svetikya Page 868
Page 868
Now, with the passage of time, they not only succeeded in obtaining the coveted gambling license, but also in this difficult process, He Yuzhu and Huo Yingdong were assassinated by the other party at all costs and almost lost their lives.
Whether considering it from the perspective of social etiquette or from a logical point of view, we should now give them both some tangible benefits as a reward.
At that time, in Hong Kong's business landscape, the forces were intertwined and complex, and in order to maximize their profits, transactions and games never stopped.
For Huo Yingdong, the opportunity brought by this cooperation is of extraordinary significance.
They solemnly promised to hand over the Governor's Office's crucial annual river cleaning work to Huo Yingdong's company.
You know, this river cleaning work is not a simple physical job.
Behind it are many aspects of urban operation, from the maintenance of urban sanitation to the smooth operation of water transportation, all of which are closely related to it.
Being able to take on this regular business from the government every year is like a shot in the arm for Huo Yingdong's company.
On the one hand, in terms of profit, thanks to the complex scale of the project and the favorable conditions of official cooperation, the annual profit can be very considerable, enough to make the company's financial statements shine; on the other hand, in terms of reputation, being able to establish a long-term and stable cooperative relationship with the Governor's Office is undoubtedly a resounding signboard, which makes the company's prestige in the industry grow day by day, and many potential customers and partners will also look up to it. This is a very good benefit for the long-term development of the company and has far-reaching impact.
Not only that, the cooperation between the two sides does not stop there.
Ho Ying-tung's company will also work with them to jointly engage in the hydrofoil business, traveling back and forth between the prosperous Hong Kong and the opportunity-filled Macau.
The hydrofoil business was an emerging and highly promising sector in the shipping industry at that time.
Traveling between these two economically active regions can not only carry a large number of business people and tourists, but also drive business such as goods trade between the two places.
Taking this opportunity, Huo Yingdong's company can not only expand its originally limited business areas and enter the vibrant shipping industry, but also use its unique route advantages to open up multiple new profit growth points, injecting continuous impetus into the company's vigorous development.
In addition, among the promises made to the Governor's Office, there is also a very eye-catching plan - to build three new high-standard hotels in the coming period.
These three hotels are not ordinary construction projects.
According to the plan, they will be equipped with the most advanced facilities, from luxurious guest room configurations, to high-end catering services, to complete business and leisure functional areas. Every detail will be strived for to the extreme, aiming to become a landmark building in the region.
However, reality poured cold water on Aocheng Entertainment Company.
At that time, Aocheng Entertainment Company did not have sufficient funds on its books, and its internal professional construction team and technical reserves also had obvious shortcomings. It simply did not have sufficient funds and capabilities to smoothly advance the construction of these restaurants. The implementation of this grand plan seemed to be shrouded in heavy fog from the very beginning.
The corners of He Hongshen's mouth rose slightly, outlining a perfect smile, and his eyes revealed a hint of imperceptible expectation.
He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then spoke slowly, his voice steady and full of unquestionable confidence: "Mr. He, the Governor's Office is sincere in this cooperation. The Governor's Office will provide the land for these three hotels, and the price will naturally be slightly lower than the official price. However, as you know, this land is in short supply, so the discount we can offer is not very large. I wonder if Mr. He is interested in this?"
He Hongshen sat in the spacious and bright office, the leather chair holding him firmly.
The pen in my hand seemed to be given life, tapping lightly on the thick solid wood table top from time to time, making a crisp and rhythmic sound.
At this moment, his eyes were deep and focused, his brows were slightly furrowed, he seemed to be in deep thought, or planning a business chess game, he already had a set of meticulous and almost impeccable calculations in his mind.
His gaze slowly moved upwards and landed on the huge city planning map on the wall. The map was filled with crisscrossing lines and dense markings, like a hidden code map of a city's development.
In a very conspicuous prime location in the picture, he seemed to have traveled through time and space and saw the spectacular scene of the future company headquarters - Lisboa Hotel rising from the ground:
The magnificent building reaches into the sky, its glass curtain wall shines brightly in the sun, and there is a constant stream of traffic and people coming and going in front of the door, showing its prosperity.
Yes, he was extremely determined in his heart and determined to keep this excellent piece of land as the site for the hotel that symbolizes the company's supreme and glorious future.
As for the remaining two pieces of land, after careful consideration, the most suitable candidate to take over instantly emerged in his mind - He Yuzhu.
He Hong knew very well that He Yuzhu had been working in the business world for many years and had an extremely sharp business eye, and he could always accurately capture business opportunities.
Furthermore, in the close cooperation in the past, He Yuzhu has fully demonstrated his integrity and will do his best to fulfill his promises and will never break his word.
He is decisive and resolute in his work style. He never backs down in the face of difficulties and always resolves crises with lightning speed.
Transferring the land to him was a way to repay He Yuzhu for his long-standing support and help. This friendship was particularly precious in the ups and downs of the business world.
Logically speaking, they can also make use of He Yuzhu's abilities and resources to quickly get the hotel project off the ground, steadily accelerate its progress, and maximize the interests of both parties.
Chapter 631
In 1961, Hong Kong's economy was undergoing a delicate period of transformation.
He Hongshen came to He Yuzhu's office and told him his land investment plan in Haojing.
At that time, although Macau was not as prosperous as Hong Kong, it was quietly nurturing unlimited potential.
When He Yuzhu heard He Hongshen mention the two pieces of land located in the core area of Haojing, a hint of surprise and certainty flashed in his eyes.
Without the slightest hesitation, he replied decisively, "Okay, I'll take these two places."
He Yuzhu's mind is as clear as a mirror. This special time node of 1961 has special significance.
In this era, land prices are relatively low. Even if you buy it at a price that seems high at the moment, when you look at it decades later, this price will be no different from the price of cabbage you picked up for free.
He was silently calculating in his mind that many powerful companies in Hong Kong were now doing business in both places, but the market competition in Central had already entered a white-hot stage.
Major conglomerates and powerful families are vying for dominance in the Central business district, with their interests deeply intertwined. For newcomers to gain a share of the pie will be no easy task in the short term.
In contrast, in Haojing, urban construction is booming and the tourism industry is gradually rising.
For him, having such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire two pieces of land with huge potential in Haojing for building a hotel is undoubtedly an excellent choice.
It was as if the hand of fate quietly opened a door for him to a new realm of wealth. Once he stepped in, he might reap immeasurable rewards in the future.
In fact, He Yuzhu is well aware of the established historical trajectory of the Lisboa Hotel.
According to the original schedule, the Lisboa Hotel would not have officially broken ground until 1970, beginning its legendary chapter on the land of Macau.
But now, because of his major collaboration with He Hongshen, this process is very likely to be greatly advanced.
At this moment, He Hongshen was filled with excitement and anticipation. The enthusiasm on his face seemed to ignite the air around him, and his eyes were full of longing for the blueprint for the future.
He Yuzhu took it all in, and his heart was actually as excited as the surging tide.
But after years of struggling in the volatile business world, the ups and downs, the open and secret struggles, have made him calm and composed, able to remain calm even in the face of a catastrophe.
Therefore, even though his heart was in turmoil, his expression remained calm. He just looked at He Hongshen quietly without saying anything more.
In He Yuzhu's heart, what he really cared about and was obsessed with was how to use He Hongshen's strong relationship to smoothly acquire the two pieces of land that were crucial to him.
After all, these two pieces of land are the key to his business layout.
Of course, He Yuzhu was clear in his mind. Business is business. Loans are loans, and it is a matter of capital turnover; but the land transfer fee cannot be sloppy, not a penny can be neglected. This is the bottom line of business cooperation and a principle issue that must not be touched.
If even one point is missing, subsequent cooperation will come to a standstill. Only by strictly adhering to this principle can this cooperation proceed steadily.
He Yuzhu sat up slightly, his hands, which had been casually dangling on the armrests, clenched subconsciously. He looked directly at He Hongshen with a frank and scrutinizing gaze, and asked without hesitation, "How much is the land transfer fee for the hotel, approximately one yuan?"
Upon hearing this, He Hongshen leaned back slightly, a carefully calculated and confident smile playing on his lips. He tapped the sofa armrest lightly with his right hand and replied unhurriedly, “The locations of the land plots have been precisely determined. One plot, with relatively ordinary surrounding facilities, is valued at approximately HK$300 million. The other, however, is truly remarkable. Its location is unparalleled, with major roads crisscrossing the area, bus stops, and a planned subway station all within easy reach, offering unparalleled transportation convenience. In terms of commercial influence, the surrounding area spans several kilometers and is a burgeoning commercial district, promising substantial future foot traffic and consumer spending – a truly exceptional location. Therefore, the price is correspondingly higher, reaching HK$350 million.”
When He Yuzhu heard these two numbers, his heart sank suddenly. Although he tried his best to remain calm, the hand holding the teacup tightened unconsciously, and his knuckles turned white.
After all, this is not a small amount of money. For him, every penny invested is of great importance.
Because he had limited knowledge of local real estate prices in Haojiang, he was inevitably hesitant. After weighing the pros and cons, he subconsciously turned to look at Huo Yingdong, who had been sitting and listening quietly. His eyes were full of eagerness and trust, as if saying, "Old Huo, please make a decision for me."
Huo Yingdong noticed He Yuzhu's gaze, gently put down his cigar, and elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief. He understood and nodded slightly. He said in a calm and affirmative tone, "Both prices are quite reasonable in the current market environment. Given the location and potential of these two plots of land, the return rate will definitely be considerable over time. Take the surrounding transportation and commercial planning as an example. Within five years, the value of the land may double."
Hearing Huo Yingdong's professional evaluation, He Hongshen's smile grew even brighter, his eyes narrowed into slits, like a flower in full bloom, delicate and beautiful. He then said quickly, "Mr. He, you don't have to worry about this matter at all. I have been working in the Haojing real estate industry for many years and have strong connections and resources. I can assure you that the entire transaction process will be problem-free, from signing the contract to the subsequent transfer of property rights. It will be absolutely smooth. If there are any problems, please come to me."
Moreover, He Hongshen leaned forward slightly and explained earnestly, "Yuzhu, the three plots of land we're planning to buy, plus the one we reserved before, have special characteristics. According to local planning requirements and market positioning, they can only be used to build high-standard hotels. The minimum standard must be three stars or higher, and the number of rooms in each hotel is explicitly stipulated to be no less than 200. Although there are certain restrictions on land use and development intensity, we're lucky that these three plots are not far from each other, as if they are connected by an invisible thread, all closely surrounding the Nanhu Bay area."
When Nanhu Bay was mentioned, He Hongshen's eyes lit up. "Don't underestimate Nanhu Bay. It's an area with great development potential in Haojiang. The surrounding natural scenery is beautiful, with lush mountains and clear lakes. The supporting facilities are also being gradually improved in an orderly manner. Transportation is becoming more convenient, and living service facilities are becoming more and more complete."
In order to allow He Yuzhu to understand the specific locations of these lands more intuitively and clearly, He Hongshen stood up, walked to the filing cabinet next to him, gently turned the combination lock, opened the cabinet door, and carefully took out a detailed map from under a stack of documents.
He held the map solemnly in both hands, walked slowly and steadily to He Yuzhu, his movements as gentle as if he was treating a rare treasure, and then gently spread the map flat on the table.
He stretched out his finger and pointed out the locations of the two plots of land on the map very carefully. Every time he pointed to a place, he began to explain patiently.
He spoke slowly and described the surrounding environment in detail, as if painting a vivid picture: where there were lush trees that could add a natural atmosphere to the future hotel; where there were tranquil lakes that could be created into a landscape to attract customers.
When talking about transportation, he clearly explained how far away the hotel is from the main roads, the distribution of bus routes, and the locations of subway stations that may be planned in the future, which will undoubtedly greatly improve the accessibility of the hotel.
When talking about the future development plan, his eyes sparkled, as if he had already seen the prosperous scene of this area. He mentioned the commercial centers, schools and other supporting facilities that will be built in the surrounding area, which will bring a steady stream of customers to the hotel.
He Yuzhu listened attentively, staring intently at the location marked by He Hongshen on the map, his eyes revealing satisfaction and longing. In his mind, he had already begun to secretly plan what the future hotel would look like after it was built.
He seemed to see the grand hotel entrance and guests coming in and out in an endless stream; inside the hotel, the decoration style of each room and the layout of each public area gradually became clear in his mind, as if he already had a three-dimensional model.
Then, he raised his head, looked at He Hongshen with a firm gaze, and asked, "When do we start paying the transfer fee?"
He Hongshen maintained his gentle smile, his expression calm as he replied, "The entire year of 1962 is fine. This period of time is enough for you to arrange your funds reasonably, and it also gives you a certain buffer period for project preparation."
The setting of this time frame undoubtedly gives He Yuzhu a certain degree of flexibility, allowing him to better arrange funds according to his own financial situation and business plan. Whether it is preparing for bank loans or allocating his own funds, he has ample time to plan.
However, ideals are full of hope, but reality is extremely skinny.
He Yuzhu stood in front of the land that did not yet belong to him but had been repeatedly carved in his mind. His heart was full of ambition like a burning flame, but unfortunately, the lack of funds on hand forced this blazing ambition to face the cold reality.
At that time, Hong Kong's economic structure was in a delicate period of transformation, with currency value and market supply and demand intertwined, making every large transaction full of variables.
Although the land in front of us is not vast, its excellent location and development potential have commanded a price of HK$300 million.
In the economic environment at that time, this figure was like a towering mountain standing in front of He Yuzhu, daunting. Even compared with the land prices in Central, Hong Kong, where every inch of land is valuable and attracts the attention of global business elites, it is not inferior.
He Yuzhu couldn't help but fall into a whirlpool of memories, his thoughts drifting back to the past when he purchased the supply building.
Those buildings, each with an area far exceeding 1 square feet, and a single floor area easily surpassing 1000 square meters.
Standing inside the building, the vast space seems to be able to accommodate countless dreams and possibilities.
Back then, the price hovered between HK$35 and HK$40, which seems remarkably affordable compared to today's exorbitant land prices.
Later, the Middle East Industrial Building, which was meticulously built with a great deal of effort, rose from the ground. Its architectural style was unique and its internal facilities were first-class at the time. Even so, the price after completion was only between HK$100 million and HK$120 million.
Today, the price of this single plot of land is like a bombshell, reaching HK$3 million, a figure that, when calculated carefully, is almost equivalent to the total price of three industrial buildings.