In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Kang Le Building, 51st floor, Lin Haoran's office.

Lin Haoran sat in his chair, recalling the changes of the past week, and couldn't help but smile.

Everything is developing in a good direction.

For him, these are all good things.

Just then, Cui Zilong called again.

"Boss, this call is about Forbes news again. I'll fax you the summary report right away," Cui Zilong said directly after the call connected.

"Okay, fax it over now!"

Soon, a new report appeared in Lin Haoran's hands.

Cui Zilong's latest report indicates that Malcolm Forbes has finally succumbed to pressure.

Just today, he sent a message seeking a "private settlement" through a Wall Street broker who has indirect ties with Lin Haoran.

The message was worded tactfully, but its core message was clear: it acknowledged that the report "may have some points that are open to discussion in terms of fact-checking and wording," and hoped that both sides could "find a dignified way to end the dispute in a way that is based on their shared responsibility for the long-term healthy development of the business news industry" and avoid a lose-lose situation.

When Lin Haoran finished reading the report, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"There may be points that are open to discussion regarding the verification of some facts and the wording"?
This is utterly meaningless and ineffective sophistry.

Want to end things in a "decent way"?
When they were wielding the big stick of public opinion, trying to nail him and the Oriental Media Group to the pillar of shame, they didn't care about dignity at all.

Forbes may seem to have backed down, but clearly they haven't truly realized where they went wrong, or rather, they're unwilling to pay the price to make amends.

"Both sides suffer?"

Lin Haoran repeated the word in a low voice, his fingers tapping lightly on the report, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Do they still have the right to talk about 'mutually destructive' outcomes?"

He never offended Forbes, and he never even had any dealings with them.

As a result, the other party turned around and provoked him.

Although he himself was somewhat disdainful of the propaganda war launched by the other side.

Questioning his wealth is the most ridiculous thing.

Disdain is one thing, not fighting back is another.

Therefore, he had originally decided to teach Forbes a profound lesson.

Unexpectedly, before he could even make a move, Citibank, Buffett, and others couldn't wait to step in and teach the other party a lesson.

Especially Citibank's actions!

The power of America's top financial giants is simply beyond the reach of Forbes.

From the moment Citibank sided with him, the outcome of this business war instigated by the other side was already sealed.

The so-called "lose-lose" scenario is nothing more than Forbes' wishful thinking, or rather, a pretext for trying to save face.

Begging for mercy should be done with the proper attitude!

Lin Haoran's gaze lingered for a moment on the words "some points that can be discussed" in the report.

This so-called "acknowledgment" is so casually dismissed, and it's filled with empty words like "dignity" and "lose-lose situation."

They were clearly still clinging to wishful thinking, trying to get away with it at the lowest possible cost.

But the other side seems to have forgotten who provoked the tiger first, and who was routed after suffering a thunderous counterattack.

"It seems they still haven't figured out the situation," Lin Haoran muttered to himself, his voice calm.

He picked up the landline receiver on the table and dialed Cui Zilong's mobile number directly: "Mr. Cui, tell them that I'm busy with work, especially with wedding preparations, and I don't have time to deal with such insincere probing."

If Mr. Malcolm Forbes is truly interested in resolving the issue, he should present a written proposal that demonstrates sincerity and complies with business rules and journalistic ethics.

Furthermore, due to the Forbes article that triggered the Hong Kong real estate crisis, everyone in Hong Kong is currently very busy. Please don't waste each other's precious time; I don't have time to waste with them.

Lin Haoran's words were quite direct and blunt.

Want to test his bottom line step by step?

He had no interest in such a pointless activity.

"Boss, do you have any requests? If so, I can pass them on to Forbes!" Cui Zilong said respectfully.

"My request?" For a moment, Lin Haoran couldn't think of anything in Forbes that he would covet.

money?
Forbes Group is currently in dire straits, and that compensation is a drop in the ocean compared to its massive cash flow.

Moreover, making Forbes lose money is more symbolic, a form of punishment, than a means of profiting.

Influence?
Forbes magazine does have a significant global influence, but its core is in the United States. While its Asian section is important, it is not irreplaceable.

Furthermore, the Forbes of today is not the same Forbes that has gradually increased its influence by publishing the global rich list.

With his support, given time, the Oriental Media Group may well be able to secure a place in the global financial media landscape.

Gaining partial control of the other party's Asian business through pressure may be an option, but it is not necessary and requires management effort. It is not a high priority for his current grander strategic plan.

So, what does he want?
For a moment, he really didn't expect it.

Acquire Forbes?
He hadn't really considered that.

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I know it's impossible!

Despite having Citibank backing him, he decisively defeated Forbes, the American media giant.

But he knew that it was merely the influence of Citibank, not his own power.

If he were to actually propose acquiring Forbes Group, it would be impossible, even with the support of Citibank.

Because he can't get past the US government!
The United States' domineering nature is well-known. If Forbes, such an influential media group, were to be acquired by Lin Haoran, a Hong Kong tycoon, it would undoubtedly touch the most sensitive nerve of American political and capital elites.

Even with Citibank's intervention, the resistance from Congress, the FBI, and even the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States will be unprecedented, and could even trigger a new round of broader political attacks.

This is by no means a wise move.

He's rich, but he's not stupid.

He didn't want to get himself into trouble for the sake of a media company.

There’s really no need!

It's not his style to pursue an almost impossible goal that would cause endless trouble when he could easily win and gain the greatest strategic benefits.

Most importantly, if Oriental Media Group continues to develop steadily, it will eventually become a top global media giant.

What he wants is to "win," to "establish authority," and to "establish rules," not a protracted, unpredictable, and potentially self-destructive political and legal quagmire.

So what can be extracted from Forbes that aligns with his core interests, serves as a deterrent and warning, and doesn't cross the red lines of American politics?
Lin Haoran was at a loss for what to do.

So he simply replied, "That depends on their sincerity. If they want to make peace, let Malcolm Forbes come to Hong Kong to see me in person!"

Lin Haoran's voice came through the telephone line, clear and cold: "Tell them that if they want to make peace, they should have Malcolm Forbes come to Hong Kong to see me in person."

Bring him the most sincere proposal he could offer, and I'll give him three days to consider and prepare.

If I don't see him in Hong Kong three days later, or if what he brings makes me feel like a waste of my time, then this matter ends here. There's no need for further contact.

Instead of giving specific conditions, he passed the buck back to the authorities and set a deadline.

This is a more sophisticated way of applying pressure, making the other party suffer in the face of great uncertainty and urgency, while forcing them to show far more "sincerity" than expected in order to understand and satisfy their wishes.

This is more agonizing than directly stating conditions, and it better reflects his composure and control as the absolutely dominant party.

"Yes, boss! I understand what to do!" Cui Zilong understood immediately.

The boss is making Forbes hand him the knife themselves, and then expecting them to figure out how much force to use and where to cut.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran casually tossed the report into a drawer.

The Forbes story is temporarily behind him.

He had anticipated the other party's nonchalant and evasive attitude, which was exactly what he expected.

The leaders of these established media empires are used to being high and mighty, used to judging others with their pens. Even when cornered, they can't let go of their pitiful "dignity" and wishful thinking.

His attention must be focused on the more important matters at hand.

His wedding to Guo Xiaohan was so grand that even the Queen of England attended, which meant that the wedding could not possibly be a low-key affair.

"Since that's the case, why not make this wedding a grand celebration to announce it to the world?" Lin Haoran's gaze fell on the dazzling night view of Victoria Harbour outside the window, and a grand and clear idea gradually took shape in his mind.

This was not only his wedding with Guo Xiaohan, but also a wonderful stage.

The presence of the Queen of England has elevated the political and symbolic significance of this wedding to an unprecedented level.

So why not go with the flow and turn it into a mega-event that integrates commercial, political, and cultural influence, showcasing his power, connections, and vision to the global elite?

This "Forbes incident" has made him realize the importance of core connections.

When someone wants to deal with him, he doesn't even need to take action himself. Top-tier forces that are deeply tied to his interests or owe him favors will step forward to clear the obstacles for him.

Citigroup's swift counterattack and Buffett's public support are the best examples.

He needs to transform this "passive" assistance into a more proactive, broader, and more robust global network. His wedding is an excellent opportunity to do just that.

If he has more allies like Citibank, then in the future, no matter what challenges he faces or where his opponents come from, he will have no need to worry or even personally intervene.

His will will be naturally carried out through this invisible yet powerful network.

This gives him more security than having more money, and it aligns better with his long-term goal of becoming a "rule-maker."

Thinking of this, Lin Haoran's eyes grew even brighter.

What he needs is not just a glamorous wedding, but a "super social event" that can substantially expand and solidify his global network of top connections.

Therefore, the bigger the wedding, the better, and the more distinguished the guests, the better!

His thinking became increasingly clear.

Lin Haoran sat back in his office chair and quickly sorted out the key points in his mind.

The Queen is the core, the "jewel in the crown".

Her very existence is a powerful endorsement and magnetic field, attracting top figures who are usually very difficult to invite and who value tradition, status, and symbolism.

Especially the old European nobility, families closely associated with royalty, and some old-school political and business leaders.

Even leaders from numerous Commonwealth countries.

Citibank, on the other hand, is the leverage, the "key to the North American power arena."

Through Walter Riston and Citigroup's extensive network, it is possible to leverage the inner circle of Wall Street, the "old money" families on the East Coast, as well as think tanks closely tied to financial capital and some power brokers in Washington.

These people represent America's real influence and the will of capital.

The Kuo family of Southeast Asia is the foundation and the "hub of the Asia-Pacific network".

The Guo family's deep-rooted connections within the Chinese community in Southeast Asia form a stable and powerful foundation.

Through Guo Xiaohan, he was able to naturally inherit and expand this network, bringing Southeast Asian Chinese business leaders, local elites, and some political figures into his circle.

His own business achievements and platforms such as "Oriental Media" act as a "magnet" to attract emerging forces.

Global financial elites, business tycoons, ambitious young entrepreneurs, and investors focused on opportunities arising from Asia's rise will be drawn to him by their curiosity and admiration for his legendary personal experiences and business empire.

So how do we weave these scattered, multi-level "points" into a tight and efficient "network" centered on him?
A wedding itself is a "ritual," a showcase.

But more importantly, it revolves around a “series of in-depth interactions” designed around the wedding.

He needs to create opportunities for these top figures from different countries and regions, different cultural backgrounds, and different power structures to exchange ideas and engage in dialogue in a private, elegant, informal, yet valuable environment.

And in the process, they subtly came to accept his role as the "new center".

Thinking of this, Lin Haoran's eyes brightened even more.

He picked up the mobile phone next to his desk and dialed a number.

"Uncle Guo, it's me! Are you free tonight? It's been a long time since I've had dinner at your house. I'm planning to bring Xiaohan over this evening... You're free? Then I won't stand on ceremony! Okay, okay, okay, Uncle Guo, it's a deal then, see you tonight!"

Lin Haoran put down his phone and smiled.

That's right, he just called Guo Henian.

Guo Henian returned to Hong Kong from Singapore a few days ago.

After all, Guo Henan has already focused his investments on Hong Kong. For him, Southeast Asia is just his base, where he has reached a bottleneck in development.

Hong Kong is the best stage for him to break through this bottleneck.

Especially now that Lin Haoran is his prospective nephew-in-law, Guo Henian is even more optimistic about the future of Hong Kong, and is taking bigger and faster steps in his investments.

Lin Haoran chose to visit tonight not only to strengthen the relationship between the two families, but also to have in-depth discussions with this Southeast Asian business tycoon and his future uncle-in-law about his grand plan to upgrade the wedding into a "top global event," and to seek his full support.

The Guo family's resources and connections are crucial to realizing this vision.

After finishing his call with Guo Henian, Lin Haoran called Guo Xiaohan and asked her to get ready to go to Guo Henian's house together in the evening.

Upon learning that Lin Haoran was going to take her to visit his uncle, Guo Xiaohan was clearly very happy, and her tone became cheerful.

Before we knew it, it was evening.

After leaving the Connaught Building, Lin Haoran picked up Guo Xiaohan, who was returning from Sheung Wan, on Shi Xun Road.

Guo Xiaohan had clearly dressed up carefully, wearing a white long dress with a well-tailored beige trench coat over it, which made her look both dignified and fashionable.

Her hair was elegantly styled in an updo, revealing a smooth forehead and a slender neck, adorned with simple pearl earrings that shimmered softly in the evening light.

She carried an elegant handbag and wore a perfectly appropriate, obedient smile when meeting an elder.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Lin Haoran's eyes as he gentlemanly opened the car door for her: "My princess, please."

Guo Xiaohan was amused by him, gave him a coquettish look, and gracefully sat down in the back seat.

The car drove smoothly toward Deep Water Bay.

On the way, Lin Haoran briefly told her about his plan to discuss with Guo Henian that evening to upgrade the wedding into a "global event".

After all, he had already told Guo Xiaohan that she would be in charge of the preliminary work for the wedding, so she naturally needed to be aware of this matter.

Guo Xiaohan was deeply moved, but this time she was no longer as apprehensive as she had been at the beginning; instead, she was filled with a sense of participation and anticipation.

She knew that she would not only be the leading lady of this grand event, but also an important participant.

The thought of becoming one of the world's focal points made Guo Xiaohan's heart race involuntarily.

Which girl doesn't want her wedding to be a grand affair?

Moreover, this is not simply vanity, but a deeper excitement about identity recognition and value realization.

She received a traditional education from a young age and was well aware of the responsibilities of a "virtuous wife," but she also longed to demonstrate her own abilities and value, rather than just being a sheltered parasitic plant.

What Lin Haoran gave her was such a broad stage and a heavy trust.

"Brother Haoran, don't worry, I will do my best to do everything I should do." Guo Xiaohan couldn't hide her excitement at all.

Lin Haoran nodded with satisfaction.

His choice of Guo Xiaohan was not only based on family alliance considerations, nor solely on her initiative, but also on the valuable qualities he valued in her.

She possesses both the gentleness and resilience of traditional women and the insight and potential of modern women, and is willing to learn and grow for a common goal.

The car drove into the Kwok family's grand mansion in Deep Water Bay.

And this place is not far from the villa where Lin Haoran's parents live.

He planned to go back after visiting Guo Henian.

Guo Henan moved from the hilltop villa area to Deep Water Bay two years ago and has been living here ever since.

At the Guo family villa, the warm hospitality of Guo Henian and his wife was evident, and the dinner was sumptuous and enjoyable.

After the meal, Guo Xiaohan stayed in the hall to chat with her aunt, while Lin Haoran and Guo Henian went to the study on the second floor.

Guo Henian knew that Lin Haoran's personal visit couldn't have been just to visit an elder; there must have been other purposes.

However, he was not in a hurry to ask Lin Haoran.

He personally brewed a pot of tea and then poured a cup for each of them.

Then, Guo Henian said with a smile, "Haoran, you've come at the right time. I've been thinking about a problem lately, but I haven't been able to make a decision yet. I know that you, Haoran, are much more quick-witted than most people, and your ideas are more imaginative, so I wanted to hear your opinion."

Lin Haoran picked up his teacup, took a light sniff of the tea aroma, and smiled, "Uncle Guo, you flatter me. Given our current relationship, if there's anyone who can help you, please let me know."

Upon hearing this, Guo Henian continued, "It's like this. Recently, I've been thinking about whether to move the entire Guo family's headquarters to Hong Kong. As you know, my development in Southeast Asia has long reached a bottleneck, but in Hong Kong, I see a broader horizon and unlimited possibilities."

Guo Henian put down his teacup, his expression becoming serious and frank: "To be honest, Haoran, the Guo family's business in Southeast Asia has a deep foundation, but its ceiling is also very obvious."

Local protectionism, deeply entrenched family influence, and limited market capacity make further progress extremely difficult. I've been trying to break through these barriers for years, but with little success.

He looked at Lin Haoran, his eyes seeking approval: "But Hong Kong is different. It is a free port, the financial and trade center of Asia, backed by the huge mainland market and facing the world."

More importantly, your presence here, your vision, your skill, and the miracles you've created have shown me a completely different future.

Lin Haoran listened quietly without interrupting.

He knew that Guo Henian's words were not only heartfelt, but also a deeper test and an expression of his willingness to form an alliance.

"Moving the entire Kwok family headquarters to Hong Kong means giving up part of the 'comfort zone' that has been operating in Southeast Asia for many years, facing fiercer competition, and binding the future of the Kwok family more closely with you and the future of Hong Kong."

Guo Henian spoke in a deep tone, clearly indicating that this issue had been causing him considerable hesitation recently.

"This is a major strategic decision, so I'd like to hear your opinion. Do you think the future of Hong Kong is worth such a 'gamble' by the Guo family?"

He had this idea ever since the Singapore Rich List was published.

It was the Hong Kong market, and the help of his nephew-in-law Lin Haoran, that allowed the Guo family to completely widen the wealth gap with the Qiu Deba family in Southeast Asia, making the Guo family the richest family in Southeast Asia.

The study was quiet for a moment, with only the aroma of tea wafting through the air.

Lin Haoran knew that Guo Henian was asking not only about the future of Hong Kong, but also about his own future.

If the Guo family goes all in on Hong Kong, it's largely a bet that Lin Haoran can continue to lead the way, and even reach new heights. (End of Chapter)