Everyone's expression changed slightly, and approval flashed across their eyes.
Having been immersed in this world of fame and fortune for many years, Kobayashi Tenmo's deliberate "restraint" is nothing more than the most clever way of waiting for a good price.
He stirred up trouble in Hong Kong: the novel "A Step into the Past" fascinated readers all over the city, and even the literary giant Jin Yong couldn't help but poach him personally; the "Asia Times" he founded has been a topic-making machine since its inception, with scandals, business wars, and cultural collisions, playing with public opinion, and sales soaring.
In a very short period of time, he used dazzling means to build a mountain that seemed not high but had an astonishing volume.
How could a young man like him, a man from the East with a "Japanese capital" label, turn a blind eye to the overtures of a British chaebol? He simply felt the offer wasn't enough, or perhaps he wanted more than just money.
"It's a good thing for young people to have ambitions."
MacLehose put down his glass, leaned forward slightly, and rested his elbows on the polished mahogany table, with the composure of someone in control. "But being too young, and having things go so smoothly, makes it easy to lose sight of how slippery the road is. Hong Kong Island is a deep, deep place. 'A Step into the Past' is the mainstay of his success, and the lucrative cultural ventures like 'Dragon Jump' are the foundation of his success. Didn't the eldest son of the Fok family see this and want to drain him of his wealth?"
The corners of his mouth curved into an arc that couldn't quite be called a smile.
Everyone understood.
Peter Ho's pursuit of Liu Rumeng, the aloof beauty from the Guo family in Repulse Bay, and the various incidents caused by his jealousy with Xiaolin Tianwang have long been the talk of the upper class.
The scene where Peter Ho drove up to Repulse Bay No. 3 and honked his horn provocatively, only to be startled and flee in panic by what sounded like gunshots but were actually firecrackers, has been much talked about. It's understandable that Peter Ho couldn't take this personally.
"That young master of the Huo family," Taikoo's Schmack sneered with a hint of disdain, "his jealous tactics are a bit naive after all. Jin Yong is more experienced. This open poaching is legitimate and much more clever than just honking a horn."
MacLehose's smile deepened. "Mr. Cha's conspiracy is naturally brilliant. No matter who Huang Yi follows, this fire will eventually burn Xiaolin Tianwang himself. But..."
He changed the subject, "It seems this isn't fast enough, it's not painful enough. The Asia Daily is too powerful, and the Huo family's young master lost his patience. This has made that wild boy from Japan even more unrestrained, thinking that everyone has to give in."
His gaze turned to a middle-aged man next to him who was wearing a strict uniform and had a meticulous face. He was Jones, a senior official in the Chief Secretary's Office in charge of ports and customs affairs.
"Mr. Jones," MacLehose said in a calm, casual voice. "I heard that Customs has recently been strengthening the security review process for imported printing equipment. Especially large equipment that operates at high speeds and involves sophisticated technology. They have to be handled with extreme caution to ensure that there are no mistakes, right?"
Jones immediately understood and bowed slightly. "You are absolutely right, Your Excellency. Safety is of paramount importance, especially when it comes to the entry of large industrial equipment. We must strictly follow the regulations and ensure that every piece of equipment undergoes a detailed technical evaluation and document verification. This process..."
He paused deliberately, "...usually it takes about fifteen working days. Any equipment must be patiently waited until a thorough review is completed. No carelessness is tolerated."
A light and tacit laughter rang out in the banquet hall, with the casualness and confidence of a superior manipulating chess pieces.
The bosses looked at MacLehose with undisguised approval. The Governor-General's tactics were sophisticated and precise.
"Fifteen working days..." MacLehose repeated the number, nodded with satisfaction, and tapped his fingertips unconsciously on the smooth tabletop. "It does take a little longer, but rules are rules, and procedures are procedures. For the sake of public interest and safety, everyone should understand and support it."
He looked around the room, his eyes looking particularly profound under the flickering candlelight of the crystal chandelier.
"Sometimes, a little cooling down and a little more patience can make those eager to run realize who's really in control of the reins. To tame a wild and unruly creature from the East, just feeding it candy beans isn't enough; you have to let it know the weight of the bridle occasionally."
The crystal cups reflected the hazy light, illuminating the meaningful smiles on everyone's faces.
The lights of Victoria Harbour are still bright, making this palace of power look like a flashy fantasy.
Outside the bright lights of the banquet hall, in the shadows of the city, several late-night cargo ships were slowly entering the port.
One of the ships from Tokyo was loaded with several huge machines tightly covered with oilcloth - they were the latest high-speed four-color rotary printing presses that Lin Huowang had ordered for the "Dragon JUMP" printing factory.
At this moment, it has just docked.
…
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