Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 518 The Hong Kong Business Association's Lantern Festival Banquet
By dealing with Kong Yanbin, Hu Jiangshan had essentially resolved everything.

The next day, Kong Yanbin emailed Guss and Zachary Burke, informing them of the outcome of the negotiations.

Of course, the intelligence agencies and the stonemasons' union leadership of the United States also received a copy.

The version they received was more detailed, and Kong Yanbin also put forward some of his own conjectures in it.

Just one day later, Hu Jiangshan signed a cooperation agreement with Kong Yanbin at the Taihe Building in Central.

That's considered officially settled.

Of course, some people might ask.

When will the lunar orbiter be launched?

What launch method will it use? Whose rocket will it be?
These issues require further cooperation between the two parties to determine.

For example, a prerequisite for the official launch of this plan is that the United States must provide detailed functional information and data about the lunar orbiter.

This data needs to be sent to the China National Space Administration for reporting and approval. If necessary, it also needs to be reviewed on-site. Only in this way can the Tenglong Island Space Launch Site have no worries.

This is no ordinary international business deal; security is of paramount importance. We absolutely cannot start it without being 100% certain.

In his previous life, Hu Jiangshan had witnessed many projects fail because of lax preliminary review or oversights by the reviewers, which ultimately led to very bad results.

Hu Jiangshan has always been meticulous, so he would never make such a basic mistake; he always does things thoroughly.

Regardless, this collaboration should have been a huge sensation in Hong Kong, but the news didn't spread immediately. Hu Jiangshan intentionally controlled the information, prohibiting those in the know from telling others, not even family members.

Of course, nothing stays secret forever. As long as something is big and important enough, someone will always try to find out, and the news will gradually spread until everyone knows about it.

That doesn't really matter, it will be made public eventually anyway, at least there will be a press conference.

Hu Jiangshan is currently controlling information flow, only releasing information once it's absolutely certain, to avoid any surprises.

So as long as not many people know this news right now, and it doesn't spread too quickly, it's fine.

A few days later, Hu Jiangshan was in a company meeting that lasted all day. By the time he returned to his Victoria Harbour apartment, it was already 9 p.m.

To be honest, Hu Jiangshan didn't have a very peaceful year. He didn't really rest for many days. He spent most of his time dealing with company matters, either negotiating with the Lighthouse people or holding meetings with company staff to arrange the work for the coming year.

Don't think Hu Jiangshan wants to do this. He's not a workaholic. He also wants to rest for a few more days, travel around, and even let Feng Chao and his friends mess around with him. But the reality doesn't allow it.

To be honest, even Feng Chao is very busy now and doesn't have time to go out and fool around.

The key issue is that even when he's actually resting, Hu Jiangce has to visit relatives, so he can't do whatever he wants. It would actually be better to have a meeting at the company.

At least he's the boss, so no one can say anything about him, let alone have to worry about what others think.

Hu Jiangshan took a cold shower and felt much better. He sat on the sofa and started browsing social media on his tablet.

Unexpectedly, when Hu Jiangshan browsed the homepage, there were several topics related to "Running Man".

It seems the latest episode is indeed very popular; it's been several days and it's still going strong.

There are two types of discussions that are the most popular and hottest.

The first type is about Chen Yifei herself.

As mentioned earlier, Chen Yifei rarely appears on reality shows, so when she does, it's a major event in the entertainment industry. In addition, her performance on the show this time was outstanding, and she had a great presence on camera, which attracted many fans and popularity. So, she has gained both fame and fortune.

Of course, there's an even more important point: Chen Yifei's scandals have finally been suppressed.

Although some people still suspect that the denial is too deliberate and full of doubts, and that Chen Yifei is still highly suspected of having a secret relationship, there is no evidence, and not many people believe it.

Another hot topic regarding "Running Man" is the filming location of the latest episode.

Without a doubt, it's Tenglong Island and the traditional-style resort on it.

This scene is so unique, it's as if it's been filtered very heavily. Some scenes are so beautiful that even filters can't achieve that effect; post-production video editing is necessary to reach that level. So, it's not just praise online; many people suspect that it's a fake scene, created using green screen technology and movie special effects to achieve such a beautiful effect.

Hu Jiangshan checked the trending topics list and found that he was indeed trending.

The filming locations for "Running Man" have become popular.

This topic has received a very high number of clicks.
The entire production crew must have been grinning from ear to ear; they had a wonderful New Year.

Hu Jiangshan clicked on this trending topic and found several sub-topics and thousands of comments. He really deserved to be on the list.

The most popular post is full of photos: resorts, islands, blue skies and white clouds, and white sand beaches. Every picture is very clear and can be used as wallpaper. The scenery is truly amazing.

Looking at the comments section, most of them are praises, and many people are asking where this is, how to get there, and they really want to go and see it right away.

Of course, there were also many who questioned, poured cold water on, and made sarcastic remarks.

"Which island is this? Can someone tell me? I need all the information within three minutes."

"I also need a document. How do I get it? How much does it cost?"

"I heard it's an island near Hong Kong Island, but I couldn't find it after searching for a long time."

"Give me a break. This island is completely fictional. There's no such island at all. It was all made up by a special effects company hired by the production team. You're a fraud!"

"It's not entirely fictional. It might have been a set built on an island, filmed, and then the video was edited in post-production, resulting in what it looks like now."

"Don't disbelieve me, I've already found out that the island really exists, but whether it's as beautiful as it is on the show is another matter."

"This is getting weirder and weirder. The resort can't be fake, right? Is it actually open for business? Can we stay there for a few days? Why haven't we heard anything about it?"

"Exactly, that's clearly an island resort. If it were openly operating, how could it not have advertisements? I suspect it's fake."

Upon seeing this, Hu Jiangshan immediately felt that Catherine should arrange some advertisements for the resort.

Of course, this is all contingent on the resort's operations team being ready.

If we wait a few months before reopening, advertising now won't be very effective.

Well, since the resort has already been handed over to Catherine, let's leave everything to her team.

Hu Jiangshan can only offer some suggestions; ultimately, it's up to Catherine to make the decision.

Of course, if the resort is well-run, Hu Jiangshan will receive more profits. As a stakeholder, he should occasionally keep an eye on things.

Just then, Hu Jiangshan's cell phone rang.

Looking at the caller ID, I saw it was my dad, Hu Wenxin, calling.

Speaking of the Spring Festival period, Hu Wenxin called Hu Jiangshan quite a lot, even more than she had called him in the past few years combined. This is quite normal, after all, Hu Jiangshan is successful now, it's not shameful to take him out, and Hu Wenxin can call on him for anything.

On the one hand, it allows Hu Jiangshan to appear in various settings and become known to important figures.

On the other hand, it is also a form of training for Hu Jiangshan himself, helping him to mature as quickly as possible.

At the same time, this is also a relatively positive stance from Hu Wenxin.

Although Hu Wenxin didn't say it explicitly, Hu Jiangshan could sense it.

Hu Wenxin just wanted to tell his son that he would be the successor in the future!

Although Hu Jiangshan has no immediate plans to inherit the family business, he cannot refuse it.

Hu Jiangshan is the only direct descendant of the Hu family, and whether he likes it or not, it is his responsibility and obligation.

Hu Jiangshan was indeed no good before. He was the worst of the spoiled brats, always causing trouble. Hu Wenxin would get angry just by looking at that kind of spendthrift son, and would almost faint. How could she possibly let Hu Jiangshan inherit the family business?

Hu Yingxiang dotes on his grandson enough, and it's impossible for him to advocate handing over the Hu family's assets to the former Hu Jiangshan, as that would be tantamount to pushing the Hu family's assets into the crematorium.

Now, Hu Jiangshan seems to have become a completely different person; his style, his abilities, and his attitude are all so righteous they're almost sinister.

Anyone with eyes can see that Hu Jiangshan is fully qualified to inherit the Hu family's business.

Of course, Hu Jiangshan's qualifications do not mean that he will immediately inherit the family business.

Hu Wenxin is still quite young, only in his fifties. If he is healthy, he could work for another twenty years without any problem. So Hu Jiangshan is just a symbol now, meaning the Crown Prince.

Hu Jiangshan couldn't help but laugh whenever he thought about this.

Although the Hu family's business was not small, it was not particularly large on Hong Kong Island either. However, the family members were all very nervous, as if they were inheriting a throne.

At this moment, Hu Jiangshan had already answered the phone.

"Hey Dad, it's so late, aren't you resting yet?"

Hu Wenxin laughed: "What do you mean it's so late? It's only a few o'clock, not even ten o'clock yet, and your mother is still playing cards with people."

"That's true. Your nightlife with Mom is just getting started. You two are such an energetic couple."

"Heh, stop with the nonsense. By the way, let's get down to business. There's a reception tomorrow at noon, hosted by the Hong Kong Business Association. You should go and participate."

Hu Jiangshan was taken aback: "A banquet organized by the Hong Kong Business Association on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

"Huh? Dad, is it appropriate for me to go? I'm not qualified, am I?"

"What's there to be qualified about? It's just a slightly formal party. You're a junior, so it's normal for you to show your face. You don't need to do anything, just get to be recognized."

Hu Jiangshan said, "Okay, I'll just stand here, is that right?"

"Yes, that's the idea, but you should dress more formally, not too casually."

"understood."

Hu Jiangshan agreed and said a few words to Hu Wenxin. Just as he was about to hang up, Yuan Caihua took the phone and started chatting with Hu Jiangshan again. They talked about all sorts of things, which made Hu Jiangshan feel frustrated. Meanwhile, Yuan Caihua was playing cards, and the clattering of the cards never stopped.

Hu Jiangshan quickly made an excuse that he needed to sleep before hanging up the phone.

Hu Jiangshan sighed; he had to attend another cocktail party tomorrow.

To be honest, the lives of the rich are quite boring. They can't relax at all during the Chinese New Year because they have to spend a lot of energy on socializing.

There's a party like this almost every other day.

Fortunately, Hu Jiangshan wasn't the main character at the party, so he could keep a low profile, just freeload and greet the big shots, calling them "uncle" and "master" a couple of times.

The next day, at the headquarters of the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce.

The Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce is a relatively long-established organization, reportedly over a hundred years old.

Of course, despite the towering skyscrapers that Hong Kong Island boasts now, it hasn't really been developed for many years; if you do the math, it's been less than fifty years.

Decades ago, when Hong Kong Island was relatively underdeveloped, the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce was essentially a workshop-style organization, with its office space consisting of only two rooms.

Things are different now. The Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce is now quite impressive, and it's in a very good location, right in the heart of Kowloon.

Any company of any size on Hong Kong Island will register with the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce and become a member.

Every so often, the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce organizes various activities with the aim of helping each other and developing together as a group.

For example, during the Lunar New Year, the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce holds several receptions, some large and some small.

Of course, such business organizations have both advantages and disadvantages.

While it's true that people can band together, make money, and develop their businesses, it also weakens competition among them and can sometimes hinder regional economic development.

An even more negative scenario is that some large enterprises occupy very important positions, which means they can dominate the market and act with impunity, suppressing small and medium-sized enterprises at will.

Ten or twenty years ago, the Hong Kong Island Chamber of Commerce was already in this situation.

For example, the largest families have a lot of influence in the chamber of commerce, so much so that no one dares to mess with them.

There's nothing you can do if you're unhappy; you either compromise or stay silent.

Anyone who dares to resist will definitely suffer the consequences.

Of course, things have gotten a bit better in recent years. The Hong Kong government has taken over the operation of the Chamber of Commerce, which has slightly reduced the influence of the major families. They are not as arrogant as before, but they still have a lot of influence behind the scenes and often do some underhanded things, causing many companies to suffer.

At this moment, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class drove up. Hu Wenxin and Yuan Caihua sat in the back seat. The car stopped in the open-air parking lot, and the couple got out and walked into the Chamber of Commerce hall.

Both of them were dressed in their finest attire, as this was a banquet held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, a rather formal occasion that required attention.

Yuan Caihua asked, "Has Ah Shan not arrived yet?"

Hu Wenxin said, "Not that early, it won't start for another half hour."

As the two were talking, some people came up to greet them. They were all bigwigs in the Hong Kong business world. The one walking in front was Li Ziji, who is Superman's eldest son.

Hu Wenxin put on a smile and greeted the group.

Li Ziji appears to be a very amiable person, but he is no pushover behind the scenes.

(End of this chapter)