In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 254, page 253: Turning Gold and Pearls into Cash. Forty Million US Dollars!
As evening fell, a Pan Am flight from San Francisco, after a long trans-Pacific flight, finally roared to life. The flaps under the wings adjusted their angles, and the massive fuselage steadily aligned itself with the renowned runway that seemed to extend into the heart of the city, before landing smoothly at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport.

As the sunlight streamed in, the slightly crowded pedestrian walkway shone through the air, step by step.

The moment the hatch opened, a unique gust of hot, humid air mixed with the salty sea breeze rushed in.

This atmosphere was completely different from the larger, fully air-conditioned international airport he remembered; it carried a primal and vibrant energy.

Kai Tak Airport in the late 1970s was far smaller in scale than it would be in later years, and its facilities were simpler. The low-ceilinged terminal building, the hand-pushed baggage carts, and the ground staff wearing uniforms with distinctive characteristics of the era were very different from the modern Kai Tak Airport of my memory.

But the almost non-stop frequency of takeoffs and landings, the hurried travelers from all over the world, and the tense and busy pace and unique Hong Kong Island atmosphere that permeate the air are already taking shape.

His sharp eyes spotted Liang Botao almost instantly among the crowd waiting to greet people at the airport.

It wasn't because he was informed beforehand, but because Liang Botao's temperament stood out in the crowd.

He wore a perfectly pressed light gray suit, a dark tie, and his hair was neatly combed. In addition to being shrewd and capable, he also exuded a calm and reliable aura.

Standing next to him was a middle-aged man in a driver's uniform, with his hands folded in front of him and a respectful demeanor, silently indicating their identities and purpose.

"Boss, you must be tired from your journey." Liang Botao quickly stepped forward, his face bearing just the right amount of warm smile, neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in respect.

He naturally reached out and took the not-so-heavy suitcase from Yang Guangming's hands. His movements were fluid, and his tone was respectful without being obsequious, demonstrating excellent professional qualities honed through countless trials.

"Bo Tao, thank you for coming to pick me up. How's the situation here?" Yang Guangming asked as he walked out with Liang Bo Tao.

His gaze, however, was like a scanner, casually and quickly sweeping over everything around him that was imbued with the spirit of the times—the advertisements on the walls, the travelers' clothing, the merchandise in the airport shop windows. Everything before him bore the mark of its era.

"Everything is going smoothly. The framework has been initially set up as you instructed over the phone."

Liang Botao spoke steadily and clearly, keeping his voice at a level that only the two of them could hear clearly. "Our office is located in Pacific Place Tower 1 in Admiralty. We've rented the entire half of the 38th floor, which is about 800 square meters. The view and environment are excellent, overlooking Victoria Harbour, which aligns with our 'Qiming Capital' image of being based in Hong Kong Island and looking towards the world."

"As for staff, apart from a few supervisors who are yet to be appointed, we have already recruited 22 colleagues. The core framework has been established, including administrative, financial, legal, and preliminary research and analysis teams."

Key positions were filled through headhunters and senior executives; all candidates have clean backgrounds and strong capabilities, and are currently working normally, handling preliminary preparations.

The biggest expenses are office furniture, equipment, and company vehicles. I've already prepared the purchase list and contracts, and you can review them at any time.

As they talked, the group had already passed through the somewhat noisy arrival hall and arrived at the parking lot outside the airport.

The evening heat, mixed with car exhaust fumes, hit them as Liang Botao led Yang Guangming toward a brand-new black Mercedes-Benz W126 sedan.

The driver, already well-trained, opened the rear door, held the top of the door frame with his hand, and waited patiently for Yang Guangming to get in.

"Considering your travel needs in Hong Kong Island and the company's image, the company currently has three vehicles. This one is your personal car, and the other two are mainly used by the business department. One is used to receive clients, and the other is used for the team to go out for research," Liang Botao explained briefly from the side.

Yang Guangming nodded, expressing his satisfaction with Liang Bo's efficient work style and thoughtful handling of details.

He bent down and sat inside the car. The leather seats were soft and supportive, exuding the unique smell of a new car. The interior was spacious, and the temperature was set very comfortably by the air conditioning, instantly isolating him from the noise and heat of the outside world.

The car smoothly drove out of the airport area and merged into the increasingly dense traffic on Hong Kong Island in the evening.

Outside the window, a dense forest of high-rise buildings, neon signs flashing with traditional Chinese characters, and pedestrians hurrying by in various clothes create a vibrant and bustling urban scene, a stark contrast to the open and tranquil campus atmosphere of Stanford University in California.

Liang Botao sat in the passenger seat, leaning to the side, in a posture that was both convenient for communication and polite, and continued to report to Yang Guangming:

"Your accommodation is a detached villa in Repulse Bay, a long-term rental found through connections. The environment and privacy are excellent, which meets your requirements."

Furthermore, as per your previous instructions, two large safes meeting bank-level security standards have been installed in the study.

The car quickly left the bustling city and drove along the winding mountain road, where the vegetation on both sides gradually became lush, and mansions were hidden among them.

Finally, the vehicle drove into a quiet, tree-lined community and stopped in front of a two-story modern villa with a private courtyard and swimming pool.

The villa is predominantly white with clean, simple lines, appearing tranquil and comfortable as dusk deepens.

Liang Botao and the driver helped Yang Guangming carry his simple luggage into the house. The villa was elegantly decorated and fully furnished with all the necessary appliances, clearly having been carefully prepared. Even the refrigerator was stocked with fresh ingredients and drinks.

"Boss, here are the keys and initial passwords for the two safes. You can change them as needed."

Liang Botao handed two brass keys and a piece of paper with numbers written on it to Yang Guangming, and personally led the way to the study, pointing out the location of the two heavy-looking safes embedded in the wall.

"For routine cleaning and maintenance, I will arrange for a trusted person to come twice a week. The time will be fixed and you will be notified in advance."

"If you have any other needs in your life, please let me know at any time," Liang Botao added, "I consider everything in advance, no matter how small."

Yang Guangming looked around at this temporary but comfortable, even luxurious "home" and nodded again: "Very good, Botao, thank you for your trouble."

By this time, it was completely dark. The villa was situated on higher ground, and from the study window, one could clearly see the scattered fishing lights on the distant sea, which, along with the dazzling city lights on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, resembled a cascading galaxy, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

"Boss, I've made a reservation at Yung Kee in Central for your welcome dinner. What do you think?" Liang Botao suggested at the right moment, breaking the brief silence.

“Yung Kee? Great! I’ve heard their roast goose is famous throughout Hong Kong, known as ‘Flying Roast Goose.’ I’ll go try it today.” Yang Guangming readily agreed.

During my time at Stanford, although I occasionally cooked for myself, it had been a long time since I had enjoyed a truly authentic and exquisite Chinese meal. The name itself seemed to have whetted my appetite.

The group got back into the car, and the black Mercedes-Benz blended into the traffic of the night, heading towards Yung Kee Restaurant in Central, the heart of Hong Kong Island.

The atmosphere at dinner was both harmonious and professional.

Yung Kee's interior is antique and bustling with people, full of the lively atmosphere of a time-honored brand.

Liang Botao had clearly done his homework. The dishes he ordered included Yung Kee's signature roast goose, with its crispy skin, tender meat, and rich aroma, as well as some exquisite traditional Cantonese dishes such as Li Yunzi Pipa Shrimp and Jinhua Jade Tree Chicken. The combination was just right, showing both class and taste.

During the meeting, the main exchange between the two was Liang Botao reporting to Yang Guangming on some more detailed aspects of the company's establishment, such as the background highlights of the recruited personnel, the functional division of the office area, and his preliminary observations and analysis of the current financial market in Hong Kong Island—regarding stock market fluctuations, the warming of the real estate market, and signs of hot money flows from Southeast Asia.

Yang Guangming mostly listened, occasionally raising one or two key questions that went straight to the heart of the matter, demonstrating his accurate grasp of specific matters and keen attention to the overall situation.

After the meal, Liang Botao skillfully waved to the waiter to settle the bill and carefully put away the receipt, which would obviously be included in the company's accounts for reimbursement, following a standard procedure.

"You've worked hard today too, go home and get some rest. Come to the villa at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, I have something more important to tell you," Yang Guangming instructed Liang Botao at the entrance of the dining room.

"Okay, boss. I'll be there on time tomorrow morning." Liang Botao opened the car door for Yang Guangming, watched him get in and leave, and then hailed another taxi to return to his residence.

Back at the villa in Repulse Bay, Yang Guangming did not rest immediately.

His long-standing habit has made him prioritize ensuring the safety of his surroundings, no matter where he is.

He first carefully inspected the villa inside and out, familiarizing himself with the layout of each room, checking the door and window locks, and paying attention to the surrounding environment until he was sure everything was in order.

Then he returned to his study, closed the door, drew the curtains, and stood alone in front of the two enormous safes.

His consciousness quickly sank into that strange refrigerator space that only he could perceive. With a thought, it was as if an invisible gate had been opened.

The next moment, a mountain of gold bars appeared on the soft carpet in the center of the study. Under the soft light of the ceiling lamp, they reflected a heavy, alluring, yet cold golden light, creating a very strong visual impact.

Immediately afterwards, a pile of exquisitely crafted wooden boxes and soft velvet bags of varying sizes appeared next to the gold bars, containing the seven thousand South Sea pearls of exceptional quality, each one of them incredibly valuable.

Finally, there were some carefully packaged precious medicinal herbs and more than twenty well-sealed bottles of amber-colored tiger penis wine.

These are some of the valuable items he has accumulated little by little over the past few months by refreshing the space in that magical refrigerator every day.

Except for some tiger penis wine, which remained hidden in his Stanford dorm room due to its size, most of the other wines were brought with him on this "lightweight" trip.

He crouched down and began carefully sorting all the gold and pearls into one of the safes.

The gold bars were neatly stacked inside, their solid feel reassuring; the pearls were taken out even more carefully, one by one, row by row, and neatly arranged on specially designed partitioned jewelry trays and soft velvet pads inside the safe to prevent them from colliding and rubbing against each other.

The soft light shines on these pearls, spreading layers of warm and deep luster, as if capturing a piece of solidified moonlight and concentrated rosy clouds.

Another safe was used to store medicinal materials such as ginseng, bezoar, rhinoceros horn, deer antler, saffron, cordyceps, and dendrobium officinale. They were all properly packaged and emitted either a strong or a faint medicinal fragrance.

Because the glass bottles of tiger penis wine took up too much space, he temporarily placed them neatly in a cool, well-ventilated corner of his study where they were unlikely to be disturbed.

After doing all this, he closed the heavy doors of the two safes one after the other with a dull "click," then locked them and strictly followed the instructions to change the passwords to a number that only he knew.

Only then did he feel a huge weight lifted from his heart. These "gifts" from the refrigerator space finally had a relatively safe and secluded temporary storage place.

He took a shower, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue of the journey and the dust he had just carried. Then he lay down on the soft, wide bed, listening to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore outside the window, and his thoughts drifted away.

The trip to Hong Kong Island, this crucial first step, has finally been taken, and it seems to have gotten off to a good start.

At 8:50 a.m. the next morning, Liang Botao rang the doorbell of the villa on time. He was carrying a paper bag with the words "Lianxianglou" printed on it. Inside were still steaming barbecued pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and Hong Kong-style milk tea in a thermos.

"Good morning, boss. I brought you some local specialties for breakfast, to change things up." Liang Botao placed the breakfast on the restaurant table with a smile, and the aroma immediately filled the air.

Without any hesitation, Yang Guangming and his companion had a simple breakfast at the restaurant. The char siu bao was perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, the shrimp dumplings were crystal clear, and the milk tea was smooth and rich. The authentic Hong Kong flavors instantly awakened their taste buds.

After that, they went to the study together.

Yang Guangming gestured for Liang Botao to sit down in the chair opposite the desk, while he himself sat in the main seat, his expression becoming serious, foreshadowing the importance of the conversation to come.

"Bo Tao, the overt task of bringing you here early to set up the company's framework is what you've accomplished very well. But there's something more important and sensitive that requires you to use your extensive network and resources in Hong Kong to carry out this secretly." Yang Guangming got straight to the point, without any pleasantries or preamble.

Liang Botao immediately sensed the change in atmosphere. He sat up straight, his expression becoming extremely focused, and placed his hands flat on his knees: "Boss, please speak. I will do my best to handle this carefully."

Yang Guangming looked directly into Liang Botao's eyes and slowly said, "I have a batch of gold, weighing a total of 350 kilograms. In addition, I have a batch of South Sea pearls, totaling about 7,000 pieces. Based on my previous understanding of the market, I estimate that the total value of these pearls exceeds 20 million US dollars."

Even with Liang Botao's extensive knowledge and strong mental fortitude, his pupils contracted sharply when he heard the keywords "350 kilograms of gold," "7,000 pearls," and "20 million US dollars." A look of undisguised shock flashed across his face, and he could even hear his heart pounding faster.

Three hundred and fifty kilograms of gold! What does that mean? It's enough to put pressure on the vaults of any small or medium-sized bank!

Seven thousand top-quality South Sea pearls, worth twenty million US dollars!

This was an enormous fortune that would move any prominent family or financial tycoon in Hong Kong! He instantly understood why his boss was so cautious and the significance of this matter.

He quickly composed himself, forcing himself to calm down. His brain, like a high-speed computer, began to work, analyzing all the possibilities.

He didn't rush to ask questions or express his opinion, but continued to listen attentively, knowing that his boss had more crucial things to say.

Yang Guangming's tone remained calm. "The problem is that I cannot provide clear proof of origin for this batch of gold and pearls in the usual sense, in accordance with all regulatory requirements."

I need you to liquidate them as quickly as possible, while ensuring absolute safety and maximizing the final selling price.

I'd like to know, given your network of connections in Hong Kong and your understanding of the local unspoken rules, do you have any practical channels? Are the risks manageable?

Liang Botao did not answer immediately. He pondered for a full half minute, his knuckles unconsciously tapping lightly on his knees. His brain was working at high speed, combining his understanding of the gray areas of Hong Kong's financial and jewelry trading markets to quickly analyze the pros and cons of various options, potential buyers, and possible risks.

A few minutes later, he raised his head, his eyes regaining their usual shrewdness and composure, even appearing sharper in the face of the challenge.
"Boss, first of all, gold is relatively easy to sell because it is a hard currency."

If you choose to sell to a bank, such as HSBC or Standard Chartered, they have a standard inspection process. Based on the international gold price at the time, the transaction can be completed within one or two days. The process is standardized, the funds are safe, and the price is the pure international price without any premium. Moreover, the bank's records will be very clear.

If we choose to sell to large jewelry and gold shops like Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang, and King Fook, they also have a strong capacity to absorb the gold. Moreover, since gold is an essential raw material for them, and international gold prices have been rising recently, their desire to stockpile gold is definitely strong. The purchase price should be slightly higher than the international gold price, but this requires negotiation.

However, their inspection process may be more detailed, and the negotiation period may be slightly longer than that of banks.

He paused, organized his thoughts, and continued to analyze the outlets for pearls: "As for pearls, the channels for selling them are naturally these top-tier jewelry companies."

Given the high overlap in potential buyers for pearls and gold, and the fact that offering both hard currencies simultaneously would greatly enhance our bargaining power, I believe we can bundle them together as a single transaction plan, while simultaneously contacting and negotiating with several of the most powerful jewelry companies.

This will help us secure a better overall quote and also create competition, preventing a single family from driving down the price.

Regarding the issue of proof of origin…

Liang Botao lowered his voice unconsciously, “In Hong Kong Island, a free port, gold trading is relatively free. The focus of regulation is on taxation. As for the source of physical gold, as long as it is not stolen and the quantity is not so staggering as to attract the direct attention of regulatory agencies, buyers with the means usually have their own channels to ‘digest’ it.”

Yang Guangming knew perfectly well that at this time, Hong Kong Island had not yet established a series of anti-money laundering regulations. Selling physical gold was not difficult as long as there were channels available, and the regulations were not strict.

Leung Pak-tao continued, “Hong Kong Island is a free port. Pearls, as natural organic gemstones, are not subject to import tariffs and are not subject to tax supervision, making the regulation more relaxed.”

For these well-established and complex jewelry companies, they have their own ways of handling the warehousing and registration of such 'special goods,' focusing on whether the quality of the goods is top-notch enough and whether the price is attractive enough.

"As long as we don't go overboard, choose reliable and reputable partners, and maintain confidentiality during the operation, the risks are controllable." Yang Guangming listened attentively to Liang Botao's clear and insightful analysis, and his opinion of him rose even higher.

He opened the desk drawer, took out two exquisite wooden boxes lined with black velvet that he had prepared beforehand, and pushed them in front of Liang Botao.

"These are ten South Sea white pearls and ten South Sea golden pearls, all of which are samples I selected. Their quality, size, luster, and roundness are all on par with those seven thousand pearls."

You can take them to potential buyers and let them experience the value of the goods firsthand.

As Yang Guangming spoke, he opened the box.

Instantly, a soft and profound pearly luster, seemingly imbued with life, illuminated the area near the table. The full shape, pure color, and flawless pearl layer silently spoke of their preciousness.

Although Liang Botao is not a professional jewelry appraiser, he still has basic appreciation skills and the ability to judge market value.

He carefully picked up a shimmering gold bead, estimated to be over 15 millimeters in diameter, and examined it closely in the natural light streaming in from the window.

The perfectly round shape, the rich and luxurious luster like liquid gold, and the smooth and flawless surface like a mirror made him instantly understand why this batch of pearls was worth more than 20 million US dollars.

This is absolutely top-tier collectible and fine jewelry quality!
"The quality is indeed excellent; it's one of the finest pieces I've ever seen," Liang Botao praised sincerely, gently placing the pearl back onto the black velvet lining inside the box.

Yang Guangming looked at Liang Botao and knew it was time to unveil the prepared incentive plan. A generous reward would surely attract brave men, especially in this matter.

"Bo Tao, in order to ensure that this work can be completed as quickly as possible and at the most ideal price, I promise you a 1% commission from the total sales of this batch of gold and pearls, as a special bonus and activity fund for you."

He paused briefly to allow Liang Botao to process the information before revealing the astonishing figure: "Based on my initial estimates, the total sales will definitely exceed twenty million US dollars. This means that if you can successfully complete this task, you will receive a reward of over two hundred thousand US dollars."

"Two hundred thousand US dollars..." Liang Botao felt his heart skip a beat again, and he could even hear the faint roar of blood rushing to his head.

In Hong Kong in 1979, this was an enormous sum of money that could change the fate of many people.

His base annual salary is US$70,000 (approximately HK$350,000), which puts him among the top high-income professional managers in the local area, enough to live a very comfortable life on Hong Kong Island.

But this bonus will be more than three times his annual salary!

This would be enough for him to immediately purchase a well-located luxury home or make a substantial investment.

The immense financial incentive sent a rush of excitement through him, making his breathing quicken.

But his long-standing professional ethics and rationality allowed him to quickly calm down.

He understood that this was not only a test and encouragement of his abilities by his boss, but also a sign that he truly regarded him as a confidant.

Accepting this task meant that he had more closely tied his career and future to his mysterious and powerful boss, Yang Guangming.

"boss!"

Liang Botao stood up abruptly, his body trembling slightly with excitement. His tone was extremely solemn, even tinged with barely suppressed emotion, "Thank you for your trust and generous gift!"

I, Liang Botao, hereby assure you that I will do everything in my power, utilizing all my connections and resources, sparing no expense, to dispose of this shipment safely and efficiently at the highest price! You will not be disappointed!

His statement was direct and frank. Faced with such enormous benefits, this undisguised honesty seemed genuine and credible, far more powerful than those empty promises.

Yang Guangming nodded in satisfaction; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

"Okay, I trust your abilities and commitment. From now on, I'm entrusting this matter entirely to you. Safety is paramount throughout the process. Maintain absolute discretion, report progress to me regularly and privately, and avoid leaving unnecessary written records."

"Understood! Please rest assured, I know what's important." Liang Botao nodded vigorously, as if he were making a solemn pledge.

He carefully placed the two boxes containing pearl samples into the inner compartment of his briefcase and zipped it up.

"Then I'll start making contacts today, beginning with Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang, King Fook, and Tse Sui Luen—these are the strongest and have the best reputations—to gauge their intentions." Liang Botao was already in work mode, planning his actions.

"Okay, you can figure out the specifics yourself. Go ahead and get busy, I'll wait for your message." Yang Guangming waved his hand.

After making another solemn promise, Liang Botao picked up the briefcase that now felt incredibly heavy and hurriedly left the villa, his heart filled with unprecedented enthusiasm and determination.

In the following days, Liang Botao demonstrated remarkable efficiency commensurate with his high annual salary and huge bonus incentives.

This also demonstrates the extensive network of contacts he has built up over many years in Hong Kong's financial and business circles.

He was like a precision machine running at full speed, working at full capacity for the huge reward of two hundred thousand dollars and to prove his worth.

He didn't blindly go door-to-door to sell.

Instead, they first leaked the information to the top management of several target jewelry companies through a few trusted and influential intermediaries in a very discreet and informal manner.

Let them know that there is a large quantity of gold and top-quality South Sea pearls with a "mysterious origin but absolutely guaranteed quality" that is looking for a reliable buyer.

He included a preliminary description of the gold's purity and the pearls' quality, but kept the specific quantities and his client's identity strictly confidential. This was intended to whet the other party's appetite, stimulate competition, and avoid revealing his hand too early, which could attract unnecessary attention or lead to price gouging.

After receiving positive and even enthusiastic feedback from the senior management of these companies almost simultaneously, Liang Botao chose to secretly meet with key figures at the vice president and even managing director level of these companies at different times and places, carrying the box of pearl samples that were enough to catch the eye of any jeweler.

The meetings were all carefully arranged in private rooms of upscale private clubs or members-only restaurants, or in highly confidential conference rooms within the company headquarters, to ensure that the content of the conversations would not be overheard by outsiders.

As Liang Botao predicted, several jewelry companies have shown great interest in gold.

International gold prices are currently rising steadily, with strong bullish sentiment in the market. Major gold banks are actively stockpiling physical gold to prepare for potential price increases and market demand.

Three hundred and fifty kilograms of high-purity gold would be a valuable asset that no company could afford to ignore.

Negotiations are tense and professional.

Liang Botao cleverly exploited the information gap and competitive psychology between the companies. During the separate meetings, he would subtly reveal the positive attitude of the competitors, thereby raising their expectations and offers.

After several rounds of intense back-to-back negotiations and price tug-of-war, Jingfu Jewelry, with its strong background and abundant financial resources, ultimately offered the most favorable terms. They agreed to purchase all 350 kilograms of gold at a price slightly higher than the international gold price at the time.

The transaction was agreed to be conducted through a highly confidential third-party professional vault in Hong Kong, with physical delivery and inspection taking place. Funds were to be paid through a combination of Swiss bank drafts and cash from some local Hong Kong banks, ensuring the anonymity, security, and ease of fund transfer.

This alone is expected to generate approximately $2.8 million in revenue!

Selling pearls, on the other hand, puts Liang Botao to the test in terms of negotiation skills, market judgment, and understanding of human greed.

The twenty samples he brought caused quite a stir within several jewelry companies, and even alarmed some long-time veterans who had been out of the business for a long time.

These top-quality South Sea pearls, characterized by their large size, near-perfect roundness, intense mirror-like luster, and flawless smooth surface, especially the rich, pure gold pearls without any impurities, may not be the most expensive, but they are among the most sought-after and best-selling items on the market.

Whether used to create high-end custom jewelry collections to meet the needs of mainstream customers, or as strategic inventory reserves to enhance brand image, they have immeasurable value.

Intense competition ensued.

Liang Botao, holding a rare commodity, remained calm and composed.

He was no longer just a salesman, but had transformed into a discerning auctioneer.

He patiently listened to the quotes from various companies and their analyses of the pearl market segments. For example, the traditional popularity of white pearls among European and Middle Eastern royalty and nobility, and the unique status of gold pearls as a symbol of wealth and good fortune among Southeast Asian tycoons and top Japanese clients.

Through meticulous understanding of this information, he continuously revised his assessment of the final value of these pearls.

He did not sell all the pearls to a single buyer in pursuit of simplicity and convenience.

After comprehensively weighing the offers, payment terms, and absorption capacity of various companies, and after consulting with Yang Guangming, he finally decided to adopt the optimal strategy: to split the seven thousand pearls and reach cooperation agreements with the three companies that offered the highest prices, the most favorable payment terms, and the fastest transaction process.

Two of them mainly acquired the more valuable gold beads, while the other mainly acquired white beads, along with some gold beads.

The final negotiation outcome was even better than Liang Botao's initial optimistic estimate.

The average price of South Sea white pearls has been driven up to $2,200 per pearl, while the even rarer South Sea golden pearls have reached an astonishing average price of $4,300 per pearl.

This price is significantly higher than the initial price quoted by Yang Guangming in the United States, fully demonstrating Hong Kong Island's strong purchasing power and market depth as a top jewelry trading center in Asia and even the world, as well as Liang Botao's outstanding negotiation and resource integration abilities.

Seven thousand pearls, with a total price of an astonishing twenty-two million seven hundred and fifty thousand US dollars!
When Liang Botao returned to Repulse Bay Villa with the final draft of the cooperation agreements signed with the three jewelry companies, a detailed payment plan, and a complete sales summary report, he gave Yang Guangming a detailed report. Even Yang Guangming himself, who had been mentally prepared, was somewhat surprised to hear the final figure.

Liang Botao's abilities indeed exceeded his expectations.

"Boss, the total sales revenue for gold and pearls combined is $25.55 million."

All transaction documents are ready and await your final confirmation and signature.

The funds will be transferred in installments over the next week, as agreed, to designated accounts we have opened in Swiss banks and local Hong Kong banks, which are controlled by offshore companies.

Liang Botao's tone carried the fatigue of working continuously for many days, and his hoarse voice revealed his hard work, but more than that, it was a sense of excitement and pride after completing an important mission, and his eyes sparkled with success.

"Thank you for your hard work, Botao. You did an excellent job, far exceeding my most optimistic expectations."

Looking at the detailed sales summary report in his hand, which listed the unit price, total price, transaction partner, and payment method for each item, Yang Guangming sincerely praised it.

This time, he didn't hold back his praise.

This means that his most important and most "hot" physical asset has finally been successfully transformed into a huge amount of financial capital that he can freely dispose of, and at an extremely attractive price.

The process was so smooth, efficient, and successful that it was practically perfect.

With this huge sum of $25.55 million, plus the $16 million he had previously obtained from patent licensing and which had been transferred to offshore accounts, he now has a total of over $40 million in investable cash!

This is undoubtedly a staggering figure, especially in this era.

This provides him with an abundance, even a luxury, of ammunition for his grand strategy of making long positions in the international gold, silver, and crude oil futures markets, as well as seeking opportunities in the next year or two to short US long-term Treasury bonds using complex financial instruments.

This also gave him greater confidence and flexibility to deal with any drastic fluctuations that might occur in the market, and even to try some more forward-looking industrial investment layouts.

The fact that the core objective of the trip to Hong Kong Island was achieved in such a short time and with such an ideal result is undoubtedly a dream start.

"This is the bonus confirmation document you need to sign, as per our previous agreement."

Liang Botao then handed over a concise and clear document, which clearly listed a 1% commission based on total sales of US$25.55 million, or US$255,500.

This money will be paid separately to his designated personal account after he completes all the fund recovery procedures.

Yang Guangming picked up the pen and readily signed his name at the bottom of the document, his handwriting smooth and powerful.

"This is what you deserve."

He handed the document back to Liang Botao and smiled, saying, "This bonus is a testament to your ability and value. I hope this is just the beginning."

"Thank you, boss! I will definitely keep up the good work!"

Liang Botao accepted the seemingly light but significant document, his face beaming with a radiant smile, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.

This huge bonus was not only the best reward for his tireless work over the past few days, but it also completely tied his personal economic interests to those of his unfathomable boss, Yang Guangming, so that they would share both glory and fortune.

"Next, the company's normal operations need to get back on track. My business trips and itineraries during my time in Hong Kong also need to be included in the plan."

"Also, you can start arranging the final interviews for those core executives we previously identified. I hope to meet with them as soon as possible to build our core team." Yang Guangming began outlining the next steps.

“Understood! I will immediately coordinate the time for the executive interviews and try to complete them within this week. As for your schedule, I will draw up a preliminary plan based on your priorities and send it to you for review later.” Liang Botao immediately expressed his willingness, full of enthusiasm.

After Liang Botao left, the study returned to silence.

Standing alone in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, Yang Guangming gazed at the shimmering blue Victoria Harbour under the sunlight, along with the giant cargo ships and busy ferries shuttling back and forth in the harbor. His thoughts, however, had already turned to his future financial plans.

He had a huge sum of cash in his hands, totaling forty million US dollars, and felt like a general with plenty of troops and supplies.

The next step is to figure out how to accurately, efficiently, and discreetly channel these massive funds into the financial market through Goldman Sachs and other partner financial institutions.

Andrew has already begun discussions with Goldman Sachs in the United States. Once the key executives in Hong Kong are finalized and the huge sum of money is fully in place, his long-conceived grand transaction plan, involving multiple markets and various financial instruments, can be fully launched.

(End of this chapter)