Bab 305: Chapter 305: Search for Waste Materials on the Island
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In Hong Kong, the Governor acts as the plenipotentiary of the King of England and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces stationed there. He has the authority to appoint members of both the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, effectively making him the highest authority in Hong Kong. Any decision he agrees to is likely to be approved.
Recently, the Hong Kong government issued a new directive allowing 'HD Security'—a company registered in Hong Kong—to use light weapons to protect businesses within the city. This directive also permits HD Security to use light weapons in their security services across Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong police were given the authority to oversee the use of these firearms by security companies. Any misuse or regulatory violations would result in penalties.
This new order meant that HD Security could legally operate with weapons in Hong Kong. Wealthy individuals in the city quickly recognized the significance of this development. HD Security, being a major American security firm, provided a strong guarantee of safety with its legal authorization to use weapons.
However, the cost of hiring HD Security was substantial. Each security officer was priced at $400 a month, which amounts to over 3,000 Hong Kong dollars. In comparison, a Hong Kong police officer's monthly salary is less than 100 Hong Kong dollars. This made HD Security's services roughly 30 times more expensive.
Despite the high cost, demand was overwhelming. Even before the Hong Kong branch officially opened, HD Security was inundated with inquiries. The current need for security personnel far exceeded the available staff. Lanster decided to send additional personnel and initiate local recruitment efforts.
Many of the individuals in Hong Kong today were former soldiers. HD Security's instructors could train them to become qualified security personnel within a few months. With the legal authority to carry weapons, these recruits would be highly desirable.
Looking ahead, if HD Security could assemble a team of 1,000 armed personnel, no triad or gang, including Xinyi'an or 14K, would dare to challenge them.
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Recently, Sha Tongyi had been extremely busy. Although he was skilled in Chinese medicine, he did not consider himself a master. His expertise lay in medicine, but he was well-connected due to his family's background.
Sha Tongyi knew many prominent medical experts through his family and had reached out to several who had recently arrived in Hong Kong from the mainland. After signing contracts with the Hardy Group, he invited them to join the Institute of Chinese Medicine and Chinese Materia Medica.
Among those he invited were Mr. Zhao Weihan, 58, whose father was a respected medical professional, and Mr. Zheng Youqian, 60, a specialist in pediatrics and gynecology with a long family tradition in medicine. Additionally, Sha Tongyi invited his friend Zhu Qingquan, 46, a native of Guangzhou who had also moved to Hong Kong during the Japanese invasion. Zhu Qingquan had experience with various medicines produced by Sha Tongyi's pharmaceutical factory.
The first project for the Institute was to develop the "Immortal Pill," an aphrodisiac mentioned by Hardy. Given its significant market potential, the goal was to create an affordable and effective version of the drug.
After some discussion, the team formulated a patent medicine using Epimedium and other complementary herbs. Sha Tongyi and Zhu Qingquan worked diligently over two days to produce a batch of tablets.
Excited, Sha Tongyi presented the new medicine to Hardy. "Mr. Hardy, the Immortal Pill has been produced. Here is the finished product. Please take a look."
Hardy examined the glass bottle containing about 20 pills and noted that they were green.
"Why are they green?" Hardy asked.
"The color is natural and not due to added pigments. Do you prefer this color?" Sha Tongyi inquired.
"It doesn't matter," Hardy replied.
"The pills are essentially the same," Hardy added.
"How is the effect?" Hardy asked.
"We haven't tested it yet. We're confident in its efficacy based on our formulation, but we still need to test it," Sha Tongyi said.
"You need to find someone to test it," Hardy instructed.
Hardy considered it for a moment and asked Victor to contact the triad to find suitable individuals for testing.
"Boss, how many people do you need?" Victor asked.
"At least 20. Ten should be of good condition and ten should be average," Hardy replied.
The underworld was adept at handling such matters, and Victor soon reported back that the triad had arranged the necessary participants.
"Boss, would you like to observe the testing yourself?" Sha Tongyi asked.
Hardy found the idea intriguing and decided to attend. The team went to a nightclub on Hong Kong Island, a known triad operation.
At the nightclub entrance, Li Chunshan greeted Hardy and his team respectfully, given that he was seeking Hardy's favor.
"Hello, Mr. Hardy," Li Chunshan said.
"No need to be formal. According to Yezhen's suggestion, I should call you 'uncle'," Hardy said with a smile.
"I wouldn't dare," Li Chunshan responded, acknowledging Hardy's elevated status.
The experiment began, and Hardy was not directly involved in the process. Li Chunshan invited Hardy, Victor, and others to the manager's room for tea and conversation.
Hardy sipped his tea and asked casually, "What is the main business of the triad?"
Li Chunshan responded, "We engage in various illicit activities—running nightclubs, gambling halls, restaurants, and occasionally helping people evade the law."
Hardy understood that this included illegal activities like gambling, drugs, and smuggling.
"Have you considered entering legitimate businesses?" Hardy asked.
Li Chunshan looked puzzled.
"Legitimate businesses, Mr. Hardy?" he asked.
"Yes, legal ventures," Hardy clarified.
Although Hardy had connections with the Hong Kong government and was involved with HD Security, he saw potential in leveraging the triad's influence for legitimate business opportunities. With many of Hong Kong's triads having been altered by the national army, Hardy preferred to work with those aligned with Hongmen, with whom he had existing business relationships.
"There are various opportunities—taxi companies, bus companies, movie studios, and theaters. I'm also planning to open a casino in Macau and will need reliable partners for these ventures," Hardy suggested.
Li Chunshan was excited by the possibilities. These ventures were lucrative, and while the triad had a significant number of members, funding was a challenge.
"Mr. Hardy, we're eager to collaborate, but our financial resources are limited," Li Chunshan admitted.
"That's fine. We can start small and scale up. You and Victor can work out the details later. As long as the business is viable, we can cooperate," Hardy reassured him.
"Understood, Mr. Hardy. I'll discuss this further with my team," Li Chunshan said.
Meanwhile, the experiments in the nightclub were progressing.
Twenty selected participants took the pills, each accompanied by a woman. The Immortal Pill, developed by Sha Tongyi, showed promising results.
The effects were documented meticulously, noting reaction times, effectiveness, and duration.
After an hour, the results were compiled. Sha Tongyi approached Hardy with enthusiasm.
"Mr. Hardy, the results are in. The effectiveness rate is 95%. Only one person did not respond, likely due to smoking and being underweight. Of the remaining 19, two reached the highest level, eleven reached the next level, and six were at the third level," Sha Tongyi reported.
"The duration varied from 21 to 55 minutes. Overall, the drug performed well and achieved the desired effects," Sha Tongyi concluded.
Hardy was pleased with the outcome. "Great. Let's proceed with mass production," he said. "Victor, you can arrange for the necessary Chinese medicine supplies."
"I understand, boss," Victor replied.
After concluding the testing, Hardy left, with Li Chunshan seeing him off. Li Chunshan returned to the meeting room and pondered the new business opportunities.
"What businesses are profitable?" he wondered aloud.
Li Chunshan was pleased with the potential collaboration but faced challenges with initial investments. He decided to discuss this further with his team.
In the meeting, Li Chunshan addressed his subordinates.
"Today, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Hardy from the Hardy Group. He proposed various business opportunities for us."
"Mr. Hardy mentioned taxi companies, bus services, movie studios, theaters, and even a casino in Macau."
"These are all promising ventures, but we lack the capital. We need to find business opportunities with lower investments but high profitability. I've been thinking about this, and I'd like your input."
Excitement buzzed among the subordinates as they brainstormed potential ideas.
"Boss, we should consider opening high-end nightclubs, bars, and sauna rooms," one suggested.
"I've already thought of that, but even high-end establishments require significant investment," Li Chunshan replied.
"Boss, I read that Mr. Hardy has a shipping company. Maybe we could rent some of his boats," another suggested.
"What would we use the boats for?" Li Chunshan asked.
"There's a shortage of boat tickets due to inland route closures. We could use the boats to transport people, which could be quite profitable," the steward explained.
Li Chunshan frowned. This suggestion sounded like smuggling, though it could be lucrative.
"Mr. Hardy wants to collaborate on legitimate businesses. We need to focus on lawful opportunities," Li Chunshan said.
With no immediate solution in sight, the team continued to brainstorm ideas.
A young man in the back spoke up, "Boss, I have an idea."
"Go ahead," Li Chunshan encouraged.
"I used to sail to Dongsha to collect seaweed. Along the way, I saw many islands with abandoned military equipment—guns, ships, aircraft, and more. There are also arsenals and warehouses. With the U.S. controlling
the area, perhaps Mr. Hardy's company could lend us a freighter to retrieve and sell these materials. It could be a profitable venture with minimal investment."
Li Chunshan considered the proposal. It seemed like a promising opportunity, and he was eager to explore it further.
Bab 306: Chapter 306: A Small Business Opportunity
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The weather was perfect as Hardy took Han Yezhen to Macau by boat, accompanied by Victor and a dozen bodyguards.
Macau, located at the mouth of the Pearl River, began as a small fishing village. Its name originates from the Portuguese word "A-Má," which means "Mother," referring to a local temple. The Portuguese were granted the right to reside in Macau in 1553, and it became a Portuguese colony in 1887.
During World War II, Macau was not occupied by the Japanese, making it seem more stable and peaceful compared to Hong Kong.
As Hardy and Han Yezhen walked through the streets, they saw numerous gambling stalls on either side, including makeshift booths on the sidewalks. Several teenagers were playing dice on the ground, surrounded by copper coins.
Victor explained, "To operate a casino in Macau, one needs a gambling license approved by the Portuguese government. Currently, there is only one such license, held by Fu Laorong, who has been running a casino here for over ten years."
"All gambling operations, big or small, fall under Fu Laorong's control, and he receives a share of every business," Victor continued.
Hardy nodded. Although Macau's gambling industry wasn't as large as Las Vegas's, its monopoly made it very profitable. As the only legal gambling area in Asia, its value would only increase.
"Fu Laorong is the most powerful figure in Macau," Victor added. "He commands hundreds of employees and maintains a strong relationship with the Governor of Macau."
The gambling profits often flowed to Portuguese officials, strengthening Fu Laorong's influence.
Hardy wasn't interested in gambling. The local casinos and stalls were outdated and smoky compared to the Hardy Grand Hotel.
The presence of Hardy's team, consisting of more than a dozen foreigners, drew considerable attention.
They continued to the iconic St. Paul's Church, the most famous landmark in Macau, and took some photos. Afterwards, they visited the Matsu Temple, which has a history of 500 years and holds significant local importance.
Han Yezhen prayed at the temple, lighting incense and offering a silent prayer. When she finished, she turned to Hardy and asked, "Will you be praying as well?"
Hardy smiled and said, "Different cultures have different ways of worship. I believe in God, but it's natural to respect and participate in various traditions."
Han Yezhen chuckled and helped Hardy light incense. He knelt and made his offering, donating 1,000 US dollars to the temple, a significant amount at the time. The temple acknowledged the generous donation with deep gratitude.
After leaving the temple, Hardy instructed Victor, "Register a trading company in Macau. Purchase a piece of land or an existing company, but use a different name to avoid detection."
"Understood, boss," Victor replied.
The new company would focus on future business with the mainland, separate from the Hardy Group to avoid complications.
Regarding the Macau casinos, Hardy planned to wait until the market matured. By then, he would build a more robust foundation and potentially acquire a casino license through connections with the Governor of Macau. If necessary, he could explore alternative strategies if Fu Laorong's control weakened.
Back in Hong Kong, Hardy's butler informed him that Li Chunshan wished to visit.
"It's Uncle Chunshan," Han Yezhen noted.
Realizing Li Chunshan likely wanted to discuss business, Hardy suggested, "Let's invite him to dinner. It's easier to discuss matters over a meal."
"Okay," Han Yezhen agreed and called Li Chunshan to invite him over.
Half an hour later, Li Chunshan arrived. Han Yezhen greeted him warmly, given his status as her uncle.
"Uncle Li, welcome," Han Yezhen said, leading him inside.
Li Chunshan greeted Hardy and said, "Mr. Hardy, please excuse the interruption."
"No trouble at all. Let's discuss matters in the study. Yezhen, please prepare some additional dishes," Hardy replied.
"Of course," Han Yezhen agreed, heading to the kitchen.
In the study, Hardy offered Li Chunshan a Cuban cigar. "Try this. It's authentic."
"Thank you. I'll give it a try," Li Chunshan said with a smile.
As they lit their cigars, Li Chunshan spoke. "Mr. Hardy, I've considered the business ideas I mentioned before and consulted with my associates. We have a few proposals."
"Let's hear them," Hardy encouraged.
"One idea is to open a few high-end nightclubs and bars. We have some properties in Lan Kwai Fong and could develop them into upscale venues to attract British clients and businesspeople," Li Chunshan proposed.
Hardy considered this. "That's a viable idea, but if we're going to invest, let's aim high. We should make Portland Street the premier destination for high-end entertainment in Hong Kong. Central is a prime location. We could buy additional properties and develop an entertainment district."
Li Chunshan sighed, noting that doing business with someone like Hardy meant thinking on a much larger scale. "The investment for this is considerable."
"Discuss the specifics with Victor. I'd suggest an investment of around one million dollars," Hardy said.
Li Chunshan was taken aback by the large figure but understood the potential.
"There's another proposal from one of my managers," Li Chunshan continued. "He suggested collecting scrap metal from islands in Xisha, where remnants of battleships, tanks, and other equipment are left. It could be profitable to dismantle and sell this scrap."
Hardy was intrigued. "How much is scrap metal worth now? Was it profitable in the past?"
"I'm not entirely sure. My manager has the details. Should I call him in?" Li Chunshan asked.
"Please do."
Huo Qingdong, who had been waiting in the car, was surprised when summoned. He quickly followed the bodyguard into the study.
Hardy examined him and asked, "What's your name?"
"Huo Qingdong," he replied.
Hardy scrutinized him, thinking this might be a significant figure in Hong Kong's future.
"You proposed collecting scrap metal from the islands?"
"Yes."
"Explain your plan in detail," Hardy instructed.
Huo Qingdong gathered his thoughts and began. "I operate ships and transport goods. I previously went to Xisha to collect seaweed, but it wasn't profitable."
"During the war, the U.S. left behind a lot of equipment. There are wrecks of landing crafts and tanks on the beaches. The Japanese also left behind warehouses and barracks with valuable materials. Americans abandoned these items because they deemed them useless."
"If we gather and sell these scraps, it could be quite profitable. We need freighters for the job, and we can recruit laborers from Hong Kong for a daily wage. The cost of scrap steel is around 30 US dollars per ton. I estimate that each freighter trip can yield about 200,000 US dollars, with expenses around 20,000 to 25,000 US dollars, leaving a profit of 170,000 dollars or more."
Hardy smiled, impressed by Huo Qingdong's calculations. "This seems like a promising venture. We'll operate under the U.S. Logistics Department's name. I'll provide the freighters, and you'll handle the operations. You'll receive 20% of the profits. Does that work for you?"
Li Chunshan agreed readily, appreciating the fair deal.
Hardy looked at Huo Qingdong and said with a smile, "Stay and join us for dinner."
Huo Qingdong was honored and surprised by the invitation.
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