What do you mean by quitting the business? I'm not a big shot.

Chapter 633 Death Notice

As the song faded into the hall and the dance ended, the social elites in attendance raised their hands and applauded, each with a smile on their face.

Yin Zhaotang let go of his girlfriend's hand and walked towards Chen Xianzong, who had just entered the room. He raised his glass in a toast: "Mr. Chen, I wish you victory in the election."

All eyes fell on Chen Xianzong, who was flattered and quickly raised his glass, saying modestly, "It's all thanks to Yin Sheng's help. Without Yin Sheng's support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

With a smile, Yin Zhaotang said, "We can all help each other succeed. Only by working together can we create a better tomorrow for Hong Kong."

"Our tomorrow."

Chen Xianzong looked on with admiration and said with great respect, "What Mr. Yin wants to do is my ideal. Everyone here will follow Mr. Yin's lead."

"Hahaha."

Yin Zhaotang heard a lot of flattery, and he was pleased with each one, laughing almost non-stop.

Their odds of winning were so high that everyone sensed an imminent, resounding victory, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Before they'd even finished a few drinks, many people were already showing signs of intoxication as they chatted.

Power is more intoxicating than wine.

Unlike the Peninsula Hotel, at the New World Hotel, conservative figures such as Wu Baochang and Lin Anquan lingered at the buffet table, holding wine glasses, but each of them had a solemn expression. They talked about current events, but no one dared to mention anything related to the election.

Anyone who waits outside the polling station all day can see that there aren't enough conservative voters, and the key seats in the four Kowloon districts are likely to change hands.

Don't expect to retain all four votes; you might even gain one or two seats and be able to influence the speaker election. The worst scenario is losing all four votes, in which case there's no need to even hold an election for speaker; just wait for Hu Bochao to take over.

Several conservative business tycoons, including Guo Desheng, Li Zhaoji, Li Jiacheng, Zheng Yutong, and Bao Yugang, sat around a sofa.

Among them, Li Jiacheng smoked a cigar, remaining silent, his eyes seemingly unfocused. It was the first time anyone present had ever seen Mr. Li so dejected.

Thinking about the predicament Mr. Li was facing, Guo Desheng couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. As the standard-bearer, Guo Desheng slapped his thigh, trying to boost morale, and said loudly, "What's there to be afraid of? I think Mr. Lin, Mr. Hua, and Mr. Shengzai are still very capable. Even without the help of the Anglican Church, they still have a chance to win the election."

Li Zhaoji sat on the sofa, flicked his cigarette ash, and smiled as he agreed: "Yes, the people that Shenxiantang promoted are all too inexperienced."

"You may be powerful for a while, but do you want to be powerful forever?"

Cheng Yu-tung nodded slightly: "It's normal to win and lose in elections. As long as we can get more than half the votes, we can still push Mr. Wu for re-election."

"To put it bluntly, so what if we lose? The election for city council speaker is just a warm-up. If Shen Xiantang wants to pass the education bill, he will eventually have to win the vote of the preparatory group."

“In there, we are the majority. How many votes can Shen Xiantang get? Huo Sheng alone is not enough.”

Upon hearing this, everyone showed their agreement, still believing there was a chance for things to turn around. Only Li Jiacheng remained silent, coldly watching them spout empty words and deceive themselves.

Anyone with a brain can see that Shen Xiantang's push for the bill has gained domestic support. Li Jiacheng, the first to be brought down, feels this most deeply, but unfortunately, no one can figure out what the next step will be.

They did not believe that the Hong Kong Island Preparatory Group would expand its membership and dilute their power by adding names twice. Some people may have imagined that when the Preparatory Group was officially established before 97, more people would be added, but as long as they were promoted to positions of power, they could still retain control.

Even if we can't get a majority of seats, we can still fight it out and have a back-and-forth. A heavy look flashed across Guo Desheng's gaunt old face. He took a deep drag on his cigar and then smiled broadly again: "I support Zheng Sheng's opinion. In short, we have the advantage, so there's no need to keep a straight face."

"Get up, come up to the stage with me and say a few words, wishing the councilors victory in the election."

An hour passed quickly amidst chatting and toasting.

The candidates at the reception were somewhat distracted, glancing at the big boss every now and then. It wasn't until Huo Zhengting finished his phone call and returned to the main stage that everyone perked up again and resolutely stepped forward.

With a joyful expression, Young Master Huo picked up the microphone and said, "Distinguished members of parliament, it is an honor to be the announcer today."

"Based on the data from the vote counting office, I solemnly announce that Mr. Ge Zhixiong has won the election for Western District Councillor, and Mr. Niu from Tai Po has won the election for Tsim Sha Tsui Councillor!"

Ge Zhixiong, looking confident, raised his glass in response to the enthusiastic applause. Dapu Niu, his face flushed, seemed a little flustered by the applause. He put down his glass, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd, and said, "Thank you, thank you all for your support."

"I have been elected as a councilor for the Eastern District."

The applause grew even louder. Chan Hin-chung looked on with anticipation until the announcement of Wong Tai Sin District's victory was made. He then excitedly clenched his fist and silently raised his arm.

Zhang Zhouren, Li Junfeng, Liang Bojun.
We secured all four crucial votes.

The atmosphere reached its climax.

Meanwhile, inside the conservative assembly hall, Guo Desheng heard that all four ballots, which should have been held by the legal and financial sectors, had been flipped. Without exception, his face turned ashen. Even the six ballots belonging to Wu Baochang were all won. In the election for speaker, Wu Baochang had no chance of winning.

Yin Zhaotang was nominated by the crowd and went on stage to speak. Holding a wine glass, he said, "Congratulations to all the councilors on your victory. This year, Mr. Hu is running for Kowloon Speaker, and we still need your support."

"The future belongs to you all. Mr. Hu is the leader, the first, and certainly not the last. Uncle Chen has already taken office in the Heung Yee Kuk. I believe we will see the Speaker of the Hong Kong Island Council again next time."

"Cheers!"

Perhaps they were enjoying the wine, because one of the councilors misheard and shouted "Mr. Yin" when raising his glass, stealing the spotlight and attracting everyone's attention.

The remaining people were not to be outdone. After their "victorious drink," they shouted "Yin Sheng!" The scene was grand and impressive.

The following day, Wu Baochang announced his withdrawal from the election, no longer running for speaker, thus exiting the race with dignity. His backers, seeing no hope of winning, stopped pressuring him.

The public has a tolerance for a person's political exposure. Often, the first time they run for office or the first time they are re-elected is when their approval rating is at its highest.

Wu Baochang did not want to leave behind a political image of a "loser," so his public withdrawal from the election was a gentlemanly act in politics. He could also use his votes to exchange for a better position for Hu Bochao.

A month later, the head of the Heung Yee Kuk and the speaker of the Kowloon District Council were replaced. With the election results finalized, an investigation report was handed to Yin Zhaotang by a mainland investigation team. The report detailed multiple charges against "Bei Dou," the new leader of Wo Shing Wo, for money laundering, smuggling, drug trafficking, and murder.

"The purge has begun." Upon receiving the materials, Yin Zhaotang immediately understood, knowing that the mainland had been conducting a detailed investigation into the death of Party member "Kaixin," and upon seeing the election results, had immediately sent over a "death notice."

(End of this chapter)