The abrupt ringing of the phone interrupted Li Yi’s conversation with the two company executives.
He immediately gestured to Pang Feiyan and Zhao Xinlan, then picked up the receiver and said, “Hello, who is this?”
“Brother Li Yi, it’s me!”
Hearing Li Futiao’s familiar voice, Li Yi immediately replied, “Old Li, is there something you need so early in the morning?”
“Yeah, about setting up a factory in Pengcheng. I’ve spoken with those industrial companies and families. Currently, over a dozen enterprises have expressed interest, but they still want to understand the specifics of how we’d collaborate!” Li Fuzhao said.
Li Yi thought for a moment and said, “Here’s what we’ll do, Old Li. Talk to those businesspeople interested in setting up a factory in Pengcheng and see if they can make time to visit Pengcheng for an on-site inspection!”
“As for the specific terms of cooperation, let them negotiate directly with the Pengcheng municipal government. You and I will just act as intermediaries; we won’t get involved in the rest of the details!”
Li Futiao nodded and said, “That sounds reasonable. I’ll go talk to them about it later!”
“Alright!”
“Also, the Henry family is willing to transfer 10% of Huifeng’s shares to you in exchange for Henry’s life. Whenever it’s convenient for you, I’ll have them come over to sign the share transfer agreement!”
Li Yi thought for a moment and said, “Anytime today is fine!”
“Alright, I’ll have them head over right now!” Li Futiao said.
“Alright!”
“Yesterday afternoon, the Liu family sold their entire fleet to the Bao family of Banbanhaobang, and they’ve also offloaded most of their family businesses at a deep discount. They’re willing to compensate you, Brother Li Yi, with 500 million Hong Kong dollars, in the hope that you’ll spare the Lius!” Li Futiao added.
Li Yi paused briefly, then said, “Agreed, but the Liu family must get the hell out of Hong Kong Island!”
Although he wasn’t a bloodthirsty man, he didn’t want to play the saint either.
After all, the Liu family were accomplices of Gusta. Although they hadn’t caused him any direct losses, their actions alone had crossed Li Yi’s red line. Telling them to get the hell out of Hong Kong Island was already a generous offer.
“Alright, I’ll let them know!”
Li Futiao then changed the subject and added, “By the way, Brother Li Yi, when are you planning to head over to New York?”
“In a week!”
He chose this timing mainly because the dollar deposit he’d made at Citibank last year was due to mature in a week; he planned to settle that matter before heading to New York.
“Alright, got it. I’ll let you know once the paperwork is done!”
“Yeah, I plan to bring Yunbao and a few people from the company with me this time. Could you handle the paperwork for all of us, Old Li?” Li Yi added.
“Alright, just have Yunbao bring me the list, and I’ll handle the rest!” Li Fu replied.
“Alright…”
Li Yi had just hung up the phone and was about to continue discussing investment matters with Pang Feiyan and Zhao Xinlan when a series of knocks suddenly sounded at the door.
Then, with Li Yi’s permission, Lan Xinming pushed the door open and walked in.
“Boss, Dolsen and the others are here. They say they want to sign the share transfer agreement with you!”
“Let them in!”
“Yes, sir!”
Soon, led by Lan Xinming, seven or eight Westerners in suits strode in, with Dolsen at the forefront.
Upon seeing Li Yi, Dolsen immediately said, “Li, I’ve already drafted the share transfer agreement. If you have no objections, we can sign it right now.”
With that, Dolsen handed Li Yi a thick stack of documents.
Li Yi took the documents immediately but didn’t open them right away; instead, he gently placed them on the table beside him.
He then asked Lan Xinming to call Li Yunbao over, as he was the one with the expertise to review contracts.
While Li Yunbao was reviewing the contract terms, Dolsen looked at Li Yi and said, “Li, aside from the matter regarding Gusta, I’ve also come today to discuss your contract renewal with you!”
“Renewal?”
“Yes, our previous non-aggression pact has expired. If you’re willing, I hope both sides can continue to extend this agreement!” said Dolsen.
Li Yi looked at Dolsen, then said with interest, “Are you afraid the Chinese Business Association might take action against you?”
Dawson did not deny this, but said, “Although that agreement has certain loopholes, it remains quite binding on us, and it plays a role that cannot be overlooked in maintaining peace within Hong Kong’s business community.”
“Moreover, I can assure you that no matter how the political situation develops in the future, our British-owned group will remain committed to maintaining the stable economic development of Hong Kong Island.”
It must be said that this guy is truly clever; he knew exactly what Li Yi wanted, so he offered a condition Li Yi couldn’t refuse.
Although his promise currently seemed to hold no real meaning or value, Li Yi couldn’t simply refuse it—after all, the British-owned Group’s influence on Hong Kong Island’s economy was simply too great.
To put it simply, even a casual statement from them right now could affect the lives—and even the thoughts—of tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents.
With that in mind, Li Yi immediately replied, “Alright, let’s do as you say and renew that agreement!”
“What’s the term?” asked Dolsen.
“One year!”
“Alright, one year it is. I’m sure the negotiations between the two countries will have reached a conclusion by then, so we’ll discuss this matter again at that time!”
Although Li Yi knew that no results would come next year—the real outcome wouldn’t materialize until the year after—he didn’t say anything more.
By then, Li Yunbao had also finished reviewing the contract and said to Li Yi, “Brother Yi, the contract is all good!”
Li Yi nodded, then turned to Dolsen and said, “The contract is good. We can sign it!”
“Okay!”
Subsequently, on behalf of the Sassoon family, Dorson signed the contract with Li Yi for the transfer of the 43% stake in New Territories Warehouse.
After exchanging the contract, Dorson added, “Li, this afternoon I’ll issue a statement on behalf of the British Investment Group confirming that the previous agreement has been extended for another year. I hope the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will confirm this as soon as possible!”
“No problem!”
“Then we won’t keep you any longer!”
With that, Dolsen and his entourage left Li Yi’s office.
Shortly after Dolsen and his party left, members of the Henry family arrived.
Compared to the Sassoon family, the Henry family adopted a much more humble stance.
On the one hand, the Henry family was, after all, only a second-tier family; both in terms of strength and influence, they lagged far behind the Sassoon family. Li Yi’s successive, devastating blows to the Sassoon family had instilled a sense of fear in them.
On the other hand, the Henry family’s investments in Asia far exceeded those in Europe. If the forces behind Li Yi were to target them, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Consequently, from the very beginning, they dared not adopt the same defiant attitude as the Sassoon family.
Besides, even a powerhouse like the Sassoon family had ultimately been forced to submit in disgrace.
If the Henry family had a larger family base, they might even have abandoned Henry—that prodigal son and troublemaker—altogether.
Given the Henry family’s relatively cooperative attitude, Li Yi did not press the issue. After collecting 1 billion Hong Kong dollars from them, he agreed to leave Henry alone.
With that, the fates of most of the individuals involved in this case had been settled.
Apart from the several hundred who were killed at the time, most members of the South Monkey Gang had been released, though each was saddled with a massive debt of at least 100,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Of the remaining 19 suspects, including Gusta, Henry and the man surnamed Liu were merely accomplices. Since Li Yi had decided not to press charges against them—or rather, had allowed their families to use their connections to resolve the matter—it was highly likely that both would be acquitted.
Gusta, on the other hand, will be sentenced to five years in prison. As for the remaining 14 captured mercenaries and assassins, they won’t be so lucky—they will most likely be sentenced to death.
Overall, Li Yi was quite satisfied with this outcome!
With this matter settled, it was time to tackle the second round of investments.
Thinking of this, Li Yi immediately began to carefully plan his strategy. After all, he didn’t intend to bring much money with him on this trip to New York; he planned to pull off a scheme to make a profit with nothing to invest…
……..