Chapter 449: The Struggle of the Three Lis

As a prominent family in Southeast Asia, the Li family of Singapore is viewed by outsiders as a political powerhouse. After all, although Singapore is small in area, it is located at a strategic fortress. When outsiders mention the Li family of Singapore, they still regard them as a major political family in Southeast Asia.

However, the Li family has also accumulated a vast fortune in Singapore over these years. For instance, Temasek, one of the world's top investment institutions, is controlled by people from the Li family of Singapore.

In Hong Kong, the necessities of life—including banking, real estate, media, and television—are controlled by different conglomerates. But Singapore is different; the moniker "Li-gapura" (Li Family's Singapore) did not come from nothing.

It seems the Li family is not as overbearing as the Hong Kong tycoons, and the family's wealth is not ostentatious. But how could the title of the "Number One Overseas Chinese Family" be empty?

Through a dazzling array of equity controls, Temasek holds the reins to over five hundred companies across various sectors in Singapore, including banking, transportation, industry, agriculture, media, healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and ports.

Temasek has not yet undergone rapid expansion and remains somewhat low-profile. But in his past life, Temasek "bottom-fished" the Nasdaq and invested in domestic companies. This included the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world's largest bank, where Temasek held a 2% stake, as well as a 3% stake in China Construction Bank.

One can imagine how much money these two banks alone earn annually, how much they pay in dividends, and how much Temasek gains from them.

In Singapore, ever since Temasek appeared, it is no exaggeration to say: whoever controls Temasek controls the livelihood of the Singaporean people. Singapore is Singapore, but it is even more so the Singapore of Temasek!

The public helmsman of Singapore might change; every few years, a leader not surnamed Li might appear.

But Temasek has always been firmly in the hands of the Li family of Singapore. Furthermore, they do not publicly disclose their finances, revenue, or executive salaries. Since the Li family has absolute control over Temasek, is there any doubt about who holds Singapore in their hands?

However, among wealthy families, after two generations, the family foundation grows thicker, but the unique symptoms of such families also emerge: internal strife. Which wealthy family, after the departure of its most authoritative and influential leader, does not have this problem to some degree? It is impossible to have zero issues; this is human nature!

The Li family of Singapore is no different. The previous generation is still around, and it looks like a picture of paternal kindness and filial piety, with brothers being humble and respectful. But to say there are no problems at all inside is just nonsense.

Li Hsien Yang took over as the CEO of Singapore Telecommunications, but his elder brother entered the municipal government departments. If nothing unexpected happens, he will become the next helmsman of Singapore.

The major shareholder of Singapore Telecommunications, which Li Hsien Yang took over, is still Temasek, and the head of Temasek is his elder brother's wife. It is equivalent to him serving as a subordinate to his brother.

Now that the strongman of the Li family is still around, Li Hsien Yang dares not show anything, but he is harboring a sense of frustration. He wants to prove that he is no worse than his elder brother. Upon taking the position of CEO of Singapore Telecommunications, he is prepared to make a big splash and prove his strength to all of Singapore.

In his past life, at the critical moment of the Singapore leadership election, Li Hsien Yang jumped out to cause trouble for his brother. As a result, he and his wife were neatly arranged by his brother's combination of punches. After experiencing the methods his strongman father once used, he never dared to spout nonsense in the media again.

However, the current Li Hsien Yang has not yet undergone his brother's "instruction" and still wants to prove himself.

Seeing the suddenly emerged Digital Port company on television, Li Hsien Yang was clearly somewhat angry. He immediately picked up the phone and called Brown, the CEO of Cable & Wireless, the major shareholder of Hong Kong Telecom.

"CEO Li, Cable & Wireless still regards Singapore Telecommunications as its primary trading partner. The appearance of Digital Port will not change Cable & Wireless's decision!"

Inside Cable & Wireless, Brown said confidently to Li Hsien Yang on the other end of the line, stabilizing Li Hsien Yang's side.

But after hanging up, Brown could not help but burst into laughter. Right now, Hong Kong Telecom seems to be expressing "anger" and dissatisfaction with the sneak attack by Digital Port.

But in reality, Brown is not bothered by Digital Port's actions at all; on the contrary, he is somewhat welcoming of it!

Following this "sneak attack" by Digital Port, there are now two companies clearly entering the fray to snatch Hong Kong Telecom.

One is Digital Port, backed by Dongling High-Tech and the Ning Trading Company, and it has also gathered helpers like BOC Hong Kong and Peregrine. Behind it, there is even faint support from departments like the Beijing Posts and Telecommunications.

On the other side is the telecommunications group under the banner of the number one overseas Chinese family, which is also the wealthiest family in Southeast Asia.

Just these two companies fighting over Hong Kong Telecom is enough to make its stock price soar, and it will also allow Cable & Wireless to sell its controlling stake for a sky-high price!

Not to mention, there is also Richard Li, who comes from the Li family of Hong Kong's Cheung Kong, who also seems to be restless regarding Hong Kong Telecom.

The Li family of mainland Hanxi, the Li family of Hong Kong, and the Li family of Singapore—the three Lis are competing for Hong Kong Telecom. Just by printing this headline, Brown feels that the newspapers will sell like crazy!

"Is Digital Port holding a celebration banquet right now?"

Brown asked his assistant, then his eyes flickered as he said, "Prepare the vehicle; I will also go and pay a visit to this uninvited Queen of Asian Telecommunications!"

When it comes to stirring up trouble, it has to be the Hong Kong media. Just look at the headlines they give Hong Kong stars: Faye Wong and Sandy Lam taking a photo together, "eyes not meeting"; or Shu Qi taking a photo with a certain actress surnamed Yao, the Hong Kong media titled it "Double Demon Man-Eating Flowers." Every girlfriend of Heavenly King Aaron Kwok is inevitably accompanied by headlines about how many hours it took to "conquer the city." As for "Universe Diapers Bombing the Earth" or "Buses Marrying into Wealthy Families," those are the peak moments of Hong Kong media headlines.

When it comes to Hong Kong's wealthy families, those media outlets restrain themselves slightly, because stars might not spend the time, energy, and legal fees to sue them, but wealthy families really will sue.

Sometimes, some hot-tempered tycoons, unable to swallow their anger, hire gangs in Hong Kong to take action—that is a common occurrence. Therefore, the Hong Kong media restrains itself slightly when facing wealthy families.

And when they encounter someone they want to hype up, they praise them to the heavens. Like this time, with Digital Port entering the board of Hong Kong Telecom, Hong Kong media immediately placed the crown of "Queen of Asian Telecommunications" on Ning Wenge, praising her directly to the heavens!

"Ning Wenge becomes the Queen of Hong Kong Telecom!"

"Digital Port suspected of receiving support from mainland consortia, investing over 10 billion HKD into Hong Kong Telecom!"

"To celebrate Ning Wenge entering the board of Hong Kong Telecom, Digital Port company lavishly spends millions to book an entire hotel..."

In a cramped room, the floor was littered with wine bottles. The man holding a drink looked at the newspaper, especially at a photo of Ning Wenge and Li Dongling on one of them. His eyes were filled with even more anger.

"Bang!"

The man smashed the wine bottle on the floor, emitting a loud noise. Angry curses immediately came from next door.

The man turned a deaf ear to the cursing, staring fixedly at the two people in the newspaper. If someone familiar walked in, they might recognize the bearded man as the once-famous Hong Kong playboy, Zhao Shinan.

But at this moment, Zhao Shinan no longer had his former dashing demeanor. He wore clothes that smelled sour, and he was almost indistinguishable from a homeless person under a bridge.

Zhao Shinan had gone completely bankrupt. Banks, creditors, and tenants whose deposits he owed were all looking for him. Now, Zhao Shinan was almost like a rat crossing the street.

As for the Zhao family, they were no better off. Zhao Shinan's father was still lying in the hospital, and the Zhao family's assets had long been carved up by the Zhao family members.

The group of people who used to call Zhao Shinan "brother" had long since scattered like birds and beasts. Now, he was barely surviving on the savings from selling watches and other luxury goods, hiding here from those creditors.

Looking at the words "Telecommunications Queen" in the newspaper, Zhao Shinan gulped down a mouthful of wine. His eyes were somewhat red. Although he knew that Ning Wenge's title of "Telecommunications Queen" was inseparable from Li Dongling,

Zhao Shinan still couldn't help but think: if not for that day's events, if he had successfully pursued Ning Wenge, would everything belonging to the Ning family, as well as the equity of Hong Kong Telecom—one of the two companies with the highest market value in Hong Kong—have fallen into his hands? Could he then be chatting and laughing with people from those wealthy families in Hong Kong?

Although it was a fantasy, Zhao Shinan couldn't help but tremble when he recalled that scene. But returning to reality, looking at the room full of wine bottles and trash, and the faint stench on his own body, Zhao Shinan hated Li Dongling in the newspaper even more.

He stood up abruptly, wanting to find Li Dongling. But after taking just one step, he tripped over a wine bottle. This fall left Zhao Shinan aching all over, but the alcohol's effect also cleared up a bit.

Sitting back on the floor, Zhao Shinan looked at his body, hollowed out by wine and women, and then thought of the bodyguards Li Dongling brought with him when he came to Hong Kong. He felt that with his own small frame, seeking revenge on Li Dongling was no different from delivering his own head.

After thinking for a long time, a fierce look appeared in Zhao Shinan's eyes. He felt he couldn't stay in Hong Kong anymore. The Zhao family had fallen, and it was almost impossible for him to make a comeback.

Returning to Southeast Asia would be better than staying in Hong Kong. But before leaving, Zhao Shinan felt he wouldn't be reconciled if he didn't take revenge.

Thinking of this, Zhao Shinan found a phone number, picked up the phone, and dialed it. ===== CHAPTER 450 =====