By 1947, when Di Junda was not yet thirty years old, he had already become one of the most wealthy people in Shanghai Bund, and was called the Southland Young Tiger by many Shanghai Bund tycoons. With his ambitions fulfilled, Di Junda pressed on and began to move ashore, switching from the shipping industry to the real estate industry. He bought Shanghai Bund with cash and prepared to develop real estate.
However, in the early months of 1948, Di Junda, who was full of vigor and self-satisfaction in Shanghai Bund, encountered the People's People's Liberation Army, which was advancing southward with overwhelming momentum. Just after the New Year in 1949, the Huaihai Plain was recovered, and the army groups of Du Yuming, Huang Baitao, and Huang Wei were completely annihilated. The wealthy businessmen and tycoons in Shanghai Bund who were close to the Kuomintang were like frightened birds, selling off their properties and fleeing to Taiwan, Hong Kong, or overseas.
Di Junda's real estate investments, worth tens of millions, were difficult to sell at a low price to raise cash, but no one was willing to take them over. In the end, Di Junda only brought the US dollars of more than 400,000 Hong Kong Hong Kong dollars to Hong Kong.
Compared to shipping tycoons like Yu Shiting Zeng Chunsheng, who brought hundreds of millions of dollars to Hong Kong, Di Junda was practically a beggar. In the past two years, he had only managed to make a comeback thanks to the Korean War, and his total assets barely exceeded three million. Now, with his business shut down, he was even more heartbroken than before, and he was so angry that he wanted to dig up the ancestral graves of the mastermind behind the sinking of Lei Yingdong's ship.
The group of old foxes remained silent, but Di Junda didn't want to beat around the bush anymore. He was originally trained in Western learning and had no interest in the roundabout, evasive business tactics of China.
As soon as he asked the question, Di Junda felt a sudden silence around him. But when he turned his head, the old foxes were still drinking tea and chatting as usual, and the actors on the stage were still singing their songs.
Yu Shiting didn't refuse the younger man's request. He put down his teacup, turned his head, and gave Di Junda a smile.
"Jun Da, since you asked, I'll tell you. First, Xu Pingsheng doesn't want money; second, Xu Pingsheng doesn't want people; and as for the first round of wine, he doesn't need it either. Now I'm telling you this, can you give me some advice?"
Di Junda was speechless. Yu Shiting's Di Junda were actually quite harsh, almost like a slap in the face, implying, "I'm telling you the result, do you even have the right to participate in this?"
Di Junda was indeed not qualified. His few small sampans could only do some business in the coastal waters near Macau. The boats of these old foxes could be loaded with goods from Malaysia, Thailand, or even Australia and sail all the way to Liaodong or North Korea. The freight fees they earned from one trip were more than all of Di Junda's current wealth.
"Boss Yu, so you want to have a sales contest first, and then sit down and talk?" An old man next to Di Junda, who had seemed to be dozing off earlier, was now wide awake Yu Shiting.
Di Junda's face darkened. These old foxes were all waiting for someone to be the first to ask. Yu Shiting was the kind of person who wouldn't embarrass anyone every time he spoke. They would give the first person a warning first, and as long as the others were careful, there wouldn't be any problems.
Thinking of this, Di Junda grew even angrier. Even at a point like this, these old foxes were still scheming. Did they all think they were Fan Li or Tao Zhu, so capable of competing with the Britain for business?
Yu Shiting glanced around at the people who had come today. "Where is Boss Zeng? Wasn't Boss Zeng hosting a banquet at a restaurant in Xitang yesterday? He didn't send me an invitation, and he didn't grace me with his presence today either. Does he think I, Yu Shiting, am irresponsible? I even specially ordered this play, 'The Sudden Change,' for him."
Suddenly, the tune of "Nan Pu Deng'e" began, and the young man dressed as Li Longji immediately began to sing in a clear and resonant voice. "The palace is peaceful and secure, but the borderlands are in turmoil. The drums beat loudly, and the beacon fires blaze. The people flee in panic, the world is overturned in darkness, and the country is ravaged. The country is ravaged. The west wind blows bleakly as evening falls, and the setting sun casts a cold light over Chang'an."
Chapter 464 Talba
With a benevolent expression, Sai Zhalunwang clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to Golden-Tooth Lei, saying, "Sawadika."
Golden-Tooth Lei simply nodded slightly. He had already had his men investigate this group of veteran thugs from Thailand who had come to Hong Kong. They had their business in Thailand stolen and were desperate, so they brought a couple hundred men to Hong Kong for refuge.
Please invite Sai Zhalunwang to sit in the private room of the teahouse. Outside, Fishhead Biao, Gao Lao Cheng, and Sai Zhalunwang's men, including Paitoon and Wenren, occupy several tables and look at each other in silence.
"Mr. Xun, I am here to apologize. We Thailand are not good at etiquette. I only learned after I came to Hong Kong that your gang is no longer planning to do opium business. Alas... Brother Wenshan of your gang..." Sai Charonwang said sincerely with a face full of apology after sitting down.
Golden-Tooth Lei reached for the teapot and poured tea for the two of them, pushing a cup in front of Sai Zhalunwang: "It's alright, ignorance is no excuse. General Sai may not have been aware of the rules of our Hong Kong Fuyixing while in Thailand. There's no need for apologies."
Sai Zhalunwang's face lit up with joy. "To be honest, Mr. Xun, I came to Hong Kong just to make a living with the people around me. I have absolutely no intention of opposing your gang, which is why I'm in such a hurry to see you and explain things clearly."
Golden-Tooth Lei paused for a moment, then looked at Sai Zhalunwang across from him and suddenly laughed, "General Sai, Hong Kong is not like Thailand. It's not as easy to become rich and powerful as you were in Thailand."
"Having come to this point, how could I dare to think of wealth and glory anymore? Besides, I've already accumulated some savings over the years in Thailand. Now that my hair has turned white, I don't plan to do any more violent business. A peaceful life with a bowl of tea and rice every day is enough for me. I plan to open a Buddhist temple and sell Thailand Buddha statues. As for my subordinates, I'll use my money to help them buy houses and properties. I don't plan to let them take any more risks. They've followed me for so many years, it's time for them to get married and start legitimate businesses." Sai Zhalunwang picked up his teacup with both hands, carefully took a sip of tea, and said to Golden-Tooth Lei, "However, I also know that even if I'm doing legitimate business, I still need to inform the local gangs, especially regarding the Wenshan brothers. That's why I rushed to see Mr. Xun to clarify things and avoid any misunderstandings from you about us poor folks."