Chapter 149: Fight the Landlord!

Regarding Hong Kong in the eighties, what Chen Jiajun remembered most deeply were the acquisition battles of three groups: Kowloon Wharf, Jianing Group, and Hutchison Whampoa.

In other words, Chen Jiajun's golden touch ended there.

With his capital of 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, placed in front of a behemoth like Jardine Matheson, it was simply not enough to look at.

Therefore, this was also the main reason why he wanted to form the Landlord Association.

Faced with this multiple-choice question, the crowd naturally knew how to choose between blades and guns or twenty million.

Sima Xiang confirmed again: "Mr. Chen, do you really intend to invest 3 billion in funds into the stock market?"

3 billion Hong Kong dollars is an astronomical figure, whether placed in 2024 or 1980.

One must know that in 1972, Bao Jueshi only spent 300 million in capital to invest in the Hung Hom Tunnel.

In 1978, the market value of Li Jiacheng's Cheung Kong Group was only a little over 600 million.

Currently, there are no more than ten people in all of Hong Kong who can produce 3 billion in cash.

Chen Jiajun put down his teacup, smiled, and replied: "Strictly speaking, it is the bank stocks of the Japanese stock market."

Huang Shitong asked puzzledly: "Why Japanese stocks?"

Chen Jiajun smiled and replied: "The reason is very simple. Hong Kong's real estate economy is overheating, and coupled with rising labor costs, the manufacturing industry is slowly shifting to other countries and regions.

If this continues, the currency of a region without a real economy as support will inevitably depreciate."

Starting from 1980, the aftereffects of Hong Kong's economic overheating began to gradually appear, and the currency was accelerating its depreciation.

During the Sino-British negotiations in 1983, the Hong Kong dollar had a different price every day; at its peak, 1 US dollar could be exchanged for 9.6 Hong Kong dollars.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Chen Jiajun decided to take advantage of the present to withdraw part of his funds from Hong Kong and invest in Japan.

In the eighties, after Japan's industrial transformation was basically completed, the Japanese economy entered a stage of capitalization.

During this period, the Japanese stock market experienced the largest bull market stage in Japanese stocks to date.

With the deepening of Japan's economic capitalization stage, the industrial concentration of various industries continued to rise, large enterprises developed and grew rapidly, and small and micro enterprises were continuously eliminated.

In the 80s, what everyone was familiar with were those large Japanese manufacturing enterprises, for example: Toyota and Honda in the automotive industry, and Sony, Panasonic, and Toshiba in the home appliance industry.

However, many people might not know that the scale of several large Japanese banks at that time was much larger than these giant enterprises everyone was familiar with.

Among the top 10 companies with the largest global market value in 1990, 8 were Japanese enterprises, and 6 of them were large Japanese banks.

The decade from 80 to 90 saw the biggest bull market in Japanese history.

And in this 10-year bull market, the Japanese banking sector rose by 831%, ranking first among all sectors.

After the Plaza Accord, the yen would accelerate its appreciation, and all of Japan would enter an unprecedented period of prosperity.

Investing in bank stocks in the Japanese stock market now, when this money returns to Hong Kong in a few years, it will definitely be an astronomical figure.

Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong, and the others looked at each other, all seeing a trace of shock in the other's eyes; as top-tier gold-medal brokers in Hong Kong, they naturally could see this point too.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to withdraw all their funds in time before the stock market crash.

And Chen Jiajun, as a triad Dragon Head who started as a street thug, only twenty-three years old, was actually able to perceive the subtle changes within this.

It is evident that Chen Jiajun's previous three operations were not just a stroke of great luck.

"Good! Mr. Chen! We support you!"

"Since you, Mr. Chen, think highly of us, we will help you manage these 3 billion in funds!"

"Rest assured, Mr. Chen, there will definitely be no problem."

Huang Shitong, Sima Xiang, and the others all gave a thumbs up, patted their chests, and were the first to express their stance.

"Good!"

"This money will be wired to your respective accounts; you first convert all the funds into yen and US dollars."

"If you manage this money well for me, I will not treat you poorly."

"You will own ten percent of the stock dividends in the future, how about that?"

Chen Jiajun revealed a satisfied smile and nodded.

Huang Shitong and the others had no reason to refuse: "No problem, we will listen to Mr. Chen."

The big boss took out twenty million for the few of them to split, and also promised 10% of the stock dividends, just to have them manage a sum of money; there is no better thing under the sun than this.

Even if the other party's true identity was the Hongxing Dragon Head, so what?

"Hahaha."

Chen Jiajun got the answer he wanted and laughed heartily, handed the Browning on the table to Ya Qi, then pointed to the two decks of cards next to the corner of the table and said: "We chatted very happily, but we haven't even played cards yet."

"It is said that I invited you all here to play cards, how can we not play? Let's play a few rounds of cards and eat something before leaving."

On the dining cart next to them, there were already a dozen portions of dim sum, only they hadn't been brought over just now.

Zhan Peizhong brought over a few portions, then opened the cards.

Huang Shitong asked aloud: "Mr. Chen, what do you like to play?"

"Fight the Landlord! I like to play Fight the Landlord!"

"Oh? Fight the Landlord?"

"Mr. Chen, so you also like this."

"We few just happen to like Fight the Landlord!"

Huang Shitong, Chen Zhan, and the others looked at each other, all revealing smiles.

That day, a Landlord Association that would stir up countless monstrous waves in the financial circle in the future was born.

However, most people only knew the big names of Zhan Peizhong, Sima Xiang, and Huang Shitong in the Landlord Association, but did not know who was calling the shots behind the scenes.

The card game did not last too long; half an hour later, after Chen Jiajun threw out a rocket and won the final round, he lit a cigarette and did not speak again to let Zhan Peizhong shuffle the cards, so Huang Shitong and the others knew the game was over.

Subsequently, Huang Shitong and the others rose to leave the tea house, while Zhan Peizhong stood up in place of Chen Jiajun to see them off as they left Luyu Tea House.

……

The next day.

Several people rented out a suite at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, agreeing to play cards together once a month to exchange inside information about the industry.

Chen Jiajun naturally would not attend such card games; he had Zhan Peizhong show up on his behalf.

But when Chen Jiajun wanted to see them, he would have someone bring them over in private.

Because in trading operations, it is very easy for irregular trades to occur, and as securities regulations become increasingly comprehensive, irregular trading has become a common occurrence.

This is not intentional law-breaking, but merely a means to achieve the protection of Chinese-funded companies.

Therefore, the group agreed that if the "Landlord Association" were ever investigated, in a situation where it could not be avoided, the oldest among them would step forward to take the responsibility.

Sima Xiang, as the oldest, nodded and agreed to take on this responsibility for the Big Boss.

He believed that Chen Jiajun had enough strength to protect him!

Sima Xiang also did not know why he had such confidence in Chen Jiajun.

But whether it was industry elites like Zhan Peizhong and Huang Shitong, or top-tier tycoons like Bao Jueshi and Li Jiacheng, upon meeting Chen Jiajun, they were all deeply impressed by the charisma he possessed.

Perhaps Dalao Jun was born with an aura that made people believe in him.

A few days later.

Guojun Building, top-floor Chairman's office.

Zhan Peizhong stood before Chen Jiajun and reported solemnly: "Boss, a total of 2.9 billion Hong Kong dollars has been distributed to the various gold-medal brokers. Within this week, it will be successively converted into US dollars, and then from US dollars into Japanese yen, to purchase bank stocks in Japan."

"I know, sit."

Chen Jiajun pointed to the seat in front of him, tossed a Cigar to Zhan Peizhong, and said: "From now on, every week, have them write a report, and after you summarize it, bring it for me to see."

"Yes!"

"Also, the company has transferred so much capital that our liquid funds are somewhat insufficient; next, we still need to purchase land from Hutchison Whampoa.

Azhong, go to HSBC as soon as possible to take out a loan for me, one billion, is there any problem?"

This capital was distributed into the hands of Zhan Peizhong, Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong, and others; the entire Hong Xing plus his own funds only amounted to 122 million, which is an astronomical figure for ordinary people.

But one must know, Hong Xing's current scale is a full 80,000 people.

Plus the need to acquire land from Hutchison Whampoa, it is definitely not enough.

"No problem." Zhan Peizhong took the Cigar.

"Ring-a-ling!"

The mobile phone rang.

"Mr. Chen, it's me, Li Jiacheng."

Speak of the devil, and he appears.

"Boss Li, are you finished with your busy work?"

Chen Jiajun leaned back in his Chairman's chair, crossing his legs.

"The matter with Hutchison Whampoa is finished. I have booked a spot at the Chunhe Private Club for tomorrow; at that time, have the few Uncles from the New Territories come over so everyone can get to know each other."

About a week had passed since Cheung Kong Group acquired Hutchison Whampoa, and Li Jiacheng's tone still could not hide his joy.

"Fine."

The Uncles from the New Territories usually had nothing to do and plenty of free time, so Chen Jiajun could make decisions for them.

……

The next day.

Western District.

Before Hong Kong Island was captured by the Japanese army, the Shek Tong Tsui area of Western District was once the most famous red-light district and place of indulgence on Hong Kong Island.

There were once countless brothels with elegant names inscribed by famous scholars and literati, as well as countless private clubs designed and built by foreign designers.

Seekers of pleasure bustled incessantly, and the ladies with lonely hearts looked for a place to entrust their feelings.

It is said that the Cantonese term "ham sap," used to describe a man who is lecherous, also originated in Shek Tong Tsui.

Historical records state that in the 1920s, the ladies of Shek Tong Tsui often entertained the coolies working at the nearby Pier.

These men would labor and sweat all day, and after being blown by the sea breeze, salt crystals would form on their skin, and they would smell of salt and fish; thus, the ladies described these men seeking pleasure as "salty-wet guys" (ham sap lo).

After it spread, it was widely used and has since become a common term for Chinese people all over the world.

After the Japanese army occupied Hong Kong Island, the red-light district of Shek Tong Tsui, with its lights and wine, was reduced to ashes by the flames of war.

Times have changed; in the Shek Tong Tsui of today, one can no longer find traces of the past glory. Although some private clubs and restaurants have reopened here, both in scale and grandeur, they are a grade lower than those famous clubs before the war.

The only place of entertainment built after the war here that can rival those private clubs from before the war is the Chunhe Private Club.

This five-story building was designed by an England architect, with specifications modeled after the Government House and the detached villas of those high-ranking British officials.

The marble steps at the main entrance are high-quality natural goods ordered from Italy, and even the glass of this club is imported thickened glass, paired with bronze window frames, capable of withstanding the severe weather of the frequent typhoons on Hong Kong Island.

At this time, in the cafe on the second floor of the club, several pairs of men and women were sitting, chatting in low voices to the accompaniment of a small band playing elegant jazz trumpet and soprano saxophone tunes.

(End of this chapter)