Chapter 252: From Hundreds of Thousands to 50 Billion

At that moment the phone rang, shattering the celebratory mood in the Trading Room. Bao Chenggang's excited voice came through the microphone, and even the phone couldn't mask his thrill; his tone shifted: "Brother Lu! This time our Chinese are truly proud! I've made 800 million here, I could even laugh in my dreams! I, old Bao, have been in business for thirty years and have never felt so exhilarated!"

His voice grew more frantic, almost a roar: "Brother Lu, do you know? I just passed HSBC and those United Kingdom managers who usually hold their noses up now have to nod and bow to me! That branch manager named John, who never even gave me a proper look before, actually ran over to shake my hand today and said 'Mr. Bao, hello!' This feeling is better than any amount of money! Our Chinese have finally stood up on Hong Kong Island!"

He kept on, still excited: "Also, I was drinking tea at a British‑style café in Central. In the past those United Kingdom guys looked at us Chinese as if we were inferior. Today, as soon as I walked in, the usually indifferent British shopkeeper herself came over to greet me and even asked if I wanted to try their premium black tea! Hahaha, I just wanted to laugh at those snobbish fellows!"

He Zhiqiang's phone rang next, his voice trembling with excitement: "Brother Lu, you are the God of Wealth for our Chinese! I made five hundred million today! Five hundred million! In over ten years of business I've never earned so much!"

He Zhiqiang's voice was even more thrilled: "Lu, you are the pride of the Chinese! Wilson the old fox must be dying of envy now! Hahaha! I just drove past Taigu Group and saw that once‑so‑lofty building looking far less imposing! Those United Kingdom guys coming in and out are all downcast, some even with red‑eyed circles, probably have been crying!"

He laughed loudly: "Do you know what's the best part? I met a Chinese employee of Taigu Group downstairs, and the guy told me the whole company is a mess today! Wilson was smashing things in the office like a madman, even smashed a crystal ashtray worth several ten‑thousand dollars into the wall! Hahaha, exhilarating! Absolutely exhilarating!"

Li Zhaolong's phone rang immediately, his voice shaking: "Brother Lu, I made six hundred million! Six hundred million! I, Lao Li, have lived over fifty years and never dreamed I could earn this much! But Lu, more than the money, what excites me is that our Chinese status is completely different now!"

He continued, his voice shaking: "My secretary just went to Standard Chartered to see their manager. Those staff who used to ignore us Chinese today, once they heard my secretary represented a member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, changed their attitude instantly! That usually lofty United Kingdom manager actually poured tea for me himself today and said he wanted to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese business community! I almost laughed out loud!"

Guo Dongying's voice was even more emotional, with a sob: "Brother Lu, this battle not only made us money, it made the Chinese stand up on Hong Kong Island! This feeling is ten thousand times better than any profit! We can finally hold our heads high in front of those United Kingdom guys!"

His voice grew choked, almost sobbing: "I just called my son studying in the United Kingdom on a long‑distance line to tell him the good news. You know what? My son cried on the phone! He said, 'Mom, we Chinese finally don't have to swallow our grievances any more! We can also lift our heads in front of the foreigners!' Brother Lu, you are our Chinese hero! Our savior!"

He kept on, excited: "We Chinese have endured so much contempt on Hong Kong Island for years; today we finally vented that anger! I just passed Victoria Park and saw Chinese compatriots who usually only whisper in corners now loudly discussing this matter! Every face wore a proud smile! This feeling is truly wonderful!"

Phones kept coming, every member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce expressing the same excitement and gratitude. He Dehua reported excitedly: "Chairman Lu, I made seven hundred million here! But more importantly, I just received calls from three Yingzi banks, all saying they want to discuss cooperation with me! Before they ignored me, now it's the other way around!"

Bao Chenggang continued on the phone, still thrilled: "Brother Lu, you have no idea, the whole Chinese community of Hong Kong Island is boiling! I just passed a cha chaan teng packed with people, everyone talking about your deeds! The owners, once they heard it was Lu Qingshan's story, their eyes lit up! One owner even said they'll erect a plaque for you!"

This victorious joy infected everyone present; the entire Trading Room boiled over. Everyone shared this glory, everyone felt proud to be Chinese. This national pride is more precious than any money.

Ye Ning watched the data on the screen, her voice trembling: "Boss, look at the street outside!"

Lu Qingshan walked to the window and saw Central Street below, where many Chinese gathered, animatedly discussing something. Their faces beamed with excited smiles, gesturing wildly. Some even held newspapers, reading the headlines aloud.

"Lu Qingshan creates a financial myth! Chinese stand up on Hong Kong Island!"

"From hundreds of thousands to 5 billion! Chinese youth shock Hong Kong Island's financial world!"

Those voices rose from the street, each word making Lu Qingshan's blood boil. It was not just his personal victory, but the victory of the entire Chinese community.

Zhang Qiming reported excitedly: "Boss, I just got a call from my friend who works at a newspaper. He said today every major newspaper's lines are jammed! Everyone wants to know your story! The editor‑in‑chief of the South China Morning Post is stepping in personally to do a special report!"

Lin Yuchen jumped up, even more excited: "Boss, my mother just called me saying all the Chinese neighbors in our block are celebrating! An old uncle even said he'll treat half the building's Chinese neighbors to a meal to celebrate the Chinese victory! This feeling is really awesome!"

As everyone was immersed in the joy of victory, Li Fuying's phone rang. The old man's voice was unmistakably excited yet carried authority: "Lu, I propose we gather tonight at my house. All thirteen members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will attend; we must properly celebrate this great triumph. This is the most glorious moment in Hong Kong Island's financial history for the Chinese!"

His voice grew ever more excited: "I've lived sixty to seventy years, seen Japan's invasion of China, the mainland's liberation, and the many storms before Hong Kong Island's return. But Lu, I have never felt such pride as today! Today, we Chinese can finally hold our heads high on this land! You are not only our benefactor, you are our Chinese hero!"