dkrc Chapter 30: Inland Actions, Shen Bi Tests Him
Chapter 30: Inland Actions, Shen Bi Tests Him
It was when Lijiagang was still a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
at the same time.
Inside a room at the Xinhua News Agency on Hong Kong Island.
Four imposing elderly men were seated there.
"Director Yuan, I have lived up to your expectations. Everyone on the list has confirmed their acceptance of the invitation."
"I will arrange for vehicles to cross the border, but once they get there, it will be up to you, Director Yuan, to make the arrangements."
The speaker was none other than the famous Fok Tung-tung, Mr. Fok, from Hong Kong.
The other three are Zhuang Shiping, the founder and chairman of Nanyang Bank.
An Zijie, founder and chairman of "Nanlian Industrial", is also known as Mr. An.
The last one is Yuan Kang, the director of investment promotion in mainland China. He was the first director of the investment promotion office stationed in Hong Kong and was mainly responsible for attracting businessmen to invest and build there.
"That's great, thank you for your hard work, Comrade Dongdong."
"Thank you for your hard work, Zijie and Comrade Shiping."
"Mr. Yuan, you're too kind."
Huo, Zhuang, and An replied simultaneously.
At this moment, Director Yuan took a document from the counter and opened it: "Gentlemen, please take a look at this document." He then distributed the document to Huo and the other two.
Do you know him?
"Lijiagang?"
The three exchanged puzzled glances, then quickly shook their heads in unison.
"Oh, so he's a member of the Li Yongsen family." After looking at the information below and seeing the background information of the Li family, An Zijie recognized Li Yongsen.
An Zijie is not just a red merchant.
He is also an outstanding figure in many fields in Hong Kong and a highly respected senior.
In the business world, he serves on the boards of numerous companies and is a leading figure in the textile industry. He is also a director of highly reputable companies such as Hutchison Whampoa, Kowloon Motor Bus, and TVB.
In political and non-governmental organizations.
From 1970 to 1974, he served as a non-official member of the Legislative Council of the British Hong Kong Government.
From 1970 to 1975: He served as the chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and secured significant rights for Hong Kong textile exports.
From 1974 to 1978: served as a non-official member of the Executive Council of the British Hong Kong Government.
Therefore, he often met with Li Yongsen.
I'm just not very familiar with them.
At the same time, Huo Lao and Zhuang Lao had also heard of Li Yongsen.
I just haven't had any contact with it before.
"Old Yuan, what's wrong with this kid?" Huo Dongdong asked curiously, his expression icy cold.
He believed that Li Jiagang must have committed some serious mistake to have Director Yuan contact him, and that the organization wanted them to take action to resolve the issue.
Seeing Huo Dongdong's expression, Director Yuan knew he had misunderstood. "Comrade Dongdong, you've misunderstood," he said, waving his hands quickly. "It's not that this young man, Li, did anything bad to the organization."
"That is...?" Huo Dongdong asked in confusion.
"This young Mr. Li is quite remarkable," Director Yuan said, flipping through the documents and pointing to a section, "Gentlemen, please take a look."
"The chairman of HK Electric?"
"Is he the one who acquired HK Electric?"
After seeing the information, Huo Dongdong and the other two all looked incredulous.
Recently, there has been much speculation about the bidding war between Pao Yue-kong and Jardine Matheson for Wharf Holdings, as well as the fact that the acquisition of Hong Kong Electric was by a Chinese company.
They even went so far as to inquire who would be acquiring "Hong Kong Electric".
Unfortunately, they gained nothing.
It's unbelievable that a young man in his early twenties acquired "Hong Kong Electric".
They simply couldn't understand how Li Jiagang had managed to do it.
Although Hong Kong Electric is not a company like Wharf Holdings that can appear to have high commercial value, it is still a British-owned enterprise and a public utility, and it is a core industry related to the electricity supply of the entire Hong Kong Island. How could the British Hong Kong government let a Chinese person take over?
These are things they simply cannot understand.
Although Li Jiagang was photographed by reporters at the entrance of "Hong Kong Electric" some time ago, the Hong Kong government intervened and temporarily prohibited reporters from reporting on it.
Wait for HK Electric to complete the handover.
Only after HK Electric takes the initiative to hold a press conference can various newspapers report on it.
Therefore, Li Jiagang's identity was not exposed.
The reason is that the British Hong Kong government was worried about problems during the handover process, and they did not want to cause any trouble.
Currently, apart from Sir Michael Sandberg, Paul Y.K., and a few others, no one outside knows whether the new chairman of HK Electric is male or female, or who it will be.
"Director Yuan, he's only in his early twenties, this..." An Zijie, standing to the side, seemed thoughtful. "Could it be that Li Yongsen is the real mastermind, and he's just a mouthpiece?"
"Brother An is right."
Huo Dongdong and Zhuang Shiping, who were standing to the side, nodded in agreement with An Zijie's analysis.
But Director Yuan simply shook his head.
"I had someone conduct a thorough investigation, and the information is accurate. Even Li Yongsen was unaware of this matter." Director Yuan is always very cautious in his work, and he has complete faith in the information gathered by his people.
"Gentlemen!" Director Yuan interrupted their thoughts, saying, "How he acquired Hong Kong Electric is not the point. The point is, do you think it's necessary to invite him over for a visit as well?"
The three realized they had gone off-topic after hearing Director Yuan's words. Indeed, how Li Jiagang would acquire "Hong Kong Electric" was not something they should be discussing right now.
Their meeting tonight is to finalize the list of Hong Kong businessmen who have feelings for and can help the motherland, and invite them all to visit Hong Kong, so as to take the first step in attracting investment for the motherland.
After the three of them pondered for a moment...
Huo Dongdong was the first to speak up: "Director Yuan, I think we shouldn't invite him for now."
"Oh, what's your opinion, Comrade Dongdong?"
Firstly, although Hong Kong Electric may not seem as valuable as other foreign companies at present, it is still a very important public utility on Hong Kong Island.
After the Japanese troops withdrew from Hong Kong and the city began reconstruction, ordinary British companies that wanted to take over "Hong Kong Island" were rejected by the British Hong Kong government and instead became joint-stock companies.
Now that he was able to acquire Hong Kong Electric, I believe he has some unknown dealings with the British Hong Kong government, or is a pro-British figure.
"So I don't think it's appropriate to invite him over before we know his identity."
"That's right, I agree with Brother Huo."
"Me too."
The two elders, Zhuang and An, fully agreed with Huo Dongdong's analysis and chimed in with their agreement.
Mr. Yuan also agreed with Huo Dongdong's analysis.
He couldn't help but nod.
"What a pity..."
"Why is it a pity about Director Yuan?"
"I didn't have much time to visit him, which is a pity I didn't know his identity," Old Yuan said with a face full of regret. "Otherwise, if he had been invited as a businessman at his age, it would have definitely been very effective."
Huo Dongdong and the other two understood the meaning behind Director Yuan's words and nodded in agreement.
"Since that's the case, let's just forget about it."
"Comrades Dongdong, Shiping, and Zijie," Director Yuan's expression suddenly turned very serious, "Please take the trouble to double-check the list of invited businessmen. Don't make any mistakes and disappoint that person..."
"Please rest assured, Director Yuan."
Huo Dongdong and the other two patted their hearts and assured each other.
If Li Jiagang could hear their conversation, he would definitely shake his head and smile bitterly.
I am a true Chinese with a Chinese soul.
In my previous life, I dedicated my entire life to the research and education of my motherland, and now they suspect me of being pro-British.
However, even if Li Jiagang were present, he would have no way of explaining their analysis.
After all, he was able to gain control of the "Hong Kong Island" business only by relying on HSBC.
HSBC, on the other hand, is a British-owned company in Hong Kong.
It's certainly not an exaggeration to call him a "pro-British" figure.
At this time, we were at the horse farm.
Marseille has ended.
"Li! Are you planning to get into real estate?"
After Li Ka-shing and Bao Yugang left, only he and Shen Bi remained in the private room.
Shen Bicai asked him about this matter.
He didn't question how Sir Michael Sandberg learned about the contents of the Hong Kong Electric meeting.
He had long suspected that HSBC had connections at HK Electric.
And there were even people from the "British Hong Kong government" among them.
If he can't even guess these things, then he's wasted his life even though he transmigrated here.
But even though he knew that HSBC and the Hong Kong government had people in the company's management, there was nothing he could do.
At least assuming these managers don't make any mistakes, and within the first three years, he won't be able to remove these obstacles.
So when faced with Sir Michael Sandberg's question, Li Jiagang smiled calmly and said, "That's right." He then took out a cigarette, lit it, and added, "I think real estate development is a very good idea and worth the company's investment."
"Since you think it's a good idea, why not let the company develop it entirely, instead of choosing to cooperate?" Shen Bi asked again, somewhat puzzled. "Is it because you lack funds?"
Li Jiagang shook his head.
"It's a lack of experience and brand recognition."
"Mr. Sir Michael Sandberg, Hong Kong Electric has been in the lighting business since its establishment. Suddenly, he's developing real estate, with absolutely no brand recognition. What do you think the sales will be like?"
"I'm a coward, I don't dare to gamble..."
"Hehehe..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Bi chuckled.
"Li, you really are a coward."
"I was initially worried that your foray into the real estate industry without any development or infrastructure experience would increase the burden on the electric company."
"But now it seems my worries were unnecessary, Li, you are really great."
"Go for it. If any of the board members object, I'll smooth things over for you."
"Come to me anytime if you need more funds."
After saying that, Shen Bi turned and left.
Li Jiagang kept staring at his back.
Sometimes he couldn't figure out Shen Bi's true thoughts, whether he was truly a person without principles.
He truly couldn't figure it out.
When Sir Michael Sandberg made the appointment with him today, Li Jiagang guessed that the guy wasn't just inviting him to look at horses.
Now it seems like it was a test of me.