Chapter 689: Someone’s in for trouble!

Upstairs in the study, the conversation continued!

After hearing what Old Li had to say, Li Yi immediately furrowed his brow.

After a brief silence, he said in a grave tone, “So, is that guy named Dolsen the one calling the shots at the British Capital Group now?”

“That’s right. That guy has basically replaced the Earl and become the new head of the British-owned Group!” Li Fu remarked.

“It’s not common to have a leader parachuted in like that. What’s his background? Do you know this guy, Old Li?” Li Yi asked again.

“Not really. According to our intel, this Dolsen, just like that scheming old fox the Duke, comes from the Sassoon family. But he’s been operating in Europe all this time and rarely comes to Hong Kong, so we’d basically never heard of him before!”

Li Futao continued, “However, I’ve already sent people to Europe to investigate him. We should have news soon!”

Li Yi shook his head and said, “People who get parachuted in here are usually elite members carefully groomed by major families. Their personal information isn’t that easy to track down. I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed this time!”

“Well, there’s no choice. No matter how difficult it is, we have to send people over to try. After all, as the old saying goes, ‘Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles!’” Li Futao said.

“Hmm, but as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we investigate that Dolsen or not. All I need to know is that this guy is an enemy!” Li Yi said indifferently.

“He’s undoubtedly an enemy. This afternoon, Powell from Jardine Matheson called me. He said that not only is that Dorrison planning to take you on, but he’s also brimming with hostility toward Jardine Matheson—it seems he intends to incite the board to oust Powell as general manager!” Li Futiao said.

“Haha, this guy’s reach is pretty long. Does he think he can meddle in Jardine’s affairs too?” Li Yi said with a laugh.

“You’re absolutely right. Powell is young, yet he managed to outmaneuver a host of seasoned professional managers to take the helm of the Jardine Group. Is that something just anyone can easily pull off? I don’t think Dolsone stands a chance of getting him removed!”

Then, Li Futiao added, “However, what that guy said at the internal meeting of the British-owned group is worth pondering—especially his analysis of your weaknesses. I think there’s actually some truth to it!”

“He’s just a fool—what’s there to analyze?” Li Yi said with a cold laugh.

“An idiot?”

“Exactly. His analysis might be correct, but the moment he voiced it in front of so many people, he sealed his own fate—he’ll never amount to anything!”

Li Yi continued, “Setting aside whether he considered whether his words might reach my ears or invite my retaliation, the very fact that he flaunted that petty cleverness in front of others has already left them with the impression of a scheming, underhanded person.”

“People will always be on their guard when dealing with someone like that. And someone who isn’t trustworthy—no matter how clever they may be—possesses only petty cleverness, not true wisdom!”

Li Futiao’s eyes lit up, and he burst out laughing. “Well said! That reminds me of the old saying, ‘To be wronged is a blessing.’ A person who only knows how to take advantage of others will ultimately come up short!”

Li Yi smiled and said, “People who are willing to take a loss generally possess good interpersonal skills, know how to be accommodating, and don’t easily get into arguments with others. Whether in daily life or the workplace, such people come across as trustworthy, and others are willing to cooperate with them.”

“Such people often gain rewards beyond their capabilities. That is the wisdom of human relations—true wisdom. How could a bunch of pirate scum like you possibly have such insight!”

Just then, Huang Lixing, who had been silent up until that point, suddenly spoke up: “Brother Li Yi, didn’t that guy say he wanted you to hand over all the money you’d made? Do you think he might have his eye on this cash?”

“No doubt about it. That bastard has definitely set his sights on this ten billion dollars and wants to snatch it for himself!” Li Yi said.

“I handled this very discreetly. How did they find out?” Li Futiao asked, frowning.

“Old Li, that’s ten billion dollars, after all, and you wanted it in cash. With them controlling the financial sector, no matter how discreet you were, there’s no way you could’ve kept it from those guys.”

Li Yi continued, “And since you don’t need that much cash yourself, combined with our close working relationship, anyone with half a brain would figure out that money was meant for me—and that its final destination is across the strait!”

Li Futao nodded and said, “There’s no way around it. If we want that much cash in US dollars, we can’t avoid Citibank!”

Huang Lixing frowned and said, “If those bastards want to steal that money, they’ll definitely keep a close eye on our fleet—and that’s going to be a real problem!”

“Moreover, given Hong Kong’s regulations on foreign currencies like U.S. dollars, if they intercept us at sea, there’s a good chance they’ll confiscate the money!”

However, Li Yi replied nonchalantly, “Confiscated? Don’t they know whose money this is? Anyone who dares to set their sights on this money must be out of their minds—they’re asking for trouble!”

“The British Hong Kong government has John Cowboy backing them up—they might not be afraid of the mainland at all!” Li Fu interjected.

“Hah. Fear isn’t something you just talk about. If they weren’t afraid, they wouldn’t have withdrawn all their garrisons from here; if they were truly unafraid, patriotic families—including the Huo clan—would’ve been wiped out long ago; and if they were truly unafraid, they wouldn’t keep fighting us with such underhanded tactics—they should’ve struck us openly long ago!”

Even though John Bull has been trying every which way to maintain its image as a great and powerful nation these past years, unfortunately, their era has already passed.

Even if they were to emerge victorious in the Falklands War this year, it would not halt the decline of the Empire on which the sun never sets.

Take the rogue “Eagle” as an example: regardless of whether it complies with international rules, if the “Eagle” feels dissatisfied, it will act—even if it means mobilizing the full might of a nation to suppress a single company, or even framing and detaining its executives. After all, “I did it, so what are you going to do about it?”

Now look at the “Empire on Which the Sun Never Sets”—it doesn’t have that kind of guts. At most, it might pull off some under-the-table shenanigans.

With the backing of a nation, Li Yi truly has nothing to fear from them!

“What if they come at us head-on?” Huang Lixing asked.

“If they come at us head-on, aren’t they afraid of breaking their front teeth?”

Li Yi’s lips curled slightly as he turned to Li Futiao and said, “Old Li, tomorrow you send someone to deliver that money to Wan Chai Pier and hand it over to Old Huang!”

“Got it! I’ll be as careful as possible to avoid alerting those bastards!” Li Futiao replied.

“No need. Just do it the usual way—we need them to know about this!” Li Yi said, his words startling.

“Brother Li Yi… you…”

“Old Li, don’t worry about this. I’ve got it covered!” Li Yi said coldly.

“Alright!”

Li Yi then turned to Huang Lixing and said, “Old Huang, as soon as you receive this payment tomorrow, recall all Golden Shield Security personnel to the port to beef up security.”

“At the same time, recall all the ships under your command to the port and await my further instructions!”

“Yes, sir!”

“That Dolsen has his eye on this money, hasn’t he? I’ll give him a chance—we’ll see if he’s up to the task!” Li Yi said with a half-smile.

Seeing that eerie expression, Li Futao and Huang Lixing both couldn’t help but shudder.

They had seen that same expression on Li Yi’s face several times before. Whenever he wore it, it meant someone was about to be in for a world of trouble…

………

PS: I’m heading back to my hometown today for my grandfather’s funeral. I’ll be busy with the funeral arrangements for the next few days, so updates will be as frequent as possible!