Bab 241: Chapter 241: Planning a New Industry
The following day, Han Yezhen and her design team began inspecting various plots of land. Victor had secured five potential sites, and Han Yezhen had the freedom to choose the one that best suited their needs.
After evaluating several options, Han Yezhen concluded that the land under Jiulongtang and Lion Rock were the most promising. The beach area was too humid, and Sha Tin was too remote. Ultimately, the decision hinged on the properties of the land near Lion Rock.
Returning to Mr. Situ's house, Han Yezhen was greeted by the old man, who had arranged a nourishing stew.
"How did it go?" Mr. Situ asked as he served the soup.
Han Yezhen took a sip and replied, "The land under Jiulongtang and Lion Rock are both suitable, but Jiulongtang is designated as an industrial area. It would be impractical to include a museum amidst a large industrial zone."
"I see," Mr. Situ nodded. "What about the Lion Rock area?"
"If we use the land under Lion Rock, we'll need a large space to ensure the museum's safety," Han Yezhen explained. "The current maps are quite basic. We are surveying the terrain to determine the best location."
Mr. Situ pondered for a moment before suggesting, "I know a reputable Feng Shui master who could help with this. His name is Cai Lianfang."
"Feng Shui?" Han Yezhen was intrigued. Although she had studied Feng Shui in her architecture courses, she had never fully embraced it.
Mr. Situ continued, "Cai Lianfang's father, Cai Zubai, was a renowned Feng Shui master during the Qing Dynasty. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Cai Zubai and his son moved to Hong Kong. Cai Lianfang followed in his father's footsteps and became a well-known Feng Shui master himself."
"He visits me occasionally, and I can ask him to assist with your project if you'd like," Mr. Situ offered.
Han Yezhen smiled. "I appreciate the offer, Grandpa. It might be useful to get his perspective. Please go ahead and contact him."
Mr. Situ nodded and smiled. "Enjoy your meal. Are you adjusting well to the local cuisine?"
Han Yezhen laughed. "I have a taste for both Chinese and Western food, so I'm managing just fine."
The following day, Han Yezhen's team was joined by two new members: Cai Lianfang and his son Cai Boli. Cai Lianfang, in his fifties, wore a traditional gray cloth gown, while his son, Cai Boli, was dressed in a modern suit. They began inspecting the land under Lion Rock.
Cai Lianfang, using a compass, examined the terrain while discussing his observations with his son. Han Yezhen, curious about their findings, asked, "Master Cai, what do you think of this site for building a museum?"
Cai Lianfang handed the compass to his son and said, "Miss Han, to be honest, building a museum here might not be the best use of the land."
Han Yezhen was surprised. "Why do you say that?"
Cai Lianfang explained, "Museums are primarily for storing collections. As long as you protect them from fire and water, the location is less critical. However, this land is exceptionally auspicious."
He pointed to Lion Rock and continued, "Lion Rock has a distinctive shape—the head faces west, and the body and tail extend across the mountain. This area is protected by the mountain's 'dragon veins,' and its shape resembles a 'bat carrying a basket.' The Feng Shui here is excellent. It's ideal for both residential and commercial purposes, as long as you preserve the mountain's integrity."
Han Yezhen listened intently. While she only partially understood the intricate details, she recognized the land's potential.
Cai Lianfang added, "However, there is one precaution. Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of topography. Altering the landscape could change the Feng Shui, and whether it becomes better or worse is uncertain."
After the survey, Han Yezhen returned to Mr. Situ's house. The old man had just finished a phone call with Cai Lianfang.
"Cai Lianfang informed me that the land under Lion Rock is highly favorable, but he also mentioned that using it for a museum might be a waste. He believes that building a house here would enhance the master's fortune," Mr. Situ said with a smile.
Han Yezhen replied, "I believe we can make it work as a museum and still benefit Hardy's fortunes."
Mr. Situ chuckled. "It seems you've already made up your mind."
Despite feeling confident about the land's suitability, Han Yezhen decided to send a telegram to Hardy for final confirmation.
Upon receiving the telegram, Hardy reviewed it carefully. He agreed with Han Yezhen's assessment and instructed, "Proceed with the museum under Lion Rock. Allocate all 180 acres of land to the museum. Additionally, Victor should acquire the surrounding land to ensure the protection of Lion Rock's landscape."
The 180 acres were equivalent to nearly 720,000 square meters, comparable to the size of the Forbidden City. Hardy was aware of the future impact of human development and preferred to secure the land to preserve its Feng Shui.
Hardy also added a note to the telegram, suggesting that the Cai family be hired as the Feng Shui experts for the Hong Kong branch of Hardy Group.
Han Yezhen received Hardy's confirmation and instructed the construction team to proceed with the planning. Victor took on the task of acquiring the land, which involved negotiating with the government.
Victor learned that the land surrounding Lion Rock was still owned by the government and that the area was protected due to its proximity to a reservoir. The government had designated it as an "indestructible area" to safeguard the environment and water resources.
Victor explained that Hardy Group intended to purchase the land not for development but to preserve the landform. After discussing with Governor Grantham, Victor received approval to purchase the land with the condition that no extensive damage would be caused.
The deal was finalized for £550,000, and Hardy Group acquired over 300 acres of land surrounding Lion Rock, including the reservoir area.
With the museum project officially underway, Hardy continued to focus on expanding his business empire. The company was preparing to launch supermarket chains and logistics companies as part of its three-year plan.
Two new presidents were recruited: Sam Wharton for the supermarket chain and a former vice president of United Parcel Service of America for the logistics company. Both positions were offered on an annual salary plus dividend basis.
Hardy planned to build several large-scale logistics warehouses across the United States, starting with a few in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The locations were chosen in the suburbs, avoiding central areas where poverty was more prevalent.
Hardy believed in creating a robust supply chain and management team to support the supermarket and logistics ventures. The goal was to provide high-quality products at competitive prices and to build a successful network that could adapt and thrive in the evolving market.
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