Chapter 232: Unanimously Passed! He Became the King of Hong Kong Island

The conference room was silent, and everyone was shaken by this sense of historic mission. They suddenly realized that they were participating not merely in the formation of a business alliance, but in witnessing a historic event. The feeling made their blood boil, as if they had returned to the passionate years of their youth.

He Zhiqiang's eyes flashed with tears, his voice trembling: "Mr. Lu, you are right. Our generation is so honored to personally take part in such a historic moment. We must live up to this era and to our descendants."

Li Fuying stood up excitedly, voice trembling: "Mr. Lu is right! We cannot think only of our own interests; we must think of the future of Hong Kong Island. This is the true spirit of entrepreneurship! This is the responsibility Chinese entrepreneurs should bear!"

His voice grew even more impassioned: "We must show the whole world that Chinese people can not only create wealth but also shoulder responsibility. We must become the cornerstone of Hong Kong Island's prosperity and stability, and the pride of the Chinese nation!"

"What about the Yingzi Group?" Guo Zhiqiang asked, his voice showing clear worry, his palms sweating, "They certainly won't stand by. They might resort to even harsher measures. HSBC, Standard Chartered, Yihe Group—those are giants. If they unite to retaliate, can we really withstand it?"

The question made everyone's hearts rise to their throats. The strength of the Yingzi Group is indeed terrifying; they control Hong Kong Island's financial lifeline and wield massive political resources. Once they decide to retaliate, the consequences would be unimaginable. But now the arrow is on the string; it must be released.

Lu Qingshan fell silent for a moment, a cold, sharp glint flashing in his eyes. He slowly stood, walked to the window, and gazed at the myriad lights outside. Hong Kong Island remained bustling in the night, but he knew a storm was about to arrive.

"Cooperate where we must cooperate, fight where we must fight," Lu Qingshan turned, his voice becoming stern, his eyes flashing with a heart‑pounding light, bearing a decisive, lethal aura, "But there is a bottom line: any act that harms Chinese interests we will resolutely oppose. If necessary, we will make them pay a heavy price."

His voice grew sharper, tinged with a blood‑thirsty tone, each word as sharp as a blade: "If they want to play, we will play with them. But this time, we are no longer lambs to be slaughtered. We have teeth, we have claws, we have the ability to strike back. Whoever dares reach out, we will chop off their hand."

These words gave everyone an unprecedented shock. From Lu Qingshan's eyes they saw a terrifying resolve, a determination to rather shatter like jade than crumble like tile. This aura both stunned them and reassured them.

Li Zhaolong sprang to his feet, his voice ringing powerfully: "Mr. Lu is right! We Chinese cannot lose our blood‑spirit! If they want to bully us, we must be ready to strike back!"

Bao Chenggang slapped the table excitedly, the teacup trembling with it: "Well said! We Chinese are not easy to bully. If they want a kill‑all, we will see it through! Better to die on the battlefield than on a sickbed!"

Guo Dongying also stood, a steadfast gleam in his eyes: "Since its founding day, Sun Hung Kai has never bowed to anyone. Today will be no exception!"

Lu Qingshan looked at these excited faces, a surge of heroic feeling rising in his heart. He knew the wolf‑like nature of these Chinese entrepreneurs had been awakened. After a century of suppression, they had finally found the courage to strike back.

"However, we must also be strategic," Lu Qingshan's voice became steady, "The Yingzi Group's strength is indeed great; we cannot meet force with force. We must learn to use the rules, to leverage against them."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes: "Everyone, do you know what the Yingzi Group fears most?"

Everyone looked at him curiously, awaiting the answer.

"What they fear most is exposure," Lu Qingshan sneered, "Many of their actions on Hong Kong Island are hidden from the light—racial discrimination, monopoly operations, collusion between government and business. If these are exposed by international media, their reputation will be severely damaged."

Li Fuying's eyes brightened: "Mr. Lu means we must strike in the realm of public opinion?"

"Exactly," Lu Qingshan nodded, "We must show the world the unfair treatment Chinese people face on Hong Kong Island. We must let the international community know how the Yingzi Group oppresses Chinese."

He Zhiqiang said excitedly, "This strategy is good! Our Trust Virtue Group has many media resources overseas and can coordinate the action."

The meeting went on until late night, and when the twelve Chinese capital magnates left Li Fuying's villa, each face was full of excitement and anticipation. Their steps became light, as if they had grown ten years younger. An organization capable of reshaping Hong Kong Island's landscape was officially born.

The night wind swept through the Mid‑Levels, carrying the scent of an imminent change. Street lamps swayed in the breeze, casting flickering shadows as if heralding the coming storm. The whole Hong Kong Island slept, but some people were destined to stay awake through the night.

Li Zhaolong sat in his Rolls‑Royce, watching Hong Kong Island's nightscape through the window, his heart a mixture of emotions. He recalled his father's words: "On this land, we Chinese either are trampled underfoot or rise to resist. There is no third path."

Today, they finally chose to stand up.

Bao Chenggang's Mercedes sped along the mountain road, his mood unusually excited. The Chinese capital group, founded by his grandfather, had survived under the shadow of the English Capital Alliance. Now they finally have the courage and strength to challenge their rivals.

He Zhiqiang sat in his Bentley, a satisfied smile on his face. The Trust Virtue Group had long been suppressed by the Yingzi Group in shipping, and now finally has a chance to strike back.

Only Li Jiasheng sat in his car, his expression complicated. As the head of the Faction, his relationship with the Yingzi Group is extremely delicate. Today's decision may put him in a dilemma.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Governor's Office.

In the vast office, only two desk lamps were lit, their dim yellow light casting gloomy shadows between heavy curtains and classic furniture. Governor sat behind his desk, his face as gloomy as a sky before a storm, the cigar in his hand already extinguished, yet he remained oblivious.

Opposite him sat a middle‑aged man in his fifties, a cigar clenched between his teeth, exhaling a ring of smoke.

It was HSBC's president Wilson, a figure who could summon winds and rain in Hong Kong Island's financial world.

"Did they really establish the Chinese Chamber of Commerce?" Governor's voice was low, laced with obvious anger.

Wilson nodded, his face equally grim: "According to our intelligence, the heads of twelve Chinese capital enterprises attended tonight's meeting. They elected Lu Qingshan as Chairman, Li Fuying as Honorary Chairman."

"Damned!" Governor sprang to his feet, his fist pounding the table, the documents rattling, "I have long said we cannot let that Lu Qingshan continue to run amok. Now they have banded together!"

Wilson's expression grew more serious: "The more troublesome thing is that they put forward three tenets, one of which is 'promoting a peaceful transition of Hong Kong Island.' This wording is politically sensitive."

Governor's face grew even more sullen. He of course knew what that tenet implied. With 1997 drawing nearer, united Chinese enterprises would pose a huge threat to British rule.

"Wilson, what do you suggest?" Governor sat back down, his voice calm, but the fire in his eyes still burned.

Wilson took a deep drag of his cigar, slowly exhaling a smoke ring: "We cannot let them continue to develop. We must act, and act quickly."

"What action?"

"Economic blockade," Wilson's voice turned cold, "Unite all English Capital Alliance firms to impose a total blockade on the member companies of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Banks will cease lending, trade partners will cut cooperation, government projects will refuse their participation."

Governor considered briefly, nodded: "The plan is feasible. But we must execute it covertly, so no one can catch us with evidence."

"Of course," Wilson sneered, "We will let them know who the true master of Hong Kong Island is."

The office atmosphere grew even more ominous, both men's eyes flashing with murderous intent. A larger storm was about to descend over Hong Kong Island's skies.

Meanwhile, in the office being prepared by Star Han Investment Group, Lu Qingshan was discussing countermeasures with Ye Ning, Lu Qingjun and others. They knew the English Capital Alliance's retaliation was imminent and they must be fully prepared.

"Boss, the English Capital Alliance will definitely retaliate," Ye Ning said worriedly, "Their strength is too great; can we really fight them?"

Lu Qingshan stared at the night view outside, a steadfast glint in his eyes: "Ye Ning, remember this: when the narrow road meets, the brave win. We Chinese have endured for a hundred years; now it is time to stand up."

He turned, looking at his subordinates, his voice firm: "Starting tomorrow, we must prepare to meet the storm. This will be a war that decides the fate of the Chinese."

In Hong Kong Island's night sky, the stars still glittered. Yet everyone knew a new era was about to arrive.