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

Chapter 724 A Grand New Year's Gift!
Days passed by, and before we knew it, it was the end of 1982.

For most people on Hong Kong Island, this Lunar New Year was very lively, as newspapers were filled with arguments every day, and various media outlets constantly broke various stories, keeping them entertained and gossiping during their free time.

However, for Hong Kong's elite, these past few months have been extremely unsettling.

A stock market crash means their investments are damaged, and a similar crash in housing prices means their assets are also damaged.

Most importantly, the future of Hong Kong Island remains uncertain, and the constant war of words between the two sides has caused many of them to live in fear.

At that very moment, in a conference room at The Landmark in Central, many well-known Hong Kong Chinese tycoons were gathered.

A dozen or so people, including Kwok Tak-seng of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Lee Chiu-kei of Henderson Land Development, Wu Ying-sheung of Wo Hop Properties, Chan Ting-wah of Nan Fung Group, and Tsao Kwok-kwong of Wing Sun Group, gathered here.

"Ah Yang, why did you suddenly call us here? Is there something else on your mind?"

On the left, Guo Desheng asked Li Changhe with a rather solemn expression.

During this period, although Lao Guo was doing well in business, things were not going well at home.

Although her son, Guo Bingxiang, was married to Gu Zhirong from the Gu family, their relationship clearly didn't progress and they were constantly at odds.

The two families, who originally intended to unite through marriage, have now developed many rifts because of this marriage.

So even though this time he made a lot of money buying up Hong Kong assets at rock-bottom prices, he didn't feel much joy at the moment.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him curiously, Li Changhe didn't keep them in suspense.

"I know everyone has gained a lot this time, but the reason I invited you uncles and elders here today is not about investment matters, but about something else."

"I received an invitation from New H Society to visit the mainland before the Spring Festival. I think you uncles and elders have also received these invitations, right?"

Li Changhe took out an invitation and said with a smile.

Upon seeing the invitation, the expressions of the people present varied.

Li Changhe knew that they had all received the invitation, because these people were on the list he had given them.

Of course, there are also people on the list who are not present at the meeting table. It's not that Li Changhe didn't invite them, but rather that their names were rejected.

For example, Shaw Yat-fu of TVB, and Dr. Ho of SJM Holdings.

The wealthy individuals currently present here are those whose names were not rejected from the list.

Of course, this is not the whole story of the invitation; according to the plan, Li Changhe is only responsible for a part of it.

There are also some who will be invited by Mr. Huo and Mr. Zhuang, who will each invite a group of wealthy people they know.

"Ah Yang, you're not thinking of going to that appointment, are you?"

"This visit isn't just a simple tourist trip; I think you should understand the deeper meaning behind it!"

Upon hearing Bao Zeyang mention this, Guo Desheng's expression changed slightly, and then he said in a deep voice.

Li Changhe smiled and nodded: "Of course, I know perfectly well!"

"It is precisely because I understand this that I feel we should accept this invitation!"

“I understand the concerns of all my uncles and elders. At this sensitive moment, no one wants to be the first to stick their neck out, nor do we want to give a bad impression to either side.”

"But I want to say that at this time, being an observer or onlooker may seem safe, but in reality, it also means distancing oneself from the core of both Beijing and Downing Street."

"On this point, I admire Li Jiacheng very much!"

"Back in 1977 or 1988, he dared to go to the capital and watch the military parade from the city gate."

"Then when he came back, HSBC gave him Hutchison Whampoa for half price."

"Although I have had many business conflicts with Li Ka-shing, I admire his choice."

"On the other hand, HSBC noticed my fund transfers this time and asked me to deposit the money into HSBC Bank, which I did."

“My requirements aren’t high. I made two requests: first, I want to run an airline in Hong Kong Island; second, I want to buy a car brand from the UK.”

"Sham Bi agreed, but the car brands they gave me, frankly speaking, are all absolute garbage!"

“Many of you uncles have been in Hong Kong for decades and have experienced far more than I have. You should understand very well what kind of existence we Chinese are in the eyes of the British.”

“They may grant special status to some Chinese people, but I think that certainly does not include you all here.”

"I won't go into what our political stance is during this trip to the mainland, but I think at this moment, I want the British to understand one thing."

"The Hong Kong people they see are not the ones they chose themselves; we are Hong Kong people too!"

"The will and interests of Hong Kong people are not only in the hands of those Hong Kong people recognized by the British, but also in the hands of us Chinese families who stand at the pinnacle of Hong Kong Island."

"So this time, I'm not only going myself, but I also want to organize a big team to go. I don't ask everyone to express their stance. Even if it's just a trip, I think that's great."

"At least let the Governor's House, HSBC, and Downing Street see where the power of Hong Kong Island really lies?"

"Besides, please don't think that I'm just young and impetuous; I've also given it serious thought."

"This time, our bottom-fishing is likely being watched by HSBC, if nothing else is mentioned."

"If everyone is not afraid of future retribution from the British, then we can continue to remain silent."

"But that would mean we have no weight in their eyes. Only by making our voices heard will the British take our importance seriously."

"On the other hand, I think that providing timely help to the capital is far better than adding to its existing prosperity."

"That's why I invited everyone here today, and I hope you can all come with me."

Li Changhe calmly addressed the crowd present.

"Okay, Ah Yang, I think you're right. I, Lao Hu, am the first to support you."

Hu Yingxiang of Hehe Real Estate was the first to speak out in support.

“That’s right. If we just blindly obey, we’ll only be second-class citizens to the British. I think Ah Yang’s thinking is right. Our trip to the meeting this time is not only to show goodwill to the mainland, but more importantly, to demonstrate our strength to the Governor’s Office and Downing Street.”

"We won't be fence-sitters, but we also can't let these people use us as cannon fodder."

"I support your idea, A-Yang."

As a staunch patriot, Cao Guangbiao unequivocally voiced his support, a move orchestrated by Li Changhe beforehand.

The others present fell silent.

This is actually a pretty big deal!

Going to the mainland to keep the appointment at this time actually represents a stance, so they need to be very careful about this action.

"What's there to consider? I think you're all overthinking it."

"In my opinion, the more people involved this is, the more the British will have to take us seriously and won't dare to cause trouble easily."

"Besides, with Ah Yang leading the way, the British will definitely approach him first. After all, no one here has his reputation or business acumen. With him leading the charge, what are you afraid of?"

"This is a good opportunity for everyone. Ah Yang was right when he said that providing help in times of need is far better than adding to someone's success." "Old Guo, Old Li, you've been to the mainland before, and you've invested money there. What, you dared to go before, but you don't dare this time?"

“Li Jiacheng was bolder than you. Back then, he went up to the city wall with me. You see, the British didn’t do anything to him after we came back. Even if it was just a formality, he still benefited.”

"Besides, they have a good reputation in mainland China. Now that you've been given a chance, you can't even seize it?"

Hu Yingxiang then spoke loudly.

At the same time, Li Zhaoji and the others also started talking to Guo Desheng.

Provoked by Hu Yingxiang's words, Guo Desheng and his men also lost face.

"Old Hu, if only things were as simple as you say."

Li Zhaoji shook his head and said helplessly.

Hu Yingxiang smiled and said, "This matter is actually very simple. You guys are just hesitant and overthinking things."

"If you ask me, the British approach is completely hopeless. Just wait and see, it would be a joke if the British could actually negotiate a deal."

"Don't be fooled by their victory in the Falklands War. Let them face the north and see what happens. With their current military strength, to put it bluntly, they can't even get their supplies delivered. What are they going to talk to the mainland about?"

"The economy is always subordinate to politics, and politics is usually subordinate to military strength. I think A-Yang understands this very well."

Although Hu Yingxiang was a wealthy man, he loved to discuss politics, especially criticizing the Hong Kong government's many measures in the newspapers. This was also the reason why he was very patriotic. In many ways, he actually had a clear understanding of things.

"Thank you for your recognition, Uncle Hu. I actually share the same philosophy."

“I know everyone has a lot of concerns, but sometimes you are in a situation and have to make choices.”

"I have had a very pleasant collaboration with everyone recently, and I hope that in the future we can continue to advance and retreat together, working together to safeguard our interests, whether facing Hong Kong Island or Beijing. I believe in the saying that there is strength in numbers."

"I'm just letting everyone know my stance on this matter. As for the final decision, it's up to you uncles and elders."

Li Changhe said with a smile.

Everyone present couldn't help but sigh after hearing this.

Bao Zeyang's words sounded nice, but in reality, they were already an open secret.

If we support him this time, we'll be on the same side from now on.

If we don't support him this time, then we're no longer on the same page, and the little bit of friendship we've just built will probably vanish completely.

After all, they helped you make money, but when you needed a helping hand, you backed down. There's no point in talking about any feelings between you.

"A-Yang, have you discussed this with your uncle?"

Guo Desheng spoke again at this moment.

Li Changhe shook his head: "No, I know this will put him in a difficult position, after all, everyone knows about his relationship with Downing Street."

"So, this is my business. Although I am family with my uncle, sometimes Bao Zeyang does not represent the Bao family."

"And in my opinion, the British sometimes see it that way too, otherwise Downing Street wouldn't have fooled me like that."

"So this is my own position, and I hope Uncle Guo will not tell my uncle about this. Let's all just follow our own hearts."

"Ah Yang, to be honest, we haven't really thought about this seriously since you brought it up so suddenly. How about this, we'll go back and think about it, and then give you an answer, okay?"

Guo Desheng neither agreed nor refused at this point, intending to discuss it privately with a few others first.

"Of course, all of you uncles can do that. Just give me your answer in a few days."

Li Changhe then said with a smile.

Afterwards, everyone present left with different expressions, while Li Changhe stood in front of the window, watching their departing figures, a slight smile playing on his lips.

His money isn't so easy to take.

As the saying goes, "courtesy before force," this time, he has already offered his gift to these people. If they don't accept it, they shouldn't blame him for squeezing their space in the future.

Just after everyone left, Ella knocked on the door and came in.

"Boss, Vice President Liang is here and wants to report on some work with you."

"Let him in."

Soon, a shrewd and capable middle-aged man in a suit and tie walked in.

His name is Liang Honglin. He is a Malaysian Chinese elite that Li Changhe brought back from the United States, and also a pawn that he put into Jardine Matheson.

"Boss!"

Upon entering, Liang Honglin immediately greeted Li Changhe respectfully.

Li Changhe smiled and nodded: "Andy, have a seat!"

How's work going lately?

Upon hearing Li Changhe's question, Liang Honglin immediately reported to Li Changhe.

His job, of course, was to monitor Wei Li.

Although Mr. Bao did not explicitly tell him, he had previously hinted that at such a crucial time as the Sino-British negotiations, he did not want Wylie to have its operations affected by other factors.

Liang Honglin cleverly understood all of this and, with great tact, reported to Li Changhe on time.

Just as Liang Honglin was giving his report, Guo Desheng and his group, who had left Hong Kong Land, arrived at Sun Hung Kai Properties Building, which was not far from Hong Kong Land Building.

This Grade A office building, which was completed last year and is over 200 meters tall, is now the headquarters of Sun Hung Kai Properties and one of the famous landmarks on Hong Kong Island.

“Bao Zeyang has really given us a difficult problem. He wants us to get on his bandwagon and put pressure on the British.”

In the reception room, as soon as several wealthy people who were on good terms with Guo Desheng and his group sat down, one of them spoke up helplessly.

"I think he's still young and hot-blooded. He was played by Downing Street and is unhappy about it. He's holding back his anger and wants to drag us onto the ship to show off to the British!"

"Brother Guo, what do you think about this? Do you think we should agree to his request?"

"I don't think you can refuse him. He's in a bad mood right now. If you go against him, he might disagree on the surface, but your friendship with him will definitely fall apart later."

"I think you only need to consider one thing: are the British more terrifying, or is Bao Zeyang more terrifying?"

"Now I understand why this guy readily handed over the chairmanship of Hong Kong and China Gas to me not long ago."

"They're probably waiting for me here."

Lee So-ki said with a wry smile at that moment.

Although he didn't express his opinion in the meeting room just now, Li Zhaoji knew very well that he didn't actually have much of a choice.

This kid is determined to give the British a big New Year's gift!

(End of this chapter)