In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 449: The Governor’s call: I won’t take the blame!
Lin Haoran put down the coffee cup in his hand, his eyes still looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the bustling street scene of Central.

He looked calm and composed, as if the turmoil in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

"You're right. The government won't easily stop the auction." Lin Haoran said slowly, "However, we can't let our guard down. Although there may not be many competitors at tomorrow's auction, we still have to be fully prepared."

Ma Shimin nodded and said with a smile: "Boss, don't worry, I have already arranged it. At tomorrow's auction, we will take those plots of land at the lowest price and will not give anyone else any chance."

"I'll go and participate when the time comes!" Lin Haoran said after thinking about it.

"Okay, boss. Then please come here early tomorrow afternoon and we'll go together then!" Ma Shimin nodded and replied.

The two then discussed some details about the auction.

While Lin Haoran was chatting with Ma Shimin, the phone number on the desk rang.

"Boss, let me take a call first." Ma Shimin said.

Lin Haoran nodded and motioned for him to answer the call.

"Hello, I'm Ma Shimin. Who are you?" Ma Shimin picked up the phone and asked politely.

"Mr. Ma, this is Governor MacLeod. Is Mr. Lin Haoran with you? If so, please ask him to answer the phone." The voice of Governor MacLeod came from the other end of the phone, with a hint of formality in his tone.

The Governor's Office controls the most powerful intelligence agency in Hong Kong. It is not difficult for him to know where Lin Haoran is at the moment.

"Boss, this is Governor MacLeod calling. He wants to talk to you." Ma Shimin turned to look at Lin Haoran, handed him the receiver, with a hint of surprise on his face.

Lin Haoran was slightly startled, then he took the phone and said with a smile: "Hello, Mr. Governor, I am Lin Haoran. It is such an honor. I didn't expect you to call me in person."

"Mr. Lin, is it convenient for you now? If you are free, can you come to the Governor's Mansion for a chat? I can arrange a special car to pick you up. Of course, if you are willing to drive here by yourself, we also welcome you." Mai Lihao made a sincere invitation on the phone, and his tone was also full of politeness.

Lin Haoran thought for a moment, then answered cheerfully: "Mr. Governor called, of course I am free anytime, it just so happens that I have nothing to do right now, please wait for me for 20 minutes, I will be there soon!"

"Okay, I'll wait for you, Mr. Lin!" Mai Lihao said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran frowned.

Why did Mai Lihao suddenly come to him at this time?
"Boss, in my opinion, the Governor came to you probably because of the real estate incident that has been making a lot of noise in the past two days. After all, if the real estate industry is unclear, it will also lead to a sharp drop in government fiscal revenue." Ma Shimin guessed.

"That makes sense. I'll go to the Governor's Mansion now. Do you want to come with me?" Lin Haoran asked with a smile.

Ma Shimin was slightly moved at first, but then he shook his head and replied, "Mr. Governor did not mention me, and I have to go to the Hong Kong Telephone Company later to follow up on the preparations of the mobile communications team and discuss the company's future development plans with Mr. David, so I will not go."

"Okay, since you have made arrangements, just focus on your affairs. I'll leave first!" Lin Haoran stood up, waved to Ma Shimin, and then left the office.

After saying goodbye to Ma Shimin, Lin Haoran left Kangle Building with his bodyguards.

After just over ten minutes, his convoy stopped steadily in front of the Governor's Palace.

After getting off the car, Lin Haoran walked straight into the Governor's Mansion.

The guards recognized him at a glance, and since they had been notified in advance, they simply conducted a simple security check as a routine matter and then let him pass.

Without the need for any staff to guide him, Lin Haoran, relying on his familiarity with the Governor's Mansion, easily moved between the corridors and finally arrived at the Governor's Office smoothly.

After knocking on the door, Mai Lihao came out and opened the door himself.

"Mr. Lin, welcome." Mai Lihao said with a smile, extending his hand.

"Mr. Governor, long time no see!" Lin Haoran also responded with a smile.

To be honest, he didn't like dealing with these government officials.

However, most of his businesses were in Hong Kong, so even if he didn't want to deal with the Governor-General's Office, he couldn't avoid it.

Since we can't avoid it, we can only face it calmly.

Lin Haoran shook hands with Mai Lihao and was then invited into the office.

The office is spacious and bright, with simple yet solemn decoration, exuding an atmosphere of majesty and power.

"Mr. Lin, please take a seat." Mai Lihao pointed to the chair in front of the desk and motioned Lin Haoran to sit down. Lin Haoran nodded, sat down, and looked directly at Mai Lihao, waiting for his next words.

"Mr. Lin, the reason I invited you here this time is mainly to talk to you about some recent developments in the real estate market." Mai Lihao spoke slowly.

Lin Haoran was slightly stunned, then nodded, indicating that he was listening carefully.

"As you know, the real estate market has been in turmoil recently, and many people are speculating on the government's attitude. As the Governor, I naturally need to pay attention to the situation in this regard." MacLehose continued, "Our government has always been committed to maintaining the stability and prosperity of the market and does not want to see major fluctuations in the market."

Lin Haoran kept smiling and listened quietly to Mai Lihao's story.

"Mr. Lin, your influence in the real estate industry is obvious to all. This matter is also caused by you. I would like to hear your opinion. How do you think we should deal with the current situation?" Mai Lihao changed the subject and threw the question to Lin Haoran.

"Mr. Governor, I'm sure you are aware of my situation before I went to the United States. In order to acquire the Landmark Group, I did pay a high price, and even became heavily in debt. So selling off a small portion of the real estate projects is completely normal business operation.

The acquisition of Hong Kong Land Group is enough to prove my deep confidence in Hong Kong's real estate industry. Otherwise, I would never have been involved in this huge acquisition worth tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars.

As for this incident, if I say that it was caused by me, then I am really wronged. In my opinion, the root of the problem lies in the false reports of media such as Sing Tao Daily, Chinese Daily, and Industrial and Commercial Daily.

They deliberately spread rumors and incited emotions, which led to Hong Kong citizens paying excessive attention to such topics, thus affecting the stability of the property market.

Mr. Governor, as a political leader in Hong Kong, must be more aware of this point than I am. I am completely innocently implicated in this turmoil!

In my opinion, if Hong Kong's property market wants to restore its former prosperity, the easiest way is to shut up these media outlets instead of making up rumors all day long!" Lin Haoran shook his head firmly, expressing his dissatisfaction and innocence.

Let him take such a big blame?

How could he possibly accept that?

Mai Lihao frowned slightly as he listened to Lin Haoran's statement. He obviously had reservations about Lin Haoran's statement that the responsibility was entirely placed on the media.

If Lin Haoran had not instructed his companies to sell off land, real estate projects, etc. on a large scale, the current situation would not have occurred.

However, he did not refute immediately, but chose to continue the conversation in a more peaceful manner.

“Mr. Lin, I understand your position and feelings very well. Indeed, the media plays an important role in information dissemination, but we must also realize that market fluctuations are often affected by a variety of factors, including the economic environment, policy orientation, and investor psychology.

Singling out the responsibility may not help us find the fundamental way to solve the problem." Mai Lihao said in a gentle but firm tone.

Lin Haoran was slightly startled when he heard this, then nodded, showing a certain degree of agreement.

"Mr. Governor's words make sense. I am not completely denying the role of other factors. It is just that in this incident, the misleading media reports have undoubtedly exacerbated the panic in the market. I believe that the government needs to strengthen supervision of the media to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information."

Mai Lihao smiled bitterly and nodded, as if he appreciated Lin Haoran's attitude.

“Mr. Lin, your suggestion is very valuable, and our government is indeed considering how to better guide public opinion and maintain market order.

However, I also hope that you can understand that the government needs to consider many balances when dealing with such issues, protecting consumer rights while taking into account media freedom and diversity of speech. "

Hong Kong's media has always been known for its freedom of speech, which is undoubtedly a representation of the diversity and openness of Hong Kong society.

However, just as any freedom can be abused, the media's "freedom of speech" has brought about diversity of information and clashes of opinions, but it has also given rise to some problems.

In order to attract attention and increase traffic, some news media do not hesitate to fabricate or exaggerate facts, or even spread fake news. Such behavior seriously damages the credibility of the media and the trust foundation of society.

Against this background, Hong Kong's media industry does appear to be in a shady and worrying situation.

"Although freedom of speech is an important part, I think if you, Mr. Governor, could personally intervene, those media might stop those misleading reports, right?" Lin Haoran asked in return.

"You are right," Mai Lihao nodded in response, "In fact, I have called those media this morning, and they have promised not to hype these topics from tomorrow.

But according to the current situation, these topics have been widely spread in Hong Kong. Even if they stop reporting, it will be difficult for citizens to quickly restore their confidence in Hong Kong real estate under the current situation. Therefore, Mr. Lin, we still need you to make some efforts. "

"So, Mr. Governor, what specific things do you want me to do to deal with this? I also don't want Hong Kong's real estate to fall into crisis.

After all, I am one of the largest real estate developers in Hong Kong. Many of my companies, including the Hong Kong Land Development, the Hong Kong Electric Group and the Wan Ching Group, are involved in the real estate sector. Once a crisis occurs in the real estate sector, our losses will be huge.

Therefore, please rest assured, Mr. Governor, I will never sit idly by and will actively respond! "Lin Haoran looked at Mai Lihao and asked.

(End of this chapter)