Chapter 199: The Rich Lead the Way for the Latecomers

The executive class at Guojun Academy covers courses in interpersonal relations, entrepreneurship, corporate management, and more; wanting to stand firm in the New Territories by relying solely on throwing money to buy votes is always the worst strategy, for Chen Jiajun can spend money to buy votes, and others can spend money to buy votes as well.

The best strategy is to resolve worries and difficulties for the indigenous people of the New Territories, lead the indigenous people of the New Territories to prosperity, rely on Guojun Group, open small underground factories, engage in light industry, or do some service industries...

To this end, Chen Jiajun has already made sufficient plans.

With the philosophy of letting those who get rich first lead those who come later, he will let the indigenous people of the New Territories all become small factory owners and small bosses.

Over time, the New Territories will surely be surnamed Chen.

Perhaps the New Territories will even display a more prosperous appearance than in his previous life.

In the coming forty years, where in all of China will the rural areas be the richest?

From north to south, all the way from the Forbidden City to Guangdong Province, the richest are the rural areas of Jiangnan.

Chen Jiajun once went to the rural areas of Jiangnan to inspect them, and my goodness.

The construction of the new rural areas in Jiangnan is already comparable to the wealthy small countries of Northern Europe, with picturesque environments, clean asphalt roads, and well-arranged modern small villas and small Zhuangyuan.

These private small villas and small Zhuangyuan even have private elevators...

Every household drives imported cars; Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and even high-end brands like Bentley and Land Rover are present.

As early as the eighties, the villagers in Jiangnan traded chicken feathers for sugar, accumulating wealth bit by bit, and later almost every household started small factories, with every village and town having its own pillar industry.

In the future, if Chen Jiajun wants the New Territories to be surnamed Chen, just buying land is not enough; he must also lead the indigenous people of the New Territories to prosperity.

To become the true king of the New Territories, the time span will be at least ten to twenty years.

At this moment, Menggui Tian brought over tea, and Luo Yongjiu, Peng Sen, and the others stepped up one by one to take a cup.

Chen Jiajun looked at them again: "Good, from today on, you are no longer Hung Hing boys, but Hung Hing will always be your home. I wish you smooth sailing in the political arena of the New Territories. Cheers, future local gentry of the New Territories."

You Guqi Restaurant.

A brand-new black Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Century, escorted by two Mercedes-Benz Tiger Head cars, slowly pulled to a stop.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Century is a special edition produced to celebrate the 100,000th Rolls-Royce car coming off the assembly line.

There are only 26 Silver Spur Centuries in the world; five were sold to Hong Kong, one was sold to Bao Jueshi, and the remaining four were all secured by Chen Jiajun, who had the advantage of proximity.

Next, a muscular man over two meters and three tall stepped out of the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz; just standing there, he gave people a sense of oppression.

Ten Beast-Clan Young Demon Slaves with an average height of about one meter nine opened the car doors and quickly stood guard.

Du Mu walked to the side of the Rolls-Royce and respectfully opened the door, "Sister-in-law."

A pair of high heels emerged, then Lu Yongyu stood firm and nodded slightly toward Dumu: "Dumu."

Passersby could not help but cast envious gazes; they never imagined that the owner of the Rolls-Royce would be so young.

Presumably, the man behind her is definitely one of the great tycoons of Hong Kong.

Jing Kun, Dumu, and their party arrived at the reserved private room, where Da D from the Wo Shing Tsuen Wan branch had long been waiting.

Dumu introduced: "This is my sister-in-law, Chairperson of the Board of Sunshine Bus, Lu Yongyu."

"Hello, Chen Tai." Da D led the group of Wo Shing big shots to stand up and greet her.

"Hello." Lu Yongyu revealed a polite smile.

Jing Kun pulled out a chair for his sister-in-law, and Lu Yongyu sat down first.

After both sides were seated, Da D immediately gave a wink to Zhang Mao, who nodded and walked out; soon, five or six waiters entered the private room carrying delicacies.

"Jing Kun, Chen Tai, Dumu, today a fisherman in Sai Kung caught a twenty-jin wild Dongxing Spotted Grouper. After I heard the news, I immediately sent someone to buy it. Come, come, come, taste the flavor."

Da D rotated the Dongxing Spotted Grouper to in front of Lu Yongyu.

Following the advice of the uncle generation of Wo Shing, today's luncheon was filled with a harmonious atmosphere from the very beginning.

After the food and wine had been served, they formally entered the negotiation process.

Lu Yongyu took a sip of tea and said: "How many minibus drivers do you Wo Shing big shots have now, and how many minibus drivers are paying you an Entry Fee?"

"Hehe."

"Chen Tai, it's like this: I currently have 50 minibus drivers under me, 20 large buses, and there are about 100 other minibus drivers who pay me an Entry Fee and Management Fee."

Da D smiled and reported the numbers.

Lu Yongyu frowned and said: "The bus stops for Bar Group and Zhongba Group are land granted for free by the Hong Kong government. We purchased so many double-decker buses, the Governor and the Transport Department are endorsing us, and HSBC is giving us interest-free loans.

But the premise is that we must take care of the residents of the New Territories. We at Sunshine Bus also have to lower ticket prices, so we have no choice but to do so."

"Understood, understood." Da D felt his heart go cold.

Lu Yongyu continued: "I don't object to you operating privately, but you should be clear that our ticket prices are only half of yours, and our buses are much more high-end than yours. Over time, your business will definitely be snatched away by us."

"Understood, Chen Tai..."

Da D felt a bitter taste in the corner of his mouth; the other party's background was too great, with the citizens of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong government behind them; they simply couldn't compete for their bus routes.

Lu Yongyu put forward her conditions: "We at Sunshine Bus can absorb a batch of Wo Shing big shot drivers. The bus company will pay their Provident Fund, giving them security after retirement; in addition, those with excellent performance will also have bonuses at the end of the year."

The Provident Fund system in Hong Kong has a very long history, but the vast majority of private bosses will not pay the Provident Fund for their employees.

"This is our bottom line; you Wo Shing should consider it."

"Thank you for the hospitality this noon; I have other matters today."

After speaking, Lu Yongyu stood up and picked up her bag, not waiting for any reaction from Da D, and left You Guqi under the protection of Dumu and Jing Kun.

"Damn it." Da D cursed angrily and irritably picked up the Red Man on the table to open it.

"Brother Da D, what should we do?"

Zhang Mao saw Lu Yongyu's motorcade leaving the restaurant outside the window and asked Da D.

"What else can we do? Sunshine Bus Company pays respects to the Governor's Pier; do you dare not give the Governor face? If you go to puncture the tires of a Sunshine Bus today, they will report it to the police, and the West Kowloon Police Station will have to send people to back them up."

Da D took a fierce drag of his cigarette, and the cigarette butt went down by a large chunk.

"Then what about us?" Zhang Mao asked after a moment of hesitation.

"Go ask the brothers how many are willing to go work at Sunshine Bus. If they go to work, Sunshine Bus even pays the Provident Fund, and those who perform well get bonuses. Also, take our minibuses and sell them."

Da D took another drag of his cigar and made his decision.

Giving up this piece of fat meat was truly a last resort.

But Da D, having already completed his primitive accumulation, believed he could still live prosperously by relying on other businesses.

As for the underlings in the branch who drove buses, letting them go work at the bus company could be considered fulfilling his responsibility to them.

"Brother Da D, going to work at Sunshine Bus, isn't that being a dog for Hung Hing? I won't do it. I'd rather go commit burglary to honor you than be a dog for Hung Hing."

A loyal underling from the branch roared out.

"Right, Brother D, why don't we deal drugs? Dealing drugs makes money fast, it's much more comfortable than driving a bus."

"There are so many factory buildings in Tsuen Wan, why not learn from Hung Hing and start making A-Goods."

"Let's open a Nightclub, Brother D. I know a Big Circle Boy who can bring in many Big Circle Girls to work."

"Big Circle Girls? Might as well go find Ghost Girls."

"Let's go into smuggling. Mr. Huo of You Rong Group started out by smuggling, too. Heroes don't ask where they come from."

The underlings in the private room offered their suggestions in a cacophony of voices.

……

Shatin, Lejing Street.

Several engineering vehicles bearing the name of Hung Hing Construction Company pulled up. Over a dozen Hung Hing young demon slaves, wearing Safety Helmets, Safety Vests, and Labor Gloves, and carrying Iron Shovels, spades, and various other tools, walked off the bus, chatting and laughing.

At the order, several young demon slaves stepped forward to pry up the bricks on the sidewalk, while other young demon slaves carried cement and gravel off the vehicles; others moved items like the pre-made Bus Station Signs off the trucks.

After the bricks were pried up, the brothers, with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, happily took up the Crushers and shattered the cement road surface.

An Excavator slowly drove over and scooped the rubble and other debris into a Garbage Truck.

An Oriental Daily News interview vehicle slowly pulled up, and a Reporter got out holding a camera.

The beautiful Reporter from Rediffusion Television—Le Huizhen—also arrived on the scene, holding a microphone to conduct interviews.

"……"

"Sun Yee On Shatin Ching Yee Sik?"

In an unmarked car not far away, Huang Zhicheng of the West Kowloon Anti-Triad Unit took a drag of his cigarette and chuckled.

Hung Hing Construction Company coming to Shatin to build bus stops was a genuine act of crossing the line in the underworld.

The bus stops being built were for the exclusive use of Sunshine Bus, and behind Sunshine Bus was Dalao Jun of Hung Hing.

This was equivalent to Hung Hing planting its flag in Shatin.

Huang Zhicheng feared that Sun Yee On and Hung Hing would clash, so he had specifically brought Police Constables from the Anti-Triad Unit here to prevent any potential "sun-horse" displays of force or violent brawls.

"Hung Hing has planted its flag here, the Hung Hing Big Dippers definitely won't be able to swallow this insult. Do you think they'll get into a big fight over the minibus routes?" Lu Qichang said, taking a sip of mineral water.

"Small scuffles are inevitable. If the Sun Yee On minibus drivers are unhappy, they'll just scatter nails on the road to puncture the tires of the Sunshine Buses. But there won't be any large-scale displays of force or brawls."

Huang Zhicheng exhaled his cigarette smoke, shook his head, and explained.

On the other side.

A group of Sun Yee On Big Dippers watched all of this happen with their own eyes, clenching their fists one after another, their hearts filled with a sense of powerlessness.

Although Sunshine Bus was a joint venture between the China Motor Bus Company and the Kowloon Motor Bus Company, and those two companies were Hong Kong public service firms with Legislators of the British Hong Kong government on their boards... regardless, the largest shareholder of both companies was Dalao Jun of Hung Hing.

Shatin had been flagged by Hung Hing.

This point, even if they didn't want to admit it, had indeed happened.

Yet, so many of them, the Sun Yee On Big Dippers, could do nothing.

One Sun Yee On Big Dipper, as if remembering something, let out a sigh of relief and said, "So what if it's Dalao Jun's bus stop? Doesn't it still have to be used by us in Sun Yee On? Dalao Jun promised it himself yesterday."

"Right, right, right. Dalao Jun has been busy for so long, isn't he just making wedding clothes for us?"

His words reminded another young man with yellow hair.

Just as the two were comforting themselves this way, a Sun Yee On Straw Sandal grabbed the yellow-haired man by the collar and cursed angrily: "Damn it! Today our Sun Yee On is being trampled on by them! Stop deceiving yourselves!"

"Damn! Why are you yelling at me? This is the Shatin Person-in-Charge, our Big Brother's decision!" The yellow-haired man looked indignant.

Another older Sun Yee On Big Dipper advised: "Don't get excited. Didn't Wo Shing Wo next door also get their territory crossed and flagged by Hung Hing?"

"Wo Shing Wo is Wo Shing Wo. Can the street thugs of Wo Shing Wo be mentioned in the same breath as our Old Sun?"

That Sun Yee On Straw Sandal's tone was even more agitated.

In short, many Sun Yee On Big Dippers had a mental breakdown that day... but they couldn't do anything, after all, this was land approved by the Hong Kong government.

Shatin, inside a magnificent Zhuangyuan.

The top brass of Sun Yee On gathered there, puffing away, their brows tightly locked.

The Sun Yee On Dragon Head, Si Yanlong, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and said: "In-law, Dalao Jun really has great methods. Today he easily planted his flag in Shatin, a total of one hundred bus stops. The bus stops even have newsstands, and the Hung Hing Big Dippers can even sell newspapers at the newsstands..."

"Dad, the reporter from Rediffusion Television even said that Sunshine Bus Company will negotiate and discuss with the Chinese University and the racecourse whether to dispatch buses specifically for them. Damn it."

Zhang Liangsheng clenched his fists, his face red, as he spoke to the dignified-looking old man in the main seat.

He had thought that after talking with Dalao Jun yesterday, his level of acceptance would be higher, but he hadn't expected that seeing this scene today, he would still have a breakdown.

Old Sun had been smooth sailing for the past two years, and no triad society in the underworld had ever dared to cross the line.

"Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus Group are official brand names that serve the citizens of Hong Kong. What can you do about it?"

The dignified-looking old man twisted a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, took a sip of tea, and said slowly with a faint smile.

This old man was none other than the New Territories King, a veteran of New Territories politics, the former chairman of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk, and one of the most prestigious people in the entire New Territories.

"Today he cedes five cities, tomorrow he cedes ten. Dad, Dalao Jun using bus stops to plant his flag in Shatin must be wanting to gain more benefits in Shatin."

Seeing that Zhang Renlong remained unmoved, Zhang Liangsheng became even more indignant.

"The man is doing legitimate business, coming to Shatin to plant a flag; even the Anti-Triad Unit gives it their full support. You all must not act recklessly."

The New Territories King, Zhang Renlong, set down his teacup, picked up a Cigar from the ashtray, took a puff, and exhaled toward the sky.

"Dad, Dalao Jun still hasn't called you, nor has he come to our house to pay his respects. He clearly doesn't put our Zhang Family in his eyes!"

Zhang Liangsheng gestured with his fingers to offer a hint.

His words reminded Zhang Renlong that back in the day, when the Hong Kong Jockey Club came to Shatin to open a racetrack, they had to greet him in advance, and even consulted him, Zhang Renlong, regarding the site selection.

Nowadays, Hongxing's Dalao Jun had come to Shatin to do business without even giving him a single phone call.

No matter what, he was still one of the most prestigious Uncles in the New Territories.

What, has you, Hongxing Mad Dragon, now that you've defected to the Lu family and are flirting with them, stopped taking me, Zhang Renlong, seriously?

Shatin belongs to the Zhang Family; this rule cannot be broken.

Thinking of this, Zhang Renlong looked at Zhang Liangsheng and said, "Then in your opinion, what should we do?"

"Sunshine Bus must have a share for our Zhang Family. Dad, as long as Dalao Jun is willing to give our Zhang Family shares, the Sun Kee bus lines can run fewer trips, or even cease operations, while Sunshine Bus runs more shifts. This will be convenient for the residents of Shatin."

"Also, Sun Kee will open a bus depot in Shatin, and Sunshine Bus Company will only perform repairs at Sun Kee's depot."

Sunshine Bus must also give half of its bus stops in Shatin to Sun Kee to avoid future conflicts between the two sides.

"In this way, it will be more convenient for Shatin residents to travel, Sun Kee will also make a profit, and in next year's Heung Yee Kuk chairman election, you will hold a large number of votes in your hands, and perhaps you can also increase your influence in the North District Council."

The dragon has nine sons, and each of the nine is different.

But they are dragon spawn after all.

Although Zhang Liangsheng was a playboy, his mind was indeed sharp.

"If you put half of your brain into politics, I would be at ease."

Zhang Renlong looked at his son with approval and gave him a compliment.

"Dad, isn't this what you usually taught me?" Zhang Liangsheng scratched his hair, his tone flippant.

Zhang Renlong looked at Si Yanlong and said, "In-law, according to your meaning, how should we resolve this?"

"Sunshine Bus's ticket price is only half of ours; Shatin residents will definitely choose Sunshine Bus. Even if they operate fewer shifts, these residents will still choose them..."

"According to what A Sheng negotiated with Dalao Jun last night, in the long run, Shatin residents will complain that Sunshine Bus's shifts are too few..."

"A Sheng's suggestion is actually quite good, and I agree with it. As for the rest, I will defer to your wishes, in-law."

Si Yanlong spoke at length and handed the choice back to Zhang Renlong.

There were some things Sun Kee could get involved in, and some things Sun Kee absolutely must not touch. Anyway, the Headman of Shatin was a member of the Zhang Family; would Zhang Renlong wrong his own son?

Zhang Renlong nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's do this: you all go busy yourselves first, and I will call Hongxing's Dalao Jun."

"Fine, in-law, I will come to bother you again when I have time."

"Dad, I'll go out and take a look to prevent our brothers from clashing with Hongxing."

Si Yanlong and Zhang Liangsheng both stood up and bid farewell to Zhang Renlong.

After the two left, Zhang Renlong twisted his prayer beads, pondered for a moment, and shouted, "A Shan, come in."

A young woman of about thirty, wearing a form-fitting suit with her hair in a bun, walked into the study with a cat-like gait. Her eyes were brimming with moisture, and she called out coquettishly, "Dad."

If there were viewers who often watched TVB soap operas, they would surely recognize this young woman as the once-famous TVB star—Chen Guoshan.

She was a popular female star in the past, but after retiring from the entertainment industry, she became Zhang Renlong's full-time female secretary and had acknowledged Zhang Renlong as her Godfather...

"It's the Hungry Ghost Festival in a few days, right? Has everything that needs to be prepared been prepared?"

Zhang Renlong patted Chen Guoshan's bottom and reached out to pull his goddaughter into his arms.

Every year during the Hungry Ghost Festival, Hong Kong would hold grand celebrations.

"It's already prepared, Dad," Chen Guoshan called out coquettishly.

Zhang Renlong nodded with satisfaction and said, "You personally send an invitation to Hongxing's Dalao Jun and invite him to come to Shatin to attend the Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly."

As the New Territories King, a New Territories Justice of the Peace, and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, it was naturally impossible for Zhang Renlong to call Hongxing's Dalao Jun himself.

A BMW stopped at the entrance of the manor. Chen Guoshan pushed the door open, got out, and looked up at the entrance of the manor mansion.

A huge yellow stone at the entrance was engraved with the two characters "Chen Family," the calligraphy grand and imposing, highlighting the wealthy status of the master of the house.

"Ding-dong."

Chen Guoshan walked to the front gate and pressed the doorbell.

A British butler of about fifty years old walked to the gate, bowed slightly to Chen Guoshan, and said, "May I ask, Miss, do you have an invitation from Mr. Chen?"

"President of the New Territories Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Chen Guoshan. Today, I am entrusted by Sir Zhang Renlong of the New Territories to deliver an invitation to Mr. Chen."

Chen Guoshan extended her business card toward the butler, her tone respectful and polite.

In Hong Kong, Gweilos were born a cut above others; no matter how poorly they fared, they could find a good job on Hong Kong Island. Yet, this polite and elegant old gentleman before her was willing to work as a butler for the Chen Family.

This was enough to show the stature of the Chen Family.

The British butler picked up the intercom, spoke a few words inside, and then opened the gate: "Miss Chen, please follow me."

Following the butler into the Chen Family Manor, Chen Guoshan couldn't help but click her tongue in secret. She had seen many luxury mansions and estates with her Godfather Zhang Renlong, but she had never seen a manor as spacious and stylish as the one before her.

Entering the back courtyard, Chen Guoshan caught sight of the most dazzling young man in all of Hong Kong sitting in the courtyard: Hongxing's Dalao Jun.

Hearing about him a hundred times is not as good as seeing him once; he was indeed young and handsome.

And Chen Guoshan naturally recognized Lu Yongyu, who was sitting opposite Dalao Jun.

"Miss Chen, please sit." The man's magnetic and steady voice woke Chen Guoshan from her daze.

Chen Guoshan came back to her senses, hurriedly greeted him, and got straight to the point by taking out the invitation: "Mr. Chen, I am entrusted by Zhang Renlong to specifically come and deliver an invitation to you, inviting you to the Shatin Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly."

The Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly and the birthday of Brother Guan are the most important days of the year for Teochew societies.

Hongxing was founded by the Teochew man Jiang Zhen and also belongs to a Teochew society, and the predecessor of this body of Chen Jiajun was also a Lufeng person...

This year, the Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly in Hong Kong was organized by the Hongxing Group, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Teochew Overseas Merchants Association, inviting Master Sheng Yi to hold it at Victoria Park.

Furthermore, Hongxing covered all the expenses for this Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly.

As the organizer, Chen Jiajun would definitely have to attend the meeting at Victoria Park when the time came.

Thinking of this, Chen Jiajun handed a cup of tea to Chen Guoshan and said: "I'm sorry, Miss Chen."

"This year, the Hungry Ghost Festival Assembly at Victoria Park is being hosted by us, Hung Hing, and the Hong Kong Teochew Overseas Merchants Association. You go back and tell Sir Zhang that once I finish up here, I will certainly make time to come over."

After all, they had sent their goddaughter to extend the invitation in person, so Chen Jiajun naturally had to give them this face.

(End of chapter)