Chapter 481: Speaking to People Like People, Speaking to Ghosts Like Ghosts
"Japanese Foreign Minister?" Lin Haoran was slightly surprised.
That position would be equivalent to the Foreign Minister of Japan — yet such a figure had come to attend a small private banquet at Bao Yugang's home?
At that moment, Lin Haoran deeply realized the extent of Bao Yugang's international influence.
No wonder he was hailed as the world's top shipping magnate.
By comparison, while Lin Haoran's wealth had already surpassed Bao Yugang's, his influence clearly still lagged behind by a considerable margin.
Before Lin Haoran could say anything, the Japanese Foreign Minister had already stepped forward, extending his right hand and smiling warmly.
"Mr. Lin, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've long admired your reputation. I look forward to learning from you."
Lin Haoran shook his hand and replied with a smile, "It's my honor to meet you too, Minister."
Mr. Tanaka nodded with a friendly and humble attitude.
It was evident that in political and business circles, he was well aware of Lin Haoran's current status — not only in Hong Kong but in the global business arena.
Though Lin Haoran's influence was still not on par with Bao Yugang, Tanaka could see clearly from Lin's rapid rise over the past two years, and his extensive layout in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and even the United States, that this young entrepreneur was destined to become a world-class tycoon, a figure who could influence global business trends.
Lin Haoran then exchanged greetings with Shen Bi, Li Jiacheng, and the others.
Facing Lin Haoran, Shen Bi — a seasoned veteran of Hong Kong's financial world — couldn't help but reveal a complex expression.
A commercial giant like Jardines Matheson, reduced to helplessness in such a short time under Lin Haoran's hand, had been forced to retreat from Hong Kong altogether.
Even their Hui Fung Bank didn't have that kind of destructive power.
Of course, Shen Bi wasn't afraid of Lin Haoran.
After all, Hui Fung Bank's backing was deeply rooted, supported by top-tier consortiums from the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond — a web of influence far exceeding that of Jardines Matheson.
Moreover, as one of the few banks in Hong Kong with the right to issue currency, Hui Fung Bank's standing with both the British and Hong Kong governments was far superior to Jardines Matheson's.
In Shen Bi's eyes, no matter how powerful Lin Haoran became, he couldn't shake Hui Fung Bank's dominance in Hong Kong's financial sector.
"Mr. Lin, your recent actions have truly opened my eyes," Shen Bi said with some admiration. "Not only have you acted decisively in the business world, causing even a giant like Jardines Matheson to retreat step by step, but each of your decisions has been remarkably precise and effective. It's genuinely impressive."
Lin Haoran smiled and responded, "Mr. Shen, I must also thank you. If Hui Fung Bank hadn't refrained from getting involved, I wouldn't have been able to deal with Jardines Matheson so smoothly. You know me — I'm not someone who enjoys starting trouble.
If Jardines Matheson hadn't provoked me first, I wouldn't have taken such drastic measures. I much prefer fair competition in the open rather than playing tricks behind the scenes."
His words were direct — warning that anyone planning to make a move against him had better think carefully about the consequences.
"We at Hui Fung Bank, though shareholders of Jardines Matheson, have always maintained a policy of non-interference in their internal affairs," Shen Bi smiled. "Their targeting of you was entirely a private action.
Mr. Lin, you must understand: if anyone least wants turmoil in Hong Kong's real estate sector, it's the banks. A thriving property market means booming business for us. A crisis in real estate would impact the banking industry severely."
If it had been before, Shen Bi wouldn't have bothered explaining.
But times had changed.
Lin Haoran was now on the same level — perhaps even stronger — than Hui Fung Bank.
So while Shen Bi wasn't afraid of Lin Haoran, he didn't want to provoke him either.
Of course, that didn't mean Shen Bi would never strike.
In the brutal world of business, maintaining power and status often meant waiting for an opportunity to pounce — without mercy.
But right now, without a clear weakness to exploit, confronting Lin Haoran directly would be foolish.
"I know Hui Fung Bank had nothing to do with it," Lin Haoran replied with a smile. "Our cooperation has always been excellent.
I hope that Land Corporation, Hong Kong Electric Group, and Wanqing Group can continue to maintain strong ties with Hui Fung Bank."
"Mr. Lin, though I'm much older than you, I must say I admire you. You're a source of pride for Hong Kong's Chinese business community!" said Li Jiacheng, joining the conversation with a hearty laugh.
Recently, Lin Haoran's meteoric success had left a strong impression on Li Jiacheng.
This was a man who had once felt triumphant after acquiring Hutchison Whampoa, thinking himself a rising star.
But faced with Lin Haoran, he now couldn't help but feel inferior.
A year ago, he might have still believed he could someday surpass Lin Haoran.
But now?
Even giants like Jardines Matheson, backed by powerful British capital, had been defeated by Lin Haoran.
Compared to that, what was Hutchison Whampoa?
He had needed Hui Fung Bank's support just to pull off that acquisition. By his own strength alone, he couldn't have done it.
The gap was glaringly obvious.
Lin Haoran now stood like an insurmountable mountain before him, crushing any hopes of overtaking him.
Today, Li Jiacheng's only ambition was to manage his businesses well — he had abandoned any thoughts of becoming Hong Kong's number one tycoon.
"Mr. Li, you flatter me," Lin Haoran said modestly. "You are a titan of Hong Kong's business world. I'm just a newcomer, still with much to learn from you."
Li Jiacheng chuckled.
"Mr. Lin is too humble. In business, as they say, the waves behind drive the waves ahead.
Your achievements are recognized by everyone."
The men continued their cordial conversation.
As more business tycoons arrived — all friends or allies of Bao Yugang — Lin Haoran became the center of attention.
Hong Kong's business world might seem vast, but currently, no one could match Lin Haoran in financial power.
That was why he was now the focus of so much flattery.
Everyone wanted to maintain good relations with him — no one wanted to offend someone ruthless enough to bring down Jardines Matheson without blinking.
During the conversations, Lin Haoran learned the real reason why the Japanese Foreign Minister was attending this seemingly small event.
It turned out he had come to Hong Kong to attend an Asian diplomats' summit.
At the same time, Bao Yugang's Global Shipping Company had extensive business dealings in Japan.
For instance, during the global oil crisis in recent years, Bao Yugang's assistance had been crucial to Japan.
Bao's excellent relationships with Japanese shipping magnates and shipbuilders allowed him to lease not only ships but also crews to Japanese companies, helping alleviate Japan's desperate need for oil transport.
Without Bao's help, Japan's economy would have suffered far more severely.
Moreover, Bao's partnership with Japan dated back to 1961, when he signed his first shipbuilding contract there.
Since then, over ninety percent of his ships had been built in Japanese shipyards.
This close cooperation not only ensured timely, high-quality vessels but also saved significant costs and time.
Bao Yugang also had excellent relations with Japanese banks — many of his favorable credit arrangements with Hui Fung Bank stemmed from his ties with Japanese financial institutions.
Although Bao was a Hong Kong businessman, he wielded considerable influence in Japan.
Whenever he visited, even the Prime Minister treated him as an honored guest.
Thus, it was no surprise that Mr. Tanaka would attend tonight's gathering.
Despite being called a birthday banquet for Bao's grandson, the guest list — close to twenty heavyweights — showed how seriously Bao took the event.
Had the venue been larger, undoubtedly even more would have been invited.
Clearly, even after his low profile following the Wharf Holdings acquisition, Bao's influence remained undiminished.
Since Bao had no sons — only four daughters — his grandson was especially precious to him.
Perhaps because his sons-in-law came from various countries, and many of the guests tonight were foreigners, the banquet was held buffet-style rather than as a traditional Chinese feast.
Glass of red wine in hand, Lin Haoran moved through the crowd, chatting with major business figures.
He realized that tonight's gathering was not merely a celebration but also an important business networking event.
Many guests, while chatting, couldn't resist mentioning Jardines Matheson's recent downfall.
The fact that Jardines Matheson Securities had gone from industry leader to bankruptcy in under a month shocked everyone.
"Mr. Lin, may I ask what you think of Japan's current economic development?" Mr. Tanaka approached Lin Haoran just as another Hong Kong business magnate finished speaking with him.
He lightly clinked his wine glass against Lin's and asked curiously.
Lin Haoran smiled, took a sip of wine, and answered,
"Mr. Tanaka, Japan's economic development in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable.
Especially in manufacturing and technology, Japan leads the world.
Achievements in automobiles, electronics, and steel have not only earned global admiration but also granted Japan the reputation of an 'economic miracle.'
I am very optimistic about Japan's economic trajectory."
Speak to people like people, speak to ghosts like ghosts.
Lin Haoran naturally understood that principle.
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