Chapter 415 HSBC's Actions Are Swift
"Brother Feng, HSBC actually found you?"
Lin Feng glanced at Li Fu.
"HSBC is, after all, an old established power in Xiangjiang. It would be strange if they didn't find me."
"In fact, I even think they're too slow."
"Chen Taotao never hid anything."
Li Fu frowned slightly:
"Will this cause us trouble?"
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Trouble?"
"There's no trouble at all."
"Don't worry."
Li Fu was stunned:
"Don't worry?"
Lin Feng said seriously:
"Truly, don't worry."
"We've openly laid out our cards, playing an open game with them."
"Xiao Fu, remember, while planning is necessary, the most important thing is that your plan leaves no escape for others."
"That is, an overt scheme."
"My strategy is simple: make them expend resources, deplete their connections, and raise cash to quell the run."
"If the run isn't quelled within three days, then HSBC's reputation will be ruined."
Li Fu reminded:
"HSBC is Anglo-Saxon capital, and Standard Chartered is too. Will they lend a hand then?"
Lin Feng smiled:
"They definitely will lend a hand."
"However, they won't be able to help much."
"You can tell from past stock market crashes."
Li Fu was startled:
"This can be seen from stock market crashes too?"
Lin Feng calmly pulled out a box of cigars. Li Fu, with good foresight, quickly took it, pulled out a cigar, and began to trim it.
"You have one too."
Li Fu readily complied, trimming another one.
Lin Feng slowly savored his cigar before explaining to him,
"There have been many stock market crashes in Xiangjiang's history that were not synchronized with other parts of the world."
"Lack of synchronization is an anomaly."
"The world of finance is essentially a circle; a fluctuation in one place can easily affect other places."
"However, many of Xiangjiang's stock market crashes were not like that."
"That is to say, they weren't influenced by external factors, but by local factors."
Li Fu had a flash of insight and said:
"Like this stock market crash?"
Lin Feng laughed:
"Exactly!"
"Little Tycoon took a risky move to rescue Tycoon, which was to have the workers of Tycoon Group take money to the streets and cause trouble."
"Thus, the stock market crash began."
"This is a typical man-made disaster."
"Xiangjiang is a free port. For a free port, what keeps it stable is not any ideology, but social stability."
"Once society experiences turmoil, the value of this free port greatly diminishes."
"When the people of Tycoon Group caused a stir, a stock market crash was naturally unavoidable."
"However, this stock market crash was purely man-made and not representative elsewhere, so it won't spread beyond the port."
Li Fu vaguely understood.
"As for Xiangjiang's multiple stock market crashes, many were caused by the current situation."
"In fact, these Anglo-Saxon businessmen doing business in Xiangjiang are the ones who understand the Mainland best."
"They've known since more than twenty years ago that Xiangjiang's return was inevitable."
"So, they repeatedly manipulated the stock market, causing crashes, to facilitate the return of Anglo-Saxon capital."
Li Fu was astonished:
"Wasn't it said that Chinese capital was rising?"
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Chinese capital rising?"
"While that's certainly a part of it, when you look back at the so-called rise of Chinese capital, what's the truth?"
"The truth is that colonizers like Mr. Shen were selecting successors."
"The changes in Tycoon Group are the most representative."
"Initially, Tycoon Group's shares were held in trust by HSBC, and HSBC held many similar shares."
"It must be said, this group really is a behemoth."
"Can you imagine shares worth 160 million at the time being given for free to Tycoon by Mr. Shen?"
"Not only that, he also lent 300 million in interest-free loans to facilitate Tycoon's operations."
"Is this something a Foreigner Boss Ding would do?"
"Even a father to his son wouldn't be this generous, right?"
"It's too good to be true."
Li Fu's face darkened:
"There must be some illicit transfer of benefits between the two."
Otherwise, it doesn't make sense fundamentally.
It can't be that Mr. Shen admired Tycoon and then just gave him a fortune, right?
Lies to deceive a ghost!
Lin Feng smiled:
"Foreigner capital has been steadily escaping over the years. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have dared to start such a big battle."
"At that time, Anglo-Saxon capital was everywhere and incredibly united."
"Think about it, they were few in number, and to establish themselves in Xiangjiang, they could only unite."
"In fact, these people have been doing this for decades."
"As Xiangjiang's population grew, the Anglo-Saxon population became truly sparse, and they had no choice but to partially open up channels for local Xiangjiang people to rise."
"That's why this situation arose."
"As for now..."
Lin Feng was quite disdainful,
"The Anglo-Saxon capital that remains in Xiangjiang has only one goal: to make money!"
"Only by making more money can they survive."
"Not making money? Then they wouldn't even be able to get out."
"Standard Chartered not kicking them while they're down is merely a matter of mutual dependence; you ask them to fight for HSBC... Anglo-Saxon is not the Mainland, it doesn't have that kind of self-sacrificing generosity."
Li Fu suddenly understood:
"So that's how it is."
Lin Feng blew a smoke ring,
"How did I perform when I spoke with Brown just now?"
Li Fu pondered slightly:
"Not like your usual self; instead, you seemed like a hothead."
Lin Feng burst out laughing:
"Xiao Fu, you're quite observant."
"I did it on purpose."
Li Fu was startled:
"On purpose?"
Lin Feng laughed:
"I was explaining something to Brown — there's no possibility of reconciliation between us, only battle."
"If I had appeared even slightly gentle, he would have thought he could avoid this battle through pressure."
"That way, HSBC would have more resources to resolve the run."
Li Fu understood,
"Your performance just now made them believe that this matter can only be resolved through a head-on confrontation."
Lin Feng gently tapped the table:
"Exactly!"
"If they want to resolve the run, they shouldn't even think about quelling it by finding people to exert pressure."
"As long as they can borrow enough money, that's all they need!"
Li Fu was utterly impressed with Lin Feng.
This is an overt scheme.
Making you have to bite the bullet.
Li Fu suddenly thought of something and said a little nervously:
"Brother Feng, HSBC has the right to issue currency. If they just print money openly... wouldn't that solve the problem?"
Lin Feng smiled:
"Printing money seems like it could solve the run, but it won't work."
Li Fu was extremely puzzled:
"Why?"
"Isn't it good to print as much as needed?"
Lin Feng explained the matter of printing money to Li Fu, then said:
"Do you think Brown doesn't know the dangers of that?"
"If he lost his head and started the printing press, I'd be overjoyed."
"I'd send them directly to prison."
Li Fu finally relaxed.
"So, we're sure to win?"
Lin Feng shook his head:
"Where are we even at?"
"How could we be sure to win?"
Li Fu was astonished:
"Brown and his people clearly have no way to solve the run problem. Do they have other methods?"
Lin Feng sighed:
"HSBC has been entrenched in Xiangjiang for too long; its power is deeply rooted."
"The run, though seemingly formidable, is far from enough to completely destroy them."
"As long as they activate their connections, they will naturally gather a lot of cash."
"You should know that Xiangjiang's Old Four Families and New Four Families control almost all industries in Xiangjiang, and the cash flow they generate every day is countless."
"If HSBC swallows its pride, gives up a large portion of its profits, and is willing to earn no profit for the next three years."
"It won't be difficult to overcome this crisis."
Li Fu's mouth fell open:
"What?"
Lin Feng smiled:
"Can't imagine it?"
Li Fu nodded vigorously:
"That's too astonishing."
Lin Feng chuckled:
"Actually, this is understandable."
"You're from the Mainland, I'll give you a simple example and you'll understand."
"The large factory system implemented in the Mainland in the past was actually quite similar to this."
"In a large factory, everything from birth to old age could be completed within the factory."
"Although HSBC doesn't have the same influence as a large factory, when you add their connections, they're really not far off."
Li Fu's expression was unusually serious:
"That really is a big problem."
Lin Feng shrugged:
"This is a big problem? There's more!"
Li Fu was numb:
"There's more?"
Lin Feng said casually:
"HSBC also has a headquarters in Anglo-Saxon London."
"It's hard to say under normal circumstances, but at this point, the headquarters will definitely support HSBC."
"Given the current situation, this is just the beginning."
"This war is going to be a long one!"
Li Fu held Brother Feng in high esteem:
"Brother Feng, you see things so clearly, and you still dare to declare war on HSBC?"
"No wonder Boss Ding didn't dare to look at your detailed project. If he knew the specifics of HSBC, he would absolutely not dare to invest."
Lin Feng smiled faintly.
Li Fu thought for a moment and asked:
"If HSBC is in such a state, will Tycoon Group also have a hidden foundation?"
Lin Feng said casually:
"Of course. Do you think the shareholders of Tycoon Group are just for show?"
"Most of these Xiangjiang financial groups operate on a 'you scratch my back, I scratch yours' basis. Stock market crashes usually don't affect them at all."
"Xiangjiang's financial groups may not be as crazy as Okamoto, but they're not far off."
Li Fu exclaimed in surprise:
"With such immense pressure, you can still smile?"
Lin Feng smiled:
"As our ancestors wisely said, 'know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.'"
"What people fear most is not knowing themselves."
"Since I've calculated their hidden cards, I naturally have corresponding countermeasures when I act."
He tilted his head and asked,
"You seem to have invested everything you have too. Aren't you afraid?"
Li Fu honestly replied:
"Afraid!"
"I'm starting to regret hearing your plan now."
Lin Feng never concealed things from those close to him when he acted, whether it was Liang Kun or Li Fu.
As long as they were close and wanted to know the details, he would tell them.
Liang Kun didn't want to know himself, while Li Fu, completely unaware of the terrifying nature of the matter, got involved from beginning to end.
"Boss Ding really had foresight."
"He just didn't want to bear the pressure."
"Only by being in the game do you feel the pressure suffocating you."
Li Fu felt a bit dejected when he thought about it,
"I'm not as good as Boss Ding, nor as good as Jian Jun. That guy is smarter than me; he didn't listen to your plan at all."
Lin Feng shook his head:
"You and Jian Jun are still different."
"Jian Jun is reliable in his work, a drawn sword. He doesn't want to be a commander, and he's too lazy to use his brain."
"If I throw thorny problems at him and let him handle specific tasks, he'll do them very well."
"But when it comes to brain-intensive work, it's not that he lacks the ability, but that he's too lazy to do it."
Li Fu thought about it, and it was indeed true.
Wang Jianjun is now the hall master of Hung Hing Yuen Long, but he delegates all specific hall affairs to Dai Tau, giving him extreme trust. Whatever Dai Tau approved, Wang Jianjun would agree to.
Dai Tau was 100% loyal to Wang Jianjun. And Wang Jianjun, apart from an occasional appearance in Yuen Long, was usually in charge of Thunder Security.
But then again, even at Thunder, Wang Jianjun wasn't responsible for planning. He was truly like a sharp sword, as Lin Feng said; give him specific tasks, and he would never fail to complete them.
"You are the commander. Jian Jun, Jianguo, Tin Hung, A Jie, and Abu, they are all generals."
"You are different from them."
"Among my brothers, only you and Chao Xian are willing and able to use your brains."
Li Fu was speechless:
"I'm truly honored."
Lin Feng chuckled:
"I plan to retire when I'm forty."
"Only you know how vast my empire is."
"However, with such a vast empire, if I want to retire, what should I do?"
Li Fu was speechless:
"Brother Feng, you have eight wives."
"You still have over twenty years, enough time to cultivate suitable descendants."
"There's no need to target us, is there?"
Lin Feng laughed and scolded:
"Don't be ungrateful."
"If I were to announce this, I don't know how many people would want to be my heir."
"Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. For a father to ensure they live a life free from want and worry is already enough."
"As for the future—I don't even have a child yet, why think so far ahead?"
"You can't all stay by my side; sooner or later, you'll have to stand on your own."
"I don't expect Jian Jun and the others; at most, they'll be able to manage one company."
"I trust only a few of you. So, can you find me other trustworthy people?"
A name suddenly flashed in Li Fu's mind:
"Brother Feng, actually, you could train Ah Sang!"
Lin Feng was stunned when he heard this, pointing a finger at Li Fu and saying:
"You're quite good at passing the buck."
"Ah Sang is only seven, and you're already setting your sights on him?"
For the sake of the future, Li Fu had no choice but to push Tin Yeng-San forward:
"I think Ah Sang is quite good."
"Even though he's only seven, he's sensible, polite, grateful, and his martial arts talent is exceptionally good."
"I've heard the Sister-in-laws praise Ah Sang more than once."
"When have the Sister-in-laws ever praised anyone?"
Lin Feng looked at him speechlessly:
"Ah Min is a teacher; when has she praised children less?"
Li Fu let out a dry laugh:
"Ah Sang isn't just any child; he's one of us."
Lin Feng was thoughtful:
"Ah Sang, huh, he is a suitable candidate."
"I started working when I was seventeen; letting him start working at seventeen doesn't seem to be a problem, does it?"
Li Fu quickly said:
"No, no!"
"Not a problem at all."
"How about I take him for a day every week?"
Lin Feng said speechlessly:
"Are you asking to be scolded?"
"Ah Sang is Old Mother and Ah Min's treasure."
"Even for him to practice martial arts with me, he needs an appointment."
"And you, you want to take him for a day now?"
"As long as you can convince Ah Min, and most importantly, Old Mother, then it's up to you!"
Li Fu wilted.
Tin Yeng-San's time is currently very restricted.
His schedule is packed every day.
At seven years old, he's at an age for schooling. He spends six days a week at school and only rests on Sundays.
However, even on Sundays, he can't just play freely.
He has to visit his grandmother, practice martial arts with Lin Feng, and play at his many aunts' houses… Tin Yeng-San's routine gives Lin Feng a headache just looking at it.
Honestly, he didn't want Tin Yeng-San to be so busy, but reality was such that Lin Feng was powerless to help.
Li Fu, to shirk responsibility, actually thought of targeting Tin Yeng-San. For Li Fu's decision, Lin Feng could only sigh at his courage!
How much determination must it take to do something like this?
Li Fu gritted his teeth:
"I'll find an opportunity to talk to Sister-in-law."
Lin Feng gave a thumbs up:
"Tell me in advance when you're going to talk to her."
Li Fu said happily:
"Brother Feng, are you going to help me?"
Lin Feng said as a matter of course:
"Help you?"
"Don't kid around. I need to find an excuse to hide."
"Don't let Ah Min's scolding affect me."
Li Fu said sheepishly:
"Brother Feng, it wouldn't be that bad, would it? How gentle Sister-in-law is?"
Lin Feng retorted:
"Is your Qi Qi gentle?"
Li Fu nodded:
"Yes, she is."
Lin Feng sighed:
"Only a soft touch can temper hardened steel."
"Looking at you, I can tell she's got you pretty much wrapped around her finger."
Li Fu, uncharacteristically, blushed:
"Brother Feng, don't slander me. That's because I love her."
Lin Feng nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, yes, yes, that's love."
"I have eight wives; I understand your feelings."
Li Fu immediately deflated.
Lin Feng said seriously:
"I'm not joking with you."
"Ah Min may seem gentle and kind to people, but that doesn't mean she's easy to mess with."
"Your Sister-in-laws all have different personalities, but think about it, has anyone ever spoken ill of Ah Min?"
"They don't even have the thought of challenging her."
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Li Fu felt a chill rise from his heart.
That's right!
The person who can manage Lin Feng's harem so perfectly, would she really be as kind as she appears on the surface?
Lok Wai-Jan, Ding Yao, Fang Ting, and even the other Sister-in-laws, none of them were ordinary women, yet she managed to handle them all.
And he still thought he could persuade her?
Thinking of this, Li Fu wished he could slap himself.
Lin Feng said amusedly:
"Are you still nervous now?"
Li Fu paused, then shook his head.
He was no longer worried about HSBC; his mind was entirely focused on how not to provoke Sister-in-law.
Lin Feng said casually:
"It was never a big deal to begin with. When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. What are you afraid of?"
+++
Chapter 416: The Difficult Lin Feng
Bang!
Brown slammed the phone down.
"I'm furious!"
"Those damned Hong Kong people, how dare they disrespect our Empire like this."
Brown was seething with anger, frustration, and a sense of desolation.
Times truly had changed.
If it were thirty years ago, no, even twenty years ago, which Hong Kong person would dare to speak to him like that?
These young people really hadn't experienced the Anglo-Saxon Empire on which the sun never set.
Back then, the sun always rose wherever the Union Jack flew.
Unfortunately, the situation now was completely different from before.
The two superpowers joined forces to force the dissolution of the Empire on which the sun never set, dealing a heavy blow to this vast empire that had lasted four hundred years.
Now, even Hong Kong couldn't be held onto.
Brown sighed and lit his pipe. He was an old-school Anglo-Saxon gentleman who detested cigars and particularly loved his pipe.
Puffing on his pipe, he pondered countermeasures.
Lin Feng's stubbornness completely exceeded his expectations.
This was entirely different from the businessmen he had in mind.
Businessmen, they were all about business, everything for profit first.
Don't talk about 'for the country' or 'patriotism'; that only counted when the enterprise's interests aligned with national interests.
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't they be discussing profits?
If he truly had such high ideals, he should have gone into politics; why go into business?
Brown was completely baffled.
Frowning, he reread Lin Feng's file, focusing on his life story.
Brown's eyes suddenly lit up:
This guy really hadn't been lying just now.
He was Ngai Kun's illegitimate son. When his mother died at seven, he followed Liang Kun into the Triad.
He could be said to have come from a Triad, and even now, he was still the Hung Hing Causeway Bay hall master.
However, this guy's record was frighteningly clean.
Since he started working at seventeen, aside from initially using some Triad methods, he had been very law-abiding otherwise.
As of today, Lin Feng's group of companies had developed into a formidable force.
"He is indeed a cautious man."
"No wonder he could build such a big business."
Brown looked at his subordinate's comment on Lin Feng having eight wives—"extremely lustful"—and he really wanted to throw that file in the face of the person who produced it.
Nonsense, "extremely lustful."
It was true that Lin Feng had eight wives, but besides Ho Man and Lok Wai-Jan in Hong Kong, the other six all managed a business for him.
For example, the vast business in his Mainland was managed by his second wife, Gang Sheng.
And Ding Yao managed the business in Taiwan.
Through his wives, Lin Feng could expand his business worldwide even without personally appearing.
Is this called "extremely lustful"?
What a load of rubbish!
What keen business acumen this was!
Brown decisively tore Lin Feng's file into shreds; it was too infuriating to read.
Mr. Shen kept saying he would select suitable candidates for the Anglo-Saxon, yet the most outstanding candidate was right under his nose, and he didn't even notice him.
And now he's saying this?
Where were his discerning eyes?
What nonsense!
Brown secretly sighed, wishing Lin Feng were an Anglo-Saxon.
That would be another embodiment of the Imperial Dream—
Orphaned at a young age, he got involved with a Triad but didn't sink into depravity. With his ruthlessness and fighting spirit, he created a vast business empire.
He had spirit, achievements, and depth.
Most importantly, his brotherhood with Liang Kun.
Wouldn't that move people to tears?
Unfortunately, this was Hong Kong, the Hong Kong of his Mainland.
The Imperial Dream couldn't be told.
Instead, he had become their biggest opponent.
Brown now understood that he had said the wrong thing just now.
For someone who grew up on the streets like him, only loyalty and sentiment could move him; threats were the most foolish approach.
Unfortunately, he had been misled by the report.
The person who produced that report was truly damned!
Thinking of this, he took a harsh drag from his pipe, which made him cough repeatedly.
He was truly fuming!
The more Brown thought about it, the more agitated he became, and it took him a while to calm down.
The Secretary knocked and entered, his face full of worry:
"Sir, we closed early again today."
Brown put on a calm smile. Mr. Shen's whereabouts were a mystery, and he was the acting CEO of HSBC. At this moment, even if he lacked confidence, he couldn't show a despondent expression.
Otherwise, no one below him would get any work done.
"Didn't we close a few hours later than yesterday today?"
"That's progress."
The Secretary wasn't comforted at all.
"Sir, we're out of cash."
Brown thought for a moment and said:
"Contact Standard Chartered, Hang Seng, and others. We'll exchange some assets with them."
The Secretary worried:
"Will they buy?"
Brown sneered:
"They are qualified businessmen; of course, they will buy."
"If one doesn't buy, two will compete with each other."
"As long as we offer concessions, or even take a small loss, I don't believe they won't be tempted."
Concessions? Losses?
The Secretary felt very uncomfortable.
When had HSBC ever made such a deal?
However, times were different now; overcoming the current crisis was paramount.
A loss was a loss, better than HSBC collapsing.
The Secretary reminded him,
"Sir, if these two banks team up..."
Brown was silent for a long time before letting out a wry laugh:
"Our HSBC has made a big mistake this time."
"Mr. Shen was ultimately wrong; he didn't dare to support Little Tycoon in causing trouble in London."
"The order to suppress us didn't come from the Governors Office, but from London."
"We need to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."
The Secretary still felt unwilling, saying:
"Actually, this run on the bank won't last too long; we'll get through it."
Brown shook his head:
"Don't have such thoughts."
"Mr. Shen's strategy was actually correct."
"He wasn't wrong in selecting talent for the Empire either."
The Secretary indignantly said:
"Was he really not wrong?"
"Isn't HSBC's current situation caused by him?"
Brown sighed:
"That was an accident, and accidents don't happen often."
He paused, then explained,
"Our HSBC has this position because we closely follow the Empire's footsteps."
"Why does London strongly support us?"
"Why don't they support other companies?"
"Isn't it because we can bring London what it desires most?"
"I ask you, what does the Empire need most right now?"
The Secretary looked bewildered.
Brown uttered a shocking answer:
"money!"
"If the Falklands War had ended a few days later, the Empire's finances would have nearly collapsed."
"Don't think that just because the Falklands War was won and patriotic fervor is high domestically, you can rest easy."
"In reality, the noble lords in London are very dissatisfied with Thatcher."
"Ordinary people might not have felt anything, but the feelings of those noble lords are real."
"They could clearly feel that their income was much lower than before."
"Mr. Shen supporting Little Tycoon to go to London was actually to relieve pressure on Thatcher's cabinet."
"If his plan succeeded, 12 billion hong kong dollars would absolutely satisfy the biggest nobles in London."
"This would greatly reduce their grievances against the government."
"Thatcher would naturally be grateful to us, and the cabinet would be the same."
"This is the most brilliant calculation."
"Unfortunately, Mr. Shen trusted the wrong person."
The Secretary's mouth was wide open; he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"How is that possible?"
Brown sighed:
"Although you are the Secretary, Mr. Shen wouldn't tell you about these matters."
The Secretary immediately found a reason:
"No, Mr. Shen was using our money to advance his own career."
Brown sneered:
"Was it really our money?"
The Secretary was speechless.
Of course, it wasn't the bank's money.
Although the money was provided by HSBC, from beginning to end, it was Little Tycoon's money.
He used family shares as collateral, and various assets as collateral, to raise the enormous sum of 12 billion.
Mr. Shen had no personal agenda whatsoever; everything followed proper procedures.
His only personal indulgence, perhaps, was speeding up the fundraising for Little Tycoon just a little.
The Secretary simply couldn't accept this.
HSBC's current situation had never occurred before. In times of panic, a scapegoat was desperately needed, and Mr. Shen perfectly fit that role.
He was the CEO of HSBC; if this guy didn't take the blame, who would?
The Secretary had thrown all his resentment onto Mr. Shen, never expecting Brown to give him such an answer.
He felt as if his worldview was collapsing.
Brown said coldly:
"What, do you feel like the sky is falling?"
The Secretary was filled with pain.
Yes, that was exactly how he felt.
When you think you can freely blame someone else, but that person turns out not to be the scapegoat, but rather a hero for HSBC's progress… that feeling is worse than death.
Brown said calmly, "The sky won't fall."
"HSBC's current situation is just a minor mistake, unfortunately exploited by others."
The Secretary immediately shifted focus: "Is it this Lin Feng?"
Brown nodded slightly: "Exactly!"
The Secretary gritted his teeth and said, "I'll find someone to deal with him!"
Brown sneered, "Even if you want to make a move, you need to understand his background."
The Secretary nodded repeatedly: "I remember you ordered someone to prepare a file?"
Brown waved his hand: "That file was torn up by me."
The Secretary wondered, "Why?"
Brown said with disgust, "What kind of rubbish was that? It didn't even have a decent analysis."
The Secretary didn't want to discuss the mistakes of his subordinates; he desperately needed to vent: "Tell me about Lin Feng's background, and I'll find someone to deal with him."
Brown asked seriously, "Do you want to die?"
The Secretary was startled: "Sir, why would you say such a thing?"
Brown said with a serious expression, "The Lin Feng you want to deal with is the Hung Hing Causeway Bay Hall Master, and also the adopted brother of Hung Hing Dragon Head Liang Kun since childhood."
"Their bond surpasses that of others."
"Or you can consider Lin Feng to be the Hung Hing spokesman."
"Hung Hing is currently the leader of the ten major Triads in Hong Kong, with as many as fifty thousand members in Hong Kong alone."
"Are you sure you want to deal with him?"
The Secretary pouted: "Just a Triad leader!"
Brown sighed: "Don't let anger cloud your judgment."
"If Lin Feng were so easy to deal with, I would have dealt with him long ago."
"It seems that because of recent good news, you haven't even had the mind to take care of your duties."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't dare to utter such a boast."
The Secretary said in astonishment, "Sir, I work very diligently."
Brown smiled: "Really?"
"If you truly worked diligently, you would know that Lin Feng has billions of assets sitting in our bank account."
What!
The Secretary turned pale with shock: "Billions in assets?"
"Isn't he just a small Triad Hall Master?"
Brown said expressionlessly, "A Triad Hall Master is just one of his many identities."
"He is also one of Hong Kong's hidden Tycoons."
"He has extensive business operations all over the world."
The Secretary exclaimed, "Is Lin Feng crazy?"
"Why would he, a perfectly good businessman, get involved with a Triad?"
Brown shook his head slightly: "Your mind is truly in disarray."
"Didn't I tell you, he was adopted by Hung Hing Liang Kun since childhood?"
The Secretary found it hard to believe, then suddenly paused: "Wait, you just said he has vast assets worldwide… and you also said he was adopted by Liang Kun since childhood."
"But I clearly remember Lin Feng is very young."
"Does Liang Kun have such a large family fortune for him to inherit?"
Brown grew impatient: "Idiot, have you lost all ability to think?"
"Lin Feng is clearly a business genius!"
The Secretary gasped.
Good heavens, he still wanted to find someone to teach this guy a lesson?
Sir was right, he was really looking for death!
The Secretary was eager to make amends: "If he's a Triad member, we can't say much, but if he's a hidden Tycoon, then it's easy to handle."
Brown immediately became interested.
"What good idea do you have?"
The Secretary was confident: "Entice him with profit!"
"There's no businessman who doesn't love money."
"We are HSBC, with many high-quality projects."
"As long as we offer a good price, I don't believe he won't agree."
Brown was quite disappointed, having thought the Secretary would come up with a better plan, but it was just this?
The Secretary's heart skipped a beat,
"Sir, is this plan not feasible?"
Brown shook his head: "No!"
"Lin Feng wants revenge!"
The Secretary said in astonishment, "Revenge?"
"Does our HSBC have a grudge against him?"
"That's not right!"
"If there was a grudge, why would he deposit so much money in our bank?"
Brown explained: "It's not a grudge against our HSBC; we're purely caught in the crossfire."
The Secretary was utterly perplexed: "With our size, he dares to be angry at us?"
Brown said exasperatedly, "If he didn't dare, how would he have caused the bank run?"
HSBC's influence was still very strong, and they easily discovered that the first people to come for the bank run were Hung Hing members, followed by members of other Triads.
That's right, those who came to withdraw money first were all Triad members.
Naturally, they traced the person behind it—Lin Feng—through their connections.
The Secretary was completely confused: "We open our doors for business and have always treated people kindly."
"Even if a deal doesn't go through, we wouldn't embarrass anyone."
"How exactly did we get caught in the crossfire?"
Brown sighed: "Isn't it all about the Tycoon's affairs?"
The Secretary was even more puzzled: "Tycoon is at least a prominent figure among the New Four Families; how could he offend people?"
Brown sneered: "He has offended many people."
"Just in terms of land hoarding, he has offended countless people."
"Hong Kong's high housing prices are largely his responsibility."
The Secretary immediately fell silent.
Few businessmen are not ruthless; they prioritize profit, so they naturally do whatever it takes.
Brown sighed and recounted the story.
The Secretary was utterly speechless.
So, it was such a long-standing grievance?
He felt a bit resentful towards Tycoon.
You said you owed Fong Chun-San a favor back then; couldn't you have just repaid it with a casual word?
That was saving Fong Chun-San's life; any grievance would have been cleared.
But instead, you ignored it?
The descendants of the Fang family might not have capable people, but the Fang family's son-in-law does!
Now you're in trouble, aren't you?
"No!"
The Secretary had a sudden realization and seriously said to Brown,
"Sir, this is Mr. Shen's fault."
"If he hadn't supported the Tycoon family so much, we wouldn't have had to suffer this collateral damage."
"If Mr. Shen hadn't gone to such lengths to raise funds for Little Tycoon, Lin Feng wouldn't be targeting us like this."
"Mr. Shen is indeed an outstanding figure, but he must take the blame for this!"
Brown nodded silently.
That's right, for HSBC to be in this situation, Mr. Shen had to take the blame.
Whether he could return or not, he was definitely taking this blame.
The two exchanged glances, both confirming each other's thoughts.
HSBC needed a perfect scapegoat, and Mr. Shen was that person.
This was a decision made by all members of the board of directors.
The Secretary asked cautiously, "Can't we try to win over Lin Feng?"
Brown sighed: "No more!"
"I already understand Lin Feng's intentions; he's causing us trouble so that we don't have the spare capacity to hinder his revenge."
The Secretary exclaimed, "He still wants to target Tycoon Group?"
Brown said impatiently, "Isn't that obvious?"
"Since Mr. Shen's era, we have been Tycoon Group's money bag. If he wants to deal with Tycoon Group, he naturally needs us to be unable to act."
The Secretary was bewildered: "When did we become Tycoon Group's money bag?"
Brown looked at him speechlessly: "With the support Mr. Shen gave to Little Tycoon, do you believe it if I say our HSBC isn't Tycoon Group's money bag?"
The two looked at each other, both feeling exceptionally comical.
They were a bank; wasn't providing loan services perfectly normal?
Even if Tycoon Group was one of their major clients, they had other major clients as well.
So, just because their service was too thorough, they were misunderstood as someone else's money bag?
They were truly wronged!
"It's all Mr. Shen's fault!"
Both exclaimed in unison.
If it weren't for Mr. Shen's support, how would Lin Feng have formed such an impression?
The Secretary said with a worried face, "Then what should we do next?"
"Lin Feng is not easy to deal with!"
Brown had completely relaxed: "What's the panic?"
"Once the problem is known, there will naturally be corresponding solutions."
"The sky won't fall."
The Secretary was overjoyed: "Sir, you have a solution?"
Brown shrugged: "It's nothing more than a concession of interests!"