Chapter 209 When Compatriots Meet Abroad, Expect a Stab in the Back
Chen Shoulin's words plunged Lin Haoran into deep thought.
Indeed, within Hong Kong, there was almost no one who dared provoke him, much less lay a hand on his companies.
Plus, with Li Weiguo and Li Weidong as his bodyguards, his personal safety was well secured.
However, the situation for his overseas assets was very different.
Abroad, nobody cared whether he was a Hong Kong business tycoon. In Southeast Asia, he lacked deep-rooted connections, and his investments there were still relatively small. Thus, it was difficult to command real respect or protection.
The saying "A mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake" was painfully relevant.
Even if he poured more investments there in the future, even if the local government gave him importance, it could never guarantee 100% safety for his assets.
Thus, building his own armed force seemed increasingly necessary.
Not only to protect himself and his family but to guard his business empire.
Of course, as a legitimate businessman, he couldn't afford to create a criminal gang—once labeled a gangster, he would carry that stain forever.
But establishing a security company—now that was a perfectly legal and feasible route.
In his previous life, Lin Haoran had seen videos online introducing the world's top security companies.
Companies like G4S, Securitas, Allied Universal, ADT Security, Brink's, Prosegur, GardaWorld, and Best Security.
These firms, known for their professionalism, advanced capabilities, and outstanding reputations, provided high-level security services for enterprises and individuals alike.
Lin Haoran didn't aspire to create something that large—he just needed a force strong enough to protect his properties.
Of course, if the company eventually grew to rival the world's leading security firms, that would be even better.
After bidding farewell to Chen Shoulin, Lin Haoran kept mulling it over.
A successful security business could not only protect his assets but also become a profitable venture.
At present, Hong Kong lacked any truly powerful local security companies.
More often, businesses paid protection money to triads to avoid trouble.
Even mid-sized factories and entertainment venues paid such fees to avoid harassment.
Of course, major companies like Amigo Industries, ever since Lin Haoran became its boss and moved the factory to Kwun Tong, no triad dared cause them trouble.
As for tycoons like Bao Yugang and Li Jiacheng, they hired professional bodyguards from prestigious international firms.
They trusted established firms because it guaranteed loyalty.
After all, if a bodyguard turned traitor, the damage to the company's reputation would be catastrophic.
"Wei Guo, are there many highly skilled fighters like you back home?" Lin Haoran asked as they drove.
"Boss, while they aren't everywhere, they definitely aren't rare either.
China's huge population and mandatory military service produce tens of thousands of recruits annually.
Even if only a small fraction are exceptionally skilled, the numbers add up.
Plus, after last year's Sino-Vietnamese War, many seasoned fighters have emerged," Li Weiguo explained.
It was true—this was still years before China's massive military downsizing.
Thus, the pool of retired soldiers was large.
Many had combat experience and exceptional skills.
Li Weiguo and Li Weidong had trained in martial arts since childhood, which explained why they stood out.
But even among regular ex-soldiers, many were far stronger than the average triad thug.
Lin Haoran made a mental note.
In Hong Kong, the most skilled fighters usually came from the triads.
They fought daily turf wars and had to be tough.
That night in Mong Kok, the six thugs they encountered had been low-level grunts.
Had it been elite members of 13K—especially those with military backgrounds—the fight would have been much tougher.
Over the past year, Lin Haoran had witnessed firsthand how formidable Li Weiguo and Li Weidong were.
If they had chosen to become action stars, they would probably dominate Hong Kong's movie scene.
Interestingly, many triad members were actually ex-soldiers from the Mainland who had illegally crossed into Hong Kong.
Lacking other skills, they joined gangs to survive.
Thus, to build a truly powerful security company, Lin Haoran realized he should recruit from the Mainland.
Local triads were too risky.
Back home, he could find disciplined, loyal, and highly capable men.
When they returned home, Lin Haoran made up his mind: he would start preparing quietly.
The next morning, he rose early and headed to Cheung Chau Cement Company.
Their Hung Hom plant had now been completely shut down.
Current production was concentrated in the Yuen Long and Sai Kung plants, which were more than enough to meet demand in both Hong Kong and Macau.
The equipment from the Hung Hom plant had already been moved to Sai Kung, and the old site was ready for demolition.
Meanwhile, only a few departments still operated from Cheung Chau Tower, with others relocated to Yuen Long and Sai Kung.
Previously, the company had two deputy general managers—now, each one managed a plant.
Burton remained in Cheung Chau Tower to oversee overall operations.
After all, Cheung Chau Cement was no longer the small, struggling company it had been.
Today, its cement business was just one part of its diversified empire.
Recently, they had acquired a mining company in Australia, a large brick factory in Hong Kong, a major lime factory, and an asphalt plant.
All essential suppliers for the construction industry.
Clearly, Burton was shaping Cheung Chau Cement into a comprehensive infrastructure materials giant.
And Lin Haoran fully supported him.
With Hong Kong's real estate boom, these acquisitions would only become more valuable.
Over the past year, thanks to Burton's aggressive expansion, both revenue and profits had skyrocketed.
Cheung Chau Cement's earning power was now several times what it had been when Lin Haoran took over.
Such capable managers deserved trust and freedom.
Inside Cheung Chau Tower's general manager office:
"Boss, we've handled the Manila incident. Here's the detailed report," Burton said, handing over a thick file.
Lin Haoran nodded and began reading carefully.
The report matched what Burton had said by phone but added detailed documentation of every step taken.
Thirteen employees had suffered minor injuries—mainly scrapes and bruises.
Each would receive additional compensation.
The family of the deceased worker had also been compensated under local standards, avoiding escalation.
In total, the incident had cost Cheung Chau Cement over HK$500,000.
A relatively small price.
As for the Visayas market, expansion there would be put on indefinite hold.
Without solving the problem of local gang control, it would be suicidal to try again.
Clearly, entering overseas markets wasn't as simple as it looked.
"What do we know about the gang that attacked us?" Lin Haoran asked.
"Our Manila manager reported that it's the Brotherhood—a local Chinese gang with over a thousand members. About 75% are ethnic Chinese," Burton replied.
Lin Haoran was stunned.
He had assumed the gang was composed mainly of locals.
Instead, it turned out to be fellow Chinese.
It reminded him of an old saying he had seen online:
"When compatriots meet abroad, expect a stab in the back."
In overseas Chinese communities, this bitter truth was often painfully real.
Many Chinese immigrants warned each other not to trust their own countrymen too easily when abroad.
Lin Haoran put down the report and fell into deep thought.
After suffering this blow, he couldn't just let it go.
Though he normally preferred to avoid trouble, since they had started it, he had to respond.
The most straightforward way would be to retaliate violently.
However, with only two bodyguards, he had no real force at hand.
No matter how strong Li Weiguo and Li Weidong were, facing thousands would be suicidal.
"Did we encounter anything like this when we expanded into Luzon?" Lin Haoran asked.
"No, Boss," Burton replied. "In Luzon, the environment is much better. There's lots of foreign investment, fierce competition, and the government strongly encourages legal market competition.
I even have some connections within the local government.
But the Visayas is different—far from Manila's political center, many industries are controlled by local monopolies.
I always had doubts about entering that market... but I underestimated how ruthless they could be," Burton said with a sigh.
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