Just as the negotiations between the two reached a stalemate, a man in a suit and tie walked over.
Shen Dong looked up and saw Zhuang Wenfa.
"Director Zhuang, it's been a long time."
Shen Dong immediately stood up and extended his hand to him.
Zhuang Wenfa helped Shen Dong obtain the permits for importing building materials, which made Shen Dong owe him a huge favor.
Zhuang Wenfa shook hands with him and said with a smile, "Mr. Shen, your business is really growing bigger and bigger."
Shen Dong chuckled and said, "You flatter me. I haven't even congratulated you on your promotion to Secretary for External Trade of Hong Kong Island yet."
Wilson left Hong Kong Island a week ago to return home for a work report.
After a period of maneuvering, Zhuang Wenfa successfully took over.
The Director of Foreign Trade, who is in his thirties, is definitely the youngest senior official in Hong Kong.
Zhuang Wenfa said, "Reaching a high position means taking on greater responsibilities. Just like you businessmen, the bigger your business, the greater your social responsibility."
Shen Dong sensed that Zhuang Wenfa seemed to be implying something, nodded, and said, "Director Zhuang is right."
After Zhuang Wenfa sat down, Zheng Tong said calmly, "Ah Fa, Mr. Shen has not agreed to sell the New Territories Warehouse shares to us."
Shen Dong's pupils shrank sharply. He said, "It seems that President Zheng and Director Zhuang have a special relationship?"
Zhuang Wenfa said, "Mr. Zheng is my cousin."
Shen Dong said "Oh," and then said, "No wonder President Zheng addresses you that way. Director Zhuang, you wouldn't force me to sell the New Territories warehouse shares to your uncle, would you?"
Chong Man-fat was silent for a moment, then said, "The Kowloon Wharf and the New Territories Wharf are very important to the mainland. The shipping magnate has a good relationship with the mainland and has helped us a lot over the years. We hope that the New Territories Wharf can also be in the hands of our own people."
Shen Dong's face darkened, and he said, "I've invested three billion US dollars in the mainland. Aren't I one of our own?"
Zhuang Wenfa said, "That's not what I meant."
Shen Dong looked at Zheng Tong and said, "HK$180 per share. I'll buy all the shares of the New Territories warehouse you hold. Mr. Zheng, what do you think?"
Zheng Tongdao: "I am also willing to pay HK$180 to buy all the shares of the New Territories Warehouse in your possession."
Shen Dong laughed heartily and said, "Then we can only rely on our own methods."
Zhuang Wenfa frowned and said, "Mr. Shen, we are all from Hong Kong Island. There is no need for us to fight each other and let the Americans benefit."
Shen Dong said, "Director Zhuang, the New Territories warehouse is very important to me, and I will not give it up no matter what. As for the Americans, I will take care of them. President Zheng, I hope you will carefully consider the price I offered. Otherwise, once I take control of the New Territories warehouse, your shares will probably be worthless."
Seeing Shen Dong's confident expression, Zheng Tong felt a sense of unease and said coldly, "It's still uncertain who will control the New Territories Warehouse."
After saying that, Zheng Tong got up and left.
Shen Dong said, "Director Zhuang, I'm sorry, but this matter involves billions of US dollars in business, and it is of great importance to my influence in the Hong Kong business circle, so I really can't let it go."
Zhuang Wenfa laughed and said, "It's alright. I've always felt that it might be better in your hands than in my uncle's."
Shen Dong asked, "Why?"
Zhuang Wenfa uttered three words: "Sense of belonging."
Shen Dong immediately understood what he meant.
In terms of their sense of belonging to the inland region, the four major families are far less than Shen Dong.
Because Shen Dong came from a previous life, he has always been proud to be a descendant of Yan and Huang.
The four major families have adopted the culture of the United States, and whether they are truly sincere towards the mainland is hard to say.
Shen Dong nodded and said, "Thank you for trusting me so much. I will go to Yandu to take a look in a while."
Zhuang Wenfa said, "I heard you made a lot of money in the gold futures market in the United States. Now that the mainland urgently needs foreign exchange, have you considered investing there?"
Shen Dong smiled and said, "Of course. I am very optimistic about the future development of the inland areas and plan to invest several billion US dollars in real estate in major first- and second-tier cities. This will not only make money, but also help the inland areas develop their economy—a win-win situation. What do you think?"
Zhuang Wenfa's eyes lit up, and he said, "That would be perfect."
Shen Dong said, "Director Zhuang, are you becoming more and more unscrupulous?"
Zhuang Wenfa said, "After I took office as the Director of the Foreign Trade Department, everyone already knew that I was from that side, so I don't need to have any scruples now."
Shen Dong said, "If there's anything I can do back home, just let me know. I'll do my best. In my heart, the inland is where my roots are."
Zhuang Wenfa gave Shen Dong a deep look and said, "What the inland region needs is economic development. If you are willing to invest in the inland region, that would be the greatest support for us."
Shen Dong nodded and said, "Understood."
After chatting with Zhuang Wenfa about the situation in the inland areas for a while, Shen Dong left.
On the way back, Shen Dong received a call from Song Zihao.
"Brother Dong, Mr. El from the Yixin Group would like to meet with you."
"Is the Yixin Consortium unable to hold on any longer?"
"That's right. I heard that the Yixin Group has reached the point where it's losing money. I guess El wants to sell the New Territories warehouse for a good price."
The Yixin Consortium is a business consortium composed of four business families from the United States. After experiencing the stock market crash, they suffered extremely heavy losses.
Prices in the United States have skyrocketed, with raw material costs soaring to exorbitant levels, leading to a significant reduction in their profits.
Shen Dong now owns 25% of New Territories Warehouse, less than 5% less than the Yi Xin Consortium.
If Shen Dong were to cooperate with Li Ka-shing and his associates, the two could sideline the Yi Xin Consortium and seize control of the New Territories warehouse.
By then, the Yixin Consortium will be completely finished.
Since it's already doomed, we might as well sell it for a good price.
Half an hour later, Shen Dong met El at a restaurant.
Al was a white man in his fifties with deep-set eyes, a refined demeanor, and a very good appearance.
After exchanging a few polite words, Shen Dong got straight to the point.
"Mr. El, after this short period of self-purchase, Yixin Group already owns 26% of the shares. Are you planning to sell them all?"
Al nodded and said, "You Hong Kong local tycoons already own nearly 50 percent of the shares. If you don't sell now, we'll suffer a huge loss."
Shen Dong asked curiously, "Why didn't you go to Li Ka-shing and the others, but instead came to me?"
Al said, "I've already looked, but they can't afford it."
"puff"
Shen Dong couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's a very strong reason. I'd like to know what kind of exorbitant price you set that they can't afford?"
El stared intently at Shen Dong and said, "The stock price of New Territories Warehouse has soared to nearly seven billion US dollars. Our offer is 26% of the equity for two billion US dollars."
Shen Dong's expression changed, and he frowned, saying, "Do you think that's possible?"
Al said, “Of course it’s possible. We know very well how important the New Territories warehouse is to Hong Kong’s foreign trade. No far-sighted businessman would give up the New Territories warehouse.”
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