Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

1982 11 Month 19 Day.

Central, Hong Kong Island.

Although the smoke of the Cointreau Hotel robbery has cleared for three days, the ripples it has sent through Hong Kong's high society are far from subsiding. On the contrary, it has triggered an unprecedented wave of panic.

For ordinary citizens, this is just fodder for casual conversation, a scene more exciting than a movie on ATV news. But for those billionaires living in luxury mansions on the Mid-Levels, it is a wake-up call that should ring in their heads.

Newbikin, chairman of Hongkong Land Group and tycoon of Jardine Matheson, a powerful figure in Hong Kong's business world, was thrown from the 63rd floor like trash and smashed into a bloody pulp in full view of everyone.

They were suddenly jolted awake to the fact that with the Hang Seng Index plummeting, not only their wealth was eroded, but also their security. Faced with truly ruthless criminals, their so-called "security" that they usually took pride in was as fragile as a piece of soaked toilet paper.

Especially after the police Special Duties Unit (SDU) performed poorly in this operation, while Golden Harvest Security resolved the crisis like a miracle, a consensus quickly formed within wealthy circles:

To survive, find Jiahe.

……

At 10:00 AM, Jiahe Security Company.

In the general manager's office, the phone rang incessantly, as if it were on a madman.

"I'm sorry, Sir Guo, all our current Class A bodyguards have already been deployed... What? More money? Even triple the amount won't work, the personnel need a training period."

"Boss Zhang, you want two teams? And one of the Seven Heavenly Sons to lead them personally? I'm afraid that won't work. Instructor Tianyang is only responsible for internal special training..."

Tian Yangyi put down the overheated microphone, rubbed his temples helplessly, and turned to look at Lu Chen, who was sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

"Boss, this is a bit too good," Tian Yangyi said with a wry smile. "Ever since the night before last, all the rich people in Hong Kong have gone crazy. Our appointment lines have been ringing off the hook these past few days. These big bosses are now embarrassed to even greet people if they don't have a few bodyguards in black suits and wearing Golden Harvest badges with them when they go out."

"Especially those foreign bosses, who used to look down on our Chinese security guards, are now crying and begging us to send people to protect their mansions. We've already sent out all our staff, and even the new recruits in the training camps are booked up. We're severely understaffed."

Lu Chen put down his teacup, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The battle at the Grand Hotel was not just about taking over Hong Kong Electric, but also about creating a valuable brand for Golden Harvest Security.

In this era that is about to enter a period of turmoil, a sense of security is the most expensive luxury.

"If we don't have enough manpower, then we'll expand recruitment," Lu Chen said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "Contact those guys in the north, and our networks in Japan and Europe. I need to recruit more elites."

"Also, raise prices," Lu Chen held up one finger, "Starting today, Jiahe Security's service fee will be increased by 100%. Since they think their lives are worth so much, let them pay more. After all, we're short-staffed right now, so this is a good opportunity to screen some of them."

"Understood, boss." A hint of excitement flashed in Tian Yangyi's eyes. "I'll arrange it right away. By the way, the police department... although they haven't said anything openly, they have a lot of complaints about us privately, feeling that we've stolen their thunder."

"Let them complain," Lu Chen sneered. "The Governor's House is too busy taking care of itself right now, and the police force is even more disorganized. As long as we don't break the law, they can't do anything to us. Besides, we're not isolated in the police force; they can't cause any trouble."

……

After dealing with the security company's business spree, Lu Chen returned to the chairman's office on the top floor.

At this moment, a huge map of Hong Kong Island was spread out on the desk.

Jiahe International's business empire has truly penetrated the city's industries, finance, and people's livelihoods, evolving from its initial speculative activities.

Lu Chen's gaze slowly moved, finally settling on a new marker—

Hong Kong Island Telephone Company.

This is Lu Chen's next target.

If Hong Kong Electric controls the city's energy, then Hong Kong Telephone controls its information and nervous system. In this era of increasingly advanced communication, controlling the telephone network is tantamount to controlling everyone's ears and mouths.

"Boss!"

The "Overlord Flower" walked in carrying a thick document, which was the think tank's feasibility analysis report on the acquisition of Hong Kong Island Telephone.

"The situation is not very optimistic," said the Flourishing Flower, placing the report on the table. "Although we have quietly acquired about 8% of the shares, the stock has very poor liquidity, and most of the equity is concentrated in the hands of a few long-established British families and the government."

"Moreover, the biggest obstacle is not money, but power," the super-woman pointed to a red-headed clause on the document, "Hong Kong Island Telephone Company is a public utility with a government 'concession.' According to the agreement at the time, any single shareholder holding more than 15% of the shares, or attempting to change the control of the company, must obtain the approval of the Governor in Council."

Lu Chen picked up the report and flipped through it, his brows furrowing slightly.

Indeed, although he won a great victory in the battle against Hong Kong Electric, it was by taking advantage of Hongkong Land's financial crisis and loopholes in business rules. Moreover, Hong Kong Electric is a private company, and the foreign government could not interfere.

Unlike Hong Kong Island telephones, which involve communications security and intelligence surveillance.

The Hong Kong government, currently under British rule, is in a sensitive period of negotiations and is on high alert. They will absolutely not allow a company suspected of having "red capital" to control the entire Hong Kong telephone network.

If a forced acquisition is attempted, the Governor's Office may even invoke emergency legislation to directly veto the deal or even revoke the franchise.

"It seems the time is not yet ripe."

Lu Chen closed the file and sighed softly.

Although the Hong Kong British government may appear weak and cowardly now, it is still a complete state apparatus. In this area involving national security, Golden Harvest is not qualified to confront it head-on.

"Then let's put it aside for now."

Lu Chen made a decision to temporarily remove the thumbtack that was inserted into the "Hong Kong Island Telephone" and set it aside.

Lu Chen's eyes deepened: "Wait, wait until the Sino-British negotiations reach a fever pitch, wait until the Japanese start a fire sale to protect themselves, or wait until I also have a voice in the Executive Council... then I'll unleash my butcher's knife."

……

The temporary suspension of the acquisition plan did not significantly affect Lu Chen's mood.

After all, having just swallowed the behemoth that is Hong Kong Electric, Golden Harvest needs time to digest and integrate.

At that moment, he casually picked up a copy of the Oriental Daily News from the table, intending to read the follow-up reports on Hongkong Land's share price, but a news item in the entertainment section caught his attention.

The title is very eye-catching:

"A Narrow Escape! Cointreau Hotel Hostages Receive Huge Compensation, Jokingly Saying 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!'"

But what's even more eye-catching is the accompanying picture.

In the photo, a middle-aged, overweight man with a plump appearance, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and looking both shrewd and somewhat comical, is lying on a hospital bed, waving a check in his hand, his eyes narrowed into slits with laughter.

Uncle Piao.

"Uncle Piao... he really is a legendary figure."

Looking at the news, Lu Chen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his face full of speechlessness.

The report also included an interview with Uncle Piao as a representative of the hostages, clearly detailing the events: that evening, Uncle Piao, as a senior executive of TVB, was invited to the Grand Hotel to give a special report on the "Tsar Jewels Exhibition." Unfortunately, before he could even begin socializing, he was taken hostage by the doctor and his gang.

Fortunately, after all that commotion, Uncle Piao was completely unharmed. Not only was he not hit by any stray bullets, but he didn't even lose a single hair.

Even more outrageous, in an attempt to quell public opinion, Hongkong Land Group paid exorbitant compensation to all the hostages. As a member of the media's management, Uncle Piao received a sum of "compensation for emotional distress" equivalent to ten years' salary.

"This is practically death itself."

Lu Chen shook his head, recalling Uncle Piao's glorious achievements.

Last time, on the "Fugui Maru" cruise ship, Uncle Piao took his wife and children on a trip, but they were hijacked by McDonald's. Many people on board died, but Uncle Piao and his family not only escaped unscathed, but also received compensation from the shipping company.

This time, while trying to freeload a meal at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, I encountered another doctor attempting to rob the building. As a result, Newbie died in the fall, and Uncle Pyu made another windfall.

Wherever I go, trouble follows.

When something happens, others die, but he makes a fortune.

This isn't just an unlucky guy; it's a chaotic combination of a "human Grim Reaper" and a "lucky cat"!

"Looks like if any rival company opens a business in the future, I'll have to find a way to invite Uncle Piao as a guest," Lu Chen thought with a wicked grin, stroking his chin. "As long as he stands there, that company is probably not far from going bankrupt or exploding."

Just as Lu Chen was still complaining about Uncle Piao's "deathly constitution"...

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the office door.

Cheng Yiyan walked in. He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray three-piece suit and carrying a briefcase. He looked confident and had the air of a newly minted tycoon.

"Boss."

Cheng Yiyan walked to the table and respectfully placed a meeting minutes in front of Lu Chen.

"You're back?" Lu Chen looked up. "How did the first board meeting at HK Electric go?"

This morning was the first board meeting since Golden Harvest took over Hong Kong Island Electric. Lu Chen did not attend in person, but instead delegated his full authority to Cheng Yiyan as the chairman's representative.

This is a test of trust in Cheng Yiyan.

"Very smoothly," Cheng Yiyan poured herself a glass of water and said with a smile, "I originally thought some people would try to intimidate us, but they were all as obedient as quails..."

"After all, it's 'The Jackal' himself who's here, who would dare to disagree?" Lu Chen joked with a smile.

"It's all just random names from our competitors, boss, please don't tease me," Cheng Yiyan said, showing none of the coldness he usually displayed in front of Lu Chen. He scratched his head awkwardly. "I've already restructured the board of directors as you instructed, replacing them with our own financial team and director from Jiahe. Now, the entire Hong Kong Electric, from the power plant to the toll booths, even how a fly flies is controlled is entirely up to us."

Absolute control is that domineering.

"However..." Cheng Yiyan paused, put down his water glass, and his expression became somewhat amused. "After the meeting, I received some interesting news."