Chapter 833: May Offensive! The Old Building Elevator Installation Plan! Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan

May.

The weather in Hong Kong has become even hotter.

It was also starting in May that ATV News began to report one after another on the news of old buildings in Hong Kong lacking elevators and the elderly having difficulty climbing stairs.

Day one:

"Recently, our station's reporters have conducted in-depth visits, focusing on the plight of old buildings in Hong Kong, where the elderly struggle to climb stairs and the lack of elevators has become a 'stumbling block'..."

"In front of an old building in North Point built in the 1960s, our reporter met 82-year-old Granny Li. Granny Li lives on the 7th floor, and climbing up and down the stairs every day has become her biggest headache."

Switching to the grandmother's interview response: "My legs have arthritis..."

"It is understood that there are a large number of similar old buildings in Hong Kong. Due to the lack of elevators, the travel and quality of life of elderly residents are seriously affected. With the intensification of population aging, this problem needs to be solved urgently."

Day two:

Today, ATV News received a heartbreaking piece of news. In a 9-story old building in Shau Kei Wan, a 78-year-old elderly person suffered a sudden heart attack while climbing the stairs. The delay in rescue time meant that after being sent to the hospital, the person died despite emergency treatment...

"This incident has once again sounded an alarm: should the government and society attach importance to the issue of elevators in high-rise buildings to ensure the safety and convenience of the elderly?"

Day three:

"ATV News continues to follow up..."

"Some experts believe that if necessary, elevators can be added to old buildings..."

"In the interview, Mr. Zhang, who lives on the 1st floor, expressed his opposition, while Granny Wang, who lives on the 6th floor, eagerly hoped that an elevator could be installed: 'I have to go to the market to buy groceries every day, and carrying things up the stairs is really beyond my strength...'"

Day four:

"ATV News reporters interviewed the Housing Department..."

"A spokesperson for the Housing Department stated that they are currently studying relevant policies..."

As the days of reporting went by,

Citizens across Hong Kong successfully turned their attention to the installation of elevators in old buildings.

Many families with elderly people living in buildings without elevators began to care about this matter.

"The TV report is very good; it is really hard to climb the stairs in old buildings without elevators!"

"Installing elevators is a very good thing, I support it."

"I disagree. I live on the first floor, and installing an elevator affects the lighting..."

"You aren't afraid of it affecting the lighting, you're afraid of it affecting the property value of the first floor..."

"The property value of the floors above might rise if an elevator is installed, but the floor below will probably fall."

"Doesn't installing an elevator cost money? It would be good if the government could pay for some of it."

In every street and alley, in thousands of households across Hong Kong, everyone was discussing this matter.

Families with elderly people tended to favor installing elevators.

And the residents on the first floor were the most opposed.

Day five...

Day six...

Day seven...

The voices of discussion across Hong Kong grew louder and louder.

At this time, a certain scumbag surnamed He was gathering citizens to protest, talking about wanting democracy and freedom. Originally, Ni Ming was organizing this, but because he was "combined" by Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's dump truck, it was the turn of the one surnamed He to handle it.

Then he was interviewed by a reporter: "May I ask Mr. He, regarding this matter of installing elevators, the first floor is opposed while other floors support it; which side do you think should be supported?"

The one surnamed He hurriedly shook his head: "I haven't been following the news lately, I don't know the inside story, and I have no comment."

He didn't dare to speak. After all, he was currently organizing protests to build momentum, and it was already hard to gather people; what if he offended one side and lost even more supporters?

Day eight,

Amidst the uproar across Hong Kong, the Five Star Group, in conjunction with the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, the Housing Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department... and several other departments, held a joint press conference.

At 9:00 AM, the conference hall at Central Plaza was packed.

It was originally scheduled for the Convention and Exhibition Centre, but the Convention and Exhibition Centre had been sealed off for the preparations for the handover ceremony.

On the stage,

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, dressed in a dark suit, sat on the stage alongside representatives from the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, the Housing Department, the Social Welfare Department, and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.

The background board behind them prominently read: "Hong Kong Old Building Elevator Installation Scheme — Let Every Step Have Warmth."

The lenses of dozens of media outlets were aimed at the stage.

"Dear reporter friends, fellow citizens..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice carried through the microphone to the entire venue,

"In the past few days, ATV's reports have allowed all of Hong Kong to see an urgent reality: in our bustling city, there are too many elderly people facing a huge dilemma..."

"After detailed data collection... and collaborative meetings between various departments..."

"We have joined together to officially launch the 'Old Building Elevator Installation Support Scheme'..."

"For old buildings that meet the criteria, the government and the Five Star Group will bear 80% of the installation costs, and the owners only need to pay 20%..."

Then...

Each department announced the parts they were responsible for.

40 minutes later,

It was time for the interview session.

A reporter from *Ming Pao*: "I would like to ask, if the first-floor owners do not agree, will it be pushed through by force?"

The person in charge of the Housing Department shook his head: "No, we advocate more for owners to seek solutions acceptable to all parties through consultation, mediation, and other methods, such as providing reasonable financial compensation to first-floor owners, optimizing elevator design to reduce the impact on them, etc., to promote the progress of the project rather than forcing it through..."

A reporter from *Oriental Daily News*: "I would like to ask, which department first proposed this project?"

The person in charge of the Housing Department smiled and buttered up Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "This point was proposed by Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan."

A reporter from *Sing Tao Daily*: "May I ask Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, what made you think of pushing for this matter?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "The cause of the matter was last month, when I went to the market to buy groceries... and then I heard a grandmother say that her legs and feet were inconvenient, and she had to carry a large amount of groceries up to the 7th floor every day. Although occasionally Five Star property staff would help carry the groceries up, it was clear that she was not the type of person who liked to trouble others, so I saw her struggling to climb up with the groceries... At that moment, I suddenly had an idea: to install elevators for those old buildings."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu did not use bureaucratic language, but spoke with sincere emotion.

"My wife's grandmother is now over 80 years old and lives on the second floor... I cannot imagine how difficult it would be for her if she had to climb the stairs to the 7th floor every day."

"Therefore, I think this plan to install elevators in old buildings is very important and also very necessary."

"Hong Kong is a city full of humanistic care and a happy city."

"Hong Kong's prosperity should not leave the elderly behind!"

As soon as these words were spoken,

The entire venue instantly erupted in warm applause.

Many reporters were moved: As expected of Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan!

A reporter asked: "Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, you just said that the Five Star Group will provide 60% of the funding support for the entire project. Doesn't this mean the Five Star Group will have to spend hundreds of millions or even billions?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu smiled: "There are many ways to make money, but being able to let the elderly no longer suffer from climbing stairs—this sense of achievement is worth more than gold."

Clatter, clatter~~~~~

The entire venue erupted in applause once again.

At noon,

ATV and TVB reported on this press conference in detail.

At a certain restaurant.

At this time, Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie (Ah Wah) was clinking glasses with the director and screenwriter, discussing the filming plan.

At this time, the TV on the wall was broadcasting the press conference.

The three of them subconsciously looked over,

"This is good~~"

"With an elevator, it will be easier for the elderly to go upstairs."

Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie watched on TV as Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said he saw "a grandmother say her legs and feet were inconvenient, and she had to carry a large amount of groceries up to the 7th floor." He had no special reaction, and he didn't even know that the person Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu was talking about was his family's old servant, Sister Tao.

He was used to Sister Tao's care, but he was also habitually indifferent to Sister Tao's situation.

After an hour, when they finished eating,

He put on his backpack and returned home.

He walked up the stairs,

And went all the way back to the 7th floor.

He knocked on the door.

"Sister Tao~~~ Sister Tao~~~"

He kept knocking on the door, but this time, Sister Tao did not come to greet him as usual.

Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie, who had forgotten his keys, knocked on the door for a long time without receiving a response, and suddenly felt that something was wrong.

He hurriedly called the Five Star Property Company. Soon, the Five Star Property Company arrived with hydraulic cutters, then forcibly broke the iron gate and rushed in.

They saw Sister Tao already lying on the floor, having fainted.

Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie and the Five Star Property employees hurriedly sent the fainted Sister Tao to the hospital. Fortunately, she was sent in time, and Sister Tao was not in life-threatening danger.

She had a stroke.

It was because of her old age and a cerebral thrombosis.

Over the next few days, the television continued to broadcast the progress of the elevator installation plan...

Back at Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie's home, because Sister Tao was gone, everything became unpleasant for Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie. He tried to do the housework himself, but the pampered Young Master didn't even know how to mop the floor. He wanted to do laundry but didn't know how to use the washing machine, so he had to bite the bullet and study the manual.

Only then did he feel all the kindness Sister Tao had shown him.

He also realized that he had truly never cared about anything regarding Sister Tao.

Then, it suddenly occurred to him that day when he and Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan bumped into each other on the stairs, and he remembered Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan's words: "An old woman said her legs and feet were inconvenient, and she had to carry a large amount of groceries up to the 7th floor every day." He was likely talking about Sister Tao.

Slap~~~~

Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie slapped his own face hard.

He was practically not a human being!

Sister Tao had been taking care of him since he was a child, yet he hadn't given her even a shred of care.

Filled with immense guilt, he rushed to the hospital.

Elderly people fear being a burden to others the most, so Sister Tao took the initiative to suggest moving into a nursing home.

Hearing this, Luo Superintendent Superintendent Situ Superintendent Situ Situ Situ Situ Situ Jie felt even more guilty, feeling that he had truly let Sister Tao down.

……

……

At this moment,

On the other side, 50 dragon boat teams from the mainland had also arrived in Xiangdao one after another.

"So this is Xiangdao?"

"It really is an international metropolis."

"Let's buy some newspapers to see the news in Xiangdao..."

"Young Master Lin and two beauties putting on a show in the park... hiss, is this something an honest kid like me should be looking at?"

"Five Star Group is joining forces with multiple departments to promote the old building elevator renovation plan? Five Star Group? Is that the Five Star Group that was on CCTV?"

"Wait??? If there's trouble, you can look for Five Star Property? Not the police?"

The chaotic flowers are beginning to dazzle the eyes...

After these dragon boat teams arrived in Xiangdao, what they saw and heard was truly an eye-opener.

They stayed for a week; besides training at the Shing Mun River in the Shatin District, the rest of the time was spent touring all over Xiangdao.

And the conclusions they reached were:

First: There are too many novel things in Xiangdao.

Second: Five Star Group is deeply embedded in every aspect of Xiangdao; it's a behemoth!

Third: They saw the real Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu in the Shatin District; he was damn handsome, as dazzling as the sun!

Fourth: There is actually a monument to Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu at the entrance of the Shatin District.

……

……

Central Plaza.

Top floor, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's office.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu sat in front of his desk, and in the teacup before him, the steam from the tea was curling upward.

System notification:

"You have promoted the 'Elevator Installation Project,' and a large number of elderly people will benefit from this in the future..."

"You have received rewards: Approval Rating +1%, expenditure cashback, 'Talent Cultivation Card,' etc..."

"Eight Star Charity Property Company employee (Li Li Jianxi) has completed a good deed... Guangzhou approval rating (28%)..."

"Eight Star Charity Property Company employee (Xu Daozhe) has completed a good deed..."

"Happiness Charity Property Company employee (Tang Tang Nade) has completed a good deed..."

"Umbrella Corporation employee (Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Jiang Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Jiang Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Tian Yang) has completed a good deed..."

Knock, knock, knock...

Just then, Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Zhanbo knocked on the door and walked in.

"Zu Ge..."

"The latest data from Thailand..."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's spirits lifted.

Just a week ago, Soros and other international hot money began their second attack on the Thai baht.

First, they sold off the Thai baht in batches in the foreign exchange market, and the Thai baht's exchange rate against the US dollar saw a maximum single-day drop of 4.5%.

The Bank of Thailand urgently joined forces with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, using 12 billion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves to intervene in the market, temporarily pulling the exchange rate back to 28.20 Thai baht.

At the same time, the Soros Fund sold off blue-chip stocks in sectors like Thai banking and real estate, triggering a chain reaction. The Thai SET index fell by a cumulative 18% in May, with financial stocks generally seeing single-day drops of over 7%. Market liquidity dried up, retail investors fled in large numbers, and some brokerages were forced to suspend trading due to client margin calls.

In addition, international capital withdrew from Thailand through offshore markets, with the scale of capital flight exceeding 5 billion US dollars.

To repay US dollar debts, Thai companies were forced to sell off local currency assets, further exacerbating the pressure of devaluation.

To cope with this, the Bank of Thailand raised the benchmark interest rate from 10.5% to 12.5% in an attempt to curb speculation, but high interest rates caused corporate financing costs to soar, leaving real estate and manufacturing in dire straits.

The Thai government continued to seek aid from the IMF (International Monetary Fund), but the austerity conditions proposed by the latter triggered domestic protests...

Thailand's finance was in violent turmoil...

And then it radiated to surrounding countries.

The Philippine peso was under immense pressure in May, with its exchange rate against the US dollar continuing to fall, reaching a cumulative devaluation of 8%.

The stock market was not spared either; major stock indices plummeted, market capitalization evaporated by 15% within a month, the stock prices of numerous companies were cut in half, and retail investors and foreign capital fled.

The Malaysian ringgit's exchange rate against the US dollar fluctuated sharply in mid-May, with the devaluation rate once approaching 10%. The stock market also crashed, with the stock index plunging 20%, and sectors like finance and real estate were the hardest hit.

The Singapore dollar remained relatively firm, with its exchange rate against the US dollar depreciating slightly by 3% in May, and the stock index falling by a cumulative 12% in May.

Some export-dependent companies saw their profit margins significantly compressed due to the depreciation of the Singapore dollar, forcing them to cut production capacity and lay off employees to save themselves.

The South Korean won's exchange rate began to show signs of instability in May, falling by 5%, and the KOSPI stock index also fell by a cumulative 10%, with the stock prices of many large conglomerates plummeting... In January, 3 million workers went on strike, and these large groups' stock prices were already crying for their parents before they could recover, and now they were falling again... However, Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu had already begun preparing funds to harvest them...

The Japanese yen's exchange rate depreciated by 4% in May, and the Nikkei 225 index fell by 8% in May...

On the other hand, Xiangdao was relatively stable, despite a slight decline.

The financial storm... had already begun!

And by June, Soros and other international hot money would launch a third round of attacks on Thailand, which would be the moment when the Asian financial market officially collapsed.