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

Chapter 636 Ballast!
As evening fell, the bigwigs who had received their benefits left Chaoyi Restaurant, all beaming with joy. Before getting into their cars, Gui Liren, Blind Snake, Dwarf, and the others didn't forget to bow and clasp their hands in farewell to Shenxian Tang at the entrance.

Uncle Gensheng wiped the table, looked down at the scene, and couldn't help but sigh: "Chao Yi Restaurant is probably no longer Lao Zhong's territory, but will become the headquarters of the Hong Kong Triads."

Ah Tang, with such a large pie as Wo Shing Wo, didn't take a single bite, but instead distributed it all to the underworld figures. This was unprecedented in the Hong Kong triads. With the bosses having Wo Shing Wo completely absorbed, Ah Tang's position as the undisputed ruler of the underworld was firmly established. Everyone knew that Ah Tang wasn't taking their food, that they weren't on the same level as him, so naturally, they were willing to associate with him.

Politics has always been an art of navigating life; fighting and killing are merely means of self-preservation. In Hong Kong's century-long history, the underworld has finally produced a powerful figure who no longer resorts to violence, but understands how to build a business and share the spoils, earning the respect of all the underworld bosses and triad leaders from various regions!
Even with his lifelong perspective, Gengsheng could only see this far in his understanding of people. He couldn't even foresee where Shenxiantang would go next.

After seeing off the bigwigs, Yin Zhaotang didn't linger in Laotuo and got into his car to go to the company. As soon as he entered the boss's floor of Zhongyi Building, Shi Zhanpeng from Zhongyi Foundation stood up and reported, "Boss, Cheung Kong has released news that they're going to run away."

Yin Zhaotang was surprised, but he didn't stop and walked towards the office: "Let's go in and talk."

Shi Zhanpeng followed the big boss into the office, sat down in the guest seat, and explained seriously, "Li Zekai, the new heir of Cheung Kong Holdings, has taken a professional team and has flown to London to investigate the real estate market."

"The news made headlines in British and American newspapers, caused a sensation in Europe and Asia, and greatly affected the Hong Kong capital market. By the midday close, it had reversed its gains and fallen by three points."

"According to sources from brokerage firms, the Li family is not optimistic about the future of Hong Kong Island and may be planning to flee!"

With his legs crossed and his face dark and angry, Yin Zhaotang asked, "Do you think Old Dog Li really ran away, or was he just pretending?"

Shi Zhanpeng slowly shook his head: "The Li family is a leading Chinese-owned enterprise with a market value of over HK$50 billion, and its underwater assets are probably over HK$100 billion."

"It's not just a matter of whether the sell-off is real or fake; the Hang Seng Index is facing significant pressure. As you know the big bosses, retail investors don't care about the authenticity of the sell-off; they just follow their emotions."

Yin Zhaotang tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He made no attempt to hide his anger and shouted, "Damn it, that Li guy is putting pressure on me and the country!"

Before 97, Hong Kong capital could leave or stay as it pleased; it was an international financial free port with free capital. It was a loophole left for China in the face of blockade. The transfer of assets to the UK received full support from the authorities.

The mainland has granted major capitalists such as Li Jiacheng, Guo Desheng, and Zheng Yutong the power to participate in the planning of legislation and to make decisions, in the hope that they can exert their influence to safeguard Hong Kong's capital market.

From a historical perspective, in early 97, the West would exert its influence again, withdrawing a batch of capital, causing turmoil in Hong Kong and triggering a financial storm.

Many capitalists are hedging their bets, but the majority are smart, and the "one country, two systems" policy and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" in mainland China also stabilize public sentiment.

In the end, they weathered the financial crisis without major incident.

The unprecedented phenomenon of capital flight to Hong Kong in 88 was bound to attract the attention of the capital market and could even impact the future development of Hong Kong Island.

Shi Zhanpeng said cautiously, "Boss, the Li family's escape to Hong Kong is no small matter."

Without sufficient funds to absorb the losses, Hong Kong's capital markets will plummet, potentially leading to a prolonged slump. Are we really asking the mainland to release HK$100 billion in foreign exchange reserves?
Perhaps it is possible, but would those who drain the reserve funds to save Hong Kong Island and return it to the motherland still have any pride?
Does his speech still carry weight?

Finally, let Li Ka-shing successfully cash out and comfortably run off to London. Let's not talk about how mainland officials view Hong Kong businessmen, but how the general public will view them!
The next thirty years will be a golden age for the country. "Understood, I will handle it." Yin Zhaotang agreed in a deep voice, and Shi Zhanpeng stood up and said, "Boss, I'll be leaving now."

"Ah."

Yin Zhaotang answered absentmindedly, already harboring resentment towards Li Jiacheng. Previously, their differences stemmed from differing political stances and competition in business empires, leading to conflicts and grudges, but nothing personal. Now, however, he genuinely felt that Li was a morally corrupt person, a rotten apple spoiling the whole bunch!
Having figured out his response, he picked up the phone and dialed Liang Manping, saying, "Mr. Liang, there are signs that Hutchison Trust is transferring capital to London. They may be selling off stocks and properties and emigrating abroad."

Liang Manping didn't care what nationality the "person" was, only where the money was. He frowned and said, "That guy surnamed Li is actually going to run away?"

"Did we push him too far? Should we wait a few years until the capital market stabilizes before removing him from his position as a committee member?"

There are already plans within the country to convene a high-level meeting to remove Li Jiacheng from his position as a member of the Returning Committee. The investigation into Beidou is only the first step; the second step will directly target the Li family. Without the protection of his Returning Committee title, given the Li family's business practices, it's only a matter of time before they are imprisoned.

After discovering that some capitalists in China were involved in politics but did not play a positive role, the government is considering establishing a model case and arresting an exemplar.

Li Jiacheng possesses exceptional talent in assessing situations and observing market trends, earning him widespread admiration among shareholders. His several major acquisitions were all timed perfectly, yielding substantial profits. Unfortunately, he lacked political acumen. During the colonial era, Hong Kong lacked the fertile ground for cultivating Chinese politicians; in fact, Hong Kongers were even less adept at politics than their Taiwanese counterparts.

"No, he must be removed!"

“If you withdraw once, there will always be situations where you run away when you can’t win. Capital can be free, but it cannot be without constraints.”

"The Li family wants to run away, to put it bluntly, because they are not convinced and do not submit to being managed. If they can't win the election, they will overturn the table. If someone overturns the table and then backs down, the game can't continue." Yin Zhaotang said, "Even if the Li family really runs away and causes setbacks in the capital market, we should stand firm."

Liang Manping worriedly said, "It's a small matter if one Li family runs away, but what if they all run away?"

“He can’t escape. Only we Chinese recognize the title of ‘descendants of Yan and Huang.’ Abroad, foreigners will only call him a yellow-skinned dog with squinty eyes.” Yin Zhaotang sneered, “Those big bosses are all smart people. They know that there is only one way out: to stay in Hong Kong. Li Jiacheng knows this too, but he is unwilling to accept defeat, or rather, he is afraid. He is afraid of losing his privileges and status, and he wants to rebel.”

“Hmm, you’re right. I will report this to my superiors and hope you can protect the capital market.” Liang Manping said, a hint of surprise on his face.

Originally, Shenxiantang's position was merely to stabilize social order. When did it rise to become the ballast of the capital market?

It's right now!

Where there are runners, there is a top.

Those who can withstand challenges will win people's hearts and be given important responsibilities!

Yin Zhaotang took a sip of his cigar and exhaled a long breath: "Don't worry, Mr. Liang, I will definitely take care of that Li guy."

(End of this chapter)