Chapter 145: I Can Also Talk, I Can Also Be Patriotic!

At the National Army Technology office building, Chen Jiajun received Diplomatic Secretary Youde, banker Lin Guowei, Non-official Member Zhong Shiyuan, the future National Army School School Manager Rong Qidong, and others.

Lu Hantao, Lu Huangfa, New Territories official Ma Zhiquan, and others were also in the conference room accompanying these big figures.

Rong Qidong looked over some materials for Guojun School, pushed up his glasses, and asked, "Mr. Chen."

"Dr. Rong, if you don't mind, you can just call me A Jun."

Chen Jiajun had already looked over Rong Qidong's resume: a graduate of Qinghua University who later stayed on to teach, then went to the United States for further studies to obtain a doctoral degree, and was now at the advanced age of 72.

At the same time, he was also the first Vice Chancellor of the Hong Kong Chinese University.

For such a highly respected senior in the education field to serve as the School Manager of Guojun School was absolutely more than enough.

Rong Qidong nodded and said, "Fine, A Jun! I asked Afa, and he told me that Guojun School covers an area of 1.08 million square feet with an investment scale of 200 million; are you really just building a school that covers primary school through high school?"

"That is not the case, Dr. Rong. In the future, our school will certainly offer university courses and, upon passing the Education Department's assessment, become a university.

That is why I invested a full 200 million; I have already nearly perfected the school's teaching team, and once the school is completed, I will discuss this matter with you in detail at that time."

Chen Jiajun explained to Rong Qidong in full detail.

Upon hearing this, Youde secretly took note of the matter in his heart.

Before leaving Tuen Mun, Youde specifically exchanged private business cards with Chen Jiajun and urged him, "Mr. Chen, if the school encounters any trouble in the future, remember to call me."

"Certainly, certainly!" Chen Jiajun gripped his hand.

Youde smiled and said, "I know your true identity. Keep up the good work; you are already on the candidate list for Justice of the Peace this year, and with this achievement of Guojun School, I will certainly overcome all opposition to recommend you to the Governor!"

"Many thanks!" Chen Jiajun said with a smile.

"Ding ding ding."

After seeing these big figures off, Chen Jiajun's mobile phone rang.

On the other end of the line, a deep voice sounded, and Bao Jueshi said with a chuckle, "A Jun, Mr. Chen wants to have tea with you."

"Mr. Chen?" Chen Jiajun was puzzled.

"Who else could it be besides Chen Yingnan?" Bao Jueshi said with a smile, "He specifically set aside time to arrange a ball game; besides him, Lin Mingze of the Lin family will also be there."

"I'll be there right away!"

Who was Lin Mingze? He was the contemporary head of the Lin Xishen family, and Lin Guowei, the Executive Director of Hang Seng Bank who had just left, was also a collateral branch of the Lin Xishen family.

Bao Jueshi, Lin Mingze, and Chen Yingnan were all left-wing businessmen.

In the past, Chen Yingnan's Yourong Real Estate was the number one brand in the Hong Kong real estate industry in the 1960s.

The "Floor Plan" system was not actually pioneered by Chen Yingnan, but it was indeed he who carried it forward.

Before Chen Yingnan abandoned his boat to come ashore, he had once operated a grocery store, engaged in the trade of surplus materials, and also spent 3 years smuggling.

These 3 experiences, when it all came down to it, were all businesses of commodity circulation.

Perhaps it was for this reason that Chen Yingnan had a very strong awareness of commodity circulation.

As soon as he stepped into the real estate industry, Chen Yingnan had a commodity consciousness that was ahead of the real estate developers of that time: treating buildings as commodities and finding ways to accelerate the entry of buildings into the market, thereby speeding up capital turnover and shortening the investment payback period.

In fact, it may also have been because the people doing real estate business at that time did not have a very strong awareness of real estate commodification, so in the early 1950s, real estate had not yet formally formed an emerging industry.

And those who engaged in real estate trading were not called real estate developers.

But all of this gradually changed after Chen Yingnan became involved in the real estate business.

One could even say that it was mainly due to Chen Yingnan's bold exploration and successful practice that the rise of the Hong Kong real estate market was driven.

Chen Yingnan's first major move after abandoning his boat to come ashore was to spend 2.8 million Hong Kong dollars to buy a building from the Lin family; at that time, Chen Yingnan took a large sack of cash and brought a lawyer to find Lin Mingze, and back then, several streets in Causeway Bay belonged to the Lin family.

Both sides still remembered the situation at that time vividly.

After the two sides exchanged a few pleasantries and sat down, Chen Yingnan hurriedly handed over the large bag and said to Lin Mingze, "Oh, here you go!"

"What is this?" Lin Mingze was stunned for a moment.

"It's the money to buy the building; I've brought it all," Chen Yingnan replied, displaying the arrogance of a smuggler.

"Mr. Chen, it's all cash; don't you have a check?" Lin Mingze asked, puzzled.

"No."

"Have you opened an account at a bank?"

"No."

Lin Mingze was left between laughter and tears after hearing this, and at that time, he gave Chen Yingnan a lesson, teaching him to go to the bank to open an account and apply for a loan, and it was through his introduction that HSBC accepted Chen Yingnan's request to open an account and make deposits.

At that time, opening an account and making deposits at a bank generally required an introduction from someone with status and standing.

From then on, Chen Yingnan began his years of dominating Hong Kong real estate, pioneering the Floor Plan system and printing the "Sales Prospectus."

His sales office had many citizens flocking there every day from all over Hong Kong and Kowloon, with queues forming long lines; the sales scene was unprecedented.

Among them were low-level government clerks, teachers and workers with monthly incomes of two or three hundred dollars, and ordinary housewives.

Some people, after queuing up to pre-purchase a "Floor Plan," would immediately resell the "Floor Plan" to others, earning a sum in a single day, and many people were therefore addicted to it.

In just over a year, Chen Yingnan built more than 100 buildings, totaling more than 600 floors, equivalent to about 500,000 square feet; it was spectacular!

It is no exaggeration to use the eight characters "soaring momentum, proud over Hong Kong and Kowloon" to describe Chen Yingnan's outstanding performance when he first entered the real estate industry.

And Chen Yingnan, because of this, saw his wealth increase dramatically, becoming a new favorite in the real estate world.

To use a phrase to describe his status, by the mid-1950s, Chen Yingnan was already a super superstar of the Hong Kong real estate world.

Selling Floor Plans is, of course, nothing new today, but more than 30 years ago, when Chen Yingnan first proposed this new method, the response from the real estate industry and society could be described with the four characters "earth-shattering."

Chen Yingnan often used this experience to brag.

Now he stood before Chen Jiajun, full of spirit, bragging about this experience.

"When I first started doing real estate, I clashed with several major families like the Lin family and the Kadoories.

I won't hide it from you, A Jun, I received so much money that even I felt scared! If I were still in the real estate industry now, where would there be any room for Jardine Matheson?"

When this old man started "flexing," Chen Jiajun truly couldn't handle it and could only stand on the court looking like he was earnestly receiving instruction.

After all, Chen Yingnan was a truly heaven-sent genius.

Sir Bao said with a smile, "A Jun, if it weren't for Nan Ge's previous smuggling..."

"No, it wasn't smuggling! Uncle Nan was transporting supplies to the Mainland at the time; it was a patriotic act!" Chen Jiajun immediately refuted sternly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yingnan, Sir Bao, and Lin Mingze looked at each other and all revealed smiles. Sir Bao said with a smile, "How about that? I told you A Jun could do it."

"Hahaha." Chen Yingnan gave a hearty laugh, and the look in his eyes as he gazed at Chen Jiajun became a bit more affectionate: "This young man A Jun is quite handsome; he doesn't lower the average handsomeness of us few."

Handsome?

Chen Jiajun took one look: Sir Bao was dark-skinned and fat, and while Lin Mingze was a bit fair, he couldn't be called handsome. As for Chen Yingnan, he had a receding hairline...

"Hehe." Chen Jiajun chuckled.

"Mr. Chen, time to warm up!"

Not far away, Mo Zhenhua, an old player of the Dongsheng Team, urged.

The Dongsheng Team was founded by Chen Yingnan. He invested hundreds of thousands every year, leading the team to compete everywhere. At first, it was called Yourong, then it was called Zhuoran, and later it was renamed Dongsheng.

Some veteran stars in Hong Kong, such as Mo Zhenhua, Yu Zhuoqiang, and Yin Zhiqiang, were all part of the Dongsheng Team. Although these stars were now at the ripe old age of fifty, they still frequently organized matches.

Chen Yingnan loved football and held an exalted status in the Hong Kong football circle; everyone revered him as "Big Brother."

"Alright, A Jun, you're on our team. Perform well later, don't drag our team down."

Chen Yingnan wanted to pat Chen Jiajun on the shoulder as encouragement, but realizing Chen Jiajun was taller, he could only pat his elbow.

"OK!"

Chen Jiajun threw out an English word, immediately took off his coat, trousers, and football socks, and put on thermal underwear.

On the side, after Chen Yingnan finished changing, he weighed himself on a scale, then put on his own thermal underwear and football shoes.

Wearing a short-sleeved sports shirt and shorts, Chen Yingnan looked as ordinary as an old man in the neighborhood.

Arriving on the pitch, after the teams were divided, Chen Yingnan immediately launched an attack. At this moment, he became full of vigor, even his eyes held a hint of killing intent. His movements were agile and flexible, he ran freely left and right, and his speed was astonishingly fast.

His football skills were indeed not bad.

Old players like Mo Zhenhua didn't go easy on Chen Yingnan either, immediately sending people to intercept him.

"Here!"

Sir Bao was on the flank, raised his hand and shouted. Chen Yingnan immediately passed the ball to clear the way. Sir Bao's belly wobbled as he ran, he swung his leg, and kicked the ball fiercely!

"Bang!"

The football hit the net!

"Good shot!"

Chen Jiajun shouted loudly.

"How about that?"

Sir Bao was full of self-satisfaction.

This group of tycoons, thanks to proper maintenance and a professional medical team, were all over sixty years old, yet their spirit was no less than in their prime, and each of them had real skill under their feet.

As for Chen Jiajun, although his football skills were lousy, he had the advantage of being young with strong physical fitness.

On the pitch, he defended when he should defend and ran when he should run, treating it entirely as a game. After an hour, he was drenched in sweat, but his mood was cheerful.

The final score was 3:2.

Sir Bao scored one goal, Chen Yingnan scored one goal, Chen Jiajun scored one goal, and Lin Mingze coasted the whole time.

"Haha."

"A Jun, your football skills really don't do justice to your physical fitness. When you have time, come out and exercise more, play football and tennis with us."

Several people sat on the ground by the pitch, holding mineral water, sweat dripping from their bodies. Chen Yingnan said with a smile.

Chen Jiajun took a sip of mineral water and said: "Definitely, definitely."

"A Jun, I heard you invested in building a public-welfare school in Tuen Mun, charging no tuition and no fees for room and board?"

"Yes, Uncle Nan. The money earned from Macau, I feel it should be used in a bright and upright way. If it stays in my pocket, it's just waiting for everyone to come after me.

Another reason is, you know I'm with Hongxing. I want to build a school for my brothers, let them attend night school every day to increase their knowledge."

Chen Jiajun told him everything exactly as it was.

"Not bad! When we were your age, we never thought about doing charity."

Chen Yingnan praised him, then immediately asked: "Have you ever thought about investing back in the Mainland?"

Chen Jiajun was caught off guard: "I, I'm with Hongxing, is that even possible?"

"The three of us here—Old Bao and I started out by smuggling, and you've heard of the Lin family, they started out with opium. Living in troubled times, many people in Hong Kong, many big shots, have done such things!"

"Generals and ministers are not born to their rank; a man should strive to be strong."

"Heroes should not be asked of their origins; miracles are created by people."

"The key is how you view this matter!"

Of the three—Sir Bao, Chen Yingnan, and Lin Mingze—Lin Mingze had already begun flirting with the Mainland during the Six-Seven Riots.

In the early 70s, he often invited Chinese Legislators from the Executive and Legislative Councils and other well-known social figures to gather at his home or have spring tea at the Neon Restaurant in Leighton Centre.

Although Chen Yingnan started contacting the Mainland later than Lin Mingze, his methods were much more radical.

Because he was suppressed by the British Hong Kong government, he simply helped the relevant personnel stationed in Hong Kong with their "united front" work, calling up big capitalists every month to meet with relevant personnel from the Xinhua News Agency stationed in Hong Kong at his home or the Toad Palace Building.

The harder the British Hong Kong government suppressed him, the tougher he acted.

Pausing, Chen Yingnan's sharp gaze swept over Chen Jiajun and said:

"In this era, there is no absolute black and white. There are no perfect people in the world, and there is no absolute right or wrong!"

"On the issue of major principles, can you walk with us?"

"I am asking you very seriously now: are you patriotic?"

"Uncle Nan, please don't insult my pure heart. If you ask me, my answer is definitely yes! If you asked me to give up everything I have now and return to the Mainland, I would be willing!"

Damn it!

The organization has finally noticed me!

Chen Jiajun was extremely excited and his blood was boiling, so he immediately stated his position.

As a society Dragon Head, saying these words carries extreme weight.

Jimmy Zai of the Wo Luen Shing later said to Director Shi: "I can also talk, I can also be patriotic!"

Director Shi asked him in return: "What is your status in the Wo Luen Shing?"

The implication was: "You, Jimmy Zai, by what right do you say this?"

What is called being patriotic?

Being patriotic is being recruited by the government.

If a thug is recruited by the government, can that be called being recruited?

That is called surrendering!

That is something that will get you locked up in prison.

But if the Dragon Head of a society is recruited by the government.

Then can this society still be considered a society?

Of course it wouldn't be.

Hearing Chen Jiajun's answer, Chen Yingnan immediately patted his shoulder and said: "Good! From now on we are all friends; when you have time, let's drink tea, eat, and play cards together, let's meet up more often! By the way, I heard you have a group of brothers at the Heng Lung Group, right?"

"Expand your construction team a bit more; when our group has construction sites starting up, we'll just have your brothers go over."

"Some of the properties we currently hold will be handed over to your property management company to manage."

"In addition, you should form a transport team; we have some business with Wing, Oriental Petroleum, and Global, and any cargo manifests going to the Mainland can be handed to you to handle!"

"Since it's our first meeting, consider this a small token from us; as for those messy businesses of yours, try not to do them if you can."

Chen Jiajun hesitated, but Bao Jueshi patted his shoulder and said: "Why don't you thank them yet!"

"Many thanks to Nan Ge, many thanks to Ze Ge, many thanks to Bao Jueshi!"

Chen Jiajun set his mind at ease, a look of joy appearing on his face, just waiting to make a big profit.

Not to mention anything else, just the petroleum products distributed annually by Chen Yingnan's Oriental Petroleum reach 400,000 tons! That averages over 1,000 tons a day; even with thirty-ton heavy trucks, that would require over thirty vehicles going back and forth every month.

Plus the properties of the Lin Family, the Chen Family, and the Bao Family, the income of the Hung Hing will rise to another level once again.

Moreover, in this way, he can also provide many positions for his society brothers, which can further streamline the scale of the society.

(End of chapter)