Courtyard House: My Wife is Xu Huizhen

Page 813

Looking at his wise and righteous wife, He Hongshen felt a surge of warmth in his heart. However, out of respect and care for her, he gently held her hand and politely but firmly refused her offer.

He said softly, "Wanhua, I appreciate your kindness, but the business world is like a battlefield, and the risks are too great. I can't risk your money."

Immediately afterwards, everyone fell into a heated discussion again, and the meeting room instantly erupted in chaos once more.

Some people were extremely anxious. They suddenly stood up, waving their arms forcefully in the air, and loudly proposed to bid 401 million, thinking that they could use this slight advantage to overpower the other party. Their faces were full of eagerness and determination.

Others, however, appeared more composed. With their arms crossed and bodies slightly leaning back, they advocated raising the price to 405 million, explaining in detail how this would ensure a competitive advantage without being too risky. Their words revealed caution and thoroughness.

At this moment, He Hongshen pondered for a long time, his brows furrowed tightly, forming a deep "川" (river) character.

His gaze was deep, and his mind was like a high-speed machine, constantly weighing various pros and cons. His past business experience, the subtle trends of the market, and the potential risks and benefits of this bid were all intertwined and collided in his thoughts.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice low but clear: "In my opinion, why not set the bid at 406 million? After all, the number 'six' sounds more auspicious and pleasant to us. When doing business, sometimes it's important to have a good omen."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback at first, and then they began to whisper among themselves.

Some nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with the statement; others muttered under their breath, wavering between the price and the symbolism.

After a fierce internal struggle, everyone nodded in agreement.

And so, the matter was settled.

It should be noted that although the bid amount in this tender has been fixed in black and white and seems to be a set amount that will not change in the slightest.

However, the key factor that truly influences the situation, is full of variables and is highly flexible, lies in the comprehensive planning and commitments made by both bidding parties regarding the operation of the casino after winning the bid.

These commitments cover a wide range of aspects, from casino operating models and management strategies to how to coexist harmoniously with the local community and contribute to regional economic development.

This is precisely the core element that the newly appointed Governor-General Ma Jishi is most concerned about and values.

In this fierce competition, even if one party is slightly inferior in terms of the bid amount, if it can make a solemn and comprehensive commitment in other aspects, from the professional configuration of the operation team to the profit forecast and development blueprint for the next few years, and fully demonstrate its strong operational capabilities and sincerity, it will have the opportunity to stand out in this competition and ultimately determine who will win the bid.

Chapter 586: Increasing Social Responsibility

As for the detailed explanation of the tender documents and the various commitments regarding the operation of the casino, He Hongshen took full responsibility for handling this matter.

After all, as the general manager of the new group, he had been in the business world for many years, experiencing countless ups and downs. He was already very familiar with this kind of business bidding, and his experience was as rich as that of a veteran who had been through many battles. He handled it with ease.

Prior to this, the new group was like a disorganized mess, with members harboring their own agendas and their goals far from being aligned.

Take the new gambling king John as an example. Born into a gambling family, he was exposed to the world of casinos from a young age. With his extraordinary courage and accurate judgment, he made a name for himself in the casino world and ascended to the throne of gambling king at a young age.

Now working for the new group, he is ambitious, with a grand and passionate vision in his mind.

He aspires to leverage the new group's abundant resources and the current complex yet opportunistic situation to rise rapidly, like riding a high-speed rocket.

The Macao area, as a major gambling hub, is dotted with casinos and has always been a focal point of interest for various forces.

John has his sights set on this, determined to bring all the casino businesses in Macau under the new group's control.

In his grand plan, once he successfully integrates the casinos in Macau, he will fully utilize his expertise.

He is an expert in all kinds of gambling games and has a thorough understanding of gamblers' psychology.

He will then implement sweeping reforms, introducing the world's most popular and diverse gambling categories, from traditional card games to innovative electronic gambling.

At the same time, he also plans to invest huge sums of money to build extremely luxurious casino facilities, upgrading everything from the glittering gambling halls to top-notch hotel services.

He was determined to build the Macau casino into the most magnificent and diverse metropolis in Asia, thereby forging the supreme empire of a new generation of gambling kings and leaving an indelible mark on the history of the gambling industry.

However, Fok Ying-tung is completely different from those businessmen who pursue short-term profits and dabble in "niche" industries.

He upheld integrity and examined business strategies with foresight.

Regarding the operating philosophy of the casinos under the new group, he firmly opposed making rampant money-making the sole objective.

At that time, the Hong Kong Government House was calling on all sectors to promote the standardization of the industry. Fok Ying-tung keenly seized this opportunity and specially put forward a very influential slogan: to actively respond to the Government House’s earnest call, vigorously promote the standardized operation of casinos, and unswervingly place the focus on promoting the long-term prosperity and development of the Macau area.

He knew that if a casino wanted to operate sustainably and achieve long-term success, it could not rely on unscrupulous means of making money, but rather on being closely linked to the development of the local social economy. Only in this way could the casino business have a solid foundation and go further and more steadily in the torrent of time.

From the moment Huo Yingdong put forward that slogan, He Hongshen felt an overwhelming sense of disgust.

In his narrow and prejudiced viewpoint, Fok Ying-tung was never truly committed to the gambling business.

He believed that Fok Ying-tung's involvement in this field was merely due to personal relationships, and that he was coerced into entering the game by various forces.

He Hongshen knew perfectly well that the funds Huo Yingdong had invested, though seemingly substantial, were actually like rootless clouds in the sky, drifting aimlessly.

He often secretly wondered if he might wake up one morning to hear the news that Huo Yingdong had withdrawn his investment and shares. At that time, the entire group would suffer a heavy blow and fall into an unpredictable crisis. The business empire he had painstakingly built over the years would be in danger of disintegration.

Then look at those two minority shareholders, Ye Beihai and Gao Hailin, their hearts and eyes filled with the desire to make money quickly.

In their narrow-minded view, if opening a casino doesn't bring in a fortune every day, why bother getting involved in the vortex of gambling license competition and wasting so much energy and effort?

Ye Beihai frowned all day long, repeatedly going over various profit-making strategies in his mind, scheming how to cleverly arrange things to get a share of the casino's rolling wealth.

Gao Hailin was the same way, thinking every day about how to find more profit growth points in the operation of the casino, fantasizing that he could use the casino's profits to break free from the shackles of wealth as soon as possible, enter the hall of financial freedom, and live a life of extravagance and indulgence.

However, among the many shareholders, only Yip Tak Lee appeared relatively calm.

His mind was far from running a casino or scheming against various forces in the business world.

Yip Tak Lee was a notorious playboy in Macau, a regular in social circles, spending his days either in lavish parties or at fashionable and luxurious balls.

Wherever he went, he was always surrounded by beautiful women from all over the world, each with their own unique charm, like a star surrounded by the moon.

At a banquet attended by many business tycoons, the atmosphere became increasingly lively after several rounds of drinks.

He Hongshen was also caught up in the atmosphere and drank a few more glasses. After drinking, he abandoned his usual composure and confessed to the person next to him with a hint of envy: "When it comes to dating, I can't compare to that Italian (Ye Deli)!"

He Hongshen had a rich romantic history, having married four wives and dated countless girlfriends.

But if you compare him to Ye Deli, the difference becomes obvious.

He Hongshen once half-jokingly and half-seriously told his close confidants that if he only had one girlfriend, proportionally, Ye Deli would probably have as many as 100 girlfriends.

This exaggerated description gives a glimpse into Ye Deli's womanizing ways; he was undoubtedly a prominent figure in the romantic escapades of Macau.

The most sensational gossip about Yip Tak Lee dates back to 1983, a full twenty years later.

At that time, in the sunny and picturesque Mexican resort of Acapulco, a grand and unique party was in full swing.

The main character of the gathering, Yip Tak Lee, is an elderly man in his seventies. Despite his graying temples, he is still in good spirits, his eyes revealing his past charm and present self-satisfaction. He greets guests from all over the world with a smile.

What's astonishing is that the 52 ex-girlfriends Ye Deli had known over the years were invited to this birthday banquet, and not only that, their husbands and their lively and lovely children were also among the invitees.

In no time, the gathering place at the seaside resort was bustling with people of different skin colors and ages, their laughter and chatter echoing through the air.

The women who had once had emotional entanglements with Yip Tak-lee, though no longer young, still retained their former charm in their eyes and brows. They gathered here with their respective families, completely at ease.

This bizarre scene created an atmosphere that was both intense and subtle, leaving everyone speechless.

However, this seemingly chaotic and complex situation was handled in an orderly manner under Ye Deli's command.

He moved freely among the crowd, chatting warmly with each guest, reminiscing about the past or inquiring about their current situation, demonstrating extraordinary interpersonal skills. He handled such complex relationships perfectly, making this unique gathering a popular topic of conversation at the time.

Yip Tak Lee went to great lengths to extend the warmest welcome and deepest gratitude to each distinguished guest who had traveled from afar.

He meticulously prepared a batch of extremely generous gifts, aiming to make every attendee feel this unique respect.

Upon entering the banquet hall, the first thing that catches the eye is the display stand filled with a dazzling array of items, the level of luxury of which is astonishing.

The dazzling jewelry, with each gemstone sparkling under the lights, showcases the extraordinary skills of top jewelers. The exquisitely crafted necklaces, earrings, and bracelets all demonstrate the exceptional craftsmanship of the top jewelers. There are also priceless works of art, such as oil paintings by famous artists, with unique artistic charm flowing from the brushstrokes, or antique porcelain from a long time ago, carrying the weight of time. Each piece carries a profound historical and cultural heritage.

These carefully prepared gifts fully demonstrated Yip Teck Lee's generosity, and allowed every guest to truly feel his unreserved sincerity and enthusiasm the moment they stepped into the venue.

In mid-20th century Hong Kong, the business districts were like a deep, unpredictable sea, and Yip Tak-lee was like a dragon that danced gracefully within it.

At that time, Hong Kong's prosperity was just beginning to emerge, and amidst the dazzling lights and vibrant nightlife, business opportunities and temptations coexisted.

Whenever Yip Tak-lee attends social events, he always sets his sights on top-tier restaurants like the Peninsula Hotel and Yung Kee Restaurant.

Stepping into the restaurant, the luxurious crystal chandelier casts a warm yellow glow, illuminating the elegant environment where the carved beams and painted rafters blend Chinese and European styles.

At the banquet, Cantonese delicacies such as roast suckling pig and braised abalone are served in a complicated order, filling the table with exquisite plating that resembles a work of art.

Fine wines such as Lafite and Romanée-Conti from France were respectfully opened by the sommelier, and the amber liquid rippled in the crystal glasses, allowing guests to drink freely.

A gift presented to a business partner might be a new Rolex gold watch with a gleaming, cool-toned strap, or an antique painting or calligraphy by a renowned artist, its ink and brushstrokes exuding the fragrance of time and showcasing its preciousness.

With such generous management, he befriended elites from all walks of life, from financial tycoons to trading upstarts, and his network of connections expanded in all directions like ripples.

However, if we weigh Yip Tak Lee and Ho Yu Chu on the scales of their respective eras, the latter can be considered a saint in the business world.

He Yuzhu has instilled integrity and foresight in his heart since he entered the business world. Every decision he makes is carefully considered. He is not swayed by short-term interests, nor does he follow the crowd.

Amidst the turbulent waves of the business world, he has always adhered to the right path, wholeheartedly drawing up a blueprint for the steady development of his business, and looking to the long-term interests of society, dedicating himself to promoting industry progress and social prosperity through business operations.

In contrast, Yip Tak-lee is adept at social interaction, acts in an extravagant and flamboyant manner, and is keen on pursuing vanity in the world of fame and fortune, indulging in the hustle and bustle of a glamorous lifestyle.

The two men have completely different styles of doing things and values, just like two trajectories that will never intersect, and they are writing completely different legendary chapters on the fertile commercial land of Hong Kong.

Although in the negotiation of price terms, all parties gradually found a balance of interests and reached a preliminary consensus by relying on professional negotiation skills and accurate market analysis, this progress seemed to pave the way for cooperation.

However, when the negotiations delved into the specific commitments, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

The details covered, such as production capacity guarantees, investment in technology upgrades, and exclusive supply time limits, are all crucial points that affect the entire industry. They are closely linked to the parties' influence in the industry, their market share expansion plans, and their financial gains in the coming years.

Think tanks from all sides repeatedly studied the terms, and legal advisors analyzed the potential risks word by word, because the slightest mistake could lead to total defeat in the subsequent business battle.

On the negotiating table, a battlefield without gunfire, the representatives engaged in fierce debates, each refusing to yield an inch in defense of their own camp's core interests.

Party A insisted on stringent delivery standards, while Party B had serious concerns about long-term exclusive cooperation, and Party C raised objections to the degree of technology sharing. The discussion reached a stalemate.

To date, despite several rounds of all-night talks, the demands of all parties remain as insurmountable as an insurmountable chasm, and a unified conclusion that can be agreed upon by everyone has yet to be reached.