Hong Kong Film Intelligence King

Chapter 320 The Coming Storm

"There's something wrong with HSBC's accounts?" The Financial Secretary's morning grumpiness, which had just been forcibly dragged out of bed, vanished instantly.

This news is terrible!

"Who said that?"

James shrugged: "Who else could have said that? Simon!"

The Financial Secretary broke out in a cold sweat: "Master Simon?"

"What are you surprised about?" James asked, utterly puzzled. "HSBC's accounts have problems, so that means there's something wrong with them?"

"We people from Chongqing come to Hong Kong, how can we not be greedy?"

"As the head of HSBC, it's normal for Shen to use tricks and force to seize assets."

The Financial Secretary smiled wryly:

"You do not understand!"

"Under normal circumstances, problems with HSBC's accounts wouldn't be a big deal."

"We can block the news."

"But now, Chen is angry about this on TV, Simon is pulling strings behind the scenes, and Shen Daban has called the police himself."

"HSBC's problems can no longer be hidden."

James glanced sideways at the Finance Secretary:
"How much did Shen Daban give you in bribes? You seem more worried than him about the problems with HSBC's accounts?"

The Financial Secretary angrily said:

"I don't care if Shen Daban dies!"

"The assets of our Duchess's Mansion are all managed through HSBC."

"Now that HSBC has dropped a bombshell, it will undoubtedly trigger a tsunami in the market tomorrow."

"HSBC will definitely have to take a loss!"

James still doesn't understand:

"The loss is a loss for HSBC, what business is it of yours?"

The Financial Secretary was very annoyed and had nothing in common with this layman.

"Tomorrow, anyone who holds HSBC shares will definitely sell them."

"No matter who it is, if they hear this kind of news, they will definitely sell their shares."

"I foresee that HSBC's share price will plummet when the market opens tomorrow."

"HSBC will definitely use cash to boost the stock market if it doesn't want to be acquired."

"But this news is very bad for HSBC."

"Furthermore, regardless of whether HSBC loses 450 million or 250 million today."

"Tomorrow will be tough..."

"I believe HSBC has virtually no cash left."

"Then, the worst-case scenario has occurred."

James asked:
"What's the worst-case scenario?"

The Financial Secretary gritted his teeth and said:

"HSBC doesn't have enough money to fight a stock market defense battle!"

James doesn't believe it:

"Stop joking."

"If Shen Daban can easily give those three commissioners 80 million Hong Kong dollars, how could he not have the money?"

The Financial Secretary retorted irritably, "Even if he has money, it's not his own."

"HSBC has money, but it has two kinds of money."

"One type is money from banks."

"The other type is depositors' money!"

"The bank's money can be used at will; it's their own asset."

"Depositors' money cannot be touched casually."

"Once you make a move, do you know what serious things might happen?"

James disagreed:
"Don't banks operate by attracting deposits and making loans? They're using depositors' money."

The Financial Secretary was almost furious:

"I'm basically speechless when it comes to someone as uninformed as you."

"You haven't grasped the seriousness of the situation at all."

"After today's news, do you think no one will withdraw money from the bank tomorrow?"

"HSBC had HK$450 million withdrawn in one go. Who would dare to deposit money in their bank?"

"There's a real possibility of a bank run!"

"Besides, do you really think William and those three guys can withdraw money from their bank accounts?"

"What you put in the bank is just numbers!"

James stared at the Financial Secretary in astonishment.

"Isn't Shen Daban afraid that Commissioner William the Third will cause trouble for her?"

The Financial Secretary gritted his teeth and said:

"There's really nothing to talk about with you bunch of amateurs who only know how to use your muscles."

"Will William dare?"

“They remember their accounts clearly; those are all incriminating evidence.”

“If they want to die, Shen Daban can make sure they die without a burial place at any time.”

"Think about it, given the professions of the three William brothers, would they dare to spend money so extravagantly in their daily lives?"

"It'll only cost a few million at most."

"A few million is nothing to a large and powerful company like HSBC."

"It doesn't count as anything, does it?"

"For just a few million, you get those three specialist-level henchmen. You can take care of whoever you want. Isn't that convenient?"

"Perhaps those rewards will be paid out when Shen Daban leaves office?"

"Even if they don't honor their promise, do you think William and his two companions would dare to force their way in?"

"Do not make jokes!"

James cursed:
"You bunch of people are all heartless, so filthy!"

The Financial Secretary was speechless.

“I didn’t do it, it was Shen Daban who did it.”

James sneered:

“I could never have imagined something like this, but you did. You’re just as ruthless as Shen Daban.”

The Financial Secretary corrected:

"That's called great minds think alike."

James cursed out loud, then asked:

"You really didn't take advantage of Shen Daban's money?"

"I see you're even more anxious than him!"

The Financial Secretary smiled wryly:

"Didn't I say that the Duchess's estate is managed by HSBC?"

"Putting everything else aside, the firewood and water for all the officials in the Governor's Mansion are distributed through HSBC."

"If something happens to HSBC, it could even shake the prestige of the Governor's Mansion."

James' eyes widened:
"You still say you didn't receive any benefits from Shen Daban?"

He immediately offered to take his leave.

The Financial Secretary grabbed him:

"James, you have to help me."

James countered:

"how can I help you?"

"You've analyzed it so clearly, I wonder how many people in Hong Kong will target HSBC tomorrow."

"One or two, maybe I can block them for you."

"This is almost the entire population of Hong Kong."

"I can not help you."

"Luckily I kept my money in Standard Chartered, otherwise I would have had to take the day off tomorrow to go to HSBC to withdraw the money."

"I'm leaving!"

"Anyway, I've informed you of the details of this case."

"You should report this to the Governor as soon as possible."

The Financial Secretary was almost in tears:

"How should I report this?"

Seeing how pitiful he looked, James gave him a suggestion:
"Although you are the Financial Secretary, you are not the number one person in the Governor's mansion."

"Go find the Administrative Secretary."

The Financial Secretary was taken aback:
"I'm looking for the Administrative Secretary?"

James countered:

"if not?"

"If the sky falls, someone tall will hold it up."

"You've caused this problem, doesn't the Chief Secretary for Administration bear any responsibility?"

"Did you only accept the gifts from Master Shen?"

"They enjoy the gifts of filial piety, but when danger comes, they want to run away?"

Where in the world can you find such a good thing?

The Financial Secretary's eyes lit up:
"James, you're really something."

James waved his hand:

"I have to go back right away."

The Financial Secretary asked, puzzled:

"go back?"

James said speechlessly:

"I need to talk to the police and tell them to go to the bank to withdraw the money tomorrow!"

It doesn't matter if others don't have money.

"If the police can't get the money, Hong Kong will be in complete chaos!"

James didn't go back to his office. For such a small matter, he could have just asked Rebecca to notify him; there was no need for him to call repeatedly.

He returned to the Kowloon police station and told Chan Yan-kin and Chan Kwok-chung what had happened.

Chen Xinjian was taken aback:
"What? HSBC is going to experience a bank run?"

Chen Guozhong disagreed:
"This is normal."

"Even if James doesn't say it, I have to."

Chen Xinjian was getting a little anxious:
"I'll inform the brothers right away."

Chen Guozhong reminded him:

"Remember to report this to General Huang."

"I suggest that General Huang inform the brothers in the other police stations."

Chen Xinjian was completely baffled:

"Will the top leader make the arrangements?"

Chen Guozhong shrugged:

"Foreigners, they're selfish and self-serving."

"The more people try to withdraw money, the greater the risk that you won't be able to withdraw your own money."

Do you think the top guy will tell the others?

"That's amazing. They won't tell us until their department heads and such take out the money."

Chen Xinjian looked at Chen Guozhong speechlessly, then said to James:
"James, Ah Zhong wasn't talking about you."

James said indifferently:

“Inspector Chan, I know those foreigners’ ways better than you do.”

"Anyway, the foreigners are greedy."

"This is something everyone in Hong Kong knows; there's no need to hide it."

Chen Xinjian was even more speechless, "You're a foreigner yourself."

Chen Guozhong smiled and said:
"We're about to finish get off work. Come with me somewhere."

James said happily:
“If Brother Zhong calls me, I’ll definitely go.”

"but……"

"Are you sure you don't want to interrogate them overnight?"

Chen Guozhong shook his head:

"No need!"

“I don’t do things for nothing.” “William and the other two won’t say that.”

"Unless the Three Departments and One Bureau or Simon can come over tonight."

"Otherwise, we can't change their deeply ingrained beliefs."

Chen Xinjian asked curiously:
What concept?

Chen Guozhong said calmly:

"Don't mess with rich people!"

"Not only did Shen Daban give them an exorbitant amount of money, he also protected them."

"That's their belief."

"What we say now is useless."

Chen Xinjian countered with a question:

"Even if we tell them that Shen Daban treats them like the Great Sage of Accounting, it still won't work?"

Chen Guozhong nodded:

"It won't work."

"They won't turn back until they hit a brick wall," that's a perfect description of them.

"Or……"

"This is all they have left, and it's what keeps them going."

Chen Xinjian became nervous upon hearing this:
"Will they commit suicide?"

Chen Guozhong said disdainfully:

"This kind of trash, let him die if he wants."

Chen Xinjian smiled wryly:

"They can't die at our hands."

Chen Guozhong smiled and said:
"I've already made arrangements; they'll take turns having sex with the four of them tonight."

"They want to die, so let them try."

Chen Xinjian was relieved.

Chen Guozhong comforted him;

“These three bastards will die sooner or later. Simon won’t let them get away with it, and after tonight, Shen Daban won’t let them get away with it either.”

"If they want to cause trouble, dying a little earlier won't have much impact on the overall situation."

Chen Xinjian was startled:
"You mean?"

Chen Guozhong smiled and said:

“I didn’t say anything.”

"Sir, go back and rest. You've had a long day."

Chen Xinjian smiled and patted Chen Guozhong's hand, bidding farewell.

James looked at Chen Guozhong with a strange expression, and the latter asked in surprise:
"What's that look in your face?"

James thought for a moment and said:
“In the Western world, everyone wants to be a billionaire, and they idolize billionaires.”

"But there isn't a single billionaire like you."

"Are these police officers really that nice?"

Chen Guozhong was speechless:
"This is just my ideal."

James asked curiously:

"Your ideal?"

Chen Guozhong said calmly:

"My ideal is a world without thieves."

James fell silent.

A world without thieves... Where can such a world exist?
"I never imagined that you could be friends with Inspector Chan."

"I never imagined that you could be brothers with your subordinates."

Chen Guozhong disagreed:
"Billionaires are also human beings, and human beings have emotions and desires."

"Naturally, one needs friends."

"However, I don't think being a billionaire is anything special."

James could only manage a wry smile.

Chen Guozhong thought for a moment and then said:

"Or rather, I haven't been a billionaire for long, so I don't yet feel that I'm superior to others."

James said seriously:

"I think that even if you were given a considerable amount of time, you would not consider yourself superior to others."

Chen Guozhong smiled and said:

"maybe."

"Let's go, I'll take you somewhere."

James asked curiously:

"where?"

Chen Guozhong shrugged:

"Go to the home of a real billionaire."

James was full of curiosity.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Wang Dao's house.

Wang Dao was not surprised by their arrival at all:

"Oh, you guys are done with your work?"

Le Huizhen brought them tea.

"Has there been a conclusion to the case involving Commissioners William and his two associates?"

Chen Guozhong shrugged:

"How could it be that fast?"

"William and his two companions will not confess their crimes until the very last moment."

"If they still have hope, they won't confess."

The kingly way disagrees:

"Brother Zhong, just get to the point."

"Those two foreigners naturally confessed."

Le Huizhen looked at James and said:
"Honey, James is here."

James quickly raised his hands:
"Sister-in-law, I swear to you, I hate these foreigners too."

"They were just three ICAC commissioners, yet they managed to embezzle eight figures... It makes me so envious and jealous."

Le Huizhen said speechlessly:

"You're not a good person either."

Wang Dao laughed and said:

"Do you think it's a good thing that William and the others have accounts in the bank?"

“If Shen Daban really wanted to bribe them, she wouldn’t open an account at HSBC; it would be too dangerous.”

"If you're going to open one, you should get a bearer account or something similar at a Swiss bank."

"This is a means of controlling them."

James's heart skipped a beat; Wang Dao's words coincided with those of the Financial Secretary.

"It's actually not dangerous, is it?"

"Shen Daban is a taipan at HSBC, and these three are also three commissioners from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). Who would investigate them?"

Wang Dao said calmly:
"Not safe!"

"Since they're kept in HSBC, there are quite a few people who can see these accounts."

"For example, a bank manager."

"The more people involved, the greater the risk of leakage."

Is Class 1 Shen impressive?

"She's just a professional manager. If one day a board member suggests auditing the accounts, do you think Shen Daban can stop her?"

"To put it bluntly, this is like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water, or a carrot in front of a donkey—you can see it, but you can't touch it."

"However, this small action kept the three specialists busy from beginning to end. Amazing!"

James couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Dao, how can you be sure it's an illusion?"

Wang Dao chuckled lightly:
"How to judge?"

"That's an eight-figure sum."

"Forty million, is that something an ordinary person can come up with?"

"Nowadays, it's debatable whether even a large company has 40 million in revenue."

"The accounts that Shen Daban set up for these three guys amounted to a staggering forty million?"

"They're treating people like monkeys."

"Of course, to outsiders, HSBC is a large and powerful company, and it can easily produce eight figures."

"This is nothing but an accounting trick."

"Every penny inside is accounted for."

"I even suspect that Shen Daban is using their three accounts as her own slush fund!"

Chen Guozhong, Le Huizhen, and James looked at each other, utterly shocked.

If that's the case, then that's terrifying!

Wang Dao shrugged:

Don't you understand?

"Right!"

"You are all kind people."

Le Huizhen sighed:
"Honey, who says they're not a good person?"

Wang Daoli said confidently:
"Everyone knows about my background."

"Am I from the Hung Hing faction?"

"Didn't the media say a while ago that I was a prodigal son who had returned home, and that my return was more precious than gold?"

Le Huizhen could only manage a wry smile.

James felt a chill run through him: "That Shen Daban is too ruthless."

Chen Guozhong frowned and said:

"What is Shen Daban trying to gain by doing this?"

"He filed a police report today."

Wang Dao casually remarked:
"William and the other two are about to die."

The three of them were shocked again!
Le Huizhen asked:
Why do you say that?

Wang Dao coldly snorted:
"Since these three accounts are the noose around William's neck, they will have to be put to use at crucial moments."

"I heard this afternoon that they lost HK$450 million?"

Chen Guozhong nodded:

"That's what Mr. Shen said when he reported the case, but according to our investigation and review, only the 50 million from Liangyi was actually taken away."

Kingly Way Claps:
"Whether it's 450 million or 250 million, it's a huge hole."

"This indicates that HSBC's funding chain has somewhat broken down."

"Tomorrow, HSBC will be hit by a storm."

"This is a huge opportunity for us."

"I'm going to have to bite Simon hard later."

James didn't understand:

"How did this get involved with Simon?"

Wang Dao chuckled lightly:
“I’m going to take over HSBC and get revenge for him. Don’t you think he should bleed a little?”

James's mouth dropped open:

"Brother Dao, are you going to take over HSBC?"

Wang Dao chuckled lightly:
"I can say with 100% certainty that there are problems with HSBC's accounts."

"If Ximen wants revenge, there is only one way."

"By taking over HSBC, we can kick Shen Daban out."

“If he’s kicked out and the accounts are investigated, he’ll have no choice but to go to jail.”

"Once Shen Daban sheds the aura of being a HSBC tycoon, he's just a foreigner with a little bit of wealth."

“If Simon dares to miss this opportunity, I will dare to take over Jardine Matheson.”

"Of course, Jardine Matheson does not have enough funds to operate this business right now."

"But I do have it."

“If Simon doesn’t give me some benefits when I join HSBC, I absolutely will not help him with this.”

(End of this chapter)