Chapter 351: I’ll Take This One
China’s version of the Apollo Moon Landing dealt a huge blow to America.
From the peripheral Alaska and Hawaii to the core Washington, New York, and California, whether traditional red state rednecks or California Silicon Valley middle-class coders, every person read a similar signal from it: America’s decline is so evident.
Evident to the point that things we could do ourselves in the past can now only be achieved with the help of Chinese people.
A very simple truth: if China can replicate the Apollo Moon Landing, could NASA’s materials on the Apollo Moon Landing be inferior to those collected by a Chinese student over more than a year?
Even if this Chinese student really had assistance from Chinese officials as fabricated by American Media conspiracy theories, and it took over a decade, even decades, of meticulous planning to succeed.
Even so, could NASA’s technical data be less complete than China’s?
Then why can China replicate it, but we cannot? Is it because we don’t want to?
This shock to America can be suppressed by the Elephant Party-controlled massive public opinion machine, drowning out discussions and doubts. Our goal is not just moon landing that simple; we do not want to repeat the mistakes of 60 years ago and hope to build a moon base.
Yes, the media can promote it this way, finding experts, scholars, and engineers from universities, NASA, and commercial aerospace agencies to tout how advanced our ongoing Artemis program is.
Such “advanced” only lasted one year; after China landed on the edge of Shackleton Crater at the Lunar South Pole the next year, such claims no longer held water.
So the media simply froze the topic, treating it as if it never happened.
Freezing the topic is simple for the media: they will report it, but specifically during fringe times like after 11 p.m. or 7 a.m., trash time slots.
The reports are just presented as news items, gone after they’re said, without inviting guests for analysis, no specific breakdown of the event, no discussion of its underlying significance.
If you want to know, you have to follow it yourself and search for it yourself.
Even so, initiated by the White House, with media maintaining America’s Mountain Peak Nation status atop the peak without the statue falling and the lighthouse extinguishing, they spontaneously give cold treatment to topics related to the moon landing.
Even platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, under the White House’s explicit or implicit hints, downrank content related to the moon landing and do not actively push it.
Despite so many off-field tactics, it couldn’t stop China’s moon landing from being the hottest topic in Reddit’s r/space, far surpassing discussions of Falcon 9 and Starship.
The Chinese version of the Saturn V model officially sold by Apollo Technology cannot be directly imported to America, but resold on Reddit, purchased on the Chinese Internet for 1399 RMB, carried to America, it can sell for a high price of 1000 US Dollars, and supply falls short of demand.
On Twitter, countless aerospace enthusiasts have spontaneously created accounts tracking Apollo Technology’s moon landing progress and moon base construction progress; even without pushes from social platforms, relying on organic traffic, they easily gain thousands of followers.
Even in America it’s like this; in other countries globally, discussions on America’s decline anchor even more on China’s version of the Apollo Moon Landing, constantly extending the discussion.
The deeper the discussion, the more it is in countries from the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War era.
So, for Young John Morgan being able to handle Apollo Technology and establish direct contact with Lin Ran, the White House side might not be “ecstatic,” but “delighted to see it happen” is absolutely not an exaggeration.
Including wanting to import colossi like the F-1 engine and J-2 engine as general mechanical equipment to America—without White House permission, how could it be approved?
Engineers sent by Apollo Technology, entering under the guise of tourist visas but actually working—without White House permission, how could it be possible?
Precisely because they obtained tacit approval from both Washington and Yanjing, and with Lin Ran himself personally nodding, General Aerospace’s establishment in America gained massive financial capital and actual support; besides the Morgan family itself, many major capitals added investments.
“Me in command? You know I can’t go to America.” Lin Ran said.
Young John Morgan nodded: “I know. Communication technology is so advanced now; you can command from China.
We hope to ensure this launch is foolproof.”
Lin Ran immediately knew why: “Because you’re going public? Listing before the moon landing, then moon landing success, market cap following the moon landing?
America’s only commercial aerospace agency capable of completing a moon landing?”
America’s capital operations maturity far exceeds China’s; when Chinese companies have major positive news, most don’t know how to leverage it in the capital market for their own benefit.
Not so in America: listing allows one cut, positive news allows a cut, negative news also allows a cut—much more ruthless than big A.
The reason Chinese investors find US Stock Market friendly is they only buy the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, i.e., BIG7, and don’t play penny stocks; playing penny stocks would still get them played to death.
“Alright, then. I won’t make it hard for you. Wing Kut Street 21-27 in Central—secure one floor inside for me, and I’ll personally command this moon landing.” Lin Ran said after thinking for a moment.
Wing Kut Street 23-27 in Central—this was the commercial building Xu Aizhou promised him back then; it started as one floor, later becoming the whole building.
Back then I owned it there, so now I also hope to own it.
At the same time, this is also a test for Young John Morgan, to test if the other party gets the hint.
Young John Morgan said after hearing: “Good, no problem. It’s a deal.”
For him, anything solvable with money is no issue. How expensive can one floor in Central be?
“Professor, I have another business this time; I’d like to see if you’re willing.” Young John Morgan continued.
Lin Ran nodded, signaling him to speak directly.
“We hope to buy the technology related to Burning One Modified rocket.” Young John Morgan said.
Lin Ran replied without hesitation: “Of course.”
The logic behind this is that after General Aerospace gets the Burning One Modified technology, they can only compete with SpaceX for market share.
The market for Chinese commercial aerospace and American commercial aerospace has minimal overlap—can be considered none.
Would NASA hire a Chinese commercial aerospace agency to launch rockets? Would CNSA hire an American commercial aerospace agency to launch rockets?
Obviously not.
As for Europe, Eastern Europe might go to China; Western Europe madmen have been constantly investigating Apollo Technology these past two years, launching anti-monopoly probes at every turn—let alone doing business, even opening an office risks massive fines.
“Besides price, I have only one small request: our cooperation must be public, including my commanding, Saturn V, Lunar Module, Command Module, Burning One Modified—these technology transfers must all be open and transparent.”
Young John Morgan’s smile hadn’t faded, thinking the professor is such a good guy; negotiations never went this smoothly, even willing to sell the most advanced reusable rocket technology—truly don’t know what relationship he has with my father.
The smile stiffened right after: I was originally going to play the independent R&D card, but this request is too much.
I was going to package General Aerospace as America’s pride, America’s light, punching SpaceX, kicking Blue Origin, me as the new Von Braun.
Advance to take control of General Dynamics, develop it into an aerospace giant, seek the Morgan family patriarch position; retreat to NASA position—Professor, you can’t be NASA director, but I can; after appointment, seek White House senior official.
Now, this turns me from tech genius to tech broker, unscrupulous businessman.
“Professor, this is probably not appropriate. Domestic has the Wolf Amendment, various trade regulations, all restricting cooperation between us and China in the aerospace field.” Young John Morgan showed difficulty, inwardly delighted—he found a perfectly legitimate reason.
It’s not that I don’t want to agree; it’s the White House won’t let me.
Lin Ran stood up, leaned forward, stared at Young John Morgan across the desk, and said darkly:
“The Wolf Amendment prohibits NASA from cooperating with Chinese affiliated organizations and Chinese official visitors from entering NASA facilities. We are not a Chinese affiliated organization, and you are not official NASA.
Section 902 of Public Law 101-246, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990-1991, only prohibits America from exporting aerospace-related products to China, not prohibiting Chinese products and technology from exporting to America.
IDAR, ECRA, BIS—these do not prohibit China from exporting technology to America.”
After speaking, Lin Ran sat back in his office chair and pointed toward the door with his hand: “The door to cooperation is always open.”
In this short dialogue, Young John Morgan felt immense pressure: on one hand shocked at the other’s mastery of American law—never heard before that the professor is also a legal expert; on the other, the aura bursting from the other gave him huge pressure, stronger than his dad John Morgan, stronger than any big shot he’s met.
This reminded Young John Morgan of a term from middle school history books: “Johnson Treatment”.
This was Li Yiqing’s third day in Hong Kong; his PhD had one year left before graduation, and he was wavering between work and university.
Though degrees are depreciating now, Yenching University undergrad-master-PhD still has some value, and he’s in applied mathematics; if he goes abroad for two years postdoctoral, returning to a provincial city university is no problem.
But entering the workforce is equally attractive, especially the financial industry.
So when he got the internship offer from Morgan Stanley, even though Hong Kong housing is shockingly expensive, risking out-of-pocket for the internship, he accepted without hesitation.
This is Morgan Stanley, a finance industry titan big Morgan; even if just the Hong Kong branch, it’s golden resume experience.
The day before arriving, no work arranged; his internship investment banking department supervisor left him hanging, perhaps too busy or simply no time for a mainland intern.
“Ethan, now there’s one thing to hand to you; this is very important.” The investment banking department supervisor Li Minyi called him into the office—a woman in her early forties, shrewd and capable, a finance elite at a glance.
This namesake, except for a smile on first meeting, was otherwise expressionless.
Ethan is Li Yiqing’s English name, not Eason.
Li Yiqing replied crisply: “Okay, please go ahead.”
Inwardly he wondered: I just arrived the second day, and you’re handing me something very important?
Would this kind of thing fall to me?
Could it be some show pie real pot?
“Don’t overthink it; this is a task personally arranged by Jonathan Hale from Morgan Stanley New York headquarters. He wants us to evaluate the acquisition possibility of a property.
Mr. Hale is a senior director at Morgan Stanley; do this beautifully, and with his one nod, you can stay.” Li Minyi said flatly.
Mentioning Jonathan Hale, a flash of flattery crossed Li Minyi’s face—unnoticeable if not looked closely.
“Specific property info has been emailed to you. You need to carefully evaluate the entire property’s details: recent unit transaction data, market valuation, owner distribution, potential risk, property ownership, surrounding unit rental income, vacancy rate, etc.
Also go to the site for field research multiple times; the report needs specific photos.
I give you two days; I believe in your ability.”
After speaking, Li Minyi waved her hand, signaling he could leave.
“Wing Kut Street 21-27 in Central”
Besides standard format essentials, the email had only a short address string.
Li Yiqing planned to search on Google first, then go to the site for field research.
“Chengxing Commercial Building?
An old-style commercial building at 21-27 Wing Kut Street in Central West, Hong Kong Island—not some landmark property.
Location is indeed prime, in Central’s core financial district, adjacent to HSBC headquarters and Lan Kwai Fong nightlife area, but the problem is it looks very outdated on Google Maps.”
(Chengxing Commercial Building)
“From recent Hong Kong commercial real estate trends, since 2019 rents have dropped 50%, vacancy rates keep rising, no signs of recovery.”
Li Yiqing really couldn’t figure why a Morgan Stanley headquarters bigwig would eye such commercial real estate.
Hong Kong commercial real estate has been falling since 2019, with big shots led by Li Chaoren rushing to sell.
At this timing, acquiring such an old commercial real estate—Li Yiqing was baffled.
Even if bullish on Hong Kong commercial real estate recovery and Hong Kong’s role as East-West bridge, plenty of far superior properties available for acquisition.
Hong Kong commercial real estate graded A, B, C—A highest, C lowest; this is solidly C-grade due to age, a product from decades ago.
Li Yiqing packed his briefcase, thinking maybe he doesn’t realize this office building’s merits—still need site visit to understand the bigwig’s intent.
A Morgan Stanley headquarters senior director is indeed a big shot to him.
Before going, Li Yiqing first consulted Pete, the veteran employee sitting next to his temporary desk responsible for mentoring him.
“Pete.”
After roughly telling Pete the task assigned by Li Minyi.
Pete, in a white shirt without tie—suit and tie only for client meetings—faced the computer tapping the keyboard, furrowed brows saying:
“Indeed strange; this property is an old building. I think I’ve been there; not far from us, surrounded by tea restaurants and small shops, in Central’s narrow alley.
Location is good, but unless Hong Kong Government does large-scale reconstruction, it’s not a good investment target now.
New York big boss eyeing this property? Really strange.
Wait five minutes.”
Five minutes later, Pete continued: “I checked; valued as C-grade building, that office building price between 3.7 billion HKD and 4.5 billion HKD. Not now, even if Central office rents recover to peak, rental yield here won’t exceed 3%.
Considering cash cost of buying this real estate, it’s no good deal anyway.
Renovation could lift rents, but vacancy rate is severely high now—renovation not cost-effective.
Anyway, not our concern. Go check it out; remember iPad to record everything around, including location.
Wing Kut Street is a narrow alley connecting Queen’s Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central; nearby Lan Kwai Fong and Central Station, convenient transport—take MTR directly.”
Pete couldn’t resolve Li Yiqing’s doubts; he also didn’t get why New York big boss wants to investigate this property.
Li Yiqing departed from Kowloon’s Trade Plaza in puzzled state, took MTR across harbor to Hong Kong Island Central Station.
Exiting the platform, early summer air hit—humid and hot.
Wing Kut Street in Central West, a narrow sloping street, old-style buildings on both sides; Chengxing Commercial Building at 21-27: a grayish-white 21-story high-rise, somewhat mottled exterior wall, ground floor glass curtain wall entrance, security lounging in lobby.
Surrounding lively: opposite is Wing Kut Street market selling fresh produce and street snacks; not far high-end boutiques and banks on Queen’s Road Central, Lan Kwai Fong bar area just steps away—quiet daytime, neon nights.
Traffic jammed, pedestrians hurrying.
Li Yiqing stood before the building, took phone photos, thinking it looks a bit old but unbeatable location: 5-min walk to Central Ferry Pier, 10 min to IFC Mall.
He entered the lobby; cool AC relieved him.
Lobby simple: marble floor, elevator with tenant directory: law firm, trade company, accounting firm.
Security looked up: “Mister, something?”
“I’m here for research,” Li Yiqing said, handing freshly printed business card, “Morgan Stanley; we’re interested in the property. Can you tell me about the owners?”
Security shook head: “I don’t know that. Check Land Registry.”
Li Yiqing thanked him, exited building, continued observing: streets bustling, indeed prime location.
But conditions from Land Registry not great: real estate is stratified ownership, bought by different people, not single owner.
Meaning prolonged negotiations, may not even succeed.
Next day, Li Yiqing organized notes in office: valuation confirmed around 4 billion HKD, based on recent unit transactions averaging 10000 HKD per sq ft; site environment active, but building aged.
Suggestion for next step: hire valuer and lawyer, check owner list.
