Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 259:260 [Kidnapping Storm]

Then, Luo Qihong came to the Wan Guo Bao Tong Financial Company, ostensibly to ask Liang Botao for his opinion, but actually to give him a notification.

"I understand Luo Sheng's current situation and his approach, but I don't agree with the Zhao Congyan family monopolizing Huaguang Real Estate Company for too long. Their focus has shifted to the family shipping industry, and they simply don't have enough funds to develop Huaguang Real Estate Company. This is contrary to our interests." Liang Botao pressured Luo Qihong.

"Don't worry, Mr. Liang. I judge that the Zhao family will be completely defeated in the shipping industry in one or two years. We can take advantage of the opportunity to control Huaguang Real Estate." Luo Qihong naturally had to take care of Liang Botao's interests.

This is a long-term ally, and even somewhat indispensable. After all, subsequent large-scale acquisitions will require Liang Botao's services.

"Mr. Luo, I agree with your prediction on the shipping industry, but prediction is just prediction after all. Can we set up an insurance?" Liang Botao is still cautious in doing things.

"Mr. Liang, if you have any suggestions, just tell me directly," Luo Qihong said.

Liang Botao said, "Remove Zhao Shizeng and eliminate the Zhao family's influence in Huaguang Real Estate Company."

"This may be very troublesome. We need to identify them one by one and find evidence against them. It is a very labor-intensive plan." Luo Qihong said with embarrassment, and the expression on his face almost said 'I don't want to'.

"This is not difficult. Does Luo Sheng know anyone about Zhao Shizeng?" Liang Botao said quietly.

"I have some understanding of her. She likes beautiful women and has decent abilities." Luo Qihong made a rather conservative assessment.

"When it comes to your evaluation of his abilities, Mr. Luo is still too generous. To put it bluntly, Zhao Shizeng is only capable of maintaining the status quo, not pioneering. So he can't stop your attack, Mr. Luo. The acquisition of Huaguang Real Estate Company is the best example." Liang Botao's implication was that Luo Qihong was unwilling to put in his all.

"Since Mr. Liang said so, I'll give it a try." Luo Qihong thought that what Liang Botao said made sense, and it would be beneficial to both parties.

Although the purpose of Wan Guo Bao Tong Financial Company is to make a profit, it is also for Luo Qihong's sake. Otherwise, why wouldn't it invest in other people? Therefore, Luo Qihong also needs to give back face to Liang Botao.

The two discussed some issues such as how to start, how to develop, and to what extent the goals should be achieved. They talked for nearly two hours before Luo Qihong left the Wan Guo Bao Tong Financial Company with a sore back.

Mid April

The impact of the Hong Kong dollar crisis has completely subsided, citizens have resumed their peaceful lives, and passenger flow in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui has gradually increased, reaching 3% to 4% of the peak period.

However, according to the reporter's interview report, there has been no increase in the store's turnover, which is most likely due to excessive consumption of purchasing power during the Hong Kong dollar crisis.

This peaceful life was eventually broken by a piece of news with a great impact: Wang Dehui, chairman of Chinachem Real Estate Company, was "held hostage" and the ransom was 1 million US dollars.

This ransom is equivalent to 8 million Hong Kong dollars, which is higher than the ransom demanded in any kidnapping case in Hong Kong.

The key point is that Wang Dehui and his wife were stingy by nature. When their glorious deeds of saving money were reported by reporters in newspapers, the two not only did not receive any sympathy, but became a laughing stock among the citizens of Hong Kong.

"They treat people better than dogs. They spend millions on dogs every year. I really admire this couple."

"Not only is he awful to his employees, he is also awful to himself. He eats salad and bread all day long, and I am afraid he will get irritated, be malnourished, and walk unsteadily."

"Rich people are all weird, but Wang Dehui and his wife are the weirdest."

The most infuriating and hateful thing in the newsprint report was that "Wang Dehui and his wife divided a mooncake into 16 pieces during the Mid-Autumn Festival and distributed them to 16 employees." This made all Hong Kong citizens dub Wang Dehui and his wife "the new generation of Zhou Paopi." There are also rumors that the reason why Chinachem Properties did not go public was that Wang Dehui was "too good at calculating" and had not succeeded in going public for decades.

This has nothing to do with Luo Qihong, it just adds to the joke.

Deep Water Bay Golf Course
“Whoosh! Bang!”

A white golf ball was hit into the air, drawing an ordinary parabola, falling not far from the small flag and rolling.

"What do you think about the recent rumor about Wang Dehui's bid to participate in the case?" Cheng Yutong put away his golf club and said to Luo Qihong with a smile.

"It's just an ordinary thing. I don't have any opinion on it. There are so many wealthy people in Hong Kong. It's his bad luck that the kidnappers targeted him." Luo Qihong said calmly.

"It may seem ordinary, but it is actually the result of the recent deterioration in public security. Some wealthy people have begun to collude and are preparing to put pressure on the Hong Kong government, demanding that the police force improve public security in Hong Kong, otherwise they will move their industries to safer places," said Cheng Yu-tung.

"Uncle Tong, do you want me to participate?" Luo Qihong asked with a smile. It was just a casual chat, so anything could be said.

Cheng Yutong laughed and said, "Whether you want to participate or not is your own business. I can't control it. I just want to remind you to pay attention to the security forces around your family members. Don't save that money and cause such a big trouble."

Among the four major families in Hong Kong in the past life, the families of Guo Desheng and Li Jiacheng had both been kidnapped, but the families of Pao Yue-kong and Cheng Yu-tung had not.

Among them, the Cheng Yutong family has been the most discussed. A large number of people believe that Cheng Yutong made friends with many underworld leaders while running Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Company, so those who came from other places did not dare to touch the Cheng family.

In fact, this is not the case. Cheng Yutong is more careful about his reputation than Li Jiacheng. Why is he willing to deal with underworld bosses? This is the result of Cheng Yutong's connections and caution.

Luo Qihong put away his joking intention and nodded carefully, "Thank you Uncle Tong for the reminder! I will increase the number of security personnel for my family."

Luo Qihong initially thought that the current security force was sufficient, but now he thinks that it is never too cautious in this regard. After all, the ransom is enough to cover ten years of security costs.

"I'm very happy that you young people are willing to listen to an old man like me. Just forget about thanking me and don't think I'm nagging." Cheng Yutong waved his hand, signaling Luo Qihong not to be polite.

"I heard that you are not optimistic about the current and future shipping industry?" Cheng Yutong suddenly changed the subject.

This immediately reminded Luo Qihong of one thing: Before the Hong Kong dollar crisis, Cheng Yutong spent 2 million US dollars to purchase 60% of the shares of the Hong Kong Shipping Company. Recently, he took advantage of the low market conditions in the shipping industry to acquire a number of ships.

Currently, Xiangjiang Shipping Company owns 4 container ships and 4.1 containers, with an initial estimated value of 4 million yuan.

This is the largest investment project of the Cheng Yu-tung family in recent times and also Cheng Yu-tung’s first step into the shipping industry. It is very important.

Luo Qihong smiled bitterly and said, "This is my immature opinion. How can it compare to the opinions of the seniors who are proficient in this industry?"

It's not that Luo Qihong was unwilling to repay Cheng Yutong, but he didn't want to reveal any flaws. He couldn't justify why the recovery period of the shipping industry would be prolonged, so he simply didn't say anything.

(End of this chapter)