Hong Kong Variety Show: From Little Brother to Big Boss

Mike took the menu and glanced at the exquisite dishes. Although he was a little dissatisfied with Liu Xu's lateness, he saw that the other party's attitude was sincere.

Coupled with his boss's praise for him, he had to give him a certain amount of respect and attention.

So, while ordering food, Mike kept asking Liu Xu whether he had any food taboos or special preferences, showing a mature, steady and graceful attitude.

As the dishes were served one by one, showing their good looks, aroma and flavor, the three of them ate and chatted, and the atmosphere in the box gradually became harmonious and relaxed.

After the meal, Mike elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and then a gentle smile spread across his face.

Mike turned his gaze to Liu Xu and said meaningfully, "Mr. Liu, I think the significance of this gathering is probably more than just a simple acquaintance between us, right?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xu gave a thumbs-up without hesitation and complimented, "Mr. Mike is really a quick-witted person. No wonder he is the head of Organized Crime and Triad Bureau in the East Kowloon Region!"

"Since you asked this question directly, I will answer it frankly. I heard that you have a close relationship with the Director of the Transportation Department, His Excellency Charles Handel."

“Therefore, I look forward to using your help to build a bridge of communication between me and the Transportation Department.”

Mike fell into a brief contemplation after hearing this, his mind rapidly circling around the various resources in the Transportation Department that might attract the other party.

After a moment, he slowly raised his head, frowned slightly, and asked in a tone that seemed almost to confirm: "Your target is the taxi license in the hands of the Transportation Department, right?"

Liu Xu nodded slightly, not at all surprised that Mike could quickly see through his intentions.

Within the jurisdiction of the Transport Department, there are only two things that are truly attractive: one is the route rights of minibuses, and the other is taxi licenses.

At present, the minibus business in Hong Kong Island has long been firmly controlled by the Ma family. Whether it is official relations or underground forces, the other party has absolute advantages.

Therefore, the only remaining possibility is a taxi license.

Liu Xu raised his glass and gently touched it with the glass in Mike's hand, making a crisp sound. He then exclaimed, "Mr. Mike, your keen insight is really admirable."

After hearing this, Mike showed a smug smile. He gently shook the wine glass in his hand, making the wine in the glass swirl and dance.

He did not reply, but looked at Liu Xu with a sharp and inquiring gaze.

Seeing this, Liu Xu immediately understood. He stretched out a hand, spread his five fingers, and said with unquestionable firmness:

"For every taxi license, I am willing to provide a referral fee of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars, and there is no upper limit to this number!"

Mike's eyes lit up instantly when he heard this. He stared closely at the changes in Liu Xu's expression and quickly and confidently continued:

"If I can convince Handel to sell you all the taxi licenses during his four-year term, are you capable of taking over?"

Liu Xu was shocked when he heard this. He took a deep breath and adjusted his breathing. He replied in a firm and confident tone:

"Of course, there is no problem for me."

Hearing Liu Xu's affirmative answer, Mike instantly recalled what the chief had revealed at the high-level police meeting the day before yesterday, that Liu Xu had 300 million US dollars.

He stood up suddenly and patted Liu Xu's shoulder excitedly, his tone full of expectation and eagerness:

"Please wait here for a moment. I will go and invite Handil over now. Then you can discuss the details in person."

As he was about to leave, Mike seemed to have remembered something. He turned to look at his younger brother, Mason, who looked a little dazed, and solemnly warned him:

"Maison, help me entertain Mr. Liu here. Make sure he feels our sincerity and enthusiasm!"

After saying that, Mike didn't wait for Mason's response, he rushed out of the box and rushed towards Central.

Since Liu Xu was willing to spend 5,000 Hong Kong dollars to pay the introduction fee, he would not be stingy with the "purchase fee". As a good friend of Handil, he knew the other party's character very well.

Faced with such a huge sum of money that could be picked up for free, he believed that Handel would sell the taxi license to Liu Xu even at the risk of being hanged.

After all, the reason they became friends is because they have the same hobbies.

In the box, as soon as Mike disappeared, Mason took the initiative to tell Liu Xu his inner thoughts:

"Mr. Liu, I don't think it's necessary for you to buy too many taxi licenses at once. If these investments go down the drain, it will be a huge loss."

Liu Xu's eyes swept lightly over Mason. Although his face remained calm, a smile appeared in his heart.

"No response? I'm afraid you don't understand the true value of Hong Kong Island taxi licenses in the 21st century."

Looking back at history, before the 20s, the economic lifeline of Hong Kong Island mainly relied on the busy re-export trade.

However, with the rapid population growth and industrialization, countries have been transferring labor-intensive industries to East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Hong Kong seized this historical opportunity and began to undertake large-scale production of light industries such as textiles, clothing, electronics and toys.

These light industries have flourished like mushrooms after a spring rain, not only injecting strong impetus into Hong Kong's economy, but also making it one of the "Four Asian Tigers" and a dazzling star.

By the 20s, the world economy suddenly changed and fell into a quagmire of recession.

The import and export of Hong Kong Island products encountered many difficulties, coupled with various speculations and concerns about the future of Hong Kong.

This has dampened investor confidence, caused a sluggish real estate market, and caused the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate to suffer an unprecedented impact, thus severely damaging the Hong Kong economy.

It was not until December 1984, 12, when the "Harvey Joint Declaration" was formally signed, that hope for the future of Hong Kong Island was brought.

Driven by the wave of economic reform and opening up in the northern giant mainland, the economic ties between Hong Kong Island and the mainland are becoming increasingly close.

Trade between the two places flourished, and the mainland quickly emerged as Hong Kong Island's largest trading partner.

At the same time, Hong Kong businessmen also actively invested in the mainland, promoting the rapid circulation and recovery of Hong Kong's economy.

As the relationship between the two places continues to deepen, Hong Kong Island has successfully achieved the second transformation of its industrial structure, gradually transforming from a former manufacturing center to a global financial center.

This transformation enabled Hong Kong's economy to achieve a qualitative leap in a short period of time, from a trade-oriented city to a diversified and international economy.

It is against this background that the prices of taxi licenses in Hong Kong Island are also quietly changing.

Between 1980 and 1984, the price of a taxi license remained stable at around HK$.

However, with the full recovery of Hong Kong's economy in 1985 and the booming development of industries such as real estate and tourism, the price of taxi licenses began to rise year by year.

By 1990, the price of a taxi license had achieved a leapfrog growth, soaring from HK$1984 in to HK$.

After entering the 21st century, the price has skyrocketed from 90 Hong Kong dollars in the s to a sky-high price of million Hong Kong dollars.

In other words, the value of a taxi license in Hong Kong Island at that time was enough to buy a spacious and comfortable two-bedroom, one-living-room house in a first-tier city in later generations.

Therefore, Liu Xu found Mason’s question a little funny. After all, the possibility of having a taxi license “stuck in his hands” was absolutely zero.

Of course, he did not show his inner emotions on the surface.