Chapter 239: The Grand Opening of the Wanren Industrial Park and the Expansion into Water Transport
Yang Wendong lit up with excitement. "Tell me."
Wei Zetao began, "Mr. Yang, the patent for bags made of plastic was actually registered all the way back in 1902. It has long since expired. The problem is, back then plastic bags were costly to produce, difficult to use, and even prone to cutting people's hands—completely impractical."
"Hm, a materials issue then. What about polyethylene?" Yang asked.
He hadn't expected the idea of a plastic bag to be so old, but it made sense. After all, bags were essential to human life, and plastic had been around since the 19th century. Of course someone would've thought of using it in that way.
It was different from Post-it notes, which had no prior equivalent before their invention. But bags? Those had been in use for centuries. Still, he hadn't seen plastic bags—or even woven polypropylene sacks—in period dramas set in the Republic of China. Most bags back then were made of cloth, indicating that the petroleum industry just wasn't mature enough yet for plastic imports.
Wei continued, "Polyethylene is a high-molecular compound. It was discovered in 1933 and initially used mainly for military purposes. After World War II, it shifted to civilian applications, mainly for pipe seals and electrical insulation."
"It hasn't been used for bags yet? Not even this material?" Yang asked again.
"Based on our current research, it doesn't seem like it," Wei replied. "I've already instructed Mr. Zhang to look into global patent databases specifically for bag-related uses, but it will take time to get a definitive answer. There's also a chance that someone already developed it but it hasn't yet caught on."
"That's possible," Yang nodded. "Most likely there's still a major material flaw."
If the kind of easy-to-use plastic bag from his past life already existed, it would've spread globally in no time. It was simply too convenient. Unless quality was poor or production costs were sky-high, the idea would have caught on. There was no way bamboo baskets were cheaper than mass-produced plastic.
Wei agreed. "Yes, that would make sense."
"Forget about it for now," Yang said. "I want you to personally go to Taiwan and talk to Wang Yongqing. Ask him to research polyethylene—see if they can manufacture it. This isn't just something we need; society in general could benefit enormously. It'll be good for him too."
Plastic bags required raw materials, and that meant petrochemicals. Hong Kong didn't have the industrial foundation to produce them yet. Wang Yongqing, on the other hand, was ideal. Formosa Plastics was already Taiwan's largest plastic supplier, and the island had a modest petroleum refining base. It was close to Hong Kong, and strategically, there was no better supplier.
"Alright, I'll make the trip," Wei said. "But the day after tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the Industrial Park. Should I go after that?"
"Sure. No need to rush," Yang agreed. "This gives Mr. Zhang time to complete the patent search and monitor if anything similar pops up elsewhere."
"Understood," Wei replied.
November 8th — The Changxing Wanren Industrial Park Officially Opens
This time, the press turnout was larger than ever. The night before, Yang had received word that Governor Black (Sir Robert Black) would personally attend the grand opening of the industrial park. Naturally, the media had caught wind of it too.
The Governor's appearance meant Yang would have to personally receive him. Businesses opened in Hong Kong every day, but only a select few warranted the presence of the Governor.
"Black sure likes to make surprise moves," Yang said, smiling at the crowd of waiting journalists at the gate of the industrial park.
Wei responded, "That's just how politicians are. They love surprise appearances. Sometimes it's about creating a buzz. If they announce too early, it doesn't have the same media impact."
"Fair point," Yang nodded thoughtfully.
He recalled that mainland officials later avoided such tactics, but Western politicians often loved them.
…
Soon, police vehicles appeared to clear the road, and a British-made Lotus sedan pulled up to the entrance. Bodyguards and government officials fanned out to control the crowd and prevent journalists from getting too close.
Click, click— The photographers started snapping away from a distance.
Governor Black stepped out of the car and gave a courteous wave to the crowd and media.
Yang, escorted by his own security, walked over to greet him. Extending his hand, he said, "Governor, it's an honor to have you here for the opening of the Changxing Industrial Park."
"Mr. Yang, it's my duty," Black replied. "As Governor, I want all citizens to live in peace and prosperity. Under the glorious reign of Her Majesty the Queen, everyone should have access to stable employment. And your contribution today is proof of her blessings for Hong Kong—bringing thousands of jobs and helping to eliminate poverty."
"The honor is mine," Yang said with a polite smile.
That bit about "Her Majesty" aside, Yang agreed with most of what Black said.
As a businessman, he truly did want to hire more Chinese workers—not just to make money, but because it genuinely helped fight poverty.
People in this era had simple needs. If they had food to eat and a decent place to sleep, they were happy.
…
Just then, a journalist broke through the security line and approached the Governor and Yang.
Oddly enough, the inner-ring guards didn't react—but Yang's nearby men instinctively closed in, though there weren't quite enough of them.
Black motioned for his bodyguards to relax, then turned to the reporter. "Hello."
"Hello, sir. I'm with the South China Morning Post. May I ask you a few questions?" the reporter said.
"Of course. Please go ahead," Black replied with a smile.
South China Morning Post? Yang immediately understood. This wasn't a spontaneous moment—it had been staged.
SCMP leaned toward British interests and was known to have close ties with the colonial government. Many government officials chose SCMP for exclusive interviews. Clearly, this reporter had been hand-picked. When the Governor made public appearances, interviews like this were a way to share policy direction with the public—often through a favored mouthpiece.
…
The reporter asked, "Governor, unemployment is becoming a growing concern. What steps is the colonial government taking to help ordinary citizens?"
Governor Black responded, "That's an excellent question. Thanks to the government's efforts over the years, Hong Kong's industrial sector is flourishing. We now have large-scale companies like Cheung Kong Holdings, Changxing Industrial, and South China Textiles.
These companies are creating vast numbers of jobs. But in recent years, the flood of immigrants into Hong Kong has been overwhelming. Many of them are unfamiliar with local customs and systems. That's why, on the surface, unemployment appears to be quite high…"
"Next, the Hong Kong government will be addressing this issue from several fronts. First—"
Governor Black continued confidently, outlining the administration's policy roadmap.
Yang Wendong simply stood to the side, smiling without interrupting. He understood clearly that the Governor's visit to the park wasn't just about attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony—it was also a carefully staged opportunity to present public policy.
Still, Yang agreed with much of what Black said.
In recent years, Hong Kong's industry had grown rapidly—so had the property sector. Logically, this should have improved employment and raised wages. But the reality was that hundreds of thousands of people were flooding in every year…
Despite the growth in factories and businesses, per capita income had barely improved. Some manufacturers were even cutting wages—not because of financial losses, but because the labor supply was simply too high.
…
After the Governor finished explaining his policy plan, the South China Morning Post reporter followed up with another question: "Governor, what is the government doing to address the ongoing water shortage?"
Governor Black seemed well-prepared and responded, "The water shortage has been a persistent issue in Hong Kong. By the end of this year, we plan to finalize a water purchase agreement with the mainland to import water from the eastern Guangdong reservoirs. In addition, the government is also exploring cooperation with local shipping companies to transport water by sea from other mainland ports."
The reporter asked a few more questions related to Hong Kong's public welfare before wrapping up the interview.
Black then turned to Yang and said, "Mr. Yang, sorry for taking up so much of your time."
"Not at all, Governor," Yang replied with a smile. "Knowing the government's future plans helps reassure many Hong Kong citizens. That, in itself, is a good thing for society."
"OK, then let's head inside," Black said, gesturing forward.
As they walked, he added, "Mr. Yang, do you have any thoughts on the government's policies?"
"My thoughts?" Yang repeated.
Black nodded. "You're now a Legislative Councillor for the Tsim Sha Tsui district. You absolutely have a voice in policy matters. And as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in recent years, we very much value your input."
"I support your policies wholeheartedly," Yang said. After a pause, he continued, "But regarding the water shortage, I'm concerned that the problem may worsen in the future. Depending solely on one pipeline may not be enough."
"Not enough?" Black looked surprised. "Our import quotas from the mainland are calculated based on projections. There shouldn't be an issue. Besides, this year's drought is already considered extreme. It's unlikely we'll see prolonged dry seasons going forward."
"That may be so, but we should still consider the possibility," Yang said cautiously.
He couldn't exactly tell the Governor that several more years of severe droughts were coming. Even in the 21st century, weather prediction wasn't reliable that far ahead.
Yang continued, "Governor, Hong Kong didn't always have a water shortage. But as the population grows, demand has increased exponentially. Add to that industrial development, construction, and improved living standards—water usage is only going to rise. At our current pace of economic development, water scarcity is bound to become a long-term issue."
"Hmm… Mr. Yang, your analysis makes sense," Black said thoughtfully. "The government is looking into it. But for now, our only option is to rely on importing water from the mainland."
"I understand. That's why I'm willing to help," Yang offered. "My company, Changxing Shipping, is in the process of acquiring a large number of second-hand cargo ships. If the government needs assistance, we can use our ships to transport freshwater from the mainland."
In recent months, Zheng Yuhua had not only been negotiating in Japan to buy new ships but had also been purchasing used vessels—partly in preparation for the 1963 drought. Even if the ships weren't used to transport water, they could still haul cargo. There was no downside to buying more.
"Mr. Yang, I must say—the profit margins on water transport aren't great," Black said, raising an eyebrow.
It was well known that government contracts were tightly budgeted. After calculating the basic costs, only a modest margin was offered to shipping companies. Even those with close ties to the administration weren't eager to participate—regular shipping routes could be far more lucrative.
"That's fine. What we lose in margin, we make up in volume," Yang said casually.
Helping millions of residents was worth more than any short-term profit. And as a time traveler, he had countless ways to earn money—he could just flip a few more buildings if he needed to.
Besides, there was another angle. Water and electricity were the lifeblood of industry. A severe water shortage could shut down factories or even power stations. Keeping water flowing was in his own interest, too.
"Alright then, Mr. Yang. I'll hold you to that," Black said. "If the demand spikes, we'll prioritize your company. But you should have a backup plan—if heavy rainfall returns suddenly, we won't need cargo ships."
It was clear that the colonial government's policy toward powerful Chinese entrepreneurs was to co-opt rather than confront. This had long been Britain's strategy.
"Understood. Thank you, Governor," Yang replied.
This wasn't just about profits. In times of crisis, stepping up to help would elevate his social standing. Both the public and the government would take notice.
Black added, "Actually, there's some immediate demand. If you have any idle ships, go directly to the Water Supplies Department. I'll notify them this afternoon."
"Will do," Yang nodded.
…
After entering the facility, the scene resembled the grand opening of Changxing Mall ten days earlier.
Governor Black personally cut the ribbon for the Wanren Industrial Park—a moment sure to dominate the next day's headlines.
Once the ceremony concluded, guests and media representatives toured the factory complex, taking interviews and photos.
There were no trade secrets here. As long as journalists followed safety protocols, they were welcome to explore.
Yang Wendong, Wei Zetao, and Zheng Zhijie escorted the Governor, explaining the functions of each facility.
They were mostly standard production lines—just on a larger scale. After half an hour, the tour wrapped up.
Finally, the group arrived at the southern end of the compound, where the staff dormitory was located.
Governor Black asked, "How many people can this building accommodate?"
Wei responded, "Governor, each room houses six people. One floor has 60 rooms, split between east and west wings. With six floors total, the theoretical maximum is 2,160 residents."
"That many?" Black was surprised.
Wei added, "That's theoretical. In practice, we account for separate housing for men and women, rooms for married couples, and many workers choose not to live onsite."
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