Chapter 227: The Night Before Hong Kong Island

The words struck Li Fuying's heart like a bolt of lightning. He felt his worldview undergo an earth‑shaking change at that moment.

Being a smart man, he naturally understood Lu Qingshan's meaning. The 1997 handover of Hong Kong Island was already a fait accompli; the current issue was how to stand on the right side at this historical turning point.

"Mr. Lu, you mean…" Li Fuying's voice trembled, his palms beginning to sweat.

"My meaning is simple." Lu Qingshan sat down again, his voice turning serious, "Now is the time for Chinese capital enterprises to unite. The Yingzi Group treats us as a threat, so we must become a real threat."

The remark made Li Fuying's eyes flash bright, then dim again: "But our strength is still insufficient. A single Chinese capital enterprise is a mere shrimp before the Yingzi Group."

"Strength can be accumulated." Lu Qingshan smiled mysteriously, "Moreover, you have underestimated the potential of Chinese capital enterprises. If we unite, we may not be weaker than the Yingzi Group."

He paused, his gaze deepening: "Chairman Li, can all Chinese capital firms be summoned for a short evening meeting?"

"A short meeting?" Li Fuying was startled; the request seemed sudden.

"To cope with the future situation, especially since there are proxy investment funds in the companies under my care, can we convene immediately?" Lu Qingshan's voice grew stern, "Time waits for no one; we must act quickly."

Li Fuying's mind raced, weighing the feasibility of the proposal. If they could truly gather representatives of all Chinese capital enterprises, it would indeed be a historic moment.

He thought for a few seconds, then sprang to his feet: "I'll handle it right away! In two hours the representatives should arrive; we can hold the meeting at my residence!"

"Good." Lu Qingshan nodded, "Then see you in two hours. Remember, the confidentiality level of this meeting is high; no outsiders may know."

Li Fuying nodded, turned to leave, but at the doorway turned back: "Mr. Lu, do you really have confidence?"

"Chairman Li, do you think I'm joking?" Lu Qingshan's eyes flashed with a sharp glint.

Li Fuying gave Lu Qingshan a deep look, then left escorted by his bodyguards.

After Li Fuying departed, Ye Ning came over, her face full of worry: "Boss, what are you planning? Isn't this too risky?"

"The things that must be done." Lu Qingshan looked at the night view beyond the window, Hong Kong Island's neon lights flickering in the darkness, "The era of fragmented Chinese capital enterprises must end."

Lu Qingjun also came forward, admiration in his eyes: "Second brother, you intend to consolidate Chinese capital forces? This is an unprecedented undertaking!"

"It's not integration, it's alliance." Lu Qingshan corrected, "Everyone remains independent, but at critical moments we must present a united front, just like the united front against the Japanese back then."

Wang Yuyun could not help asking: "Boss, do you think they'll agree? After all, everyone has their own little calculations."

"They have no choice." Lu Qingshan turned, his eyes shimmering with depth, "Either unite and share the cake, or continue to be trampled by the Yingzi Group. A wise person knows which to choose."

Ye Ning still worried: "But boss, if the Yingzi Group truly retaliates, do we have a countermeasure?"

Lu Qingshan smiled mysteriously: "Ye Ning, do you think I'm acting without preparation?"

Two hours later, Li Fuying's Mid‑Levels villa.

It was a mansion worth over a hundred million, situated in the most expensive district of Hong Kong Island. Inside the villa the lights burned bright, while outside a strict guard detail placed more than a dozen bodyguards at key points.

In the spacious conference room, twelve tycoons or key representatives of Hong Kong Island's Chinese capital companies gathered. The room was luxuriously decorated, a massive rose‑wood conference table seating twenty, with priceless calligraphy and paintings adorning the walls.

Li Zhaolong of Henderson Land, Guo Dongying of Sun Hung Kai, Li Jiasheng of Faction, Bao Chenggang of Chinese Capital Group, He Zhiqiang of Trust Virtue Group, Wu Zhihua of Kowloon Warehouse, Zheng Zhigang of New World Development, Chen Zhiqiang of Hang Lung Group, Guo Zhiqiang of Kerry Group, Wu Zhiqiang of Hutchison Whampoa, Gong Zhiqiang of Huamao Group, and Lu Zhiqiang of Galaxy Entertainment…

Each of those names could stir waves in Hong Kong Island's business world; they control most of the island's Chinese capital enterprises, with total assets exceeding one hundred billion Hong Kong dollars.

But at this moment, they sat quietly in their chairs, awaiting Lu Qingshan at the head of the table to speak.

The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat eerie, yet also shocking.

These usually lofty tycoons now waited like students for a young man's instruction. If the outside world saw this scene, it would certainly cause a sensation.

Lu Qingshan surveyed the room and began slowly: "Everyone, thank you for coming on such short notice. I know you're all busy; taking time to attend this meeting shows how much you all care about the current situation."

"Mr. Lu, we all saw your press conference today," Li Zhaolong said first, the most senior entrepreneur present, "Are you planning to go to war with the Yingzi Group?"

"War?" Lu Qingshan laughed. "Chairman Li, do you think we have the right to go to war?"

The remark left everyone stunned. They had expected Lu Qingshan to act forcefully, not to say such a thing.

"Our current situation is like a dozen people with sticks facing a gang of gun‑wielding bandits," Lu Qingshan's voice was calm, yet each word struck everyone's heart. "If we don't unite, we'll be taken down one by one."

Bao Chenggang nodded: "Mr. Lu is right. The Yingzi Group already sees us as a threat; no matter what we do, they won't let us off. This afternoon HSBC put pressure on our company, demanding we draw a line with you."

"Since that's the case, why don't we truly become a threat?" Lu Qingshan stood, his gaze sweeping each person present. "Everyone, the times are changing. After 1997, who will be the master of this land?"

The conference room fell silent; the ticking of a needle could be heard.

Everyone knew the answer, yet none dared speak. The topic was too sensitive; a slight misstep would bring disaster.

Lu Qingshan's mouth twitched with a smile: "It seems everyone understands. So, shall we become the drivers at this historical turning point, or remain mere observers?"

This question will decide the fate of everyone present, and also the future of Chinese capital enterprises.