Chapter 1005: Consolidating the Hong Kong Stock Market!

“Knock, knock, knock…”

The sound from outside interrupted Li Yi and Yang Qian’s conversation.

“Come in!”

No sooner had Li Yi’s voice sounded than the office door swung open.

Immediately afterward, Li Futao, He Dongying, and Bao Chuanwang strode in.

Upon seeing the three of them, Li Yi immediately stood up and said with a smile, “Old Li, Old He, and Old Bao, what brings you here?”

Li Futiao smiled and said, “We signed the share transfer agreement yesterday, didn’t we? We’re here today to bring the money.”

“The company’s finance department could have handled that. Why did you have to come all the way here yourselves?” Li Yi asked with a smile.

“Hahaha, bringing the money is just a side note. The main reason is that we have some things we’d like to discuss with Brother Li Yi!” Li Futiao said.

“Heh, all right. Actually, I have something I’d like to discuss with all of you as well!”

With that, Li Yi immediately invited Li Futiao, He Dongying, and the others to take a seat.

Meanwhile, Yang Qian, standing nearby, promptly brewed tea and poured water for them. After taking care of everything, she tactfully excused herself and stepped out.

Once the office was left with just the four of them, Li Yi asked with a smile, “Old Li, if you have something to say, just go ahead!”

Li Futiao replied, “We’re here today mainly to seek your advice on three matters, Brother Li Yi. The first concerns the admission of new members. Although we approved the list of applicants some time ago, the sudden attack by Sangcai and his group caused a delay in the follow-up procedures.”

“Now that the matter has been resolved, and given that our Chinese Chamber of Commerce’s reputation has soared as a result of this incident, we’re thinking of bringing the new members into the Chamber right away. What do you think?”

“I have no objections. You guys can handle it however you see fit!” Li Yi said.

“Alright then, we’ll issue an announcement tomorrow!” Li Futao said.

“Alright!”

Then, Li Futiao added, “Secondly, we’ve come here to seek a partnership!”

“Cooperation?”

“That’s right. Starry Sky currently holds shares in our major companies to varying degrees, so you’re effectively a shareholder in all of them. Since we’re all on the same side, shouldn’t we strengthen our business cooperation?” Li Futiao said.

Bao Chuanwang immediately chimed in, “You now hold a 39% stake in Wharf Holdings, making you the company’s second-largest shareholder. But with Wharf’s current slump, shouldn’t you, as a shareholder, offer some guidance to the company?”

Li Yi smiled and said, “As a shareholder, it’s only natural to offer guidance on the company’s development. However, as I’ve mentioned before, neither I nor Starry Sky will be involved in the day-to-day management of these companies.”

“So, regarding the specific operations of each company, I can only offer some ideas; the rest is up to you!”

“Brother Li Yi, we know you’re busy. We’d like to collaborate with Starry Sky Company—what do you think?” asked Li Futao.

“No problem. You can discuss the details of the partnership directly with Lan Xinming, Pang Feiyan, and the others. I have no objections!” Li Yi replied.

“Hearing that puts our minds at ease!”

Li Futiao then continued, “The main reason we came here today is to discuss the future of Hong Kong’s business community with Brother Li Yi…”

Before he could finish, Li Yi laughed and said, “Old Li, that’s a pretty big topic, isn’t it?”

Li Futiao shook his head and said, “In the past, it would have been a bit presumptuous for people like us to discuss this topic, but now? I think we’ve earned the right to do so.”

“On the one hand, your Starry Sky Company is already the largest investment firm in Hong Kong in terms of assets. Your name appears on the shareholder lists of nearly every major listed company in Hong Kong. While it might be a bit of an exaggeration to say you control half of Hong Kong’s business world, it’s not far off.”

“On the other hand, your personal wealth, fame, and prestige are unmatched by others. And since you represent the central government, isn’t it only natural to discuss the future of Hong Kong’s business world?”

Li Yi paused briefly, then looked at Li Futao and said, “Old Li, Old He, Bao Lao, why have you suddenly come to talk to me about this?”

He Dongying sighed and said, “It’s all because of the sudden visit from Sang Chai and his group. Through this incident, we’ve come to deeply realize just how fragile the Hong Kong stock market—and indeed the entire business community—really is.”

“A mere handful of overseas financial groups could easily crash our stock market. If it weren’t for you turning the tide and blocking their attack, our families and companies would likely have fallen long ago. It’s terrifying to even think about!”

Bao Chuanwang added, “That’s right. Though Sang Chai and his crew are despicable, their actions have served as a wake-up call for us. This time, we narrowly escaped with our lives and dealt them a heavy blow, but we might not be so lucky next time!”

Li Futao added, “The Hong Kong stock market is simply too small, and our strength is far too fragmented. It’s manageable for minor skirmishes, but once we attract a true financial titan, we’ll be like small fish in front of a shark—we won’t even have a chance to fight back!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yi also fell into deep thought.

Indeed, the Hong Kong stock market’s resilience to risk was far too weak; it simply couldn’t withstand major turbulence.

Of course, this was inextricably linked to the situation where four stock exchanges coexisted on Hong Kong Island.

Due to early irregularities in financial management and historical factors, a situation arose where four companies—Far East, Gold & Silver, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island Stock Exchanges—coexisted, a period the people of Hong Kong Island referred to as the “Era of the Four Exchanges.”

However, a series of events—including last year’s stock market crash and this year’s attack on the Far East Stock Exchange by Sangchai and others—fully exposed the various drawbacks of this four-exchange coexistence in Hong Kong’s securities market.

In short, power is too fragmented, making it easy for opponents to defeat them one by one.

“So what are your thoughts on this?” Li Yi asked.

“We’d like to ask you to take the lead and see if we can consolidate Hong Kong Island’s securities market—ideally by merging the four major exchanges into a single large exchange. What do you think?” Li Futao said, making a startling proposal.

At those words, Li Yi was completely taken aback.

He couldn’t help but recall the predecessor of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in his previous life—the Hong Kong and Islands Stock Exchange.

This exchange was a major securities exchange formally formed on March 27, 1986, through the merger of four exchanges.

However, at that time, it was the British Hong Kong government that had spearheaded the establishment of the United Exchange.

“Why should I be the one to lead this? Shouldn’t the British Hong Kong government be handling this? Can I really take the lead? Will the other three exchanges even be willing to merge?” Li Yi voiced the questions on his mind.

Li Futao immediately replied, “This matter should indeed be spearheaded by the British Hong Kong government. Unfortunately, their reputation is in tatters now. Even if they stepped forward, no one would be willing to listen to them!”

“On the other hand, Brother Li Yi, you not only have the support of our Chinese Chamber of Commerce, but you also have good relations with Dolsons and the British-owned conglomerates. You enjoy immense prestige among the general public. As long as you’re willing to step forward, this matter will certainly be a success!”

He Dongying, standing nearby, added, “Of course, the most important thing is your proven track record, Brother Li Yi. Over the past two years, you’ve shaken up the Hong Kong stock market and dominated the markets in New York and London—you’ve been unstoppable, sweeping all before you.”

“If you say you want to end the era of the Four Associations—whether it’s the Kowloon Association or the Gold and Silver Association—who would dare to oppose you?”

Hearing this, Li Yi couldn’t help but take the matter seriously.

Consolidating the Hong Kong stock market would indeed have a very positive impact on Hong Kong’s economic development.

On the one hand, it would break down the barriers between various stock exchanges, making it easier for listed companies to raise capital.

On the other hand, it would boost market vitality and enhance risk resilience.

After all, once the four major exchanges unite, the market’s scale will expand significantly. When others attempt to manipulate the entire market, both the capital required and the difficulty of such operations will increase exponentially.

With that in mind, Li Yi immediately said, “That’s certainly a good thing, but I’m about to head back to Beijing—I really don’t have time to handle this!”

Li Futiao replied immediately, “No problem. As long as Brother Li Yi steps forward to discuss this with the heads of the other three exchanges, we’ll handle the rest!”

“Alright, I’ll take this on!” Li Yi said.

“Good…”

Seeing the three men’s excited expressions, Li Yi smiled and said, “All right, let’s not talk about that anymore. I have something I’d like to discuss with you as well!”

“What is it?”

“I’m planning to host a cocktail party at my place tomorrow night. First, to celebrate this great victory, and second, because there are some matters I need to discuss with everyone. Please help me notify the members of the Chamber of Commerce!” Li Yi said.

“What time tomorrow night?” Li Fu asked.

“Six o’clock, I suppose.”

“Six o’clock tomorrow night, right? Leave it to me!” Li Futiao said.

“Alright…”

…………