"Mr. Governor!"
Lin Huowang wore a pragmatic yet frank smile. "As you said, I'm new here and haven't found my footing yet. A huge empire like the Hong Kong Land Group, with its sudden change of ownership, is plagued by internal and external troubles."
It is obvious that Lin Huowang's words revealed sincerity, and he was directly pointing to the Chinese capital's encirclement of the Hong Kong Land Group led by Henry Fok today.
“At this critical juncture, in addition to focusing on the traditional profit model that may face fierce competition and constraints, I hope to explore a new path. Through in-depth cooperation with the Hong Kong government, I can not only improve people’s livelihoods and enhance the living environment on Hong Kong Island, but also accumulate sufficient positive word-of-mouth and a good social reputation for the Hong Kong Land Group itself and myself.
Isn't this a win-win situation? Would the Hong Kong government reject a large corporation willing to lower its profile, forgo some immediate profits, and deeply participate in solving social problems? The more partners like this, the better, right?
"Welcome! Of course you're welcome!" Even though MacLehose was full of caution and suspicion, his doubts were slightly dispelled by Lin Huowang's frank talk of "win-win between politics and business". A smile appeared on his face again. "Mr. Lin, our Hong Kong government naturally dreams that all major real estate developers in Hong Kong Island can have such a profound sense of social responsibility and long-term vision like you! We certainly welcome such cooperation!"
As MacLehose spoke, he was calculating rapidly in his mind.
He also re-examined the core clauses of the plan regarding the "Home Ownership Program."
The rights and responsibilities of land acquisition, land policies and transportation planning (MTR) that the Hong Kong government needs to cooperate with, etc.
He repeatedly confirmed that, at least on a written level, Lin Huowang had not set any obvious legal or policy traps for him.
The most important thing is that as a Chinese businessman, even though he has Japanese citizenship.
In colonial Hong Kong, MacLehose was convinced that Lin Huowang had neither the courage nor the ability to challenge the Governor and the Hong Kong government. This seemed to be just a huge "political investment" or "prestige investment" made by a newly-minted tycoon seeking political support.
"In principle..."
MacLehose pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. He responded to Lin Huowang in a very official and rigorous tone, "Mr. Lin, on behalf of the Hong Kong government, I endorse your 'Home Ownership for the People' partnership plan. It is highly relevant to the current urgent need to resolve social conflicts on Hong Kong Island."
At this point, MacLehose changed the subject and emphasized, "However, Mr. Xiaolin, you also know that such a major livelihood project affects thousands of households, and the procedures must be complete. This involves complex preliminary planning, land surveying, cost accounting, and legal framework coordination..."
For example, the Housing Department, the Land Management Department, the Town Planning Department, the Financial Secretary... many departments will need to get involved. Ultimately, this requires substantial investment and planning from the Hong Kong government. My best estimate is that it will take at least one to two years of joint assessment, public consultation, and internal review before we can move forward with implementation. There's no rush."
“Your Excellency the Governor!!”
Hearing this, Lin Huowang frowned slightly, then immediately and decisively interrupted MacLehose's idea of "doing things step by step" and said very forcefully, "Two years of evaluation? One year of demonstration? And then two years of site selection and planning? By the time the first phase of houses are actually completed and delivered, it will be too late!
Five or six years have passed. How many days of suffering have those citizens living in wooden houses and pigeon coops outside our gate endured? How many people have criticized the Hong Kong government's promise to improve people's livelihood as "much ado about nothing"? More importantly, Your Excellency the Governor..."
Lin Huowang stared at MacLehose with a piercing gaze, then said, "How many years do you have left in your term as Hong Kong Island's governor? If 'Home Ownership for All' can be transformed from a grand blueprint into the first, or even multiple, new communities built during your term, truly benefiting tens of thousands of Hong Kong Island's grassroots citizens, and if the name 'MacLehose' becomes not only associated with the Independent Commission Against Corruption, but also with the historical achievement of radically changing the living environment of the poor..."
This is the kind of outstanding political achievement that will go down in Hong Kong's history, and the kind of reputation that will be praised by the people! Don't you want to personally sign the first cooperation document in your own office and witness the smiling faces of the first beneficiaries, rather than just leaving behind a proposal still in the research phase?
These words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly making MacLehose's heart beat violently.
Achievements! Leave your name! Recorded in history!
This is exactly the most secret and core desire in the heart of this powerful governor, besides maintaining stability!
When this huge temptation was truly placed before him and was pointed out by Lin Huowang to be directly related to his term of office, the "procedural justice" and "rational rhythm" that he had originally adhered to collapsed in an instant.
Just as Lin Huowang had predicted, once a person's vital interests are pointed out, even the strongest vigilance will melt like ice and snow.
Seeing the excitement that suddenly lit up but was deliberately suppressed in MacLehose's eyes, Lin Huowang knew that the time was almost right.
He no longer needed to give any persuasive reasons, but calmly took out the long-prepared core internal document of the Landmark Group, "Landmark Plaza Renovation and New Development Strategic Plan", from the briefcase handed to him by Gao Qiaohao.
"Your Excellency, Governor, this is exactly what I want to discuss with you next."
Lin Huowang pushed the document toward MacLehose and pointed to the cover. "Based on the principled consensus we just reached and your eagerness to see results as soon as possible, Hongkong Land Group has proposed a 'model apartment' plan—immediately launching the first 'Home Ownership Scheme' project."
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
