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As for Ho Hung-sam's grandfather, his name was Ho Fook.
Although he was not as famous as his elder brother Ho Tung, he was still a household name and a prominent figure in Hong Kong during the 1920s and 30s.
Ho Fook once served as a comprador for Sassoon & Co. and also as a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, demonstrating exceptional business acumen and political skills.
Chapter 551 I Don't Do This
Turning the pages of those yellowed history books is like stepping into a long river of time, where the past commercial prosperity unfolds like a scroll before your eyes.
In the dazzling constellation of Hong Kong and Macao commerce, Fok Tung-ying's name shines like the brightest star, illuminating the commercial journey of an era.
Looking back to the crucial moment in the bidding for Macau's gaming licenses, it was a turbulent historical juncture.
The auction venue was shrouded in a tense atmosphere, like the deathly silence before a storm, where every breath of air seemed to freeze.
The various forces, like lurking beasts, are hidden in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with a thirst for profit, secretly vying with each other.
Huo Dongying, a business tycoon with unique business acumen and decisive courage, resolutely threw himself into this fierce competition.
He moved among the bidding crowd, displaying an air of sophistication in every gesture. With his accurate prediction of market trends and extraordinary courage, he stood out from the many bidders, successfully obtained the gaming license, and became one of the company's most important shareholders.
At that moment, the scene erupted in uproar, and his name once again stirred up waves in the business world.
However, Huo Dongying's business empire was like a vast ocean. At that time, he had already developed a prosperous world in many fields such as shipping and real estate, and a lot of his energy was devoted to these booming business segments.
Despite his major victory in the bidding for the gaming license, he was simply too busy to truly get involved in the day-to-day operations and management of the gaming business.
He accurately grasped the pulse of the market and acted decisively while everyone else was still hesitant, ultimately reaping a huge bonus of up to one million Australian dollars.
When faced with the emerging electronics industry, despite the immature technology and huge risks at the time, he saw unlimited potential for the future and resolutely invested huge sums of money in research and development and production.
When the real estate market showed signs of improvement, he decisively purchased a large amount of land, laying the foundation for subsequent real estate development.
Neither the impact of the economic crisis nor the brutality of market competition could stop his progress, ultimately forging a remarkable business legend.
He pointed to a towering, magnificent building not far away and said:
"That is the building we are talking about. It is nearing completion and is located in the bustling Tsuen Wan area. However, the owner has not yet finalized the future use of the building. Whether to keep it for long-term rental or simply sell it to realize cash, the owner himself is hesitant."
He Hongshen nodded slightly after listening, indicating his agreement with He Yuzhu's view, and solemnly promised:
He Yuzhu, who was eagerly anticipating good news, was somewhat surprised. He subconsciously turned to look at Huo Dongying beside him, only to see the other party giving him an apologetic smile.
Although he had some doubts, He Yuzhu quickly regained his composure and replied with a smile, "Please feel free to ask if it's within your power."
However, he didn't make any definitive statements, because at this moment, what he urgently needed was indeed such an industrial building.
However, considering that the market price is around 100 million, it is not entirely unacceptable to pay a premium of 10% to 20% to buy this building.
The only thing that worried him was that even if he successfully purchased the building through this method, the handover date would probably be delayed by several months.
If the industrial building cannot be acquired quickly in this way, then waiting for the building to be completed by ourselves seems to be a wiser move.
Since achieving our goal would require paying an extremely high price, it would be better to be patient and wait for the time being.
After all, he wasn't in such a hurry to take possession of the building immediately.
Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu was quite surprised and immediately turned his gaze to Huo Dongying, who was standing to the side.
Huo Dongying nodded slightly in agreement, saying, "That is indeed the case."
Then, the two began to briefly explain the specifics of the situation to He Yuzhu.
In the turbulent and unpredictable Haojiang district, the gambling industry is like a vast, unfathomable ocean, deeply embedded in the fabric of the local economy and society with a powerful and secretive force.
It is like a wealth-generating machine that never stops, with huge sums of money flowing through it every day. It is also like an invisible hand that inadvertently rewrites the life trajectory and destiny of the people on this land.
The absolute core of this deep sea is undoubtedly that unique, legal gambling operation license, which carries endless profits and ambitions.
In Macau's business context, this license is like a bright moon hanging high in the dark night sky, radiating an alluring and mysterious light, attracting countless profit-seekers with dreams of wealth and a spirit of adventure, who flock to it like moths to a flame.
Every few years, the Macao government holds a public tender for this significant license, following established rules.
On the eve of each bidding process, the entire Haojiang area seems to be shrouded in an invisible yet powerful atmosphere of tension. A strange feeling permeates the streets and alleys, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation about the unknown outcome.
In those luxurious, opulent clubs, casino owners, dressed in bespoke expensive suits with sparkling diamond brooches, sat huddled together, their expressions grave, holding secret meetings in hushed tones. The smoke from their cigars rose slowly, much like the intricate schemes and calculations in their minds.
The walls of the club were adorned with Renaissance-style oil paintings, and the floor was covered with exquisitely hand-woven carpets. Waiters in sharp uniforms surrounded them, but even in such a luxurious setting, it was difficult to dispel the gloom in their hearts caused by the bidding for the gambling license.
Meanwhile, in offices in various corners of the city, businessmen furrowed their brows, weighing the pros and cons of piles of documents and financial statements on their desks, trying to find the best entry point to participate in this game from every piece of data and clause.
They would sometimes circle and mark on reports with pencils, and sometimes argue fiercely with their assistants. The atmosphere in the office was oppressive, and everyone knew that this license would determine their business fate for years or even decades to come.
Even ordinary people would enthusiastically discuss the bidding for the gaming license on the streets and in their leisure time, their eyes full of curiosity and anticipation, speculating about who would ultimately win this license that would determine the fate of countless people.
Gamblers from all over the world are drawn to the luxurious atmosphere and exciting gambling games here.
In order to further consolidate his dominant position in the gambling industry, Fu Laoliu meticulously planned and formed an unbreakable alliance with Gao Kening, the king of joint pawnbroking.
Gao Kening has been deeply involved in the pawnbroking industry for many years, accumulating astonishing wealth and wielding absolute influence.
He owns large pawnshops in many parts of Macau, with huge daily financial transactions and extensive connections in the industry.
The two joined forces, becoming like a tiger with wings, dominating the gambling industry in Macau and controlling almost all of the profits.
Their sphere of influence extends beyond casinos to related upstream and downstream industries, from casino construction and equipment supply to supporting services such as hotels and restaurants, forming a vast and complex business empire.
However, time is the most ruthless killer, and even a powerful figure like Fu Laoliu cannot resist its erosion.
Approaching seventy, his physical functions gradually declined, his once robust body became hunched, and his energy was far less than before.
Those once sharp, eagle-like eyes are now shrouded in the shadows of time, and things often appear blurry.
However, his desire to control the gambling industry has not diminished in the slightest. He continues to hold onto his territory with his rich experience and deep roots.
He still visits the casino every day, and although his pace is slow, the authority in his eyes still makes his subordinates dare not slack off in the slightest.
Meanwhile, the new generation of gambling king, Yip Hon, emerged like a brilliant new star rising suddenly in the dark night sky, making his mark in the gambling world, his brilliance growing ever more dazzling. Yip Hon came from a poor background, and his starting point in life was far less smooth than that of Fu Lao Liu.
He grew up in poverty, and his parents struggled to make ends meet with their meager income. He dropped out of school early and worked hard to survive.
But he showed a unique talent and keen insight into gambling from a young age, as if he was born to gamble.
Starting as a low-level dealer in the casino, he would stand at the gambling table for more than ten hours a day, but he never complained of being tired.
With his astonishingly skillful gambling techniques, he has repeatedly turned the tide at the gambling table, earning the admiration and trust of many gamblers.
Whether it's his precise judgment of the cards in card games or his amazing control over the numbers in dice games, his gambling skills are truly amazing.
At the same time, he also demonstrated flexible and adaptable business strategies, constantly introducing new gambling games and promotional activities, attracting more and more customers.
He pioneered the membership system, providing regular customers with exclusive VIP rooms and high-value chip rewards. He also innovatively introduced electronic gambling equipment, setting off a new trend in Macau's casino industry at the time.
Over time, he gradually accumulated considerable wealth and a wide network of connections.
Ye Han harbored a burning ambition deep within him. He was unwilling to remain forever subordinate to Fu Laoliu and was determined to break Fu Laoliu's monopoly, ascend to the throne of the gambling king, and write his own legendary chapter.
Time flies, and the crucial moment of the gambling license competition has arrived once again. Ye Han is well aware of the intensity of this competition; for him, it is undoubtedly a brutal battle of life and death.
If he wins, he will realize his long-held dream of becoming the new overlord of Macau's gambling industry and enjoy unparalleled glory and wealth; if he loses, he may lose everything, even be disgraced, and all his years of hard work will be in vain.
In order to realize his dream of becoming a gambling king, he decided after careful consideration to join forces with Ye Beihai and Gao Hailin, his capable assistants in the casino.
Ye Beihai had been working in the casino industry for many years and was very familiar with every aspect of casino operation and management. He was an expert in casino operations and an indispensable right-hand man to Ye Han.
He is not only familiar with the daily operations of casinos, from personnel scheduling and equipment maintenance to security measures and financial management, but also has in-depth knowledge of the rules and techniques of various gambling games, enabling him to formulate the best business strategies based on different situations.
When the casino was in trouble, he always managed to cleverly adjust the rules of the game to attract more gamblers and revitalize the casino.
Gao Hailin was known in the martial arts world for his bravery and decisiveness, and he had considerable influence in the area.
He was a generous and loyal man, and had gathered a group of devoted brothers under his command. He had been wandering the streets of Macau since childhood, and with his indomitable spirit and extraordinary courage, he gradually carved out a place for himself in the underworld.
His addition boosted Ye Han's team's confidence, giving them a significant edge in morale. The three men each possessed unique strengths, and it was initially thought they could form a formidable force, enough to rival established powers like Fu Laoliu.
However, after they investigated their competitors more thoroughly, they discovered that reality was far more brutal than they had imagined.
Compared to established forces like Fu Laoliu, their overall strength is clearly insufficient.
In terms of funding, they faced a severe shortage, making it difficult to compete with Fu Laoliu's substantial wealth. Regarding connections, Fu Laoliu had cultivated a vast and complex network of relationships in Macau over many years, connecting everyone from high-ranking government officials to prominent business figures. Their own network, however, was relatively weak, making it difficult to secure sufficient support at crucial moments. To increase their chances of success, the three racked their brains, discussing countermeasures day and night.
They sat in Ye Han's private villa for an entire day, the table piled high with documents and maps marking Fu Laoliu's sphere of influence and their own weaknesses.
After careful consideration, they thought of Yip Tak Lee. Yip Tak Lee was quite well-known locally, frequently attending various high-end business events, and had connections with people from all walks of life.
He always wore a stylish suit, carried an expensive cane, and moved around Macau's various social venues, looking incredibly glamorous.
However, his actual strength was far less than what outsiders imagined. Especially in terms of finances, although he appeared to be incredibly successful, the cash he actually had was very limited. This was undoubtedly a huge problem for Yip Hon's team, who urgently needed a large amount of money to invest in the competition for gambling licenses.
He paced back and forth in his spacious office, fiddling with an exquisite antique ornament in his hand, gazing at the bustling streets of Macau outside the window, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
However, he also knew that opportunities often come with risks, and the rewards of successfully obtaining a gambling license would be immeasurable. Moreover, if he could bring in more partners to share the risks, his chances of winning would likely increase significantly.
Just as he was lost in thought, a person suddenly flashed through his mind—Huo Dongying, who was looking around for industrial buildings to start a radio business.
He Hong thought to himself that he might be able to invite Huo Dongying to join the team. On the one hand, he could leverage Huo Dongying's financial strength, as the Huo family was said to have a vast business empire overseas with substantial financial reserves. On the other hand, he could also expand the team's business scope and lay a more solid foundation for future development, since the radio business was an emerging industry at the time with broad prospects.
After receiving He Hongshen's invitation, Huo Dongying initially came to discuss the matter with the intention of helping out. During the heated discussion among everyone gathered together, He Yuzhu was unexpectedly drawn into it.
He Yuzhu had been living a peaceful life, steadily progressing in his small business. He was quite surprised to be suddenly drawn into this risky and challenging gambling license business. His eyes widened, and he said incredulously, "I never thought of getting involved in the casino business!"
It turns out that the reason why everyone invited He Yuzhu to join them was because they had heard from Huo Dongying that he was exceptionally skilled and had a small reputation in the local martial arts community. He might be able to play an unexpected role at a critical moment, such as providing unique support in casino security.
More importantly, everyone hoped that He Yuzhu could lend them cash to solve their current funding shortage. Ye Deli, all smiles, said solicitously:
"Mr. He, thank you so much! I guarantee I'll handle the purchase of the Tsuen Wan Industrial Building properly for you within two days. You don't need to worry at all. I have many connections in Tsuen Wan and close relationships with local real estate developers. I'm sure I can get you the best price and the most convenient procedures."