Chapter 374: Starting an Industry

The current business environment for Chinese people in Hong Kong is indeed not good, but it does not mean that there are no opportunities. So after completing a comprehensive investigation of Hong Kong, Zhang Guowei began to contact his connections in Hong Kong.

Even though he had only been to Hong Kong a few times before, he had many acquaintances in Hong Kong, and they were spread across all social classes. His classmates when he was studying at Oxford University had already become senior officials of the Hong Kong government, and many of the British people he met during inter-school sports competitions were working for foreign companies such as Jardine Matheson.

Among them were teachers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and there were also some compradors from foreign companies who could be connected with the group.

There are also people in the lower class. Hongmen disciples are spread all over the world, and the Guangdong and Hong Kong areas are the key development areas of Hongmen. Zhang Xingjiu is the chief worshiper of Hongmen. Zhang Guowei, as his son, has participated in some activities with him. He is very familiar with the rules and regulations of Hongmen and also knows some mountain masters. When he was investigating in Hong Kong, he had already established contact with these people.

The first person he visited was William, his classmate at Oxford University. William now worked in the Treasury Department of the Governor's Office, which would later become the Financial Secretary, and was specifically responsible for managing industrial and commercial work.

William was very happy to see him and immediately invited him to dinner at the best western restaurant in Hong Kong. He also called Oxford graduates from other departments, who happily recalled their years studying at Oxford.

In particular, the glorious feat of Zhang Guowei leading the Oxford rowing team to defeat Cambridge for several consecutive years was repeatedly mentioned at the dinner table. Oxford and Cambridge are old rivals, and this rowing competition has lasted for more than two hundred years. Every year when the competition comes, all the teachers and students in the school will cheer for their rowing teams.

Zhang Guowei had been learning martial arts with Huo Yuanjia since he was a child and had a good physique. Relying on this and Zhang Xingjiu's reputation, he became the first Chinese player in the history of the Oxford rowing team as soon as he entered the school, and led the Oxford rowing team to repeatedly defeat Cambridge.

"You were the idol of all the female students in Oxford at that time, and we were so jealous of you. If you were willing, you might have become the son-in-law of an earl or even a duke now." William was also envious when he talked about this.

The problem of racial discrimination in the UK is still very serious, but it also depends on who it is. Zhang Guowei's father is the greatest scientist of the time. This alone can make them give up discrimination. What's more, Zhang Xingjiu can also intervene in the distribution of benefits of penicillin. In the face of such huge benefits, even the old-fashioned aristocrats will let go of their reserve. Unfortunately, Zhang Guowei has no interest in foreign girls. He can play with them, but not get married, so he did not marry a British wife.

After chatting for a while, Zhang Guowei told the reason why he came to Hong Kong, "I plan to engage in business activities in Hong Kong, and we will be able to meet often in the future."

"Why did you choose to do this in Hong Kong? I thought you were just passing through." William also found it incredible. "With such a family background, you should stay in Shanghai even if you want to do business."

"I don't want to be called Mr. Zhang's son every day. I want to make a career for myself." Zhang Guowei brought out the old reason again.

"This is really like your style! I remember that if Baron Flory hadn't come to your dormitory to find you, we wouldn't have known that you were Mr. Zhang's son." William couldn't help laughing.

Baron Florey was one of the three scholars who won the Nobel Prize for penicillin in the original history. He happened to be there when Zhang Guowei was studying in Oxford. It was because of this incident that Zhang Guowei's identity was exposed and he was able to join the rowing team.

After laughing, William advised earnestly, "If you want to engage in business activities, it is better to go to London or New York than to stay in Hong Kong. This place is not suitable for business right now. All ways to make money are monopolized by Jardine Matheson and other companies."

He also told Zhang Guowei a story from the past. At that time, British businessman Rennie established the "Hong Kong Flour Milling Company", which was known as "the largest industrial investment in Hong Kong in the early 20th century", but Australian flour was a bulk commodity re-exported by Jardine Matheson.

Rennie competed with imported flour and went bankrupt after only one year. He hanged himself, leaving behind the sad place name "Hanging Neck Ridge". The English name was "Rennie's Mill", and it was only changed to Tiu Keng Leng much later.

"I have actually been in Hong Kong for many days. During these days, I have investigated everywhere and found some opportunities. The situation is not as serious as you said." Zhang Guowei talked about his investigation results.

Those foreign companies are indeed restricting the development of Hong Kong, but the Chinese will never be willing to work as coolies all their lives. In the past few years, Guangdong has been advocating the development of industry and has made considerable progress. This trend has now spread to Hong Kong.

It was the Chinese businessmen in Guangdong who first used the shipping on the Hong Kong River to build a global trade network. "Jinshan Zhuang" exported to America, "South Africa Zhuang" exported to Africa, "Surabaya Zhuang" and "Samma Zhuang" exported to Southeast Asia, and "Siam Zhuang", "Selat Zhuang", "Annam Zhuang" and "Rangoon Zhuang" exported to Southeast Asia.

Later they began to try to set up factories in Hong Kong, including Nanyang Brothers Tobacco, Guangdong Brothers Rubber, Zhou Yixing Weaving, Ligongmin Shirts and Socks... A large number of Guangdong enterprises poured into Hong Kong, and the industry soon surpassed the scope of light industry for people's livelihood.

Another well-known company is Guangdong's largest machinery manufacturing company, Tongxun, which can repair and manufacture machines. It can produce rice mills for mechanical rice milling. In the future, it will also manufacture internal combustion engines and diesel engines for driving ships. In the future, it will also manufacture German-style steel helmets and gas masks in Hong Kong and send them to the mainland to support the War of Resistance.

Coincidentally, the factory is located on the Diaojingling Ridge. The British could not withstand the pressure and were hanged here, but the Chinese business owners withstood the pressure and survived.

"If these companies can survive, why can't I? And I see that our senior Sir Hudger has also been trying to relax restrictions on Chinese people since he took office. This may be good news for me."

Hedeger was the then Governor of Hong Kong. In his early years, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Exeter College, Oxford University. In fact, he was the senior of this group of Oxford graduates. William and others were favored by Hedeger because of this relationship.

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"Indeed, Sir is now trying to localize the civil service and plans to absorb more Chinese into the government." William revealed some information that has not been made public. Of course, these Chinese can only serve as grassroots officials. Senior positions must still be held by British people. This is most obvious in the police system.

"I also heard that Sir Herbert has the idea of ​​establishing an industrial zone in Hong Kong. As his junior, I will definitely support him, so I plan to set up a factory in Hong Kong." Zhang Guowei continued.

(End of this chapter)