As a city like Hong Kong relies heavily on shipping, most families are likely related to seafarers. Helping these families is a way of building goodwill with most of Hong Kong. After one's death, one's name can be widely known, and it will be easier for one's son to take over the family business.
These ships are being sold at a discount, and there's a huge loophole in this scheme. He could buy them at an extremely low price, which would be an incredible bargain. Most importantly, he'd have a good reputation to protect him. Even if Yu Shiting wanted to take him over, he'd have to consider the costs to avoid incurring public outrage. It seemed like a win-win situation, so naturally, he was tempted.
Even knowing that he was facing a murderous tyrant, and that Taiwan was known for its untrustworthiness, Xu Pingsheng still couldn't resist taking a gamble, betting that these people wouldn't dare to and had no reason to harm him.
After a long while, he finally asked, "Why didn't Mr. Tam tell me about this good thing himself? Why let me have it for free?"
"Even the best things need the right people to do them, otherwise it will only backfire. I'm already exhausted from helping those veterans, so how can I care about others? Besides, I'm going back to Taiwan eventually, and Hong Kong's affairs should be handled by Hong Kong. Boss Xu is a local shipping tycoon, so it's only right that this fund be entrusted to Boss Xu. Looking across Hong Kong, I can't find anyone more suitable than Boss Xu."
"Then Mr. Tam. Tan's efforts have been in vain, and I feel truly bad about it."
"Tan's mind isn't on getting rich. As long as I can facilitate cooperation between Hong Kong and Taiwan, the Party-State will naturally reward me. Although it might just be a medal or a certificate, to me, that's priceless. It satisfies me more than gold and silver. Everyone gets what they need, so Boss Xu doesn't need to feel sorry for me."
Xu Pingsheng looked at Tan Jingwei, not believing a single word he said.
Establishing a charitable foundation and using Zeng Chunsheng's money to enhance one's own reputation is certainly a good thing, but Tan Jingwei's help. The fact that Zeng Chunsheng offered such a generous gift and helped him plan his path to fame suggests he was certain the Xu Family wouldn't dare to turn their backs. Given this confidence, he wouldn't offer such a large sum simply to gain trust and prove his loyalty; he must have ulterior motives. The potential profits from this plan far exceed all of Zeng Chunsheng's assets.
What exactly is he plotting? And what role does he play in all of this?
Xu Pingsheng's mind raced, and a smile appeared on his face, "Mr. Tam is passionate about charity and trusts me, for which I am very grateful. This fund is a staggering amount, so we can't act hastily. We need to discuss the details carefully. I'll instruct the kitchen to prepare lunch; I wonder what Mr. Tam prefers?"
"No need to trouble yourself. I need to visit the heads of the various chambers of commerce in Five Counties and Chiu Chow later to explain the situation. I didn't have the chance to taste your family's cooking today."
Xu Pingsheng's heart skipped a beat; this was probably the main point. He looked at Tan Jingwei: "Is the Free China Relief Association planning to do business with all the major businessmen in Hong Kong this time?"
"The Shanghai people have united. If these bosses fight individually, they certainly won't stand a chance. They must unite now, forming an alliance against another alliance, only then will they have a chance of winning! The Party-State's goal is also to strengthen trade with the entire Hong Kong. For both public and private reasons, I must visit them one by one."
"In all my years, I've never seen a Hong Kong businessman form such a large alliance. Mr. Tam, you've really gone all out. I admire you! But those men you mentioned are arrogant and proud; persuading them won't be easy. Mr. Tam, you'd better be prepared."
"Thank you for your concern, Boss Xu. I am well prepared and confident that I can persuade everyone to cooperate. In the past, Hong Kong was a disorganized mess, with everyone fighting each other for business, which gave outsiders an opportunity. If our alliance is formed, and we do business and charity together, who, whether from Shanghai people or elsewhere, can threaten us?"
Chapter 529 One Woman Marries Three Families
After Tan Jingwei left, Xu Enbo returned to his room, his face full of doubt, and asked, "Dad, I don't understand. What exactly is Tan Jingwei trying to do? He killed Zeng Chunsheng's entire family, and then turned around and gave us money. Why is that? Now he's saying he wants Hong Kong businessmen to join forces in business and charity. Isn't that just wishful thinking? In business, everyone does their own thing. Even the Queen of Britain can't interfere in these matters. How can we expect everyone to do things his way?"
Xu Pingsheng glanced at his son and said irritably, "You're my son, but you haven't even learned half of my skills, and you still have the nerve to say that? Tan Jingwei is a few years younger than you, but in terms of shrewdness and methods, he's far superior. If I weren't here to keep things under control, you'd end up like Zeng Chunsheng sooner or later!"
Xu Enbo dared not argue, and could only smile and ask, "How can I understand if you don't tell me?"
"Tan Jingwei's words were loaded with hidden meaning and veiled sarcasm. His talk of doing business together was obviously a lie; his real aim was to control Hong Kong's business community, forcing everyone to do business only with Taiwan and not with the mainland. They imposed a blockade on the mainland, instigated robberies by Big Tin Yi, and even deployed warships to attack ships at sea—all to prevent people from doing business with the Mainland. However, Hong Kong isn't their territory. As long as there's money to be made, people will be willing to take any risk. So this time, he wanted to achieve a permanent solution, controlling the market and getting the big bosses to issue orders prohibiting trade with the Mainland. If he succeeded, he would gain a great deal of credit with his superiors and might even be promoted to major general."
Xu Enbo's mind drifted back to those airplane floats, and he shuddered inwardly. Businessmen are inherently daring, and Hong Kong is an adventurer's paradise. There are a large number of merchants who are willing to risk their lives for money. Even though Taiwan sent people to kill many merchants and their entire families, some people still secretly smuggled various urgently needed supplies to the Mainland for huge profits. Even the Britain orders couldn't stop this smuggling trend, and they could only let it run its course.
However, the business world also has its rules. Merchants like those from Five Counties, Chiu Chow, and even my own father, not only have substantial wealth but also enormous influence. If these top-tier tycoons were to collectively speak out and prohibit their subordinates from trading with the Mainland, coupled with Taiwan's violent measures, it might actually be possible to completely block this channel.