In the reception hall, the talks were still ongoing!
Seeing Li Yi’s unyielding stance, the British representatives across the table looked extremely displeased.
Originally, in their view, they were representing the British government in negotiations with this young man before them, discussing the acquisition of companies on the British Isles. Whether out of respect or fear, this young man should have maintained a courteous demeanor.
But clearly, his behavior just now could hardly be called friendly.
One could even say he hadn’t taken them seriously at all.
Overcome with anger, Lilia, the senior executive from the Royal Bank, couldn’t help but speak up: “Mr. Li Yi, as far as we understand, you spent less than 6 billion pounds when you acquired Sheffield Steel. Now, just a few months later, you’ve driven the price up to more than three times that amount. Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“Excessive?”
Li Yi let out a dismissive sneer before replying, “Hearing such words from a bank president truly surprises me—and makes me question your professional integrity and competence!”
“The core of business is buying low and selling high to make a profit. You yourself said that 6 billion was merely the cost. As for how much I’m asking for, that’s a testament to my ability—what does that have to do with whether it’s excessive or not?”
“Hmph, there’s nothing wrong with pursuing profit, but raising the price to three times the original amount in just a few short months is unethical!” Lilia said again.
“So raising the price threefold is unethical, but back when the British Empire was engaging in profit-making ventures at sea with no capital of their own, that was ethical?” Li Yi said with a sneer.
The whole world knows how the British Empire rose to power.
That Queen Victoria, whom they’ve been singing the praises of for centuries, was nothing but a pirate chieftain through and through. It was with her backing that hordes of British pirates patrolled the major shipping lanes of the Atlantic, plundering treasure ships from Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
It was through these shameless acts that the British Empire amassed its first fortune and secured the capital for the subsequent Industrial Revolution.
A bunch of pirates lecturing him on morality—Li Yi felt the world had truly become surreal.
“You… you’re slandering me! I’m going to lodge a protest with your government!”
Lilia’s face flushed with anger; her voice was shrill, and her expression bordered on hysteria.
“Slander?”
Li Yi then said coldly, “Is it a lie that you plundered Spanish treasure ships? Isn’t it a fact that you used your powerful ships and cannons to colonize and plunder the world? Aren’t the piles of bones of hundreds of millions of people in South America, North America, Southeast Asia, and South Asia the result of your actions? To speak of morality—are you… even worthy of it?”
Seeing the tension between the two sides escalating, Vice Admiral Sand, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke up: “Lilia, our purpose today is to discuss business with Mr. Li Yi. Please control your emotions.”
Lilia shot Li Yi a defiant glance but ultimately chose to remain silent.
Seeing this, Bill immediately said, “Mr. Li Yi, the price you’ve quoted exceeds my authority to decide. I will report this matter to the Prime Minister and get back to you later!”
Li Yi replied calmly, “Very well, but my offer remains unchanged!”
“Very well, then let’s discuss the second matter. We hope you will dissolve the Hong Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce!” Bill said again.
Hearing this, a cold smile flashed across Li Yi’s mind. Just as he had anticipated, these foreigners had indeed come to him specifically because of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Clearly, the Chamber’s existence made them feel threatened—it was like a bone stuck in their throat.
“Reason!” Li Yi said, his expression still impassive.
“You must be aware that Hong Kong is territory of the British Empire…”
Before Bill could finish his sentence, Li Yi cut him off: “Mr. Bill, Hong Kong has always been a sacred and inseparable part of our Chinese nation. Although, for historical reasons, it is currently under your temporary administration, that does not mean it is your territory. Please watch your words.”
“Mr. Li Yi, we have been developing Hong Kong for over a century. It was we who transformed that dilapidated little island into the international metropolis it is today…”
Before he could finish, Li Yi cut in: “Setting aside the fact that your statement is fundamentally flawed—it was the millions of people of Hong Kong who built the island, not you colonizers.”
“Besides, even if you did make some contributions to Hong Kong Island’s development, what does that prove? Do you know what your behavior looks like?”
“Like what?” Bill asked instinctively.
“Your behavior is like a bandit robbing an ordinary family—not only beating them, but also snatching their child to raise as your own son. This proves nothing except your shamelessness,” Li Yi said sharply.
Not only were Bill and his group left speechless by Li Yi’s words, but even Liang Bing and the accompanying staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs standing nearby were taken aback. This guy’s tongue was truly venomous; every sentence struck a nerve with these foreigners.
Being angry was one thing, but the real issue was the pain.
“Mr. Li Yi, the dissolution of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is solely because the very existence of this organization has compromised our national security. If you do not agree, we may be forced to take coercive measures!” Bill said in a cold, menacing tone.
“National security really is a convenient excuse—you can stick anything and everything under that banner!”
Ignoring the grim expressions on Bill and the others’ faces, Li Yi said dismissively once more, “And as for ‘coercive measures’… on what grounds? Just those few dilapidated ships of yours?”
“Are you looking down on our Royal Navy, sir? You should know that just a few months ago, we seized control of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) from the Argentines. Hong Kong will eventually be ours too!” Bill retorted.
A flash of contempt crossed Li Yi’s face, and he replied coldly, “China is not Argentina, nor is it the Qing Dynasty of a century ago. The days of flexing military might with a few dilapidated ships that are nothing but sitting ducks are long gone.”
“Mark my words: if you dare to sail those rust buckets over here, we’ll sink every last one of them.”
Li Yi wasn’t actually trying to intimidate him with those words. He knew that the Iron Lady had chosen this particular moment to come precisely to ride the coattails of the Falklands War and test our mettle.
But they don’t seem to realize what era we’re living in—still clinging to their “gunboat diplomacy”?
Think back to 1949—we didn’t even have a proper navy back then, yet we still forced your Amethyst to hoist the white flag. What are you playing at now?
“Mr. Li Yi, do your remarks represent the position of your government?” Bill said coldly.
“No, it doesn’t. I’m speaking solely for myself!”
However, before Bill and the others could react, Li Yi changed his tone and added, “But I’m not one to speak recklessly—whatever I say always comes true!”
“Mr. Li Yi, you’re being far too arrogant. Besides, you don’t understand our Prime Minister. I’m confident she’ll keep Hong Kong in the hands of the British Empire!” Bill said confidently.
“Hah, you’re overestimating yourself. While I may not know your Prime Minister, I know the Chinese government, and I know the 1 billion people of China even better. Once the Chinese people rise up, they will never compromise with colonizers like you!”
Then Li Yi spoke almost syllable by syllable: “Mark my words: this is China. Your Prime Minister is bound to take a nasty fall here and become a laughingstock to the entire world!”
“You… Mr. Li Yi, I’m not here to negotiate with you about the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. I’m here to formally notify you. If you refuse…”
Before the other man could issue his threat, Li Yi coldly cut him off: “I can tell you right now—the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will not be dissolved. Bring whatever you’ve got.”
“Of course, before you act, you’d better think about the consequences. You’re not the former ‘Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets’ anymore. The sun doesn’t rise on the other side after it sets, and a plucked pheasant is an easy target!”
“You…”
Biel tried to say something else, but Li Yi had clearly lost patience with their nonsense. He stood up and walked out without even looking back…
………