Hong Kong Movies: I am Hongxing, what the hell is the intelligence king?

Chapter 425: Unpredictable
"The changes on the city walls these past two days have been quite confusing and unclear."

"Who would have thought that the renowned HSBC stock price would fall by more than half?"

At the Golden Club, the three giants reunited, and Sir Lee was quite emotional.

The ICAC Deputy Commissioner sighed:

"Of course, that's HSBC."

Sir Lee frowned and asked:
What exactly happened to Ms. Shen?

The deputy commissioner shook his head:

"I am not sure."

The deputy director of the Security Bureau said:

"The Governor's Mansion pays special attention to Shen Daban, after all, she is a person who can really speak for Madam Dajuer."

"It's really strange that he just vanished into thin air."

Sir Li said with a half-smile:

"Missing?"

The deputy commissioner also found it unbelievable:

"That's right, they've gone missing."

"According to our investigation, after receiving two phone calls, Shen Daban immediately ordered his secretary to book the fastest flight back to Chongqing."

"Then we took a car straight to the airport."

"But our investigators found that Shen Daban did not go to the airport, and even customs had no record of him entering or leaving."

The deputy director nodded repeatedly:
"The Security Bureau's investigation is the same."

"There are only a few possibilities now."

"Either he didn't leave customs, but instead smuggled himself out of the port."

"Either he was murdered."

"There's another possibility: he passed through customs, but customs didn't record it."

Ok?
Sir Li looked at the deputy director with a sense of absurdity:
"Would you like to hear what you're saying?"

"Is not this contradictory?"

The deputy director explained:

"Actually, there's no contradiction."

"Let me give you two examples that everyone is familiar with."

"Lei Luo and Long Chengbang."

“At the time, all of them were wanted by the authorities, and we had almost laid a trap for them.”

"But they still managed to escape, didn't they?"

The deputy commissioner shook his head:

"No, we let them escape on purpose."

“These people are too deeply involved with the Governor’s Mansion.”

"If we don't let go, who knows what they'll say in the end."

The three of them nodded in unison.

Whether you ask me or not, Lei Luo and Long Chengbang were truly formidable figures of their time.

Their network of shared interests is so vast that if it were made public, it would drag the Governor's Mansion down with them.

Such a thing is not allowed. Rather than saying that the two people escaped, it would be more accurate to say that they were forced to leave by the Governor's Mansion.

Sir Li thought for a moment and said:
“Shen Daban is in a more relaxed situation than Lei Long and the other two.”

"Whether he wanted to smuggle himself out or leave openly, no one stopped him."

"It's easier for him to leave Hong Kong than for the other two."

The deputy commissioner shook his head:

"I'm looking at Xuan."

"If he left openly and honestly, neither customs nor the airport could possibly fail to record Shen Daban's data."

"The only way he could leave customs was by using a different identity."

Given Shen Daban's status, having an additional identity wouldn't be difficult.

"However, this is essentially no different from illegal immigration."

"This shows that his situation is very bad and he cannot leave Hong Kong openly."

"His situation is very bad."

“We’ve discussed it privately…”

"Shen Daban is probably in grave danger."

Sir Li slowly touched his hand:

“I was an old friend of Shen Daban, and it was really sad to hear the news about him.”

"As people get older, they always become nostalgic."

"Things have changed over the years, and old friends have left one after another."

"It's really disheartening."

The deputy director and deputy commissioner exchanged a glance and said in unison:
"Sir, you are in the prime of your life, how can you speak such words?"

Sir Lee smiled and changed the subject:

"Assuming that Shen Daban has been murdered, who is the killer?"

The two shook their heads in unison, hesitated for a moment, and then the deputy commissioner spoke:
"It's hard to say."

Sir Lee's expression shifted:
"How to say?"

The deputy commissioner smiled wryly:

“I was ordered by the Governor to investigate this matter.”

"There is 100% evidence that the wealthy and powerful are supported by Shen Daban."

"As you know, Hong Kong suffered a stock market crash because of the tycoons."

"He has offended too many people."

“Any company or shareholder that suffers losses in a stock market crash may have the motive to commit violence.”

To sever someone's financial interests is like killing their parents; it's a blood feud.

"In addition, one of the two phone calls made to Shen Daban that day was to the head of HSBC headquarters."

"The other one is the Financial Secretary."

"They are all respectable people."

"It would be difficult for us to conduct an investigation."

This is a very frustrating task.

"Although the Governor's order has been issued, we all know that the possibility that the Governor is just putting on a show is far greater than the possibility that he will actually imprison Shen Daban."

"Investigation is one thing, but the method is very important."

"We can't afford to offend Shen Daban."

"The methods should not be too harsh."

"Not to mention that Shen Daban herself is a noblewoman from Chongqing, the sheer size of HSBC alone is astonishing."

"Moreover, HSBC has powerful backers."

"A person like Shen Daban can be both good and bad for a company."

"Given Shen Daban's abilities, it would be very easy for HSBC to develop a dependency on her."

"But in a short time, HSBC stabilized its position, even under the influence of the bank run."

HSBC is unfathomable.

"Whether it's Shen Daban or HSBC, how could we possibly mess with them?"

"The methods, of course, cannot be too drastic."

"Otherwise, once this period is over, it will be very easy for people to seek revenge on us."

Sir Lee nodded in understanding:
"Yes, Swire Group is not to be trifled with."

The deputy director gave the deputy commissioner a sympathetic look; this fellow had really landed a terrible job.

The deputy commissioner was also frustrated:
"Our ICAC claims to be independent of the three departments and thirteen bureaus, and is directly under the leadership of the Governor."

"But we all know what the truth is."

Sir Lee laughed and said:
"Such institutions have existed in my hometown for a long time, like the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern and Western Depots."

"Do not care."

The deputy commissioner sighed heavily.

The deputy director frowned and said:

"We have also conducted our own investigation."

"But according to our investigation, it is truly perplexing."

"It's like everyone is a suspect, yet no one is a suspect; it's insane."

Sir Lee clapped his hands:

“I am an old friend of Shen Daban, but I must point out that Shen Daban’s actions have gone too far.”

"I've offended too many people."

"Are these people so easy to offend?"

"They have all sown the seeds of hatred, and they don't know what troubles they will encounter that will give rise to evil."

"It would be too easy for anyone to take him down."

"How unwise Shen Daban was."

"but……"

"Could the sudden bank run on HSBC be related to the disappearance of Shen Daban?"

The deputy commissioner shook his head with a wry smile:
“No way!”

Sir Lee frowned:
"It's actually impossible?"

The deputy commissioner had nothing to hide from the two men, even though it was a confidential matter of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

The Golden Club is a special club formed by the convergence of the secrets of the three people's industries.

"The run on HSBC was really a personal grudge."

"They're not here for Shen Daban; they're here for all the wealthy people, big and small."

Sir Li and the deputy director looked at each other in astonishment.

This logic seems flawed. If you're after big and small tycoons, wouldn't it be better to just go directly to them?

Why go to HSBC?

Bully the weak and fear the strong?

That’s not right either!
Compared to HSBC, it is the wealthy individuals, both big and small, who are the weaker party.

The deputy commissioner explained:

"This matter may seem counterintuitive, but it actually has an underlying logic."

"The richest man is in jail, and the lesser-known tycoon has also offended the powerful nobles in Chongqing."

"However, Ms. Shen continued to work on behalf of the two of them."

"If it weren't for the paparazzi in Chongqing exposing it, very few people would know about this kind of secret."

"Now that it's been exposed, it can't be hidden anymore."

"This aroused one man's anger."

"This person is Lin Feng."

Sir Lee and the deputy commissioner both frowned:
"Lin Feng?"

"That reclusive tycoon from Hong Kong?"

The deputy commissioner shrugged:

"Yes, it's him!"

"This person is no ordinary person."

"He is the most business-savvy among hooligans, and the most shrewd and unconventional among businessmen."

“He didn’t care about HSBC at first, but when the paparazzi in Chongqing exposed it, it triggered his anger.” “As a result, Hung Hing and many other triads that were on good terms with it launched a run on HSBC.”

"It was Brown who exposed this."

"Otherwise, we would never have known that there was such a person who was at odds with the tycoon."

Sir Lee frowned slightly:
“I’ve been hearing about this person a lot lately.”

"If it weren't for the help from the Security Bureau, I might have had to hire Thunder Security myself."

"How could someone like this have a grudge against a tycoon?"

"Is the news reliable?"

The deputy director answered him:
"The news should be true."

"Lin Feng has actually always been in our sights."

"It's just because his file is perfect and he's a very wealthy man, that even the police station can't touch him."

"Lin Feng has many wives. The last one, his eighth wife's father Fang Jinxin, was originally kind to the wealthy man, but the kindness turned into enmity. When Fang Jinxin fell into trouble, he did not lend a helping hand."

"The descendants of the Fang family are incapable of seeking justice."

However, Fang Ting's man is Lin Feng.

"Those who roam the martial arts world are all clear about their grudges and debts, and Lin Feng is especially so."

Sir Lee suddenly realized:
"So he's Fang Jinxin's son-in-law, no wonder!"

A man like him would be intimately familiar with the grudges and feuds in Hong Kong.

"I seem to understand."

"Lin Feng wants to target HSBC because he's afraid they'll continue to support wealthy individuals, big and small, without any justification, just like before."

"We all know the situation of the big and small tycoons, and the possibility of them getting out is very low."

"Lin Feng didn't want them to have an easy time, so he naturally cut off their external support."

The deputy commissioner nodded emphatically:
"That's right, that's what Lin Feng meant."

Sir Lee smiled.

"It's just that Lin Feng isn't like us, so he didn't know that Shen Daban had disappeared. He simply tripped up HSBC."

"A run on banks..."

"He really dares to do it!"

The deputy commissioner remained silent for a long time before saying, "That's not all."

Under the gazes of Sir Li and the deputy director, he explained,
"The main force behind HSBC's stock volatility is Yum! Brands."

"The person in charge of this fund is Chen Taotao."

Sir Li was slightly taken aback:
"Isn't that old bastard Chen Wanxian's illegitimate son?"

"Huh... I vaguely remember that the Chung Ching Society was destroyed because of him?"

The deputy director explained:

"Jazz have good memories."

"That's right, Chen Taotao's boss is Lin Feng, and it was because of him that Zhongqing Society was wiped out of the martial arts world."

Sir Lee marveled:
"Heroes emerge from among the young, it's truly remarkable."

"How old is Lin Feng? How come he has such abilities?"

"When I was his age, I was still in school."

The deputy director and deputy commissioner shrugged in unison:

"Who says it's not?"

Sir Lee's expression was quite amusing:

"This is really good news."

The deputy commissioner and deputy director were completely bewildered.

good news?
Sir Lee smiled and said:

"The mission of our Gold Club is to gather information from all directions and focus on making money."

"Everyone in the club is an elite in their respective field."

"Even those who are involved in gangs are the elite of those gangs."

"Our goal isn't to dominate, it's to make money."

"In my hometown, there is a saying: 'There are only aristocratic families that last for a thousand years, but no dynasties that last for a thousand years.'"

"Hong Kong belongs to Anssa today, but to our hometown tomorrow."

"What does it matter?"

"Our reach extends throughout Hong Kong."

"No matter who comes to power, they will have to use our people."

"As long as we are here, the club will exist."

"Our interests are also involved."

"What difference does it make who goes on stage?"

The deputy director and deputy commissioner said in unison:

"Your insight is excellent, sir."

Sir Lee smiled and said:

"I didn't call you over here to hear gossip."

"The struggle between Lin Feng and HSBC is good news for us."

"The run on HSBC is amazing!"

"The banks controlled by our club really benefited from him this time."

"I'm very full."

The deputy commissioner and deputy director were immediately invigorated:
"Sir, really?"

Sir Lee laughed and said:
"is not that right?"

"HSBC is part of Onsa Capital. This run on HSBC has certainly caused them great suffering, but to be honest, it has also dragged Standard Chartered down with it."

“Generally speaking, when citizens lose confidence in a bank and there is a bank run, they will usually deposit their money in another bank.”

"Unfortunately, Standard Chartered is also a subsidiary of Onsah Capital."

"Hang Seng should have taken over HSBC's clients, but let's not forget that Hang Seng is a subsidiary of HSBC."

"Our bank really got a good meal."

“That was originally intended for money laundering, but because the legal representative is Chinese, we ended up getting this incredible amount of traffic.”

"This time we not only ate our fill, we ate until we were stuffed."

The deputy commissioner and deputy director were overjoyed.

Sir Lee laughed and said:
"I invited you two to this meeting to ask for your advice. Based on your analysis, do you think HSBC can survive?"

The deputy commissioner immediately said:

"It's easy to get through this."

Sir Lee's smile faded:

"Is it possible to weather a bank run across Hong Kong with ease?"

The deputy commissioner immediately explained:

"According to the intelligence I have, HSBC's assets are still very healthy, and they have money on the counter."

"However, the core business of banks is attracting deposits and making loans."

"It's impossible to keep all the cash on the counter; no bank would do that."

"Any bank would have a headache dealing with this level of lending."

“HSBC is a giant after all, and they made a decision in a very short time.”

"According to my information, they have temporarily borrowed HK$20 billion from Standard Chartered to cope with this bank run."

"I think the news will be released soon."

Sir Li was slightly taken aback:
"So, HSBC's situation has stabilized?"

The deputy commissioner hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"Hard to say."

Sir Lee was stunned:
"Isn't it easy to say that 20 billion Hong Kong dollars is a good price to pay?"

The deputy commissioner smiled wryly:

"According to my information, more than 10 billion of them are to be withdrawn immediately."

Sir Lee's heart stirred:
"The Governor's mansion's more than five billion?"

The deputy commissioner replied:

"That's one of them."

"Another five billion or so belonged to... General Cunningham."

Sir Lee was stunned:
"General Cunningham still has over five billion?"

The deputy commissioner also frowned:
“That was transferred from Chongqing. Logically speaking, such a large sum of money shouldn’t be in cash.”

"But the problem is, General Cunningham just wants cash."

"These two companies alone account for 10 billion."

"Tell me, who can guarantee there won't be a third one?"

The deputy director replied:
"The run on banks should have subsided."

The two of them looked at him simultaneously:
"Why do you say that?"

The deputy director said earnestly:

"HSBC is a behemoth."

"This run on banks is unprecedented in history, and HSBC has been quite overwhelmed in its response."

"But I must say, this was just HSBC being caught off guard."

"However, once HSBC comes to its senses, it will be Lin Feng's defeat."

Sir Li frowned and said:

"The contest between HSBC and Lin Feng is crucial to our next move, and we can't act solely based on emotions."

"I need evidence."

"You should know that the Hang Seng Index has dropped by half, and HSBC's stock has also fallen by half."

"This is equivalent to HSBC's market value evaporating by half."

"What makes it capable of rebounding?"

The deputy director immediately explained:

"Sir, don't forget that HSBC's major shareholders haven't even gotten involved yet."

Sir Li was taken aback:
"Is Swire Group about to get involved?"

The deputy director whispered:

"Sir Browne is a member of the Swire Group."

Sir Lee was stunned:
"Is Brown a member of the Schwyatt family?"

The deputy director nodded:

"Apart from the Schwight family, no one else was able to immediately put HSBC back in order after Shen Daban's sudden disappearance."

Sir Lee smiled:

"Makes sense!"

The deputy director further stated:

“Under normal circumstances, Brown would definitely try to use HSBC’s existing connections to save himself.”

"If the crisis cannot be effectively resolved, then Swire Group, as the major shareholder, will have to step in."

“Swire Group is also a behemoth.”

“If they step in, I believe HSBC’s problems will be solved.”

Sir Lee laughed heartily:
"This is truly fantastic news."

"So, here comes our focus..."

"By buying HSBC shares at rock-bottom prices, we are also showing goodwill to HSBC and Swire Group!"

(End of this chapter)