In the VIP conference room on the third floor of Xinhua News Agency’s Hong Kong branch.
The heavy office door was tightly closed, but it couldn't block out the sounds of a heated argument coming from inside.
A few months ago, Lin Huowang came here secretly to give advice on the reform of left-wing newspapers, but now this place has become a battlefield of bargaining and tension.
"Twenty-five percent! President Liang, this is my final bottom line!"
At this time, Lin Huowang was wearing the mask of "Japanese-Chinese wealthy businessman Kobayashi Tenwang", but he spoke ruthlessly and toughly.
In the ashtray in front of him, cigarette butts had piled up into a small mountain.
Sitting across from the table was not only Liang Weilin, the director of the Xinhua News Agency's Hong Kong branch, but also several representatives from state-owned building materials manufacturers who had come all the way from the mainland.
Director Wang, who was in the lead, had a red face and veins popping out with excitement. He practically yelled at Lin Huowang:
"Impossible! Mr. Kobayashi, you're pushing us to death! Lumber that costs HK$10,000 on the Hong Kong market will only cost you HK$4,000 based on cost. This is already a gesture of brotherhood, a gesture of support from compatriots!"
You want to cut another thousand? Just three thousand? Thousands of workers in our factory cut trees and transported them from the Northeast Forest Farm, traveling all the way by train, bus, and ship. It's all blood and sweat; it doesn't just fall from the sky! Another 25% reduction?
The workers can't even earn enough to eat! How will they pay for equipment wear and tear, factory maintenance, and employee salaries? Are they working for nothing? This is simply a daydream!
Another representative from the steel plant, Chief Engineer Zhang, was more polite. He adjusted his glasses slightly and then accused him in a very sad tone:
"Mr. Xiaolin, please forgive my bluntness! You are Chinese after all! The Home Ownership Scheme is indeed a good thing that benefits the people, and we mainland compatriots strongly support it.
We've already stood up for you by pushing the price down to this point! How could you...how could you push it down even further and continue to suck the blood of our compatriots from the mainland? If this isn't capitalist behavior, what is? Don't you have any gratitude for your ancestors?
Lin Huowang stood up suddenly and said without giving in:
"Help me? President Liang! Dear representatives! Get this straight! How much risk and financial pressure is my Hong Kong Land Group taking on this Home Ownership Scheme?
How many eyes are on me across Hong Kong Island! The Hong Kong government wants results, the citizens want benefits, and both British and Chinese investors are laughing at me!
Cost, cost, and cost! If costs can't be brought down, nothing else matters! Without truly low prices, how can we sell affordable housing to ordinary citizens? Am I not working for the well-being of my fellow Hong Kong Islanders? Am I just seeking huge profits for myself?
At the same time, I'm also helping mainland China find sales channels and earn foreign exchange. I'm giving you an opportunity! Southeast Asian material suppliers offer much higher prices than you, but doesn't mainland China have overcapacity right now?
If you don't sell these materials to me, you won't make a penny, especially since a lot of them will be wasted.
Why do I choose the mainland first? Isn't it because we share the same roots?
If the mainland sells more materials to Hong Kong, it can earn more foreign exchange, ease the pressure on the mainland economy, and make people's lives better.
Now, I owe you a huge favor?
Cost! The core of the Home Ownership Scheme is to minimize costs! Your offer is far from what I expected! Twenty-five percent, not a single percentage point less! This is my condition! If we don't reach an agreement today, I don't think there's any need for further cooperation!"
"you!"
Director Wang's lips trembled with anger. He also stood up suddenly and angrily accused Lin Huowang:
"You're simply... pushing your luck! You're insatiable! We inland factories aren't cows that can be fed at will! We can't afford such a price! We absolutely won't accept it!"
"If you don't cooperate, forget it! Then please do as you please!"
A cold light flashed in Lin Huowang's eyes, and his face showed an extremely impatient expression.
Then, he suddenly grabbed the heavy glass ashtray at hand and smashed it to the ground without any mercy before anyone could react!
“Bang—!!!”
The ashes and unburned cigarette butts immediately flew everywhere, and the sound of shattering glass instantly tore apart the extremely tense atmosphere in the conference room.
Downstairs, at the entrance of Xinhua News Agency’s Hong Kong branch.
This group of financial and current affairs reporters with a keen sense of smell would not leave easily since they followed Kobayashi Tianwang here, and they stayed downstairs of the branch office.
Not to mention other content, the closed-door meeting between Kobayashi Tenno and the mainland delegation is itself full of topics.
When the vague loud noise came from the third floor, all the reporters downstairs became agitated.
"What's that sound?"
"Like throwing something?"
"There's a lot of noise upstairs!"
"Quick! Telescope! Check out what's going on on the third floor!"
A paparazzi reporter standing by the window of a tea restaurant in the opposite building was staring at the window on the third floor of Xinhua News Agency through a high-powered telescope.
Although he couldn't see the specific situation clearly, at the moment when the huge shattering sound was heard, he clearly saw the figures in the conference room shaking violently. There was no doubt that a fierce dispute was taking place inside.
He excitedly grabbed his walkie-talkie and reported urgently, "Big news! Absolutely big news! Kobayashi Tenmo is having a huge argument with the mainland delegation upstairs at Xinhua News Agency! There was a sound of something being thrown! Like an ashtray or a vase! There's been a conflict! Definitely a major conflict! Hurry and prepare the headlines!"
The reporters waiting downstairs also pricked up their ears, wondering how fierce the storm upstairs would be.
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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