The humid air at the Hong Kong Island dock is mixed with the salty smell and the rusty smell of marine oil.
The huge cargo ship's cabin slowly opened, and the crane roared, carefully lifting three huge machines wrapped in thick waterproof canvas out of the cargo hold.
That is the lifeblood of Dragon JUMP magazine - the Heidelberg high-speed four-color printing presses purchased from Germany at huge expense. Each one is shiny and represents the most advanced printing technology of this era.
Several workers in blue work clothes directed the lifting and placed them steadily on the heavy container trucks that had been prepared in advance.
Sweat streamed down their necks, but their eyes were full of anticipation. With these three machines, the production capacity and quality of "Dragon JUMP" will achieve a leap forward, and the exquisite printed copy of the second issue of "Dragon JUMP" will be just around the corner.
Just when the last fixed rope was tightened and everyone breathed a sigh of relief, several black cars with customs markings came speeding over, with an unquestionable official authority, and braked suddenly beside the truck.
More than a dozen uniformed Hong Kong Island Customs officers quickly got off the bus, led by a senior inspector with a stern expression and sharp eyes.
“Everyone stop!
Everyone stand still! "
The order was concise and cold, leaving no room for doubt.
"Sir, we entered the country legally and have all the necessary documents..."
The on-site manager of "Dragon Jump" hurried forward and handed over the documents.
The inspector just glanced at the document and casually handed it to his subordinate behind him, but his eyes were fixed on the equipment on the truck: "We received a tip-off that there are suspected sensitive technical problems with this batch of equipment.
We need to conduct further verification and detention inspection.
The equipment on the vehicle, including your truck, cannot be moved for fifteen days."
It was like a bucket of ice water was poured over them, and all the "Dragon Jump" staff at the scene were stunned.
The manager explained anxiously:
“Impossible!
Mr. Inspector, you see, all the customs declaration, tax payment, and import license procedures are complete. We went through the formal channels..."
“Complete documentation only proves the legality of the source.
But now, according to relevant regulations, such equipment needs to be detained for fifteen days for safety inspection.
After fifteen working days, please bring your documents to the designated customs warehouse to apply for collection."
The inspector's tone was calm, as if he was reciting an official document.
No matter how the people from "Dragon Jump" explained and pleaded, or even implicitly expressed their willingness to "cooperate with the work", and offered cigarettes and tentatively asked for "hardship fees", these customs officers either repeated in a businesslike manner "This is the regulation" and "Please cooperate with the work", or simply turned a deaf ear and directed people to set up cordons and put up seals, as if they were ready to take over the situation completely.
The manager's palms were covered in cold sweat and his heart was beating so fast that it was about to jump out of his chest.
He knew that this batch of machines could not be delayed. The second issue of "Dragon Jump" had been delayed for so long, the market was eagerly waiting, and everyone in the company was waiting for the machines to be put into production and to start working on them.
Every day of delay will result in immeasurable losses and a decline in market credibility.
He immediately rushed to the dock office and called the president Gao Qiaohao.
…
Villa No. 3 in Repulse Bay is brightly lit.
President Gao Qiaohao almost rushed in. His usually meticulous hairstyle was a little messy, his forehead was covered with sweat, and his eyes were full of anxiety and uneasiness.
He didn't even bother with etiquette and reported everything that happened at the dock to Lin Huowang, who was sitting on the sofa, in a hurried voice.
Every detail, the sudden intervention of customs, the invalidity of documents, the failure of giving money, the tough notice of fifteen-day detention, all of these hit Gao Qiaohao's heart like a whip.
His face was filled with self-blame and frustration: “…Kobayashi-kun, it’s my fault that I didn’t do my job well!
Now that the machines have been seized, everything is ready at our printing factory, and the plan for the second issue’s release is about to be disrupted again!
All channels are waiting... This, this loss and impact are enormous... Moreover, the other party is unmoved. I've asked several people who are usually influential to sound out their opinions, but it's all useless!"
Gao Qiaohao was really anxious.
In his eyes, this is a critical moment for the development and growth of "Dragon Jump". These three machines are like pacemakers that can immediately activate the entire magazine.
It has already been delayed for so many days due to the damage.
Delay for another fifteen days?
The market is changing rapidly, who knows what will happen!
Will any competitors take advantage of the opportunity to attack?
Will there be any rumors that are unfavorable to Kobayashi Tenmo?
He couldn't imagine it.
However, to his surprise, Lin Huowang, who was sitting on the sofa, did not show any surprise or panic on his face after listening to the whole story.
Instead, he put down the celadon teacup he was playing with, and even curled up the corner of his mouth into a very faint smile. His eyes were deep, without the slightest ripple.
Because... Lin Huowang has been waiting for this "trouble" for a while.
From his high-profile appearance in Hong Kong Island under the Japanese identity "Kobayashi Tenmo", to the acquisition and reorganization of the "Asia Daily", to the founding of the radical "Dragon JUMP" magazine, every step he took touched the sensitive nerves of British capital and the Hong Kong government.
He was well aware that his approach of using the "content revolution" to leverage Hong Kong's cultural market and even influence the thoughts of young people was tantamount to setting fire to their carefully managed back garden in the eyes of Hong Kong Governor Murray MacLehose and the British financial groups.
They will never sit idly by.
What's more, they not only want to see an outsider like themselves stir up the entire print media situation in Hong Kong Island.
What they need more is a vanguard who can help them fight against and suppress the rising Chinese companies.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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