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

"Lost?"

"How can it be!"

"They have three ships, and their main frigate is three times the tonnage of the enemy's. How could they possibly lose!"

"These damn idiots, trash!" Henderson cursed angrily.

"Your escort fleet is full of semen, all they do is play around with women. They're sailing more advanced warships, yet they can't even beat a bunch of yellow-skinned monkeys. They're as stupid as lizards!" Miller said sarcastically to Mason.

"Enough!" Mason's face darkened further. He was Rio Tinto's head of Southeast Asia, and he had been the one who strongly advocated for the fleet escort. Now that things had turned out this way, he would have to take responsibility at the board meeting.

"It's all because of your mishandling that this mess happened!" Mason said with a gloomy face, but he only dared to grumble lightly.

BP's market capitalization is 20 times that of Rio Tinto. Although Miller is only BP's head in the Asia-Pacific region, the industries he manages are larger than the entire Rio Tinto. The cooperation on KPC was also driven by Miller. With less power and status than the other party, what can he do?

"There's absolutely no way I'll sell him my shares. You know that, I know that, and he knows that too. That's just an excuse for that guy surnamed Wang. He has a fleet because he's deliberately trying to provoke a conflict. Even if he didn't have me, he would have other excuses. It doesn't matter at all." Miller snorted coldly. After so many days, he had already figured it out. He was just unlucky.

Mason remained silent.

"Let's think about how to solve this. Should we sell him the shares?" Miller pursed his lips slightly, already regretting his decision.

Due to the Cold War, in order to curb the Soviet Union's largest source of foreign exchange, oil exports, driven by its brother and sister, caused oil prices to plummet to an ultra-low price of $13 a barrel in 78, which aroused dissatisfaction in the Middle East and OPEC.

In 79, due to a sharp decline in income and economic downturn, previously suppressed social contradictions in Iran, the second largest oil exporter, erupted. With the support of the Russians, Iran overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. The new regime of the Khosrowshahi regime was in chaos due to various reasons. Oil production and exports were paralyzed, global oil supply decreased by about 5% instantly, and the country's oil price soared to more than $40 per barrel.

Similarly, due to the previously low oil prices, internal conflicts in neighboring Iraq also erupted one after another. In order to divert attention from these conflicts, and also with the support of Russia, Iraq took the lead in launching the war between the two countries, which further exacerbated the rise in oil prices.

Following this, OPEC member countries harbored resentment towards the United States and refrained from contributing to the effort. Western oil companies and speculative capital, fearing supply shortages, stockpiled crude oil, further amplifying the price increase.

The second oil crisis triggered a global economic recession, causing a sharp decline in the performance of oil companies. This prompted Miller to push BP to expand into the coal market, seeking an outlet for its performance and capital in the Asia-Pacific region.

result……

In fact, Mr. Wang Yaotang has a huge influence in Laos, China and Southeast Asia. Bringing him on board will definitely help to further expand the market.

Wang Yaotang was truly a respectable gentleman!
"Damn you little British Anglo-Saxon bastard," Mason cursed inwardly. "You were the one who was tough before, you were the one who called me a yellow-skinned monkey, and now you want to sell your shares!"
shit!

Bitch!

You're only comfortable when you get beaten up, what the hell were you doing earlier!
Mason glared fiercely at Miller, then got up and left.

He never expected the entire escort fleet to be wiped out; it was devastating news. Once the investment market found out, the stock price would inevitably plummet.

First, we must immediately report to the general manager and chairman, clarify our attitude towards the emerging criminal gang in Southeast Asia led by Wang Yaotang, set our bottom line for negotiations, and strive to minimize the losses as quickly as possible.

For important matters, small meetings are held; for minor matters, large meetings are held. Mason immediately booked a chartered plane to CRA in central Melbourne.

Rio Tinto: Founded in Spain in 1873, it was sold to the Spanish government in 54. It then gradually centralized its core management functions in London and expanded its business in the Southern Hemisphere through its Australian subsidiary, CRA.

This ultimately led to a pattern of 'British capital dominance, Australian resource support, and international capital penetration'.

Although it's unclear what the purpose of so-called British capital is besides reaping profits...

In the 80s, the CRA had a high degree of autonomy, and KPC was a joint investment by the CRA and BP.

There are advantages to being in a hurry, as it greatly reduces the need for review and accountability, allowing all energy to be focused on dealing with the sudden crisis.

After some debate, the final strategy was to "befriend emerging powers and explore emerging markets"...

“What about Hakeem Olajuwon and the frigate…” Mason asked.

"Of course we'll put them back!" the chairman sneered.

"We haven't received any information about Captain Olajuwon yet," Mason emphasized.

"He dares, that damned Chinese! If he dares to harm Captain Olajuwon, he must pay the price! I will take him to the International Criminal Court!" The CRA has a relatively independent shareholding structure, with 40% of its shares held by Australian investors, including family businesses and local pension funds, so it can utilize state power.

"Understood." Mason nodded; he would still be responsible for the subsequent negotiations.

This is a mess, and nobody's going to fight him for it.

Of course, if there is a perfect solution in the end, then that is also credited.

Being a professional manager is tough!

Everything was settled, and they flew directly from Melbourne to Hong Kong that same day. Instead of rushing to find Wang Yaotang, the Australian government approached the Governor's House, hoping for their support.

When Yude heard the report from his subordinates, he was so angry that he laughed on the spot. "You guys can't beat that guy surnamed Wang, but I can suppress him?"

Keep dreaming!

The Hong Kong government is overjoyed that this bastard has finally gone overseas to cause trouble; who would want to invite such trouble?

Yud suspected that their request for help was a pretense, and that they were really there to mock him!
"Tell them to get out, go back to where they came from!" Yud shouted, pointing to the door.

"Yes, Your Excellency." The secretary turned and left; the little money he received was only worth that one sentence.

"Wait a minute." Yud suddenly called out from behind, "The next notice should discuss the terms for imposing taxes on alcoholic beverages in Australia."

"Uh, okay." The secretary hesitated for a moment, then hurriedly nodded. The big boss was truly furious.

A duty-free port doesn't mean everything is duty-free. As a distribution center for goods in Southeast Asia, the governor of the port has considerable power.

Yude: I can't do anything to those Wangs, so I can't do anything to you Australians either!

As long as Wang Yaotang pays taxes according to the law, there's really nothing he can do. On the contrary, the Governor's Office has to cooperate with the "group" in many ways due to various historical issues.

Seafood, farmers' markets, transportation, etc.

Separated by only a river, the prices of grain, oil, vegetables, and meat differ by tenfold. If the various groups do not cooperate, they simply cannot maintain the high prices. Once they cannot maintain the high prices, it will trigger a chain reaction and lead to market turmoil.

Forty years later, the group still controls the vegetable and seafood markets supplying Hong Kong, and its influence has extended to Guangdong.

"Instead of helping, they're raising taxes on alcoholic beverages?" Mason was completely bewildered. "No, I don't understand, what the hell is the logic behind this?"

Imposing taxes on alcoholic beverages at the slightest disagreement reflected the Hong Kong British government's tough stance, which was very much in line with his stereotypes.

But what the hell is this about being afraid of a 'ruthless businessman'?

The "group" is also rampant in Australia, but that's about it. They rely on Australia's vast land and sparse population, so it's only a matter of a word from officials at all levels to deal with them.

Why does it seem like things are reversed once we get to Hong Kong Island?
Is this what makes Southeast Asia a special trading center?

There was no other way but to contact BP's Hong Kong head, Owen, through Miller again, so as to avoid bothering two people and finish what had been started.

……

"Why don't you let them come to Guangdong? Don't you think Hong Kong is unsafe?" Four-Eyes asked on the yacht on the return trip.

"That was when we were at war. Now that we've sued for peace, we're naturally safe," Wang Yaotang said calmly, one arm around Li Meiren and the other with his legs crossed.

"What do you mean?" the bespectacled man frowned.

“There’s a rule that after the founder dies or is ousted from the company, the larger the company, the more peaceful and law-abiding they become, even to the point of being rigid.” Li Meiren picked up a piece of yellow peach and fed it to Wang Yaotang, saying as she chewed, “Take Rio Tinto for example. Now its shareholders include British ‘golden shares’ with veto power, pension funds, London financial capital, Spanish government funds, Australian government funds, family funds, pension funds, and more than a dozen others.”

“Even the CRA branch in Australia is held by the Australian government, families, Japan Steel, etc. Japan Steel itself is the same company, with very dispersed shareholding. The actual operators of these super-large companies are all professional managers.”

“I am willing to take risks for the company’s benefit because the money I make is mine. Professional managers do not. They live off salaries and gray income. Even the directors on the board are agents sent by various holding companies or funds. The vast majority of them do not actually hold shares. They also live off salaries.”

"So they can't possibly risk their lives for the company. Even if the company goes bankrupt, not to mention that they've already made a fortune, it doesn't really affect their ability to find a job. Some professional managers, who could clearly do better, will use means to obstruct and keep performance within a 'reasonable' range to leave room for next year or the year after. Some will simply drain the company dry."

"Just like Disney, there are too many examples like this... You understand, everyone's core interests are different."

"Therefore, from the struggle stage to the negotiation stage, they will only push for negotiations, and problems will not arise unless there are extreme circumstances."

"Now that you mention it..." The bespectacled guy took off his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on. "So after we die, the company will go down the same path? Won't we just become someone else's playthings?"

“Western academia is promoting the benefits of professional managers, leaving professional matters to professionals.” Wang Yaotang pursed his lips. “It’s a mixed bag. If there are no talented people among the descendants, then we can only establish a family fund to check and balance each other and follow the path of professional managers. That’s why I’m having a lot of children.”

Li Meiren glanced at Wang Yaotang, then snuggled closer into his arms. She wanted to have children, she needed to have as many children as possible!

What if my child turns out to be incredibly handsome/beautiful? Then I can gain status and wealth because of my son!
As for splitting the assets in a divorce...

That's ridiculous, they weren't even married!

If suing for liver cancer is illegal, then having children is the only option.

……

Hong Kong, Union Building, inside the elevator.

"When will the Jiahua Building be completed? Are these people just slacking off? We've been working on this for months and it's still not done. Tell them, half a month. I don't care what difficulties they have. If they don't finish it, I'll turn their whole family into animal feed!"

The esteemed philanthropist of Southeast Asia, who can stop a child from crying at night, is actually working in this old and cramped building. It's a damn disgrace to his image. Wang Yaotang was furious. "By the way, absolutely no shoddy workmanship allowed. If there's any problem, turn their whole family into animal feed!"

“Yes, boss, I’ll warn them right away!” Wei Tao replied.

Even a high-ranking secretary would naturally want to change his office location.

After processing some compressed files, Mason arrived with Rio Tinto's team.

After a metal detector search confirmed they weren't carrying any eavesdropping devices, the group was allowed inside.

“Hello, Mr. Wang Yaotang.” Mason smiled broadly and spoke in awkward Cantonese as a sign of respect.

"Hello, Mason, please have a seat."

They met and exchanged pleasantries, showing no sign that they had been fighting to the death just two days prior.

Without even asking what the other person liked to drink, Wang Yaotang always believed in "my territory, my rules" and simply brewed tea.

After a casual chat, the conversation ranged from Australia's tourist areas to its specialty seafood, from food to climate, and gradually shifted to the resources, mining, and future development prospects of Southeast Asian countries.

It's not just idle chatter; whether we share the same views and expectations on the market and business models will determine whether we can cooperate further in the future.

To Mason's surprise, Wang Yaotang's opinions were surprisingly aligned with Rio Tinto's on the vast majority of issues, especially regarding the outlook for Southeast Asian economic development.

Rio Tinto, Japan's largest supplier of coal, iron ore, copper, and aluminum, reports that Japan's manufacturing sector is steadily declining, with many industries gradually shifting to Southeast Asia and Laos and China.

The relocation of manufacturing inevitably leads to a surge in energy and mining demand in the corresponding regions; this is an objective law.

“We had some minor disagreements before due to poor communication, but that’s all in the past now. We really hope to cooperate with Mr. Wang. I wonder if we could release Olajuwon and the two cargo ships first; their families are very worried,” Mason said with a smile.

"Who? Who is Hakeem Olajuwon?" Wang Yaotang looked at Mason and his group with a confused expression. "Did someone from your company go missing at sea? That's terrible. The weather changes very quickly at sea. Maybe they encountered some kind of climate disaster. It's just horrible. But I think they'll thank you in heaven... cough cough."

Mason's eyes widened suddenly. "No, you killed Olajuwon and the others? They had already surrendered! How could you kill prisoners!"

"What are you saying? You're slandering me! You're defaming me! I'll sue you for defamation!" Wang Yaotang shouted. "I don't even know this Olajuwon you're talking about. Everyone knows I've been doing business with Laos and China lately. If someone goes missing, go find them. Don't come here and cause trouble!"

"You, you, you!" Mason never expected that someone would be killed.

"What do you mean, 'you'?!" Wang Yaotang demanded sharply.

"I……"

"What me!"

“It’s alright, maybe we really encountered extreme sea conditions…” Mason’s expression was bitter, but he forced a smile. He was afraid that if he continued to be stubborn, he wouldn’t be able to get out of Hong Kong.

“That’s right.” Wang Yaotang laughed heartily. “The dead cannot be brought back to life. May they rest in peace in heaven. Our most important task is to do things better, set aside conflicts, promote cooperation, and achieve common development and progress.”

"What do you think, Mr. Mason?"

"Yes." Mason took a deep breath. They couldn't possibly fight with the Wang family for a bunch of dead people. Escalating the conflict would not benefit anyone.

"Speaking of cooperation... I wonder what Mr. Wang thinks?" Mason asked, composing himself.

Wang Yaotang laughed and looked at the others who came with Mason, "You guys go out for a bit."

“Mr. Wang, this isn’t appropriate,” a deputy manager at Rio Tinto said in a deep voice.

This is clearly about some despicable and underhanded things, as a loyalist to Rio Tinto...

Why didn't you take us along!
"Am I fucking negotiating with you?" Wang Yaotang's face turned cold, and he waved his hand, "Take him out!"

Sha Ze opened the door, and ten security guards rushed in, grabbing him without saying a word.

"You, you're breaking the law! You're violating my personal freedom! You're..."

"Fuck-"

"Uh--"

The one who shouted the loudest was knocked down with an electric baton, and the others immediately shut up and ran away without anyone having to catch them.

"Where did this idiot come from? I've done all sorts of things, from murder to robbery, and I've even done pirate things. You're trying to joking with me?" Wang Yaotang sneered.

"You admit it," Mason's lips twitched, forcing out a polite yet awkward smile.

"Tell me, what are Rio Tinto's bottom lines?" Wang Yaotang pulled out a bill and pushed it over.

“Mr. Wang, what you are doing is… no, no, I can’t say. This violates company rules, it’s selling trade secrets, it’s illegal…” Mason stopped mid-sentence.

“You’re overthinking it. Whether you accept it or not, they’ll assume you did.” Wang Yaotang pointed to the door.

Mason opened his mouth wide, suddenly realizing that he had been tricked.

But this scheme was completely beyond his ability to resist; you have no martial ethics whatsoever!

"How is it?" Wang Yaotang asked with a half-smile.

Mason snatched the check and stuffed it into his pocket. "Rio Tinto has agreed to sell a portion of its KPC shares."

Now it was Wang Yaotang's turn to be astonished. "No, I just wanted to secure a portion of the supply. You're really selling shares?" (End of Chapter)