He paused, as if trying to digest this incredible fact, and also to give Mr. Liao on the other end of the phone time to absorb this earth-shattering news:
"But... the inside story? How did they get it?... No one knows yet!" Liang Weilin's tone was filled with disbelief. "Before, we... all of us, including me, were fooled by the 'jealousy' smokescreen they threw. The whole city was saying that he was fighting with Master Huo over that girl Liu Rumeng and wasted money on shares... Who could have imagined?!"
He recalled the noisy scandals in the newspapers and the strange fluctuations in Hong Kong's stock price in recent days, and felt that the undercurrent surging beneath the surface was far more shocking than he had imagined:
"Why would Jardine Matheson sell the property? Why didn't Newbigin sell it to the Fok family, or to the likes of Bao Shipping King and Li Ka-shing? What role did HSBC play in this? The Fok family is said to still hold a lot of Hong Kong Hutchison Whampoa shares, so how could they just stand by and watch? These questions are all mysteries now! The newspapers didn't give a full account! The details of the transaction are completely covered up! All the financial commentators are just guessing, but no one can give a clear answer!"
Liang Weilin's voice was filled with a hint of helplessness and deep surprise. This surprise was not only about the result, but also about the fact that this young man had accomplished all of this while being completely isolated from them.
"Also, Mr. Kobayashi...after coming to Hong Kong, in order to strictly maintain his identity as a Japanese-Chinese businessman, he almost completely cut off contact with us.
Ever since I last proposed reforms to a leftist newspaper, I haven't spoken to him in person. He hasn't even contacted Xinhua News Agency to provide any information or help. This time, he took over the land, single-handedly, quietly, and with his own strength, he pulled off a huge coup!
At this point, Liang Weilin's heart surged again, and his voice unconsciously rose, filled with excitement, trying to turn the topic to the positive political impact:
"But Mr. Liao, no matter how he did it, the result is the result! This is our great victory! Hong Kong's iconic British giant, the Hong Kong Land Group controlled by Jardine Matheson, has now lost control! And it fell into the hands of us Chinese, even though it was a young Chinese businessman with a Japanese background! This is of great significance!"
He couldn't help but begin to describe the future: "This will severely puncture the myth of the British lording it over Hong Kong Island! It will greatly boost the confidence of ordinary Hong Kong people in Chinese capital, and even in our mainland! You see, once this news spreads, the mentality of those citizens who look up to foreign companies on the streets will definitely change! This will be of great benefit to our united front work..."
However, on the other end of the receiver, there was a silence that lasted nearly a minute, so heavy that it almost froze the air. The sound of Mr. Liao's fingertips tapping on the table also completely disappeared.
Finally, a very short, heavy inhalation sound came from the other end of the phone, as if it was hit hard by some invisible hammer.
"Equipping two billion in assets with nothing? How did he do it? Money... two billion Hong Kong dollars! Where did he get all this money from?" Mr. Liao's voice was unusually hoarse, and every word was weighted. The source of this huge sum of money was the first key to unlocking all the mysteries, and it was also the key he was most anxious to confirm.
Liang Weilin was choked by this pointed question. "The doubts... that's the doubt!" He could only follow Mr. Liao's eagerness and recount the confusing media reports he'd seen. "There are rumors flying around right now. Some say HSBC made an exception and gave him a huge loan, some say a Japanese consortium is backing him, and there's even ridiculous gossip that we from mainland China are the financial backers of Kobayashi Tenmo... The Hong Kong financial and media circles are all speculating wildly, but no one can come up with solid evidence!"
Hearing this, the image of Lin Huowang's youthful spirit flashed through Mr. Liao's mind like lightning. Only now did he realize with horror how deep the murderous intent and the precise planning as a scalpel were hidden under that calmness!
This shocking reversal actually happened half the time he had promised! Lin Huowang was no reckless gambler at all, but a manipulator with meticulous planning!
The intertwining of a huge mystery and an even greater shock made it impossible for Mr. Liao to make any effective speculations over the phone. He immediately interrupted Liang Weilin's prospect of positive impact and issued a firm order:
"Comrade Weilin! I understand the situation! It's hard to explain over the phone! Immediately prepare all available public information and analysis reports, especially details regarding the transaction announcement document, market reactions, and any related clues!"
I'm taking the last flight to Hong Kong Island right now! This information must be on my desk when I arrive! I'm going to figure out this chess game myself—how exactly did he play it?!" The urgency and unquestionable nature of his tone were like a rallying cry on a battlefield.
"Yes! Mr. Liao, I'll be ready immediately!" Liang Weilin responded immediately. He could hear the urgency churning in Mr. Liao's heart on the other end of the line. It wasn't for the results of the united front, but for the young man himself and his terrifying power to change the situation.
When the busy tone sounded, Mr. Liao didn't pause for a second and picked up the crimson, top-secret dedicated phone on the table without hesitation. His fingers trembled slightly due to his inner excitement.
"I'm Liao CZ, here to pick up the commander! It's urgent!" His voice carried a rare, almost inappropriate urgency and power.
The call was quickly transferred. After a brief wait, a familiar voice with a thick Hunan accent came from the receiver, accompanied by a gentle smile: "Mr. Liao? Why are you calling so late? Is there an emergency in Hong Kong Island?"
Mr. Liao could hardly contain his immense joy and shock, uttering each word clearly and forcefully: "Chief! Comrade Lin Huowang has fulfilled his promise on Hong Kong Island! He truly did it! Relying entirely on his own strength, without using a single cent of state support, he forcibly changed the situation and removed the crown that the British had held atop Hong Kong Island—the Hong Kong Land Group! From today on, control of Hong Kong Land is in our hands!"
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