Chapter 261: The Sky‑Swallowing Giant Dragon

"Uncle Li is right." Lu Qingshan looked at Liang Zhiwei, his gaze far‑reaching, "Therefore, Xinghan Bank is certainly not just an ordinary commercial bank. In the future it will be the capital pool and safe haven for our entire Chinese capital alliance."

He extended his finger, drawing a solid, powerful circle in the air: "The bank's role is to attract and settle capital with its reputation, ensuring our foundation stays stable. But stability alone isn't enough; money is stagnant water—it must flow to become a weapon, become power. So, above Xinghan Bank, I plan to expand the business of Star Han Investment Group."

"Star Han Investment Group?" Li Fuying and Liang Zhiwei were both stunned; it was the first time they'd heard that name.

Star Han Investment Group was established using the shell of the investment company that Lu Qingshan had taken over from Li Fuying; the paperwork is essentially completed, but it hasn't actually conducted any business yet, and Li Fuying is unclear about the new company's name. Liang Zhiwei knows even less about the status of Star Han Investment.

"Exactly." Lu Qingshan explained, his voice full of the charm of shaping the future, "The bank's absorbed depositors' funds can be steadily channeled, through compliant and legal fund routes, into the investment group's capital pool. The investment group will, on a global scale, act like a hunter to seek the finest, most value‑creating assets for investment. The massive returns earned will, in part, be returned to bank depositors as interest far exceeding industry norms, allowing our Chinese wealth to continuously appreciate; the other part will serve as capital for our group's development, to capture territories!"

When this concept was presented, Liang Zhiwei, a director with a finance background accustomed to all kinds of complex models, instantly had his eyes blaze with unprecedented light, and his breathing grew rapid.

This… this is not a simple bank‑plus‑investment model; it's a perfect financial closed loop that is offensive and defensive, self‑Blood‑Making, infinitely cyclical! A prototype of a Financial Empire is already unfolding before his eyes!

Lu Qingshan watched the two's completely stunned expressions, then continued in a calm tone, delivering the most earth‑shattering words: "Defeating Wilson is only a beginning. The economic lifeline of Hong Kong Island cannot remain forever in the hands of the United Kingdom. Healthcare, ports, real estate, electricity, deep‑sea transport, minerals, industry, high‑tech… these fields monopolized by them must be reclaimed one by one with the power of capital! We will build a truly Chinese commercial empire, and fully prepare for that inevitable great event in the future."

"In the future… that great event…" Li Fuying murmured to himself, feeling a current surge from his tailbone straight to the crown of his head, his whole body trembling, and he suddenly looked up at Lu Qingshan, his eyes filled with unprecedented awe and shock.

He understood! At this moment, he fully understood!

Lu Qingshan's gaze was never on the tiny Hong Kong Island, nor on the rivalry with the Yingzi Group. His sight had already crossed the narrow Shenzhen River, seeing the vast, awakening mother‑land! All his schemes are aimed at the destined, glorious historic moment that will shine for millennia, coming in a dozen or so years!

"Good! Good! Good!" Li Fuying said three times, his voice trembling with excitement, his eyes reddening, "Qing Shan, I, Li Fuying, at my age, consider myself to have met many people, and today I am completely convinced by you! Heart and mouth both submit! Rest assured, from today on, I, Li Fuying, and our entire Chinese Chamber of Commerce will look to you alone for guidance!"

He took a deep breath, as if making a decision that wagered his entire fortune.

"Qing Shan, I am here today also representing the Business Association's dozen or so elder brothers to tell you something," Li Fuying's expression became extremely solemn, "In this upcoming battle against Wilson, although we have communicated, in the end we are still fighting separately, like scattered sand. The timing of buying and selling is off, chaotic, and there was even a blunder where our own people grabbed each other's shares, almost jeopardizing your great undertaking."

"Therefore, the thirteen of us have unanimously decided that from now on, all our members' investment operations will be wholly entrusted to you for unified control! We trust you!"

When this proposal was made, even Lu Qingshan felt a hint of surprise. It amounted to handing the core financial authority of the entire Chinese Chamber of Commerce into his hands. This trust weighed as heavily as Mount Tai.

He pondered briefly, looked at Li Fuying and the expectant eyes of the whole Chinese Chamber of Commerce behind him, slowly nodded, and uttered two words: "Fine."

Seeing his agreement, Li Fuying was overjoyed, so excited he was about to speak.

Lu Qingshan raised his hand to stop him, his gaze sharp as a blade, and continued: "But Uncle Li, let's lay out the ugly stuff first. Since you trust me, you must abide by my rules. Brothers, keep accounts clear."

"First, the funds of all uncles and elders may not be deposited into Xinghan Bank; I won't use that to coerce anyone, everything is entirely voluntary. However, all capital that wishes to participate in investment must be consolidated into the Star Han Investment Group account, which I will fully allocate."

"Second, before each major investment, I will convene an investment preparatory meeting within the Business Association, laying out the investment targets, risk assessments, and expected returns on the table. Then, based on each family's willingness and capital amount, I will allocate investment quotas."

"Third, and most importantly," Lu Qingshan's voice was low yet carried an unyielding, imposing momentum, "All collaborations must be formalized with a proxy investment agreement. The investment risk will be underwritten by my Star Han Investment Group! You won't lose money!"

He shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping the void as if already seeing the future map of the Financial Empire: "Of course, the generated returns will, per the agreement, be allocated to our group's corresponding management fees and profit share. Because this money doesn't go into Lu Qingshan's pocket; it's meant to feed the beast 'Xinghan', letting it grow sharper claws and fangs, so that we all can tear through the Yingzi Group's defenses and expand into broader territories!"

His words were clear and orderly. He gave allies both respect and choice, while the promise "I will underwrite" displayed unparalleled Confidence and responsibility, and the metaphor of "feeding the beast" elevated the shared benefits into a collective great undertaking.

Li Fuying, after listening, not only didn't think Lu Qingshan was petty, but felt his whole body shiver, a sense of awe rising from his heart, making his back feel slightly cold.

Terrifying! This is not a business negotiation; it's clearly an emperor setting rules! Rewards and punishments are clear, authority and responsibility defined, both thunderous measures and gentle intentions!

"Great! That's how it should be!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands, his voice trembling, "With rules, we can form a proper circle! Since you underwrite, we old fellows have nothing to worry about! Qing Shan, you have considered far more thoroughly than we have!"

Now he looks at Lu Qingshan as if gazing upon a perfect uncut jade—no, a piece already carved and shaped, soon to become a national treasure that will rule the world!

Having resolved the pressing matter, Li Fuying relaxed completely, and recalling another matter, his smile grew even brighter and more mysterious.

"By the way, Qing Shan! I've already arranged everything for tomorrow night's house‑warming banquet! The invitations have been sent! At that time, the thirteen families of our Chinese Chamber of Commerce, as well as senior officials of the Hong Kong government, banking magnates, and leading figures from all trades, will attend!"

He squinted, his tone laced with a mischievous hint of wanting chaos: "Tomorrow night, you must be ready. Those old fellows, each one is brimming with ambition, eager to see our Chinese new landmark, and especially eager to see you, the new helmsman who can overturn the Shason Family! This is not merely a house‑warming banquet; it's essentially the grand opening ceremony of our Chinese capital alliance, your coronation ceremony!"