Chapter 965: Can you change Bao Yugang's fate against the heavens?

Bao Yugang heard the worry in Xia Yu's words, and he smiled and said, 'Yu, I've considered everything you said.'

'I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. You misunderstood me. I'm not going to enter the air passenger transport market, but the air cargo market.'

'The passenger market is larger than the cargo market, and the Swire group, as a vested interest and monopolist, will definitely not let go easily.'

'However, in the air cargo market, Cathay Pacific is involved, but not deeply involved, and this market has not been vigorously developed. It would be more secure for me to enter, and there would be less competition.'

'And you sold Jardine Air Terminal to me before, which has now been renamed Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited. As you know, this company has the exclusive air cargo handling franchise at Hong Kong International Airport.

'So in terms of air cargo handling and transshipment, I have no shortage of manpower or experience, and I have certain advantages in entering the air cargo market!'

In fact, as soon as Bao Yugang mentioned the air cargo market, Xia Yu knew that he had made a careless mistake. He had made a low-level mistake and was misled by his past life memories and habitual thinking.

In his past life, Bao Yugang had directly and headstrong rushed into the air passenger transport market with Cao Guangbiao, and as soon as he arrived, he had yelled that he wanted to compete with Cathay Pacific Airways. The Swire Group had to get rid of Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, even if it was just to save face.

But this time, it may not be the case. Under Xia Yu's persuasion, Bao Yugang owns Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited. He is originally the world's shipping magnate, and has an in-depth understanding of the international transportation market, which also gives him a good grasp of the air cargo market.

Although Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited is now part of the air cargo market, it is different from what Bao Yugang is talking about now.

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited's air cargo franchise refers to the management and service sector.

To use an analogy, if Kai Tak International Airport is the airport, Hactl has the franchise for the airport. This airport in the cargo throughput market can only be operated by Hactl.

Kai Tak International Airport is not only used by Cathay Pacific Airways, other international airlines also land and take off in Hong Kong. These airlines have air cargo operations, and Hactl serves these companies.

The Hong Kong government has not granted any exclusive rights to the air cargo market in Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific can do it, the original Jardine Matheson Group can also do it, and so can others.

The reason no one else is doing it is because the air cargo market was relatively small before.

And Cathay Pacific is also involved, and the Jardine Matheson Group, which has a unique advantage, is indifferent. Without the support of an advantage, naturally no one else will enter, even if they are tempted!

Xia Yu said with a smile, 'Lao Bao, if we enter the air cargo market, then there's no problem, we can do it.'

'Although the initial investment cost of buying an aircraft is high, and there will be losses during the business expansion period, in the long run it can be profitable.'

'You started out in global shipping, so you must know that if it's a cargo ship, it takes at least half a month to travel from Hong Kong to the United States, but if it's an aircraft, it can get there in half a day.'

'In the past, Hong Kong was always involved in industries such as textiles, garments, plastics and toys, which have low added value and low profit margins. What's more, they are bulky, so air freight would be prohibitively expensive.'

'But that's not the case anymore. If the Yuen Long Industrial Park is built, the electronics and high-tech industries will develop. These kinds of products, which are small but expensive, are perfect for air freight.'

'Not to mention the future, but in the past two years, some of the game consoles and electrical appliances I produced have been shipped by air in a hurry. After all, the profit margins are large, so even if the air freight costs are much higher, I can afford it.'

Bao Yugang said with deep approval: 'Yes, I have also done research in this area, so I have thought carefully before entering the air cargo market.'

'Nowadays, semiconductor technology in the United States is developing rapidly, especially in the personal computer industry, which is increasingly connected to various industries, especially in manufacturing. I have noticed that Taiwan, the island countries and Singapore are beginning to set up these high-tech industries, and I know that the global industrial structure is about to change.'

'You also told me about the Yuen Long Science and Technology Industrial Park earlier, which has strengthened my resolve even more.'

'This air cargo company, with my own strength, if I don't make major moves in the real estate industry, it can barely support itself.'

'But now that I have to plan a large amount of capital into the real estate industry, I definitely won't be able to hold on.'

'So this is the purpose of my inviting you here today, to see your attitude towards this market. If it's possible to do it, are you interested in joining forces with me?'

Xia Yu's eyebrows shot up. He didn't expect Bao Yugang to invite him to join forces.

But to be honest, he was indeed interested.

Therefore, he said without hesitation, 'Of course I'm interested!'

'Bao, apart from you and me, have you invited anyone else?'

Bao Yugang shook his head and said, 'Not yet. I'm only inviting you now. When Lao Huo gets back, I'll ask him too. For now, it'll just be the three of us. There's no need for anyone else.'

Xia Yu nodded, agreeing with Bao Yugang's attitude: "Indeed, if we form a team of three, we'll have everything we need for the company's development. There's no need to give in to others.'

'So, how far along are you with this airline?'

Bao Yugang shook his head and laughed, "It's not even on paper yet, just an idea.'

'Once we've made a decision, it'll be quick to set up the company. We've got the money, so what's there to worry about?'

Xia Yu laughed. 'You're right.'

'Let's wait for Huo to come back. Once we've agreed, we can register the company name, and then immediately place an order with the aircraft manufacturer. It takes time to build an aircraft, and that time will be more than enough to set up an air cargo company from scratch.'

Bao Yugang nodded: 'Well, you're right. Let's wait for Huo to come back to discuss the details. It won't be for another week or so.'

...

After the initial agreement, the two continued to chat, discussing everything from the economy of Hong Kong to the international political landscape, with Xia Yu doing most of the talking.

Facing Bao Yugang, Xia Yu did not hold back. He also hoped that his friend and ally, who was younger than him, could become even stronger, so he told Bao Yugang a lot of things that the latter was unlikely to know, which was very beneficial for him.

The two men had a very pleasant conversation and before they knew it, it was already past 10 pm.

Seeing that it was late, Bao Yugang also resisted the urge to continue chatting.

Xia Yu took the initiative to say goodbye.

After Bao Yugang and Wu Guangzheng saw Xia Yu off to the door, they exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Xia Yu was about to get into the car.

'Cough, cough, cough...'

'Phew...'

Just then, Bao Yugang coughed violently for a while, and the blood rushing to his head caused his face to flush. After he finished coughing, he took a deep breath to calm his breathing.

When he saw Xia Yu frowning and looking at him with a worried expression, Bao Yugang laughed, 'Ah Yu, why are you looking at me like that? I'm fine, it's just some old problems. After a lifetime of running around at sea, it's inevitable that I'll have some root causes of illness.'

Xia Yu said with concern, 'Lao Bao, you coughed from time to time just now. As long as it's an illness, you have to pay attention to it, no matter how big or small it is. The condition is not static, you have to pay more attention to your health!'

'I understand, how could I not understand my own body? I'm taking medicine, but the root of the disease is deep and hard to cure!' Bao Yugang shook his head, as if he was used to it.

Xia Yu's brows furrowed again, and he remembered what he knew about Bao Yugang from his previous life.

Among the big bosses of Xiangjiang, Bao Yugang was the only one who lived to be 73 years old. Which of them, such as Li Ka-shing, Fok Ying Tung, Cheng Yu-tung, and Lee Shau-kee, did not live to be 80 or 90 years old?

Compared to them, Bao Yugang's life expectancy was considered short.

Many people imagined that if Bao Yugang had not died young in his previous life, would Li Ka-shing have been able to ascend to the throne of the richest Chinese?

If Bao Yugang had lived, the situation in Hong Kong would have been much better, because although he was a capitalist, he was a completely different kind of national capitalist from Li Ka-shing and the others.

He always had the nation and country in his heart. Unfortunately, good people don't live long...

If it were possible in this life, he hoped that Bao Yugang could live a long life, at least to see Hong Kong return to the embrace of the motherland.

Xia Yu thought about his master Li Chunqiu and wondered if Li Chunqiu, with his medical skills that could cure even early-stage tumours, could cure Bao Yugang's root cause of the illness.

Thinking about this, Xia Yu said to Bao Yugang, 'Bao, are you free tomorrow during the day?'

Bao Yugang said somewhat puzzled, 'Why? As long as it's you, there's definitely time.'

Xia Yu immediately said, 'Tomorrow I'll take you to see my master together. I may have mentioned before that I have a master, the director of Xiangjiang Chunqiu Hospital. He is very skilled in medicine and may be able to help with your illness.'

Before Bao Yugang could say anything, Wu Guangzheng, his son-in-law, who was standing next to him, became impatient and immediately encouraged, 'Dad, Mr Xia is being considerate. You should go and see him. It might really work.'

Bao Yugang smiled and said cheerfully, 'Okay, I'll go take a look.'

'Ah Yu, I'm going to have to trouble you,'

Xia Yuhun said nonchalantly, "Don't say anything formal. How about we meet at the Spring and Autumn Hospital lobby tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.'

Bao Yugang nodded and said, "No problem, I'll definitely be there on time.'

Xia Yuhun nodded, 'Okay, I'll go home tonight.'

'Okay, be safe!'

After saying this, Bao Yugang waved goodbye as Xia Yu's car disappeared into the darkness.

Early the next morning, Xia Yu and Bao Yugang met at the Chunqiu Hospital on time, and then found their master Li Chunqiu to see Bao Yugang and make a long-term recuperation plan.

Whether it is effective can only be tested by time.

However, Xia Yu is confident.

A week later, Huo Yingdong returned from the United States.

Xia Yu and Bao Yugang welcomed Huo Yingdong back together, and this time it was at Xia Yu's house.

After the guests had had their fill of fun, the three of them discussed the air cargo company, and they got carried away in their conversation and didn't stop until late at night.

Three days later, the framework for the new air cargo company had already taken shape...