Li Zhaotian reached for the wet wipe and wiped it, stared at Li Jiacheng and asked: "How is it, Boss Li, your answer is-"
Li Jiacheng picked up a peanut and threw it into his mouth again: "Money is a trivial matter, but what I'm curious about is why the shares of Wharf of the three major families are going to be sold to you?"
Li Zhaotian took a sip from his wine glass and said with a stern look: "Because if they don't sell it to me, it will become a pile of waste paper!"
"What do you mean by this?"
"I took in a dog, and that dog happened to be the boss of Wharf Pier, and all his men depended on Wharf for food! If I ordered those people to go on strike, how long do you think Wharf can last?"
Li Jiacheng couldn't stop laughing, and suddenly stood up and said, "I want to go to the bathroom!"
Li Zhaotian smiled, stood up and pointed at the female star Bai Xiaoman and said: "What are you still doing sitting down? Didn't you hear that Boss Li has to go to the bathroom? You support him!"
Li Jiacheng hurriedly waved his hand and said: "No, I'm not drunk!"
Bai Xiaoman hesitated and refused to stand up. After all, she was also a star and a person with status and status. She was not willing to do such a low-level thing as escorting guests to the bathroom to pee!
When Li Zhaotian saw Bai Xiaoman sitting still, he smiled and walked over to pick Bai Xiaoman's hair!
Snap!
Just slap her in the face!
Bai Xiaoman was stunned, his cheeks were blood red, and his eyes looked at Li Zhaotian who suddenly went berserk in horror.
Snap!
Li Zhaotian slapped him again with his backhand!
The corner of Bai Xiaoman's mouth was bleeding directly!
Li Zhaotian stared at her and raised his palm again.
Bai Xiaoman was already squatting on the ground in fear.
Shen Bi and Li Jiacheng beside them were both dumbfounded.
Shen Bi is a high-ranking "gentleman" in the British Empire and has never hit a woman!
Li Jiacheng considers himself an "honest man" and a "civilized man" who has inherited the fine traditions of China, and he never hits women!
Li Zhaotian's outburst was beyond the understanding of both of them, especially Li Jiacheng. For some reason, Li Zhaotian's mouth hit the woman's face, but Li Jiacheng felt his cheeks burning with pain!
After beating Bai Xiaoman, Li Zhaotian picked up the wet wipes and wiped his hands again. He smiled and said to Li Jiacheng: "I'm sorry, I'm rude! This girl thinks she is some kind of bullshit celebrity. She is putting on airs and can't understand the situation clearly.
, I thought I was so great! I’m throwing a tantrum at you, am I, Li Zhaotian, the kind of casual person?”
Li Jiacheng's face twitched a few times.
Li Zhaotian threw away the wet wipes in his hand and looked at Li Jiacheng with a smile again: "Boss Li, do you still want to go to the bathroom?"
Li Jiacheng shivered, sat down again and said, "Hey, it's so magical! I suddenly feel like I don't need it anymore!"
"Really? Then sit down and talk again!"
"What else are you talking about? When Li Sheng is in need, of course I am obligated! Li Sheng also took care of me in this way in the past. Of course I, Mr. Li, will repay the favor!" Li Jiacheng stood and clasped his fists and vowed.
"Okay! Boss Li is indeed a sweetheart! I like it! Come on, let's raise a glass together and go one by one!" Li Zhaotian held up the wine glass and said proudly.
…
As a well-known figure in Hong Kong, the obituary for Mr. Xu's death has been released, and many prominent families have begun to take action to express condolences to Mr. Xu and send him on his last journey.
Among them is the chartering Wang family, who have a very good relationship with the Xu family.
The Charter King was born into a family of small businessmen and was rich in knowledge. He once worked as a comprador and ran many businesses.
In early 1949, the thirty-one-year-old charter boat king and his father took hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to Hong Kong to start a new career in the world.
At the beginning, he did some small business and accumulated some money, but what to do next? The chartering king remembered his childhood yearning for the sea, so he came up with the idea of shipping.
His mother advised him that "there is only one third risk in shipping". To engage in shipping is to use all your assets as a bet. If you are not careful, you will go bankrupt.
My father believed that the shipping industry in Hong Kong was already very developed and the competition was fierce, but the chartering king was a complete layman on shipping, so why should he run a shipping business? But the chartering king had made up his mind and was determined to seek development in the ocean transportation industry.
While continuing to persuade his father and other family members, he also went around to learn about ships and shipping, and carefully read books on shipping and ships.
The charter king could finally realize his dream of sailing! Although the journey was very difficult, and he was already 37 years old at the time.
At the beginning, there were not enough funds. With the help of friends, he raised more than 700,000 US dollars. The chartering king made a special trip to the UK to buy back an old coal-powered cargo ship. This ship had been in use for 28 years.
The displacement was only 8,200 tons. Although the ship was very dilapidated, the charter king was like a rare treasure. He asked someone to renovate and paint it and named it "Jin'an". This ship was the beginning of his business.
Now he has been engaged in the shipping industry for almost fifteen years. From one ship to hundreds of ships, he has become one of the "Four Shipping Kings of Hong Kong" along with Zhao, Dong and Cao!
However, in the mind of the chartering king, Mrs. Xu, the old shipping king, is his idol, because Mr. Xu has helped him many times, and even the chartering king's first voyage was helped by Mrs. Xu.
He vaguely remembered what Mr. Xu said to the shipping tycoons who looked down on him: "Give many young people a chance!"
Thinking of this, the Charter King sighed and turned his attention to the exit of the airport again.
Although the chartering king was richest in the world, he only had a daughter and no sons, so he always treated his son-in-law as his own son.
His eldest daughter's husband is an Austrian named "Sudiwen", who is very good and outstanding. He just married his eldest daughter this year. Within two days of their marriage, he went to Egypt on a business trip to help the Bao family's newly established fleet.
The Suez Canal is a maritime route.
…
"Sir, actually you don't have to pick up Mr. Su personally this time!" A Lu, the driver who was waiting for the chartered king, said. "Just let me pick up Mr. Su!"
"You don't understand. This time he went to Egypt and made great achievements. It would be grand if I came to pick him up in person!"
"Yes, Master!" A Lu felt that the Master was too kind to this foreign son-in-law.
At this moment, Su Diwen, who was tall and in a neat suit, walked out of the airport.
When he walked out of the airport, he adjusted his watch according to the Hong Kong time provided by the airport. It took about sixteen or seventeen hours to fly from Egypt to Hong Kong. He never rested on the plane and used all the time to read reports.
For Sudven, his Austrian identity actually limits his status in the Bao family.
Chinese people are very traditional. For Su Diwen, this method of marriage is actually similar to what they call "bringing into the wife's wife." After getting married, Su Diwen ostensibly took charge of Bao's Shipbuilding Industry, but in fact, behind his back
The real helmsman is still the charter king.
So he must do better and work harder, only in this way can he be recognized.
At this moment, the passengers who got off the plane with him walked out of the airport entrance like a stream of water.
Outside the airport, illuminated by bright street lights and various neon lights, people waiting to be picked up raised their feet or raised their hands to make improvised pick-up signs with the person being picked up written on them.
"Sir, Mr. Su is out!" The driver A Lu pointed to Su Diwen who was carrying the briefcase.
Su Diwen is tall and a foreigner, with deep eyes and a nose job, and a head full of silver hair that looks very eye-catching.
The boat charter king smiled and said, "Why don't you quickly raise the sign high?"
"Okay!" Alu stood on his tiptoes and raised the sign as hard as he could.
Su Diwen glanced at it and saw it. He quickly walked over and came to the chartering king. He was overjoyed and said: "Father, why are you here?"
Ever since Su Diwen entered Bao's family, he has learned all kinds of rules and etiquette very well.
"Thank you for your hard work!" The chartering king smiled happily.
To be honest, although the Charter King came from an extraordinary background, he was not a conservative person, but it is still difficult to change the traditional concepts in the Chinese people's bones. Therefore, he had a grudge against Su Diwen, a foreign son-in-law, at first.
People who are not from my race must have different hearts. Unfortunately, my daughter likes someone else, and as a father, I can't say much.
However, Su Diwen's efforts for the Bao family during this period were also seen with his own eyes and remembered in his heart. At this moment, the sentence "Thank you for your hard work" contains a lot of emotions.
Sure enough, a hint of joy suddenly appeared on Su Diwen's tired face. This was the joy of being recognized by the head of the family.
"Father, you are very polite. No matter how hard it is to work for the company, you should do it!"
The boat charter king nodded and signaled Alu to help Su Diwen carry his luggage and briefcase. He then turned around and walked side by side with Su Diwen towards the place where the car was parked.
On the way, the charter king said slowly to Su Diwen with his hands behind his back: "Actually, besides seeing you when I come to pick you up this time, I also have something important to do for you!"
"What's the matter? Please give me your instructions!" Su Diwen has always made it very clear that company and family matters must be separated. He always regards himself as a subordinate when it comes to company matters and often uses the words "please give me your instructions" when it comes to matters at home.
Words like "please say".
The charter king had to admit that he admired this aspect of Sudivin.
Gui Lao has always been arrogant and focused on democracy and freedom, so it is difficult for him to adapt to Chinese culture. There is no one like Su Diwen who is willing to lower his stature.
"Your Uncle Xu has passed away, and I want you to pay my condolences on my behalf!"
"Huh?" Su Diwen was stunned for a moment, and his mind quickly thought about the twists and turns here.
"Father, is it inappropriate for me to go?"
"Why is it inappropriate? You are my son-in-law, Bao Yugang! In the future, you will be the heir to our Bao enterprise. Are you not convinced?"
When Su Diwen heard this, his heart became hot, and he also understood the reason why the charter king asked him to do this. To put it bluntly, it was to explain to everyone his position in the Bao family and Bao's enterprise!
And this is what Su Diwen has been looking forward to!
"Thank you, father!" Su Diwen couldn't hide his joy.
The Charter King looked at him and smiled: "Besides, this condolences is very important. You have to make a friend on behalf of our Bao family!"
"Uh, make friends?" Su Diwen was slightly startled. In his impression, the people who could be valued by the charter king and take the initiative to make friends were either high-ranking officials or young talents.
"You should be more careful. This matter is very important. It is related to the shipping business of our Bao Company. To be precise, it is related to the future of Wharf!" A trace of worry appeared on the charter king's face.
It was rare for Su Diwen to see the charter king showing such an expression, and his spirit was suddenly shaken.
The three major families, the Bao family, the Huo family and the Xu family, control 30% of the shares of Wharf in the market. Although Jardine Matheson does not want Chinese capital to take power, the Bao family and others have always been eyeing Wharf. Could it be that this time
What’s going on at Wharf?
As if aware of Su Diwen's expression, the chartered boat king came to the car door at this time, and Alu helped open the car door.
The charter king did not get in the car immediately, but reached out and took out the newspaper he had been reading for a long time in the car, handed it to Su Diwen himself and said: "As for what the specific matter is, you will know after reading it!"
Su Diwen's face was full of doubts. He took the newspaper and read it for a few times, and his expression suddenly changed.
Looking at the report in the newspaper in my hand——
"How could this happen?" Su Diwen couldn't hide his surprise.
Seeing Su Diwen's shock, the chartering king seemed very calm, "Someone is behind the scenes and wants to take over the Wharf, so he has done everything he can to make such a big show!"
Su Diwen turned his attention to the newspaper again, and saw the headline on the front page: "It's hard to find food, riot at the dock!"
The subtitle is: Wages have not been increased for three years, and the Wharf is filled with blood and sweat! Jardine Matheson only cares about itself and ignores the blood and tears of the Chinese workers! Thousands of people rioted and marched, writing a new chapter in Hong Kong!
Then there was a large photo, in which thousands of Chinese workers from Wharf were marching on the street holding two banners: "Demand for a Wage Increase" and "We Want to Survive".
Hong Kong at this time is different from the past. After experiencing various struggles in the 1950s, especially after the Kowloon riots in the past two or three years, the entire British Hong Kong government is in a state of turmoil. It is most sensitive to demonstrations. A small group of people often hold up banners.
The British government will immediately dispatch the police to intervene and nip any flames that endanger the stability of the situation in the bud.
Therefore, in recent years, it is rare to see newspapers and periodicals introducing such large-scale news about demonstrations. What is even more strange is that the British Hong Kong government did not take the initiative to stop it. This illustrates a situation. This wave of demonstrations involving thousands of people
There is a big boss behind the scenes, and the power of this big boss is enough to influence the British Hong Kong government’s decision-making on this matter!
Thinking of this, Su Diwen finally understood why the charter king had such a trace of worry on his face.
Nowadays, the Wharf riots and workers' strike are bound to affect the Wharf stock price. According to the newspaper, the Wharf stock price has fallen by 30%, and it is still in the "early stage" of the decline! Just kidding, the stock price will suffer if it continues to fall.
Hit the floor!
Bao and others hold 30% of Wharf's equity, which is a huge investment. How can they be willing to turn it into a blank piece of paper?
And there are only a few big families that have created such a chaotic situation and can influence the British Hong Kong government in Hong Kong. Except for a few ghost families, the only one left is the famous Lee family!
For the Lee family, they have always been engaged in people's livelihood projects and real estate purchases. Sima Zhao's ambition to win the Wharf this time is Sima Zhao's heart. Everyone knows that he definitely wants to kick out the three major families and replace them, so as to win the Wharf and control the port trade.
At the same time, it opened up channels for their family’s real estate business.
You must know that since the Wharf moved eastward, the land near the Wharf has become a hot commodity. The Lee family has long been coveted by the nearby port, even if it is not prosperous. How can they continue to give the advantage to the Bao family?
How do you say that? The emperor takes turns and will come to my house next year!
For the Lee family, since the Wharf has been relocated, a new chapter will begin, and the master who makes money should also be replaced!
Thinking of this, Su Diwen took a deep breath, looked at the chartered boat king and said, "Could it be that the person behind is... Li Zhaotian?"
The charter king put his hands behind his back and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Su Diwen couldn't help but sigh.
By doing this, Li Zhaotian made it clear that he wanted the Bao family, Xu family and Huo family to hand over their Wharf shares, otherwise the Wharf stocks would be turned into a pile of waste paper.
Then he said: "So this time we have to find someone to deal with him!"
"Who can fight against him?" Su Diwen said in surprise.
The chartering king smiled and uttered three words: "Shi Zhijian!"
For the charter king, making such a decision was helpless.
First, Li Zhaotian is the chairman of the Chinese Entrepreneurs Association. If he is evil, he will inevitably be put in the shoes.
Shi Zhijian was different. Shi Zhijian was dismissive of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce from beginning to end, and even only joined the Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce.
Second, the Lee family can be called a super family in Hong Kong in this era, because they have the backing of the British Hong Kong government and are always domineering. Not to mention that the Bao family, Xu family and Huo family all have business dealings with them. Chinese people pay attention to harmony to make money, and it is not suitable to fight among themselves.
Shi Zhijian was different, he had always fought happily with Li Zhaotian.
Third, and most importantly, this time Ritchie is backed by the super giant HSBC. Not to mention that the three major families "owe" HSBC a lot of money, even Jardine Matheson, the parent company behind Wharf, is not immune.
Fully 20% of Wharf's equity is pledged to HSBC.
This time HSBC is willing to support Li Zhaotian, making it clear that it is cutting off the tail of Jardine Matheson. In addition, Jardine Matheson has suffered serious losses in recent years and has no time to take care of itself. Maybe it will give up the car to save Shuai and benefit Li Zhaotian.
But Shi Zhijian is different. Since he started his business, Shi Zhijian has rarely dealt with such big banks. He only deposited and withdrawed some money from Standard Chartered HSBC. Even before getting the loan, he went to Far East Bank, a Chinese-owned bank owned by Qiu Degen, not to mention that the loan has been paid off long ago.
, and it is said that there are more than 30 million on hand! Enough chips!
In addition to the above three points, there are other reasons why Bao, Xu and Huo are unwilling to intervene in this matter.
During the war in the 1950s and the early 1960s, Bao and Fok publicly supported the mainland in transporting supplies to the mainland, thus embittering the British Hong Kong government. They have been subject to sanctions by the British Hong Kong government. The "sanction order" has not been lifted yet. Bao
I wanted to go ashore but couldn't.
However, something unexpected happened to the Xu family, and the deceased was the most important. In other words, the Xu family is in a state of chaos and has not yet elected a new head to take charge of the overall situation. In order to fight against external forces, we must first calm down the internal situation, so where can we have the time to deal with Li Zhaotian?
Based on this calculation, it seems that there is no one but Shi Zhijian who has money, leisure and the audacity to go against Li Zhaotian at this time!
But the question is, can Shi Zhijian win over Li Zhaotian?!
