construction in Tsim Sha Tsui belongs to the Gu family.

However, overall, they are unlikely to break into Central.

Therefore, the Gu family has always wanted to find someone to cooperate with. The reason why Li Changhe knows about the Gu family is because the Gu family had previously revealed to Bao Yugang that they wanted to form a marriage alliance with Li Changhe.

The Gu family is a long-established comprador family, a typical old-money family from Shanghai. It has been passed down for three generations and its family business spans Southeast Asia and also has assets in Europe and America.

Therefore, the Gu family is actually very popular in Hong Kong Island and is a sought-after marriage partner for many wealthy families.

Li Changhe knew all this because of this family, which Bao Yugang had introduced him to.

The current head of the Gu family has an outstanding eldest daughter who is of superior figure and appearance, no less than those models. Most importantly, she is also very capable.

He is now a senior executive at HSBC, in charge of loan approvals, and is said to be one of Sir Michael Sandberg's favorites.

So this woman was actually a marriage prospect that Bao Yugang had previously favored, and he had even considered arranging a marriage between her and Li Changhe.

Before he could even speak, Li Changhe brought up his marriage partner. Later, Bao Yugang only mentioned it to Li Changhe in jest.

So, the woman that Walter Kwok is talking about isn't that woman, is it?

Is she trying to make herself a love rival?
Guo Bingxiang nodded upon hearing Li Changhe's answer.

“That’s right, it’s the Gu family. My father wants me to marry into the Gu family, but Vic, I actually have someone I love.”

“But she is just an ordinary family, and my father looks down on her. He thinks the Gu family can help us more.”

“Vic, can you teach me how you convinced your uncle and the others to accept your fiancée?”

At this point, Guo Bingxiang blurted out his thoughts.

Li Changhe understood the reason. Simply put, this guy had a girlfriend when he was studying in England, and they were very much in love. Guo Bingxiang was religious and felt that he could not betray his love. However, after returning home, his family wanted him to get married.

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe breathed a sigh of relief.

Good grief, it's not enough to just treat him as a love rival, since he's never even met that woman from the Gu family.

Knowing Guo Bingxiang's intentions, Li Changhe shook his head.

Given Sun Hung Kai Properties' current status in Hong Kong, their marriage to the Koo family is indeed a step up for them.

These wealthy families from Shanghai actually prioritize marriage alliances with merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang. For example, the Gu family highly valued the Bao family because the Bao family was from Zhejiang and also came from Shanghai, making them quite similar to the Gu family. They were considered a good match, a view that even the Bao family themselves acknowledged.

In comparison, the wealthy families of Fujian and Guangdong are slightly less prominent, which is perhaps the pride of the old Shanghai.

Therefore, the Guo family will certainly not give up the opportunity for a marriage alliance now that it exists.

"I can't help you with this. I was more proactive in my own marriage. My uncle respected my opinion and didn't need me to arrange a marriage."

"So I'm afraid I can't offer you any advice on this matter."

Li Changhe had no desire to get involved in these matters; such marriage alliances were complex and could not be explained in a few words.

"If you're wondering why my uncle gave me so much autonomy, it's probably because I built my career on my own, while you currently still rely on the support of your family."

"So that's probably the root of the problem, Walter. Think about it yourself. I'm going now."

Li Changhe then abandoned the somewhat distraught Guo Bingxiang and turned to leave.

(End of this chapter)