Chapter 210: Crushing
You can say Li Chaoren is bad, but you cannot say Li Chaoren is stupid.
Whether it is vision, interpersonal relationships, or way of thinking, all are top-level.
Li Chaoren, in the England capital circle, even after experiencing a Waterloo once, is still considered by British capital to be a Chinese descent young man worth cultivating.
Able to become a good sheepdog.
In the China context, saying you are a sheepdog is naturally cursing you, but in the English Language context, dog is not a curse word.
Especially sheepdog.
The Pope is God’s shepherd in the mortal realm, regarding all people as sheep.
Of course, it is certain that a dog is not as good as a person.
The shepherd must be a White Person from England.
The sheepdog that English people find in Hong Kong also undergoes a functional change over time.
Because Chinese people account for over 98% in Hong Kong, from the beginning the Hong Kong Government regarded upper-level Chinese people as important intermediaries for managing the public, and they were granted certain privileges in political and social management.
However, the model is somewhat different, from the earliest establishment of the Heung Yee Kuk in 1926 to ease local public anger and maintain order, to the mid-period allowing Chinese elites to serve as consultants in the Governor’s Mansion, and then after the 1960s, cultivating economic leaders like Li Chaoren.
Their methods are actually gradually softening, which is inseparably related to the increasing strength of China next door.
And being able to obtain such an identity is sufficient proof that Li Chaoren is highly effective in handling affairs.
However, the recent trend makes him uneasy, that is the invasion of American capital in Hong Kong, which makes Li Chaoren, who has successfully entered the core circle of English people in Hong Kong, detect something amiss.
After Hugh Barton asked the question, he organized his thoughts: “Didn’t Panda propose free half-price exchange for new ones?
Then we collect a batch of goods from the marketplace, and let these goods go for exchange.”
Hugh Barton’s eyes turned: “You mean, we destroy Panda’s word of mouth through this method?”
Li Chaoren inwardly despises the White Person in front of him; you can only think up to here. If not for your layer of white skin, how could you qualify to be the Taipan of Jardine Matheson.
However, on the surface he pretends to be very polite, and after hearing Hugh Barton’s proposal, he smiled and said: “Mr. Barton, your proposal makes a lot of sense.
However, we can do it even more cleverly.
Damaging word of mouth is only one aspect; more importantly, consume their inventory.
Universal Electronics, that is the company behind Panda, is shipping massively locally in Hong Kong, selling to Southeast Asia or even Europe and America, and has accumulated a large pile of goods.
What we need to do is consume their goods, forcing them to restock.
Then find their restock channels.
You and I both know clearly, we have inquired, during this period, neither Japan manufacturers nor England, Germany, and America manufacturers have supplied large-scale transistor components to Universal Electronics.
Its source of goods can only possibly come from China.
China has technology, production capacity, but no market.
And what we need to do is force them to restock, and after forcing them to restock, then cut off their import channels.
Take photos as ironclad proof, proving they are inextricably linked to the Mainland.
Communicate well with the Hong Kong Government, completely eliminate such phenomena from the source, and avoid the appearance of players who destroy the game rules from the source.”
Let me add something here.
China does have enterprises in Hong Kong, that is China Resources, its predecessor was the Joint Venture, responsible for exporting Mainland goods to Hong Kong.
But electronic products do not belong to the category that can be exported.
Hong Kong has the so-called Import and Export Ordinance; in the 1960s version, Article 60 is used to control the import and export of strategic goods and other matters.
Strategic goods include items that may be used for military purposes or have dual uses; at that time, electronic products were naturally regarded as strategic goods and not allowed to be exported to Hong Kong.
What can be exported through China Resources is mainly food and textiles.
It was not until the 1970s, after joining the United Nations, that China’s electronic products were allowed to be openly exported to Hong Kong.
So at present, even if helped by General Electric to handle the export, it can only go through underwater channels.
Hugh Barton understood immediately.
Hitting Panda is not enough; the transportation channels from the Mainland to Hong Kong must be hit, so as to solve it once and for all.
Li Chaoren’s proposed proposal was contacted by Hugh Barton in the middle, and quickly received support from Japan, the Island, and the Hong Kong Government.
Suddenly, wind and clouds surged.
On Nathan Road, the hottest place in Hong Kong at this time, at Panda Electronics’ store, return customers almost crowded the store to bursting, continuously squeezing the living space of normal customers.
The media is also hyping up massively, saying Panda’s quality is poor, touting that Universal Electronics’ half-price exchange activity won’t last long, calling on the public to hurry and exchange while the policy is still there.
Some of the public were incited, leading to the overall situation being extremely unfavorable to Hong Kong electronics.
“Li, as expected you have a way. We didn’t even need to use that much funds; the public was incited by us, and they will spontaneously go to Universal Electronics to exchange goods.
The more adored Panda was before, the more surging the return tide now.” Hugh Barton held red wine, showing a smug smile.
He had long been displeased with the Mainland coming to share their cake; Hong Kong is English people’s Hong Kong, Hugh Barton thought to himself.
“After hitting their channels this time, we still need to arrest and shut down those shipping companies that help China import!
After the evidence is conclusive, I will bring the evidence back to London, demanding that London pass a bill so that China’s goods cannot be directly exported to Hong Kong!” Hugh Barton smiled, seeming to already be fantasizing.
Li Chaoren immediately thought: “You mean, we cut off China’s food supply, and let Jardine Matheson and Swire control Hong Kong’s food supply?
All of Hong Kong’s clothing, food, housing, and transportation manipulated in the hands of the trading houses?”
Hugh Barton nodded: “Not cut off, but exports must go through Jardine Matheson and Swire, no longer leaving them the loophole of China Resources like in the past.
Tell China, not following the rules comes at a price.
Li, how is your side? Keep a close eye on Universal Electronics.”
After hearing this, Li Chaoren knew this was a huge opportunity; with Jardine Matheson importing, wouldn’t pricing be up to Jardine Matheson.
If Jardine Matheson controls Hong Kong’s food import business, then he controls the vegetable markets and food stores, he controls the midstream and downstream, the food in all Hong Kong people’s clothing, food, housing, and transportation—this is such a big business, and how profitable.
Can raise prices with any random reason.
Li Chaoren knew that he must do this well now to seek greater support from Jardine Matheson.
He hurriedly said: “Everything is under control. I bribed three engineers inside Universal Electronics; their internal information mutually verifies, ensuring foolproof.
According to their news, at this consumption rate, the radio components in Universal Electronics’ warehouse can last at most one week.
Even if they take back the circuit boards returned from residents and reuse them, the batch we returned was violently damaged.
At most one week, after at most one week, they will have to move.”
Glasses clinked in the air, making a crisp sound, red wine splashing up, as if celebrating.
Both wore smiles, but their eyes were scrutinizing each other; if outsiders saw it, they would be surprised at their scheming, but they themselves enjoyed it.
Nathan Road, Baihua Society fourth floor, Hu Xiaoqing was drenched in sweat, obviously under huge pressure this period.
“Mr. Zhou, we are now facing a market run; in at most one week, Panda Electronics will be out of stock,” Hu Xiaoqing said.
The cramped room plus Hong Kong’s June weather, the electric fan on the ceiling completely unable to dispel the heat.
Zhou Nan said: “No need to worry. Since it will be out of stock in one week, we will hand over in advance; three days later, we transport a batch of goods over, that’s fine.”
Hu Xiaoqing hurriedly shook his head: “No, that’s not what I mean. I mean we have clearly been targeted; someone is setting up a trap.
Shouldn’t we keep a low profile this period?
After all, it’s goods coming from the Mainland; if discovered, not only the goods gone, the transportation channels might also be discovered.
How about we close for a period, or stop the half-price exchange operation strategy?”
Hu Xiaoqing knew very well, once on board, don’t keep thinking of jumping ship.
He is the business card of Hong Kong’s electronics industry, and many peers have recently been reminding him that Japan guys and English people are targeting him.
Also including people from the Island contacting him, asking if he wants to jump ship.
But he never thought of it.
Jumping ship after boarding is the most taboo.
Moreover, from a technical perspective, China may not be inferior to Japan.
After hearing this, Zhou Nan smiled; he felt gratified inwardly because Hu Xiaoqing was standing on their side, half one of their own.
“Mr. Hu, rest assured, you don’t need to worry about these; just do your own job well.
Three days, three days later, the goods will appear intact in Universal Electronics’ warehouse.”
Section Chief Zhang was somewhat excited inwardly.
Because this time they were going to deal with English people.
Although he didn’t need to participate personally, just playing a wingman role, it was enough to excite him.
China’s electronic products, transported from Sha Tau Kok to Hong Kong.
Sha Tau Kok is a place on the boundary between New Territories North District and Yantian District, spanning two places; formerly a bustling village, when the New Territories were officially leased to England in 1898, divided by Sha Tau Kok River, designated as a border restricted area, with the river tail section becoming Zhongying Street.
This is naturally a good place for re-export trade.
On the Hong Kong side, the police station is a low concrete building, with the England flag flying on the watchtower.
Inside the police station, unlike the usually snoring sleeping policemen, this time it was full of fully armed policemen.
Besides policemen, there were reporters with cameras, Jardine Matheson’s Taipan Hugh Barton, and a Gurkha soldier responsible for protecting him.
They had already received sufficiently accurate intelligence that China would hand over the latest batch of goods here.
The policeman picked up the telescope, observing the distance.
At the same time, everyone pricked up their ears; trucks passing definitely wouldn’t be silent.
“Notify everyone, prepare riot gear. If they cross the border, we stop them immediately!” Inspector Li’s tone was steady.
Everyone just treated this as a small task.
Fully armed, even a dragon must coil up for me.
Hugh Barton smiled: “Inspector Li, thank you; after success, there will definitely be good rewards.”
Inspector Li nodded: “Also need Mr. Barton to put in more good words for me with Director Edward.”
On the China side, the truck wasn’t loaded with goods at all, but similarly fully armed soldiers, planning a hard confrontation with Hong Kong’s English people and their lackeys.
Benefiting from Raspberry Pi’s computing ability, they naturally had an intelligence advantage.
To prevent Hong Kong from making trouble, on one hand America applies pressure, on the other hand give England a show of color.
“Comrades.” The zw on the vehicle shouted: “England enslaves our compatriots! Today, we cross this false boundary to let them see our strength!”
“Resolutely complete the task!” The crowd responded in low voices, flames seeming to burn inside the vehicle.
In the darkness, Hugh Barton finally spotted the truck silhouettes; he narrowed his eyes as if seeing the outline, “Looks like more than one, but no wonder, the pressure we put on Universal Electronics is indeed great.”
The Inspector Li beside smiled: “China’s mud-legged ones also want to come share the cake, not knowing their own weight.”
As the vehicle sounds drew closer.
The atmosphere inside the police station suddenly tensed.
“Everyone relax, small task, just force them to stop for inspection.
After forcing them to stop, we need to investigate well who let the China guys in!” Inspector Li shouted.
“They crossed the border!” Inspector Li’s voice echoed through the walkie-talkie among the soldiers, “Prepare to act.”
Walkie-talkies already existed in the 1960s.
Inspector Li grabbed the megaphone, his voice loud: “This is Hong Kong Police! You have illegally entered Hong Kong territory, stop immediately!”
Tear gas canisters tore through the air, white smoke exploding in the crowd.
A burst of rapid gunfire broke the silence.
The policemen standing in line outside were like targets, falling one after another.
“Situation wrong! They are shooting!” Inspector Li exclaimed, nearly scared to piss himself.
The gunfire was so dense, they weren’t prepared at all.
“Take cover!” Inspector Li roared, “Unless clear target, do not return fire!”
But what he said was already too late; the policemen below had none left standing.
“Headquarters, headquarters, this is Sha Tau Kok Police Substation, enemy attack!”
This was Inspector Li’s last words.
The entire police station from top to bottom had no living people left.
“Heh, two White People dead, one Indian, nice effect.”
