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

Chapter 639 Put on the agenda
Global Shipping, company headquarters.

When Bao Yu saw Yin Zhaotang, who had come to visit, his expression remained normal, but he was secretly alarmed. He asked an employee to bring him a cup of tea and asked, "Mr. Yin, is there business to discuss?"

Yin Zhaotang said, "It's a small matter, mainly to visit Mr. Bao. As a senior figure in the shipping industry, Orient Overseas has much to learn from Mr. Bao."

Bao Yugang looked surprised and slapped his thigh, saying, "Haha, I almost forgot that Mr. Yin also owns a shipping company."

"Furthermore, I wonder if Mr. Bao is interested in HK Electric." Yin Zhaotang took out a contract and said, "I have already raised enough shares to own 17% of HK Electric. If Mr. Bao acquires another 15%, he will become the largest shareholder of HK Electric."

Bao Yugang looked thoughtful, picked up the shares, and asked with a questioning look, "Mr. Yin, you don't plan to acquire Hong Kong Electric?"

“I have China Power now.” Of course, Yin Zhaotang could have someone hold the shares on his behalf, or sell the shares to the Huo family, the Zheng family, or Xinji or the Number Gang.

A large number of people want to buy Hong Kong Electric.

However, none of them have the same status as Bao Yugang within the conservative faction.

Bao Yugang didn't answer immediately, but asked, "Since Mr. Yin is being so generous in treating us, what do you need me for?"

"It's very simple: stabilize the confidence of the capital market and take the lead in acquiring the core assets of the Li family." Yin Zhaotang got straight to the point: "The Li family left Hong Kong with their capital and were removed from their positions on the committee. Their valuable assets need someone to take over. The funds of the Chung Yee Group alone are not enough. We need the collective efforts of the people of Hong Kong."

"Bao Sheng's main business is in shipping, and he has a fast capital turnover. He is not only an outstanding entrepreneur, but also a well-known patriot."

"If I encounter any problems, you will definitely be the first person I come to."

Bao Yugang was already in poor health, his skin pale, but a hint of arrogance flashed across his face: "That simple?"

Unlike Guo Desheng, Zheng Yutong, and other bosses who have invested heavily in the real estate industry, Huanqiu Shipping does not operate on land, making it less affected by local policies but more susceptible to international events.

He didn't care who was in charge of Hong Kong, but he absolutely wouldn't allow any unexpected changes to occur between China and Britain. Investing in the mainland had always been a policy of the Bao family, making them a relatively easy target for the conservatives to win over.

“This matter is simple for Mr. Bao, but not so simple for the people of Hong Kong,” Yin Zhaotang said with a smile. Bao Yugang slowly nodded: “Alright, I agree to take over Hong Kong Electric. In addition, I understand what the mainland is worried about, and I will invite a few friends to talk to us and take over the Li family’s business.”

"I can't guarantee that the Hang Seng Index will continue to rise, but I can guarantee that there won't be a stock market crash."

Yin Zhaotang breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and shook hands: "Thank you, Mr. Bao."

“I will buy these shares at today’s closing price.” Bao Yugang held up the document, gently slapped it on the table, and looked at Yin Zhaotang meaningfully: “It’s normal for everyone to have different ideas and different paths. But a gentleman is harmonious in diversity, and his loyalty to the country and love for the nation must not change.”

"I do not agree with Li Jiacheng's approach."

With a respectful expression, Yin Zhaotang said, "I believe that Li Jiacheng is just one of the few; otherwise, Hong Kong Island would not be as prosperous as it is today."

Huo Zhengting, briefcase in hand, stepped out of the corner, answered a phone call, returned to the big boss, and bowed, saying, "Mr. Yin, it's a call from Inspector Zhuang. The ICAC has received orders to conduct an anti-monopoly investigation into the company."

“Anti-monopoly, isn’t that under the jurisdiction of the Commercial Crime Division?” Bao Yugang raised his eyebrows. Huo Zhengting chuckled dryly, “Uncle Gang, the foreigners won’t let the police go. They’ve smeared a few charges of money laundering, bribery, and insider trading on him and handed the case over to the ICAC.” Bao Yugang seemed thoughtful and then laughed, “Tell them to investigate me. The acquisition of CLP Power has nothing to do with the Chung Yi Group.”

Although Bao Yugang's personal investment style is relatively conservative, and he rarely initiates large-scale acquisitions, his abundant cash flow has allowed him to make a fortune through several medium- to long-term investments.

After leaving the building, Huo Zhengting saw the big boss to his car, his expression serious: "When the ICAC does things, Li Jiacheng calls on foreigners for help."

Yin Zhaotang looked at the passenger seat and said with admiration, "Not bad, young master, you reacted very quickly."

"The billions sent to London weren't wasted," Huo Zhengting said sarcastically.

Yin Zhaotang shook his head: "It's not just a few billion; the entire Li family is going to be involved."

"No way, Brother Tang, Li Jiacheng is being fed by foreigners, but he still won't stay in Hong Kong?" Huo Zhengting was somewhat surprised. Yin Zhaotang sighed: "If you don't learn to bow your head, you'll get beheaded. Li Jiacheng is too ambitious. He wants to be the master of Hong Kong. He doesn't understand that who's in charge? It's not his place as a real estate businessman. No one will respect someone who only hitches a ride, takes the elevator, and sucks the blood of the people."

"He still dares to be a public official in the mainland, damaging Shanghai's image. Many want him dead. He's siding with the foreigners; even the foreigners want him dead!"

Huo Zhengting felt a chill run down his spine: "According to you, the Li family has no way out?"

"Yes, I have."

"Accept the investigation, invest in real industries in the mainland, and contribute to the economy. Can you do that?" Yin Zhaotang sneered, "If you could, you wouldn't be in this situation today."

"Take me to your house, I'd like to have a couple of cups of tea with Uncle Huo."

Huo Zhengting snapped out of his daze and quickly nodded, "Oh, no problem."

Bao Sheng contacted his colleagues to acquire the Li family's property, and the deal went smoothly. This subtly suppressed rumors that the Li family had absconded.

It's fair to say that while figures like Bao Yugang, Zheng Yutong, and Guo Desheng didn't approve of reforms, as members of the Handover Committee, they firmly supported Hong Kong's economy. With them actively buying up shares, no matter how many shares Li Ka-shing released, there were always buyers.

After a period of maneuvering, Pao Yu-kong successfully acquired 33% of HK Electric's shares, becoming its largest shareholder. Cheung Kong Holdings suffered significant losses, prompting Li Ka-shing to abandon his plan to sell and continue holding the shares, thus restoring confidence in the capital market.

The successful resolution of the Li family's potential flight crisis has given mainland China considerable confidence in Yin Zhaotang. In reality, Li Jiacheng's decision not to flee had less to do with Yin Zhaotang's actions and more to do with the potential of mainland talent agencies. If mainland China's economic development stagnates, even with the best policies and numerous titles, the Li family would still flee if they wanted to.

The fact that people like Bao Yugang, Zheng Yutong, and Guo Desheng firmly support the return of China is also inseparable from the country's economic potential.

After meeting with Mr. Fok, the two reached a basic consensus on the passage of the education bill. At the end of the month, at the preparatory group meeting in Beijing, Qi Chen officially announced that the preparatory group would be expanded from fifty to one hundred people to better understand the opinions of the people of Hong Kong Island.

This argument was quite reasonable, and given that Li Jiacheng had just been stripped of his title, no one in the preparatory group dared to voice their opposition. With Hu Bochao, Liang Chaoying, Dong Jianhua, Ge Zhixiong, and others gradually being included in the list, the passage of the education reform bill was now on the agenda, with no further obstacles.

(End of this chapter)