Chapter 126: Henderson Land Development

Zhao Feng, who is 25 years old this year, is quite young but has already made his mark by working for the prestigious Henderson Land Development Company right after graduating from Xiangjiang University. Despite appearing accomplished to others, he remains humble and driven, being the first to arrive at the company every day.

This day was no exception.

Zhao Feng arrived early at the company and went to retrieve the newspapers subscribed to by the company. Since he was always the earliest, his superior had entrusted him with the task of distributing the newspapers.

"This stack is for the Chairman."

"This stack is for Manager Wang."

"This stack is for Manager Liu."

...

Zhao Feng sorted and stacked the various newspapers, preparing them for delivery to the leaders and offices once work started, to avoid any mix-ups.

After sorting the newspapers, he relaxed in his chair.

"Finally, I have time to read the newspapers. I wonder if the 'Jiu Ding Daily' will reveal the answer today or if it will announce a new topic? I'm looking forward to it!" Zhao Feng murmured, a look of anticipation on his face as he picked up the 'Jiu Ding Daily' from the stack of newspapers for his office.

Over the past few days, he had discussed various topics with his colleagues during his free time. He was hoping that the company's chairman, Li Zhaoji, would become the richest Chinese person, so he could boast to family and friends. After all, being close to the richest person could bring some good fortune.

It was much better than just seeking blessings from the god of wealth in temples.

Zhao Feng directly searched for that section of the newspaper. As soon as he opened it, he saw a large and bold statement that was completely different from before. It wasn't a question, but an instruction: "All answers are in the 'Economic' Weekly Magazine!"

"'Economic' Weekly Magazine?" Zhao Feng was taken aback, blinking his eyes before coming back to his senses. He searched through the pile of magazines subscribed to by the company but couldn't find the 'Economic' Magazine mentioned in the 'Jiu Ding Daily'. This made him a bit disappointed.

After waiting for several days, finally knowing where to find the answer but not being able to locate the magazine felt like a chokehold around his neck, which was very uncomfortable.

"If I had paid attention while passing by the newsstand on the way, I could have grabbed one. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until lunch break. I hope there are still copies left… I really want to know if the chairman is the richest Chinese person," Zhao Feng sighed in disappointment.

Just as he was feeling disheartened, Zhang Yue, a delivery employee from Jiu Ding Newspaper Company, arrived at the entrance of Henderson Land Development Company. Seeing the open door, he walked in and happened to spot Zhao Feng.

Knocking on the door, Zhang Yue saw Zhao Feng look up and greeted him with a smile. He then handed Zhao Feng a copy of the 'Economic' Magazine.

"Hello, I'm Zhang Yue, a delivery person from Jiu Ding Newspaper Company. This is our company's 'Economic' Magazine. Congratulations on your company making it onto the Xiangjiang Top 100 Enterprises list. Our boss specifically sent me to deliver this magazine to you. Please make sure it reaches your company's chairman."

Zhao Feng, a bit dazed, took the magazine from Zhang Yue and replied somewhat mechanically, "Okay, I will make sure it gets delivered."

As he watched Zhang Yue leave, Zhao Feng looked at the magazine in his hand, full of curiosity. "Jiu Ding Newspaper Company even took the initiative to deliver the magazine. I was just thinking about it, and it arrived. What luck… And our company made it onto the Xiangjiang Top 100 Enterprises list? That's great. I need to check it out quickly…"

With his mood lifting, Zhao Feng eagerly opened the 'Economic' Magazine and focused on the rankings, being extra careful not to damage or crease the magazine. After all, Zhang Yue mentioned it was delivered on the orders of the Jiu Ding Newspaper Company's boss, specifically for their chairman.

He soon found the last section and saw the 1978 Xiangjiang Top 100 Enterprises list. Seeing HSBC at the top, he had an expression of expected affirmation. Then, he immediately began searching the list for his own company.

"23. Henderson Land Development Limited, not listed, established in 1973, with Chairman Li Zhaoji, company valuation: 1.82 billion HKD…"

Zhao Feng read each line with excitement, his face showing astonishment and shock.

He never expected his company to rank 23rd in Xiangjiang, and though the company was not listed, the valuation given by the 'Economic' Magazine was 1.82 billion HKD—a massive number.

"1.82 billion HKD. If all that money was taken out, could it fill this office?" Zhao Feng's eyes wandered around the office as he pondered.

He continued to read and noticed that all the listed companies were well-known giants. As he scanned down to the last company and saw that Minfeng Group had a market value of 220 million HKD, he exhaled deeply and reflected, "Even the 100th place has 220 million HKD. It seems that Xiangjiang really has a lot of big companies. I never imagined this. Seeing is believing; I'm shocked!"

"By the way, I wonder who the richest Chinese person in Xiangjiang is, which family is the largest, and where our chairman ranks?" After his initial surprise, Zhao Feng suddenly remembered he had not yet found answers to his key concerns. He quickly turned to the next page.

"My God! The British are indeed incredibly wealthy!"

Seeing that the top-ranking Keswick family had 6.4 billion HKD in assets and the second-ranked Shi Huai family had 5.6 billion HKD, Zhao Feng couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment. The wealth was overwhelming.

However, he soon came to terms with it. After all, these were well-established families with over a hundred years of history. The Keswick and Shi Huai families controlled the top two trading companies, Jardine Matheson and Swire, so such wealth was not surprising.

"I didn't expect the richest Chinese person to be Bao Yugang, with total assets reaching 2.42 billion HKD, ranked seventh. He's truly impressive! And he has seven companies under his name. I always thought he only had the Global Shipping Group. If it weren't for the 'Economic' Magazine, I wouldn't have known this. Great tycoons are indeed great!"

"25th, Li Zhaoji, with total assets of 1.55 billion HKD, holding 75% of Henderson Land Development Limited, and 90% of Henderson Land Development (Infrastructure)…"

"I didn't expect the chairman to be ranked 25th, which is quite high. Let me count, one, two, three… six. Only six Chinese tycoons or families are ranked above the chairman. I didn't expect the chairman's 1.55 billion HKD assets to be only 25th. There are so many wealthy figures among the Chinese, I never imagined. I thought the chairman could become the richest. I must have been too naïve and unaware!"

"But starting today, I know…"

Zhao Feng was filled with endless thoughts. These two lists, especially the second one, had a huge impact on him. He had never imagined so many tycoons in Xiangjiang and that there were many more powerful figures he did not know about, many of whom were more impressive than his own company's esteemed chairman.

"Xiangjiang really is a place of hidden talents!"

While Zhao Feng was immersed in the shock of the rankings, he suddenly heard footsteps. Alert, he immediately looked up and was surprised to see Chairman Li Zhaoji. He remembered that the chairman often arrived early, sometimes even earlier than him, so it was not unusual for him to be the second person to arrive.

He felt a jolt and quickly set the magazine aside, standing up respectfully and greeting, "Good morning, Chairman!"

"Hmm! Good morning. You're early again, very good!" Li Zhaoji said with a warm smile and a look of appreciation. Zhao Feng's face turned red with excitement upon hearing these encouraging words, and his smile was hard to hide.

"Thank you for the compliment, Chairman!"

"By the way, Chairman, we just received a magazine delivered by Jiu Ding Newspaper Company, and they said it was specifically for you. Here it is?" Although Zhao Feng was eager to continue reading, he knew he shouldn't. He quickly handed the 'Economic' Magazine to Li Zhaoji and asked.

"Oh? Let me see!" Li Zhaoji raised an eyebrow, surprised that Jiu Ding Newspaper Company would proactively deliver the magazine. He looked at the magazine cover, and the person on it caught his attention. Smiling, he took the magazine from Zhao Feng.

Li Zhaoji then encouraged Zhao Feng a bit and took the magazine to his office. After putting down his bag, he began to read it.