Chapter 456 Vengeance Must Be Taken — Strike Them Hard!
At this moment, if there had been an accurate real-time method of measuring television ratings, everyone would have been astonished to see that exactly at 7 PM, Jade Channel's rating skyrocketed to 93%. In other words, only 7% of the audience was divided among all other television channels, including TVB's other stations and the various channels under RTV. However, real-time, precise audience measurement methods did not exist at that time, so no one realized that Jade Channel's ratings were breaking records at that very moment. To determine ratings, they would have to wait until the next afternoon, and even then, the results would come with a significant margin of error.
Lin Haoran smiled at the camera and slowly began, "Good evening to all citizens of Hong Kong. I am Lin Haoran. Today is New Year's Day, the first day of 1981. I want to sincerely thank TVB for allowing me to have this special moment to communicate directly with you."
His voice was crystal clear, broadcasted across every corner of Hong Kong through the television signal.
In front of the camera, he appeared calm and composed, showing no nervousness despite speaking to millions of viewers.
"Recently, some malicious narratives suggesting that I have lost confidence in Hong Kong's future have caused a major stir in the media. I know these reports have made many people anxious and even shaken confidence in the real estate market. Therefore, I solemnly declare: I have never lost faith in Hong Kong's future. As many of you may already know, my Jardines Matheson successfully acquired five prime government land plots through auction this afternoon. This act alone fully demonstrates the confidence I and Jardines Matheson have in the future of Hong Kong's real estate market. The earlier sell-offs of real estate projects were merely due to temporary cash flow issues."
Lin Haoran's words acted like a stabilizing force, soothing the audiences sitting before their TV sets.
Although news had already spread that Jardines Matheson secured the five plots, hearing Lin Haoran personally confirm it made everyone genuinely believe it.
The confidence radiating from his words made many people rethink the previous rumors about his alleged pessimism regarding Hong Kong's future.
"Hong Kong is a place full of vitality and opportunity. Its future will undoubtedly be even brighter. Without such a prosperous and stable market, I, Lin Haoran, would not have achieved my success today. I firmly believe that as long as Hong Kong stands united, even if economic challenges arise, we can overcome them and make Hong Kong even more prosperous."
He paused deliberately, his gaze penetrating the camera lens, as if communicating directly with every viewer.
"I also hope our media friends can report facts objectively and fairly, and not create fake news or mislead the public just to grab attention."
At this point, Lin Haoran paused again, his eyes deep and steady.
"In fact," he continued, his tone carrying a hint of mystery, "this is not the main point I want to talk about tonight.
Whether or not I have confidence in Hong Kong's real estate market was already answered the moment I acquired all five government plots. Those so-called 'rumors' have been shattered."
His words dropped like stones into a still pond, creating ripples throughout the city.
From small vendors on the streets to families sitting at home, everyone stopped what they were doing and focused intently on Lin Haoran's broadcast.
Even Hong Kong's upper echelon—Governor MacLehose, Hutchison Whampoa's Chairman Li Jiacheng, Wharf's Chairman Bao Yugang, Jardines Matheson's taipan Simon Keswick—were all watching closely.
Everyone had assumed Lin Haoran's purpose tonight was simply to declare his continued confidence in real estate.
But judging by his words, something far more explosive was coming.
Tonight's speech would not be simple.
Of course, it wouldn't.
Lin Haoran had already decided to exact revenge the moment he confirmed that Jardines Matheson and several media outlets had orchestrated the attacks against him.
Across Hong Kong, viewers held their breath, their hearts pounding as they waited for Lin Haoran's next revelation.
Even the staff controlling the live broadcast stared intently at Lin Haoran, afraid to miss a single crucial word.
Lin Haoran didn't keep them waiting long. Calmly, he drew three photographs from his pocket—the crucial evidence Cui Zilong had acquired by chance.
Tonight, his true purpose was to publicly expose how Jardines Matheson secretly bribed and manipulated multiple media outlets to fabricate narratives and influence Hong Kong's real estate sector.
Vengeance must be taken—strike them hard!
"My fellow citizens," Lin Haoran said with a slight smile as he faced the camera, "I'm sure many of you are curious about what these three photographs reveal. Director, please zoom in; I will reveal them one by one."
Meanwhile, in a hidden villa in the Mid-Levels, Bautista stared nervously at the live broadcast on TV, a deep sense of dread creeping up his spine.
This retaliatory campaign against Lin Haoran had been orchestrated by the Keswick family, seeking revenge after Jardines Matheson had nearly been ruined by Lin Haoran's previous actions.
Bautista was the key executor of this scheme.
He had thought he had covered his tracks perfectly, using only cash for bribes and leaving no paper trail.
But now, seeing those few blurry but damning photos in Lin Haoran's hand, it felt like he had been struck by lightning.
Even before the images were enlarged, just from the outlines, Bautista recognized himself.
A chill ran down his spine.
He realized he was in serious trouble.
His hands gripped the armrests tightly, his face turning pale, unable to tear his gaze away from the television.
Likewise, the executives at Sing Tao Daily, Overseas Chinese Daily News, and Hong Kong Industrial & Commercial Daily, who had participated in the smear campaign, also stared at the broadcast in horror.
Sweat trickled down their faces as they realized the consequences of being exposed.
The credibility they had built over decades would be utterly destroyed.
Fear gripped them like a vice.
Back on TV, the camera zoomed in as Lin Haoran displayed the first photograph.
"This first photograph shows a private meeting between a senior executive of Jardines Matheson and the General Manager of Sing Tao Daily, with a large box of Hong Kong dollars visible beside them," Lin Haoran said calmly, his voice clear and unflinching.
Though he didn't mention names, many viewers easily recognized the individuals in the photo.
Bautista had been a public figure during his years managing Jardines Matheson, and many recognized the General Manager of Sing Tao Daily as well.
The image spoke volumes: a private cash transaction, no cheques, no wire transfers—pure, untraceable bribery.
Bautista's face on the television screen grew grimmer.
He had underestimated Lin Haoran's ability to gather evidence—and his courage to expose it so publicly.
"The second photograph captures another secret meeting," Lin Haoran continued, "this time between the same Jardines Matheson executive and the Editor-in-Chief of Overseas Chinese Daily News, again with a cash-filled box clearly visible."
Lin Haoran's voice was cold and precise.
He narrated calmly as the images rolled, revealing the sordid reality.
The public was in shock.
Anger replaced disbelief as people realized the extent of media corruption.
The trust they had placed in these respected institutions had been betrayed.
"Finally, the third photograph shows yet another secret meeting—this time with the Editor-in-Chief of Hong Kong Industrial & Commercial Daily. Again, the same cash box sits between them, glaringly obvious."
Lin Haoran's voice grew sharper:
"This, my friends, is the ugly truth hidden beneath the so-called 'freedom of the press' and 'fair reporting' banners."
He paused for effect.
"During this period, I remained silent—not because I had no response, but because I was investigating the hidden hands behind the scenes.
And the truth I uncovered shocked even me."
As his words fell, a deep silence enveloped the broadcast studio—and the homes of millions of viewers.
Everyone was left speechless.
Bautista felt as if a boulder was crushing his chest.
Panic and despair flooded over him like a tidal wave.
He knew his reputation was destroyed.
Worse, Jardines Matheson would face enormous public backlash—and possibly legal consequences from the Governor's Office itself.
He fumbled for the phone, desperate to contact Simon Keswick, but his hands trembled so much he could barely hold the receiver.
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