Lin Huowang's mixed attack and defense transformed the issue of stance into an issue of economic benefits, once again emphasizing his "purely commercial" motives and commitment to the profitability of the project, and even hinted at blaming the Hong Kong government's policies for restricting profit margins.
MacLehose and Shen Bi looked at each other, and saw a hint of understanding flash across each other's eyes.
Chen Bi was even more convinced of his earlier business analysis: Kobayashi Tenwang was in it for the ultimate profit! But the doubts in MacLehose's eyes hadn't been completely dispelled.
"It's reasonable, very reasonable. Xiao Linsheng is indeed a qualified and shrewd businessman."
MacLehose nodded and continued, "However, we will give you a chance and support you in taking over the Hong Kong Land Group so that this giant ship can be temporarily stabilized in the storm. But you must also understand that we absolutely do not want to cultivate another Ho Ying-tung! Do you understand what I mean?"
These words were MacLehose's ultimate warning to Lin Huowang, starkly revealing the deepest fear of the British high command in Hong Kong: that leading Chinese companies, leveraging their geographical advantages, could become key agents of the mainland in Hong Kong Island. The Fok family's example was a thorn in their side.
Shen Bi's eyes were fixed on Lin Huowang's face, to see how he would respond to this temptation that could determine his fate.
However, Lin Huowang's reaction was beyond their expectations.
He did not panic, did not make excuses, and did not immediately express his loyalty.
He first looked at MacLehose with an expression of extreme surprise, then turned to look at Shen Bi, as if he had heard an extremely stupid question.
Then, a strange smile with a hint of evil and ambition bloomed on his face.
"Why not? Your Excellency, the Governor of Hong Kong, Your Excellency, Mr. Shen Bi, why are you both trying to stop me from becoming the next Huo family?
I can be very patriotic too! Moreover, I can be more 'patriotic' than Huo Yingdong! "
The pupils of MacLehose and Shen Bi shrank almost at the same time. They almost thought they had heard it wrong!
Lin Huowang did not wait for them to ask, but continued to speak. Every word he said struck the tense nerves of MacLehose and Shen Bi clearly:
"Why has the Fok Ying-Tong family been able to remain standing in Hong Kong Island for so many years? Even with the invisible checks and balances of the Hong Kong government, they have always maintained a strong position. Because they control an important channel! A channel that is closely connected with the mainland and continuously transfers benefits and influence!
They used this channel to do things for the mainland, and how much immeasurable commercial benefits and political resources they grabbed from it? This is their true amulet of transcendence in Hong Kong Island!
But what if someone appears now who is smarter, more capable, and knows how to maximize the use of this channel better than the Huo family?
What if this person was precisely the one the two Excellencies personally nurtured to power—a 'patriotic businessman' who controls the vast resources of the Hong Kong Land Group? A 'Chinese-Japanese' who nominally has no connection to mainland China? An enemy who, on the surface, even has irreconcilable conflicts with the Huo family?
When Murray MacLehose heard this, his eyes widened.
“I’ll come forward!
Strive for more cooperation opportunities with the mainland! I will do better than the Huo family! Offer more favorable terms! Build a larger network of interests! I will demonstrate to mainland officials my "united front values" and irreplaceable business capabilities that far surpass the Huo family's!
As long as I can do it, the Huo family's proud "golden body" with close ties to the mainland will be stripped off by my own hands!
Without this outer layer and core values, what is left for the Huo family to rely on? It is nothing more than an old-fashioned family that has fallen out of favor and been replaced by new agents!
By then, Your Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong, Your Excellency Mr. Shen Bi, what will the situation be like?
On the one hand, I have the full support and help of the Hong Kong government and HSBC, which provide me with various resources and conveniences; on the other hand, I can firmly grasp the connection with the mainland and obtain a steady stream of information and policy trends.
All of the mainland's thoughts and concerns will be fully presented to you through me as a 'channel.' Likewise, all of your considerations and ideas can be accurately conveyed back through me as a 'middleman,' influencing their decisions.
Isn't this a win-win situation? No, it's a win-win-win situation for all! The Hong Kong government gains a stable flow of information and channels for influence penetration; HSBC gains an opportunity to gain in-depth insight into future trends and precisely adjust its credit and investment strategies; and I, Kobayashi Tenwang, will take over the Fok family and become one of the new leaders in Hong Kong Island, possessing unprecedented power and status!
After Kobayashi Tianwang said this, both Murray MacLehose and Shen Bi were shocked.
"Use Kobayashi Tianwang to infiltrate mainland China! Replace Huo Yingdong as the new spokesperson for mainland China in Hong Kong! And this spokesperson is personally supported by us and is deeply tied to our interests?"
This thought flashed through MacLehose's mind.
This idea is so crazy... and so wonderful!
Yes! A "collaborator" hand-picked by them, who ostensibly has no political ties to mainland China but is actually deeply involved, is far superior to the Huo family, who have a clear stance and are difficult to control!
This Kobayashi Tenwang is not only a unique business genius, but also a scheming master!
He has so cleverly transformed himself into an excellent "converter" and "valve"!
It not only delivers benefits to the mainland, but also serves the Hong Kong government and British capital!
Replacing the influence of the Fok family and at the same time using the information they have to feed back to the Hong Kong government, this is simply an imperfect closed loop of coordinating political and economic interests!
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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