Chapter 808: Starting with the Liang Family

Liang Chang is a well-known tycoon in Hong Kong and Macao. Originally a tycoon on the mainland, he and his family came to Hong Kong during the war. Using the resources at his disposal and his own abilities, he built the Liang family, a powerful family spanning Hong Kong and Macao.

In the 1950s, Leung Cheong even partnered with Macau's first-generation gambling king, Fu Lo-yung, to run the entertainment spinach company, making a fortune and allowing the Leung family to flourish.

Unfortunately, in 1960, Fu Laorong died. The new Governor, Antonio Maria de Sousa, was dissatisfied with the Fu family's monopoly over the Macau spinach industry and reissued gambling licenses. After that, the second-generation gambling king Stanley Ho and others took advantage of the situation and Macau's gambling rights were taken away by Stanley Ho and others. Leung Cheong had no choice but to retreat to Hong Kong. A few years later, Leung Cheong passed away naturally, and the Leung family baton was passed to his son Leung Chik Wai.

Leung Chik Wai followed in his father's footsteps and in 1933, he represented the Leung family and partnered with Lam Bing Yim and Ho Sin Hang to establish Hang Seng Bank. However, in 1965, Hang Seng Bank was taken over by HSBC, and the Leung family's stake in the bank was drastically reduced.

But as the saying goes, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse, not to mention that the Leung family was only set back in the spinach industry in Macau, and the banking industry was not their core business. As one of the shareholders, the damage was not serious, so the overall strength of the family continued to improve year after year.

However, since Leung Cheong had lived a long life, when control of the family fell into the hands of Leung Chik Wai, he was already in his sixties. Just over ten years later, as the second-generation heir and current head of the wealthy Leung family, Leung Chik Wai is now an old man, and realising that he must prepare, in 1979 he gradually handed over the Leung family's affairs to his son Leung Chung Ho. After a year of observation, Leung Chung Ho's performance has also given Leung Chik Wai great comfort.

That morning, the elderly Liang Zhiwei, who was in poor health, was lying in a wicker chair in the courtyard, basking in the warm sunshine and leisurely reading the newspaper.

More than a year had been enough for him to get used to a relaxed and carefree life.

Just then, Liang Zhonghao quietly came up to his father's side.

Liang Zhiwei put down the newspaper, pushed his reading glasses, and asked indifferently, 'What's the verdict? What did Zheng Yutong say?'

Liang Zhiwei thought that his son Liang Zhonghao wanted to talk to him about real estate, because there was a business opportunity that Liang Zhonghao was working on with full commitment, which was a collaboration with New World Development Company.

After losing in the Macau spinach industry, the Liang family has branched out into a number of industries in order to expand its influence and share risks. The real estate industry is now the Liang family's core industry.

In addition to setting up a real estate development company, the Liang family also controls the Xiangjiang Shanghu Hotel Group, which is also involved in the real estate industry. The Liang family is also an important shareholder of Zheng Yutong's New World Development Company. In November last year, Liang Zhonghao took on the heavy responsibility of becoming a director of New World Development Company.

As the extended Liang family knows, the Liang and Zheng Yutong families are almost inseparable, and the two sides have a very close relationship.

Liang Zhonghao shook his head, his brows furrowed slightly, and he said somewhat annoyed, 'Dad, it's not about New World Development, but it could be a problem. I just got a call from the company, Xia Yu made an appointment and wants to visit our home at 3pm today.'

Liang Zhiwei, who was originally leisurely lying on the recliner, couldn't remain indifferent this time and immediately sat up, looking at his son with a serious expression and saying, 'Did he say anything? Do you know his purpose?'

Liang Zhonghao shook his head: 'He didn't say. When I asked him again in an indirect way, he just said he wanted to cooperate with us on something that would be a win-win situation.'

After hearing this, Liang Zhiwei frowned, stood up, and stood with his hands behind his back, pondering the possibilities.

Seeing this, Liang Zhonghao whispered, 'Dad, I thought about it when I came here. Our family is involved with Xia Yu in quite a few places: one is the real estate industry, one is the Kong Ao Fei Yi boat company, and one is the Xiangjiang Shanghu Hotel Group. These three are in a competitive relationship.'

What Liang Zhonghao said was all involved in the Liang family. Needless to say, the real estate industry. Xia Yu is now the number one landlord in Xiangjiang. Jiuding Real Estate Group ranks first in Xiangjiang in terms of land holdings, real estate openings, construction volume, and transaction volume. It is normal for the Liang family's real estate company to intersect with Xia Yu's Jiuding Real Estate Group and have friction.

Needless to say, the Hong Kong-Olympic Flying Boat Company is a direct competitor with Xia Yu's current Star Ferry Company, which is under the Jiuding Transportation Group Company. The scope of competition is on the Hong Kong-Olympic route.

The person who first operated this route was Stanley Ho's Shun Tak Shipping Company. Later, the Leung family, who had lost in the spinach industry, was unwilling to accept defeat and set up the Hong Kong-Olympic Flying Boat Company to compete. Later, the Hong Kong Yaumatei Ferry Company also got involved, forming a trend of three powers.

Later, the Hong Kong and Yaumatei Ferry Company was acquired by Xia Yu, merged into the Star Ferry Company, and then incorporated into the Jiuding Transportation Group Company, so naturally it can be considered to be in direct competition with Xia Yu.

The final Hong Kong Shanghu Hotel Group needs no mentioning, as it is not far from Xia Yu's Harbour City in Kowloon and is in direct competition with the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel.

Liang Zhonghao did not mention the point about Hang Seng Bank because nowadays Hang Seng Bank is controlled by HSBC and no one can take it away. The Liang family only has a few percent of the shares, and the competition between Hang Seng Bank and Jiuding Bank can also be said to have nothing to do with the Liang family.

After a long time, Liang Zhiwei stopped and said with a slightly solemn expression, 'What you said is possible. Let's each make a plan and see how he plays his cards this afternoon.'

'By the way, you should also get ready. No matter what his motives are, Xia Yu is now too powerful in Hong Kong. Try not to offend him if you can. As long as you don't harm the family's interests, it would be best if you can get along with him.'

Liang Zhonghao nodded seriously: 'Dad, don't worry, I understand all of this.'

Liang Zhiwei smiled and nodded: 'Well, your performance over the past year has been very good. Among your peers, you can rank in the middle to upper ranks.'

Just as Liang Zhonghao was about to smile, Liang Zhiwei immediately poured cold water on him: 'But don't be proud. Your current performance is just barely adequate, and it's far from being able to start a family and build a business. Xia Yu is a dozen years younger than you, but his achievements are something the Liang family won't be able to match for a hundred years. Listen and watch more this afternoon, and it would be best if you can gain some insight.'

Liang Zhonghao took a deep breath, not angry at his father for comparing him to Xia Yu and belittling himself. He had long since been convinced and even admired Xia Yu's achievements.

If the gap with someone can still be caught up, then it will only lead to envy and jealousy, but when the gap is large enough, then people's mentality will change, and they will be more impressed and respectful.

To this day, the younger generation of wealthy children in Hong Kong have long since become convinced of Xia Yu's abilities, and simply ignore his age, classifying him as one of their parents.

'Dad, don't worry, I know what's important, and I can face myself squarely.'

'Let's talk about how to deal with him this afternoon.'

'Well, let's go into the back room and talk.'

After saying this, Liang Zhonghao helped his father Liang Zhiwei, and the two of them slowly walked towards the back room.

...

At exactly 3:00 pm, when Xia Yu's car arrived at Liang's house, he was surprised to find Liang Zhiwei standing in the doorway with Liang Zhonghao in the scorching sun. Xia Yu quickly ordered the driver to stop, then opened the car door and walked quickly up to the two men. He looked flattered and said to Liang Zhiwei, 'Mr. Liang, I'm really not worthy of such a great gift. I'm sorry I'm late!'

No matter what Liang Zhiwei's intentions were in making such a gesture, Xia Yu had to accept the gift. Although Xia Yu thought there was a hint of coercion, there was no way to say that, and he had to accept the gift.

Xia Yu guessed that Liang Zhiwei probably didn't know him well and was worried that he was being polite just to avoid offending him.

'Am I really that notorious?' Xia Yu laughed to himself.

'Of course, Xia Sheng is the God of Wealth. Your visit honours my Liang family,'

Liang Zhiwei laughed loudly.

A palanquin carried by people is just a commercial mutual praise, and he could also speak openly: 'Liang Sheng is too kind. The Liang family was already famous when I was not yet born, and it has been passed down for a hundred years to the present day. I have to learn from your family.'

'Haha, Xia Sheng is eloquent!'

Liang Zhiwei laughed heartily.

Suddenly, he lightly stroked his forehead, as if he had just woken up, and said to himself reproachfully, 'Look at this old fool, blocking Xia Sheng at the door, it really wasn't right, come on in.'

'It's no trouble, you go first!' Xia Yu said with a slight smile, and followed Liang Zhiwei into the room halfway.

In no time at all, the servants brought in the snacks and tea that had been prepared. At Liang Zhiwei's invitation, Xia Yu and a few subordinates began to drink tea.

They chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, the tea was gone.

Realising that it was about time to go, Xia Yu put down his teacup, looked at Liang Zhiwei, who was smiling faintly, and said, 'Liang Sheng, I have ventured to come here this time because I would like to discuss a collaboration with your family.

Liang Zhiwei's gaze sharpened, and he leaned forward slightly, his face solemn as he said, 'Xia Sheng, you may as well speak directly.'

Liang Zhonghao, who was sitting nearby, also lifted his heart slightly, his gaze burning as he looked at Xia Yu, even subconsciously slowing his breathing.

Xia Yu gave a faint smile and said, 'Liang Sheng, as far as I know, the Liang family's current business focus is in the real estate industry.'

This is a fact that most powerful families and tycoons know, so Liang Zhiwei nodded frankly: 'Yes.'

Xia Yu smiled and said, 'My cooperation involves real estate business.'

'Although the Xiangjiang Shanghu Hotel Group started with hotels, as far as I know, most of the group's assets are currently in the real estate sector, and this sector is directly managed by your family.'

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhiwei's brows furrowed slightly, and he had a bad feeling in his heart.

Fortunately, Xia Yu's next words dispelled his worries and gave him a secret sigh of relief.

'But I also have my own real estate company, and I have enough land for development, so I don't want to expand it anymore. Mr. Liang can rest assured about that.'

'As for me, I happen to have a little conflict with the Kadoorie family, so I intend to consolidate the hotel market.'

'Therefore, I plan to cooperate with your family in the Xiangjiang Shanghu Hotel Group.'