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

Chapter 743 The Four Great Beauties of Europe Are All Here!

For John Major, at this moment he was truly a young Calamy who had just entered the British high-level system.

After receiving Mr. Dennis's introduction, John Major became very concerned about Li Changhe's matter, because he knew that for Mr. Dennis to personally make the introduction, it was obviously because he had a close relationship with the Prime Minister's family, and it was highly likely that this was the Prime Minister's intention.

Although John Major was recommended to Margaret Thatcher by senior figures in the Conservative Party and gained some of Thatcher's favor, he knew that such favor from politicians could disappear at any time.

To maintain longevity, you need to deliver performances that satisfy these industry leaders.

Only in this way can we gain more support from His Excellency the Prime Minister.

As for Standard Chartered, it was a small bank to John Major.

In the UK, it's not considered a major bank, though it does have some influence in Asia and Africa.

Moreover, John Major, who had worked at Standard Chartered, knew very well that the bank did not have a large conglomerate behind it, so he was confident that he could persuade Standard Chartered's management to accept Victor.

In fact, John Major's idea was not wrong at all. With his intervention, Standard Chartered Bank quickly gave in.

There were already disagreements among the senior management of Standard Chartered Bank in London regarding Victor's acquisition, with the local faction gaining some advantage last time.

This time, with the intervention of John Major, a politician invested in by Standard Chartered Bank, and with Standard Chartered senior executives being hinted at by John Major about the close relationship between Li Changhe and the Prime Minister's family, the situation became even more complicated.

This left Standard Chartered Bank with no will to resist.

Moreover, the nascent conglomerate that Li Changhe showed them also appealed to Standard Chartered Bank.

This is an invisible multinational conglomerate spanning four continents: Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The business connections and capital flows between them are enough to elevate Standard Chartered Bank's influence to a new level.

Thus, with John Major's help, Li Changhe's talks with Standard Chartered Bank went exceptionally smoothly, and the two sides had already reached the point of discussing how to quietly acquire Standard Chartered's shares on the London Stock Exchange.

However, Li Changhe handed over these specific operations to his finance team, since such a cooperation plan had to be done gradually.

Meanwhile, Bao Yugang had finished discussing the collaboration with the Dennis family and was preparing to leave.

During his visit, Bao Yugang not only provided Margaret Thatcher with three million pounds in campaign funds, but also joined forces with Li Changhe's shipping company to place an order for two cargo ships with a British shipyard.

After finishing all that, Lao Bao planned to return to Hong Kong Island, but Li Changhe did not plan to go back for the time being.

Having come to Europe with Gong Xue, Li Changhe naturally planned to take her around here as well, to escape the storm in Hong Kong Island.

However, before Bao Yugang left, he still gave Bao Yugang a gift.

London, Heathrow Airport
A brand-new Falcon 50 aircraft was parked in front of Bao Yugang and his team.

“Uncle, Dassault Aviation has already prepared the first private jet for us, and I have arranged the flight crew. This time, you can go back in our own private jet.”

"It can also be used for intercontinental travel when I travel later."

"This aircraft has been modified with fuel tanks, so its range can reach more than 9,500 kilometers, which is enough for you to travel across continents."

At this moment, Li Changhe spoke softly to Bao Yugang.

"A private jet? I never imagined I could have such a luxurious mode of transportation. I guess I'm getting what I deserve today."

"Okay, let's go up and take a look!"

Bao Yugang then boarded the private jet with his entourage.

The luxurious interior, designed in collaboration with designers from Dior and Cartier, immediately evokes a sense of sophistication and comfort upon entering.

In particular, following Li Changhe's instructions, they focused on enhancing the rest experience.

"Ah Yang, you're so kind. Now I can finally get some proper rest in the air."

Seeing the luxurious and comfortable interior, Bao Yugang couldn't help but say with delight.

He actually has a great need for air travel; as a world shipping magnate, flying all over the world is a regular occurrence for him.

However, Bao Yugang was always frugal, and he usually traveled by airline. But even in first class, the rest was not as comfortable as that of a private jet.

Li Changhe didn't say much; he just wanted Bao Yugang to live a few more years.

Li Changhe had already guessed why Bao Yugang had cancer in his previous life. First, his father passed away at the end of 82, and then from 83 onwards, he traveled back and forth between London and Beijing as one of the intermediaries in the negotiations between the two countries.

The pain of losing his father, coupled with this relentless travel that disregarded his health, was probably one of the major reasons he developed cancer in 85.

As for Bao Zhaolong, Li Changhe's abilities are limited. Even if he were given the old ginseng, the old man probably only has a few months left to live.

However, Li Changhe could do his best to alleviate his physical fatigue, for example, by providing him with this private jet where he could rest comfortably in the air.

In addition, Li Changhe's service team on the private jet was also mainly for recuperation, which included a private health care doctor who was proficient in massage and a chef who was well-versed in nutrition.

Because Bao Yugang wasn't particularly interested in beautiful women, Li Changhe didn't assign him any young flight attendants; everything was focused on health and recuperation.

As expected, Bao Yugang had no objections to these arrangements; on the contrary, he felt that Li Changhe's arrangements were very thoughtful.

Then, two hours later, Bao Yugang boarded his private jet and flew towards Hong Kong Island.

Li Changhe then took Gong Xue on their European trip.

Time flies, and June has arrived.

Over two months, Li Changhe and Gong Xue traveled all over the European continent, which gave Li Changhe a clearer understanding of Europe in the 1980s.

Now, Paris is his last stop, while Gong Xue has already returned to Hong Kong Island.

In Paris, in the mansion Li Changhe had purchased, he was listening to Matthews' second report.

"Boss, in England, Chelsea has been acquired for three million pounds, allowing Ken Bates to make a profit for free."

It's worth noting that Kempets acquired Chelsea for only one pound, because Chelsea was heavily indebted and only Kempets was willing to take on the debt.

Now, Li Changhe has not only taken over the debt, but also given Kempets an additional acquisition fee of three million pounds.

The other party was also a shrewd businessman, and seemed to have realized that Li Changhe and his team would only buy Chelsea, so they made an exorbitant demand.

“It doesn’t matter. From the current perspective, this deal is not worthwhile, but from the perspective of the future, this expenditure is very worthwhile, and it will be very useful for my future expansion.”

Li Changhe didn't mind the small amount of pounds. After all, the football market would continue to expand over the next few decades, and the value of football teams would also increase. The later Li Changhe bought the football team, the higher the cost would be.

Seeing that Li Changhe was not angry, Matthews continued his report.

"Boss, we've found the information about the coach Ferguson you mentioned. We don't know if it's the same Alex Ferguson, but this is the coach in the UK who best matches the Ferguson you described."

"In addition, I think we can build Stamford Bridge through bank loans. This kind of stadium is rebuilt in sections, so we can get loans in installments. Standard Chartered Bank has agreed to lend us £20 million for the upgrade and renovation of Stamford Bridge."

"Standard Chartered Bank? It seems your talks with them went quite well?"

Li Changhe said with a light laugh.

"Yes, next, in the European market, we will secretly acquire Standard Chartered Bank's shares over a period of about six months. On the other hand, Standard Chartered Bank's senior management will cooperate with us."

"We expect to be able to completely take control of Standard Chartered Bank by the end of this year. The main issue is that there will be some time involved, which will require approval under UK law."

Matthews spoke earnestly. Li Changhe nodded and continued listening to Matthews' report, including some of the investments in Paris.

By the time Matthews finished his report, it was already evening.

Li Changhe didn't invite Matthews to dinner, mainly because he had plans for the evening.

After finishing his work for the day, Li Changhe went to another villa in Paris.

At this very moment, Isabelle Adjani had already prepared dinner and was waiting for Li Changhe.

After dinner at the villa, the two relaxed on the sofa.

After finishing the meal, it's time to get down to business.

Isabelle Adjani traveled all the way from Los Angeles back to Paris, not just for this meal, but for something much more important.

This time, Li Changhe naturally wanted to make sure Ajani was well fed.

After a fierce battle, Adjani finally lay contentedly on top of Li Changhe.

Then, she took another photo album from the side and placed it in front of Li Changhe.

"what is this?"

Li Changhe opened the photo album, and what came into view was a photo that was both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar.

The photo shows a young girl, none other than Sophie Marceau, whom Li Changhe had previously encountered.

However, the difference is that Sophie Marceau, whom Li Changhe met back then, was only fifteen years old, while she is now seventeen.

In Europe and America, girls grow up very quickly. Seventeen-year-old Sophie is more mature and less naive than she was at fifteen.

"Besides meeting with you, I also plan to select a few young actors to take to Los Angeles."

“I’ve figured it out. Instead of looking for American actors in Los Angeles, I might as well find a few from France, sign them, and bring them over.”

"Both obedient and talented."

Adjani said softly at this moment.

She is now at Universal Pictures and is one of the producers appointed by Li Changhe.

Of course, Li Changhe didn't make her a character in every film. Instead, he only produced some art films, since that was all Adjani knew about. She didn't understand commercial films.

Even so, Adjani enjoyed it immensely. She could produce art films entirely according to her own ideas. On set, she was the emperor, and everyone, from the director to the actors, had to make way for her.

However, this also created a contradiction: many American directors and actors could not understand her ideas, and some found it difficult to tolerate her meddling.

Isabelle Adjani, who has a bad temper, decided to return to Paris and build her own team.

Li Changhe had no objection to this. He had also given instructions to the senior management of Universal Pictures: art films under five million US dollars could be made however Adjani wanted, but the annual limit was thirty million US dollars.

Li Changhe knew that Adjani had a bad temper, but that was exactly what he wanted. To put it bluntly, he wanted to use Adjani as a catalyst to see how many people at Global were strictly following his orders and how many were just paying lip service.

“You surely remember this little girl, the one you brought to the party last time, her name is Sophie Marceau. She's with Marina now, right? I want to sign her away from Marina and take her to the United States.”

"There are a few more options below, these are my temporary choices. You can take a look and see if there are any you like?"

Why do you want to see what I like?

Li Changhe said speechlessly, "This isn't like I'm choosing a concubine for him."

"Of course it depends on your preferences, boss. If I want to promote them, they must first meet your aesthetic standards, right?"

"Besides, I brought them along because I wanted them to be my companions!"

At this moment, Adjani whispered to Li Changhe.

“You gave me permission, Vic!”

"So you have to choose what you like, so you won't get angry later!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe immediately understood her thoughts.

Adjani is young and has needs, but Li Changhe can't stay in the US all the time, and his occasional comforts can't solve her lovesickness.

She didn't dare to find another man behind Li Changhe's back, so after being with Gong Xue last time, Ajani had a brilliant idea.

She can't date men, but she can date women.

She discovered that Li Changhe also enjoyed having her serve him alongside other women, which led her to uncover the loophole.

As expected, the proposal was approved by Li Changhe, but only on the condition that Li Changhe review it.

Ultimately, they still had to sleep next to Li Changhe.

Li Changhe had only taken it as a casual remark, but he never expected that Ajani would actually come back looking for him.

"I know you'd love Sophie Marceau, so I put her first, but there are some nice ones later on too. I think you can take a look, just in case you like any of them."

At this moment, Adjani whispered seductively in Li Changhe's ear, "It can only be said that French women are indeed bold in this regard."

Hearing what Ajani said, Li Changhe curiously flipped through the photos, and sure enough, his gaze soon fell on another photograph.

After seeing Li Changhe's gaze linger, Ajani looked up.

克里斯蒂亚娜·耶里
"She's of mixed Brazilian and Brazilian descent. I think her looks fit Eastern aesthetics, so I deliberately included her. It seems you like her quite a bit, don't you?"

Adjani then asked curiously.

Li Changhe smiled and asked, "How did you find her?"

"It's very simple. The production team's shortlisted candidates included this girl. She actually auditioned for 'La Boum' just like Sophie Marceau, but Sophie Marceau was chosen as the lead actress, while she was not."

“I only looked at some of the information, found her, and thought she was good. Now it seems I have grasped your taste.”

Adjani said softly.

Li Changhe glanced at her and said, "Then I'll recommend another one to you."

"Go to Italy and find a girl named Monica Bellucci, who should be around twenty years old this year. If you find her, then I won't need to look for any other women, whether I'm in Europe or the United States!"

Li Changhe didn't have any feelings for these women, but since he was stuck in this era, it wouldn't be bad to let them be his canaries and shields in Europe and America.

"Vic, are you telling the truth?"

At this moment, Ajani looked at Li Changhe with surprise.

Li Changhe smiled and said, "Of course, when have I ever lied to you?"

Actually, there are many top-tier beauties in Europe and America, and many women are no less stunning than them, but as I said before, it's hard to trust Li Changhe.

On the contrary, I know a little about their fates, so at least I don't have to worry about them being from the CIA or other intelligence agencies. I can sleep peacefully now!
(End of this chapter)