Bab 313: Chapter 313: Robbery of the Gold Ship
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Old Mr. Situ regarded Hardy with a mix of surprise and admiration. Some of Hardy's thoughts aligned with his own, while others were entirely unexpected.
"Are these all your own thoughts?" Mr. Situ asked.
Hardy smiled. "The Hardy Group has its own think tank. Much of what I've said comes from their analysis of the international situation and data. With enough information, you can make reasonable predictions about the future."
"It was my decision to invest in Hong Kong because I believe the leader of the North is a wise politician who will consider Hong Kong's role."
"Of course, there was an element of risk. If I won the gamble, the profits from Hong Kong could be substantial."
"And did you lose the gamble?" Mr. Situ inquired.
"I'm willing to take the loss," Hardy replied with a smile.
Mr. Situ nodded in approval. "Hardy, in all my years, you are one of the few young people I've met who are both capable and courageous."
With a wealth of experience, Mr. Situ had interacted with figures like Roosevelt and President Chang, as well as numerous businessmen and politicians. His praise was a significant endorsement of Hardy's capabilities.
Han Yezhen, smiling at the praise, served tea to her grandfather and Hardy. Mr. Situ took a sip and nodded in satisfaction. "Yezhen's tea is excellent."
Setting down his cup, Mr. Situ turned to Hardy. "I'll be heading north soon and might stay there for a while. Is there anything you'd like me to convey?"
Hardy considered the question. "No, nothing at the moment."
Mr. Situ chuckled. "Very well, then."
A few days later, Mr. Situ departed for the north.
Inland warfare was progressing rapidly. By early May, the army had approached Shanghai, creating a stir. As an oriental metropolis, Shanghai was renowned, even more so than capital cities like Beijing and Nanjing. Hong Kong was even more popular.
With assets in Hong Kong becoming increasingly available and their prices falling, the Hardy Group seized the opportunity to acquire numerous industries. Simultaneously, some entrepreneurs from the interior, fleeing the turmoil, brought substantial sums of money, including gold and silver.
Among the notable banks in Hong Kong at the time were HSBC, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. HSBC and Wells Fargo had absorbed significant amounts of deposits and precious metals, with their deposits continuously growing.
Many newcomers carried antiques, which Hardy's Auction Company took advantage of, purchasing a substantial number of exquisite pieces at very low prices.
One evening, Mr. Xu, who had been in contact with Victor, sought him out urgently. "Mr. Victor, there's an important matter to discuss."
"Oh? What's the matter?" Victor asked.
"Shanghai is currently under siege," Mr. Xu said. "The central bank treasury in the south is located there. Now that Shanghai is surrounded, the south plans to ship the last batch of gold from the treasury to the island. They intend to smuggle it using civilian cargo ships as they lack warships."
"We have detailed information about this, but we don't have the capacity to intercept them. The higher-ups want to collaborate with you on this. We'll provide the exact information you need, and you'll get a share of the loot."
"The debt we owe you will be deducted from your share, and any excess will be converted into cash and deposited in your bank to facilitate future purchases."
Victor was taken aback. "This is a huge national-level operation. I can't decide on this alone; I need to consult with my boss."
"Please don't delay. The ship is already in Shanghai and might set sail as early as tomorrow morning," Mr. Xu urged.
"How much cargo is there?" Victor asked.
"Approximately 10 tons of gold, 15 million silver dollars, and various other valuables like antiques, jewelry, and pearls. The total value is difficult to estimate," Mr. Xu replied.
At that moment, Hardy was asleep with Han Yezhen in his arms. The phone rang suddenly.
Hardy answered, and Victor's voice came through. "Boss, sorry to disturb you. I have an urgent matter to report."
"What's going on?" Hardy asked, now fully awake.
Victor explained the situation, and Hardy was surprised. He knew that during the evacuation, the bald head had taken away a substantial amount of valuables, including 150 tons of gold and tens of millions of silver dollars. They had also looted the Forbidden City, taking countless antiques and relics.
Hardy calculated that the gold alone was worth about $13 million, the silver dollars roughly $3.5 million, and the antiques and jewelry around $20 million. The total amounted to $20 million, which Hardy considered worth pursuing.
Although his warships were too far away and there wasn't enough time to call them, Hardy decided to act. The split proposed by the North was unfair, but he agreed, as they owed him a substantial amount and he could recover some of it from this operation.
"Victor, tell them we'll take on this job. I'll have the security company and intelligence personnel locate you now. Mobilize several freewheelers with weapons to intercept the ship at sea."
"Also, use my plane for maritime patrols to search for the target. The intelligence team will handle the rest."
"I understand, Mr. Hardy," Victor replied.
Mr. Xu was thrilled when he received Victor's confirmation. "I'll return now and keep you updated with more precise information."
"Okay, we'll prepare accordingly."
Late at night, Hardy's security team assembled and headed to the dock. Four freewheelers, equipped with heavy machine guns, rockets, and M-2 mortars, were ready. The crew set sail immediately, racing to intercept the ship before it could reach its destination.
Two hours later, Mr. Xu delivered the latest update. "We've learned that the ship in question, Number 069, is a 5,100-ton cargo vessel with 260 guards on board. It's carrying gold, silver, antiques, and essential machinery from Shanghai companies."
At dawn, a B-29 bomber took off from Hong Kong Airport, equipped with a high-power radio for continuous communication.
The freighter, Ship No. 069, had loaded its cargo and obtained approval to set sail. As it left Shanghai, the B-29 surveyed the area, sending a report to Hardy's fleet before returning to Hong Kong for refueling.
The next day, the plane set off again, locating Ship No. 069 and guiding Hardy's fleet to intercept it. The crew on the freighter saw the bomber again, this time understanding that something was amiss.
The plane, flying overhead, communicated with the freighter, claiming to be a U.S. military aircraft escorting them. The freighter's officers, convinced of the authenticity, welcomed the "escort."
Hardy's fleet, now positioned strategically, closed in on Ship No. 069. The intelligence team, posing as U.S. military, boarded the vessel and took control, confining the crew below deck.
The freighter, now under Hardy's control, was rerouted to Hong Kong. The captured soldiers, stripped of their weapons, were kept onboard.
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the gold, silver dollars, and antiques were swiftly unloaded. The captured crew was retained, and the ship was repurposed with a new identity. It was then sent to Lianyungang.
When the principal of the south learned that the ship had disappeared, he was furious and demanded an investigation. The ship's unexplained disappearance was baffling, and the loss was significant.
As for Hardy, the operation was a success. He acquired valuable resources, replenished supplies, and ensured the captured crew was well managed. The secrecy surrounding the operation was maintained, as per the agreement.
Bab 314: Chapter 314: Making a Decision and the Future
At the auction company's treasure house, Hardy surveyed the looted treasure.
He pried open a wooden box to reveal gold bricks stacked inside. Hardy lifted one of them, noting its heavy weight of ten kilograms.
The gold bricks were engraved with "National Central Bank" and "10000G."
"Boss, these gold reserves are clear, totaling 10.06 tons," Victor reported.
Hardy nodded in satisfaction.
On the other side of the room, barrels were neatly stacked. One barrel, with its lid removed, was filled with silver dollars. Hardy grabbed a handful of these coins, noting their variety: Qing Dynasty silver dollars, Yuan Shikai silver dollars, Sun Yat-sen silver dollars, and those issued by various provinces.
In addition to the coins, there were antiques and jewelry. Hardy had some of the boxes opened to reveal their contents. Among the items were high-quality jewelry and porcelain. The antiques were clearly of significant value, likely originating from a prestigious source.
When Hardy opened another box and uncovered the contents, he found neatly stacked books. He picked up one and saw the title clearly: "Yongle Grand Ceremony."
He was astonished. Was this truly a national treasure?
The books bore the seals of the "Royal Library of the Qing Dynasty," the "Treasures of Qianlong Imperial View," and the Collection of the Jingshi Library, among others.
Hardy concluded that these antiques likely came from the Forbidden City.
He set the book down and told Victor, "This batch of gold treasures must be hidden and not exposed to the world for now. They will be deposited directly in the treasure house after the museum is built."
"As for the jewels and pearls, prepare them for me. I will bring them back to the United States."
Victor asked, "Boss, you plan to return to America?"
"I've been here for four months. The situation has been stable, but there are many things awaiting me in the United States. I plan to leave soon. You will be responsible for the company's affairs here. If any major issues arise that you can't handle, send a telegram for instructions," Hardy explained.
"I understand, boss."
Hardy prepared to return to the United States.
The previous day, Andy had sent a telegram reporting on the situation there. There were two pieces of good news: one was that the Hardy supermarket chain's Los Angeles Hollywood store was ready to open. The second was that Nevada's bill for the development of a lottery would soon be voted on, with a hopeful chance of passing due to the influence of hired congressmen.
There were also other matters requiring Hardy's attention.
On his way back from the auction company to the Victoria Peak Villa, Hardy saw a building roofed with brightly shining neon lights from several kilometers away.
The neon lights displayed "HD" and the Chinese characters "Hong Kong Hardy Building." Accompanying the neon lights were searchlights sweeping the sky intermittently.
This building, formerly the Yongsheng Building, had been purchased by Victor, renamed, and transformed into the headquarters of Hardy Corporation in Hong Kong.
Hardy had ordered the neon sign to be illuminated every night. It was a unique and eye-catching form of publicity, leaving a lasting impression on Hong Kong residents.
Upon returning home, Hardy found Han Yezhen had prepared a meal. As they sat down to eat, Hardy said, "Yezhen, I'm going back to America."
Han Yezhen's hands paused as she served the soup.
She knew that Hardy would leave sooner or later, given the scale of his interests in the United States.
"When do you plan to leave?" she asked, placing the soup in front of him.
"I'll meet with the heads of various departments tomorrow to explain the next tasks, and then leave the day after tomorrow," Hardy replied.
The next day, Hardy visited the Hardy Building. In the president's office, he first met with senior executives of HSBC and outlined the future development policy for the bank. He then met with the senior management of Wells Fargo Bank.
When meeting Huo Qingdong, Hardy said, "According to news from the United States, the government is considering an economic blockade policy for the inland areas. If implemented, it will complicate the transportation of supplies and increase scrutiny by the military."
Huo Qingdong was taken aback. "Boss, what should I do?"
"Inform the north to expedite the delivery of supplies while the policy is still under discussion. If the policy is enacted, you'll need to smuggle the supplies through smaller channels and figure out a way to manage it," Hardy instructed. "Once in Guangzhou, transportation will be easier. They can go directly up the Pearl River estuary or divert to Macau. Remember, you also manage a Macau trading company."
Huo Qingdong nodded in understanding.
After briefing everyone else, Hardy detailed Victor's new responsibilities. With the war approaching, Hardy advised him to handle minor issues independently and consult him only on major decisions.
Victor asked, "How significant can these consultations be?"
"For instance, if the north decides to seize Hong Kong, you'll need to make critical decisions for the branch's survival. You can contact me in such scenarios," Hardy said.
Victor's eyes widened in surprise. "Is it possible for them to take Hong Kong?"
Hardy chuckled, "Just focus on doing your job well. I'm confident in my operations, so there's no need for excessive worry."
That afternoon, the plane was overhauled and refueled. It was loaded with gems, jade, and a box of top-quality pearls to be brought back for the jewelry company to use in creating pieces for women.
He didn't bring any gold. Although 10 tons of gold represented a substantial amount, it was more convenient to operate in the stock market than to transport such a large quantity.
All the gold remained in Hong Kong.
That night, Han Yezhen's soft embrace was filled with passion.
The Philharmonic Symphony played all night.
After a final meal together the next day, Hardy departed. Han Yezhen accompanied him to the airport, watching as the plane took off.
The B-29 made the journey from Hong Kong to Japan in just over three hours. Upon landing at Haneda Airport, Hardy disembarked to find a welcoming party.
Duncan and others, whom Hardy had stationed in Japan, were ready. Four months had passed, and Duncan had made notable progress.
Three cars awaited outside the airport. Duncan approached and greeted Hardy. Once they were in the car, Hardy asked, "I won't stay long. I want to review the situation here. How has progress been over the past few months?"
"Boss, we've established a trading company and resumed normal business with the United States. I've also set up an information collection department to gather intelligence on Japanese politics, economy, businesses, and public welfare."
"Additionally, we've collaborated with a local social gang in Tokyo led by Kuroda Ryohei, known as the 'Kuroda Group,' which has over 30 members helping us with information collection."
As the convoy traveled through downtown Tokyo, Hardy observed the recovery from the bombings. The city appeared better than Hong Kong.
"It seems to be recovering well," Hardy commented.
Duncan responded, "These are just surface-level improvements. The Japanese economy is struggling with severe inflation, currency devaluation, and widespread unemployment. According to the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Welfare, the current economic conditions are only about one-fifth of their pre-war levels."
"Food is also in short supply. Previously, Japan relied on imports from China and Southeast Asia, but with those channels cut off, a rationing system has been implemented. The government has initiated urban construction to clear bombing debris, dumping waste into Tokyo Bay to reclaim land."
The convoy continued its tour of Tokyo for a few hours. Hardy observed the situation but did not leave the car. By evening, he returned to the airport and boarded the plane once more.
Duncan presented Hardy with a box of documents containing the collected information. Hardy reviewed them as the plane took off for the United States.
Inside the data box were detailed reports on Japan's post-war situation. The United States had imposed strict controls on Japan, especially targeting companies that had supplied the military. The overarching goal was to ensure Japan would not threaten global peace and security again.
The United States had initially offered aid, including food. However, the implementation of the Dodge Plan in February aimed to curb Japan's severe inflation through a fixed exchange rate, reducing expenditures, balancing budgets, strengthening taxation, and other measures.
The Dodge Plan had stabilized Japan's finances but also ended direct economic assistance from the U.S., causing severe recession and increasing unemployment.
Despite these challenges, Hardy knew the situation would improve in the second half of the following year due to the Peninsula crisis, which would lead to increased material orders from Japan and a relaxation of some restrictions.
Hardy planned to capitalize on the current U.S. policy restrictions to acquire Japanese industries at favorable prices. The economic difficulties faced by Japanese companies presented a significant opportunity for investment.
Although he couldn't alter global trends, Hardy knew the next year would be an excellent time to absorb Japanese industries and take advantage of their struggles.
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