Chapter 220: Do You Want to Wipe Out the Brotherhood?
A few days later, Yang Mingyi left Hong Kong with a group of mid-to-senior-level executives who had decided to follow him to the mainland, heading for Guangdong Province.
At the same time, they also brought a batch of Wanan Group's engineering and technical personnel.
After all, in this era, places like Pengcheng were essentially barren. To develop, the first step was to build factories and office buildings.
Lin Haoran had already instructed Yang Mingyi where to focus their investments, even marking the priority areas on a map.
As for funding, the initial investment was set at 100 million Hong Kong dollars. Of course, it wasn't to be spent recklessly — this amount was enough to support the early stages of many projects.
They would first purchase as much land as possible in key areas of Pengcheng, Dongguan, Yangcheng, and Chancheng, and then invest in constructing industrial parks.
At this time, investing in the mainland was still early.
It would only become ideal a few years later as reforms deepened and policies became more robust.
Lin Haoran's reason for moving so early was simply to seize the first-mover advantage, securing prime land before others could.
Figures like Bao Yugang and Guo Henian had also inspected the mainland market but remained cautious, only making small investments like building hotels.
Few dared to buy land and develop industrial parks like Lin Haoran.
Once the industrial parks were built — in two to three years — suitable development projects would follow:
electronics manufacturing, infrastructure materials, textiles, food processing, machinery manufacturing, and more.
Mainland development would not be fast.
Yang Mingyi's early efforts were mainly groundwork: securing prime land.
In this era, 100 million Hong Kong dollars was a massive amount — even in Hong Kong, let alone in the mainland, where it could buy significant tracts of prime land.
Even in Yangcheng, land prices were low since the economy had barely begun to awaken.
Moreover, as they were being invited as major investors, they enjoyed preferential policies that further reduced costs.
Attracting big investors was crucial for local governments, and offering policy incentives was the way to do it.
Without incentives, who would come to invest?
Meanwhile, Wanan Group officially merged with Green Island Cement Company to form Wanqing Group.
Wanqing Group's CEO was Burton, and Lin Haoran served as Chairman.
The group owned two subsidiaries: Green Island Cement Company and Wanan Real Estate Development Company.
The headquarters was located at Wanqing Tower — formerly the new Wanan Tower.
Although the building had changed its name twice within a few months, Wanqing Tower's future influence would undoubtedly surpass that of Wanan Tower.
To streamline operations, Burton moved Green Island Cement's headquarters from Hung Hom to Wanqing Tower.
Time quickly passed, and over a month went by.
During that time, all businesses developed smoothly.
Good news also came from Yang Mingyi's side:
with the support of the Pengcheng government, they secured multiple plots of land in Luohu, Nanshan, and Shekou.
Notably, they acquired a massive one-million-square-meter plot next to Shekou Industrial Park.
This site would become a large industrial zone and, due to its proximity to Pengcheng Bay, could also host a major port.
In the future, products manufactured there could be shipped worldwide directly.
Meanwhile, thanks to the Guo family's influence in Malaysia, Green Island Cement secured more market share there, greatly boosting revenues.
In Hong Kong, stock accumulation of Kowloon Motor Bus, Hongkong Land, and Jardines Matheson continued quietly without drawing attention.
Lin Haoran's stake in Kowloon Motor Bus surpassed 20%, putting him on the verge of controlling this public utility company.
Huanyu Security Consulting also saw progress:
after weeks of training, the retired soldiers were regaining their physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and tactical skills.
Although the training base was not fully completed, it had all necessary equipment and facilities, including an indoor shooting range built from sheet metal.
Li Weiguo, as chief instructor, regularly organized sparring sessions to improve their combat skills.
Everything was moving in a positive direction.
With professional managers handling operations, Lin Haoran was enjoying his leisure.
...
However, just as Lin Haoran was enjoying his peace, trouble arose in the Philippines.
On May 5th, at the beginning of summer,
late at night in a suburban compound south of Manila, hundreds of tattooed young men, along with a few older members, gathered.
Many bore small wounds, their hands and legs wrapped in bandages.
They were members of the Brotherhood.
Just two hours earlier, they had fought a fierce battle against their main rivals in Manila — the Five Four Gang.
The Five Four Gang had initiated the clash, aiming to seize control of a street long dominated by the Brotherhood.
And they had succeeded.
"Have we compiled the casualty report?" the Brotherhood's leader asked calmly, though internally he was seething with rage.
"Brother Yong, the report is ready.
We lost 19 brothers; 112 were injured.
Worse, losing West Street will cost us over ten million dollars in annual revenue," an officer reported gravely.
The Brotherhood had over a thousand members to support; losing such a major territory was devastating.
Facing the growing pressure from the Five Four Gang, their domain continued to shrink.
"Those bastards... they will pay for this!" the leader gritted his teeth.
"Brother Yong, our communal funds are running dangerously low.
We need compensation for the dead and wounded soon, or the brothers will be unhappy," the treasurer reminded him.
"What do we do? Any ideas?" the leader asked, surveying the executives.
Although these high-level members were wealthy, none were willing to dip into their own pockets.
"I have a suggestion," a senior member said.
"Remember Green Island Cement Company?
Previously, we were hired by Aemex Company to warn them against entering the Visayas market.
They backed off, showing they had no strong backers.
Such companies are perfect targets.
We can threaten them — demand protection money, or make trouble until they pay.
This way, the compensation issue solves itself!"
"Good idea! Let's do it!"
"Yes, demand a hundred thousand or even a million dollars — they'll pay unless they want to abandon the Philippine market!"
"I heard their sales in Luzon are booming. They won't just give up easily!"
"We'll assure them that once they pay, there'll be peace. And when we need more, we'll just 'borrow' again.
Foreign companies with no local backing are our ATM machines!"
The proposal was met with unanimous approval.
"Alright, it's decided. Baldy Biao, take a hundred men tomorrow morning,
surround their factory, and issue the demand:
one week to hand over a million dollars.
No need to kill anyone, though — after all, they're our 'sponsors,'" the leader ordered.
"Got it, Boss!" Baldy Biao replied enthusiastically.
To them, Green Island Cement was like a lamb to slaughter.
If the company resisted, they had countless ways to force compliance.
The next morning,
Baldy Biao led over a hundred gang members to the Manila cement plant, surrounding it tightly.
"Bring out your manager!" Baldy shouted at the trembling security guards.
Soon, the local branch manager hurried over.
"Listen carefully," Baldy growled.
"You have one week to pay us one million dollars in protection fees.
If you comply, we'll ensure your safety.
If not...
I guarantee your company will be wiped off the Philippine map!"
After swaggering through the factory to show their dominance, they left proudly.
Once they were gone, the manager immediately contacted Hong Kong headquarters and reported the emergency to President Burton.
"The Brotherhood?" Burton was shocked.
He hadn't expected the Brotherhood to come so openly for extortion, especially when Green Island Cement had already stayed clear of the Visayas market.
A million dollars wasn't a small sum — almost half a month's profit.
Even with some government contacts in Manila, facing such a powerful gang was difficult.
Burton decided to report the matter directly to Lin Haoran.
Thus, less than an hour later, Lin Haoran received the troubling news while discussing Hongkong Electric Group's overseas expansion with Chen Shoulin.
"Hmph, I planned to give you time to breathe, but you insist on seeking death," Lin Haoran muttered coldly after hanging up.
Even a clay Buddha had a temper, let alone a living person.
Immediately, Lin Haoran dialed Guo Henian's number.
"Nephew Lin, what a surprise! What's the matter?" Guo Henian answered, surprised that Lin Haoran had called him personally.
"Uncle Guo, I remember you mentioned you know the leader of the Five Four Gang in the Philippines.
Can you give me his contact information?" Lin Haoran asked directly.
"Of course, no problem. Wait a moment, I'll get it for you," Guo Henian responded readily.
A few minutes later, Lin Haoran received the number.
He immediately called.
After a brief self-introduction and mentioning that he was a friend of Guo Henian, the leader of the Five Four Gang was very respectful.
"Mr. Lin, how can I help you?" he asked politely.
"Mr. Xiao,
do you want to wipe out the Brotherhood?"
Lin Haoran asked bluntly.
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