Chapter 204: The Governor's Invitation
With the veto power in China Motor Bus (CMB) secured, it marked the completion of at least half of Yang Wendong's acquisition plan.
The next step would take time—strategically waiting and gradually buying more shares as opportunities arose.
After all, CMB had just gone public, and the family controlling the company still held a large portion of the shares. Companies like this were always difficult to acquire. If not for Wong Yiu-nam, the heir of one of the founding families, working with him, a takeover would have been impossible.
Early March
Yang Wendong, Su Yiyi, and the company's senior executives once again arrived at the Kowloon Wharf.
The seven cargo ships purchased from the U.S. had arrived in Hong Kong during the New Year period. Since then, they had undergone inspections and re-registration at the Whampoa Dockyard.
Today was the first time the ships would be fully loaded and departing for long-distance voyages.
Of the seven freighters, four were headed to the United States, two to Japan, and one to Europe.
Yang had scheduled a brief meeting at the port with the captains of all seven vessels and came prepared with red envelopes for the crews.
"Thank you, Mr. Yang," all seven captains said in unison, including Captain Sun Zhiwei, the first and most senior among them.
Yang smiled. "Gentlemen, I appreciate your hard work on these voyages."
"No need for thanks, Mr. Yang," Sun replied with a grin. "It's our job."
"Alright," Yang nodded. "I won't say much more—get ready to depart. Make sure to be cautious out there. When it comes to supplies, don't skimp—just don't waste either. I'll approve all reasonable requests."
"No problem," Sun responded.
After a few more words, the captains returned to their respective ships to prepare for departure.
Once they had left, Zheng Yuhua turned to Yang and Wei Zetao. "Mr. Yang, Mr. Wei, this time the ships are all carrying our own suitcases, but on the return journey, since we no longer need that much plastic raw material, six of the ships will be carrying commercial cargo for other clients."
"That's fine. You're in charge of the shipping company. It's your decision," Yang said. "But try to prioritize goods that can be loaded and unloaded quickly. Even if oversized cargo brings in more money, our priority is quick turnarounds—we need the ships back here for our own logistics."
Plastic suitcases were light but bulky. Plastic pellets, on the other hand, were dense. Same ships, but vastly different cargo efficiency.
Changxing Group had already launched its own trading company to compete with Hong Kong's foreign trade houses, but current demand for plastic pellets still wasn't enough to fill all returning freighters.
Especially with Japan so close, if they could minimize turnaround times, each ship could make two or three round trips per month.
"No problem," Zheng said. "Our top priority remains Changxing Industrial's logistics."
Wei Zetao smiled. "Ms. Zheng, over time, Changxing Shipping should become a standalone entity.
Once the joint-venture factory in Taiwan is up and running in July, we won't need to ship raw plastic overseas anymore. After that, the shipping division will mainly transport our own products."
Yang added, "Right. But we'll still need to buy a small coastal cargo ship for trips between Taiwan and Hong Kong. The distance is short, so one vessel should be enough.
And we don't need to carry anything to Taiwan—just bring the materials back."
"Hong Kong has those types of ships," Zheng said with a smile. "They're not expensive either."
Yang continued, "Speaking of expenses, Changxing Shipping needs to establish an independent financial system.
Old Wei, from now on, when Changxing Industrial ships goods, you'll need to pay the shipping fees—standard market rates, with a volume discount if applicable.
Changxing Shipping will eventually need to raise capital through bank loans. For that, we need good-looking financials."
The original idea behind starting a shipping company had been to cut costs and boost efficiency for Changxing Industrial. But now that the factory was paying the shipping company, it was just one hand paying the other—so the paper trail mattered.
"No problem," Wei nodded. "We'll pay all freight charges normally."
Zheng laughed, "No worries, Mr. Wei. I'll charge by the vessel, not like the other companies that charge by tonnage."
"Good. That's settled," Yang said. "Everyone should work together closely to maximize profits. When the company earns more, everyone's salary will increase accordingly."
The executives Yang had recruited a few years ago were now all earning far more than when they started.
People came to work and build businesses for one reason: money. Yang never shied away from paying them what they deserved.
"Understood, Mr. Yang," both Zheng and Wei responded in unison.
After returning to Changxing Industrial with Wei, Yang asked, "How's the industrial park plan in Kwun Tong coming along?"
"All the documents are ready," Wei replied. "We're just waiting on Changxing Real Estate to finish their acquisitions."
"They're pretty much done," Yang said. "Zheng Zhijie has spent the past two months acquiring a lot of properties in Kwun Tong."
"Then we're ready to move forward," Wei said. "Just give me a simple summary document, and I'll handle the rest."
During the past two months, Changxing Real Estate had been aggressively acquiring properties in Kwun Tong—even through the Lunar New Year. Acquiring that much real estate in such a short time couldn't be done slowly.
Some of the funds had been transferred from Changxing Industrial, but the majority came from loans secured through Liu Chong Hing Bank.
At this point, Liu Chong Hing was the largest creditor to Changxing Group—with loans exceeding HK$10 million. Ironically, Changxing might also be their biggest client.
"Mr. Yang," Wei said, "Based on our plans, we'll need about 800,000 square feet of land—roughly 80,000 square meters.
When you add demolition costs, land acquisition, grading, and construction expenses, the investment required is massive.
Changxing Industrial could afford it, but it would deplete a huge chunk of our capital."
"I know," Yang Wendong nodded. "When I negotiate with the colonial government, that's one of the points I'll raise. I don't expect the land to be free, but it has to be cheap enough.
As for the rest of the funds, I'll secure loans from the banks. But with a project this large—especially industrial land—just the property alone might not be enough as collateral. We'll need to put up Changxing Industrial's assets as well."
"Understood. I'll begin organizing the relevant financial documents," Wei Zetao replied.
Yang smiled. "Don't worry too much. The land might be large, but it's in Kwun Tong—not in the city center. It won't be that expensive.
Compared to a new cargo ship costing one to two million U.S. dollars, Hong Kong real estate doesn't even come close."
In the early 1960s, property prices in Hong Kong were still a fraction of what they'd be a decade later—perhaps just one-tenth. Compared to twenty or thirty years into the future, the prices were only about one percent, with some areas even lower.
Cargo ships, on the other hand, were industrial assets that only became more expensive over time. By the 1970s, a supertanker or mega-freighter could be worth more than an entire Central district skyscraper.
Though Yang needed a large plot of land, it wasn't in a premium location. The cost was still well within his financial capacity.
"Got it," Wei said simply.
That same day, Yang reached out to his old friend, Elena.
The next day, he personally arranged for a car to pick her up from across the harbor.
"Elena," Yang greeted her with a warm smile. "You look full of energy today."
Elena laughed, "Eric, the moment I got into your car, of course I felt energized. You have no idea—my neighbors were stunned when they saw your luxury car pull up."
"If you like it, I'll gift you one," Yang offered. "I'll even assign a driver, cover the insurance, fuel—everything."
When it came to Elena, Yang's gratitude was genuine. Her help during his early, struggling days had been crucial in launching his first ventures.
And the fact that she had done so with no personal gain in mind—just out of charity and goodwill—made her one of the very few people Yang genuinely admired.
He could never be as selfless as she was, but he deeply respected her for it.
"Eric, you're joking," Elena said, shaking her head. "I won't take a single dollar from you. But you can donate that money to someone else in need.
And as for the car—I wouldn't dare ride in such a luxury vehicle all the time. If you pick me up again, just send something more modest."
"Alright," Yang smiled. He wouldn't insist. That was simply who Elena was, and she deserved his respect.
After sitting down, Yang personally made her a cup of coffee.
"Elena," she said with a hint of curiosity, "is this about the matter we discussed last time?"
"Yes," Yang replied, smiling. "I've decided to make a large-scale investment in Kwun Tong."
Elena's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Yang nodded. "Yes, though it may not be exactly what you imagined. I'm planning an industrial development in Kwun Tong.
And not just any development—this will be the largest industrial investment in Hong Kong's history.
But naturally, that comes with many challenges. Land policy, utilities, demolition negotiations... I'll need help navigating government channels."
He laid out his plan—not in full financial detail, but a broad overview with numbers and scale to give her a sense of the scope.
He deliberately kept technicalities to a minimum. What he needed was for Elena to report it up the chain—to inform the senior echelons of the colonial administration. This was also a way for him to give something back to her.
If she could help resolve one of the government's biggest headaches—mass unemployment among the displaced—she would earn significant recognition for it.
Elena was visibly surprised. "Eric, this plan is incredible. If it succeeds, it could truly solve Kwun Tong's employment problem.
It might even turn it into one of Hong Kong's wealthiest districts."
Yang smiled. "Honestly, even if this opportunity in Kwun Tong hadn't come up, I was already planning to do something like this in the near future.
I'd have chosen somewhere in Hong Kong anyway.
Kwun Tong urgently needs jobs. I need land and labor. It's a perfect match."
"Alright," Elena said, standing up, clearly eager. "I'll report this immediately."
"I'll have a car take you back," Yang said. "A modest one this time."
"Thank you," Elena replied. "Eric, you may not realize it, but you've probably just saved many lives. Even if those people never know it."
"Every action has the potential to save lives," Yang said softly. "I want to grow together with society—and help lift people out of poverty along the way."
In a few more years, even with an upcoming property crisis, Hong Kong's industrial boom would mean that large-scale starvation and homelessness would become a thing of the past.
That was the power of industrialization. Even low-end, polluting industries could transform an agrarian region into one where people could at least survive.
Yang intended to use the next few years to accelerate that transformation—to help one last generation of the poor rise from poverty.
By 1968 and beyond, being "poor" would mean not owning property, living in substandard housing. It would no longer be a matter of life and death.
"This is a wonderful model," Elena said. "When my superior has news, I'll let you know."
"Alright," Yang said.
He personally escorted her downstairs and saw her off.
Three days later, Elena returned. After the usual pleasantries, she said:
"Eric, the Governor would like to meet you at Government House."
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