Bab 372: Chapter 372: "Bourne Jewelry
Inside a luxurious mansion in the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong, a lively atmosphere surrounded the newborn. The little boy, who had been eating and drinking but not sleeping, kicked his legs energetically.
Han Yezhen lay on the bed, her eyes filled with maternal affection as she looked at their son.
"Hardy, he looks so much like you," she said, her voice brimming with pride.
"Really? I don't see it, but there are definitely similarities," Hardy replied, observing the baby.
The baby grabbed Han Yezhen's finger with both hands. "He's so strong. No wonder your father named you Bowen," she added.
Hardy gently touched Han Yezhen's face. "I feel guilty for making you go through this. Hearing your cries, I was outside, feeling so helpless."
Han Yezhen smiled warmly. "Despite the pain, the rewards are immense. Looking at our son now makes my life feel even more meaningful."
"Do you remember what the fortune teller said? That we'll have four children—two sons and two daughters? I'm really looking forward to having them around," she continued.
The baby, still gripping their fingers, made Hardy smile. "With this little guy around, I'm even more motivated to build a big family business for our children."
Han Yezhen gave him a playful look. "I won't let our children become wastrels. I want them to grow up to be successful."
"Alright, successful it is," Hardy agreed with a smile.
At that moment, Han Yezhen's mother entered, carrying a bowl of soup. "Yezhen, drink this before you go to sleep."
Han Yezhen took the bowl and began to sip the soup, while her mother entertained the baby. Hardy exited the room and joined Han Yezhen's father and Situ in the living room, where they were having tea and chatting.
"Hardy, come sit with us," Han Yezhen's father invited.
Hardy smiled and took a seat. "What would you like to discuss?"
"I've heard you supply U.S. military equipment and have a strong relationship with the military. What do you think about the situation on the Korean Peninsula?" Han Yezhen's father inquired.
Hardy was aware that Han's father was a respected figure on the mainland. Although the question could have political undertones, Hardy was unfazed. If anyone accused him of betraying his country, it would be difficult for them to ignore his role in supporting Johnson.
"Before I came, the supplies were nearly prepared, indicating that MacArthur is about to launch military operations. As for his tactics, he's publicly announced he'll land at Incheon. Based on what I know of MacArthur, I'd say he'll follow through," Hardy explained.
Han Yezhen's father looked surprised. "Why would he reveal his plans? Doesn't that give the enemy a chance to prepare and counteract?"
Hardy shrugged. "I'm not a military expert, but I've spoken with the HD Security Strategy Research Office at Hardy Group. They've indicated the northern forces are overstretched. If MacArthur employs tactics of penetration and division, the northern army could be cut off from supplies, becoming isolated."
"The U.S. military has overwhelming advantages, including aircraft carriers, bases in Japan, and superior weaponry. The northern efforts will likely fail and could result in a counterattack that might lead to significant losses," Hardy continued.
Han's father nodded thoughtfully. "And what do you think will happen next?"
Hardy spread his hands. "I can't predict with certainty. It involves complex power struggles between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, as well as national security concerns. Anything could happen in this multinational chess game."
A few days later, as Hardy anticipated, the U.S. military began a large-scale operation. MacArthur indeed chose to land at Incheon, as he had indicated. Despite warnings, the U.S. military executed their plans with precision. The bombardment and subsequent landing went off with minimal resistance, and Incheon was quickly secured.
MacArthur's successful operation was widely covered in the media, further cementing his reputation. Meanwhile, the situation for the northern forces deteriorated rapidly. Seoul fell to the U.S. Army within half a month, and Pyongyang was soon occupied.
Hardy, focused on his own ventures, was not deeply concerned about these events. His priority was his family and business.
He called Victor. "Victor, find someone to register a jewelry company."
"Boss, if you're entering the Hong Kong jewelry market, wouldn't it be easier to acquire existing companies?" Victor suggested.
Hardy shook his head. "I want to start a new company as a gift for my son's birth. I've decided on the name—'Bourne Jewelry.' It will be registered under my son's name. I want this company to grow from the ground up."
Victor understood. "Got it, boss. I'll get started on the registration."
Registering a company in Hong Kong was straightforward. Hardy chose to establish Bourne Jewelry in Hong Kong rather than the Cayman Islands, appreciating the lower taxes and free-port benefits.
The next step was setting up the business. Hardy Group had ample land and resources in Hong Kong, including a prime location near Financial Street in Central, ideal for Bourne Jewelry's headquarters.
Bourne Jewelry would specialize in gold, jade, diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. Hardy planned to introduce a unique line of 999.9 pure gold jewelry, setting a new standard in the market. For jade, he had stockpiled high-quality Hetian jade, anticipating future demand.
Diamonds, with their established appeal, would be sourced through Hardy Group's connections with De Beers and from Africa. Gemstones, particularly red sapphires, would be acquired from Southeast Asia. Pearls would be procured from Japan, leveraging Hardy's connections there.
One month after the birth of his son, Hardy planned a modest full moon celebration. He intended to invite only close associates—about three to four hundred people from Hardy Group, Wells Fargo Bank, HSBC, HD Security, ABC TV, the Global Times, and other notable entities.
The celebration turned out to be far larger than anticipated, with over a thousand guests, including the Hong Kong Governor and high-ranking officials. The event had become a high-profile social gathering in Hong Kong.
Han Yezhen's parents, holding their grandchild, were awestruck by the scale of the event, finally understanding the extent of Hardy's influence.
Amid congratulations and a mountain of gift boxes, Hardy continued to express his gratitude. When asked about gifts for the baby, Hardy smiled and mentioned the new jewelry company. He invited everyone to join him for the opening ceremony of Bourne Jewelry later that afternoon.
Many guests agreed to attend, eager to support the new venture and celebrate together.
Bab 373: Chapter 373: Two Troublesome Issues
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The grand opening of "Bourne Jewelry" in Hong Kong was a remarkable event. From the Governor to the Commissioner of Police, and the chairpersons and presidents of numerous companies, all gathered to cut the ribbon.
This scene left the entire city in awe.
The next day, newspapers covered the spectacular event. Many believed that such a prestigious jewelry company, backed by high-profile figures, would surely succeed without any interference.
"Bourne Jewelry" featured both Chinese and Western styles. The Chinese jewelry was crafted by artisans from Yangzhou and Suzhou, while the Western designs were created by Italian designers. Given Hardy's extensive investments in luxury brands, calling upon top European designers was a straightforward task.
At the opening, attendees were impressed by the exquisite pieces on display. The jewelry sold exceptionally well, with hundreds of pieces purchased on the first day alone.
In the VIP room, Han Yezhen was holding their son while Hardy presented a jewelry box to her. Inside was a crystal-clear emerald bracelet.
"Auntie, this is an emerald bracelet. It's a rare find and a gift from your grandson, Byrne," Hardy said, handing the bracelet to Han Yezhen.
Han Yezhen took her son's tiny hand and presented it to her mother. The little boy fussed as he adjusted to the new presence.
Mother Han, delighted, smiled as she received the gift.
Jadeite was highly valued during the Republic of China and remains a coveted material today. Hardy had accumulated a significant amount of jade, controlling a major portion of the market. His goal was to make jade popular in Europe and America as well.
He also gave Father Han an ancient piece of jade, purportedly from the Tang Dynasty, as a gesture of respect.
As October approached, Hardy returned to Japan, where his businesses were thriving. He anticipated a profit of around $200 million from legitimate ventures this year. Additional income from the black market and other enterprises was expected to exceed $100 million.
The entertainment industry was also booming, with ABC TV gaining prominence as Japan's leading network.
Meanwhile, the geopolitical situation had shifted. MacArthur's aggressive military actions had significantly altered the balance in the Korean Peninsula. With the situation deteriorating, the rabbit's decision to send troops was a drastic response to the evolving conflict.
In Japan, October was a peak tourist season. Hardy decided to take a short break and asked Sayuri, who had been serving him diligently, to join him on a trip to a small town at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Sayuri, dressed in a beautiful purple kimono, met Hardy at a wooden bridge. As they walked together through the early autumn scenery, Hardy mentioned a movie idea inspired by Sayuri's appearance.
"Have you ever thought about acting? You remind me of the heroine in Kawabata Yasunari's 'Izu Dancing Girl.' I'd like to make a film based on that story, with you as the lead," Hardy suggested.
Sayuri was both surprised and excited. The idea of being in a movie was thrilling, especially given Hardy's influence and resources.
Their trip included a stay at a traditional hot spring hotel. As they relaxed in the hot spring, the intimacy of the setting led to a romantic evening.
Returning to Tokyo after the trip, Hardy received two urgent telegrams.
The first was from Andy, reporting that the U.S. Congress was considering further political isolation and economic blockades against Eastern nations. This included a potential closure of Hong Kong and Macau, which would severely impact Hardy's operations in Hong Kong. The potential economic repercussions were unacceptable to Hardy.
The second telegram was from the actors' union, where Hardy served as chairman. Li Gen, the vice chairman, reported that McKinsey's doctrine was causing significant upheaval in Hollywood. Many companies and individuals feared being labeled as collaborators, leading to widespread investigations and disruptions.
McKinsey's doctrine, a politically driven campaign to root out perceived collaborators, had intensified. It threatened not only Hollywood but also Hardy's own ventures in the entertainment industry.
Hardy, angered by the implications, instructed his secretary to telegraph Henry. "Prepare the necessary personnel. I'm heading back to the U.S. immediately."
Henry, receiving the telegram, noted Hardy's displeasure and prepared for the imminent trip. With over a thousand employees under his command, Henry was ready to handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
In the complex landscape of global politics and business, Hardy was determined to navigate these new obstacles with resolve and strategy.
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