Chapter 233: Sixteen Yingzi Tycoons Conspire, Stock Market Plot to Crush Lu Qingshan!

Deep Water Bay Manor, the night was as black as ink.

This English manor built in the nineteenth century is usually as tranquil as a sleeping beauty, but tonight its lights blaze, as if the fate of the entire Hong Kong Island will be rewritten here. The ancient oak trees in the manor sigh in the night wind, as if giving a final warning of the approaching storm.

Wilson, just back at the manor from the Imperial Governor's Office, immediately ordered his secretary Mary to make sixteen calls through the night, each reaching the head of a British Capital Group on Hong Kong Island. Her voice over the phone carried unquestionable authority, as if conveying the highest command from the Empire. Every pause after dialing quickened her heartbeat, because she knew these calls would decide Hong Kong Island's future direction.

"Tomorrow at ten a. m., Deep Water Bay Manor, emergency meeting. Regarding the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, we must take action." Every word Mary spoke was cold, making the person on the other end feel the seriousness of the situation. The silence from the other end said more about the gravity of the problem than any words could.

The next morning, sixteen Rolls‑Royce, Bentley, and Mercedes cars streamed in, parking along the stone path of the manor. Each arrival was accompanied by the sound of tires grinding against stones, as if heralding the prelude to the upcoming business war. The convoy lined up neatly, like an army about to set out, majestic and lethal.

When the doors opened, those who stepped out were the top figures of Hong Kong Island's business world. Every expression they wore was solemn, every glance laced with murderous intent. These people control the lifeblood of Hong Kong Island's economy; a single decision of theirs could affect the lives of millions.

The chairman of Yihe Group, Harrison, in his sixties, with hair silvered but spirit vigorous, whose family has run businesses on Hong Kong Island for over a hundred years, witnessing the United Kingdom's rise and fall on this land. He walks with a perfectly straight back, that aristocratic bearing making others reluctant to meet his gaze. Each step he takes is steady and powerful, as if proclaiming the century‑old Yingzi's authority.

Shi Dani of Taigu Group, in his fifties, with a stern face, controls Hong Kong Island's aviation and real‑estate operations, and is one of the most powerful figures among the Yingzi Groups. His eyes are as sharp as a hawk's; each blink exudes danger. Years of market battles have given him a habit of showing no emotion, yet today his complexion is noticeably gloomier than usual.

Yuehan Xun of Standard Chartered, in his forties, wearing gold‑rimmed glasses, appears refined, but a cunning glint flashes in his eyes. He habitually pushes his glasses up, a small gesture revealing his inner tension. As the head of one of Hong Kong Island's three major banks, he fully understands the importance of this meeting.

Brown of PCCW, Smith of Hong Kong Transport Group, Williams of Hutchison Whampoa, Thompson of Kowloon Warehouse… each name alone could shake Hong Kong Island's business community; each arrival signals an unprecedented commercial war about to unfold. These people control communications, logistics, retail, real‑estate and other key sectors on Hong Kong Island; their alliance is almost unbeatable.

Wilson stood at the conference room door, shaking hands with each of these magnates one by one. His expression was as solemn as if attending a funeral, his eyes flashing with danger, like a Majestic Lion provoked. With each handshake he could feel the faint dampness of the other's palm, indicating that even these veteran business foxes were nervous.

Inside the conference room, beside the massive oak long table were sixteen exquisite chairs, each representing a commercial empire. Portraits of successive United Kingdom monarchs hung on the wall, as if bearing witness to this crucial meeting concerning Yingzi's fate.

"Gentlemen, thank you for carving out time from your busy schedules to attend this meeting." Wilson, seeing everyone seated, got straight to the point, his voice low and authoritative, "We face an unprecedented threat. The establishment of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is not only a challenge to our commercial interests, but also a serious threat to the United Kingdom's rule over Hong Kong Island."

He paused, his gaze sweeping each face, his voice growing heavier, "Gentlemen, we must recognize that this is not a ordinary business competition, but a war concerning the very survival of our Yingzi Groups. If we fail to halt the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's development in time, our century‑long dominance on Hong Kong Island will crumble."

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly grew solemn, each person's complexion turning serious. They all knew this was not a routine business meeting, but a mobilization for a war that would decide the future of the Yingzi Groups. A tense aura filled the air, even breathing became cautious.

Harrison set down his tea cup, his voice low, "Wilson, what do you mean? Yihe Group has operated on Hong Kong Island for over a hundred years and has never faced such a challenge. Does that Lu Qingshan really possess that much power? A man in his twenties, capable of shaking the very foundation of our Yingzi Groups?"

His voice carried obvious dissent, yet the worry flashing in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts. As the head of Yihe Group, he has weathered countless storms, but Lu Qingshan's emergence truly makes him feel an unprecedented threat.

"Total blockade." The moment Wilson uttered those two words, the conference room fell silent. The phrase seemed magical, making everyone feel an unprecedented sense of lethal austerity. Even the ticking of the wall clock became strikingly clear, as if counting down to something.

Shi Dani frowned, appearing somewhat concerned, "Is this too radical? After all, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has just been formed; if we overreact, we might provoke a larger backlash. Should Chinese enterprises truly unite, the consequences could be far worse. Moreover, Taigu Group still has extensive operations on the mainland; a severe clash could jeopardize our mainland development."

His concern was justified. Taigu Group not only has business on Hong Kong Island but also massive investments on the mainland. If we truly tear the face off Chinese enterprises, the fallout would be unimaginable.

"Shi Dani, you're underestimating Lu Qingshan." Wilson sprang to his feet, walked to the huge floor‑to‑ceiling window, overlooking Hong Kong Island's bustling scene, his voice tinged with obvious anger, "You all saw his performance at the press conference. This young man not only has extraordinary incitement ability, but also a staggering business mind. In just a few months he amassed tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars in wealth; that speed is simply unfathomable."

His voice grew more fervent, "What's more terrifying is his ability to unite twelve Chinese‑capital enterprises in such a short time; that organizational skill and charisma are unlike anything we've ever seen. If we let him continue, in a few years our Yingzi Groups' rule over Hong Kong Island will be completely overturned."

He turned, his gaze cutting like a blade across each face, "Gentlemen, we must understand one truth: on Hong Kong Island there can be only one master. Either us, or them. No third option. If we fail to act promptly, we will become the culprits of history, the very cause of the United Kingdom losing its rule over Hong Kong Island."