Hong Kong Island: From a small stall to a global supplier

Chapter 320 Shengyi Investment
There is no Shengyi anymore.

There's no Shengyi anymore...

Several thoughts echoed in the minds of Fourth Master and his companions, their faces showing confusion, astonishment, anger, and fear...

"What do you mean!" Fourth Master suddenly stood up, his hand pointing at Wang Yaotang began to tremble uncontrollably.

Wang Yaotang's gaze swept across their faces, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "Are you reluctant to part with He Shengyi, or with the power you currently hold?"

Fourth Master didn't answer directly, but said in a low voice, "For the first ten years of my life, I was hungry one day and full the next, and I wasn't happy for a single day. My life only started to change little by little after I joined He Shengyi. I've devoted half my life to He Shengyi. Without He Shengyi, I..."

"Wang Yaotang, what exactly do you mean? You have to explain yourself clearly today!" Sha Lin glared, the old man looking like he was ready to fight to the death.

Ah Jie was about to get up, but Ah Ji grabbed him from the side, saying, "Don't rush."

Wang Yaotang chuckled, "The Hongmen has been around for almost 400 years, and it's still the same old thing. The slogans haven't changed at all, it's still 'Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming,' even though the Qing Dynasty is already gone!"

"Do you know the origin of the Hongmen system? Why has it been able to be passed down for hundreds of years?" Wang Yaotang asked with a smile.

He didn't expect the old guys to be able to answer, but instead said to himself, "The rules of the Hongmen can be traced back to the Caobang system. For an organization to complete its inheritance in an orderly manner, it must have two basic elements: first, an industrial base, and second, an ideological program."

"What is the industrial base? It is the livelihood of millions of canal workers. Abolishing the canal and converting it to the sea is absolutely not allowed. This statement is both ironic and true. The territories occupied by various associations maintain local order, and the profits generated from this support hundreds of thousands of people."

"What is an ideology: These gangs in Hong Kong were initially established to survive in the territory of foreigners. Such grassroots organizations have two characteristics. First, they are profit-driven, fighting each other for territory in order to live a better life. Second, they are chaotic, after all, they are formed by people from the bottom of society who can't read many words. It is impossible for them to create their own organizational structure. They can only imitate those above them. This is the Caobang system."

"What do you mean?" A-Jie whispered in A-Ji's ear.

Ah-Ji nudged Ah-Jie, "Don't talk, just listen."

Ah Jie tilted his head and looked over, "Did you understand?"

Ah Ji glanced at him sideways and said, "You're fucking annoying!"
"The canal gangs were actually imitating the canal official system. However, because most of the people below them couldn't read many characters, the complete canal official system was too complicated, so they tried to simplify it as much as possible, which naturally resulted in chaos."

“The triads in Hong Kong today are simplified versions of the Hung Society. Master Si should know the complete system and rules of the Hung Society, but it is actually quite complicated.”

Fourth Master nodded mechanically. He had only vaguely understood Wang Yaotang's long speech, but it seemed to be correct. However, due to his lack of knowledge, he found it difficult to understand.

Seeing the old guys' expressions, Wang Yaotang shook his head with amusement. "It's okay if you don't understand. To put it simply, the gangster forces in Hong Kong today are like the canal gangs of hundreds of years ago. During the Qing Dynasty, 'millions of canal workers depended on the canal for their livelihood, and abolishing the canal and converting it to the sea was absolutely forbidden.' The same principle applies to British Hong Kong today: 'hundreds of thousands of members depended on the canal for their livelihood, and abolishing the gangs was absolutely forbidden.' But to the other side, this is nothing more than a minor itch. Look at Shenxian Jin, they can arrest people just like that, and what can you do about it!"

"These 400-year-old rules are no longer applicable in today's society and need to be phased out!"

Others could refute what the Fourth Master and his companions said, but when Wang Yaotang said it, they were speechless. He Anle was wiped out just like that, wasn't that proof enough?

"You want to change the rules with Sheng Yi?" Uncle Ding asked in a deep voice.

Wang Yaotang slapped his forehead. "It's exhausting talking to a bunch of old guys like you. The gang system is in opposition to the government. Don't be fooled by your current antics. The north is going to give you a list. Even the British are running away. What, you old guys think you're tough enough to survive the north's crackdown?"

Seeing the group of people standing there stiffly and obediently, Wang Yaotang thought to himself: How despicable!
“There will be no more Sheng Yi. I will burn all the old accounts and the underwater register in public. After that, I will establish ‘Sheng Yi Investment Company’ and ‘Sheng Yi Hall’. All the halls under it will be established as companies. Sheng Yi Investment Company will hold 20% of the shares. The person in charge of the hall will be the chairman. Bai Zhishan and Caoxie will be directors. The company will be structured normally with a general manager, deputy general manager and a series of other positions to place the subordinates. As long as you have the ability.”

“I have always prevented the gangs from getting involved in prostitution, gambling, and drugs, which has set a clear example. From now on, all gangs and companies will operate according to this model. Other gray industries such as smuggling cigarettes and alcohol, and prostitution are all personal behaviors. If the police arrest someone, they will only arrest the individual and will not implicate the company, let alone Sheng Yi Investment Company.”

“Sheng Yi Investment Company’s investment direction is not fixed on the temple, but also on other industries, people or companies. As long as the investment company exists, Sheng Yi will always exist.”

"Another one is Sheng Yi Tang, which will be more like the North American Chee Kung Tong model, providing members with a platform for communication and transactions rather than controlling them. Others will be brought in later, and the short-term goal is to cover the entire Hong Kong Island with Sheng Yi Tang."

Wang Yaotang talked a lot, and the old guys' brains couldn't keep up for a while. It took them quite a while to digest the information before Fourth Master asked, "Which of the industries controlled by the gang are included in the investment company?"

Wang Yaotang shook his head. "After the investment company is established, it will conduct a comprehensive review of the existing industries before it can be determined. For example, the current smuggling of cooking oil and pork cannot enter the company's system. In order to maintain prices, the Hong Kong government has quantity restrictions on the import of cooking oil and pork from the mainland."

"Not doing it anymore?" Sha Lin asked in surprise.

"We've brought in cheap pork and cooking oil, improving the diets of hundreds of thousands of people at the bottom of society. This allows children to have meat to eat and grow, and adults to have meat to eat so they don't have to work themselves to exhaustion. This is a tremendous act of merit, so why not do it?" Wang Yaotang said with righteous indignation and a solemn expression.

"Of course, the money earned can't go directly into the investment company. Whether it's for laundering or other purposes, there's no need to worry about where to spend the money."

Hearing this, the Fourth Masters huddled together and whispered for a while, feeling that it wasn't much different from before. It was just that they were separating the legitimate businesses to ensure the main entity wouldn't collapse, except for the equity of 'Shengyi Investment Company'...

“Of course I’ll take the majority of the shares, I’ll take 60%!” Wang Yaotang glanced at the group. “Later, we’ll have Uncle Dong’s son set up a company, gather up the surviving seniors of Shengyi and give them some shares as well. Then this company will hold 10% of 'Shengyi Investment,' and you guys will each get 15%. You can decide how to divide it yourselves. The last 15% will be a share pool for the management team.”

Fourth Master looked at Wang Yaotang with a surprised expression, "Aren't you going to take the big prize from the lower-level branches?"

"Besides my men, are there any others? Oh right..." Wang Yaotang blinked, "I was planning to have Da Niu, Quan Wang Hai, and the others commit suicide in front of Uncle Dong's memorial tablet to give Uncle Dong an explanation, but now they're all left on the ship."

Fourth Master and his companions were unaware of this; killing someone as a sacrifice was considered normal in the triad, so they didn't say anything.

"Let's forget about it for now. We'll be a legitimate company from now on, and doing this in front of hundreds of people isn't appropriate for our status." Wang Yaotang shook his head. "Aji, have someone arrest Da Niu, Quan Wang Hai, and the entire Shou Gu Long family, squeeze them dry, and then get rid of them."

"Okay, where are Gouzi Xing, Zhuzi Ming, and the others?" Aji asked.

Wang Yaotang pondered for a moment, "Forget it, bring them back and let them participate in the subsequent reform of the branch. Those newcomers have no experience at all. Don't let them blow up the branch company. Let those guys come back and make amends."

"Okay, I see."

"Alright, that's all I have to say. Fourth Master, bring out the underwater register and accounts." Wang Yaotang tapped the table.

Fourth Master opened his mouth, but in the end he still called on Silly Lin to go and open the safe together.

……

Leaving through the mountain gate,

Fourth Master and the others went separately to the stadium to set up the mourning hall and to the InterContinental Hotel to arrange food and lodging.

Ah-Ji and Ah-Jie led a group to the airport to pick up the person.

The subordinates only need to complete the assigned tasks, while Wang Yaotang, as the team leader, has many more issues to consider.

This event, with representatives from Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, is an excellent opportunity to promote 'Red Bean Apparel', 'Sex Toys', and 'Videos'.

The soda factory collapsed, but with the fall of the whale, many other businesses sprang up. There were 17 establishments of varying sizes, including not to mention shady businesses like gambling dens, prostitution rings, and drug dens, but also legitimate businesses such as massage parlors, saunas, billiard halls, arcades, video game arcades, KTVs, dance halls, bars, nightclubs, and finance companies.

Despite the great shock that the capture of Shenxian Jin caused to the Xiang family, the Lin family, and the Tiao Lin, it did not stop them from taking a bite out of the corpse of the soda factory.

The faster Wang Yaotang acts now, the greater the benefits he can seize.

Even if he doesn't like these industries and won't directly acquire them, he can still resell them to his underlings at a low price. Not only can he make a profit, but he can also do them a favor.

These are all urgent matters. Following that, there's the formal establishment of the "protective umbrella" security company, land approval with the Hong Kong government, showcasing their "cash trucks" to the Macau Bank, and officially entering the Hong Kong Island market, etc.

I also need to have dinner with HSBC's CEO, Sir Michael Sandberg, to discuss the loan.

They also want to buy a building in Central to serve as their headquarters.

There are just too many things to worry about!
"Master Yao, you're back. You must be exhausted from all that work. I've made you some tea, it's not very good, but it'll quench your thirst anyway," Gao Laofa said, bowing as soon as Wang Yaotang entered.

Wang Yaotang gasped, goosebumps rising on his skin again. The flattery was too greasy. "Speak properly, you bastard. Why are you acting like a eunuch?"

"I never went to school. My family was poor, so I started out in the underworld at a young age. I really don't know how to express my deepest admiration for you, Master Yao. I apologize for offending your ears. I will definitely study hard when I get back," Gao Laofa said earnestly.

Sha Ze looked at Gao Laofa with a constipated expression.

Jiang Zhizhen stared wide-eyed. After being a lawyer for so many years, he thought he had seen it all, but this was the first time he had ever seen anything like it in real life, except on TV. It was truly an eye-opener.

Chai Dao Biao, Pao Zhang Hui, Fei Peng, Zhi Zha Ming, and a group of others stared at Gao Lao Fa in disbelief. "You weren't like this when you were with Shen Xian Jin! Don't you have any shame? Where's your backbone as a gangster boss?"

No wonder Gao Laofa was able to switch sides to Caishen Yao's side. As a double agent, he wasn't suspected by Caishen Yao, who even sent this guy to contact the remnants of the soda factory. Once this guy becomes shameless, he really has a wide world to live in.

Damn it, the group looked at each other, wanting to learn but too embarrassed to admit it!
Wang Yaotang took a deep breath and scratched his arm. "You look like a damn scoundrel."

How can anyone bear to blame someone who goes to such lengths to flatter themselves?

"Master Yao's words of advice are truly thought-provoking and enlightening. I've finally found the direction to strive for." Gao Laofa looked as if he was about to cry with emotion.

Wang Yaotang tried hard not to laugh, and looked at Jiang Zhizhen somewhat embarrassedly, "Attorney Jiang, I'm sorry to trouble you, how's the industrial restructuring at the soda factory going?"

Jiang Zhizhen was also feeling uncomfortable because of Gao Laofa. After taking a few deep breaths, he said in a deep voice, "The situation is a bit complicated. Over the decades, the soda factory has controlled many and varied industries, and most of them do not have contract documents, but are all verbal agreements. If we go through the legal process, the number of industries that can be identified is limited."

"There are too many numbers; it will take a long time to sort them all out." As he spoke, Jiang Zhizhen rubbed his temples. He and the entire law firm had been working here all day.

There was no way he could take these accounting documents with him. Gao Laofa quickly pulled up a chair for Wang Yaotang before Sha Ze could, and as Wang Yaotang sat down, Gao Laofa immediately poured him a cup of tea. This made Sha Ze and Wei Tao exchange a glance—damn it, a rival has arrived!

"It's alright, let's talk about the businesses you own first." Wang Yaotang picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. Gao Laofa quickly took it with both hands.

Jiang Zhizhen reviewed the data and said, "There are 48 nightclubs with estimated assets of over 5 million, mainly located in Yau Tsim Mong, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Central. There is one each in Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, and Tsuen Wan. Nightclubs with assets under 5 million include other entertainment venues, tea restaurants, and dai pai dongs, totaling more than 400 throughout Hong Kong."

"Next is the market category. We also control 18 wet markets in Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon, Quarry Bay, Po Kei Wan, Chai Wan and other places. We also control 4 seafood markets in Quarry Bay, Po Kei Wan, Chai Wan and Kwun Tong."

"In the transportation sector, we control minibus routes. More than 300 minibuses pay 'entry fees' to the soft drink factory. There are also more than 200 other vehicles of various sizes that transport goods between the mainland and Hong Kong Island, transport goods to vegetable markets and seafood markets, transport earth for construction site reclamation projects, etc., including more than 160 boats of various sizes."

"There are dozens of other construction teams, such as those for renovation and building renovation, as well as illegal lottery, loan sharking, piracy, and waste recycling."

"What's left is the prostitution, gambling, and drug industry."

A large triad that has stood firm on Hong Kong Island for decades and has more than 7 members is indeed involved in many industries.

Wang Yaotang felt his scalp tingle and his mind reel from the noise.

Or to put it another way, soft drink factories have extended their reach into every aspect of citizens' lives, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation. This includes issues such as security in entertainment venues, market management, the orderly planning of urban minibuses, and the streamlining of the decoration and transportation market.

There's a saying that even the worst system is better than no system at all. These detailed management practices require the government to spend a great deal of time and energy, but as for taxation, it's practically nonexistent.

If income doesn't cover expenses, capitalism won't intervene, just like the slums and rich neighborhoods in the United States.

The Hong Kong British government, unable to manage the situation and unwilling to allow it to descend into chaos, had no choice but to hand it over to underworld forces. This was similar to how the Qing Dynasty supported the semi-official canal gangs to maintain the canal transport system.

Finally, there is the issue of the millions of canal workers.

"Isn't this minibus route part of the public transportation system? Doesn't the Hong Kong government provide subsidies?" Wang Yaotang asked after a moment of thought.

“Public buses are what constitute the public transportation system. Minibuses are supplementary transportation between the main urban area and the surrounding rural areas, and they are not covered by government subsidies,” Jiang Zhizhen shook his head.

Wang Yaotang chuckled, "Truly, this is capitalism! They resolutely uphold the principle that the poor are not human."

"Ah Fa, is this minibus route profitable?"

“Brother Yao, those shady businesses operating minibus routes must be making money, but with your character, you certainly wouldn’t do that kind of money,” Gao Laofa said respectfully.

Everyone looked at Gao Laofa, who seemed quite pleased with himself.

I've been with Shenxian Jin for ten years, and I'm still a short mule that could be crushed at any moment. But as long as I flatter Yao Ye, all of you will have to give me a wide berth!

I love seeing you guys hate me but can't do anything about it.

Wang Yaotang looked at Gao Laofa with approval and said, "Well said. Then this minibus route is unacceptable. What other clubs run minibus routes?"

“The Xiang family, the Lin family, and Shenghe are all doing it,” Gao Laofa said.

“Hmm, I’ll sell them to them later.” Wang Yaotang thought for a moment and said, “I also need to get control of the transportation vehicles between the two places, the transportation to construction sites, and the management of the vegetable market and seafood market.”

“These people mostly pay a ‘protection fee’ for their vehicles, which are either owned by individuals or small transportation companies,” Jiang Zhizhen cautioned. “As for the vegetable and seafood markets, the authorities are only responsible for collecting taxes. The stalls are sold to individuals, who then lease them to vegetable and fishmongers. It’s almost impossible to acquire them; from a legal perspective, we can’t obtain management rights.” Jiang Zhizhen continued, “More importantly, the affairs are complex, difficult to manage, and the profits are low.”

“I know, but I have other plans. It doesn’t matter if we earn less. We’ll set up a dedicated management company and let the people below take care of it.” Wang Yaotang smiled and looked at Gao Laofa, “Ah Fa.”

"Master Yao, what are your orders?"

"You arrange for someone to bring a lawyer to persuade those market vendors to jointly petition for the establishment of a management company to manage the market. Attorney Jiang, you also need to find people in the relevant departments to establish a market management company. The company can collect management fees to maintain market security and hygiene. Protection fees and the like are too low-level. If you're going to collect money, you should do it openly and honestly."

As he spoke, Wang Yaotang looked at Chai Daobiao, Paozhanghui, and the others.

"Brother Yao, my name is Chai Daobiao."

"Brother Yao, my name is Paozhanghui."

"Master Yao..."

"Brother Yao, my name is Zhizhaming."

Everyone looked over in surprise; the paper effigy was sitting very upright.

Wang Yaotang laughed, "With such integrity, why are you involved in gangsters? Ah Ze, leave him to Ah Ji to handle."

"Okay, Brother Yao." Sha Ze took two steps forward and grabbed him. What the hell is your status to call him Brother Yao like we do?!
Paper-made Ming's expression changed drastically, and he waved his hands, struggling to prevent Sha Ze from grabbing him.

Wait a minute, isn't it said that gangsters like chivalrous heroes with backbone?
Who would respect a servile and obsequious person?

Why did you throw me out?!

I can call him Master Yao, and I can act like a treacherous villain!

"Master Yao, Master Yao, I was wrong, I..."

Sha Ze frowned, pulled out a small stun gun, and shoved it directly at the target. "Zzzzz—"

The people around were so frightened that they quickly hid, watching helplessly as the paper effigy hardened and was dragged away by Sha Ze.

The tall guy said with a mocking look, "You've all betrayed me, and you still have backbone? You brainless idiot."

Wang Yaotang nodded. "Alright, you guys follow Ah Fa for now. Your first task is to take a lawyer to talk to those truck drivers. They need to sell their trucks to the company and then sign employment contracts with the company to receive wages."

"Can we talk?" Wang Yaotang asked, looking at Sang Yunkai behind Jiang Zhizhen.

“We can talk.” Sang Yunkai nodded confidently. “Why did Master Yao buy your cars? Is it because Master Yao can’t buy new cars? Or can’t Master Yao find drivers? Or does Master Yao not have channels for importing and exporting goods? If Master Yao wanted to do this, he could squeeze you all out of the industry. It’s because Master Yao is taking care of you that he’s buying your cars at a high price. You won’t have to worry about route fees, repair fees, or whether you’ll have work. It won’t interfere with your side jobs.”

"Everyone else has sold, but you won't. How are you going to survive in the future? Remember, you can never repay Master Yao's kindness!"

Wang Yaotang burst into laughter.

"Now all that's left are the entertainment venues. How many have contracts? Please have Attorney Jiang and Ah Fa sign the transfer contracts directly. Forget about the smaller venues. I've said before that whoever takes them down in Sheng Yi owns them. As for those we haven't taken down yet, those without contracts, and those with appraised assets of over 500 million, Ah Fa, take the company's security and lawyers to talk to them. I want 3% of the shares. From now on, the venues won't be involved in gambling or drugs. They can check on the situation of my other venues."

"Yes, sir." Tall guy nodded emphatically.

"The money that is due should be paid."

"Master Yao is so generous."

Nobody asked what to do if the other party disagreed.

"Don't worry about those other messy gambling, prostitution, and drug industries. Um, don't bother with finance companies or anything like that either. Let's leave it at that. We'll talk about any problems that arise after Grandpa's funeral." Wang Yaotang waved his hand.

“Okay, then we’ll get back to work,” Jiang Zhizhen said, standing up.

Although each of these industries may not seem like much money individually, when combined, they definitely exceed 3 million yuan. This level of asset acquisition is enough for Jiang Zhizhen's law firm to make a fortune.

After arranging these things, Wang Yaotang breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that he didn't need to worry about it at all, but he wasn't in such a hurry anymore. He still needed to go and check on the clothing company.

After taking Wei Tao and the others downstairs to get into the car, the convoy drove off. Every time they went out, they needed a lot of people to accompany them. Wang Yaotang shook his head, "We must buy a building as soon as possible, otherwise this kind of running around is too much of a waste of time."

"Boss, have you ever thought about acquiring a bank?" Wei Tao asked with a smile.

"Huh? What's the point of acquiring a bank?" Wang Yaotang asked.

“Boss, nightclubs and audio-visual product stores are excellent cash cows. If a bank acts as an intermediary, the funds available can increase exponentially. It will also make it easier to invest in other businesses in the future. Moreover, banks are excellent channels for funds to flow in and out,” Wei Tao said.

Wang Yaotang nodded without speaking. What he said was true, especially the last sentence about the channels for the inflow and outflow of funds...

Sheng Yi Investment Company replaced the original He Sheng Yi. With so many branches and so much money, they can all go through their own bank. It's not that we're helping them launder money. No bill is noble or dirty. Money is money. If the police want to investigate, they can freeze it. What does it have to do with our bank?

To put it bluntly, if someone dies, wouldn't the money become theirs?
Moreover, if an insurance company wants to do maritime security business in the future, how can it not have a banking background?

But it's not that simple.

Just then, Sha Ze's walkie-talkie rang, "Brother Yao, Prince Rong called to say he wants to meet you."

"Him?" Wang Yaotang didn't know what he was going to do, but he still agreed, "Okay."

(End of this chapter)