Inside the cramped subdivided flat in Yau Ma Tei.
The young newlyweds squeezed into a small compartment that could barely fit a bed.
Holding up a copy of the Ta Kung Pao, his wife sighed with tears in her eyes, "'Blood is thicker than water'... The newspapers used to say that, but it felt so empty and clichéd. Now it seems so true... Wei, if we save a little, next year we might actually have enough for a down payment on a Home Ownership Scheme flat..."
Her husband, Awei, stared at the information in the newspaper about the first batch of public housing - small apartments of 500 square feet, which would be delivered in a few months at the earliest.
He nodded vigorously and hugged his wife tightly.
At this moment, countless lower-class people like them in Hong Kong have ignited a dream together, a dream of home ownership.
These news also shocked the tycoons at the top of the pyramid in Hong Kong Island.
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Kwok Tak-seng's office.
The news of price reduction of building materials in mainland China made the atmosphere in the office solemn.
Guo Desheng looked at several key subordinates in charge of the project budget, pointed to the figures in the newspaper, and said, "Look carefully at this 15%. Xiaolinsheng's 'Home Ownership Housing' costs have been reduced to an unimaginable low point.
We need to re-do the cost accounting for all our projects, especially for small-sized and mid-range projects. We must come up with a solution that is more cost-effective than this one, or at least as cost-effective.
He will raise the market's sensitivity to prices to an unprecedented level. The old way of thinking won't work anymore. Kobayashi Tenwang is truly ruthless! He's working so hard to do good deeds and gain fame, only to use us real estate developers as his scapegoat?
At New World Center, Cheng Yu-tung was having dinner with his right-hand man.
Suddenly, he looked at the content in the newspaper, slowly put down the spoon, and said harshly: "This Xiaolin Tianwang has introduced a price war into the real estate market and has even received official endorsement from the Hong Kong government. Although the mainland's low-priced building materials are limited to use in public housing projects, this method is really tricky.
But that's a good thing. His fire will burn out many unqualified players. Inform the construction companies below that material procurement costs must be kept within the upper limit announced by Xiaolinsheng.
We're not putting pressure on suppliers, we're putting pressure on ourselves! Efficiency, management, waste control! Anything we can't do will be eliminated and replaced!"
In Pao Yue-kong’s luxurious study at the Peak.
The sun is shining outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, but the atmosphere inside is rather gloomy and solemn.
Pao Yue-Kong handed the newspaper to his silent son-in-law, Wu Guangzheng. "Guangzheng, I'm right, aren't I? Kobayashi Tenmo has really driven down prices in mainland China. What do you think?"
After reading it carefully, Wu Guangzheng sighed, "Daddy, Xiao Linsheng's move is a play on the will of the people, with politics setting the stage and the economy performing the show.
He used mainland China's "concessions" to solidify his position as the savior of Hong Kong Island's underprivileged. If only the "Home Ownership Scheme" scheme could be successfully rolled out on schedule, or even ahead of schedule, his foundation in Hong Kong would be as solid as a rock.
When investing in real estate projects, we must also take a longer-term view and consider the impact of this kind of political manipulation of public opinion on non-core projects."
Upon hearing this, Pao Yue-kong nodded approvingly and said, "You've hit the nail on the head. He's leveraging the situation, and doing so in a truly earth-shattering way."
We're in the shipping business, and our fleet is our core, so we need a solid foundation. But the current global economic situation is not optimistic, and even as a shipping magnate, I have to consider bringing my ships ashore. Real estate projects must not be abandoned lightly.
You should pay close attention to the quality and reputation of his projects. If they prove feasible, we might collaborate at the right time to build a batch of quality-assured 'affordable homes' more targeted at the middle class, also playing the 'serving the people' card."
"Okay! Daddy, besides, the announcement released by the Hong Kong government also clearly stated that it's not just Xiao Linsheng's Hong Kong Land Group that can undertake Home Ownership Scheme projects. Any company willing to get involved can negotiate with the Hong Kong government. Let's let Xiao Linsheng lead the way..."
Wu Guangzheng also smiled and said.
Deep Water Bay, Li Ka-shing’s luxury residence.
There were only Li Jiacheng and his son in the study.
Li Jiacheng's expression was very serious, and his tone was full of pressure. He said, "See? This is called using the opponent's force to counter the opponent's force, turning the situation upside down!
I previously said that Jardine Matheson was a hot potato, and he took it on. Now, he has warmed up this hot potato and even made it into a gold ingot!
The people are in favor of him, and the forces behind him are acquiescing and even aiding him! Did he get that 15% for nothing? That was the supreme prestige that Xiaolin Tianwang had earned among the people of Hong Kong Island!
At this point, he looked at his eldest son, Li Zeju, who just turned fourteen this year, and continued: "Victory in the business world is not just a game of numbers, but also a battle for people's hearts and minds.
The grand strategy and ruthless moves made by Kobayashi Tenwang in this chess game are far beyond the imagination of you younger generations.
"Learn! You must put aside all your prejudices and learn! Learn how he assesses the situation, how he uses a little to achieve a great result! This kind of skill is definitely not something that can be measured by money!"
And on the top floor of the HSBC Building.
The huge floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the steel forest in Central.
The air was filled with the subtle aroma of premium cigars, but a tense confrontation was unfolding here.
Newbigin's face was very gloomy.
He pointed to a row of newspapers spread out on the table, especially the glaring words "Blood is thicker than water" in the left-wing Ta Kung Pao.
Then, he questioned Shen Bi who was sitting on the sofa:
"Boss Shen Bi! How are you going to explain all this? The mainland's 15% profit concession? They're practically giving building materials to Xiaolin Tianwang for free!
Could this be any more obvious? Xiaolin Tianwang is no mere businessman! He's definitely a nail in the mainland's coffin in Hong Kong!
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