I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 795 Principal Ma Tests Li Le
The 3rd World Internet Conference, a three-day event, successfully concluded in Wuzhen, with numerous highlights and engaging discussions. Guests freely exchanged ideas and shared insights on cutting-edge technological innovation.

The newly established "World's Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements Release" session showcased 15 of the world's top internet technology achievements. Notably, this year's conference also innovatively introduced informal exchange formats such as the "Wuzhen Coffee Gathering," creating a more open and free space for dialogue for participants.

What netizens are most excited about are the two dinner parties in Wuzhen—a gathering of "half the world's internet industry leaders," who chatted and exchanged ideas.

Even more mysterious is the fact that Ma Yun, Ma Huateng, and Fang Qingye, three industry leaders, were seen having tea and conversation late at night in a rowboat. What exactly did they talk about? All parties involved have tacitly remained silent, and the outside world has no way of knowing.

Similar to last year, the Wuzhen Summit has concluded, and the water town has returned to its usual tranquility. However, hundreds of miles away in Nanxin, Fang Qingye's nursery is gradually becoming bustling. The gathering of internet giants at the Nanxin nursery after the Wuzhen Summit has become a unique sight in Nanxin. Although it is an unofficial event, it has attracted great attention from the local government, with mobilizing police to maintain order at the scene becoming a top priority.

Of course, local government leaders also have their own ulterior motives: Can they use this tea party to promote local economic, trade, and cultural development? Can they take this opportunity to get in-depth contact with a big shot and facilitate cooperation? These are the real concerns they have.

According to rumors, the Jinghai Municipal Government has contacted a prominent figure who came for tea and plans to have him picked up by a special person after the tea party and taken to the municipal government to discuss cooperation plans.

However, Fang Qingye did not participate in these official activities behind the scenes—"I just invited everyone here for tea and casual conversation. If there is any official business to discuss, please make your own arrangements privately."

This year's Wuzhen Summit was held a month earlier than last year, making the weather in Nanxin exceptionally warm. At noon, the warm sunlight bathed the nursery, the light bright yet soft, sweeping over the rows of still verdant leaves—those of hardy camellias and pansies. The Cymbidium goeringii in the greenhouse had also quietly bloomed, its flowers delicate, a mix of yellow and green.

The tea party was held in the courtyard. Some people sat around enjoying tea and chatting, while others strolled along the nursery paths with teacups in hand, appreciating the winter garden scenery.

The number of guests this year was roughly the same as last year, with the addition of several young faces such as Zhang Yimin and Zhang Xuhao, and the absence of several old friends. Notably, Li Le also appeared at the event.

Li Le successfully entered Lakeside University, founded by Ma Yun, in April this year. This time, he served tea to his teachers as a student and also helped with the arrangements as a semi-host. Fang Qingye prepared three kinds of tea: Zhengshan Xiaozhong black tea, Qidan Da Hong Pao, and Lion Peak Longjing tea.

Some were drinking tea, others were chatting, and Fang Qingye was naturally among them. However, they weren't discussing anything serious today; instead, they were exchanging tips on winter fishing with Liu Qiangdong.

Liu Qiangdong is also an avid fisherman; it's said he has two hobbies: off-road driving and fishing. He becomes quite talkative when the topic of fishing comes up:

"On the coldest day last year, when it was minus fifteen degrees Celsius, I drove to the Ming Tombs Reservoir to ice fish. As soon as I broke through the ice and cast my line, I caught a big carp. The fish was jumping around on the ice, its scales reflecting the snow and looking golden. It must have weighed at least six pounds."

"Are you bragging? Where would you find such a big wild carp?" Fang Qingye bluntly exposed. "Last winter, I caught a silver carp in the Haihe River. It weighed about two pounds, which is considered big around here."

"You don't understand. Fish in the north are big, just like people in the north are tall."

"Brother Qiang, you're talking nonsense..."

As the two were arguing, Fang Qingye's phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was Zhang Jinchuan from Bank of China Hong Kong calling, so he immediately stopped arguing and answered the phone.

"Mr. Zhang, hello."

"The Hong Kong Stock Exchange held a board meeting? The chairman has changed? Who is it?"

"Ms. Laura Cha? So she was also the Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission? Oh... I see."

"Okay, we're preparing." "Alright, keep in touch anytime, come visit Nanxin sometime."

Fang Qingye chatted briefly for a few minutes before hanging up the phone.

"Qingye, I heard you say on the phone that the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has changed its chairman?" Liu Qiangdong asked curiously.

“Yes, Zhang Jinchuan, general manager of BOC Hong Kong, just called to say that the chairman of the board of directors of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange has changed. Sir Zhou Songgang has retired and Ms. Shi Meilun has taken over. They are preparing to amend the listing rules of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,” Fang Qingye answered truthfully.

This is indeed a big deal!
Many of the business leaders present have plans to list in Hong Kong, but have often been unable to do so due to existing rules. Now, it seems that they have seen a turning point.

Lei Jun was particularly excited upon hearing the news: "I went to Hong Kong this May and talked with Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Executive Chen Delin about Xiaomi's listing in Hong Kong. At that time, it was not possible to proceed due to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's regulations, but now it seems that there is hope?"

“Of course there is hope.” Ma Yun interjected at this moment, “Qingye, I heard that you also made a special trip to Hong Kong in June, was it also about Ele.me’s listing in Hong Kong?”

"Yes, I also talked to President Chen about this." Fang Qingye did not hide anything, nor did she feel there was any need to hide it.

"It seems you've all gotten what you wanted," Ma Yun said with a smile.

"Mr. Ma, could you consider a secondary listing for Alibaba in Hong Kong...?"

In fact, many companies are already planning secondary listings, such as JD.com. This sparked a discussion among the participants.

As major shareholders of Ele.me, Ma Yun and Ma Huateng were also very concerned about this matter and took the opportunity to discuss the specifics of Ele.me's listing in Hong Kong with Fang Qingye.

“Qingye, you now have to consider a practical issue: the social security pilot program for food delivery riders that you are promoting in Jinghai.” Ma Huateng habitually adjusted his glasses and reminded him, “The pilot program has been running for a year. Should we continue it? Should we expand its scope? These all need to be carefully considered, after all, it concerns the profitability test, financial compliance, and audit preparation before the IPO.”

Actually, there is an even more important reason that Ma Huateng did not mention in today's public forum—shareholder interests!
The pilot program for social security benefits for food delivery riders will undoubtedly increase corporate expenses, which is not beneficial for shareholders. When Fang Qingye decided to implement the pilot program last year, some shareholders expressed their opposition.

At the board meeting, Gan Jiawei, representing Alibaba, Zhou Junchuan, representing Dianping, and Michelle, representing Tencent, were all less than in favor. However, Ma Yun and Ma Huateng did not explicitly express their opinions.

Ma Huateng brought up this matter today to remind Fang Qingye to be mentally prepared.

Fang Qingye nodded, but did not directly answer Ma Huateng's question—the current occasion was indeed not suitable for in-depth discussion.

At this moment, Ma Yun looked at Li Le, who was carrying a thermos and adding hot water to the teapot, and suddenly asked:
"Li Le, General Manager Li."

"Principal Ma?" Li Le quickly responded.

"If you were the chairman of Ele.me, in Aoba's position, how would you consider the question Pony just raised?"

(End of this chapter)