Chapter 333

A new day.

Causeway Bay, Chen's Tea House.

Early in the morning, the tea house was already bustling with activity. Shrimp dumplings, siu mai, rice noodle rolls, sponge cake... various dim sum were constantly being brought out and placed onto the diners' tables.

Steam rose and swirled throughout the entire tea restaurant.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, accompanied by Sister Ruan Mei, walked into the tea house.

"Wow, Ah Zu, Mrs. Guan, good morning!"

"Congratulations, Ah Zu!"

The neighbors greeted Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and Sister Ruan Mei one after another.

"Haha, thank you all for your support!" After Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu smilingly greeted the neighbors, he took Sister Ruan Mei to a private booth.

Not long after, the booth door was pushed open, and an old man of nearly 60 walked in.

"Teacher He?"

"Yes, Mr. Guan, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you... This is my wife, Sister Ruan Mei!"

After the introductions, both sides sat down and skillfully scalded their bowls and chopsticks with boiling water.

If you don't scald your bowls and chopsticks when having morning tea, it just doesn't feel authentic enough.

The two sides chatted about everyday matters.

Then, Mr. He began to talk about the Leftist education.

"... Later, I went to the neighboring Heung To Middle School."

"That was when I finally understood what Leftist and Rightist meant."

"Later, a major incident occurred..."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu had heard of this event. It started with a labor dispute at a factory in Kowloon, which later triggered a major riot...

"Subsequently, in 1971, the foreigners pushed through a plan: all Rightist schools would implement six years of free education, while the Leftist ones did not receive this treatment. For the grassroots citizens, six years of free education was an irresistible attraction, so they left the Leftist schools one after another."

When Mr. He reached this point, he couldn't help but sigh with regret: "It was at this juncture that the Leftist schools were defeated."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu felt that this move by the foreigners could be considered pulling the rug out from under them!

"Afterward, the foreigners pushed through another plan: revising the textbooks. At the same time, in middle school, Chinese history was changed to an elective subject, not a compulsory one."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu thought of Mao Xiang Yang.

Last time, Mao Xiang Yang encountered this exact situation at Southeast Middle School.

It had infuriated Mao Xiang Yang.

At this moment, boxes of dim sum—shrimp dumplings, chicken feet steamed with lily sauce... —were brought up, still steaming.

The three of them began to eat, talking as they ate.

Teacher He ate while occasionally sharing some history.

"There is another problem, which is that by the seventies, the economic strength of the mainland was clearly far inferior to that of Hong Kong. Therefore, some Hong Kong people who held prejudices against the mainland inevitably mocked the poverty, thinking they were a cut above the mainlanders."

"Just like the movie 'Her Fatal Ways', which had four installments. The mainland characters played by Hong Kong people, although positive figures, existed only as clownish comic relief. However, this clownish vilification had an inevitable effect: it subtly made many Hong Kong people believe they were superior to their compatriots."

"Then, by the eighties, most of that generation of students had been 'brainwashed' by the six-year free education school system. The entire generation taught by this education, while identifying as Chinese, also believed they were more knowledgeable about Western culture and were superior."

"Exactly, exactly!!"

Hearing this, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu nodded repeatedly:

"I have deep personal experience with this. The Mingxin Hospital I acquired recruited a batch of medical staff from the mainland three months ago to help out. Then there were constant complaints, saying that many young medical staff in Hong Kong looked down on the staff from the mainland..."

At the time, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was still wondering why it was mostly the young medical staff who looked down on the mainlanders, while the older ones didn't look down on them as much.

So that was the reason.

Counting from the 1971 reform, the six years of middle school—meaning those who graduated in 1978—were the ones who had already been influenced.

From 1978 to now, 1991, a total of 13 years (batches) of students had been influenced.

Mr. He looked at Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and got straight to the point: "I came this time because I want to ask Mr. Guan for help... The Leftist schools are private schools, but they serve the children of grassroots citizens, so the tuition cannot be set too high. Yet, they have long been operating at a loss, and most schools have been closing down one after another..."

"And Mr. Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's Five-Star Education Group happens to want to invest in education. I wonder if you would be able to acquire these schools..."

Mr. He said solemnly: "If Mr. Guan agrees to have the Five-Star Education Group acquire the Leftist schools, I, He, am willing to act as a bridge for Mr. Guan and contact these schools."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu didn't hesitate much and nodded directly: "That's no problem."

For the Five-Star Education Group to grow, it needs to continuously acquire schools. Whether they are Leftist schools or Rightist schools, none can be abandoned. When the time comes, by mixing them together, the Viceroy shouldn't be able to discover it.

It can be done!

Mr. He was delighted and raised his teacup: "Then thank you, Mr. Guan!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu raised his cup: "And to you, Teacher He!"

This morning tea meal lasted for over two hours.

Mr. He happily bid farewell to Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and left Causeway Bay.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu returned to the company, called Su Jianqiu over, explained the matter of acquiring the Leftist schools, and instructed him not to acquire them all at once, but to mix them with the acquisition of Rightist schools.

However, Su Jianqiu mentioned one thing: "That Mong Kok Labor School was already acquired last week, and we have already started working on the education reform."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was surprised. Such a coincidence?

Su Jianqiu: "After the Five-Star Group entered the Yau Tsim Mong district, we have been pushing for school acquisitions and cooperation negotiations. And this Mong Kok Labor School was in poor operating condition, so when we proposed the acquisition, they agreed after only a little hesitation."

"Good!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu instructed: "Regarding the education group's acquisition and cooperation with those schools, don't limit it to our territory. Other areas like the New Territories and East Kowloon can also be pushed forward..."

Blooming everywhere!

Spreading across all of Hong Kong!

Political Department.

A conspiracy was being directed at Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu.

"Just received intelligence from the Viceroy..."

"It suddenly gave me a brilliant plan!"

The Political Department's chief, Riley, and deputy chief, Bob, were sitting on the office sofa, drinking coffee and talking about the Five-Star Group.

This Legislative Council election also made them pay attention to Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu again.

Last time, Long Jiu died in a daze, and no matter how much they investigated, they couldn't find the reason. The Li family, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, and her brother Long Wu's enemies all had a certain degree of suspicion.

Riley took a sip of coffee, eyes slightly narrowed:

"As for the Five-Star Group, the ICAC sent an undercover agent over, and now she is in a high position, having become a Legislative Councilor..."

He pointed to the name Tan Meili in the "Legislative Councilor List" in the newspaper and said.

Although the Viceroy is the local emperor of Hong Kong, logically the Political Department should also be under the Viceroy's command. However, the Political Department is for intelligence, and its superior department is actually MI6 far away in the UK. The Viceroy's jurisdiction over the Political Department is not even as great as MI6's.

"The Viceroy suggests that our Political Department can plant a large number of undercover agents in this Five-Star Group."

"Doesn't the Five-Star Group lack talent?"

"Then we will give it talent!"

"Moreover, our Political Department is about to be dissolved. Our people need to lurk in various industries, companies, and the government in Hong Kong... This Five-Star Group is a very good target for lurking."

Bob listened quietly without interrupting.

Riley continued: "Send our capable Political Department personnel to lurk in the Five-Star Group."

"Follow it, grow continuously, and become a towering tree!"

"And our undercover agents can rely on their strength to be promoted rapidly, eventually achieving the goal of controlling the entire Five-Star Group!"

As he spoke, Riley waved his arms excitedly.

Deputy Chief Bob: "You mean... treat the Political Department as a kind of parasitic vine? Parasitizing on the Five-Star Group?"

Riley nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's it."

He stood up, paced the office, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, opened his suit jacket with both hands, put his hands on his hips, and looked down at the city below. "This Five-Star Group is developing rapidly and has high public support. It is definitely an excellent intelligence center. It's a pity that the Five-Star Group itself doesn't know how to use it."

"After our people get in, not only can they lurk, but they can also use it to collect a large amount of intelligence, and even become our Far East intelligence center."

"Also, I am very optimistic about the future of the Five-Star Group. In the future, it will definitely become our base in Hong Kong after 1997!"

"What do you think?"

Bob spread his hands and smiled slightly: "I have no reason to disagree with this kind of thing."

"Hahaha~~~"

"Hahaha~~~"

The two laughed out loud.

!.

A new day.

October 4th, 9:00 AM.

Five-Star Group building, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's office.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu stood straight.

And secretary Fang Ting was putting a suit on Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and adjusting his tie.

Fang Ting suppressed the fluttering of her heart and tidied up earnestly.

At 10:00, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and the seven giants were going to attend the first legislative meeting of the new Legislative Council.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu naturally had to dress formally and seriously.

"By the way, Ah Ting, have you ever thought about not being a secretary and going to a branch company to be a general manager?" Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu looked at Fang Ting and said.

Fang Ting was, after all, Fang Jinxin's daughter, and she had shown great talent during her time as a secretary.

It would be a pity to keep being his secretary.

Fang Ting's hands paused, she pursed her lips, and finally shook her head: "No, I don't want to be that tired. But if you don't want me to be a secretary, I can do that too."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "............"

Can you?

I'm afraid of being killed by your gaze~~

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "Forget it, forget it, being a secretary is quite good."

Fang Ting's mouth curled up slightly, and she felt happy.

She loosened Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's tie with both hands and then straightened it out.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu took a document from the table.

"Proposal on Proposing an Investigation into the Suspected Monopolistic Behavior of the Electric Light Company and Introducing a New Price-Cap Law"

This was Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's first shot as a Legislative Councilor.

"Let's go!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu took Fang Ting downstairs, got into the blue Bentley, and drove toward the Legislative Council building.

Legislative Council building.

8 Jackson Road, Central, Hong Kong.

This building was completed and "opened" on January 15, 1912, and was the Supreme Court of the Hong Kong colonial government at the time.

From 1983 to 1985, the Supreme Court building was renovated and converted into a venue for Legislative Council meetings and offices.

Renamed: Legislative Council Building!

After the handover in 1997, this building was renamed again: Legislative Council Complex!

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and Gao Jin and the others did not arrive together.

Walking inside,

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu followed the directions to the first large conference room of the Legislative Council, while secretary Fang Ting waited in the conference room next door.

Entering the conference room.

This was a semicircular hall.

At this time, quite a few councilors had already arrived in the conference room.

They were sitting in their respective seats.

Some social butterflies ran over to other councilors to chat.

"Mr. Guan~~~"

At this moment, someone walked over.

An old man with glasses, sparse hair dyed black, about 1.6 meters tall, walked over quickly and shook hands with Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu smiled: "You are..."

Old man: "My name is Member Si Ye, nice to meet you!"

He was from the education sector, and as someone who liked to speculate, he naturally paid close attention to Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's eyes lit up, he smiled, and shook hands tightly: "Mr. Situ, right? Nice to meet you!!"

Member Si Ye looked at Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's young and handsome face and was truly envious.

Member Si Ye said enthusiastically: "Mr. Guan... I've long wanted to get to know you. Are you free tomorrow night? Shall we have a meal together?"

"No problem, I was just thinking of inviting Mr. Situ to a meal."

"Hahaha, then tomorrow night!"

"No problem!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu smiled and chatted happily with Member Si Ye.

Member Si Ye felt that Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was not repulsed by him, and felt a little happy in his heart. This is great, perhaps he could win Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu over to become his comrade-in-arms.

"Come, come, come~~ Let me introduce you to three friends!"

Then Member Si Ye began to introduce his three good comrades.

"This is Zhang Guang... Li Huaming... Yang Lin..."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu looked at these four people, and their information flashed through his mind.

——Member Si Ye, a speculator. In the seventies, he even wanted to join the party, but was rejected. Later, he defected to the foreigners, charged into battle, and was the former president of the Education Association.

——Zhang Guang, the current president of the Education Association, very smooth...

——Yang Lin, had a very good relationship with the Republican Party chairman Ni Ming, but that Ni Ming had a car accident... In the future, he would be a brain trust for a certain Li.

——Li Huaming...

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu smiled and shook hands with these people.

"Hello, hello!"

"Mr. Guan, long admired, long admired."

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

Shaking hands one by one.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu was smiling on the surface, but inside he was thinking, "Screw you!"

Not far away, the Rightist councilors watched Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu chatting happily with the Rightists and smiled slightly. This is good, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu is indeed not a Leftist.

After chatting for a few sentences, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu bid farewell to the four and smilingly came to Gao Jin and Ah Wah's side. They were all seated separately according to their districts. Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu sat close to Gao Jin, and Ah Wah and Tan Meili sat close to each other.

In a flash, 10:00 approached.

The 60 councilors of the Legislative Council arrived one after another and took their seats.

Subsequently, the Viceroy arrived.

The meeting officially began.

(End of chapter)