Kalikao was obviously taken aback when he heard this. He felt that his boss seemed to be showing off. Although the port city was not a big place, it had a population of several million.
A governor who manages a population of millions personally comes to help you find a location for a private museum, but you are still a little dissatisfied. Isn’t this inappropriate?
However, when he turned around and thought about his boss's identity, he quickly felt relieved. After all, he is an American. In a capitalist country like the United States, even the president is supported by capitalists. It is perfectly normal for a politician to do things for him.
If politicians really don't do things for their bosses, it only means that their bosses are not strong enough.
"Boss, with the strength of our company, if we want to acquire a large piece of land in the port city and build the company headquarters, there will be no pressure at all!
If you agree, I will communicate directly with Mr. McCall and simply acquire a large piece of land in the Central Area to build our group headquarters. "
Fang Lang was stunned when he heard this, and immediately realized in his heart that he had also got into trouble this time, and he only thought about taking advantage of the Hong Kong Governor, forgetting that the current port city was not as rich as the future generations. Although the land is very expensive, this is not a problem for our group.
If you like a place, just spend huge sums of money to acquire it. When the port city develops in the future, you can just wait for the appreciation in value. Even if the situation is right, setting up a real estate development company directly and participating in real estate projects in Hong Kong City is also a good opportunity to make money!
"Haha... Kalikao, you are right, I made things complicated. Purchasing land to build a headquarters building is just like a factory. It is a commercial investment. You don't need to think too much about it. Just follow normal commercial development. Just follow the process.
How about this! I am very optimistic about the development potential of Central and Yau Tsim Mong districts. If there is land for sale in these two places, we can get involved at the right time. I'll leave this matter to you to coordinate. "
As a banker, Kalikao certainly understood what Fang Lang meant. He even thought further than Fang Lang, and he was very clear about the relationship between finance and real estate.
Since the boss is optimistic about the real estate projects in Hong Kong City, he can use his professional knowledge to work hard in related fields and strive to achieve outstanding results for his boss to take a good look at.
"Yes, boss! Thank you for your trust, I will not let you down."
Seeing the opponent's high fighting spirit, Fang Lang knew that the opponent must be gearing up for a big fight.
But thinking about the upcoming blockade of Hong Kong Island due to the Peninsular War, Fang Lang couldn't help but remind him:
"You don't have to be too impatient. Hong Kong City will definitely face some difficulties and turbulence in recent years. It won't be too late for us to take action in two or three years."
Kalikao was stunned when he heard this. He couldn't figure out why his boss was so optimistic about the development of the port city at one moment and was a little timid at the other. But after taking a look at Fang Lang's expression, he knew that the other party must have something to rely on. It's just that I don't want to say more.
Thinking of the other party's identity and close relationship with Mr. Hong Kong Governor, he might know some inside information that should not be leaked. He did not ask, but kept it in his heart.
"Okay, boss!"
Then Fang Lang discussed with Kalikao for a while, his future development plan for Global Morgan Bank in the port city. It was not until about nine o'clock in the evening that Kalikao left the boss's room with a full harvest.
On the afternoon of the next day, Fang Lang and Qi Qingshan took a ferry across the sea under the protection of a group of guards and arrived at the Hong Kong Governor's Office in Mid-Levels, Central.
This is Fang Lang's second visit to the Government House. The last time he came to attend the welcome dinner was in the evening and he did not visit the Government House carefully.
The weather was very good this afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and the sun was shining warmly on him. Fang Lang looked at the appearance of the Hong Kong Governor's Mansion with interest.
I have to say that the architectural style of the Hong Kong Governor's Palace is quite distinctive. It has an elegant appearance, rich in neoclassical architectural style, but also slightly tropical style. The white walls and brown tiles look simple and elegant.
The garden outside the Governor's Mansion is very large, and the cold wind in winter has not caused the flowers and leaves in the garden to wither.
Just when Fang Lang wanted to stroll around in the garden, a young white man in a suit and leather shoes quickly walked out from the porch in front of the Hong Kong Governor's House, came to Fang Lang and others, nodded and said to Fang Lang:
"General Fang, I am Benitez, the first secretary of the Hong Kong Governor's Office. Nice to meet you! Mr. Governor is already waiting for you at the door! Please come with me this way."
Hearing this, Fang Lang glanced at the garden not far away, then at the door of the Governor's Mansion, shrugged and said to Qi Qingshan:
"Since the Governor is already waiting for us, let's go see Mr. Governor of Hong Kong first!"
After speaking, he turned to the young first-class secretary and nodded, motioning for him to lead the way. As for the guards who followed Fang Lang and were responsible for protecting them, the security personnel of the Hong Kong Governor's Office were naturally responsible for receiving them.
Following the young first secretary in the direction of the Government House, after walking a hundred meters, we arrived at the main entrance of the Government House. I saw Governor Grantham already standing under the porch of the gate, with a smile on his face. He stretched out his right hand towards Fang Lang.
"General Fang, welcome to your arrival!"
Seeing the other party being so polite, Fang Lang was a little confused. However, considering that this might be his diplomatic etiquette, he smiled and took two quick steps, stretched out his right hand and shook the other person's hand firmly:
"Mr. Governor, you are welcome. We are good friends, so there is no need to be so polite!"
Hearing Fang Lang's words, Grantham also smiled slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed inside:
"General Fang is right, we are friends, so I have to come to the door to greet you in person to express my feelings."
Hearing this, Fang Lang glanced at Grantham who was smiling thoughtfully, and asked in a low voice as if he felt something in his heart:
"What? Has anything progressed?"
Regarding Fang Lang's question, Grantham glanced at Fang Lang with a smile and did not answer. Instead, he motioned for Fang Lang to follow him.
Seeing this, Fang Lang couldn't ask any more questions, so he could only smile and continue to follow the other person, walked through the lobby, walked two rooms to the right, and came to an office with an open door.
The decoration of the office is very gorgeous. About ten steps to the left, there is a large solid wood desk. Behind the desk is a row of huge bookshelves, which are filled with books.
Facing Fang Lang was a set of European-style sofas. The fabric patterns on the sofa were gorgeous and elegant, revealing the British aristocratic temperament everywhere.
After entering the office, Grantham obviously wanted to relax. He pointed to the sofa and motioned for Fang Lang to sit down, and then ordered the first secretary Benitez to arrange tea and snacks.
Fang Lang didn't show any restraint. He sat down at one end of the couch without any ceremony and said directly to Mr. Grantham:
"Your Majesty the Governor, I am here to say goodbye to you. This time, I was invited by the Navy of your country to visit the port city.
The officers and soldiers of our navy have learned many excellent qualities from your navy. Your navy is worthy of being one of the most powerful navies in the world. We deeply admire this!
More importantly, I also met a respectable friend like Mr. Governor of Hong Kong. "
Grantham obviously did not expect that Fang Lang came here to say goodbye. I thought the other party was coming to reply to me because I had asked him to deliver the message in the first place.
He already knew two days ago that his words had been completely conveyed to the other party. Moreover, his words aroused the high-level attention of the other party, which greatly accelerated the progress of negotiations between the two countries, and the pressure on him was gradually reduced.
This made him so grateful to the young Brazilian rear admiral in front of him that he specially invited him to the Hong Kong Governor's House as a guest.
You must know that the other party's identity is in the military and does not hold other government positions. Logically speaking, he does not need to make a special trip to receive him. Back then, going to the pier to greet him in person was considered an exceptional reception.
Today, I specially invited him to come to the Hong Kong Governor's House as a guest. This is another exception.
Some people may think that the Governor of Hong Kong is not a high-ranking official. If he does not receive the general from Brazil, he is not giving Brazil face. But in fact, Britain's high self-esteem for so many years is not so easy for them to let go.
For former Portuguese colonial countries like Brazil, the British really didn't pay much attention to them. The Hong Kong Governor didn't come forward to receive them, and no one could say anything.
As for what Fang Lang said he learned from the British Navy, Grantham didn't believe a word of it. Even if Fang Lang stayed at the naval base for two days, he still had to think about it. Fang Lang was Not really serious about communicating with the Royal Navy.
However, you kid moved into the Peninsula Hotel the next night, and then continued to take care of your own business every day, leaving the entire fleet to the management of your officers.
Without him as the supreme commander, it would be impossible for the officers under his command to go over and organize any activities with the British Navy. The proud British Royal Navy would naturally not take the initiative to get too close to these country bumpkins in their eyes.
Therefore, the most the British Royal Navy can do is to arrange food, accommodation and supplies for the visiting fleet of the Brazilian Navy for the sake of its allies and the face of General Henderson, the Chief of General Staff. As for how happy the Brazilian navy officers and soldiers were in the port city during this period, they would never care.
From this, it can be seen that this so-called invited visit is basically a trip at public expense, and it is also traveling on a warship.
"What? Is General Fang ready to leave now? Didn't he agree on a month's visit time?"
After hearing Fang Lang's words, Grantham blurted out in surprise.
Hearing this, Fang Lang smiled and shook his head, looked around at the layout of the Hong Kong Governor's Office and said:
“The main purpose of being invited to visit Hong Kong this time is to contribute my own modest contribution to the prosperity and stability of the port city. Judging from the current situation, the situation in the port city has stabilized.
It doesn't make much sense for us to stay here. We might as well return home as soon as possible to reunite the soldiers with their families. "
Hearing Fang Lang talk about working for the prosperity and stability of the port city, Granthoff couldn't help but put a smile on his face. To say that he learned anything from the British Navy, he did not believe one thing. But when it comes to his contribution to the prosperity and stability of the port city, he has personally experienced it.
"It seems that General Fang is really well informed. The Hua-Ying negotiations have just made some progress, and General Fang has already received the news."
Upon hearing this, Fang Lang couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and he immediately understood something. No wonder this old boy took the initiative to help him determine the address of the museum. It turned out that the words he spread to the mainland had already played a positive role.
However, I made it very clear at the beginning that I did not agree with the other party using the museum land to repay this favor. But the other party still took the initiative to intervene in this matter, not knowing what the other party meant.
It was impossible for him to say that he had not received any information about the progress of the Hua-Ying negotiations. He just smiled slightly and said:
"This is all due to the Governor of Hong Kong and has nothing to do with me."
At this moment, the secretary knocked on the door and walked in with several servants carrying a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Grantham laughed upon seeing this, pointing to the cakes and black tea being placed on the coffee table:
"I heard that General Fang was full of praise for the food at the Peninsula Hotel. I came to my Government House today and wanted to taste the afternoon tea at our Government House to see if it can compare with the food at the Peninsula Hotel."
Fang Lang was naturally not polite about this. He sat up straight with a smile on his face, took a sip of the black tea placed in front of him, nodded with satisfaction, then picked up a small spoon and dug out a piece of cake. After putting it in his mouth and tasting it, he gave a thumbs up and praised:
"The afternoon tea at the Governor's House is really delicious. It's not the same as what I had in the UK. It seems to be a combination of Chinese and Western. I have to say, it suits my taste very well."
Grantham felt that there was something in Fang Lang's words and seemed to be implying something. He laughed and waited until the servants who delivered the meal left, then said:
"The Hong Kong City is also in the Chinese cultural circle. Now that we are here, of course we have learned to adapt to local living habits and use our strengths and weaknesses to make food with more local characteristics."
Fang Lang heard this and said to Grantham with a smile on his face:
"This is why I feel that as long as the Governor of Hong Kong is here, the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong City will be guaranteed. This is why I am willing to invest heavily in Hong Kong City."
After hearing what Fang Lang said, Grantham couldn't help it anymore and burst out laughing.
"Then I would like to thank General Fang for his affirmation. In the future, we will definitely increase the intensity of integrating China and the West to further promote the prosperity and stability of the port city."
Although the two of them were discussing the afternoon tea that had just been served, in fact, they were tacitly discussing the Hong Kong Governor's governance policy. The meaning of Grantham's words also expressed his full respect for the wishes of the Chinese. Combining Chinese and Western elements to formulate a development policy with port city characteristics.
Fang Lang also immediately expressed his support for the other party and told him that he would continue to increase investment in Hong Kong City.
It has to be said that Grantham is indeed an outstanding governor of Hong Kong. He is also the longest-serving governor in history. After Britain gradually lost its interests in the Far East, it reduced its support for the port city. It was still struggling to support the port city, and after the status of the port city's entrepot trade port was affected due to the blockade.
Seize the opportunity of the rapid population expansion in port cities to develop labor-intensive industries in port cities, among which the textile industry, film industry, and shipping industry are developing particularly rapidly.
By 1953, textile and garment exports accounted for more than 50% of the port city's export output value.
(End of chapter)
