Chapter 454: 442 This wave, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is in the atmosphere: Dragging Chris Patten into the water!

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked at Consumer Council Chairman Liu: "Chairman Liu, you used to be a good person in the eyes of Hong Kong citizens!"

"In 1982, when Kowloon Motor Bus fares rose, you organized volunteers to go deep into the community to collect citizens' opinions, took thousands of questionnaires and detailed data analysis, and after multiple rounds of negotiations with the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus, you delayed the unreasonable price hike plan..."

"In 1983, the Kowloon rental market was chaotic, with landlords raising rents at will and deducting deposits; you immediately organized rights protection activities."

"In 1984..."

"Previously, you could be considered a leader in the public domain, a person with good public credibility. When you spoke on behalf of the Consumer Council, you could make citizens trust the Consumer Council's decisions more..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu praised Chairman Liu.

He actually guessed that Chairman Liu was political posturing, because: a person who truly "fights for the people" could not possibly get the consent of the Chief Secretary for Administration to become the Consumer Council Chairman; getting a small regional person in charge would be good enough.

The Chief Secretary for Administration would not look for an "enemy."

And the facts were as Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu thought; this Chairman Liu was actually a political speculator.

"Heh..."

Chairman Liu sneered as he listened to Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's praise.

Naive.

"Bang~~~~"

Suddenly, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu pressed both hands heavily on the table, his body leaning forward, his eyes staring tightly at Chairman Liu.

"But!"

This "but" was like a thunderclap on a flat ground, exploding in the quiet conference room.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said word by word: "Since you cared so much about the citizens in the past, why did you turn a blind eye to this MTR price hike, which seriously damaged the interests of the citizens?"

"When Kowloon Motor Bus fares rose, you could organize volunteers, go deep into the community to collect public opinion, take those detailed data, and argue with the Transport Department and Kowloon Motor Bus."

"But what about now? The MTR ticket price issue is exactly the same as the situation with Kowloon Motor Bus back then, and the scope of citizens involved covers all of Hong Kong, which is even more serious."

"And you? Not only did you not stop it, but you approved and agreed to the price hike plan!"

"Here, I can't help but ask, is it because of the appointment by the Chief Secretary for Administration that you forgot your original intention, or were you just putting on a show at critical moments to deceive the trust of the citizens? Or is it that the 'fighting for the people' you were before was just a political speculator, and your previous behavior was just a means to deceive the trust of the citizens and seek political capital?"

Chairman Liu's face turned iron-blue when he heard this.

Bang~~~

He slammed the table in anger.

"Councilor Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, you have no right to judge how I am! Everything I do is for the sake of the citizens!"

"For the sake of the citizens?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was amused, his face full of mockery.

"I want to emphasize that you are now facing the cameras of ATV and TVB; don't think that by playing word games, you can escape this hearing. All your performance will appear in front of all the citizens of Hong Kong."

TVB and ATV cameras were pointed at Chairman Liu.

Chairman Liu's face turned red, and his hands clenched into fists unconsciously.

Anger!

But he couldn't throw a tantrum in front of the camera!

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's gaze was like a sharp sword, his voice stern: "You say I'm slandering you... what about those actions you organized many times in the past to go deep into the community to collect public opinion? Why don't I see you collecting citizens' opinions for this MTR price hike now?"

"And those negotiations you conducted in the past to maintain the rights and interests of citizens, where are they now? Are you afraid to talk, or do you not want to talk at all?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu pointed to the camera, his voice raised by eight degrees, "Today, here, facing the camera, facing all the citizens of Hong Kong, I give you a chance to explain to them!"

"Please!"

"Show your eloquence and see if you can convince the citizens of all of Hong Kong."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice echoed in the conference room, lingering for a long time.

Chairman Liu's body trembled slightly, his lips quivering, but he couldn't say a word. His eyes shifted around, not daring to look at the camera.

Bang~~~

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu slammed the table: "Chairman Liu has nothing to say, right?"

"Since that's the case, then I have a suggestion!"

"Our Legislative Council shoulders the important duty of supervising public affairs and protecting citizens' rights and interests. The Consumer Council Chairman should be a firm defender of consumer rights, but Chairman Liu's performance today is clearly a serious dereliction of duty."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's gaze swept across the room, impassioned:

"Today, Chairman Liu is facing such a serious incident, yet he cannot give a reasonable response."

"Chairman John, Vice Chairman William... fellow councilors... our Legislative Council has the power to supervise the performance of public officials!"

"For the rights and interests of Hong Kong citizens, and to uphold the fairness and authority of public institutions, I propose that the Legislative Council immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against Chairman Liu Xi. We cannot allow such a person who occupies a key position while doing nothing to continue, failing the trust of the citizens and hindering the development of fairness and justice in Hong Kong society!!"

As soon as these words came out,

All the councilors present were shaken.

First time!

This was the first time they had mentioned this power of impeachment.

Chairman Liu's face changed drastically.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was taking his life!

"Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu! Damn you!"

He opened his eyes wide and stared at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, as if he wanted to swallow him alive.

"Which of the things I did in the past wasn't for the good of Hong Kong? Now you are turning black into white and spouting nonsense here! When I was upholding justice for the citizens, you were still a gangster!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu stood upright and sat straight, not afraid of these curses at all.

He sneered: "Chairman John, Vice Chairman William, my impeachment suggestion, I don't know if you agree..."

According to the Legislative Council's process, the impeachment process is:

1. Establish an investigation committee to investigate all information and audit.

2. Submit to the Legislative Council for discussion and voting.

3. If the vote passes, the impeachment is successful, notify the Chief Secretary for Administration, and the Chief Secretary for Administration will respect the Legislative Council's opinion and revoke the position.

Chairman John was as calm as a dog: "Vote, I believe in everyone's choice!"

Vice Chairman William: "Correct."

Soon,

The voting ended.

Under the lenses of TVB and ATV, many councilors had concerns, and they were all watching the fun; the Consumer Council had nothing to do with them.

So...

Voting result: A total of 60 votes, of which 8 abstained, 52 voted in favor.

Chairman Liu heard this result, his body swayed, and he almost couldn't stand firm.

He could no longer control his emotions and pointed at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and cursed:

"Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, you loser! You won't die well! You think you won? You offended so many people..."

Before he could finish,

He felt many dangerous gazes.

His face was full of unwillingness and anger, and he didn't curse anymore.

Next was the establishment of the "Consumer Council Investigation Committee."

First, choose a chairman to organize it. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu wanted to be lazy and didn't want to do it, and other councilors also knew it in their hearts and lowered their heads one after another, pretending not to hear. Everyone knew that once this investigation started, it would definitely touch the interests of many people, and they didn't want to set themselves on fire.

Finally, Ah Wah, as the person in charge of the Five Star Property Company, was named by Chairman John to serve as the chairman of the investigation committee.

Chairman Liu knew that things were irreversible and kept cursing.

"Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, I %￥￥#*……&……!"

He didn't dare to expose the truth about taking money for this incident, otherwise he would definitely be retaliated against by the people behind the scenes.

So he could only curse Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu to vent his anger.

Soon,

He was dragged away by security.

The venue was quiet.

Next, everyone's eyes followed Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and looked straight at————MTR Chairman Tang.

At this moment,

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu had already finished off the Transport Department and the Consumer Council.

It was with the momentum of a great victory that he was crushing toward him.

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

At this moment, he was like a beautiful live chicken in a vegetable market, being stared at by a group of citizens buying vegetables.

Fortunately, he had seen big storms and waves, so he quickly steadied his mind.

At this moment, the only thing he had to do was to break Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's momentum.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Chairman Tang..."

Chairman Tang: "Councilor Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, before accepting the hearing, I need to tell everyone in the Legislative Council, as well as all the citizens of Hong Kong, about the development of the MTR."

Chairman Tang stood up slowly, his gaze sweeping across the room, his expression solemn and carrying a bit of vicissitudes. "Everyone!"

"The MTR being able to get to where it is today can be considered a difficult journey."

"In the early days of MTR construction, funding was a mountain that was difficult to overcome. The government's finances were tight, and the hope of funding was very slim. I discussed with the Financial Secretary many times, hoping to get financial support and loan permission. Although I got support, it was a drop in the bucket for the MTR..."

"In addition, during land acquisition, property rights disputes and compensation negotiations each consumed a lot of time and energy..."

"In the early stages of operation, the coverage of the lines was limited, and it was inconvenient for many citizens to travel, and passenger traffic couldn't go up. Mature transportation methods such as buses, trams, and taxis competed fiercely with us in terms of price and route flexibility. However, our operating costs remained high—equipment maintenance, personnel salaries, energy consumption—each was a huge expenditure. To maintain operations, we had to consider raising ticket prices, but this led to the loss of some passengers, falling into a vicious cycle of operational difficulties..."

Chairman Tang had experienced the entire construction process of the subway, so he knew the difficulties of those years like the back of his hand.

He talked tirelessly, hoping to let all of Hong Kong feel the difficulty of the MTR.

To win some sympathy points.

At the same time, he had an insidious idea—if Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu dared to stop him, he would counter Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, pull Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu to the opposite side of the citizens, and criticize him.

Unfortunately, he waited and waited, but Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu just listened there and didn't stop him at all.

"At that time, we were really too difficult..."

"During the construction process, residents along the line reacted strongly to noise and demolition issues, with constant complaints and protests... The differences in demolition compensation triggered quite a few contradictions and conflicts, and our construction progress was seriously hindered... Quite a few of our employees were beaten and hospitalized..."

"And the underworld came to collect protection money..."

He kept talking, kept talking, talking for more than 20 minutes...

Listing various difficulties...

Finally, he finished speaking, couldn't blow anymore, and made the final summary.

"Even facing so many difficulties, every employee of the MTR did not give up. We gritted our teeth and persisted, trying hard to overcome one problem after another, only then did the MTR have today's scale..."

"Only then did citizens have convenient travel today, without having to squeeze onto buses, wait for traffic lights, and be able to arrive at their destinations on time."

Chairman Tang sighed slightly, his eyes full of fatigue and helplessness,

"Our original intention has always been to provide all citizens of Hong Kong with more convenient and higher-quality travel services."

"I hope everyone can see the hardships of the MTR along the way and give us some understanding and support."

"I'm done."

Bowing, lowering his head.

As if he had poured years of fatigue and grievances into this bow.

"Clap clap clap~~~~"

"Well said!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu applauded vigorously while saying loudly, with a sincere smile on his face,

"The hard-working spirit of the MTR at the beginning is indeed worthy of our admiration, and it is precisely because of your spirit that the MTR is what it is today."

Following Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's applause, other councilors also applauded one after another.

Chairman Tang's cerebellum atrophied.

What?

Is Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu currying favor with me?

At this time, the smile on Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a serious look:

"Everyone, the MTR spirit that Chairman Tang just mentioned is indeed worthy of our admiration, but it also makes us reflect..."

"When did the MTR change?"

"In the past, they overcame one difficulty after another and gave their blood for the people of Hong Kong."

"And now, they have become vampires, lying on the citizens and sucking blood."

"Why?"

"What on earth made them become like this!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu spoke sternly.

Since you talk about contribution and spirit, then I will talk about "you have changed" and "you have become bad."

With contrast, your ugly faces are displayed more clearly in front of all the citizens of Hong Kong.

"You are slandering!"

Chairman Tang's face changed, his face turned iron-blue instantly, and he stood up to refute.

"We are still that MTR, we haven't changed, we haven't sucked the blood of all the citizens of Hong Kong."

"Haven't you?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu stood there, waving a document, and sneered: "This one is a financial disclosure of subway operations in 18 countries, including the United States, New York, San Francisco, France, Paris, Japan, Tokyo... all cities."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said while pointing at the data on the document,

"Not a single subway is profitable... oh no, there is one subway... Singapore's subway is profitable, with a profit rate of 3%."

His voice suddenly raised, with a mocking tone,

"And your MTR... last year, 1991, profit 300 million... this is the data I collected." Chairman Tang hurriedly stood up: "I have an objection!"

"There is no 300 million at all!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Really? I want to remind you that you are speaking in the Legislative Council, and anything you say must be true, and everything you say will be announced in front of all the citizens of Hong Kong through television."

Chairman Tang firmly: "There is indeed no 300 million, it's 260 million."

This is real data.

And the data Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu collected was collected, predicted, and estimated, and it wouldn't be particularly accurate.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu chuckled: "Even 260 million HKD is a lot, enough to exceed the profit level of most subways in the world."

"So..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice suddenly rose, indignantly:

"And you still say the MTR isn't sucking the blood of all the citizens of Hong Kong!"

(Note: Garbled placeholder text.)

"The MTR should be a monopolistic livelihood project, and it should take care of the interests of the citizens! But isn't your high profit today built on the travel costs of the citizens?"

"You keep talking about difficulties, but your profits far exceed the international level."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice echoed in the conference room, making people's ears buzz.

"Chairman Tang, I even suspect your face is made of city walls, otherwise how could you have the face to say 'Our original intention has always been to provide all citizens of Hong Kong with more convenient and higher-quality travel services.' I think changing it to 'Our original intention is to make money' is more appropriate."

Pfft~~~~

Many councilors burst out laughing.

And Transport Department Director Li next to Chairman Tang couldn't help but cover his mouth and laugh.

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

He looked at Director Li with murderous eyes.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was also a bit speechless; I'm talking about serious business, what are you laughing at!

After a while, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu waited for everyone to calm down and asked Chairman Tang: "Do you have any objections to what I just said!"

Chairman Tang: "Yes! Every country, region, and city has its own characteristics. Our MTR can be profitable because we do a good job!"

"No!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu interrupted directly: "It's not that you do a good job, but that the government has given you too many benefits, property revenue, advertising revenue, shop revenue..."

Chairman Tang: "But from the moment the MTR was established, there was no law saying that our MTR cannot be profitable, saying that our profit is illegal. None!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu sneered: "It's true that it didn't say that, and your profit is indeed not illegal. But... you cannot ignore your attributes; besides being a company, you are also a government department, a livelihood project company, and a monopolistic company."

Chairman Tang insisted on one point: "The MTR is not illegal."

"Illegal..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's gaze suddenly became indifferent,

"You want to talk to me about the law... then have you forgotten that this is the Legislative Council!"

"Since you refuse to admit your mistake, then our Legislative Council will teach you to admit this mistake!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked at John.

"Chairman John, Vice Chairman William..."

Respect!

Don't look at me spraying others, but I still respect the two chairmen very much.

Chairman John: "Please speak."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu took out another document from the table:

"I have a news report from November 1990 in my hand: A citizen accidentally damaged a 0.6*0.6 floor tile of the MTR Corporation, and at the request of the MTR Corporation, paid 10,000 HKD in compensation. The receipt provided by the MTR Corporation shows that the maintenance labor cost was 2,000 HKD, and the floor tile cost was 8,000 HKD."

Many councilors: "?!!!"

What the hell?

A floor tile, 10,000 HKD?

Inlaid with diamonds?

"This information was reported in the news; several newspapers reported it together at the time, and I also sent someone to verify with the parties involved, and there was no problem."

Although this absurd thing was reported at the time, the news was quickly suppressed by the MTR.

And no one traced this matter, and it was left unsettled in the end.

And now, it was dug out by Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked at Chairman Tang: "Chairman Tang, you should be clear about this matter, right?"

Chairman Tang: "Not clear."

He really wasn't clear.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "It seems our Chairman Tang is used to being high and mighty, and doesn't know much about the grassroots."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu raised the document,

"Everyone, the reason I brought this up... is to ask Chairman Tang in front of everyone on behalf of all the citizens of Hong Kong, what does it mean that the cost of a mere floor tile is 8,000 HKD?"

"What kind of floor tile is worth 8,000 HKD?"

"Did it put in some American aviation alloy material? Or was it poured directly with gold?"

"Or was it added with Chairman Tang's face? To make the floor stronger?"

Pfft~~~~

The whole room burst into laughter again.

Director Li was no exception.

Chairman Tang Xin's face turned iron-blue, and his fists clenched until they were blue.

No need to think, after today, his "city wall face" will definitely be famous throughout Hong Kong.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, damn you!

"Just from this 'compensation list,' it can be seen that the price of the MTR is absolutely extraordinary... there are serious financial fraud behaviors such as exaggerated prices and false reporting of items!"

"Chairman John, Vice Chairman William... everyone..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu scanned the room, his voice solemn,

"In view of the problems of discussion by all citizens of Hong Kong caused by the MTR, based on the duties of the Legislative Council, based on the tough attitude of MTR Chairman Tang, and the financial problems within the MTR... I think it is necessary to organize a 'MTR Financial Investigation Committee' in the Legislative Council to investigate the MTR's finances."

Financial Investigation Committee?

Chairman John and Vice Chairman William's faces changed, but they quickly covered it up.

Many politically sensitive councilors also had their faces changed.

This MTR shouldn't be investigated!

The water inside is very deep!

And Chairman Tang also changed his face, but after thinking about it, he couldn't help but sneer: Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, you are courting death!

The MTR has a relationship with the former Governor Wei Wei Dewei, and it will also have a relationship with the current Governor. You are moving the Governor's cake!

You are just a small councilor!

You dare to go against the Governor?

Courting death!

Chairman John looked at Vice Chairman William, his eyes: What should we do?

Vice Chairman William looked at a councilor near him.

That councilor's eyes rolled:

"Ahem... Councilor Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan..."

"It's already 12:12, everyone is quite hungry, why don't we have lunch first and then talk?"

The meeting started at 11 o'clock (regular), and one hour was so short.

Many councilors heard this and hurriedly said:

"Yes, yes, I'm hungry..."

"So hungry..."

Soon,

The entire Legislative Council chamber was filled with the sounds of "hungry" and "eating."

Tang Xin looked at this scene, the corners of his mouth hooked.

Sneering at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

Look!

No matter how arrogant you, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, are, can you withstand the majesty of the Governor?

This wave, I'm on the 100th floor!

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked at the actions of most of the councilors, and Tang Xin's mocking gaze at him.

Sneer.

Are they all afraid of the Governor?

That's just right, I'll take this opportunity to drag the Governor into the water!

You think my goal is the MTR price hike, but my goal is MTR price reduction...

You think my goal is MTR price reduction, but my goal is Chris Patten...

You think you are on the 100th floor, but I am in the atmosphere!

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu showed a warm smile.

"Just right, I also feel hungry..."

"People are iron, rice is steel, one meal without eating makes you hungry... let's go eat first..."

I'll give you enough time to make phone calls.

Chairman John and Vice Chairman William breathed a sigh of relief.

Councilor Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, atmospheric!

"Good, then at 14:00 in the afternoon, continue the meeting..."

Chairman John made the final decision.

After the meeting, the councilors left the venue in a hurry, ostensibly to eat, but actually with their own thoughts.

And among them, Tang Xin was the most active.

He knew that the only chance for him to turn the tables was in these two hours at noon.

As his phone dialed out,

Phone calls were quickly made to those high-level people behind the MTR Corporation who took money.

"Hello, is this Secretary Zhang? Something happened! Today at the Legislative Council meeting, that Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was simply too arrogant!"

"He actually accused the MTR of having financial problems and proposed to establish a 'MTR Financial Investigation Committee' to thoroughly investigate the MTR's finances!"

"If this is really investigated, we will be in big trouble; you must think of a way to stop him immediately!"

"Mr. Zhang, that Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is simply crazy!... If the 'MTR Financial Investigation Committee' is really established, and the MTR's account books are turned over, none of us will be able to run!"

These big bosses behind the scenes, upon receiving these calls, all had gloomy faces and were sitting on pins and needles.

They knew deeply that over the years, they had received too many benefits from the MTR, and once thoroughly investigated, and someone exposed the matter, a large group of people would be finished.

Half an hour later...

On Governor Chris Patten's side, the secretary also received many calls, and finally, the secretary made a report to Chris Patten.

"... The MTR has always had a close relationship with former Governor Wei Wei Dewei, and the accounts inside are deeply involved. Once investigated, it will probably cause an uproar... It will definitely affect the credibility of our Hong Kong British government..."

Chris Patten frowned after hearing the report, leaned back in his chair, and fell into a short silence.

He was a bit unhappy.

The tricks in the MTR had nothing to do with him directly; the previous interest transmission was all during Wei Wei Dewei's tenure.

Now he had two choices:

Choice 1: Stop Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, and the MTR can continue to pay him dividends in the future;

Choice 2: Let the MTR be investigated...

Chris Patten tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes flashing with unfathomable light, weighing the pros and cons.

"Wait!"

Chris Patten stood up abruptly.

He suddenly thought of that cunning Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, who was no ordinary small character!

"Is this poorguy Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu so insidious, will he design me here?"

Last time Chris Patten was pitted by Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

This time, such a big thing, it's hard to guarantee he won't pit him.

If (Choice 1) he stops Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, will Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu take advantage of the topic? Incite public opinion?

That way his "close to the people strategy" will fall into great passivity.

And if (Choice 2) he lets the MTR be investigated, will Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu investigate deeply, find out Wei Wei Dewei, or incite public opinion, affecting the credibility of the Hong Kong British government.

Neither of these two choices would work.

So,

He only had one middle choice!

"This 'Finance Committee' must be established, but it must be controlled within a certain range."

"And this Tang Xin, if Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu insists, can be thrown out to take the blame."

Thinking of this,

Chris Patten called the secretary and gave careful instructions.

After giving the instructions, Chris Patten breathed a sigh of relief.

Chuckle.

This wave, I'm on the 100th floor!

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, you want to pit me?!

No way!

————————

PS: This plot shouldn't be considered a break in the chapter, right?

If I write down, it's really a break-chapter dog.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 455 =====