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

Chapter 638 Calling the Governor

"Dad, how about we increase our investment plans in London?" Li Zekai stood by the table, trembling with fear. Li Jiacheng glanced at him coldly and cursed, "You spineless coward! When someone hits you, all you think about is running away?"

"Only on Hong Kong Island are we the masters; once we're in London, we're just dogs."

Li Zekai felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his head, saying, "I've learned something, Dad."

"Arrange a car, I need to go to Victoria Peak to see the Governor." Li Jiacheng sat back on the sofa and sighed heavily.

The news of Cheung Kong's alleged escape was deliberately leaked by him to put pressure on the mainland. Hopefully, the mainland's subsequent repercussions will be brief and not extend beyond Beidouzi.

Based on his understanding of the mainland, for the sake of Hong Kong's economy and stability, anything can be backed down and negotiated. This time, the reckoning is thorough, and the relationship has been torn apart; it must be someone pulling the strings.

"The Divine Begonia!"

Li Jiacheng gritted his teeth in hatred.

Governor's Palace.

The attendant met him at the parking lot and greeted him politely, "Mr. Li, the Governor specially canceled his meeting with the Financial Secretary to make time for the meeting."

Li Jiacheng, dressed in a suit and tie, gripped his cane and forced a smile: "Thank you, Governor, I am honored."

However, he didn't take it seriously. Not to mention the Li family's financial strength in Hong Kong Island, the mere fact that they planned to invest HK$5 billion when it was their turn was already a major achievement for the Governor.

When patriotic businessmen return to the mainland to invest heavily, the Chief Executive is proud; when pro-British Hong Kong businessmen invest in the Commonwealth, the Governor is even more pleased!

He walked across the lawn, down the corridor, along the carpet, and into the office. Youde put down his pen, finished reviewing the papers, walked around the office, and shook hands, saying, "Mr. Li, it's been a long time."

"Lord Governor," Li Jiacheng said angrily after shaking hands and sitting on the sofa, "There's something I want to tell you."

Yude raised his cigar, crossed his legs, sat in the main seat, waved his hand, and said loudly, "No need to say anything more, I agree, but there is one more thing I want to tell you."

Li Jiacheng composed himself and raised his hand, saying, "Please, Your Excellency."

“Increase the investment in the Federation to 10 billion.” Yud sighed, a smile playing on his lips. “The money will be returned to the Federation within a year.”

Li Jiacheng looked displeased, suppressing his anger: "Fine, I want to apply for an anti-monopoly investigation into Zhongyi Group, as well as money laundering, bribery, and collusion between government and business."

"The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is still in the hands of the Governor."

Youde nodded slightly: "We'll see. Oh, and there's one more thing I need to trouble you with. If the education reform bill passes within the Chinese government, the newspapers and media in Hong Kong will publicize it. At that time, I hope Mr. Li will stand up, support public opinion, and firmly uphold the principle of 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong'."

Li Jiacheng's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly: "There's no need to talk anymore. I will not stand up. Matters related to politics have nothing to do with the Li family anymore."

Seeing Li Jiacheng about to leave, Youde laughed and said, "The matter of education reform was something Li Sheng personally told me. I remember Li Sheng was always very opposed to it, so why the sudden change of heart?"

Li Jiacheng turned around, glaring angrily at him: "I oppose the bill, but I don't want to become a criminal who disrupts Hong Kong! Do you think I don't know what you're trying to do?" After his election defeat, he decided to lay low and temporarily withdraw from politics. His use of the Governor's Office to launch an anti-monopoly investigation was merely an attempt to protect his shares in Hong Kong Electric.

Yu De smiled broadly, stepped forward, and stared at Li Jiacheng, saying, "I heard that the Chinese side has removed you from your position as a member of the Return Committee? What's the difference between a businessman without state protection and a pig!"

“Mr. Li, you are a smart man and understand the importance of the education bill. As long as you are willing to stand up and act as the leader of the opposition.”

"I will provide you with political protection."

Li Jiacheng trembled all over: "Youde!"

"Snapped!"

Yu De suddenly turned hostile and slapped Li Jiacheng across the face with tremendous force, his voice booming: "Damn it, call me Governor."

"When you're protected, you're treated like royalty; when no one's protecting you, you're nothing but a dog. It makes no difference whether you're in London or Hong Kong Island."

"If I don't protect you, you're finished, understand? I'm giving you a chance, so don't be a disappointment."

The attendant watched coldly, secretly mocking him.

"Lord Governor," Li Jiacheng stammered, his face flushed. Youde, looking satisfied, said, "Go out. Don't disappoint me."

After leaving the governor's mansion, Li Jiacheng was distraught, still reeling from the slap. In both his past lives, he had taken the merchant's pursuit of profit and the supremacy of money to the extreme. His strong personality traits enabled him to build a successful business empire, gaining fame and fortune and becoming a figure of great renown.

His character flaws also led him to repeatedly align himself with the wrong political faction, lose his identity, and become a pawn manipulated by politicians. Focusing only on the periphery, like a pawn crossing the river his entire life, without a strategic vision, how can he ever become a player in the game?
Youde initially valued and tried to recruit him because he had the protection of the mainland.

Even without the title of Committee Member, what good are the Li family's hundreds of billions in assets? Hundreds of billions of US dollars are useless! Before 97, an executive order could have drawn all the funds to Great Britain, circulated them around, and left the Li family with hardly any money.

Yude stood inside the governor's mansion, a smile playing on his lips, watching the Li family's convoy depart. That slap he'd just delivered was truly satisfying; it was arguably the most defiant he'd ever shown towards a Chinese businessman during his years as governor.

That education reform bill directly influenced his "150,000-person plan".

To put it bluntly, this plan was purely a spy operation, designed to allow Britain to continue exerting political influence after Hong Kong's return to China.

Similar plans are prepared by every previous government. Even during the large-scale retreat of the Taiwan authorities, many gangs were left behind in the southeastern region, and numerous brigade commanders were appointed. The key is how to preserve these forces. Therefore, Youde attempted to establish a political framework using law, media, education, and business. He used the "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" policy to implant the malignant tumor deep within the new Hong Kong government.

As long as education reforms fail, a continuous stream of "pro-British elements" will be cultivated, day after day, exacerbating the problem and causing Hong Kong to continue to bleed.

Once the education reforms are passed, how Hong Kong is governed will no longer be decided by "Hong Kong people," but by "patriotic Hong Kong people." A few more reforms will be needed to eradicate the lingering effects of British rule on Hong Kong Island and completely dismantle the "150,000-person plan."

It's important to understand that during Youde's two terms in office, economic development paled in comparison to his predecessor, Murray MacLehose, and he was even embroiled in a scandal involving the resignation of the Financial Secretary. In terms of cultivating political power, he completely lost control of the police force and many parliamentary seats, and even failed to gain full control of the ICAC. His only notable achievement was the "150,000-person plan," for which, to preserve his last remaining political capital, it was entirely worthwhile to gamble with China, especially given the lucrative opportunity presented to him.

(End of this chapter)