Chapter 225: War of Words

The moment Chen Jiajun followed the ICAC officers out of the Chen Family Manor, a crowd of reporters suddenly rushed out from all sides, snapping photos of Chen Jiajun, Ban Naixin, and the others; the camera flashes wove into a solid sheet of light.

Three or four media vans and reporters from Jade Channel set up their cameras; Hong Kong media outlets, large and small, ran faster than anything else, rushing to the scene to secure first-hand information and footage.

"Sir Chen, how do you view the accusation from the *Banana Daily* that you are the Underground Emperor of Hong Kong?"

"Sir Chen, are the ICAC's investigative allegations regarding China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus true?"

Facing the reporters' questions, Chen Jiajun maintained a smile throughout and did not offer any response.

He was very clear on one point: there was definitely someone behind today's performance, and the goal was to manipulate public opinion and smear his name.

This was to facilitate the partitioning and dismantling of the groups under his banner after convicting Chen Jiajun.

At this moment, no matter how he answered, he would fall into the "Tacitus Trap."

The Tacitus Trap refers to the historian Tacitus, who, when evaluating a Roman emperor, said that once an emperor becomes an object of hatred, both his good deeds and his bad deeds will equally incite people's disgust toward him.

Therefore, the more critical the moment, the more one must remain calm; only time and evidence could wash away his innocence.

Not far away, the suited and booted ICAC Commissioner Ban Naixin wore a look of triumphant joy, his hands on his hips, looking imposing.

The footage of Hung Hing's Dalao Jun being taken away by the ICAC for investigation regarding Kowloon Motor Bus soon appeared on TVB and Asia Television.

At the same time, countless ICAC agents accompanied by a large number of plainclothes officers stormed into the Kowloon Motor Bus Group and China Motor Bus Group, taking away Kowloon Motor Bus's Deng Yongqiang and China Motor Bus's Lu Yeqiang, as well as a large quantity of account books, work logs, and other materials from both groups.

This news shocked all of Hong Kong, and it was reflected in the stock market: the share prices of Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus plummeted, and countless shareholders dumped their stocks in the two groups.

Immediately following this, Lu Yeqiang's old man, Lu Huangfa, and the founder of Kowloon Motor Bus, Sir Deng Zhaojian, hurriedly scrambled to inquire about the situation through various channels.

ICAC, Interrogation Room.

"Name."

"Age."

"Date of birth."

"Identity card."

The interrogation was being conducted by Lu Zhilian and Ma Yaozu of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Outside the door, ICAC Special Commissioner Ban Naixin observed the situation inside the interrogation room through a one-way mirror.

"Sir Chen, according to intelligence, the General Manager and Director of the Kowloon Motor Bus Group, Mr. Deng Yongqiang, had no prior experience in the bus industry, and the same goes for Lu Yeqiang of the China Motor Bus Group. Did you appoint these two as General Managers of the groups for the purpose of trading money for power?"

Lu Zhilian tried to slow his tone, throwing out an inconsequential question first.

"Our board seats include directors appointed by the Hong Kong government as well as independent third-party directors we have hired; these people are all professionals. Mr. Deng Yongqiang is the director representing the Guojun Group. Mr. Lu Yeqiang is the director representing the Asia Investment Group."

"Hiring these two to serve as General Managers of the groups was decided by a vote of everyone."

"They have done an excellent job during this period; even I have to applaud them."

Chen Jiajun puffed on a cigar and replied.

"Fine, then I would like to ask you, why are the contractors for the bus stations for both the China Motor Bus Group and the Kowloon Motor Bus Group all the Hung Hing Construction Group? Hung Hing Construction is controlled by you personally..."

Lu Zhilian wanted to continue.

He was directly interrupted by Chen Jiajun, "Stop. The Hung Hing Construction Group is a professional entity, and our construction personnel all hold qualification certificates. Furthermore, the projects for the China Motor Bus Group and the Kowloon Motor Bus Group went through a bidding process. If you ask without having your facts straight, is your brain broken?"

"I knew you would answer like that, Sir Chen. Next question: I would like to ask why both groups simultaneously purchased from a newly established, obscure bus company, and upon the first purchase, it was for a full 3,000 double-decker buses worth 3 billion. Tesla Motors is under the Guojun Group; this clearly violates the principle of conflict of interest."

"Mr. Chen, please explain."

Lu Zhilian's attitude was tough, his voice growing louder.

"Officer Lu, it's not about who has the loudest voice. If you were my subordinate, I would definitely ensure you didn't get a promotion for five years. You aren't qualified to discuss this case; let Ban Naixin outside come in."

After speaking, Chen Jiajun looked toward the one-way glass.

Just as Lu Zhilian was about to stand up to ask Ban Naixin for instructions, Ban Naixin pushed the door open and walked in, smiling as he said: "There are so many bus groups in the world; why did both groups exclusively purchase from a newly established bus company under the Guojun Group? Sir Chen, please answer directly."

"First of all, bus groups can only purchase bus brands from Commonwealth of Nations countries. If you, Ban Naixin, don't know that, you can go flip through the relevant regulations. Secondly, we have tested the Tesla double-decker bus T1 model countless times, and the test results are clearly superior to the double-decker bus brands of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is even better than the Mercedes-Benz from West Germany."

"The facts have proven this to be true; over the past year, the traffic accident rate for the Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus groups has dropped significantly."

"Furthermore, before we purchased these buses, we consulted with Transport Department Director Yan Dunli and the former Governor Mai Lihao."

"During our testing process, we personally invited the senior management of both groups, as well as Yan Dunli and Mai Lihao."

"Ban Naixin, if you really have the guts, please invite Yan Dunli and Sir Mai Lihao over to be investigated."

After Chen Jiajun finished speaking, he crossed his arms and gave a cold laugh.

"Heh, don't try to pressure me with Transport Department Director Yan Dunli and former Governor Sir Mai Lihao."

"It is normal that Yan Dunli and Sir Mai Lihao do not understand the technology. What I am talking about now is that as the actual controller of Kowloon Motor Bus and China Motor Bus, you only purchased the Tesla double-decker bus T1 model that you control when procuring double-decker buses. This involves a very serious issue of transfer of benefits."

Ban Naixin smiled slightly, brushing Yan Dunli and Sir Mai Lihao aside.

"Mr. Ban Naixin, the purchase of the Tesla double-decker bus T1 was strictly researched by the procurement departments of the Kowloon Motor Bus Group and the China Motor Bus Group, and it met the requirements and standards of both groups. As a major shareholder, I only have the right to suggest; I cannot make the final decision."

Chen Jiajun spoke eloquently.

It had to be said that the breakthrough point the ICAC found was indeed ingenious.

The Gweilo had always viewed Hong Kong as their own backyard. In the last two years, England's industry had been sluggish, unemployment had climbed, and inflation had been very severe. The fact that Hong Kong's China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus groups were not purchasing their brands led the ICAC to use this as a breakthrough point to try and convict him.

But they didn't stop to think: the Tesla T1 double-decker bus was a product developed by Ao En, and it was even more competitive than West Germany's Mercedes-Benz.

At the same time, in the two interrogation rooms next door, ICAC personnel were asking the same questions.

Lu Yeqiang and Deng Yongqiang had long since committed the relevant issues to memory and calmly gave answers similar to Chen Jiajun's, which were impeccable.

Ban Naixin asked righteously: "Sir Chen, on what grounds did your Tesla Group price the T1 double-decker bus at 1 million each? And for the first purchase, it was a full 3,000 units, involving 3 billion in funds. Not only did you use the development fund, but you also took out a loan from the HSBC Group; there is a serious issue of transfer of benefits here."

Chen Jiajun smiled slightly and said with contempt:

"Officer, please don't talk nonsense about things for which you have no evidence."

"Even if you think it's a transfer of benefits, then may I ask, is the HSBC bank that provided the loans to the Kowloon Motor Bus Group and the China Motor Bus Group also involved? Then go and invite Shen Bi over as well."

"Officer, there is no right to speak without investigation. Please first conduct a horizontal and vertical brand comparison between the mainstream bus models on the market and our Tesla brand, and then come talk to me, can you?"

Ban Naixin extended his hand and shook his finger: "Our ICAC will naturally send the Tesla double-decker bus to Ou Luoba for a performance test; this is not something you need to worry about, Sir Chen."

"Second question: according to information held by our ICAC, the annual profit of the Kowloon Motor Bus Group is no more than 35 million, and the China Motor Bus Group is even lower. With the cash flow of these two groups, I'm afraid it would take about 40 years to pay off this loan."

"Sir Chen, I am very curious how you managed to borrow so much money from HSBC bank, and as an interest-free loan? Teach me; this is probably the thing all enterprises in Hong Kong are most curious about. Please explain."

"If you knew how to operate a bus group, then the person sitting in my seat right now would be you. As for the issue of how to repay the loans, that is an internal matter for our group; there is no need for you to worry. Besides, I really suggest you invite Shen Bi over and ask him why he granted us so many loans."

Chen Jiajun took a sip of tea and continued to trade verbal blows with Ban Naixin.

"Sir Chen, don't try to play tricks on me; we are currently discussing your issues."

Ban Naixin knocked heavily on the table.

"Bang."

Chen Jiajun couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense with Ban Naixin anymore and slammed his teacup onto the table: "The one playing tricks today is you, wasting my time!"

"Fuck your mother, you want to convict me with some ambiguous nonsense? Ban Naixin, ask yourself if you're qualified to do that?"

"Ban Naixin, every institution, every department, and every position has its own rules of the game. Whether they are open or hidden, the first step is to learn them. But many people die before they even reach this step. Do you know why?"

Without waiting for Ban Naixin to answer, Chen Jiajun held up an index finger and pointed at Ban Naixin: "That is because they are self-righteous."

"The second step is to find the loose thread in this game, learn how not to break the rules, and understand how to play within the ball of yarn. Only then can you barely manage to save your life. Can a city exist without the ICAC, or can it exist without entrepreneurs?"

"Please remember, your high salary is also contributed to by our Guojun, Hung Hing, and Tesla Group."

Speaking to this point, Chen Jiajun stood up, leaned over slightly, and whispered: "Finally, Ban Naixin, you must learn to protect yourself and not get set up by others. Hehe."

Just at this moment.

An ICAC agent pushed open the door to the Interrogation Room directly and shouted to Ban Naixin: "Commissioner, something big has happened."

"Can't you knock on the door?"

Ban Naixin was already unhappy after being lectured by Chen Jiajun, and seeing his subordinate not even knocking on the door made him even more annoyed.

"Commissioner, look at the news."

That Commissioner of the ICAC could not explain it at this moment, so he turned on the TVB channel directly.

On the television, the TVB host introduced: "Next, let's look at some exciting news."

"At a large-scale international auto show, the exhibitor from Hong Kong, Tesla Group, stated that it has secured orders for 2,000 Hong Kong-made Tesla T1 double-decker buses from Singapore SBS Transit, North America Jinlun Travel Company, and Taiwan Auto Passenger Transport Company. At the same time, countries such as Australia and South Africa have introduced the T1 double-decker bus from the Hong Kong Tesla Group for trial. Next, please watch the report from the front lines."

The scene shifted to the large conference room of Tesla Group in Tuen Mun Butterfly Bay, where Chairman Huang Bi'an and the representatives of Singapore SBS Transit, North America Jinlun Travel Company, and the Taiwan bus group each signed a contract.

As a capital of free trade, the city of Hong Kong sees a great number of travelers from various countries and regions. Over the past two years, the thing that travelers and businessmen in Hong Kong have likely remembered most vividly is the Tesla T1 double-decker buses all over the streets.

At the same time, since its establishment, Tesla Group has also frequently participated in some large-scale international auto shows.

After some companies tried them out, the performance, safety, and comfort all left a deep impression on these merchants. After comparing them with similar models, these three companies purchased a total of 2,000 double-decker buses from Tesla Group.

At the same time, there were also some interested foreign bus companies that introduced this double-decker bus for trial.

(End of this chapter)