Something that Shen Dong never dreamed of happened.
Just a few hours after returning home from Xia Huashe, Mu Xingwen called him.
It is said that when their vehicle was transporting antiques through Henan Province, it was attacked by a group of masked men.
The other party was armed; nine of the twelve security guards were killed and three were injured, and a whole truckload of antiques and paintings worth more than 50 million yuan was stolen.
Upon receiving this news, Shen Dong was nearly driven mad with anger.
"Mr. Mu, have you called the police?"
"It was reported a long time ago, and the police are investigating it with all their might."
"When did the security situation in the inland areas become so bad?"
"Wealth is indeed tempting. Mr. Shen, should we pause our collection of antiques and calligraphy?"
"We absolutely cannot stop, but we must strengthen security. I will lodge a protest with the inland government regarding this incident and demand that they send troops to protect everyone's safety."
"Mr. Shen, isn't this... a bit too serious?"
"This is an explanation the government has to give me. Without a stable social environment, who would dare to invest in the inland areas? Mr. Mu, you don't need to worry about this matter; I will handle it personally."
Shen Dong put down the phone, his brows furrowing tightly.
For a moment, he really couldn't think of who to call.
After thinking for a while, Shen Dong called Du Yuxin and briefly explained the situation, saying, "President Du, nine of my twelve security guards are dead and three are injured, and antiques worth more than 50 million have disappeared without a trace. It seems that the security environment in our mainland is not much better than that in Hong Kong."
Du Yuxin frowned and said, "Mr. Shen, I will contact the relevant authorities in China immediately to inquire about the specific situation. Rest assured, we will definitely help you recover these antiques."
Shen Dong said, “The security guards who died were all veterans. If they had guns, that would have been better. President Du, I have several groups of experts who are buying antiques all over the country, and I’m planning to set up a private museum. I’m really worried about the security situation. Could you please ask the government if they can send the military to protect these experts and the antiques? I can cover the related expenses.”
Du Yuxin found Shen Dong's words rather grating.
He could tell that Shen Dong was expressing his dissatisfaction with the inland areas.
The most serious issue is that once this news reaches Hong Kong, it will definitely affect the investments made by Hong Kong's wealthy in mainland China.
"Mr. Shen, please calm down. I guarantee that the same thing will not happen a second time."
"I hope so."
On the other hand, the news that a valuable antique worth 50 million yuan had been stolen by criminals has attracted strong attention from high-level officials in mainland China.
It's important to know that Shen Dong is no small figure; he is Hong Kong's richest man, having invested over 10 billion US dollars in mainland China.
If the robbers and antiques cannot be found soon, the investment environment in the inland areas will be questioned by the outside world.
This is absolutely unacceptable for inland areas that want to develop their economies.
After Du Yuxin reported Shen Dong's dissatisfaction and plea for help to his superiors, the military quickly dispatched a battalion of soldiers to protect the experts in batches.
Meanwhile, the police are making every effort to pursue the robbers.
After a week, they were finally caught in Guangdong Province.
Unfortunately, those antiques were bought and smuggled abroad two days ago.
Du Yuxin personally went to the headquarters of Tengfei Group to apologize to Shen Dong.
"Mr. Shen, I am truly sorry, but your batch of antiques may have already been shipped overseas."
"Which part of the world?"
"I'm not sure."
"Who took over? Surely you can find some clues there."
Du Yuxin took out a photo from his bag and said, "They are the ones who took over."
Shen Dong took the photo, glanced at it, and saw a man with long hair, in his thirties, with cold eyes.
Who is he?
"Yan Leng works at Hill Financial Company in Hong Kong. He's our only lead right now, but we're too far away to investigate him. By the way, didn't we ask you to help investigate the twelve zodiac animal heads? We suspect that's also related to Yan Leng, and there's a large criminal syndicate behind him that deals in antiques from China."
"I will have someone thoroughly investigate Yan Leng's background. I hope both batches of antiques are still in Hong Kong Island."
After seeing Du Yuxin downstairs, Shen Dong took a car to the Tengfei Hotel to meet with Ivanov of the North Soviet Union.
Ivanov delivered the first batch of munitions to Shen Dong yesterday, at Yanshui Port in Shenzhen, where the first phase of construction has been completed.
All three cargo ships that Ahua bought were moored there, guarded 24 hours a day by the brothers from Tengfei Security Company.
"Mr. Shen, it has been a pleasure to work with you."
Ivanov took the bank check for eighty million US dollars handed to him by Shen Dong, flicked it lightly, and said happily.
Shen Dong said, "In business, I believe in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Mr. Ivan, I'd like to know when your second batch of weapons will arrive?"
Ivanov shrugged and said, "The three batches of munitions can only be transported every two weeks."
Shen Dong said, "I don't have a place to store the next two batches of weapons for the time being, so I need you to give me two months."
Before coming, he discussed with Chen Hui that they would first build up the port, warehouses, roads and other facilities on the island, and then take over the remaining weapons.
As for the Lion Mercenaries, they only need the first batch of weapons.
Ivanov smiled and said, "No problem."
Shen Dong asked, "Mr. Ivan, is there really no possibility of negotiation regarding the North Soviet military's old warships, fighter jets, bombers, helicopters, and other heavy weapons?"
Ivanov gave Shen Dong a deep look and said, "Mr. Shen, what exactly do you want to do?"
Shen Dong laughed and said, "Didn't I say that I need to be armed to protect my businesses?"
Ivanov said, "But I feel that you seem to have a close relationship with the inland areas."
Shen Dong said, "I am from Xia, and the inland is our root."
Ivanov said seriously, "So, you bought these heavy weapons to provide them for research inland, right?"
Shen Dong chuckled and said, "Mr. Ivan, aren't you underestimating the Inland? What use are your old warships and planes lying in their coffins to the Inland? Unless you're willing to sell me the latest weapons, the Inland will never be interested."
Ivanov touched his big nose and said, "That's true. Mr. Shen, although I am an arms dealer, I am also a North Soviet citizen. I would never do anything that would harm the interests of my country."
Shen Dong nodded and said, "If you don't even love your own country, you're no different from an animal. Mr. Ivan, there's a saying in China: 'Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains.' If one day the Soviet Union agrees to sell these weapons, I hope you'll contact me immediately. I can give you a 10% commission."
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