Hong Kong variety show: I can boost loyalty, the most generous boss.

Chapter 123, Section 122: Please call me Councilor Yang!

Oh? He Xin used his official connections to target me?

Yang Jun was not afraid at all. His super cruise ship was registered in Panama, and the gambling venue was in international waters. The only difference was that the boarding point was in Hong Kong. Therefore, the jurisdiction of his cruise ship was not in Hong Kong, nor did it violate Hong Kong's laws.

What did the Legislative Council say?

Yang Jun is worried that the Hong Kong Legislative Council will pass a bill to prevent super cruise ships from boarding in Hong Kong. Although the possibility is relatively small, it cannot be ruled out!
Huo Yingdong is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. He belongs to the mainland's influence in the Legislative Council and is a left-wing figure in the Legislative Council!

"The Governor intends to amend the bill and have us Legislative Council members discuss it, but I estimate the chances of it passing are slim!"

"Ah Jun, the Governor of Hong Kong won't give Macau any face, don't worry~"

Although both the Governor of Hong Kong and the Governor of Austria were foreigners, there was still competition between them. The Governor of Hong Kong disliked Ho Sin, who was a traitor, and everyone in Hong Kong knew this.

Macau has drawn away a large number of Hong Kong gamblers, which will have a certain impact on Hong Kong's economy. Moreover, Macau entertainment companies only invest in Macau, and their public welfare and welfare programs are used for the people of Macau, without investing a single penny in Hong Kong.

The Governor of Hong Kong has long been dissatisfied with Aoyu Company, and he probably won't help He Xin this time.

Moreover, Yang Jun promised to use a portion of the profits to build public housing, which would be a real benefit for Hong Kong.

"However, He Xin will definitely not let this go, so we still need to be careful!"

After Yang Jun finished speaking, Huo Yingdong on the other side nodded in deep agreement.

Huo Yingdong and He Xin have been friends for decades and understand each other's character. Although He Xin looks refined and gentle, he is actually very vicious and may very well use some underhanded means!
Huo Yingdong suddenly remembered something and said to Yang Jun:
"Are you interested in adding a few more Chinese members to the Legislative Council this year?"

Yang Jun's eyes lit up. The Legislative Council was a powerful institution, and becoming a member would greatly increase his influence in Hong Kong.

"The Legislative Council isn't a place for foreigners and fake foreigners. I'm a leftist."

Yang Jun knew that the current Legislative Council was basically composed of foreigners and neutral Chinese, and that Yang Jun was already a leftist.

Huo Yingdong laughed heartily and said to Yang Jun:
"You underestimate the power of the mainland. The Legislative Council is now the object of contention among various forces. The Governor of Hong Kong cannot control everything!"

Yang Jun understood, and also realized that this was an opportunity for him. If he could become a member of the Legislative Council, it would greatly enhance his influence and voice.

Du Yuesheng once used a chamber pot as a metaphor, which was very vivid and apt!

"Mr. Huo, if I want to run for a seat in the legislature, what should I do?"

Yang Jun knew that in the early 80s there were no elections for members of parliament, and members of the Legislative Council were nominated by the Governor of Hong Kong. It would be extremely difficult to get the Governor to nominate you.

Huo Yingdong smiled and said:

"Didn't you say you wanted to donate money to build public housing? This is your chance!"

Yang Jun's eyes lit up. He had originally wanted to donate a portion of the profits from the super cruise ship to charity, and this was the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone!
The following day, a shocking news story was broadcast on ATV: Giant Group announced that it would invest HK$20 billion to build a public housing building with 1200 units in Mong Kok, which would be sold to the public at half the market price, with an expected loss of HK$5 million.

Wow! That's equivalent to donating 500 million to charity! The news shocked the entire Hong Kong!

"Wow! The Giant Group is building public housing at a loss just for charity. Mr. Yang is so righteous!"

"This is the social responsibility of entrepreneurs—it's not just about making money, but also about benefiting society!"

"This is the true glory of Hong Kong; the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people!"

"By the way, where do we draw lots for 1200 units?"

Giant Group's reputation soared, and its reputation reached its peak in the hearts of Hong Kong people. Yang Jun also became the most well-known philanthropist in Hong Kong.

This incident directly alarmed Government House, and the Governor was dumbfounded. The Giant Group was making such a big investment, investing 20 billion to build public housing estates and selling them at half the market price. This was practically stealing the government's job!
While others build buildings to make money, Giant Group builds buildings simply for fame.

“Isn’t the Legislative Council going to add a few Chinese members? One of the seats will be given to Yang Jun.”

The Governor of Hong Kong also serves as the President of the Legislative Council, and can decide the selection of legislators. Now that Yang Jun has risen to prominence, giving him a legislator can also give an explanation to the mainland!
In February 1984, Yang Jun officially took office as a member of the Legislative Council. After going through the procedures in the Legislative Council, he was assigned an office and did not need to go to the Legislative Council when he was not busy.

The work in the Legislative Council is mostly part-time, and there are relatively few Chinese people there. They only go to the Legislative Council when discussing bills.

Yang Jun usually only goes there two or three times a month, so he has a very leisurely job. He has hired an assistant at the Legislative Council.

Asia Television.

Today is the 15th episode of the TV series "Giants". Yang Jun arrived at the entrance of the TV station, and Xu Xiaoming personally came to greet him at the door.

"Mr. Yang, I have some good news for you. Yesterday, ATV's ratings completely surpassed TVB's, all thanks to the drama 'The Giants'!"

Xu Xiaoming was very excited. He had been with Asia Television (ATV) for over three years, and ATV's ratings had always been suppressed by TVB. However, shortly after "The Giants" aired, its ratings surpassed TVB's.
The TV series "Giants" was written by Yang Jun himself, and unexpectedly it caused a sensation in Hong Kong's ratings. Xu Xiaoming admired Yang Jun very much.

"Oh, it's just that they've overtaken TVB. No need to make a fuss. This will become the norm in the future!"

Yang Jun said casually, as if he had expected this outcome long ago!
Xu Xiaoming gave a thumbs up, praising the boss's vision!

The two walked into Asia Television, chatting and laughing. Asia Television now has many more staff members because it has become a 24-hour television station.

Previously, television programs were only broadcast during prime time, such as in the morning when it was a rest period.

During breaks, the TV screen will display static while showing the time, indicating that the program has not yet started!
However, after Yang Jun joined Asia Television, he implemented sweeping reforms, extending program length and producing high-quality drama series.

Two TV dramas, four episodes each, are broadcast every day, interspersed with many variety shows, such as the singing competition "The Voice of Hong Kong". Since its premiere, the show's ratings have been steadily rising.

The prize money for The Voice of Hong Kong is one million. Each episode features 20 ordinary contestants from different professions who share their musical dreams, making it a very watchable show.

Yang Jun borrowed from music variety shows of later generations, making it easy for him to crush the variety shows of this era!

"Boss, could you take a look? This is our ATV's ratings for the past few days."

Xu Xiaoming presented the ratings report to Yang Jun like a treasure. Yang Jun, with his legs crossed, saw the steadily rising ratings on the report and was quite satisfied.

"Great! Keep up the ratings! Has filming started for 'The Legend of the White Snake' yet?"

After "Giants" finishes its run in theaters, Yang Jun plans to replace it with "The Legend of the White Snake," a drama that was a phenomenal hit back then, popular not only in Hong Kong but also in Taiwan and mainland China!
Xu Xiaoming wiped away his cold sweat and said to Yang Jun:

"Ms. Zhao Yazhi's film contract is still with TVB, and they refuse to let her go!"

Yang Jun specifically requested that the role of Bai Suzhen be given to Zhao Yazhi, but Zhao Yazhi was a contracted artist with TVB, so the project was delayed.

Yang Jun frowned and said to Xu Xiaoming:
"Leave this matter to me. I will speak with Mr. Shao personally."

Shaw Yat-fu was already a major shareholder of TVB. He acquired 15% of the shares from the Lee family, becoming the controlling shareholder of TVB and truly taking control of the station.

Yang Jun dialed Shao Yifu's number, and it was answered quickly.

"Sir Shao, it's been a long time. How are you doing?"

Shao Yifu's lips twitched. "How can my health be good? I can't sleep at night."

For the past month, Shaw Yat-fu had been extremely anxious, watching TVB's ratings decline daily, yet feeling utterly helpless. "Councilor Yeung, your Asia Television is making quite a splash!" he said.

"You wouldn't come to my temple without a reason, what brings you here, old man?"

Although Shaw was angry, he didn't dare to offend Yang Jun, after all, Yang Jun's background in Hong Kong's upper class was no secret!

Yang Jun said with a smile:

"I have a film project here that needs Ms. Zhao Yazhi's help. Could you make an exception?"

Although Yang Jun was very polite, Shao Yifu didn't dare to refuse at all, having witnessed Yang Jun's methods last time.

His old bones couldn't withstand such torment, so he laughed and said:

"Sure, as long as Miss Zhao Yazhi agrees, I have no objection!"

Haha! Thanks!

Shaw angrily hung up the phone. TVB's ratings had dropped, and to make matters worse, someone poached their star performer.

"Meeting!"

Shaw ordered Mona Fong to hold a meeting, and TVB's management team all came to the meeting room.

"What do you think we should do about Asia Television's relentless attacks?"

When Shaw first heard that Yang Jun was investing HK$100 million a year in producing programs, he initially mocked him for not knowing how to manage money and said that he would soon lose so much that he would sell Asia Television!

As a result, TVB couldn't take it anymore, and its ratings started to plummet, leading many employees to switch jobs.

The program director looked up and offered his opinion.

"Mr. Shao, I think we should increase investment. We should also invest 100 million yuan to produce TV dramas and variety shows!"

Shaw's face darkened. "I can come up with a hundred million, why would I need to call a meeting with you guys?"
Everyone knows that Shaw is notoriously stingy, wishing he could split every penny in two. Getting him to continue investing money would be worse than killing him!
Useless! What's the point of keeping you around? You can't offer a single constructive suggestion.

The head of the variety department made a suggestion to Shaw:
"We can learn from ATV's 'The Voice of China' and create a variety show where ordinary people sing, called 'The Voice of China'!"

"That's right!" Shao Yifu's eyes lit up. "You don't even know how to copy homework?"
Fang Yihua, who was in charge of the company's legal affairs, poured cold water on Shaw's ideas.

“Their program has already been patented, so we can’t use it as a reference, or they will sue us.”

what?
Shaw Brothers has become famous. He even applied for a patent for such a lousy program?
Who are they trying to protect themselves from? Are they trying to take advantage of them because they think they're from an island nation?
But it wasn't over yet; Fang Yihua poured cold water on the situation.

"There's also a prize of 1 million yuan for the competition. In addition, their chairs seem to be imported from abroad, which also cost more than 1 million yuan!"

Shao Yifu was dumbfounded. A prize of 1 million was one thing, but four broken chairs cost more than 1 million? Was Yang Jun some kind of big spender, wasting money like this?
I can't learn it, and I can't even copy homework.
The meeting was a frustrating affair. After leaving the meeting room, Shaw angrily said to Fang Yihua:

“We will immediately draft a new artist contract with all the artists, stipulating that the penalty for breach of contract shall be at least HK$10.”

These days, talent scouts from Asia Television are poaching talent from TVB, and many artists are eager to join them. Shaw must immediately curb this unhealthy trend.

Giant Group.

Yang Junzhen enjoyed Ruan Mei's massage service and comfortably closed his eyes.

Lisa eventually managed to bring Ruan Mei back; there was no other way, since the boss liked her.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Lisa answered it and handed it to Yang Jun.

"Chairman, this is Mr. Ye from the Oriental Princess cruise ship. He needs to speak with you."

Yang Jun opened his eyes upon hearing this. Ye Han was looking for him, so something must have happened at the casino.
"Hey, Mr. Ye, what's up with the casino?"

Ye Han said to Yang Jun:
"Boss, a gambler lost money yesterday and planned to set fire to the cruise ship, but luckily security caught him!"

"I suspect something is amiss; it's highly likely that someone orchestrated this!"

What? Someone set fire to the cruise ship? Yang Jun's eyes turned serious; this was a major incident!
If this fire really breaks out, who will want to come to a super cruise ship in the future?

Fortunately, the security was effective and the arsonist was discovered in time; otherwise, the consequences could have been disastrous.

"Mr. Ye, your suspicions are very valid; this is a very important matter."

As expected, Elder Ye had keen insight and discovered the crux of the problem.

Yang Jun hung up the phone and immediately contacted Ahua using his mobile phone.

"Ahua, there's an arsonist on the cruise ship. Go and interrogate him to find out who's behind it."

"Yes, boss!"

The basement of Caesars Palace nightclub.

A middle-aged man was hung up, his body covered in wounds. Tony lashed him with a whip, and a scream rang out.

"Stop hitting me! Nobody told me to do this. I lost money on my own and I'm planning to get revenge on the casino!"

The middle-aged man cried out in pain, his eyes bloodshot, clearly having been tormented for a long time.

Tony grinned maliciously and picked up a pair of pliers.

"You're not going to talk, huh? I love tough guys like you! Keep quiet if you dare!"

Tony used pliers to rip off the middle-aged man's fingernails. The poor gambler screamed and fainted!

"Damn it, you're useless, you've fainted again!"

Tony was furious. He was determined to get something out of Mr. Yang so that he could see his worth.

As a result, this useless person not only stubbornly held on, but also fainted frequently.

"Brother Hua, is it really true that we have no one backing us? Have we made a mistake?"

Ahua smiled without saying a word, but coldly said:

"Pour water on him to wake him up, then I'll ask him!"

A bucket of ice water was poured over him, and the middle-aged man woke up with a scream.

"Kill me, kill me if you dare!"

(End of this chapter)