Chapter 235: What Cannot Be Taken Away, Will Not Be Left Behind

Not long after they left.

"Tat-tat-tat-tat."

Several members of the Serious Crimes Unit arrived at the hotel with swift actions.

"Knock, knock, knock. Sir, room service."

Under the signal of Chen Jiaju from the Serious Crimes Unit, a hotel attendant knocked on the room door.

"Sir?"

Hearing no response, the hotel attendant continued to knock on the room door.

"Step back."

Chen Jiaju pulled the hotel attendant aside and kicked the door open in one motion.

The members of the Serious Crimes Unit immediately rushed into the hotel room.

"No breath."

Seeing Vincent lying on the bed with a peaceful expression, Chen Jiaju hurriedly stepped forward to check.

"Damn it, a step too late." Everyone was filled with frustration.

Chen Jiaju immediately reported the news of Vincent's death to the Commander of the Cold War Operation—Li Shutang.

After listening, Li Shutang felt a chill run down his spine; it seemed that, just as Chen Jiajun had said, this organization called the Ether Society had deep roots in Hong Kong.

The battle at Huangshi Pier had just ended, and they were about to arrest Vincent, but the other side had already killed him, clearly not wanting to leave any evidence behind.

"You all should bring Vincent's body back first. Remember to write a report; all participants in the Cold War Operation will be rewarded in due time."

Li Shutang hung up the phone and sighed.

If they could have brought Vincent to justice, it would have definitely been a major case.

Unfortunately, Vincent was dead.

However, a dead man also has value.

One must know that the corpse before them was, on the surface, a Commander of the US Navy Anti-Drug Unit.

Such a major scandal would certainly be covered up by the United States.

Of course, these were transactions between the high-level Gweilo, and it had little to do with them.

As for the aftermath of this operation, it would still ripple for a while.

One must know that for the Navy SEALs, there is basically no difference between retired soldiers and active-duty soldiers.

Because, except for those who have been retired for over a decade or those retired due to disability.

As long as they are still active on the battlefield, the strength of every SEAL soldier is that of an extremely formidable elite.

After all, the SEALs' live-fire training, combat experience, brutal training subjects, and so on, have long since engraved combat into their marrow; there is almost no difference between being retired and not.

And every retired SEAL soldier is recorded by the military.

Within ten years of retirement, they are considered military reservists and will maintain contact with the military at any time.

Especially with such an organized retired squad being wiped out in Hong Kong, one can imagine that the US military will inevitably receive the news.

As for Chen Jiajun?

He had long since been cleared of this matter.

The impact of the battle at Huangshi Pier was very profound because it represented that the upstream industry for ice powder in Hong Kong had been cut off once again.

Whether it is the Ether Society or the Kunsha Group, cultivating suppliers requires a long period of time, and vetting personnel for drug trafficking requires long-term scrutiny.

Of course, the big drug lords in Hong Kong who deal in ice powder could also personally travel to Myanmar North to negotiate with these large groups.

However, going to Myanmar North to find the Kunsha Group means going to the other party's territory.

The first cooperation.

Without a certain level of trust, who would supply goods in large quantities?

Without a certain level of trust, who would purchase a large amount of ice powder at once?

In short, the establishment of a supply chain is not a matter of a single day.

The day after the battle at Huangshi Pier, Chen Jiajun threw himself into work.

Chen Jiajun summoned the relevant heads of various subsidiaries to listen to work reports, among which the top priority was the Longteng Fund.

Zhan Peizhong gathered the members of the Landlord Association and came to the Chen Family Manor to report the performance to Chen Jiajun:

"The first phase invested 6.3 billion, which was 1.26 billion US dollars at the exchange rate at the time. As of now, the return rate calculated in US dollars is 240%, and calculated in Hong Kong dollars, the return rate is 294.4%."

"The second phase invested 4.5 billion, which was 820 million US dollars at the exchange rate at the time. As of now, the return rate calculated in US dollars is 180%, and calculated in Hong Kong dollars, the return rate is 195.9%."

"The third phase invested 7 billion, which was 1.167 billion US dollars at the exchange rate at the time. As of now, the return rate calculated in US dollars is 120%, and calculated in Hong Kong dollars, the return rate is 112.67%."

"Currently, the Longteng Fund manages a capital scale of 10 billion US dollars."

Every month, the surplus from the Guojun Group and the Hongxing Group, after deducting employee wages, would be sent to Japan through various channels to invest in bank stocks.

Being able to achieve such proud results was, on one hand, because the performance of Japanese bank stocks was quite robust.

On the other hand, it was because the United States' monetary policy continued to tighten, and the yen continued to depreciate. When Chen Jiajun decided to invest in Japan, the performance of the yen happened to be at its lowest point in these years, with the US dollar to yen exchange rate at 1:261.

After listening to Zhan Peizhong's report, Chen Jiajun suddenly felt that he was quite wealthy.

After deducting the 2 billion from the Huo Yingnan family, the 2.5 billion from the Bao Yugang family, the 1.5 billion from the Lin Mingze family, the 1 billion from the He Xin family, and deducting the investments of all the big bosses of Hongxing, Chen Jiajun made a rough estimate and found he still had about 7.3 billion US dollars.

Flipping through the latest policies of various central banks and the forecast documents gathered by everyone, Chen Jiajun made the next deployment:

"The Federal Reserve is still maintaining tightening, and the Bank of Japan has lowered its policy; it seems the yen will depreciate again. We can orderly withdraw the funds. The withdrawn funds should first be sent back to their respective accounts. Peizhong."

"Here, Boss."

Zhan Peizhong raised his hand and responded.

Chen Jiajun took a sip and interjected: "Have the fund staff notify everyone, including the Huo Family, the He Family, the Lin Family, and the Bao Family, not to convert the funds into Hong Kong dollars for the time being.

The Hong Kong dollar is about to accelerate its depreciation; converting to Hong Kong dollars now will cause the assets to shrink significantly."

"Understood."

Sima Xiang, Zhan Peizhong, and the others nodded one after another; Sir Chen's judgment was the guiding light for the Longteng Fund, and the reason the Longteng Fund had such proud achievements at present was entirely due to Sir Chen's contributions.

"Also, there is a 4.5 billion HKD surplus in the Guojun Group's accounts; convert all of it into US dollars."

Of these 4.5 billion HKD, some were the black money Chen Jiajun had withheld from the Jockey Club, the compensation from the Century Trial, and the surplus from subsidiaries like Tesla.

"Understood."

Sima Xiang, Huang Shitong, and Zhan Peizhong nodded again.

As everyone was discussing the subsequent work, the butler Carson knocked on the door and said, "Young Master, Chief Secretary Xia Dingji is here to pay a visit."

"Xia Dingji?"

The Chief Secretary, previously known as the Colonial Secretary, is the Chief Secretary in English; in other words, this position is the Governor's chief secretary.

Since the relevant matters of the Longteng Fund had been properly arranged, Chen Jiajun stood up, brushed the dust off his body, and said, "Invite him in, take him to the study first. Everyone, meeting adjourned."

"Yes."

The members of the Landlord Association left one by one.

Chen Jiajun arrived at the study and saw a refined Gweilo man, about 60 years old, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and possessing a very strong British air, "Chief Secretary Xia Dingji."

"Sir Chen."

Xia Dingji stood up, shook hands with Chen Jiajun, and simultaneously handed over an invitation, saying, "Today, Governor Youde asked me to come and deliver this invitation to you, inviting you to attend the Governor's banquet tomorrow."

The next day.

The Governor's House of Hong Kong, located on the Mid-Levels of Central, Hong Kong Island.

As the lights were lit at dusk, the bright illumination made Albert Road shine as if it were broad daylight; the Governor's House was exceptionally lively tonight.

Yesterday, Chief Secretary Xia Dingji had personally come to deliver the invitation, and Governor Youde had called personally, which was enough to show the importance the Hong Kong Government placed on Chen Jiajun.

Those attending the banquet tonight also included the Foreign Secretary of England—Baron He Wei, and the outgoing Governor Mai Lihao.

This was enough to show the high status of the banquet.

At this moment, a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Century slowly pulled to a stop; the Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood manifested wealth and nobility.

Handing the invitation to the staff member on the side, Chen Jiajun straightened his suit and stepped inside.

As soon as he stepped into the Governor's House, Chen Jiajun felt an ancient and grand atmosphere rushing toward him.

In terms of decor, it could not be called gorgeous, but it was full of classical flavor, with deer heads, swords, sculptures, oil paintings, and other ornaments hanging on the walls.

Under the guidance of the staff, Chen Jiajun arrived at the buffet reception scene; the crowd was bustling, but looking at the distribution, it could be said to be clearly demarcated.

The group of people in the innermost circle included high-ranking Gweilo officials of the Hong Kong Government, the Keswick family of Jardine Matheson, the Sassoon family of Swire, the Kadoorie Family of the Peninsula Hotel, Li Jiacheng of Hutchison, Chan Tsang-hsi of Hang Lung Properties, the Guo family of Sun Hung Kai, the Zheng family of New World, and so on.

Near this circle, there was another small circle: Bao Yugang of Global Shipping and Kowloon Wharf, Lin Mingze, the head of the Lin Xishen family, Huo Yingnan of the You Rong Group, the film tycoon Shao Yifu, and Lu Huangfa, Lu Hantao, and others from Tuen Mun in the New Territories.

These two circles were the wealthiest and most powerful group of people in all of Hong Kong; they often appeared in newspapers, but the scene of them gathering in one hall was very rare.

The former Governor—Mai Lihao, was currently chatting happily with several real estate developers; after resigning from the Hong Kong Government, he entered the House of Lords in England and was made a Knight.

As the longest-serving Governor of Hong Kong, having been reappointed four times, Mai Lihao had a good relationship with a group of Hong Kong merchants.

Therefore, Mai Lihao was also deeply loved by the citizens.

At this time, Mai Lihao was clinking glasses with Chen Songqing, the Chairman of the Jianing Group, whose momentum had been surging in the last two years; since acquiring Hanmei, the group had rapidly reached a scale of ten billion.

Someone walked over and whispered in Mai Lihao's ear, "Mr. Chen has arrived."

The voice was very soft, but when Mai Lihao heard the familiar words, he could not help but look toward the entrance.

First one or two, then three or four, and immediately after, everyone in the reception looked toward the entrance.

A handsome, tall young man who made countless men feel inferior and made countless women unable to keep their legs together appeared before everyone just like that.

"Mr. Chen, apologies." Mai Lihao immediately abandoned the ten-billion-dollar leader Chen Songqing, strode toward Chen Jiajun, and extended his hand.

"Mr. Chen."

"Mai Lihao, long time no see."

Both of them had smiles on their faces.

During the last two years of Mai Lihao's administration, although he found Hong Xing very unpleasant, in the end, Chen Jiajun's crazy donations, building schools, acquiring the Kowloon Motor Bus and Zhongba Group, and improving the travel environment for Hong Kong citizens had forged a deep friendship with Mai Lihao.

This scene made many people's jaws drop; one had to know that there were no more than ten people tonight qualified to be personally greeted by Mai Lihao.

Mai Lihao, watched by everyone, made a gesture of invitation and said, "I have been waiting for you for a long time; Foreign Secretary Baron He Wei wants to have a private chat with you."

"Good."

Chen Jiajun nodded and followed Mai Lihao toward the small office behind the banquet hall.

This scene once again made everyone's jaws drop; one had to know that the only person qualified to enter the small office inside tonight was Chen Jiajun, and even big real estate developers like You Rong, Global, and Sun Hung Kai did not have such an honor.

Entering the office, there were only two people inside at this time: Governor Youde and the Foreign Secretary of England, Baron He Wei.

Foreign Secretary Baron He Wei was a bona fide high-level English official, with a rank significantly higher than Mai Lihao and Youde. He was a cabinet member of the Prime Minister, the Iron Lady, and also the one with the longest tenure.

This banquet was held specifically for him; he had just finished his trip north.

"Baron He Wei, this is the famous Sir Chen Jiajun," Mai Lihao introduced.

"Sir Chen Jiajun, every time I see young people like you, it makes me feel that I am already old."

Wearing black-rimmed glasses and with flowing hair, Baron He Wei smiled and extended his hand toward Chen Jiajun.

"Baron He Wei, hello."

Chen Jiajun shook Baron He's hand and gave it a few shakes.

"Come, sit."

Baron He Wei pointed to the seat in front of the fireplace, and the few of them sat down one by one.

"Sir Chen Jiajun, if I am not mistaken, you are only twenty-four years old this year, right?"

Clearly, this conversation in the office tonight was being controlled by Baron He Wei; he first found a topic to start.

"Yes."

Chen Jiajun took a small sip of red wine.

Baron He Wei nodded and said, "Truly young; I heard you dropped out of school to start working at thirteen, and began to stand out at twenty..."

Chen Jiajun listened quietly; he knew very well that this conversation Baron He Wei was having with him tonight would influence many of his subsequent actions in Hong Kong.

In the 1960s and 70s after World War II, the world set off a colonial liberation movement.

England moved toward decline in a gloomy atmosphere, entering the so-called "decolonization period," dissolving the colonial department and merging its personnel into the Foreign Office.

From then on, what England pondered was how to execute a Colonial Withdrawal.

The shrewdness of the country of England is reflected not only in the process of establishing its colonial empire, but even more so in the process of the empire's subsequent withdrawal.

If establishing an empire depends on the coincidences of the era, and maintaining imperial rule requires sound institutions and indomitable will, then being able to let an empire disintegrate gloriously is undoubtedly a superb skill.

England's withdrawal from its colonies underwent a transformation from forced withdrawal to proactive withdrawal.

Regarding inland regions, England first allowed the inland regions to implement self-governance, then slowly moved toward independence.

As for seaports and commercial centers on coasts or small islands, there were other arrangements made during the process of decolonization.

The purpose of these special arrangements was mainly to find ways to preserve England's traditional interests.

Therefore, England's meticulous withdrawal created the most tragic fratricide in human history: the India-Pakistan conflict, Middle Eastern territorial disputes, African racial issues, the Singapore-Malaysia issue, and so on.

It can be said that England is the empire most lacking in a sense of morality in history.

As early as the 70s, Governor Mai Lihao traveled to the north; after probing, Mai Lihao realized that England's withdrawal from Hong Kong was already irreversible, and England also understood that the future and destiny of Hong Kong had already been placed on England's agenda.

How to withdraw and the manner of withdrawal had already formed relevant legislation.

To put it in one sentence, it was to squeeze out the last drop of blood from this city as much as possible, absorb the excellent talent, and slowly transfer the excellent industries to England.

Reflected in real estate, the Hong Kong government established the Country Park Ordinance.

The land in Hong Kong available for people to live on only accounts for 7% of the total land area, while country parks account for 40%.

A Country Park Ordinance both guaranteed the interests of English real estate developers and simultaneously preserved the interests of Hong Kong's local real estate developers.

In this way, the Hong Kong government could buy and sell land on a massive scale while also shaping the sense of identification Hong Kong's middle-class citizens had with the Hong Kong government.

Reflected in industry, Hong Kong could only purchase heavy industrial products within the Commonwealth of Nations, which made Hong Kong a vast sales market.

Of course, during the withdrawal process, the English also wanted to take away Hong Kong's excellent industrial enterprises.

And in all of Hong Kong, the most excellent industrial enterprises were Chen Jiajun's Tesla Group and Guojun Semiconductor.

As for light industries like plastic flowers, toys, clocks, and clothing, England did not care for them at all.

After the conflict between Chen Jiajun and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the English suddenly realized that the double-decker buses produced by Tesla Group were very popular internationally.

At the same time, they researched Guojun Semiconductor and discovered that the arcade technology produced by Guojun Semiconductor was an era ahead of the mainstream on the market.

Therefore, this is the reason why the Foreign Secretary, Baron He Wei, was so impatient to meet with Chen Jiajun tonight.

Of course, if they could not move the advanced heavy industry and technology away, England also had plenty of means to destroy it.

What they could not take away, they would not leave for Hong Kong either.

(End of chapter)