Chapter 598: Printing Rights Secured! Zhang Zhang Chongbang: I Am Not a Villain

The night was as black as ink.

Outside the De La Rue printing plant.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang, having been kicked out of the printing plant, felt extremely unwilling to give up.

"Sir Zhang, let's go!"

His subordinate, Yi Ge, called out to him.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang shook his head: "You all go first."

He still wanted to see if there was any chance left.

Soon, Peter and the others drove away, ignoring Zhang Zhang Chongbang; after all, Zhang Zhang Chongbang's double standards truly made them feel disgusted.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang hid in the darkness, waiting and waiting, until he saw Sir Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Huang Sir Huang Bingyao arrive, get out of his car, and walk straight into the printing plant.

"............"

Zhang Zhang Chongbang felt more and more that there was something going on inside.

Soon, he sped away in his car, heading toward Miss Fu's home; he wanted to ask for more details.

Arriving at Miss Fu's home, he knocked on the door, and Miss Fu opened it.

"Why have you come again?"

"Miss Fu, I came to ask about some circumstances."

Miss Fu was a good citizen, so she helplessly let him in to ask questions.

"What do you want to ask?"

"I want to ask about the process of Old Lady Fu being kidnapped and released."

Miss Fu did not hide much, telling him about the kidnapping, the release, and then being invited by the Five Star Property Company for tea...

"Wait!"

Zhang Zhang Chongbang's expression changed: "Five Star Property Company? Why would the Five Star Property Company look for you?"

Miss Fu: "I don't know."

Miss Fu was not very clear about the Five Star Property's purpose either, but as a supporter of Five Star Property and Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, she subconsciously leaned toward Five Star Property, so she began to be wary of Zhang Zhang Chongbang.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang: "I want to ask, what did the Five Star Property do when they found you?"

At this moment, Miss Fu already felt a sense of distrust toward Zhang Zhang Chongbang.

"I'm sorry, it's not convenient to tell you."

"Miss Fu, I am a police officer, please believe me."

Believe you?

I don't even know you; I'd rather believe the Five Star Property.

"Sorry, I'm a bit tired now."

"............"

Seeing Miss Fu's firm attitude, Zhang Zhang Chongbang knew nothing could be done.

He could only say goodbye and leave.

After leaving, Zhang Zhang Chongbang came to the printing plant.

It was obvious that Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu had intervened behind the scenes in this matter, wanting to gain some benefit.

Since that was the case, he would do the opposite and not let him succeed.

He crouched at the entrance of the printing plant and soon watched Sir Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Sir Huang Sir Sir Huang Sir Huang Bingyao, Qiu Qiu Gangao, and Zhou Zhou Xingxing leave.

Not long after, he finally saw the Monetary Authority Vice Chairman come out, get into a car, and drive away.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang drove to follow him.

Arriving at the busy district in Kowloon, he suddenly overtook the car and cut off the Vice Chairman's vehicle.

He got out, knocked on the Vice Chairman's car window, and took out his police badge.

The window rolled down.

"Sir, I don't think I've committed any traffic violations, have I?"

"Mr. Wang, my name is Zhang Zhang Chongbang, from the East Kowloon Regional Crime Unit. I have some information I want to disclose to you regarding the police force's involvement in the printing plant this time."

Upon hearing this, the Vice Chairman glanced at Zhang Zhang Chongbang.

"It's not convenient to talk here, follow me."

Soon,

Zhang Zhang Chongbang drove, following the Vice Chairman's car all the way to Central, entered a building, and headed straight for a private club.

This was Zhang Zhang Chongbang's first time in such a place; he felt it was too luxurious and cursed these people in his heart.

In the private room.

The Vice Chairman sat down and handed Zhang Zhang Chongbang a cigarette: "Speak, what's going on?"

He lit it and began to smoke.

Zhang Zhang Chongbang did not smoke and began to speak earnestly: "I suspect that Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu is manipulating this matter from behind the scenes."

The Vice Chairman: "Hmm?!"

His body, which had been slumped on the sofa relaxing, suddenly sat up straight.

"What did you say?"

The Vice Chairman naturally knew what kind of person Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was.

An absolute disaster!

A malignant tumor!

"The situation is like this..."

Zhang Zhang Chongbang recounted his investigation process.

When the Vice Chairman heard about the Five Star Property's involvement later on, he realized that Zhang Zhang Chongbang's guess was likely true.

"This information of yours is very crucial."

The Vice Chairman looked at Zhang Zhang Chongbang with an appreciative expression.

"Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"Reward?"

Zhang Zhang Chongbang shook his head: "No, I don't need it. Everything I do is for justice."

Justice?

The Vice Chairman: "............"

He was stunned by Zhang Zhang Chongbang for 3 seconds.

Then he reacted,

"Oh~~~"

"I understand!"

Then he took out his checkbook, scribbled away~~~~ and wrote a check for 30,000.00, pushing it in front of Zhang Zhang Chongbang.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Zhang Chongbang was a bit annoyed: "I will not accept bribes!"

He defined himself as that kind of upright, incorruptible, law-abiding, honest police officer, and he disliked bribes very much.

Of course, the Vice Chairman did not believe there were people in this world who didn't take bribes.

Besides,

You're fucking opposing Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu,

That means you're a villain!

You're a villain, and you don't take bribes?

(Shen Gongbao kicks a small demon · jpg!)

It seems he thinks the money I gave is too little.

So, he scribbled again, a 50,000 HKD check, and pushed it in front of Zhang Zhang Chongbang:

"This should be enough now, right? One piece of information from you, 50,000 HKD, it's worth it."

Zhang Zhang Chongbang turned red: "You are insulting me!"

Now it was the Vice Chairman's turn to be angry: "I've already given 50,000, and you still think it's not enough? Do you want 100,000? Don't be so greedy!"

"I said, I will not accept bribes. Everything I do is for justice." Zhang Zhang Chongbang was ashamed and furious, flicking his sleeves and leaving.

Clang~~~

The private room door closed.

The Vice Chairman: "????"

He scratched his head.

He completely couldn't understand what Zhang Zhang Chongbang meant.

A new day, the morning sun rose, and sunlight shone everywhere.

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

Early in the morning,

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu called for Chen Chen Yongren.

"If I want to purchase a large amount of US dollars, what methods can I use to operate?"

If one wants the right to print currency, one must certainly have US dollars as a security deposit.

The reason is that Hong Kong implements a linked exchange rate system; note-issuing banks must deliver US dollars to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority at a rate of 7.8 HKD to 1 USD (based on the exchange rate at the time) in exchange for certificates of indebtedness, which serve as the basis for issuing Hong Kong dollars.

For every certain amount of Hong Kong dollar issuance, a corresponding full amount of US dollar reserves must be deposited into the Monetary Authority.

Chen Chen Yongren: "What does Brother Zu mean?"

Gao Jin: "It's like this, we discussed it yesterday..."

Gao Jin recounted the meeting held at the Xinhua News Agency last night.

"With the influence of our Five Star Bank in Hong Kong, we naturally must claim a larger share of the Hong Kong dollar printing quota, thereby further strengthening Five Star Bank's voice in the financial sector."

"However, US dollars remain a problem."

Currently, Five Star Bank has US dollar accounts, with sources including: Five Star Clothing, a clothing brand that sells well in Southeast Asia and South Asia, creating approximately 200 million USD in sales for the Five Star Group annually.

Currently, there is 540 million USD in the account.

But 540 million USD is worth nothing!

As for Five Star Bank's other industries, they are all in Hong Kong Island and the mainland, all settled in Hong Kong dollars or Renminbi, with absolutely no US dollar settlements.

Moreover, Gao Jin intends to take a large sum of money to Southeast Asian and South Asian countries to reap profits during the Asian financial crisis. Hong Kong dollars definitely won't work; US dollars are a must.

Therefore, whether now or in the future, US dollars are extremely important to Five Star Bank and must be planned for in advance.

Chen Chen Yongren nodded: "The matter of US dollars is something I have been thinking about for some time."

"Although our Five Star Bank has over 800 billion Hong Kong dollars in savings, our strength in US dollars is too weak."

"I have carefully found experts to study this problem, and the best method is to cooperate with foreign banks to connect to the US dollar clearing system."

Gao Jin: "How so?"

He is a genius, not a polymath; many things require slow exposure and learning.

"Specifically, it is like this..."

Chen Chen Yongren began to explain in detail.

Currently, the world's circulating currency is the US dollar, and for other currencies to connect to the US dollar, they need to connect to the US dollar clearing system.

At this time, in 1993, the global major US dollar clearing system is CHIPS (Clearing House Interbank Payments System in New York), which is also what HSBC and Standard Chartered are connected to.

And within the New York CHIPS system, Citibank occupies a core position, handling over 20 billion USD in transactions every day, with its business covering over 100 countries and regions globally.

Once Five Star Bank connects to Citibank, the US dollar clearing transaction processing time can be shortened from 2-3 days to 15 minutes.

However, Citibank does not connect to just any bank; it requires a threshold, but considering that Five Star Bank holds over 60% of the savings funds on Hong Kong Island, the qualifications are absolutely sufficient.

And what does the Five Star Group have to pay? Money.

According to industry rules, Citibank charges a handling fee of 0.05%-0.1%.

Gao Jin pondered repeatedly, then finally nodded.

"Contact the senior management of Citibank's Hong Kong branch; we want to discuss connecting to the clearing system."

"Also, besides Citibank, are there other banks?"

"There are Chase Manhattan Bank (JPMorgan Chase), Bank of America, Wells Fargo... there are a few banks to choose from."

Gao Jin nodded: "Contact them all, see if they are interested, and then do an assessment..."

Chen Chen Yongren nodded: "Okay, I will send it out today!"

For Five Star Bank to expand its international business in the future and enhance its voice in the financial sector, this move is imperative.

In a flash,

Wednesday,

A plane from the Imperial Capital landed at Kai Tak Airport.

A leader from the banking system and a leader from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, after getting off the plane, boarded a car from the Xinhua News Agency and entered the Shangri-La Hotel.

The next day,

A group of leaders visited the Government House.

That day, the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary, HSBC, Standard Chartered, De La Rue, and others all arrived at the Government House.

A closed-door meeting began.

At the beginning,

The news said: The two sides had a cordial and friendly conversation, which means the possibility of cooperation is very high;

In the morning, the two sides had a frank conversation (there were major differences, and they could not communicate for the time being).

In the afternoon, the two sides exchanged their respective opinions (each spoke their own mind, and no substantive agreement was reached).

The third day, they continued to talk.

In the morning, the two sides exchanged opinions in depth (the two sides could not reach an agreement and argued very fiercely).

In the afternoon, the leader from the Eastern Great side finally couldn't help but lose their temper directly.

If you do something wrong, you have to admit it!

Don't think that just because I want to talk to you, you think I have a good temper.

After losing their temper, progress finally accelerated.

Then, after the two sides communicated with the high-level officials of the two countries.

They talked for another week,

And finally reached an agreement:

First: The Bank of China obtained the regulatory power over the De La Rue printing plant.

Second: The printing quota was finally further divided: starting in 1994, HSBC 40%, Bank of China 30%, Five Star Bank 20%, Standard Chartered 10%.

As for why it has to wait until 1994?

Because neither the Bank of China nor Five Star Bank has any US dollar reserves on hand.

It is necessary to wait until 1994, when Five Star Bank obtains the US dollar clearing system and bypasses HSBC, to officially start.

However, regarding the regulatory power, the Eastern Great can officially move in this month.

From now on, this group of people won't be able to print money privately even if they want to.

April 1993, Qingming Festival.

Hong Kong Island began to enter ancestor worship mode.

Among the busiest places, besides the public cemetery, was "Qu Street".

Qu Street (located in Hung Hom), many people may not have heard of it, but it is the gathering place for funeral homes and paper offering shops on Hong Kong Island.

Just as Wedding Card Street is a gathering place for festive items.

Every day here, hearses, coffins, and columbaria pass by, and there is the scent of lilies (wreaths, flower baskets), as well as large amounts of paper money, funeral couplets...

This year's Qingming,

Gao Jin and Ah Xing, carrying lily bouquets and paper offerings, accompanied the Fang siblings and Sister Ling to the cemetery to pay respects to Fang Fang Jinxin.

Fang Ting is a pregnant woman, so she didn't go.

And the location of the grave is at the "Wo Hop Shek Cemetery".

It is one of the public cemeteries on Hong Kong Island, located in the northern New Territories, and is very large.

Looking down from the satellite map, you can see dense dots and dots and dots...

And to its north is the Gallant Garden.

Just like in Infernal Affairs, after Chen Chen Yongren died, he was buried in the Gallant Garden.

(Chen Chen Yongren: "Hmm???")

They drove to the foot of the mountain, and the road ahead was already blocked; dense crowds of citizens were winding their way up the mountain.

Along the way, they met many citizens.

"Wow~~~ Mr. Gao, you came too?"

"Mr. Gao, are your ancestors also buried here?"

"............"

This kind of greeting feels strange.

It took 2 hours to go up the mountain and pay respects.

Then Sister Ling began to pour her heart out to the tombstone.

She informed Fang Fang Jinxin about how Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Zhanbo and the three Fang sisters are doing now.

Then she said that Fang Ting is pregnant...

Fang Fang Jinxin in the grave: I don't know if I should be happy or unhappy! Forget it, I think Ah Xing is quite pleasing to the eye!

(End of chapter)