Hong Kong Movie: At the beginning, Big Boss B asked me to draw the death lottery

Chapter 193 It seems like he has an endless supply of 'bullets'.
Jimmy nodded, his sharp gaze sweeping over the salary expectation section of the resume: "You expect a salary 50% higher than your current one. Don't you think that's too high?"

"Hengyao's salary standards are already 30% higher than those of local companies."

Chen Zhiming remained composed and confident, stating, "I believe I'm worth the price!"

Jimmy smiled, but didn't rush to check the box on the resume: "Mr. Chen, come find me here in three days. I will notify you separately whether you are hired or not!"

The interview took place in the hotel all morning.

After interviewing nearly twenty job seekers for high-end positions, someone finally came in to report.

"Mr. Li, the negotiation office called. Director Fang will be here to see you in a bit!"

Jimmy raised an eyebrow, picked up the red pen on the table, and circled a line on the calendar. Things were progressing even more smoothly than he had expected.

At 1 p.m., Fang Zhitong and Liang Zhenguo, the director of the planning department, arrived at the Swan Hotel. Upon seeing Jimmy, Fang Zhitong excitedly shook Jimmy's hand with a broad smile.

"Mr. Li is young and promising, and Hengyao's investment plan is truly exciting!"

"You flatter me. My boss taught me long ago that when investing in mainland China, the first thing we need to do is show you sincerity!"

Jimmy responded in his not-so-standard Mandarin, and the three of them immediately sat down and held a small impromptu meeting in the reception room.

Liang Zhenguo from the planning department is very optimistic about Jimmy, and now most of the commercial land in Shenzhen has been put into use.

Many plots of land are currently sealed off for long-term development planning and cannot be opened to the public.

He doesn't have many commercial land plots left.

Hengyao came to their door and immediately offered to acquire a piece of barren land, which truly solved their planning department's annual quota problem!

Moreover, this commercial land is intended for the construction of a logistics center, so there's no need to worry about environmental issues, and it can also boost local development. Liang Zhenguo now wishes he could worship Hengyao like a Buddha!
"Mr. Li is too modest. You are doing better than most companies."

They donated 5000 million yuan without hesitation, without even a ceremony. This pragmatic approach is something we should all learn from!

We are ashamed to say that all we can do is publish a commendation for Hengyao in the newspaper, and we hope Mr. Li will not mind.

No sooner had Liang Zhenguo finished speaking than Fang Zhitong picked up the conversation.

"Old Liang, you're too modest. Didn't you fight for those 500 acres of industrial land for the logistics center?"

"An investment of over a billion yuan for only 500 acres of land seems too much..."

Upon hearing this, Jimmy's eyelids twitched.

Five hundred acres?
This is 200 mu more than the 300 mu promised by Fang Zhi's colleague!

……

The three then discussed various issues, including the land use for the logistics center and commercial projects. The meeting lasted for two hours.

At the end, Liang Zhenguo immediately made a decision: "The Hengyao Logistics Center project has been included in the city's key projects. I will make sure to coordinate with all relevant departments and ensure their full cooperation!"

Fang Zhitong nodded in deep agreement: "Hengyao's investment can be considered a model of behavior in the past two years."

Whether it serves as a model or drives the development of other undeveloped areas in Shenzhen, this can definitely set a benchmark!
We welcome every patriotic industrialist to invest in the mainland. We hope you share my confidence in the future business environment of the mainland!

After giving his concluding remarks, Jimmy saw the two off.

Holding the signed agreement, Jimmy happily blew away the still-dry ink from the signature line, and then dialed Ho Yiu-chung's number.

"Brother Yao, it's done."

The negotiation office personally oversaw the process, and it went even more smoothly than I had anticipated!

He Yaozong's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Jimmy, well done!"
Remember, in the coming period, try to make some big moves.

The construction of logistics centers needs to be fast, but building confidence in us from the mainland needs to be even faster!

Jimmy frowned: "I still don't understand, are we really here in mainland China to do charity?"

"You don't understand. You can't rush things when developing your business in the mainland."

This isn't about profiting from gamblers in Macau; demonstrating social responsibility is more important than anything else!

"Understood, Brother Yao!"

Jimmy nodded thoughtfully, then spoke.

"I have prepared the second batch of donations, 2000 million for education, and I will announce it tomorrow!"

After hanging up the phone, Jimmy called to his assistant, "Contact the newspapers and TV stations to hold a press conference at 3 p.m.

Although Jimmy didn't understand what He Yaozong meant, he did understand one thing—that all this money came from He Yaozong!
It's already incredibly fortunate that I was able to take off on his coattails.

As for how Ho Yiu-chung spends his money, it's none of Jimmy's business!

……

After Hengyao's recruitment advertisement was published in the Pengcheng Daily for a week, the entire job market in Pengcheng was abuzz.

General laborers earn 800 yuan per month, including room and board!

Truck drivers start at 1200 yuan, performance-based pay is separate!

Management salaries are negotiable, 30%-50% higher than industry standards!

These figures exploded like bombs in Shenzhen. At that time, the average monthly salary of a worker in a state-owned factory was no more than 300 yuan, but Hengyao offered more than double that.

On the day of the job fair, a line stretching for kilometers formed at the labor service center.

Jimmy stood at the window on the third floor of the Labor Bureau, looking down at the dense crowd below, and couldn't help but sigh, "The human resources in the mainland are truly abundant."

Ma Guoqiang, the administrator of the labor service center, wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Mr. Li, this is the first time I've seen this scene in my 20 years of work. People have been lining up since 5 a.m., and we had to ask the police to come and maintain order."

Jimmy turned to Hengyao's HR director and said, "Spread the word: everyone who came for an interview today, regardless of whether they're hired or not, will receive a 20 yuan transportation and food allowance."

Ma Guoqiang's hand trembled, and he almost dropped his teacup: "There are at least five thousand people here today!"

"It's ok!"

Jimmy smiled but didn't offer any further explanation.

I have to say, this kind of spending lavishly is really satisfying!

The key point is that He Yaozong asked him to do these things!

This statement was written down verbatim by the accompanying reporter from the Southern Daily, and after it was published the next day, Hengyao's reputation reached unprecedented heights.

However, the high-salary strategy also brought unexpected troubles.

On the third day of the job fair, many logistics industry leaders jointly protested to the negotiation office.

"Director Fang, Hengyao is engaging in unethical competition!"

The owner of a Taiwanese-owned logistics company was the first to speak.

"They raise wages so high right off the bat, how are we supposed to recruit workers?"

The drivers at our logistics park are demanding a raise, or they'll apply to Hengyao!

"Yes, when our boss invested in the mainland, he was attracted by the low-cost human resources there."

Now that the market balance has been disrupted, we have to consider whether we should withdraw our investment prematurely!

……

What storms hasn't Fang Zhitong weathered over the years?
From the very first day of attracting investment, from the very beginning of his humble beginnings, he had long been accustomed to the true colors of these capitalists.

Faced with the protests from the representatives sent by the investors, he calmly took a sip of tea and waited until they had finished speaking before clearing his throat.

His gaze fell on the first speaker.

"Chairman Zheng, it's really kind of you to come all this way to protest to me!"

"Director Fang, this concerns the company's performance, and I need to explain it to the shareholders!"

"What's there to explain? Your logistics company has been based in Shenzhen for quite some time now."

I know exactly how many times my salary has increased over the years!

However, I can't say how much money you've made here!

Fang Zhitong's eyes flickered, and he continued.

"Hengyao is just like you; they are investors invited by our negotiation office. I can't control how much salary they are willing to pay their workers."

As long as the wages are not lower than the minimum standards set by the labor department and meet the labor requirements, it is their business even if they ask for sky-high wages!
"If you people feel you've made enough money in mainland China over the years, and if you're willing to give up this market and withdraw your investment, then I have nothing to say!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

To be honest, although these people were invited by the negotiation office, they have truly benefited from it over the years. Now, even if they were asked to pack their bags and leave, they wouldn't be happy, and they would inevitably criticize the mainland's unfair investment attraction system in the newspapers.

Before they could speak, Fang Zhitong's voice came again.

"However, I want to make this clear from the outset: anyone who wants to withdraw their investment and leave is welcome to come back and do business with us again!"

However, the approval process cannot be skipped. Our negotiation office treats all investors equally and will not give anyone special treatment!

These words were delivered with such force that they instantly changed the expressions of the group of people.

"Director Fang, it's not that serious!"
You're right, the logistics center employees do all the hard and tiring work, and after so many years, their salaries really do need an adjustment..."

Chairman Zheng spoke first, and the rest of the group echoed his sentiments.

Fang Zhitong grinned.

"That's right. Although I don't have the final say on the labor department, you all should consider the current labor market in mainland China when you're making money there!"

Just because there's no shortage of workers in mainland China doesn't mean we should keep wage standards unchanged and wait for the labor department to come and negotiate with us. What's the point of that?

"Yeah!"

“That’s right, we’ll go back and develop a salary adjustment plan…”

……

The land was approved at a record-breaking speed in Shenzhen—it only took 18 days from application to approval.

Jimmy stood on the desolate beach, the sea breeze lifting the hem of his suit jacket.

Behind him were heads of more than a dozen departments, including the negotiation office, planning bureau, and construction bureau.

“Mr. Li, as you requested, this land is very close to the port and the highway.”

A representative from the planning department pointed to the blueprints and said, "However, the surrounding area is indeed quite desolate."

Jimmy looked around and saw only a few scattered fishing villages and vast mudflats.

He nodded: "That's exactly what we wanted. Hengyao needs a blank canvas so he can paint the newest and most beautiful picture."

He turned to his team behind him: "Within a month, I want to see the first warehouse erected; within two months, the first automated sorting line operational; within six months, the entire hub will be taking shape. Any questions?"

"no problem!"

The perfectly synchronized responses surprised the government officials present; they had never seen such an efficient team.

That's for sure. Building a logistics center isn't exactly a technical job. The team poured real money into it, so how could they not be more efficient and energetic than those teams that rely on empty promises?

That afternoon, the scene of thirty excavators working on the site simultaneously was featured on Pengcheng TV's evening news.

The reporter excitedly reported: "Hengyao Group once again demonstrates 'Hong Kong-style efficiency,' with construction commencing on the very day the project was approved!"

While construction is in full swing, Jimmy has released another major piece of news - Hengyao will invest 80 million yuan to jointly establish a logistics college with Pengcheng University to cultivate professional talents for the project.

At the signing ceremony, the president of Pengcheng University held Jimmy's hand for a long time, saying, "Mr. Li, this is the largest corporate donation our university has ever received."

On behalf of all the teachers and students of the school, I would like to thank Hengyao for its generous support of education!

Under the flashing lights, Jimmy smiled and responded, "Talent is the foundation of a company's development, and Hengyao hopes to grow together with Shenzhen."

……

Even in its early stages of construction, the social impact of Hengyao Logistics Center has already begun to emerge.

Many investors, both large and small, flocked to the area, and restaurants, shops, barbershops, and other amenities sprang up like mushrooms after rain around the once barren beach.

A small, spontaneously formed commercial district is taking shape.

According to data from the Pengcheng Statistics Bureau, the Hengyao project directly created 3200 jobs and indirectly boosted employment for more than 5000 people in the surrounding area.

Even more surprisingly, due to Hengyao's high salary standards, the average wage level of the entire logistics industry in Shenzhen was raised by 25%.

At the same time, Hengyao's internal humanistic care system is also being continuously strengthened.

Jimmy, representing Hengyao Logistics, dropped several bombshells on the media over several days—Hengyao announced that Beijing Foreign Studies University would invest 3000 million yuan to build a subsidy program for employees' families to support their education, and at the same time invest 8000 million yuan in start-up funds to create a welfare fund for employees' medical and health care.

Jimmy personally oversees the implementation of every payment, but he insists on not holding grand ceremonies.

"Hengyao isn't doing this for publicity!" he told reporters. "It's because we genuinely want to make a contribution to society."

As previously confirmed, the first phase of the Hengyao Logistics Center project was completed on schedule.

The day of the ribbon-cutting ceremony was packed with guests.

Standing in the brand-new automated sorting center, Jimmy introduced to the guests: "This hub uses the world's most advanced logistics management system, with an annual throughput of over 200 million tons, which is half of Pengcheng Port's total volume last year."

We believe that Shenzhen's future potential is limitless; the port's throughput of several million tons is far from even a fraction of Shenzhen's!

Looking at the smoothly operating automated equipment, one guest couldn't help but exclaim, "This is even more advanced than the logistics centers we've visited in Japan!"

Jimmy smiled and responded, "Hengyao's goal is to build a first-class logistics network in Asia. In the next three years, we will also build five similar hubs in the Pearl River Delta."
-
The news that Hengyao is building a logistics center in mainland China has already spread throughout Hong Kong Island.

Chief Secretary Hod sat in his office, examining the documents his assistant handed him. After a long while, he finally put the documents down.

Looking up at his assistant, Hord asked.

"You mean, He Yaozong wants to acquire a piece of land in Lau Fau Shan to connect with the logistics center on the mainland?!"

The assistant nodded, and Hord's eyes immediately widened.

"He's insane! He's actually going to build a new pier on Hong Kong Island for some ridiculous logistics center on the mainland?"
Doesn't he know that the area around Lau Fau Shan is mostly shallow water?

"He Yaozong said he would dig out a deep water area..."

"What exactly is he trying to achieve by doing this? Is he really just burning through too much money?!"

Huo De rubbed his forehead; he was increasingly unable to understand He Yaozong's actions.

In the past, he built resettlement housing for those housing estate residents and established relief funds, which could be said to be to win public support and to eliminate the hidden danger of the housing market planted by the British regime in Hong Kong Island.

But now they're spending so much money to dig a deep-water pier at Lau Fau Shan just to connect to that logistics center on the mainland that's still under construction. What kind of operation is this?
It's worth noting that the journey from Hong Kong Island to Shenzhen's deep-water port only takes about an hour.

"Schedule an appointment with the Governor of Hong Kong for me immediately. I have a feeling something is wrong with this matter!"

Huo De couldn't understand what He Yaozong wanted to do and couldn't make up his mind for a moment, so he immediately asked his assistant to arrange a meeting with Wei Yixin for him.

At 2 p.m., Huo De, carrying the materials that He Yaozong had handed over to the Lands Department, went to Government House and found Wilson.

"Governor, please take a look at this!"

Upon meeting Wei Yixin, Huo De disregarded etiquette and hastily handed the document to Wei Yixin.

Wei Yixin took the materials, glanced at them coldly, and then tossed them onto the desk in front of him.

After several clashes with He Yaozong, he has become extremely cautious whenever it involves He Yaozong.

If it weren't for that idiot Martin giving him a hand last time, he would have already gone back to London to retire.

David Wilson cherishes his regained political career more than anyone else now.

"Hord, I knew about this a long time ago!"
"What's wrong? You seem quite worried. Isn't this exactly what you want, to deplete He Yaozong's grain reserves?"

"No, no, no, Mr. Governor, in my understanding, we should oppose whatever the enemy does."

Although I don't know what He Yaozong meant by this, I'm certain of one thing—whatever he does, we should do everything in our power to stop him!

In response to Huo De's explanation, Wei Yixin yawned lazily.

He then asked, "Then tell me, what is He Yaozong's intention in doing this?"

After a moment of contemplation, Hod replied, "In my opinion, this is very likely another instruction from the mainland."

They want to leverage Hong Kong Island's status as a free port to import advanced equipment and technology from around the world and bring it into the mainland!

If Ho Yiu-chung were to establish a free port on Lau Fau Shan, then I'm afraid…

Before Huo De could finish speaking, Wei Yixin immediately waved his hand.

"Alright, Huo De, don't think of He Yaozong as having too many supernatural powers!"
Now I have to remind you that after Martin's incident, London has given us new instructions—

That means that apart from the consumption plan you proposed at the beginning, we cannot take any new actions against He Yaozong without authorization!
You should focus your attention on getting He Yaozong to spend more money; I have no interest in hearing anything else!

Faced with Wei Yixin's negative attitude, Huo De couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He Yaozong is now someone you can neither kill nor suppress.

But who knows how much money Ho Yiu-chung actually has in his reserve funds?
In recent months, He Yaozong has been spending money at an increasingly outrageous rate; it seems like he has an endless supply of funds.

If the attrition plan also fails, then these last Hong Kong British politicians will have to watch helplessly as Ho Yiu-chung destroys all the hard work they've put in over the years before they even leave the country.
(End of this chapter)