Chapter 453

Government House.

Governor Fat Peng was watching TV, watching the English rebroadcast of Guan Zu on ATV International.

"This Guan Zu..."

"He's quite good at inciting the hearts of the people..."

He had been paying attention to the MTR matter.

Because he received money here; when the Governor was handed over, Wei Dewei submitted this list. Among them, the MTR, as the Governor, could get a dividend of 10 million HKD every year. At that time, he was quite shocked; Hong Kong's subway was actually making money, which couldn't make money in Great Britain.

His first reaction was: continue to push for price hikes, so I can also make more money.

And when Guan Zu spoke up that day, Fat Peng realized:

Oh no, Guan Zu is going to win over the hearts of the people again.

Sure enough, in the next 10 days, Guan Zu was investigating, scolding people in the Legislative Council, and going on TV... making a gesture of "I stand with the citizens."

That set of winning over the hearts of the people could be described as extremely proficient.

And you still say you're not from the north?

And now,

Fat Peng had also entered an awkward situation.

Should he stand up?

Push for price hikes?

No, he didn't dare; now the citizens of Hong Kong were obviously angry. If he stood up, his approachable image would be gone.

Being approachable is a double-edged sword; it can help him, but it can also limit him.

Or vice versa: speak up to support the public?

However, he was reluctant to give up that 10 million in revenue.

Therefore, he hesitated.

"Wait a little longer."

"See if the MTR can handle this Guan Zu."

A new day,

Sheung Wan,

"Why dismiss me?"

Inside a shopping mall, a middle-aged employee of a Giordano clothing store asked the store manager angrily.

"Don't you know what you did yourself?"

The store manager sneered: "Because you were on TV, complaining about the MTR in front of Guan Zu!"

"You're just a piece of trash; what qualifications do you have to complain about the MTR?"

"The boss above can't teach Guan Zu a lesson, can't he teach you a lesson?"

"So, get out!"

The employee couldn't believe it: "I complained about the MTR; what does that have to do with the company?"

Store manager: "Don't you know who our boss is?"

Giordano was founded by the famous trash Jimmy Lai, but in 1990, he sold it for 1.6 billion HKD, and then turned around to found the famous anti-government newspapers "Next Magazine" and "Apple Daily."

Notorious.

And Giordano's current boss is Feng Hanzhu, who is not an ordinary person in Hong Kong. Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, he served as a member of the Hong Kong Urban Council, a member of the Legislative Council, and the Director, Chief Director, and Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals... (In 1843, the Legislative Council was established in Hong Kong, and there were Legislative Council members from that time.)

Although he was old, when a phone call came, he was still very happy to give this favor.

Therefore,

This employee who dared to complain about the MTR was directly dismissed.

The employee was furious: "Fine, resign if you want, but this month's salary must be paid to me!"

"What kind of joke is this!"

The store manager sneered: "You caused trouble, and you still have the nerve to ask for salary? Get out!"

For several days in a row, the same scene happened in many places in Hong Kong.

Citizens who complained about the MTR, some worked in hotels, some in restaurants, some in shopping malls... as long as they had been on TV complaining about the MTR and were recognized, they would be intervened by mysterious forces and quickly dismissed.

Some citizens were already financially strapped, and this dismissal directly pinched their fatal point.

Some citizens left in anger.

Some citizens begged bitterly.

"I'm still paying off the mortgage; please don't dismiss me."

"I was wrong, I admit my mistake, okay? I just hope you can give me another chance; I will never complain again."

"My elderly family members still need to be treated for illness and need money; can you not dismiss me? Please."

If it weren't really difficult, who would be willing to bow their heads and apologize?

Then these pleas brought about wanton laughter.

"Hahaha~~~ weren't you very indignant when complaining about the MTR? Why are you so humble now?"

"Don't you love finding that Guan Zu? Go find him! See if he will help you."

Amidst the wanton mockery,

A certain sentence touched some employees.

Yes!

Find Guan's Five Star Property!

Find Mr. Guan!

In times of suffering, the only person they could think of who could help them was that Mr. Guan!

And at this time,

Five Star Group Building,

The employee who was dismissed by Giordano, because he lost his job, became financially strapped, so he sought help from Five Star Property in Sheung Wan.

Laughing, as the branch manager, keenly sensed a big problem and quickly reported the matter.

One day later,

The citizen and 8 other citizens were called to the Five Star Group headquarters building together.

They saw Guan Zu.

"Mr. Guan!"

The 8 people were very excited after seeing Guan Zu.

Guan Zu smiled and shook hands with the 8 people: "I know about your situation."

When Guan Zu knew about this, he was also speechless.

"You were treated unfairly because you spoke up for people's livelihoods."

"I, Guan Zu, have always believed that those who carry firewood for the public should not be allowed to freeze to death in the wind and snow, so I will solve your problems."

"For work, you can join the Five Star Group."

The 8 citizens were pleasantly surprised.

Can join the Five Star Group?

Isn't this better than the original job?

Who doesn't know that the Five Star Group has high treatment and good benefits!

Guan Zu: "Some of you have financial difficulties at home, but don't panic; you can ask the Five Star Group to advance your salary."

Guan Zu thought very carefully.

He directly moved the 8 citizens to tears.

Mr. Guan, so gentle!

Guan Zu: "In addition, you were dismissed without cause; I have already consulted the Five Star Group's employment lawyer, and the former company needs to pay you 'severance pay.' At that time, the lawyer will personally help you demand the salary."

"Really?!"

The 8 citizens were excited and grateful.

"Thank you, Mr. Guan!" *8

Guan Zu smiled: "From now on, we are all one family; your business is the company's business, and the company will definitely not let you suffer losses!"

We are family!

The 8 people were moved to tears: "Mr. Guan!"

Brother Zu is like the sun, the kindness can never be repaid!

Through fire and water, Mr. Guan!

Loyalty — 99%!

After Guan Zu sent the 8 people away, he called Wen Huixin and asked her to send reporters over.

This MTR matter must be exposed.

What?

The MTR won't admit it?

What does it matter if they admit it or not? As long as the citizens believe it was them, then it was them!

At 19:00 in the evening,

ATV News reported this matter:

"Recently, the Five Star Group has received help from many citizens one after another; these citizens are the ones who complained about the MTR and were on TV news..."

"And these citizens are encountering suspected intervention by the MTR Corporation, and have been dismissed by the companies they work for one after another."

"Below is the interview with these employees..."

After the news report,

It aroused the anger of countless citizens in Hong Kong.

For a time, citizens all over Hong Kong scolded.

"Damn it!"

"You bastards trying to wipe out everyone's family!"

"Damn it!"

"Damn it!"

The next day,

Many citizens ran to the MTR Corporation in West Kowloon to stir up trouble.

Pulling banners, sitting in protest, that's too low!

Throwing garbage...

Blocking the company entrance...

Of course, there were also a few tough characters.

Last night, I don't know where a bounty order came from in the underworld, 1,000 HKD per pile of feces, the target is Tang Xin.

Soon, a few poor gangsters took the task and came early this morning.

After 9 o'clock in the morning,

Chairman Tang of the MTR was sitting in his luxury car, a black Maybach, and arrived at the company. Just as he arrived at the entrance, he saw several gangsters rushing over excitedly.

"This is that Board Chairman's car!"

"The license plate number and car model match!"

"That's him!"

"Throw!"

Then...

Bang bang bang~~~

One pile of shit after another was thrown directly onto Chairman Tang's car.

Inside the car,

Chairman Tang, who was sitting on a soft, form-fitting leather sofa, turned green in the face.

Looking at the shit all over the glass outside, how was he supposed to get out of the car?

Furious, he hurriedly contacted the West Kowloon Police Station to arrest people.

Soon these gangsters were caught, but the gangsters weren't panicked at all, because the bounty also included "bail money" and "lawyer fees," which were all complete.

Perhaps after a trip to the police station, they could even become famous!

I am the man who covered the MTR Chairman in shit!

At noon that day,

ATV and TVB both reported this "shocking stinky news"!

ATV: "Dear viewers... this morning, the gate of the MTR Corporation welcomed the anger of angry citizens. Among them, the MTR's Board Chairman Tang Xin even encountered a 'special attack' from several enthusiastic citizens filled with righteous indignation, one pile of feces after another..."

TVB: "When the MTR Board Chairman Tang Xin's car arrived at the company, it encountered an unexpected situation. Several criminal suspects suddenly rushed forward and threw feces at his luxury car. Chairman Tang was trapped in the car, and the scene was once very awkward..."

The citizens of Hong Kong laughed out loud.

"Well thrown!"

"Beautifully done!"

"Hahaha~~~~"

The original anger directly dissipated, and there was more gloating.

In the next few days,

It was monkey see, monkey do; a large number of citizens ran to the MTR Corporation to throw garbage.

There were still gangsters continuing to throw shit, and even actively asking the police to arrest them, just to be a hero of the people, and Maslow's fourth-level needs were greatly satisfied.

And the MTR completely became the laughing stock of Hong Kong.

Just amidst this chaos,

Tuesday arrived.

The time for the new round of Legislative Council meetings finally arrived.

This time, it could be said that the whole of Hong Kong was watching.

Early in the morning, more than 20 media reporters from ATV, TVB, etc., were blocking the entrance of the Legislative Council building.

And ATV even drove a news van directly to conduct a live broadcast. All citizens of Hong Kong could watch the scene through ATV.

Even though it was a workday, many citizens still turned on their TVs to watch.

Host Le Huizhen was passionate:

"Look, everyone... arriving now is our Legislative Council Chairman, Mr. John..."

"Councilor Guan Zu is here... what kind of performance will he have in the meeting room today?"

"This is Chairman Zeng of the Transport Panel..."

"This is Chairman Chen of the Finance Committee..."

"Look... our key figure—who is here... it's our protagonist for this incident, MTR Board Chairman, Mr. Tang...!"

"Mr. Tang, can we have an interview... regarding the price hike, you..."

Tang Xin had a dark face, and under the escort of his secretary, he rushed out of the reporters' encirclement and entered the Legislative Council building.

He actually didn't want to come.

(Note: Placeholder line.)

But!

Hong Kong law stipulates that if requested by the Legislative Council for a hearing, one must come.

As an important legislative body in Hong Kong, the Legislative Council has the power to supervise and investigate government-related affairs, including requiring government officials, relevant agency personnel, etc., to accept hearings.

If you don't come, that's contempt of law, and you will face legal proceedings and bear corresponding legal responsibilities, such as fines, travel restrictions, etc.

Subsequently, the Chairman of the Consumer Council arrived.

Then the Director of the Transport Department arrived.

Both were constantly surrounded and interviewed by reporters on the scene, almost being overwhelmed, in a sorry state.

11 o'clock,

The Legislative Council meeting officially began.

All Legislative Councilors were present.

MTR Chairman Tang, Consumer Council Chairman, Transport Department Director... the three were present.

Chairman John opened:

"Alright, let's begin..."

"The first agenda item today is the MTR matter... Councilor Guan, you go first."

All councilors present had no opinion.

Today, they were here to eat melons and watch the show, to watch Guan Zu scold people.

As long as you change your mindset, this meeting is still quite interesting.

Since you can't resist, try to enjoy it!

And MTR Chairman Tang, Consumer Council Chairman, and Transport Department Director were a bit confused.

No,

Why did Guan Zu start it?

Hey, Chairman John, where is your authority? Shouldn't you be leading the entire meeting?

"Thank you, Chairman..."

Guan Zu nodded slightly, then scanned the circle, looking at Transport Panel Chairman Zeng, Finance Committee Chairman Chen...

The Transport Panel and Finance Committee chairmen lowered their heads.

Finally, Guan Zu looked at the Consumer Council Chairman, Transport Department Director, and MTR Chairman Tang.

The Consumer Council Chairman, Transport Department Director, and MTR Chairman Tang sneered at Guan Zu.

Who do you think you are?

Do you really think being a Legislative Councilor means you can shit on our heads.

Guan Zu chuckled: "Chairman, Vice Chairman, everyone, before the meeting begins, I first want to bring up a matter—based on Hong Kong law, Legislative Council meetings, except for those involving Hong Kong's security, corporate secrets, and personal privacy, can disclose other affairs to the outside world."

"In view of the fact that this meeting involves the attention of millions of citizens in Hong Kong, I would like to propose that for the entire meeting, we can invite TV station reporters and photographers to be present, and after the meeting ends, the TV station can disclose the meeting content to the whole of Hong Kong. Of course, if there are inappropriate parts, our Legislative Council has the right to delete segments."

"Chairman, Vice Chairman, do you agree with this proposal of mine!"

John: "Agree."

Vice Chairman William: "Agree."

Hmph, let the MTR not give me money; now don't blame me for standing by.

MTR Chairman Tang's face changed: "I object!"

"Object?"

Guan Zu sneered disdainfully: "Who do you think you are? This is the Legislative Council, not the MTR; please respect the Legislative Council's procedures!"

Chairman Tang: "............"

His face turned blue and white.

Guan Zu: "Since the Chairman and Vice Chairman agree, then please ask the staff to invite ATV reporters and photographers in."

Liang Shuyi raised her hand: "TVB reporters and photographers can also be invited in."

Guan Zu nodded: "Okay."

Soon,

ATV's Le Huizhen and Dui Chuanchang carried the camera and walked in, looking excited.

TVB followed behind.

Set up the camera position.

Consumer Council Chairman, Transport Department Director, MTR Chairman Tang: "..............."

Their faces were ugly.

If the camera enters, then many things they say cannot be said.

They seem glamorous on the outside, but they are actually rats, and rats cannot see the light; once they see the light, they are easily beaten by everyone.

This is also the reason why Guan Zu has always upheld "being open and aboveboard."

As long as I am open and aboveboard, I am impeccable, and by cooperating with public opinion, I am invincible.

Even the Governor is no exception!

Chairman John: "Ahem~~~ Alright, the TV station reporters have entered, let's start the meeting..."

In front of the camera, he maintained his authority: I am not a puppet!

"Councilor Guan, start."

Guan Zu: "Yes, Chairman John!"

Guan Zu's gaze stopped on the Director of the Transport Department.

Guan Zu: "Director Li of the Transport Department..."

The Director of the Transport Department's heart tightened.

It's coming!!

Guan Zu: "I want to ask you a few questions... First, have you taken the MTR?"

Director of Transport Department: "Taken it!"

He lied without hesitation.

Guan Zu's mouth curled: "You've taken the MTR? Your home is in Happy Valley, and the Transport Department is next to Central Plaza; there is no MTR in between. I'm very curious, what are you taking the MTR for?"

Director of Transport Department chuckled: "Mr. Guan, do I need your approval to take the MTR? I also take the MTR when I go to other places, okay."

Anyway, you have no evidence that I haven't taken it.

What can you do to me?

Guan Zu didn't dwell on this question either and continued to ask: "Since Director Li has taken the MTR, he should know that the MTR itself is too expensive, so there are not many passengers, and the carriages are at least half empty."

"This MTR is clearly a livelihood facility; clearly it should bear the responsibility of convenience for the people, but as a result, because the price is too high, there are not many citizens taking the MTR."

"Regarding this, as the Director of the Transport Department, what do you have to say?"

As Guan Zu's voice fell, all the councilors present didn't have much movement.

Instead, Tan Meili, Ah Wah, and others were stunned for a moment and looked at each other.

Director of Transport Department: "Fewer people can let the riding citizens enjoy better service; what's the problem with that?"

Guan Zu sneered: "Very good, from this sentence of yours, one can see that you haven't taken the MTR at all. Let me tell you the current status of the MTR: the three MTR lines, every day, every trip, have a very large number of people; there is no such situation as 'the carriage is half empty' that I mentioned!"

Director of Transport Department: "............"

Only then did he realize he had been defrauded by Guan Zu!

His face turned iron-blue immediately.

"Bang~~~"

Just at this moment, Guan Zu slammed the table,

"Director Li, this is the Legislative Council plenary session; please respect the authority of the Legislative Council and don't talk big!"

"This is not a place for you to show off your eloquence!"

Guan Zu's tone carried unquestionable hardness.

"For the next questions, please answer them honestly!"

"First, the service goal of the MTR is the vast number of citizens, not you upper-class people who have luxury cars and drivers to drive every day. Therefore, the price of the MTR should fully consider the economic ability of the vast number of ordinary citizens!"

Guan Zu raised his volume, every word ringing clearly.

"I want to ask, why did the Transport Department approve the MTR to continue raising prices when the MTR is already so expensive?"

"What is the basis for your approval?"

"Director Li, please answer this question!"

Director Li opened his mouth, but was speechless for a while, unable to speak.

Say the price isn't high?

After the continuous reporting of various data by ATV and newspapers during this period, the whole of Hong Kong has a consensus—MTR prices are very expensive!

Therefore, he couldn't use this excuse.

Guan Zu snorted coldly, continuing to press step by step: "What, can't answer? Or is it that you don't have a reasonable basis at all, just approved it randomly, totally disregarding the life and death of the citizens?"

His voice echoed in the meeting room.

"Do you know how many families have had to cut other living expenses because of this unreasonable price hike?"

"And you? Sitting in a spacious and bright office, enjoying generous treatment, yet turning a blind eye to the suffering of the citizens."

"Your Transport Department's duty is to protect citizens' travel rights, to supervise the MTR's reasonable operation, to supervise whether its price has affected people's livelihoods, but what have you done?"

Guan Zu was stern, and Director Li and the Consumer Council Chairman were both shocked by his momentum for a while; the meeting room was silent.

And on the other side, MTR Chairman Tang also felt for the first time that Guan Zu... seemed to be more "fierce" than he imagined!

This child cannot be underestimated!

And Transport Department Director Li also realized at this moment that in this kind of occasion and this kind of away game, he couldn't resist Guan Zu at all.

Then there was only one way left—blame shifting!!

He steadied his mind and said: "Regarding the approval issue, the MTR submitted a detailed cost report, and then the people under the Transport Department conducted a series of evaluations and studies, and I also made the decision based on the research results of my subordinates."

Guan Zu was aggressive: "So, you feel it was the people below who didn't do the research well? And then misled you?"

Director Li: "Yes!"

Since he was selling out, he sold out thoroughly.

Being a leader, if you can't shift blame, you aren't a good leader.

Guan Zu: "Very good, then tell everyone in front of the camera that will be disclosed to all citizens of Hong Kong, is there a problem with the Transport Department's approval?"

Director Li decisively admitted defeat: "There is a problem; I will go back immediately, self-examine and self-correct, and in three days, I will hold a press conference to give the public a satisfactory explanation!"

Guan Zu: "Good... there is another question; citizens' dissatisfaction with the price has been complained to the Transport Department. But your Transport Department? The response is slow, completely disregarding their urgent demands. After such a long time, have you organized a hearing meeting where citizens can truly express their opinions? Have you actively collected and fed back citizens' opinions?"

Director Li lowered his head: "No... I will definitely re-examine the complaint channels and give the citizens an explanation!"

Guan Zu's tone softened slightly: "Good! Director Li, sit down!"

Since the Transport Department Director bowed his head and wanted to give the citizens an explanation, Guan Zu didn't need to chase him relentlessly.

Because he had one most important goal.

MTR!

And at this time, MTR Chairman Tang clenched his fists, glared at Director Li, and cursed inwardly: Rotten mud can't support the wall! Kneeling so fast! Spineless!

"Chairman Liu!" Guan Zu's gaze skipped over Tang Xin and looked at the Consumer Council's Chairman Liu.

Chairman Liu's heart jumped, and his forehead broke out in sweat.

Just now, Guan Zu showed a terrifying momentum, directly spraying Director Li, who had called him last night to say he would let Guan Zu "see our power," to his knees.

Now it was his turn; Guan Zu hadn't even sprayed yet, and he already felt his legs go soft.

His Consumer Council's strength was much worse than the Transport Department's.

"Councilor Guan~~~"

Chairman Liu smiled reluctantly.

Guan Zu picked up a document and said:

"According to the information I have investigated, the Consumer Council Chairman is appointed by the Chief Secretary for Administration, and when appointed, multiple conditions are comprehensively considered, such as the candidate's knowledge and experience in fields like consumer rights protection, business, law, public affairs..."

"And Chairman Liu is a leader in the field of public affairs, which is why you were appointed as the Consumer Council Chairman."

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PS: First day of the New Year, wishing everyone good health and getting rich!

There is a real Andy Lau "Congratulations on Getting Rich" easter egg chapter behind.

Also, starting February 1st, there will be a lucky draw for monthly tickets (probably headphones, snack gift packs.)

(End of chapter)