Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, I, the rice class leader

Gao Yao was deeply impressed by a movie - The Godfather!

Looking back now, he saw a lot from it, the most important of which was two words - fellow villagers!

Compatriots from the same hometown are members of the same party, and members of the same party are members of one's own family. This is a vacuum zone for power, and it is also a place that has always been difficult for imperial power to reach.

On Hong Kong Island, there are two types of organizations that demonstrate this extremely well.

chambers of commerce and societies.

This chamber of commerce must be based on place of origin, not the General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, etc., which have only one name. Unlike the Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce controlled by Gao Yao, this is an organization that can directly point to the center of power.

The association refers to the triad, which is actually a kind of chamber of commerce. The difference is that its main target is Guru (that is, coolie). Most of these people are illiterate and have no family wealth. In the early days, Sometimes you can only sell your physical strength.

Naturally, they could not form a chamber of commerce, so they gathered in the name of a society.

So strictly speaking, all the current Chaozhou chambers of commerce and associations are hometown associations!
  As long as you are from Chaozhou and join the Chamber of Commerce, you should help each other!
  In fact, the system is very afraid of this. Biru said that in Great Britain, every colony in the East has a law, the "Suppression of Triads and Other Secret Societies" Ordinance, which stipulates that all members of triads will be sentenced to not more than 3 years in prison. , the character was printed on the right cheek after serving his sentence.

Gao Yao knew this very well. Ordinary wealth can be earned with both hands, but it is very difficult to earn massive wealth. Especially if you want to keep it after earning massive wealth, it will be even more difficult!

I don’t know how many pairs of eyes are staring in the darkness!

The only ones who can keep it are the comrades!
  Therefore, Gao Yao has been thinking of ways to unite the party members. He rose from a humble beginning, grew up in Hong Kong Island, and has a far-sighted vision.

In Gao's eyes, what he sees are the people of Guangfu, among whom Chaozhou is the core, Dongguan and Hakka are the wings. Now, he wants to develop Wuyi into wings.

In this way, no matter how the situation changes in Hong Kong Island, his Gao family will be the real Gao family of Hong Kong Island!

Rather than being superficial like the current richest man in Hong Kong, Jack Tung.

Yes, the higher you stand and closer to the core, the simpler you see.

From the outside, He Dong is full of flowers and impressively wealthy. He is a representative of the mixed-race circle, the richest Chinese in Hong Kong Island, and the one the Hong Kong government relies on.

But in Gao Yao's view, this He Dong is just superficial. In terms of actual influence on the people, let alone someone higher than him, even Zhou Xinian of the Dongguan Chamber of Commerce is far behind.

At the very least, as long as Zhou Xinian says something, the current Dongguan Chamber of Commerce will definitely follow suit. Can such influence be bought with money?

Think about it, during the general strike in the province and Hong Kong, the workers didn't even bother to ask for help. Why? Because he is not the president of any hometown association...

It’s no wonder that the He Dong family could only stand at the top for one generation. After he retired, He Dong’s descendants could only live by collecting rent. In the end, even He Dong’s mansion in Mid-Levels was sold.

Another example is Hu Wenhu, the real richest man in Nanyang!
  When it comes to wealth, Mr. Hu is more knowledgeable than Gao Yao. Unfortunately, the Chongzheng Association run by this Mr. Hu has gone astray. Its goals are too big and it wants to sum up all the Hakka people in Southeast Asia.

In this way, I picked the sesame seeds and lost the watermelon.

The most important thing is that this Duke did not really unite the Hakka residents. For example, when Gao Yao was building the Lok Sin Tong in Kowloon, he did not participate.

Therefore, after this official death, the descendants of the Hu family, who only received the wealth of the Hu family but not the actual contacts of the Hu family in the Hakka, not only disappeared from the public, but also failed repeatedly in business. They are the always-defeated generals!
  Gao Yao is different. He holds the Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce tightly in his hands, and it can be said that he sticks to his word.

Through Lu Dachao, he unified the Dongguan Gang, Hakka Gang, and Kowloon Lok Sin Tong to achieve a balance with the gentry in the New Territories and Kowloon.

The branches can be said to be intertwined with twists and turns, and the tree is so big and has deep roots!
  But it's not enough!
  There is always an important piece missing from Gaoyao's chessboard - the Wuyi Trade Union!

Although the relationship between the Jian family, an important chess piece in the Wuyi Trade Union, and Gao Yao is also good, the relationship is entirely on paper. If one day the Hong Kong government gives the Jian family better conditions.

Gao Yao believes that the Jian family will abandon him without hesitation!
  He has not forgotten that there is a Lee family who was kicked out of Hong Kong Island by him and is still eyeing him.

Therefore, Gao Yao must find another target from the Wuyi Trade Union. This target must not only have a prominent family background, but also have a certain rift with the Jian family.

After looking around, Li Fuhe jumped into Gao Yao's eyes.

Li Fuhe was born in the Li Peicai family!

Li Peicai came to Hong Kong Island from Guangfu in his early years and founded "He Facheng" shipping company and "Nan Hexing" successively, mainly engaged in rice import, shipping, real estate, etc.

In the 19th century, the Li Peicai family, the Hedong family, the Xu Aizhou family, and the Luo Wenjin family were known as the four major Chinese families!

Normally, it would be difficult for the descendants of such a prominent family to be used by high officials.

But who put a stain on Li Fuhe’s father, Li Zifang?
  In December 1941, Hong Kong Island fell. In the following year, Li Zifang was appointed by the Japanese government to serve as one of the four members of the Chinese Representative Association. The other three were Luo Xuhe, Liu Tiecheng, and Chen Lianbo, all of whom were Hong Kong Island journalists. people!
  Just say that Li Zifang has held many positions, such as a member of the Stamp Duty Committee, a member of the Monetary Committee, a member of the War Proceeds Committee, an unofficial member of the Urban Council, a member of the Hong Kong Island Children's Protection Society, a member of the Hong Kong Island Anti-Tuberculosis Association, a member of the Chinese Forever Member of the Cemetery Management Committee and Chinese Temple Committee, etc.

Otherwise, he would not have been elected as one of the four members of the Chinese People's Congress by the little devils.

When Hong Kong regained its independence in 1945, except for Chen Lianbo, who was arrested by the Hong Kong government, the other three were cleared by the Hong Kong government of being suspected of collaborating with the enemy, but they were no longer used by the Hong Kong government.

Under these circumstances, Li Zifang's family was almost excluded from the core of the Li Peicai family.

For example, Li Fuhe, who was born in 1916, studied at Queen's College from 1928 to 1932, and transferred to St. Joseph's College from 1932 to 1934.

In 1934, he went to Massachusetts, USA, to further his studies, majoring in business administration at Boston University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1937, he immediately went to New York University for further study, and received a Master of Business Science (M.C.S.) degree in 1939.

The resume is absolutely beautiful. In today's Hong Kong Island, there are not many people with this kind of resume.

After graduating from New York University, Lee Fu-woo joined the Chase Bank branch in New York City as an intern in 1939. After returning to Hong Kong Island in 1940, he joined the Bank of East Asia, which his family co-founded and operated.

Yes, the Li Peicai family is also one of the founders of Bank of East Asia, strictly speaking, it is the main sponsor!
  At that time, Li Fuhe's father Li Zifang and his brother Li Guanchun were preparing to enter the banking industry in accordance with Li Peicai's last wish, and planned to open a Chinese-owned bank using a Western business model.

The two brothers wanted to start a big business, so they invited seven people including Chian Dongpu, Zhou Shoushen, Mo Qingjiang, Huang Yaochu, Chen Chengshi, Pang Weiting and Chian Yingfu to join them, and successfully registered the Bank of East Asia in 1918!
  After the establishment of the Bank of East Asia, Pang Weiting was initially appointed as the chairman, and Jian Dongpu was appointed as the lifelong general manager. Li Zifang was appointed as the assistant manager and was soon promoted to the lifelong manager to personally manage the daily business of the bank.

After Chongguang, Li Zifang still served as the manager of the Bank of East Asia, but in fact, his power was no longer in his hands.

Under such circumstances, Li Fuhe's position in Bank of East Asia is a bit awkward.

Why does Gao Yao know this? Of course it was Li Guowei who told him.

The icing on the cake can never be as good as providing help in times of need. From a high-level perspective, this is the time to win over Li Fuhe.

Not only is Li Fuhe a native of Wuyi, but the Li Peicai family behind him plays a decisive role in the Wuyi trade union.

More importantly, Gao Yao can establish a relationship with Li Fuhe. Who told this guy to be an alumnus of Lei Guantai?

Classmates, fellow villagers, and comrades, these are the three absolute pillars of life in this world!

At that time, Gao Yao and Situ Zhiren were strangers to each other, but because he knew that he and Lei Guantai were schoolmates, he dared to come directly to him for help. This was because he realized this deeply.

With this premise, when Lei Guantai comes back, let this kid ask Li Fuhe out to play football and watch horses from time to time, and the relationship will come.

Dr. Gao's abacus is really better than that of a monkey!
  To put it simply, the time, location, and people are all here, so Gao Yao has no reason to let the Li family go!
  As soon as he came out of Pedder Bank, Gao Yao ordered the people close to him: "Take my business card and go to the Bank of East Asia to find Mr. Li Fuhe and ask him to come to Happy Valley to watch the horses."

After the restoration of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island began to resume horse racing and started selling horse racing tickets.

It is stipulated that Wednesday and Sunday (sometimes changed to Saturday) of every week are horse racing days, and Wednesday is mostly night horse racing. Today happens to be Wednesday, the time is just right, and Gao Yao happens to know that Li Fuhe also likes watching horse racing because of his father Li Zifang.

Isn’t this enough to live together?
  Not long after Gao Yao arrived in Happy Valley, Li Fuhe had already rushed over. He was 32 years old, came from a wealthy family, was a top student, and had worked in a bank for 8 years.

In terms of identity, qualifications, and knowledge, this guy can be said to be a leader among the younger generation in Hong Kong Island.

Of course, Li Fuhe is older than Gao.

"PhD."

Li Fuhe felt quite uneasy. The Li family was indeed very big and deep-rooted in Hong Kong Island, but the same was true of the previous Li family. They were one of the four major families.

What's the result? The whole family was kicked out of Hong Kong Island by Gao Yao, and now they are just shrinking in Guangfu, relying on Li Xiao and his connections in the party-state to develop again.

Especially Li Fuhe at the moment, he looks at Gaoyao like a tiger with a dazed head and a white forehead, and he doesn't dare to take it big at all.

"I don't know what to do with me?"

Li Fuhe was smiling with sincerity on his face: "If there is anything I can do, please feel free to ask."

"I heard that Mr. Zuolian was diagnosed with heart disease."

Gao Yao asked with concern: "What did the doctor say?"

Li Fuhe was startled, and he immediately looked sad: "The doctor said that he needs to go to the United States for review."

Gao Yao nodded slightly. Currently, there are two jobs that the elites in Hong Kong like to engage in most. Barristers, banks, and doctors are far from the top of the list.

“When we joined the coalition to oppose the Hong Kong government’s plan to impose an income tax, we were truly public-spirited.”

Lee Fook-woo's father, Lee Chi-fung, has been appointed as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council since July 1939. He was the last Chinese member of the Legislative Council to be appointed before World War II.

In the Legislative Council, he and other unofficial members of the Council vigorously opposed the Hong Kong government's proposal to introduce an income tax, and expressed major reservations about the proposal in the report issued by the War Earnings Committee.

Gao Yao said with emotion: "The neighbors all remember the contribution made by the United Nations to Hong Kong Island."

"If my father knew that the doctor commented like this, he would be very happy."

Li Fuhe is aware of the current situation of the Li family. Because of his father, the members of the Li family are currently keeping their heads down.

As a result, Dr. Gao praised Lao Dou profusely as soon as he came up. Li Fuhe thought that the doctor had something important to do with him.

After Gao Yao selectively talked about some of Li Zifang's previous honors, he then said: "I heard from Aqiang that you did a very good job at Bank of East Asia."

He is indeed doing well, but this guy has been working at Bank of East Asia for 8 years, and so far he is only a small supervisor...

Li Fuhe hurriedly said: "There are still shortcomings, and we are still working hard."

"Speaking of which, Jian Dazhuang is the real one."

Li Fuhe praised: "Who outside now doesn't know that Jian Dazhuang can speak out and is the backbone of lawyers."

Gao Yao laughed and said in an old-fashioned manner: "You are all pretty good."

"Aqiang rarely praises others. Since he said it like this, it means you did a good job indeed."

Gao Yao rarely does anything to set the stage now. He praised Li Zifang because this guy did have a prominent position in Hong Kong Island and did some practical things.

Now that people have stepped back, it is normal for them to praise themselves.

"Have you ever thought about a change of scenery?"

Li Fuhe was caught off guard by Gao Yao's one-on-one attack. This routine was a bit unusual. Didn't he praise himself for doing well before?

Why do you suddenly need to change your environment?

Go to Gaosheng Bank?
  Li Fuhe's heart was pounding. The rising star in Hong Kong's banking industry is Gaosheng Bank, under the banner of Gao Yao and the management of bank president Li Guowei.

This Gaosheng Bank is really a star of tomorrow, and it is said that its deposits have exceeded [-] million.

It’s really incredible, incredible.

The most important thing is that Gaosheng Bank is a new bank. It has such a strong momentum at the beginning of its development and has a bright future.

When Li Fuhe was at the Bank of East Asia, he often heard discussions among several directors there, saying that if things continued like this, Kosheng Bank would soon surpass the Bank of East Asia and become the largest Chinese bank in Hong Kong Island.

It is unimaginable!
  If I go there now, maybe there will be a lot of hope?

Seeing Li Fuhe's silence, Gao Yao continued, "Have you ever heard of the Union?"

Li Fuhe said ah and nodded quickly. Could it be that they jointly want to set up a bank?
  Why didn't you receive this news?

"It is said that together with almost ten percent of the first pair of mainland traders, they have the potential to travel north to south."

After entering 48, due to government restrictions on foreign exchange settlements and the influx of large amounts of seafood and groceries from mainland China, South Korea, and the East to Hong Kong Island, business between the north and south was severely hit.

Even so, Nanbeihang is still the largest player in the current Chinese trading community.

Seeing that Li Fuhe knew about Lianhe, Gao Yao said: "Lianhe wants to set up an additional commercial bank with me, and I am going to recommend you to take charge of the overall situation."

Li Fuhe was taken aback. He hesitated and said, "Doctor, thank you for the compliment, but..."

He did have a little trouble making up his mind.

Gao Yao already owns Gaosheng Bank. Li Fuhe judged that Gao Yao would only play the role of an investor in this new commercial bank and would not put much effort into it.

Then the situation is different. It is not that easy to open a new bank.

If it were that easy, the two brothers Li Zifang and Li Guanchun would have started the Bank of East Asia themselves.

There is no need to worry about the fact that the person in charge of the overall situation of the Bank of East Asia is actually Jian Dongpu...

"Don't underestimate yourself."

Gao Yao said: "Ahe, I am very optimistic about you."

"As long as you know clearly, if someone above me says you can do it, you will definitely do it! Believe in yourself!"

"Don't talk about this, let's take a look at the horse first." (End of Chapter)