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

Chapter 640 Elected as Deputy Group Leader
Two months later.

East Tsim Sha Tsui.

In front of the full-length mirror, Yin Zhaotang put on his suit jacket, returned to the living room, pinched his son's cheek, and said with a smile, "So tender, little baby."

Dressed in casual clothes and holding a child, Chingmy Yau asked, "Brother Tang, when will you be back?"

"The year-end conference will last two days longer than usual, about a week," Yin Zhaotang replied.

"Waaah!" Rong Gui nestled in his mother's arms and cried out loudly, his voice revealing his reluctance to part. Zhou Huimin dragged her suitcase out of the dressing room and said with a smile, "Rongzi will miss you, Tang-ge."

Yin Zhaotang pinched her cheek a little harder and promised, "I'll bring you candied hawthorns when I come back, okay?"

"delicious."

Gui Zai couldn't stand the word "candied hawthorn," but when he heard the word "delicious," he smiled and giggled. Children's emotions change so quickly; even Xu Gang, who was guarding the door, felt a smile creep onto his face.

"Boss, the car is ready."

Yin Zhaotang waved and said, "Let's go."

Chingmy Yau, carrying a child, saw her boyfriend to the door. Vivian Chow handed her suitcase to Xu Gang and instructed, "Tell Mr. Yin to drink less."

Xu Gang laughed and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law."

Twelve bodyguards stood in the elevator lobby, saluted, and called out, "Big Boss!"

Led by a Rolls-Royce and accompanied by six Bentleys, the car slowly entered Kowloon Airport and proceeded directly to the private tarmac via the VIP channel. More than a dozen luxury cars had already filled the open space, where Hu Bochao, Ge Zhixiong, Liang Chaoying, Liao Runchen, and others were chatting and laughing by the gangway.

Although the Chung Yee Group could easily afford a private jet and even have it recorded in the company's accounts for tax depreciation, the Hong Kong aviation leasing industry is highly developed. Unless one wants to flaunt their wealth, there's no need to buy a private jet; simply becoming a member of a leasing company is far more cost-effective than purchasing one.

As the big boss stepped out of his car, everyone rushed forward to greet him. Old friends like Liang Chaoying and Hu Bochao called him "Mr. Yin," while Ge Zhixiong, Ren Darong, Chen Xianzong, and Zhang Zhouren respectfully addressed him as "Committee Member Yin." Only Liao Runchen, being of the highest seniority, could be called "Ah Tang."

After greeting the newly appointed committee members, Yin Zhaotang led everyone to board the plane and fly directly to the Imperial Capital Airport. From there, they took a minibus to the Imperial Capital Hotel.

After a day of rest.

The following morning, everyone donned their identification and entered the Guangdong Provincial Hall of the assembly hall. Ge Zhixiong, Chen Xianzong, Zhang Zhouren, Liang Chaoying, and others, visiting the center of national power for the first time, appeared quite nervous, with many curiously examining the murals and decorations. Only familiar faces like Yin Zhaotang and Huo Zhengting noticed that the seating arrangement was different from before.

The large sofa was removed and replaced with a small sofa.

There are only five seats, maintaining the previous layout. One is placed at the head of the hall, where group leader Qi Chen will sit. The remaining four seats are placed in each row, for the deputy group leaders.

A dozen minutes later, the one hundred returning committee members found their seats according to their name tags.

To Yin Zhaotang's surprise, he found his name tag on the large sofa at the head of the second row.

She hadn't been sitting in this position before, but when she saw Team Leader Qi's gaze sweep over her, his admiring eyes carrying a hint of something, she understood. She composed herself and sat upright on the sofa.

Unlike the previous small meetings of fifty people, this meeting of a hundred people was much more formal. Qi Chen smiled as he spoke into the microphone: "I am very happy that all of you patriots who are committed to the development of Hong Kong Island and support reunification can gather together to discuss national affairs."

"First of all, let us give a warm round of applause to the fifty new members who have just been selected to join the preparatory group, and express our respect."

Qi Chen clapped his hands lightly, and applause immediately erupted in the meeting room. The veteran committee members were much more composed, while the new committee members clapped vigorously and were very excited.

After the applause subsided, Qi Chen said, "I am very curious about what proposals the new committee members will put forward, but before that, the preparatory group has a proposal that needs to be voted on and approved."

"After discussion by the preparatory group, it was decided that two additional deputy group leaders would be added after the list of members was expanded. The nominees are Bao Yugang and Yin Zhaotang."

"The election will be conducted in person, with the vote counters being the individuals themselves. The election results will be valid if 80% of the votes are cast and 51% of the votes are approved."

"Let's begin the first vote. Raise your hand if you agree that Mr. Bao Yugang should serve as the deputy group leader."

Many people hesitated, but the conservative committee members quickly raised their hands, reaching more than 30 percent in the blink of an eye. The remaining reformists, seeing Huo Guantai and Yin Zhaotang raise their hands, followed suit and raised their hands in agreement.

Qi Chen didn't contact them before this election, seemingly wanting to test the candidates' qualifications. After Bao Yugang was approved, Qi Chen said again, "For the first vote, raise your hand if you agree to appoint Mr. Yin Zhaotang as the deputy group leader."

Hu Bochao and others raised their hands in unison, instantly reaching 50%. After Bao Yugang raised his hand, the remaining conservatives followed suit.

Qi Chen nodded and said, "The voting rate is over 80%, all of them are in favor. Congratulations to Bao Sheng and Yin Sheng."

Amid applause, Bao Yugang and Yin Zhaotang rose and bowed to the committee members. The vote just now clearly showed that the reformist faction within the preparatory group had gained the upper hand over the conservatives. The standard-bearer of the conservatives had also changed from Li Jiacheng and Guo Desheng to the more moderate Bao Yugang.

In the case of Li Ka-shing's capital flight, Bao Yugang demonstrated outstanding ability and made significant contributions. To ensure Hong Kong's economic stability, it's impossible for the mainland to completely overthrow the conservatives; after removing the nails, suitable wedges must be installed. The election of Yin Zhaotang was undoubtedly intended to solidify the reformists' position and clearly signal that legal reforms would be implemented after Hong Kong's return to China.

Although it does not involve the political system, there will be significant changes to legal provisions and financial regulations.

"Any new proposals?" Qi Chen asked with a smile as he organized the documents. "Raise your hand to speak."

The newly elected returning committee members remained silent. Theoretically, apart from the group leader and deputy group leader, all other committee members were of equal status.

However, the first batch of committee members held a position superior to that of the second batch. This was because those newly selected for the expanded list were recommended by the original committee members, representing an extension of the power of the first batch of members.

Yin Zhaotang raised his hand and said loudly, "Qi Sheng, I propose again to carry out 'Education Reform' on Hong Kong Island. After 97, we should make targeted revisions to textbooks in public schools and impose restrictions on textbooks in private schools."

Qi Chen nodded slightly: "Send a copy of the document to each committee member. After reading the proposal, you can vote by raising your hands."

To finalize the proposal, the "Education Reform" plan was revised. It has three core points: First, both public and private schools should use standardized textbooks, while private schools are allowed to offer other subjects, such as foreign language education and general education, but these require approval from the municipal government.

Second: Remove the Hong Kong Island LF Association and the Education Committee from their power to amend textbooks, and ban student unions in universities and high schools, referring to them as "activity clubs," and prohibit students from participating in political activities.

Third: Grant municipal education departments the power to revise and review textbooks. Schools that use non-compliant textbooks will be held accountable, and in serious cases, their teaching licenses may be revoked.

(End of this chapter)