Capítulo 299: Chapter 299: Inspecting Hong Kong Industry
The cocktail party was abuzz with activity as many guests sought out Hardy for conversation. Among them were representatives from the Big Four—the conglomerates that dominate Hong Kong's industries such as power, water, construction, real estate, shipping, airports, retail, banking, hotels, and insurance. The Hardy Group's recent heavy investments in Hong Kong had left them anxious about potential competition. Although they were concerned, they had yet to consider taking drastic measures.
Some speculated that Hardy's confidence was backed by U.S. Congressional interests in Hong Kong, giving him the boldness to invest. Hardy's candid admission that his investments were a gamble disappointed many, who expected more strategic motives. His openness about the risks unsettled his competitors, potentially driving them to sell assets at reduced prices.
Meanwhile, Han Yezhen, accompanied by a group of elite women, was a focal point of attention. As Hardy's guest of honor, her presence was notable. Her background—growing up in the U.S. with academic parents—and her current role as head of the Hardy Group's auction company, tasked with establishing a museum in Hong Kong, were of great interest. However, her primary identity as Hardy's partner garnered the most attention.
The women engaged Han Yezhen in conversations about fashion, trends, and beauty. As Hardy mingled, a middle-aged Chinese man, Dong Haoyun, approached him.
"Mr. Hardy, it's an honor to meet you," Dong said.
"Mr. Dong Haoyun, I'm familiar with your work. Global Shipping, under your management, is the largest shipping company in East Asia. I trust you'll continue to advance it," Hardy replied.
Dong was pleasantly surprised and assured Hardy of his commitment. Hardy mentioned that Hadi Shipping, with its six global routes, aimed to expand further and become the world's largest shipping consortium. Dong was excited by the prospect.
Later in the evening, Grantham invited Hardy to the courtyard for a cigar and a chat. Grantham extended the government's support for Hardy's investments in Hong Kong.
"I'm looking to purchase more land," Hardy said. "We plan to build factories that will produce goods for half of Asia. The current land is insufficient."
Grantham was taken aback, noting that Victor had already acquired substantial land. Hardy explained that large enterprises often require extensive land and that he intended to secure more for future growth. Grantham agreed to have the land administration department contact Victor to explore available plots.
Additionally, Hardy expressed interest in building a new racecourse and partnering with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Grantham was initially concerned about gambling but was reassured by Hardy's assurance that the racecourse would not engage in betting for the time being. Grantham agreed to support the proposal, relieved by Hardy's assurances.
At the end of the reception, Hardy and Han Yezhen returned to their villa. That night, Han Yezhen, buoyed by the evening's events, was notably animated and engaging.
The following day, Hardy, accompanied by Victor, toured the Jiulongtang Industrial Zone. The area now boasted infrastructure and several operating factories. Hardy was particularly interested in a rubber shoe factory, where he inspected the products and advised the owner, Chen Xiangsheng, to stockpile raw materials for future use. He offered to assist with financing if needed.
Hardy then visited a toy factory using repurposed equipment from earlier Hardy Group acquisitions. The factory's success in the U.S. market was promising. Hardy was pleased with the results and emphasized the importance of continued development.
Victor updated Hardy on other factories in the zone, including those producing light bulbs, wires, nails, screws, cigarettes, buttons, zippers, hoses, garments, and plastic flowers. More advanced enterprises, such as those making radios and faucet valves, were also in development.
Hardy remained optimistic about the gradual progress of the industrial zone and his focus on acquiring more land. His dedication to land acquisition was clear as he continued to drive his vision for Hong Kong's industrial growth forward.
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