Chapter 210 Economic Powerhouse (Final Chapter)
Thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye. As the spring breeze of China's reform and opening up swept across Hong Kong, the aroma of Burgundy red wine filled the Glass Club in Central.
The crystal chandelier refracted a soft, shimmering light, illuminating the room full of businessmen in suits, whose conversations invariably revolved around the newly released policy document.
"I heard that the preferential policies offered by the inland areas are quite good—taxes are halved, and they even approve land in prime locations!" Someone's eyes gleamed with excitement.
A man next to me swirled his wine glass, leaving faint red streaks on the glass, and smirked, half-jokingly, "Sweet as it may be, I'm afraid it'll turn into a thorn once you swallow it—we haven't gone too far back in history. It wasn't easy to accumulate this little bit of wealth. If it were really confiscated, we'd have nowhere to cry!"
These words silenced everyone in the room for a few seconds.
Suddenly someone spoke, their voice low but clear: "What does Mr. Lu think?"
Instantly, all eyes turned to Lu Zheng, who was sitting in the center position.
He wore a custom-made black suit, his temples were already streaked with gray, and he gently twirled a crystal glass with his fingertips. Thirty years of ups and downs in the Hong Kong business world had made him a pillar of strength in the hearts of many.
Lu Zheng suddenly stopped turning the glass and looked up to scan the entire room—those eyes, which had witnessed thirty years of ups and downs in the business world, made the breathing in the room seem to slow down.
A calm smile slowly curved his lips. His voice was not loud, but everyone in the room could hear him clearly: "Our National Security Group will go to see the Special Economic Zone Investment Promotion Bureau first thing tomorrow morning."
Before he could finish speaking, the entire room erupted in uproar!
Who doesn't know Lu Zheng's importance?
When he first arrived in Hong Kong with Xia Qianqian, he seized control of the fresh food market in just one year by selling organic fruits and vegetables and free-range eggs.
Someone hired thugs to vandalize his warehouse, but the next day the goods inside remained untouched, and the vandals ended up paying three times the amount in damages.
While others complained that the film industry was burning through money, his first kung fu film broke box office records; during the worst year for the real estate industry, he bought three plots of land in Central, and now each of them has increased in value more than tenfold!
He always manages to anticipate policy trends and turn opportunities that others can't understand into lucrative profits.
Thirty years have passed, and this man who fled from the mainland has long since become a business tycoon in Hong Kong that no one dares to defy.
At that moment, his words instantly swayed the previously hesitant business owners: "If Mr. Lu dares to go, we can't go wrong by following him!"
"I'll also have my assistant prepare the materials; we'll go together tomorrow!"
The atmosphere in the venue suddenly became lively. Why were they currying favor with Lu Zheng? It was so that President Lu would give them a helping hand at a crucial moment. Now that the opportunity was in front of them, only a fool would not go.
But a few kilometers away, in a run-down bar, the scene was quite different.
The neon sign was missing half of the character for "alcohol," and cold rain poured in through the drafty window. Lu Rensheng, clutching an empty bottle, slumped over the bar, his face flushed, drunkenly cursing, "That kid Lu Zheng... thinks the mainland is a gold mine? I'll see how he builds his skyscraper... and how it collapses!"
His bar was his only business. The walls were peeling, and the paint on the bar counter was worn down. Back then, he competed with Lu Zheng, but he was outmatched and lost his family fortune. He almost jumped into the river, but Wang Meihua stopped Lu Zheng from going all the way.
Lu Rensheng still remembers clearly what Wang Meihua said at the time: "Letting him live to see us get better and better is more satisfying than killing him."
Now those words have come true. Wang Meihua wears a custom-made cheongsam, and the jade bracelet on her wrist makes the wealthy ladies envious. Her eldest granddaughter is an internationally renowned designer, her youngest granddaughter has earned a medical doctorate, and her grandson manages stocks on Wall Street. Lu Rensheng can only see the family's glory in the newspapers.
Everyone wanted to know how she had successfully raised her children and grandchildren. Every time this happened, Wang Meihua would say it was all thanks to her good daughter-in-law.
Xia Qianqian, Wang Meihua's daughter-in-law and Lu Zheng's wife, is the most low-key among these wealthy women. Over the years, no one has ever seen her.
Lu Zheng had previously mentioned that Xia Qianqian disliked socializing, so he specially bought her a large estate where she could do what she liked. This made many people envious; one must be incredibly wealthy to not need their wife to attend social events!
"Lu Zheng, you're back?" Xia Qianqian greeted Lu Zheng as he returned home.
So many years have passed, and time seems to have been exceptionally kind to her, leaving no trace on her. Lu Zheng looked at Xia Qianqian and took her hand.
"I'm going back tomorrow, will you come with me?"
Xia Qianqian nodded: "It's time to go back. It's been a long time since we've seen Peng Fei and the others. I wonder if they'll complain about us when we meet?"
Hearing this, Lu Zheng laughed: "Even if you complain, he wouldn't dare. I heard that he's the person in charge of the investment promotion bureau this time."
The next day, Xia Qianqian and Lu Zheng got into the car early in the morning and quietly left Hong Kong.
At the same time, the special economic zone was making final preparations for the investment promotion conference.
Many staff members were worried. After the investment promotion information for the special economic zone was released, there were many inquiries, but very few people signed up. It was a rare opportunity for Hong Kong businessmen to come, and they were afraid that they might change their minds at the last minute.
Many people looked up at the clock on the wall from time to time, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense as the time drew near.
Suddenly, a shout broke the heavy silence—"The Hong Kong convoy is here!"
In an instant, Director Peng appeared at the door, striding with brisk steps, as if he had become decades younger.
The car door slowly opened, and Lu Zheng walked steadily to Peng Fei.
Peng Fei's voice trembled with excitement: "Brother Lu, it really is you!" Before he could finish speaking, he slammed his fist heavily onto Lu Zheng's shoulder.
"You've been gone for decades, do you know how much your brothers miss you!" Peng Fei's voice was choked with emotion, and tears welled up in his eyes.
Lu Zheng looked at him too, their gazes meeting in the air, as if a thousand words were flowing unspoken.
Just then, Xia Qianqian's voice rang out: "What are you all doing standing here? Hurry up and go inside!"
These words pulled Peng Fei back to reality from his emotional turmoil. He quickly regained his composure and waved to his staff to welcome the Hong Kong businessmen who had traveled from afar.
Inside the venue, the lights were dazzling, and Peng Fei stood in front of the podium with an upright posture.
His voice echoed in the air, slowly unfolding the details of the Special Administrative Region's policies before the businesspeople like a scroll. His interpretation was clear and persuasive, filling them with anticipation for the future.
Xia Qianqian stood side by side with Lu Zheng, her gaze firm, her eyes sparkling with confidence in the future.
She told Peng Fei, "Our Guoan Group has decided to invest in and open an industrial park in the special economic zone, and will use half of the profits to build a Hope Primary School."
Peng Fei was touched when he heard Xia Qianqian's words, but he was unwilling to see Lu Zheng and Xia Qianqian give their all to support the construction of the special economic zone.
Xia Qianqian seemed to have seen through his thoughts. She chuckled, her laughter full of pride and confidence: "Lu Zheng and I both believe that the next century will be the century of China's economic take-off. It is our honor to cultivate talents for the country."
Xia Qianqian's words were like a bolt of lightning, illuminating everyone's hearts.
Her determination and enthusiasm inspired everyone present. Seeing Lu Zheng looking at her with eyes full of trust, they couldn't help but re-evaluate Xia Qianqian.
They then realized that she was not a delicate flower kept by Lu Zheng in the manor, but a woman with a deep sense of patriotism.
Under her leadership, the decision of the National Security Group was not only a business investment, but also a gamble on the future and an expression of boundless hope for the future of the country.
Many businessmen made their investments on the spot, and Xia Qianqian smiled as she looked at the bustling venue.
She always remembered Lu Zheng's words: "With great responsibility comes great power." This time, she had enough ability to protect herself, so now she would use these secret weapons in her hands to help China become an economic powerhouse.
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