Facing Chief Superintendent Madison's doubts, Professor Witte laughed and pointed to the north:
"To be honest, producing medicines in Hong Kong is very uneconomical. That's why we chose to set up a pharmaceutical factory in the north."
Elliot and Madison were both shocked:
"The North? Do they allow foreign investment in factories there? You're so bold! Aren't you afraid of being confiscated? I've heard the North is very greedy."
Lin Sanqi thought that domestic officials in the 1960s were not that corrupt, and no matter how corrupt they were, they were not as corrupt as you foreigners.
Feeling a bit naive in his heart, but still smiling, Lin Sanqi explained:
"I have connections in the north, so I built a new pharmaceutical factory in Sha Tau Kok, planning to use the free land in the mainland and the low labor costs to produce medicines."
Madison was surprised again:
"So you built the pharmaceutical factory in Sha Tau Kok. Wow, Lin, you're quite courageous. I've seen it from afar a few times over the border, and it's truly massive, stretching over several thousand acres."
Who is a fool to become a mid-level civil servant in the Hong Kong government? Putting the pieces of information together, Elliot had a clear idea.
"Oh, I see. You're planning to produce the drugs in mainland China and then export them through Hong Kong. That's why you invited Madison and me tonight, right?"
Lin Sanqi smiled and said:
"Yes, that's right. To be precise, we will set up our production base in mainland China, and then set up a pharmaceutical factory in Hong Kong to carry out the final packaging and other processing procedures. We will then export the products under the name of a Hong Kong pharmaceutical company."
Now the two foreigners completely understood.
The establishment of a pharmaceutical factory requires approval from the Department of Health, including subsequent supervision. Whether the pharmaceutical factory is compliant or illegal, allowed or closed, all depends on the decision of the Department of Health.
If mainland medicines wanted to enter Hong Kong through formal channels, it would definitely not be possible, as the 1960s was the peak of the Cold War.
When it comes to smuggling, the New Territories North Police District, which has jurisdiction over the border, is an unavoidable hurdle.
The situation in Hong Kong is special. The border is not stationed by the army, but is controlled by the Royal Hong Kong Police, so the police force is very important.
After realizing this, Elliot and Madison looked at each other and saw greed in each other's eyes.
I planted this tree and built this road. If you want to travel this road, let me participate.
Elliot smacked his lips, rolled his eyes for a long time, and then spoke:
"Lin, what you're doing is neither compliant nor legal. If the local government or the Governor of Hong Kong finds out, I'm afraid your business won't be able to continue."
Madison also nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, if you were just smuggling a small amount of supplies, we'd all be friends, so I could turn a blind eye. But now you're smuggling large quantities of commodities, and this, ...
Looking at the two foreigners with serious expressions, Lin Sanqi wanted to laugh.
Who says foreigners are all innocent, reliable, and simple-minded? What do they mean by speaking their mind, speaking without beating around the bush, not being greedy for money and loving freedom?
When it comes to cunning, which country is more cunning than the United States, Britain, and France? These countries are always thinking about harming others, how to rob other countries of their resources and put other people's money into their own pockets.
The only country lacking in common sense is Italy. This country is either on the wrong side or on the road to surrender.
As a middleman, Speaker Gu not only organized dinners and introduced the two parties to each other, but also acted as a lubricant.
So he smiled and said:
"Commissioner Elliot, Chief Superintendent Madison, we're all friends. Now that we've spoken, Lingnan Hall will naturally express its gratitude to you two. Of course, you can also discuss any conditions you have. Our ultimate goal is to make money."
Lin Kucan smiled, raised his glass and clinked it with the two foreigners:
"As long as Lingnan Hall can do it, we will do our best to satisfy you."
Now that the boss had expressed his opinion, the two foreigners could no longer suppress their greed, so Elliot coughed lightly:
"Madison and I can use our connections to invest. What do you think, Lin?"
Lin Sanqi, Professor Anthony and Professor Witte looked at each other and thought that it was indeed the case.
The three of them had communicated on the phone before and felt that they could give money but would not accept shares.
Because once you have invested, you become a shareholder and can participate in dividends. If you do not withdraw your shares, you will continue to hold the shares.
If the other party was the emperor, that would be acceptable, but the other party was just a small bureaucrat who would be transferred to other places after one term. It was impossible for him to be the director or chief superintendent forever.
If someone else takes this position, Lingnan Hall will have to give the other person a share. After a long time, who will own this pharmaceutical factory?
Therefore, Lin Sanqi would never accept the condition of investing, otherwise there would be endless troubles.
The key point is that the other party is not prepared to take out real money, but dry shares, and they can get so much by just pointing their fingers. This is even uglier than some second-generation domestic companies.
But now the foreigners are the dominant party because they hold public power.
The Lin family was actually in a weak position. They were not a big capitalist, and Chinese capital had no political status in Hong Kong in the 1960s, so the foreigners were not afraid of them at all.
At this time, the roles of Professor Anthony and Professor Witt are reflected.
Professor Witte took a sip from the wine glass and then spoke:
"Elliot, and Madison, we are all from Eagle Country, so I will tell you the truth.
Do you think we dare to set up a pharmaceutical factory in mainland China, transfer it through Hong Kong, and sell the drugs to the world? Is it the work of the three of us? "
Elliot and Madison were startled. As smart men, they could naturally hear the threat in the voice.
"This has already involved people at the highest levels of three countries, including the top leaders of our Eagle Country, the top leaders of the United States, the top leaders of mainland China, and even some people from the World Health Organization.
This is a huge achievement we've created together, with billions of dollars invested. Elliott, you also came from the Ministry of Health. Do you think one or two people can pull off such a massive investment?
So, gentlemen, we are here this time as friends. As you said, it is not reasonable to build a pharmaceutical factory in the mainland, so we want to keep a low profile and make money quietly.
We're also willing to share some of the profits with our partners, such as you, Elliot, and Chief Superintendent Madison. But if you want to buy shares, I'm afraid your current position will soon be untenable."
Elliot swallowed and immediately thought of several major pharmaceutical companies in Eagle Country.
Behind these pharmaceutical companies are either the royal family or high-ranking officials, and then major capitals. Even officials from the Ministry of Health cannot reach them.
Everyone can see how much profit an anti-tuberculosis drug can make. How could it be the turn of a small colonial official like him? This is simply courting death.
The more Director Elliot thought about it, the more wrong it seemed. If he overthinks it, he'll scare himself, so he decides to try to save the situation:
"Witt, my friend, please forgive my rashness and let me not talk about the investment."
Professor Witte looked calm on the surface, but he was actually grinning from ear to ear, thinking that this fellow villager was really not easily frightened, and he even winked at Lin Sanqi with pride.
Lin Sanqi thought about a debate competition in college. The topic was:
Money or power, which is more important?
Back then, Lin Sanqi thought money was the most important thing, because there is an old saying that goes "Money makes the world go round", which means that money can solve all problems.
Later, when he graduated, he also thought that if he had a lot of money, he wouldn't have to separate from his girlfriend.
But after experiencing the beatings of society, especially with the golden finger and seeing the upper class people of two eras, Lin Sanqi now understands.
Power is far more important than money.
What does money mean in front of power?
Power that wants money will die at three o'clock, and money will definitely not live to see five o'clock, it's that simple.
Having money does not necessarily mean power. One has to use money to rely on power, and in the end, nothing is left but a bone.
But those who have power will never lack money.
The so-called honest officials and clean presidents are all just deceiving ordinary people. It is possible that the president is poor, but his wife and children own half the wealth of the country.
Similarly, if Lin Sanqi wanted to make money through the Bao'an Drug Production Park, he must have power in his hands. Otherwise, in the 1960s, it would be impossible for him to set up a special economic zone or even a private factory.
Similarly, abroad, if you don't have the right, you can't even publish a paper, let alone export drugs to other countries. (End of this chapter)
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