In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 800 Advice from a Business Elder

In early November, Hong Kong was still sweltering, but it already had a touch of autumnal crispness.

Today is a special holiday for Western countries: Halloween.

Although this festival is not a Chinese tradition, Hong Kong has been influenced by its century-long colonial history, and the streets and alleys are already filled with a strong festive atmosphere.

Bars in Lan Kwai Fong are adorned with skull decorations, boutiques in Central are displaying pumpkin lanterns in their windows, and even the Star Ferry is covered in quirky ghost stickers.

Fanling in the New Territories, which is a full 30 kilometers away from Central, seems to be in another world.

There is no hustle and bustle of Lan Kwai Fong here, nor the neon lights of Central; instead, there are towering mountains.

The Fanling Golf Course stretches out quietly in the twilight, with lush green grass and a few egrets strolling leisurely by the pond.

At this moment, a light morning mist shrouds Fanling in the New Territories. This Hong Kong golf club, with a history of nearly a century and known as the "St. Andrews of the East," is now bathed in the golden morning light.

The greens, manicured like green carpets, the winding fairways, and the lush mountains in the distance create a tranquil and luxurious scene.

This is a tacitly understood social space for Hong Kong's top wealthy elites, and also a secluded paradise far removed from the hustle and bustle of business battles.

A Rolls-Royce luxury car silently drove into the club's gate, and the doorman respectfully opened the door.

Lin Haoran, dressed in a perfectly tailored white golf polo shirt, paired with light khaki trousers and classic golf shoes, stepped calmly out of the car.

Sunlight fell on his angular face, which lacked the sharp edge he usually displayed in business battles, and instead exuded a rare sense of leisure and composure.

Behind him were his bodyguards Li Weidong and Li Weiguo, as well as a caddie carrying a professional golf bag and behaving respectfully.

This wasn't his first time at Fanling Golf Course; he'd been there many times before.

So, he's quite familiar with this place.

"Good morning, Mr. Lin!" The club manager, who had been waiting at the clubhouse entrance, quickly greeted him with a humble yet warm smile. "Sir Bao is already waiting for you on the practice green."

"Thank you for your hard work." Lin Haoran nodded slightly, his voice calm.

He looked up and saw a familiar figure intently practicing putting on the practice green in the distance. It was none other than Bao Yugang, the world-renowned "Shipping King".

Bao Yugang was also dressed in classic golf attire, with a dark blue polo shirt that made him look energetic.

Upon seeing Lin Haoran approach, he put down his putter, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He said with a smile, "Haoran, long time no see! Congratulations! Your recent big moves have shaken Hong Kong. Even we 'old guys' are quite impressed."

The title of 'financial magician' is truly well-deserved!

Lin Haoran shook hands with this highly respected senior and replied with a smile, "Uncle Bao, you flatter me. It was just good luck and a stroke of luck. Compared to your pioneering efforts in building a shipping empire that spans the four seas, my achievements are really nothing to brag about."

Since undergoing that major surgery and after a period of recuperation, Lin Haoran has found that this world-renowned "Shipping King" is becoming increasingly robust and energetic, as if he has regained his prime.

This shows that, under his intervention, the fate of this veteran businessman has been completely changed.

This is naturally a good thing for Lin Haoran.

After all, Bao Yugang is now one of his closest allies in Hong Kong, and his business connections can be very useful to him at times.

For example, before the oil crisis, he relied on Bao Yugang's connections in the Middle East to quickly stockpile a lot of crude oil, and eventually made a fortune as a result.

Moreover, Wharf Holdings also needs Bao Yugang to take charge, while he only needs to sit back and wait for the profits.

Therefore, the healthier Bao Yugang is, the greater the benefit to him.

"Haha, it's not good for young people to be too modest." Bao Yugang laughed heartily, patted Lin Haoran on the shoulder, "Come on, let's not talk about business today, let's talk about romance... oh no, let's talk about little white balls!"
Let's see how much of that ruthlessness you have in the financial markets you can apply to the basketball court.

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere became relaxed and harmonious.

Guided by the waiter, they headed toward the first tee box.

Li Weidong, Li Weiguo, and other entourage followed in electric vehicles, maintaining a safe distance.

Standing on the wide tee box, the view suddenly opens up.

The morning breeze carries the fragrance of grass and earth, which is refreshing and delightful.

Lin Haoran took the custom-made titanium alloy driver from the caddie and weighed it in his hand.

The cool metallic feel and perfect weight distribution of the cue stick bring a sense of control and pleasure.

His memories show that when he was a teenager, he often followed his father, Lin Wan-an, to play golf and discuss cooperation with some of Lin Wan-an's business friends.

However, the circles that Lin Wan'an could access were vastly different from the level that Lin Haoran was in today.

Back then, the games were mostly social interactions between mid-sized real estate developers and suppliers.

And now, on this green field, the decisions made with a swing of the club and a few words of conversation may influence the business landscape of the entire Southeast Asian and even global markets.

With his thoughts returning to their source, Lin Haoran focused his mind and sharpened his gaze, locking onto the distant fairway.

The elegant yet powerful swing was executed in one fluid motion, and the white ball flew out, cutting through the morning mist and landing precisely at its ideal spot hundreds of yards away.

"Beautiful!" Bao Yugang exclaimed sincerely, "Haoran, that shot of yours was quite professional!"

"Uncle Bao, you flatter me." Lin Haoran smiled modestly and handed the club back to the caddie.

His tone was calm, revealing a genuine sense of relaxation.

This is the first time he has truly relaxed his tense nerves and enjoyed the top-notch quality of life that comes with being a super-rich man, after commanding a series of thrilling battles including the acquisition of Huifeng, the resale of Haifeng, the battle with Citibank, and the internal purge.

In the past few days, he has arranged a time with Citibank headquarters to travel to New York before mid-November to finalize the matter of the Citibank executive director position.

So there's no rush.

After signing the agreement with John Reed, Citigroup, perhaps to finalize the deal, readily transferred $1.5 million to Huifeng Bank's account as advance payment, demonstrating its strong commitment.

As for the 3% of newly issued shares in Citibank, they will be implemented together with the executive director positions in subsequent formal procedures.

It is worth mentioning that the position of executive director will be granted to Lin Haoran himself, rather than to Huifeng Bank.

After all, Lin Haoran already publicly held 3% of the shares.

Lin Haoran will also authorize Hengsheng Group to represent his personal interests at Citibank in the future.

The Hong Kong media has been going crazy these past few days.

The sales phenomenon of Oriental Daily News continues to gain momentum, and other media outlets, like sharks smelling blood, are trying every means to dig out more details about Lin Haoran and this earth-shattering deal.

Reporters staked out the Kang Le Building, Hui Feng Building, Wan Qing Building, and even the private club he occasionally visited, their telephoto lenses always ready.

However, Lin Haoran has been seemingly vanished from the face of the earth these past few days, rarely appearing in public except for this golf game with Bao Yugang.

He came to Fanling Golf Course because the shipping magnate had invited him.

Lin Haoran has always held this senior figure in the business world in high esteem.

Even though his assets now far exceed those of the other party, he still maintains the proper etiquette of a junior.

After all, Bao Yugang had helped him a lot during his rise to power.

As human beings, we should naturally know how to be grateful.

Moreover, he is now a close partner of Paul Y., with both of them jointly holding all the shares of Wharf Holdings.

Bao Yugang also delivered a solid shot, though the landing point wasn't as stunning as Lin Haoran's, it was still quite standard.

The two got into the electric cart and headed towards their respective ball positions.

Walking on the lush fairway, you're surrounded by valuable, meticulously maintained turf.

The caddie skillfully reported data such as distance, wind direction, and green slope, while Lin Haoran calmly selected his clubs.

He didn't rush to hit the ball, but instead took a deep breath of the fresh, grassy air and glanced at the picturesque scenery around him.

In the distance are the continuous Baxianling Mountains, and closer by are meticulously designed water obstacles and sand pits. Under the blue sky and white clouds, there are only birdsong and the occasional sound of balls being hit.

“This place is really nice,” Lin Haoran said to Bao Yugang beside him. “It’s quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, and it’s refreshing. Uncle Bao, are you a regular here?”

“Yes,” Bao Yugang said with emotion, “After decades of being a ‘sea drifter,’ what I yearn for most is the feeling of being grounded. This green field carries the friendship of many old friends and has witnessed many ups and downs.”

Sometimes, the joy of a good shot is no less than signing a big deal.

"I completely agree." Lin Haoran nodded. "The business world is like a battlefield, where every step is fraught with danger. But here, once you take a shot, the outcome depends entirely on your own skill and mindset."

If you don't play well, you can only blame yourself; you can't blame anyone else. This kind of integrity is truly admirable.

His words subtly revealed his insights into the recent series of high-intensity business operations.

The iron-fisted dismissal of hundreds of foreign executives, the heated negotiations with John Reid of Citibank, the planning in the face of a potential retaliation from Standard Chartered...

All the pressure seemed to vanish the moment the club was swung, flying away with the little white ball.

Upon hearing this, Bao Yugang showed a look of deep agreement: "Haoran, you've hit the nail on the head. Playing golf and running a business are actually similar in principle."

You need a long-term strategic vision, just like your tee shots need to be long and accurate. You also need delicate skills to handle tricky situations, like being steady with short game saves. And you need a calm and decisive mind under pressure, just like your putting needs to be resolute. Most importantly, you need to know how to enjoy the process, to have a balance between tension and relaxation. I see you've been on a roll lately; it's time to stop and take a breather, like you did today.

Lin Haoran smiled but didn't reply, focusing instead on his iron shots aimed at the green.

He chose a No. 7 iron and maintained an elegant and stable posture.

The ball soared high, tracing a beautiful arc, and landed precisely near the flagstick on the green, leaving an excellent opportunity for a birdie.

"Beautiful!" Bao Yugang praised again.

"Sometimes, seeing you achieve so much in just over three years really fills us old folks with awe."

As Bao Yugang walked toward his ball position, he sincerely said, "Back then, I started from scratch and spent nearly twenty years building the foundation of Global Shipping."

And you, in such a short time, have already reached a higher starting point than we are today.

Lin Haoran humbly replied, "Uncle Bao, you flatter me. Times are different, and opportunities are different. Your generation of entrepreneurs worked tirelessly to create the golden age of Hong Kong's industry and commerce. That is what we younger generations should learn from."

He gracefully threw out a shot, and the ball rolled steadily along the expected path, landing crisply in the hole—a birdie!
"Great!" Bao Yugang clapped. "With that putting composure, no wonder even John Reed of Citibank fell to you."

Lin Haoran picked up the ball, in a good mood: "It can't be said that Mr. John Reed was defeated by me. It was just that Citibank and I got what we needed. I was lucky. For example, in the deal with Citibank, the timing, the bargaining chips, and the other party's concerns all came together just right."

He didn't go into too much detail about the deal, only touching on it briefly.

As they walked and talked, the conversation gradually shifted from golf skills to a broader perspective.

Bao Yugang recounted how he foresaw the trend that container shipping would completely change the shipping industry, and decisively invested heavily in upgrading his fleet, laying the foundation for his shipping empire.

They also discussed the huge impact of global economic fluctuations on the shipping industry, and how he planned ahead and gradually shifted some of his funds to more stable sectors like real estate and hotels.

Lin Haoran listened attentively and shared his observations on the changes in the global financial landscape: "Uncle Bao's foresight is admirable. In today's world, the flow of funds is faster and more invisible than the voyage of cargo ships."

The potential of Asia, especially Hong Kong and mainland China, is being rediscovered by the world. Citigroup's willingness to offer me an executive director position is not based on my personal qualities, but rather on the vibrant market and resource network I represent.

His tone was calm, but his words revealed a clear understanding of his own value and future plans.

"That was a brilliant move of yours," Bao Yugang praised sincerely. "Borrowing a boat to go to sea is far more sophisticated and safer than building your own and venturing into unfamiliar waters, but..."

He then changed the subject, his tone revealing a sense of elder concern, "The Citibank headquarters in New York is a den of thieves. Those veteran Anglo-Saxon bankers may not necessarily welcome a young face from the East into their core decision-making circle."

Lin Haoran smiled calmly, looking at the undulating fairway in the distance, and nodded with a smile: "Uncle Bao is right. Where there are people, there is a world of its own, and even a behemoth like Citibank is no exception."

However, doing business is nothing more than the exchange and balance of interests. They need my 'passport' and resources, and I need their platform and global network.

As long as this foundation remains, everything else is simply a matter of offense and defense within the 'game'. I respect the rules, but I'm also prepared to face any challenge.

His tone was calm, yet he exuded confidence, much like his steady and powerful stance when hitting the ball.

For Lin Haoran, becoming an executive director of Citibank and squeezing into the core of this top global conglomerate was just one part of his strategy for Citibank.

As a newly qualified executive director, he is currently on the fringes of Citibank's senior management, so it's normal for him to be excluded.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

Lin Haoran has plenty of time to make strategic moves within Citibank and gradually increase his influence there.

After listening to Lin Haoran's words, Bao Yugang's eyes flashed with a hint of approval, and even a little envy.

A seat on the board of directors of Citibank—that's a position and platform that countless businessmen dream of!
Even he, the "world shipping magnate" who has traversed the world for decades, has never obtained such a ticket to the core circle of international finance.

This is not just a symbol of wealth, but also a manifestation of status, influence, and even power.

"It seems we old guys are really going to be left behind," Bao Yugang said, half-jokingly and half-remarkably, but there was no jealousy in his tone, only genuine appreciation for the younger generation.

Lin Haoran smiled modestly and said, "Uncle Bao, you flatter me. The foundation you have built and the network of connections you have accumulated are the truly valuable assets that can withstand any storm."

My achievements are merely the result of standing on the shoulders of giants and riding the wave of the times.

His words were not entirely polite.

Paul Y.'s reputation and network of relationships in the global shipping industry and even the entire Chinese business community are the result of decades of hard work. Their depth and stability are far beyond what can be achieved through short-term capital operations.

Despite his assets now far exceeding those of Bao Yugang, he still lags far behind Bao Yugang in terms of global influence and reputation.

This "Shipping King" earned his title through the sheer number of cargo ships and shipping routes he built, braving stormy seas. His reputation and prestige transcend national borders and are deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

This kind of accumulation requires time to settle.

The two continued strolling around the field, and before they knew it, the game was nearing its end.

On the 18th green, after Bao Yugang sank his final putt, he looked at Lin Haoran with a more serious expression: "Haoran, since you call me uncle, there are a few more things I'd like to say."

"Uncle Bao, please speak. Haoran is all ears." Lin Haoran stopped and looked at him attentively.

“A seat on the board of Citibank is a ladder to the top, but also a precarious position,” Bao Yugang said earnestly. “You are young and full of vigor, which is a good thing, but in that position, sometimes, concealing your talents and keeping a low profile is more important than showing off your abilities.”

I've had my fair share of dealings with American financial groups and I understand the working style of those veteran Wall Street bankers. They are polite on the surface, but in reality, they have a strict hierarchy and are wary of outsiders.

Your position as executive director was given to you by them out of self-interest, but to truly gain a foothold, shares and titles alone are not enough.

You need to show them your value, but you can't make some people feel threatened.

Some circles can't be broken into by simply rushing in; even if you do, the position isn't secure. It requires patience and a suitable "pledge of allegiance."

Lin Haoran's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately understood Bao Yugang's deeper meaning.

This is a reminder that to enter the top circles of Wall Street, in addition to overt business interests, it may be necessary to demonstrate "value" or reach a tacit understanding on certain specific matters.

He nodded seriously: "Uncle Bao means that we should demonstrate our abilities, but also know when to keep a low profile?"

“Exactly,” Bao Yugang said approvingly. “Furthermore, as far as I know, even a top global conglomerate like Citigroup is divided into several factions due to interests.”

As you're new here, the most important thing is to establish yourself first and not rush to choose sides.

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Bao." Lin Haoran expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“It’s good that you understand.” Bao Yugang smiled with relief. “Let’s go, the game is over. Let’s go have a cup of tea and chat. I’ve made an appointment with some old friends. They’re very curious about you and want to meet Hong Kong’s newest ‘financial magician’.”

The two sat down under a white parasol.

A stadium attendant skillfully opened a champagne glass, the pale golden liquid with delicate bubbles being poured into the crystal glass.

Lin Haoran raised his glass: "Uncle Bao, please. Thank you for your invitation today, which allowed me to steal half a day of leisure."

"Haha, I should be thanking you for coming." Bao Yugang laughed and clinked glasses. "Try these oysters, Gillardeau oysters that were just flown in from France this morning, they go perfectly with this champagne."

The chilled champagne glides down your throat, bringing a refreshing fruity aroma and subtle complexity.

The plump oysters, with their salty and fresh ocean flavor, melt in your mouth, perfectly complementing the acidity of the champagne.

The pure taste enjoyment brought by top-quality ingredients is the ultimate experience that money can buy, and it is also a way for those who strive to reward themselves.

Lin Haoran leaned back comfortably in the wicker chair, gazing at the shimmering lake and the lush green forests on the opposite shore, completely relaxing.

The two chatted about some light topics, such as collecting, travel, and food.

The details of the lives of the super-rich are naturally revealed in casual conversation.

The main purpose of this type of golf game, besides enjoyment and cooperation, is to maintain the relationship of mutual benefit between the two parties.

Bao Yugang wanted to maintain a close relationship with Lin Haoran, a young business tycoon, while Lin Haoran also valued the connections and experience of this senior figure in the business world.

Before we knew it, it was already 2 p.m.

Lin Haoran's Rolls-Royce and Bao Yugang's car were quietly parked at the entrance of the club.

"Haoran, you had a great time today." Bao Yugang extended his hand and shook hands with Lin Haoran again. "Your skills and mentality far surpass those of your peers. The future of Hong Kong rests on the shoulders of young people like you."

Go ahead and do it. We old folks will be happy to see it succeed and will definitely support it.

"Thank you for your guidance and encouragement, Uncle Bao," Lin Haoran said sincerely. "I have benefited greatly from your teachings today. I will treat you to some of the newly discovered Chaozhou home-style dishes another day."

“Okay, it’s a deal!” Bao Yugang nodded with a smile.

After watching Bao Yugang's convoy drive away, Lin Haoran got into his own car.

"Let's go to the Mid-Levels villa in Wan Chai."

He didn't plan to go to the Kang Le Building; there were too many disguised paparazzi outside it these days.

Wherever Lin Haoran went, he became the target of reporters who would surround and intercept him.

"Good boss."

The Rolls-Royce and the convoy of private cars slowly drove away from Fanling Golf Course, returning to the city along the winding mountain road, heading towards Liu Xiaoli's villa in Wan Chai.

(End of this chapter)