Hong Kong Film Intelligence King

Chapter 294 Handsome Kun Shows Off

Failed.

Simon cursed under his breath.

He panicked the moment the real estate company ran into trouble.

This is one of their three core assets.

A true cash cow!
He never imagined that anyone would have designs on him.

But there is no way.

What's lost is lost.

This is not like forty years ago, when the Governor's Mansion could take back foreign firms simply by issuing an order.

Do you dare now?
If the Governor's Mansion dares to make a move, our hometown will send a battalion to take over Hong Kong ahead of time.

Simon immediately ordered people to collect information on the group of four.

what?
Is it in the media or newspapers?

Shit!

Treat the information in the media and newspapers as legendary novels.

It will only ever show you the superficial glamour.

As for the deeper things, I will absolutely not show them to you.

With the power of Jardine Matheson, it would be very easy for them to gather information on these four people.

In fact, Simon did collect enough information.

Including the true identities of Liang Kun, Wang Dao, and Han Bin.

To be honest, even Simon couldn't help but gasp.

These three guys are actually high-ranking officers of Hung Hing!

They don't take ordinary clubs seriously at all.

These low-level gangs in Hong Kong are essentially just rags.

Use it when needed, then leave it aside.

A little money thrown at them can keep them happy for a long time.

this is the truth.

But that was said to ordinary people in the martial arts world.

When a wealthy individual of similar stature also controls a yakuza organization, things get really complicated.

What really gave Simon a headache was that these four core members were all self-made millionaires, people who had built their fortunes from scratch, and they were all so incredibly young!

People who start from scratch have a strong drive for success.

Trying to subdue them with external force is a pipe dream.

Ximen is not one of those low-class men; he is an educated man.

I've read quite a few celebrity biographies.

The characteristics of those early capitalists who made their mark on history can almost all be found in this group of four.

You want to use underhanded tactics against them?
Aren't you afraid of not waking up at night?

When you use certain methods to deal with others, you are essentially assuming that they will use the same methods to deal with you.

This is what is meant by "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you"!
Simon naturally didn't want to risk his life.

Hongkong Land is Jardine Matheson's core asset, and he simply cannot bear the pain of losing it.

We must buy back Hongkong Land.

Otherwise, this so-called top of the four major foreign trading houses in Hong Kong will collapse!
Simon desperately tried to figure out if there was anything he could use.

And then he actually found it!
Handsome Kun!

The weakness is Handsome Kun!

The guy who's out there getting by has barely graduated from elementary school.

It's incredibly lucky that this guy has built his company to its current size.

But we have to admit it.

Any major capitalist who succeeds in starting a business is very lucky.

Don't believe the nonsense about failing in your first business venture.

That's just because they haven't found the right approach yet.

Trying to out-luck a self-made capitalist like that... you're asking for trouble.

So Simon came over this time.

He planned not to discuss Hongkong Land for now, but to use the Wharf Holdings issue as a starting point.

Simon has great ambitions.

He not only had his eye on Hongkong Land, but also on Wharf Holdings.

The William brothers of Wharf Holdings are two idiots. Despite having a fortune, they are still poor and destitute.

If you simply change the use of Wharf Holdings' land, the profits will be like mountains of gold and seas of silver!
I thought that Handsome Kun wouldn't notice this, but I never expected it...

They value Wharf Holdings far more than themselves!

"Ten billion is really too expensive." Simon sighed heavily. It seemed that Wharf Holdings was out of reach for him.

He felt a sense of urgency.

Wharf Holdings is asking for 10 billion for this undeveloped plot of land.

Land acquisition...

Can I get it back myself?
I've said before that Hong Kong is no longer a safe place to stay. If only I had set up a trap and escaped during the last stock market crash.

Unfortunately, the opportunity has passed!
This is really upsetting!
Handsome Kun smiled and shook his head:

“Master Simon, this is perfectly normal.”

"Everyone has their own business acumen."

"For example, antique vases are the kind of things that are hard to price."

"To those who don't like it, it's just an ordinary vase, and in terms of practical value, it's not even as good as modern handicrafts."

"But in the eyes of the person you like."

Is this a vase?

"This is a vivid piece of history!"

"How can it be measured by worldly things and money?"

"So even though this vase was priced at three dollars in the general store, some people still thought it was too expensive!"

"But in antique shops, people still think that a price tag of 300,000 is too cheap!"

“It’s normal.”

Simon cursed inwardly, wondering which bastard had collected the information for him.

Is this something someone who didn't even finish elementary school could say?
Most big businessmen wouldn't say they can do that, right?

I'll fire the person who collected the data right away!
It is an unforgivable sin to let such a guy lead the firewood and water supply at Yihe.

Liang Kun was in high spirits:

“Boss Simon, we need to have a serious talk.”

Turning to Li Jie, he said,
"Ah Jie, cancel all the remaining invitations for me."

"reason?"

"Isn't the reason that Boss Simon personally came to visit them enough? If they have any objections, let's see if they dare to go to Boss Simon."

"Oh, and bring me some snacks!"

Simon was dumbfounded; he was somewhat bewildered by Liang Kun's behavior.

This is the first time he's ever met such a shrewd and unsavory character.

How dare you make decisions for me without my consent?
You should know that even the Governor didn't treat me like this.

If Simon were to speak his mind, Liang Kun would most likely scoff at it.

Lord Governor?

What a load of bull!
Hong Kong is my hometown!
Liang Kun has become increasingly convinced of this concept recently.

You can always trust Li Jie; he quickly brought out a plate of Suzhou-style pastries.

A warm invitation from Leung Kwan:
"Ximen Daban, come and try some snacks from our hometown, Suzhou."

Simon looked at the pastries on the plate, somewhat suspicious:
"so small?"

Liang Kun stared in disbelief as he swallowed it in one gulp...

"Big Class, you've never eaten this before, have you?"

Simon blushed under his gaze and quickly said:

"It's just a little snack, isn't it?"

Handsome Kun sighed:

"Don't be fooled by its small size, this is not how you eat it."

Pick up the snack, gently break off a small piece, put it in your mouth, and then swallow the tea.

Ximen asked, puzzled:
Is it necessary to do this?

Liang Kun explained:
"You think it's a small pastry?"

"No, this is history!"

"These are Suzhou-style pastries."

"It looks small, but it has a lot of energy."

"These snacks are not for the poor."

"It is for the enjoyment of high-ranking officials and nobles."

"How could a poor person be entitled to eat this?"

"Only the wealthy and powerful are qualified to eat this."

"The distinguished gentlemen chatted while drinking tea, and then had some snacks."

"This way, I don't feel hungry from noon to night."

"Then it was time for dinner."

"Don't underestimate these small snacks; they can last you most of the day."

"What you were eating just now..."

Liang Kun shook his head regretfully.

Ximen almost cracked open.

Did I get looked down upon?

I must have been looked down upon, right?

How dare this kid who didn't even finish primary school look down on me, a Cambridge University graduate?!

Is this justified?
Simon imitated Liang Kun and put in a little effort.

Surprisingly, it tastes really good and goes well with the tongue!
His mood worsened.

If this is something that Leung Kwan made up, then there's no problem.

But if this is true...

He's made a huge fool of himself!
Shameful.

That's fucking shameful.

Simon has a proud sense of self-esteem, and he looks down on Liang Kun.

I always felt that Liang Kun should have a braid on the back of his head, a pig's braid!
But now, this guy is actually looking down on himself for being uncultured!

Can't stand it!
I want to refute it, but I can't.

Ximen almost vomited blood.

Liang Kun was overjoyed. His mother was right. He could learn a lot by following Wang Dao!
If Adao hadn't chatted with him in the office before, he wouldn't have known any of this.

Looking at Simon's face now, he must be incredibly happy.

White foreigners always call others people of color, but when they have any emotions, they show it on their faces.

Who exactly are the people of color?
Ximen's face was now a bluish-purple, clearly indicating that he was in a very bad mood.

That's right.

The more unhappy the foreigner is, the happier he is!
Ximen drank another cup of tea and said seriously:
“Boss Li, let’s get down to business.”

Liang Kun asked, puzzled:
"Haven't we finished discussing the important matters?"

Simon quickly defended himself:

“Li Daban, I’m very sorry that you’re unwilling to part with Wharf Holdings.”

"We have a second thing to discuss."

"Really?"

Liang Kun shrugged: "I thought everything was settled."

"You and I are all ears?"

Ximen composed himself and said:

"Landmark Trading Company is our core asset, I wonder..."

Handsome Kun said speechlessly:
“Boss Simon, wasn’t this matter already discussed just now?”

Simon was shocked. How could they have started talking?
Did they already talk while he was distracted?

Why does he have absolutely no recollection of it?
This shouldn't be!
Handsome Kun said seriously:
"We can't agree on a price."

"You valued Wharf Holdings at two hundred million, but I think it's worth more than that..."

Simon felt extremely ashamed. He thought Liang Kun was a novice, but he didn't expect him to be a veteran.

I was hoping to snag a bargain, but instead I got a lecture.

Simon's pride couldn't take it.

It's like he's using something to seal Liang Kun's mouth, preventing him from continuing.

It's a pity it didn't work!

A gentleman wouldn't do something like that.

Foreigners are strange; when no one reveals their true colors, they always act like gentlemen.

Once his true colors are revealed, he becomes utterly shameless.

He is a perfect gentleman when the situation is in his favor.

When things are going badly, a gentleman? What the hell is that?
"Even Wharf Holdings couldn't reach an agreement."

"Not to mention Hongkong Land."

Simon quickly said:
"Wharf Holdings has not been developed..."

“That’s right!” Liang Kun clapped his hands and said, “Wharf Holdings is indeed undeveloped, but insiders can see at a glance that this piece of land has huge potential.”

"The land itself is quite valuable."

"Once it's built, it will be a cash cow that never stops."

"Simon, the head of the household, admits it, right?"

Simon could only nod.

What could he say?
deny?
Don't embarrass yourself. If he dares to say something like that, he'll lose his place in Hong Kong's business circles.

Some things shouldn't be said carelessly.

This will affect your reputation.

When others look at it, they realize that even the wealthy Mr. Simon couldn't see the value of this piece of land?

Then why is he still teaching senior classes?
No wonder Yihe was brought to this state by him.

How do you refute?

There's nowhere to cry.

“Our disagreement doesn’t lie here. Simon thinks this land is only worth 200 million, but I see that as long as we hold onto it for a few years, we can build it up and sell it.”

"Not only is the land acquisition cost zero, but the construction cost is also zero."

"A highly profitable business."

"Ten billion, that shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Simon sighed:

“Li Daban is right.”

"However, when we do business, we still need to leave ourselves some profit."

Lam Kwan nodded in agreement:

"Will you bargain?"

"I want 10 billion, you can offer me 8 billion and I'll still sell."

Simon ignored him.

What a joke.

Eight billion to buy Wharf Holdings?

With eight billion, what business can't I do?
Handsome Kun smiled:
"Well, this is where our differences lie."

"It would be the same if it were Hongkong Land."

Simon felt a chill run down his spine and quickly asked:
Where does the disagreement lie?

Suddenly, Liang Kun laughed again:
"I've discovered I'm incredibly lucky!"

what?
Do you really need to think so wildly?

Simon outwardly maintained his gentlemanly image, but inwardly he was seething with resentment.

He really wanted to punch Liang Kun; he couldn't stand this shady approach!

Fortunately, Kwan quickly provided an explanation:
“I studied Hongkong Land’s profit curve carefully. Of course, due to time constraints, I mainly looked at the curves of the buildings in Central.”

"Since the stock market crash in the 1970s, the real estate market has been on a steady rise."

"Almost every year is the peak season for Hong Kong's property market."

"That's basically the highest peak."

"Every year makes history."

"Of course, the rent is the same."

"You're saying you were lucky to be able to acquire Landmark at this time?"

Simon sighed inwardly, "Your good luck means my bad luck is."

He offered a seemingly friendly reminder,
“Li Daban, the Hong Kong property market has cycles.”

"The housing market rises and then falls, then rises again, and then falls again."

"And so it goes."

"All real estate markets in the world are the same."

"I think a decline in Hong Kong's property market is coming soon."

Simon's expression was as sincere as could be, and his tone as earnest as could be.

However, one sentence from Liang Kun broke his defenses:

"In that case..."

"Then why did Simon do the redemption of Jardine Matheson's land?"

@#￥￥%……&*……

Simon almost cursed out loud.

Are you just asking a question you already know the answer to?

He sighed inwardly, realizing he was out of luck.

"I'm sorry, I've been here for quite a while now. Perhaps I should discuss this with Ms. Li another day?"

Just as Simon was about to leave, he was stopped by Liang Kun.
There's an old saying in my hometown: "Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains."

"How about we try a different game?"

Ximen smiled wryly:
"Li Daban, I really have something to say!"

Handsome Kun said seriously:
"Please let me finish what I have to say!"

"Didn't you say the housing market might collapse?"

Ximen said solemnly:
"We believe that Hong Kong's property market has reached its peak."

"It might collapse tomorrow."

Snapped!
Liang Kun slapped his thigh:
"Now that you put it that way, I understand."

"How about we make a bet?"

Ximen was taken aback:
"On gambling?"

Liang Kun said with great interest:
"If you're bullish on a housing market crash, then I'm bullish on a housing market rise."

"How about we take a gamble on the housing market in the next two years?"

Simon immediately became interested:

"How to say?"

It's not that Simon wasn't interested.

One of Jardine Matheson's pillar businesses is an insurance company.

They are professionals when it comes to risk control.

Handsome Kun bluntly said:
"Based on the property market profits for this year and next... mainly the profits of Hongkong Land."

"I bet that the housing market will continue to rise sharply this year and next year."

"You're going to bet against me."

"We're betting on the profits from Hongkong Land back then."

"If I lose the bet, I'll double the profits from that year for you."

"Of course, if I win the bet, you'll get the same result."

Simon looked at Liang Kun strangely:

"Li Daban, you really think the housing market is promising."

Liang Kun thumped his chest loudly, displaying the demeanor of a nouveau riche.

"In Hong Kong, a place the size of a palm, what's the most valuable thing?"

"Land!"

"The housing market!"

"This is the most valuable thing."

"Take Wharf Holdings for example. If I hold onto it for five years, the profits from this thing will be comparable to those of the Central Tower now!"

Don't even mention Wharf Holdings!

Simon turned and left, and no matter how much Liang Kun tried to stop him, he couldn't!
As he reached the door, Simon turned around and said:

"A bet is no small matter; I need to go back and study it carefully."

Handsome Kun's face was beaming with smiles:
"Of course, that's a lot of money!"

Simon nodded slowly:

"I will let you know as soon as the research is complete."

Handsome Kun smiled:
"welcome any time."

As Ximen was leaving, he asked again:

"Li Daban, is Hongkong Land really not selling?"

Handsome Kun said seriously:
"I am a businessman. Anything that can make money is negotiable."

"Isn't the point of being in this business to make money?"

“I didn’t create Hongkong Land, so selling it doesn’t put any psychological pressure on me.”

Simon's mood suddenly soured!

Yes, it was purely by chance that they acquired the land. They can make a fortune by selling it, so why not?
Leung Kwan added:

"However, I want to make it clear beforehand."

"I'm a businessman, I need to make money."

"I won't sell if the price doesn't meet my expectations."

Ximen immediately said:
"Dear Mr. Li, what is your target price?"

Liang Kun said in astonishment:
"Who would tell their competitor their target price when negotiating a deal?"

"you guess!"

Simon waved his hand with a dark face and said:

"goodbye!"

Am I a kid? Do you think I need to guess?
Liang Kun personally saw Xi Men off at the door.

Back in the room, Liang Kun laughed heartily and said to Li Jie:

"That guy Ado really has a perfect plan."

"His predictions for the drills were really accurate!"

"I led Ximen by the nose the whole time."

"Hahaha!"

"Foreigners? The head of the four major trading companies? Go eat shit!"

Li Jie was helpless. Old Ding was fine in every way, but he didn't know when he would go crazy!

(End of this chapter)