Chapter 748: 741 Gao Zu vs. Tax King, the encounter of destiny! Ding Hu
PS: Tax King—the current No. 1 in the US, a madman.
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12 Repulse Bay Road.
Mr. Zheng's luxury villa.
The noon sun spills without reservation onto Mr. Zheng's vast villa with white walls and a red roof.
In the living room of the villa,
At this moment, the Tax King is wearing his usual crisp suit. Although he is currently at the end of his rope, burdened with $4 billion in debt, as a madman, he still has plenty of swagger.
He sits on a soft leather sofa, full of intense confidence, waving his hands in the air, talking endlessly about the "Riverside South" project in Manhattan, New York.
"Mr. Zheng, Manhattan is the heart of global finance! The location of the Riverside South project is in the West Side of Manhattan; it is simply the most dazzling pearl on the crown!"
"I have a 77-acre (about 310,000 square meters) plot of wasteland there."
(Image: roughly one of the internal areas within that red line)
"I plan to build an unprecedented integrated community there, top-tier luxury apartments that can overlook the magnificent scenery of the entire Hudson River, allowing residents to wake up every morning in beautiful scenery."
"The supporting commercial center will gather the world's top brands, from fashion luxury goods to high-end dining, everything is available. By then, this will become a gathering place that global tycoons will flock to, property prices will inevitably soar, and the return rate will be absolutely unimaginable!"
In short, blow hard!
Blow hard!
At this moment, the Tax King just wants to pull a huge investment in Hong Kong!
His economic empire began to collapse in 1991, when the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort under the Tax King declared bankruptcy first due to a massive debt of $896 million.
That's right,
Casinos can also go bankrupt!
It simply makes gamblers cry with emotion!
However, misfortune always favors this madman. As the US economy slumped, the real estate market plummeted, and the Tax King was keen on "high leverage + high stakes," causing the entire group to quickly fall into a debt quagmire.
In 1992, the Trump Plaza Hotel and the Trump Castle Hotel also fell into financial crisis one after another. His yacht, the "Trump Princess," which he had mortgaged to the bank, was forcibly auctioned at a low price, becoming another iconic event in the collapse of his business empire.
By 1995, the Tax King's personal debt had soared to nearly $1 billion, and his credit rating had been downgraded to junk status.
The once high-and-mighty real estate tycoon had to humble himself and negotiate debt restructuring with 150 banks.
However, those banks didn't dare to lend him money at all, fearing they couldn't plug this big hole.
The US wouldn't lend money,
The Tax King had no choice but to go abroad to find "foreign aid."
Thus, he set his sights on the Pearl of the Orient—Hong Kong.
Hong Kong in the 90s was the hottest capital center in all of Asia, and the Four Asian Tigers were famous.
Thus,
The Tax King came to Hong Kong.
The first person he contacted was the eldest son of Mr. Zheng.
That's right, he knew the eldest son of Mr. Zheng.
Then the eldest son of Mr. Zheng reported to his father, Mr. Zheng.
And now, the Tax King begins to blow smoke to Mr. Zheng.
Mr. Zheng sits quietly opposite, his face kind, but as an old fox, he won't easily reveal his true thoughts.
Throughout the process, he only gently picks up the teacup on the table, slowly blows away the heat, takes a small sip, listens unhurriedly to the Tax King's description, but never says a word.
Actually,
He has already seen the prospects of this project.
Manhattan center!
This is definitely a project that must make money!
So, the point is how much advantage he can take from this destitute tycoon in front of him.
So, he has to play hard to get.
Mr. Zheng's goddaughter sits on the side, wearing a slim-fit professional suit.
If Mr. Zheng is the one who doesn't express his stance at all,
Then his goddaughter is the lubricant.
The Tax King talks for a while, and seeing Mr. Zheng still silent, he can't help but raise his volume and emphasize his tone:
"Mr. Zheng, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! With your capital and my core land, if we join forces, we will definitely make a big profit in this project!"
Mr. Zheng puts down his teacup and finally speaks:
"Mr. Tang Nade, your project is so good, why don't you Americans invest? Why come to Hong Kong to invest?"
The Tax King begins to brag: "Because I prefer dealing with Easterners. Easterners are my friends. I like your qualities, unlike us Americans, who are all digging into money."
Mr. Zheng: "............"
Goddaughter: "............"
Eldest son of Mr. Zheng: "............"
Do we look like children to you?
However, it must be said that the Tax King is indeed good at bluffing people.
In his previous life, after this guy took over from the consortium of Mr. Zheng + Mr. Qiu (Malaysia) + Mr. Luo, he officially started the construction of the high-end residential area. (The Tax King got 30% of the shares)
Between 1995 and 2005, the development was completed, coinciding with the recovery of the US property market. In 2005, it was sold as a whole for $1.76 billion, setting the highest historical record for residential transactions in New York.
Logically, this should be a happy ending for everyone.
But the Tax King later turned his back on them and sued the two in court a month later.
The Tax King did not accept the share of the proceeds he deserved but filed a lawsuit, accusing the two of "serious breach of fiduciary duty" and demanding $1 billion in damages.
The lawsuit over "Riverside South" lasted at least four years, and the judge eventually ruled that the Tax King lost the case.
After the Tax King was elected president in 2016, this past event was dug up by the media.
On the day he announced his candidacy, the Tax King said in a speech: "China has always been my loser!"
"I own a large portion of the shares of the Bank of America building at 1290 Avenue of the Americas; that is something I took from China in a big battle, and it is very valuable."
However, the Tax King's attitude later changed, and he responded to media reporters:
"If you meet Mr. Luo and Mr. Zheng, please tell them that I think they are both very good people."
"Please let them know that I respect them very much."
This is a typical madman.
In the living room,
Facing the Tax King's constant bragging, Mr. Zheng's performance is lukewarm.
"Mr. Tang Nade, investment is never a small matter. I still need some time to let the team go to the US for in-depth investigation."
The Tax King is slightly startled, a trace of imperceptible disappointment flashes across his face, but he quickly says enthusiastically,
"Mr. Zheng is so cautious, which shows your old-fashioned calculation in the business world. I believe that once you understand the 'Riverside South' project in depth, you will definitely be convinced of its potential!"
Soon,
Mr. Zheng sends the Tax King away and asks the driver to take the Tax King to the hotel.
Soon,
The driver takes the Tax King to the Shangri-La Hotel in Central, drops him off, and leaves.
The Tax King stands by the street, looks at the hotel here, and shows an embarrassed expression.
He... is a pauper now, only brought $20,000 with him, and he needs to save it. (PS: True event)
Finally,
He gritted his teeth and walked into the hotel, opening an executive suite.
He knows that people rely on clothes, and he can't let others see his embarrassment, otherwise he will be in a passive position.
On Mr. Zheng's side,
After the Tax King left, the three of them began to discuss.
Goddaughter: "Godfather, I think his project is good, should we invest?"
Being able to become Mr. Zheng's goddaughter, her ability is naturally unquestionable. She is smooth, sophisticated, and has high emotional and intellectual intelligence.
"Dad, I also think this project is good." Although the eldest son of Mr. Zheng is a straw bag, he can clearly see that this project is indeed a good one.
Think about that place, it's Manhattan, one of the centers of New York!
Making money while lying down!
Mr. Zheng nods: "This can indeed make money, but the preliminary investigation is essential."
"Moreover, I have always had the idea of going to the US to invest, and this time may become a springboard."
"The only worry is..."
Mr. Zheng hesitates for a moment.
The goddaughter understands in a second: "Godfather is afraid that these Americans don't keep their word and there are risks?"
Mr. Zheng nods: "That's right, besides being afraid that he won't keep his word, I'm also afraid that New York is unfriendly to our foreign capital."
Eldest son of Mr. Zheng: "This is simple, we can pull others along... for example, Gao Zu of the Five-Star Group."
Mr. Zheng sighs when he hears this name.
Originally, he had a very good relationship with Gao Zu and profited many times, but last time during the real estate public-area reform, he did a stupid thing, and the other party gradually distanced himself.
Thinking about it now, he feels he was extremely stupid! The goddaughter also advises: "Since there is a misunderstanding, we should pull Mr. Gao along even more, which can also show our sincerity."
Mr. Zheng: "I'm afraid we won't be able to get the initiative."
Goddaughter: "Let's get the admission ticket to invest in real estate in New York first, and even if we lose, consider it as spending money to avoid disaster."
Hearing this,
Mr. Zheng: "Good!"
It is indeed true, last time he was greedy and brought disaster, this time spending money to avoid disaster is very reasonable!
A new day,
Early in the morning,
Ding Hu originally wanted to go to the rice noodle roll shop for breakfast, but after thinking about it, he bought some bread and milk tea and specifically squatted at the stair entrance downstairs of Gao Zu's place.
Holding the bread without eating it, he just waits there.
Soon,
The familiar sound of footsteps comes from upstairs.
Ding Hu quickly tears open the plastic bag and begins to eat the bread.
"Yo~~~"
The familiar voice comes from the stairs.
"The single dog is eating breakfast alone again~~~"
Ding Hu curls his lips, hehehe~~~
Then he changes to a bitter face: "Brother Zu, I don't want to eat breakfast either, hurry up and find me a girlfriend, you said you'd arrange it."
Brother Zu waves his hand: "Ah Mei has already scouted for you, and you've met several, it's you who didn't like them."
Ding Hu giggles: "Brother Zu, I met one yesterday, I really like her, why don't you ask Sister Mei to help me introduce her."
"Hmm???"
Gao Zu and Ah Xing next to him suddenly get energized!
"Tell me more!"
"Where? Who?"
Their eyes are shining.
Ding Hu giggles and scratches his head: "Met her yesterday, but I don't know how she feels about me."
Ah Xing is impatient: "Just tell us who it is!"
Ding Hu giggles and continues to scratch his head, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Inspector Hu from the Wan Chai Police Station."
"Wan Chai Police Station?"
Gao Zu claps his hands: "This is simple, Ah Jin's wife Wei Yingzi is at the Wan Chai Police Station, let her introduce!"
Gao Zu doesn't say a word, picks up the phone, and calls Gao Jin: "Ah Jin, tell you a piece of news..."
Gao Jin: "............"
Damn memory, starting to attack him.
However...
Why is his body starting to get excited?
Gao Jin is excited: "Brother Zu, tell me!"
Even his cold face can't hold it together.
Gao Zu: "There is an Inspector Hu in the Major Crimes Unit of the Wan Chai Police Station, female, Ah Hu says he likes her very much. Let Wei Yingzi ask, and bring the two of them for a blind date!"
Gao Jin laughs out loud when he hears this: "Good, I'll call Ah Zi immediately."
After hanging up the phone.
Gao Jin calls Wei Wei Yingzi at high speed.
Wan Chai Police Station, Traffic Department, Senior Inspector's Office.
Wei Wei Yingzi is processing work,
"Ring, ring, ring~~~"
"Husband~~ What? Let me introduce? Good, good~~~ Who? Brother Hu? Hahaha~~~~"
Wei Wei Yingzi also gets excited.
Wei Wei Yingzi: "Who does he like?"
Gao Jin: "Inspector Hu from the Major Crimes Unit, do you know her?"
Wei Wei Yingzi: "Oh, I know her, she just transferred from the 'Madam' squad last week."
Gao Jin: "What does she look like?"
Wei Wei Yingzi rolls her eyes: "If she wasn't pretty, you men wouldn't like her."
Gao Jin quickly says: "This shows that in my heart, my wife is the prettiest."
Wei Wei Yingzi: "............"
The sweet talk came unexpectedly.
Hehehe~~~
She laughs happily.
Gao Jin: "Then I'll trouble my wife, Brother Hu is a good guy, please help introduce him."
Wei Wei Yingzi hehehe: "Rest assured, leave it to me!"
In terms of being a matchmaker, Wei Wei Yingzi is still very excited, hohohoho~~~
Soon it's noon,
When Wei Wei Yingzi is eating in the police station canteen, she glances around and finds Inspector Hu, who is eating with a female colleague from the Major Crimes Unit logistics.
Inspector Hu is very pretty, but she is from the "Madam" squad, possessing a natural dignity and heroic spirit. Even if the single male officers in the Major Crimes Unit have designs on her, they don't dare to date her.
Thus, she only has female colleagues around her.
Wei Wei Yingzi takes her tray and comes to Hu Hu Huizhong's table.
"Sister Zi~~"
"Sister Zi~~~"
Wei Wei Yingzi greets everyone and then sits down.
"Inspector Hu~~"
"I am Wei Wei Yingzi from the Traffic Department."
Hu Hu Huizhong knows who is in front of her immediately, because Wei Wei Yingzi is very famous in the Wan Chai Police Station, having a handsome and cold boss husband, and is the object of envy for many female police officers.
"Hello, Miss Wei."
The two begin to chat.
Soon they are calling each other Sister Hu and Ah Zi.
Wei Wei Yingzi probes around and learns about Hu Hu Huizhong's situation, finding out she is single and 30 years old.
There are many men who want to pursue her, but because of her characteristics, many people are deterred.
So she is still single now.
After eating,
Wei Wei Yingzi pulls Hu Hu Huizhong to the police station garden: "I don't know if Sister Hu has any thoughts of getting married? I have a candidate here, he couldn't eat or sleep after seeing you yesterday..."
Hu Hu Huizhong: "Ah?"
At this time,
The news that Ding Hu likes a female police officer has spread throughout the senior management of the Five-Star Group!
Gao Jin: "Tell you a piece of news, don't tell anyone else..."
Wu Ying: "Brother Hu is dating?"
Xu Xu Xu Xu Xu Xu Xu Zhengyang: "Who is it?"
Gong Wei: "A police flower from the Wan Chai Police Station~"
Everyone: "Wow~~~~"
(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 749 =====
End of Chapter
