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

Chapter 767 The position of Envoy is within easy reach!
After leaving Government House, Sir Michael Sandberg was still somewhat uneasy. He felt that Paul Chau seemed to have ill intentions towards HSBC, but he had no evidence.

Despite several attempts by Sir Michael Sandberg to probe, he failed to uncover anything. In fact, he was quite keen to make Paul Chau a representative of HSBC, just like Paul Y. Kwok had done back then, allowing him to grow his business step by step with HSBC's support.

With Bao Yugang's outstanding achievements as a precedent, Bao Zeyang could easily gain the trust of the entire HSBC by leveraging the Bao family's reputation and secure many of HSBC's resources.

However, Bao Zeyang's attitude towards HSBC was always lukewarm; he was neither completely resistant nor very close to it, which made Shen Bi both love and hate him.

He genuinely valued Bao Zeyang's business acumen, and his youth and Chinese background meant that if he cooperated well with HSBC, he would definitely become an agent for HSBC and many other British companies in China.

However, he was also dissatisfied with Bao Zeyang's disregard for HSBC, as the latter did not show much affection for HSBC.

Shen Bi thought of a word he had recently learned: "chicken rib" (meaning something that is neither fish nor fodder).

It is a pity that it is tasteless.

Perhaps it was his previous attitude towards Bao Zeyang.

But now Shen Bi suddenly understood why Bao Zeyang had been lukewarm towards HSBC.

Perhaps from the very beginning, his idea was to create his own bank and then integrate his companies.
Thinking of these things, Shen Bi frowned.

If that's the case, then barring any unforeseen circumstances, Bao Zeyang will soon be able to build a huge conglomerate in Hong Kong.

With Hongkong Land, Wharf Holdings, Wheelock and Standard Chartered, plus his investments in the United States, a massive intercontinental conglomerate could very well emerge by connecting them through banks, much like Mitsui and Mitsubishi in Japan.

The conglomerate model, while expanding to a certain extent, is also exclusive, because core resources circulate internally. They form an internal cycle and then continuously extend their reach outwards.

For HSBC, the emergence of such a behemoth conglomerate in Hong Kong would pose a significant impact and challenge, given that the core of the banking industry is to exert influence over major corporations through capital.

HSBC was effectively the "central bank" of Hong Kong precisely because it controlled the purse strings and could influence Jardine Matheson, Hutchison Whampoa, Wheelock and Swire Group.

However, once Bao Zeyang's consortium is formed, these influential large enterprises in Hong Kong will inevitably cooperate more closely with Standard Chartered than with HSBC.

The funds from Hongkong Land's real estate projects, Wharf Holdings' shipping operations, and Dairy Farm's cash flow—all these add up to a considerable amount of capital.

If we add Bao Zeyang's influence on Hong Kong businessmen and the public, once the people of Hong Kong learn that Standard Chartered Bank is controlled by Bao Zeyang or the Bao family, the level of trust they have in Standard Chartered could increase by several levels at once.

Thinking of all this, Shen Bi sighed inwardly.

My hesitation has harmed me. Perhaps I shouldn't hesitate anymore, but should make a firm decision.

I should quickly establish a conglomerate that can rival Bao Zeyang, instead of continuing to hesitate between Bao Zeyang and Li Jiacheng.

However, Shen Bi then looked somewhat helpless.

Because he suddenly realized that it was already too late to support Li Jiacheng.

The reason is simple: Bao Zeyang has already monopolized almost all of Hong Kong Island's high-quality resources.

Of the four major foreign trading companies, Bao Zeyang acquired one and a half, Wheelock and half of Jardine Matheson, while the other half of Jardine Matheson remained in Bao Yugang's hands.

Li Ka-shing's side only has Hutchison Whampoa.

The remaining Swire Group is firmly held in the hands of the Swire family. HSBC can at most allow Li Ka-shing to cooperate with Swire, but it is impossible for them to swallow it up.

British capital no longer holds many high-quality assets; what remains may be Chinese capital.

Shen Bi began to ponder what Chinese assets might be available for Li Jiacheng to acquire.

Perhaps he should go back and discuss it with Li Jiacheng, after all, Li Jiacheng's business acumen is undeniable.

At this moment, Old Li had no idea that because of Li Changhe's statement, a huge windfall was about to fall into his lap.

Meanwhile, Li Changhe met Bao Yugang, who looked travel-worn, at home.

Bao Yugang came because of Li Changhe's statement.

He couldn't understand why Li Changhe would release such a statement at such a crucial moment; it was completely illogical.

"Ah Yang, tell me, what exactly happened?"

In the study, Bao Yugang looked at Li Changhe and asked seriously.

Li Changhe explained earnestly, "Uncle, I've actually communicated with people back home about this. The main problem is that it would be too conspicuous for me to go up there."

"Furthermore, I've just established good relations with London, so at this sensitive time, I don't want to provoke them. Maintaining appropriate neutrality is actually a good thing for us."

Since there was a mole within the country, it was definitely not something that could be discussed with Bao Yugang, so Li Changhe had already come up with other reasons.

"Alright, now that you've communicated with them, I understand. However, this means you might not be able to join the Basic Law Drafting Committee."

Bao Yugang shook his head helplessly and said to Li Changhe.

"Uncle, you're talking about the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee, right? Forget it, I won't go. Going will only cause me trouble."

Li Changhe shook his head and said this.

The Basic Law of Hong Kong Island is essentially Hong Kong Island's own "constitution" in the future. It is also equivalent to the guarantee given to Hong Kong Island by the mainland. All the guarantees are written into law, and all laws in Hong Kong Island in the future must be implemented within the framework of the Basic Law.

Therefore, for Hong Kong Island, participating in the drafting of the Basic Law is equivalent to participating in the construction of the entire legal system of Hong Kong Island, which is actually a very good thing for Li Changhe, who has a lot of assets in Hong Kong Island.

After all, by participating in this, one can propose legal provisions that are more conducive to protecting oneself, while also limiting the scope of rights for dispatched personnel in China, so that one can protect oneself through the "law" in the future.

In fact, many participants in Hong Kong did just that, which brought a lot of benefits to Hong Kong.

For example, many people on Hong Kong Island were partly responsible for the later high housing prices, and it's not just the fault of real estate developers. The reason is that the mainland limited the Governor's House to a sales area of ​​50 hectares per year, and this was for commercial areas, not including public construction land.

However, the British can only keep half of the land sale proceeds; the other half remains with a housing and construction fund on Hong Kong Island for future maintenance of public facilities. This effectively provides the future Hong Kong government with start-up capital. In addition, the mainland has offered numerous preferential policies in education, legislation, trade, and many other areas to gain the trust of Hong Kong residents.

Therefore, the domestic government is not actually in a strong position during the legislative process.

Therefore, Li Changhe had absolutely no interest in the Hong Kong Island Basic Law Drafting Committee. He knew that if he went in, he would only suffer in silence, and he would have to put on a cheerful facade while secretly enduring the mistreatment.

On the surface, he is still a member of the Hong Kong side, and many people are fighting for the independence of Hong Kong. Logically speaking, Bao Zeyang should do the same; you can't turn against them!
Just as Li Ka-shing advocated for Hong Kong's independence and the free flow of capital, Bao Zeyang also needs to propose proposals that benefit Hong Kong.

They can't just blindly side with the mainland and erode Hong Kong's interests. But for Li Changhe, this is a difficult problem. What kind of interests of Hong Kong can he possibly protect?

Therefore, it's better not to get involved in this matter, so as to avoid getting caught up in things you can't stand and being helpless, and perhaps even giving some people the opportunity to attack and slander him.

“Yes, once the two countries reach an agreement, a Basic Law Drafting Committee will be established in Hong Kong. I will be the vice chairman, and you should be a member as well.”

"But now that you've made this statement, I reckon you might not be able to get in."

Bao Yugang shook his head and said with some helplessness.

This drafting committee can be said to be composed of the most outstanding figures in all aspects of the Hong Kong Chinese community, and they are all recognized by the mainland. It is already quite prestigious that Bao Yugang can serve as the deputy director.

People like Li Ka-shing and Fok were just ordinary committee members.

As for the so-called four major families of later generations, such as Kwok Tak-seng of Sun Hung Kai Properties and Lee Shau-kee of Henderson Land Development, they didn't even get in.

From this perspective, Li Jiacheng did indeed enjoy the trust of the domestic authorities during this period, and the domestic authorities still held great goodwill towards him, believing him to be a figure worthy of united front work.

Li Changhe didn't want to go in and suffer, but he had also thought it through. He would report some potential cases and pitfalls to the domestic authorities, and when it came time to draft the document, the domestic people would take the lead in advocating for it.

When he returns, he will write a report and present Lin Yuan with some of the problems and potential ideas here.

"It doesn't matter. If we can't get in, we can't get in. I guess most of the people who will be going in will be elderly. It would be too conspicuous for a young person like me to go in. Uncle, you can be the deputy director."

Li Changhe said indifferently.

After listening, Bao Yugang couldn't help but shake his head.

“You’re thinking too simply about this, Ah Yang. This isn’t just about getting you involved; it’s about the very structure of Hong Kong’s legal system. If you get in, that’s a qualification.”

"Don't forget, after 97, Hong Kong Island will be returned to China. There will be a new election in Hong Kong then. You'll be forty years old then, in the prime of your life. And your identity will definitely not be a problem in mainland China."

Bao Yugang didn't explain it very clearly, but Li Changhe understood that Bao Yugang meant that the position of the future military governor of Hong Kong Island was within Li Changhe's grasp.

Unfortunately, Li Changhe couldn't explain it to him in a very clear way.

“Uncle, let’s leave the future to the future and focus on the present. Besides, as you know, I don’t like being tied to one place. Actually, if I really want to go straight, it would be better for me to stay in China, where I can start from a higher position.”

As a graduate of Peking University, one of the first batch of college students to be reformed and opened up, if he were to become a full-fledged official, his rank would rise rapidly.

Putting everything else aside, his classmates, who have only graduated for two years and are still at the deputy level, are considered slow. The fast ones are already at the limit of what online novels can be written.

Of course, that's because some of them already had a certain rank, but in any case, these classmates' promotion speed is like a rocket, especially with the country's selection of younger cadres. If they make a little achievement, they will be promoted immediately.

In comparison, Li Changhe really didn't take the military governor of such a small place as Hong Kong Island seriously.

"Never mind, you have your own ideas, and I won't say more. Just think it over carefully."

Bao Yugang still felt a little regretful, because if the Bao family could really produce a military governor, it would be extremely good for the whole family.

"By the way, Uncle, I think I'll be focusing on the airline business next. Would you like to get involved?"

Li Changhe then spoke to Bao Yugang.

Once the statement is finalized, Li Changhe's airline should be up and running, as this was a condition he had already agreed upon with the Governor's Office.

Prior to this, Li Changhe had worried that the Hong Kong government would, as in the past, block routes to favor Cathay Pacific.

But now, having opened up access to London's upper echelons, Li Changhe can only say: Who else?
"An airline is a capital-intensive project with a huge investment. Are you really sure you want to do it?"

At this moment, Bao Yugang asked seriously.

Li Changhe nodded: "Yes, not just airlines. Next, I will focus on building a cultural tourism group, from aviation to hotels, to tourism to cruise ships, to create an international tourism export route between Asia, Europe and America."

Li Changhe now has existing hotels, existing freight companies, and the European and American service lines created by Chen Lei. If he adds aviation and resources such as Universal Studios, a complete cultural tourism system can be formed.

It's entirely possible to create a dedicated tourism and cultural exchange route between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The key to this is not making money, but the influence it generates once the framework is in place.

Just like the Hongmen of the past, it will become a representative of overseas Chinese.

Li Changhe's organization is not a criminal organization, but it will become an important channel for domestic and overseas exchanges. The hidden influence it brings is something that the higher authorities absolutely need to pay attention to.

"Your idea is quite ambitious, but doing it would probably cost a lot of money."

Bao Yugang said in surprise at this moment.

Li Changhe nodded: "Yes, that's why I asked you, Uncle. I'm really short of money. It would be too much for me to invest all by myself. Besides, it's not interesting for one company to dominate like this. I plan to bring in a few more families."

“Whether it’s Malaysia, Singapore, or Europe and the United States, I plan to bring in some investment.”

Li Changhe openly shared his thoughts.

After listening, Bao Yu nodded and said, "In that case, I'll invest one share. You can tell me how much money you need, and I'll arrange for someone to transfer the money to you."

(End of this chapter)