Through their conversation, Shen Dong learned a great deal about the past of the four major families.
It can be said that their rise to prominence was entirely due to the suppression of the Huo family by the Hong Kong government, which created a huge space for their development.
Otherwise, Hong Kong Island would only have the Fok family, and there would be no four major families.
Huo Zhenbei sighed and said, "To be honest, the past ten years or so have been very difficult for our Huo family. No matter what business we did, the US government would always try to stop us. It wasn't until these past few years, when the north put pressure on the US government for our sake, that things got a little better."
Shen Dong laughed and said, "As the handover approaches, the US's control over Hong Kong will become weaker and weaker. Even now, at least 40 percent of the officials in the government are from the mainland faction. With them around, our lives will be much easier."
Huo Zhenbei nodded and said, "That's why we dare to re-enter the real estate industry. Mr. Shen, you said at the auction that the American conglomerate and the four major families wanted to deal with you. Why didn't you ask the mainland government for help? If the mainland just said one word, they wouldn't dare to cause you so much trouble so recklessly."
Shen Dong said, "The mainland has already sent people to find me and provided me with a lot of important information. Anyway, everything is under our control. If something unexpected happens, it's my fate and I can't blame anyone else. Mr. Huo, this is all confidential, please don't disclose it to anyone."
Huo Zhenbei said solemnly, "I understand. Mr. Shen, you'd better not tell others about this matter casually."
Shen Dong laughed and said, "I have no reservations because you are a member of the Huo family. If it were anyone else, I would never say a word to them, even if you killed me."
Huo Zhenbei felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Mr. Shen, thank you for your trust in the Huo family."
Half an hour later, Shen Dong and Huo Zhenbei signed an agreement to transfer two plots of land.
There is a special provision: from the date of signing the contract, Party A shall pay Party B within one week. If Party B suffers misfortune during this period, Party A shall not need to make any payment and shall automatically become the owner of both plots of land.
Huo Zhenbei felt ashamed of his previous distrust of Shen Dong and said, "Mr. Shen, you really don't need to do that."
Shen Dong took a sip of tea, stood up, and said, "I wrote this clause just in case. I'm not so easily fooled. Alright, the matter is settled, I'll be going now. You can pay for the tea as a thank you, hahaha."
After saying that, Shen Dong laughed and left the teahouse.
Huo Zhenbei watched Shen Dong's retreating figure and praised, "What a carefree person."
Back at the Huo family home, Huo Zhenbei handed over the transfer agreements for the two plots of land to Huo Yingdong.
Mr. Huo is over seventy years old this year. His face is somewhat thin and he looks old, but his eyes are still bright and piercing.
After listening to Huo Zhenbei's story, Huo Yingdong said, "No wonder he was able to go from a nobody to where he is today in less than four years. His carefree attitude and magnanimity are beyond the reach of ordinary people."
Huo Zhenbei nodded and said, "Shen Dong is clearly a businessman, but I can't smell a trace of money on him. Instead, he has the heroic spirit of a gangster who doesn't care about life or death. In all my years in the business world, this is the first time I've seen someone like him."
Huo Yingdong laughed and said, "It's understandable for businessmen to pursue wealth. The biggest difference is what you do after you make money. People like Li Ka-shing and Li Zhaoshan only use their money to chase more money, willingly becoming slaves to money. But Shen Dong is different. He dares to take such a big risk to invest in the mainland, not just because he is optimistic about the mainland's economic development. If that were the case, he could have waited a few more years until the mainland's economy began to show results before investing, which would have been much less risky."
Huo Zhenbei said, "He is a patriotic businessman, just like you. Only someone with a strong sense of national identity would do something that seems very unwise to outsiders."
Huo Yingdong said, "That's right. Zhenbei, after the agreement is finalized, you should invite Shen Dong to our home as a guest in the name of the Huo family. I'm really very curious about this young man."
Huo Zhenbei said with a wry smile, "I've already extended an invitation. His reply was that as long as he doesn't die this time, he will definitely come to keep the appointment."
Huo Yingdong laughed heartily and said, "As expected, he doesn't even care about life and death. This young man has great courage."
......
After acquiring the fourteen plots of land, to avoid any unforeseen complications, Shen Dong took the money to the Treasury Department of the U.S. government that afternoon.
Deputy Financial Secretary Howard personally received Shen Dong.
The two parties signed an agreement, and Shen Dong transferred HK$10.5 billion to the Financial Secretary's account through Citibank.
The whole process took only one hour.
Howard's face lit up with a smile, and he said, "Mr. Shen, your efficiency is truly remarkable."
Shen Dong said, "Land on Hong Kong Island is getting more expensive every day, so buying sooner is much better than buying later. Secretary Howard, there's a question I still can't figure out. I wonder if you could help me understand it?"
Howard paused for a moment, then said, "Please speak."
Shen Dong asked, puzzled, "This morning at the auction, Mr. Vogt and the three major families didn't compete with me for these plots of land. I'd like to know why they reacted that way?"
Howard shook his head and said, "Mr. Shen, I'm sorry, I really don't know. Maybe they don't have a good outlook on the future of Hong Kong's real estate market."
Shen Dong shook his head and said, "This answer is obviously impossible."
Howard said, "Mr. Shen, I don't think you need to think too much. Anyway, you are already the owner of these lands, so as long as the goal is achieved, that's all that matters."
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