Chapter 491: An Unexpected Reception at the Airport
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Lin family was filled with lively celebrations at home.
On the second day, many business figures came to pay their respects, including notable individuals from British-owned enterprises such as John Madden from Wheelock & Co.
Last year, during the implementation of the Jardine-Land mutual holding plan orchestrated by Nobby Clarke, Jardines Matheson had transferred all their Wheelock & Co. shares to Land Corporation.
These shares amounted to 11.8% of Wheelock's total assets and 7.4% of the voting rights, making Land Corporation the third-largest shareholder of Wheelock & Co.
The largest shareholder, however, was not John Madden himself but the very low-profile Zhang family.
Previously, the Zhang family had sold Federal Building and other properties to Wheelock, making them a major shareholder.
Yet, they had never competed with the Madden family for control.
Now, as Land Corporation stood as a significant shareholder of Wheelock & Co., John Madden naturally needed to maintain good relations with Lin Haoran.
By now, Lin Haoran was unquestionably one of the most influential figures in Hong Kong's business world.
Even Shen Bi of Hui Fung Bank treated him with deference.
He was no longer the rising newcomer who needed to curry favor with others — it was now others who needed to court him.
That evening, Lin Haoran followed tradition and walked over to Bao Yugang's home to pay his respects to the elder who had helped him many times.
Even though Lin Haoran's wealth now surpassed Bao's, he never forgot the assistance he had received.
In the turbulent world of business, loyalty and gratitude were worth more than gold.
Time quickly passed, and soon it was February 7th, the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Around 11 a.m., after sharing one last family meal, Lin Haoran, under the reluctant gazes of his parents, left Deep Water Bay with his bodyguards.
Today was the day he would depart for Japan.
His car wound down the hilly roads, passed through Causeway Bay, entered the Hung Hom Tunnel, and finally arrived at Kai Tak International Airport.
Inside the airport, Lin Haoran soon reunited with Kenneth Ho and the others.
There were quite a few people going to Japan.
Aside from the original 68 employees from Land Corporation, an additional senior executive had been added — Zhao Xin.
Despite the Chinese-sounding name, Zhao Xin was a pure-blooded Caucasian.
He had chosen a Chinese name simply because he thought it sounded cool.
Although of foreign descent, Zhao Xin was a Hong Kong native through and through.
His ancestors had settled in Hong Kong over a century ago.
He had studied in the UK during university and, with his British background, had easily joined Land Corporation.
Over the past twenty years, Zhao Xin had accumulated deep knowledge of Hong Kong's real estate industry.
Ma Shimin had specifically assigned Zhao Xin to assist Kenneth Ho, understanding that even though Lin Haoran might stay in Japan for an extended period, he likely wouldn't micromanage day-to-day operations.
Kenneth Ho, though talented, was still early in his career.
Thus, having a seasoned hand like Zhao Xin around would provide invaluable guidance and help navigate tough situations.
Lin Haoran, of course, was pleased with the arrangement.
As for Lin Haoran's side, he was bringing along 15 bodyguards, making the total number heading to Japan 86 people.
"Boss, it's time to board," Zhao Xin said, glancing at his watch.
"Alright, go ahead. I'll leave the team under your care," Lin Haoran smiled and nodded.
They were traveling in two groups.
Zhao Xin and the employees would take a Cathay Pacific flight to Tokyo, while Lin Haoran, Kenneth Ho, and the bodyguards would take a private jet.
During his time in the United States, Lin Haoran had realized the necessity of owning a private jet.
As his business empire expanded, both he and his core executives — Ma Shimin, Burton, Chen Shoulin, Cui Zilong — frequently needed to travel between Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
A private jet drastically improved travel comfort and efficiency.
After returning from the US, Lin Haoran had instructed Ma Shimin to purchase one.
Buying a private jet wasn't difficult — just a matter of money.
Soon enough, Ma Shimin had arranged for the purchase of a luxurious aircraft from Hawker Beechcraft.
In the two months since, it had already been used several times, proving to be reliable and safe.
Although paid for by Land Corporation, the jet was available for use by Lin Haoran and his top executives.
After Zhao Xin and the team boarded, Lin Haoran also boarded his private jet.
The aircraft's body was made from the latest composite materials, offering lighter weight and greater stability.
The fuselage was discreetly painted with Land Corporation's logo, exuding understated luxury.
Inside, the cabin was bright and spacious.
Luxury materials covered every inch — from soft wool carpets to finely crafted wood paneling.
The seats were wrapped in top-grade leather, ergonomically designed for maximum comfort during long flights.
The cabin included a rest area with lie-flat beds, ensuring travelers could sleep comfortably even at high altitude.
Lin Haoran admired the interior, feeling thoroughly satisfied.
Compared to this, even first-class cabins on commercial airlines were nothing.
No wonder, he thought, so many tycoons in his previous life were obsessed with private jets.
The experience was simply too enjoyable.
This was the true lifestyle of the wealthy.
At 1 p.m., the private jet smoothly took off from Kai Tak International Airport.
Sitting comfortably by the window, Lin Haoran watched as the skyscrapers of Hong Kong shrank below, then turned to chat with Kenneth Ho beside him.
Two days earlier, Lin Haoran had already called Japanese Foreign Minister Mr. Tanaka to inform him of his travel plans.
As for the necessary clearances for a private flight, the Japanese government had handled everything in advance.
Flying from Hong Kong to Tokyo usually took a little over four hours.
Thus, by around 5 p.m., Lin Haoran's plane was already circling above Tokyo.
After receiving clearance from the control tower, the plane landed smoothly at Tokyo International Airport.
What surprised Lin Haoran was that the aircraft was guided to a red-carpeted VIP tarmac.
Outside the cordoned-off area, a crowd had already gathered — including many journalists with cameras.
He was stunned.
A reception ceremony?
Such grandeur was usually reserved for visiting foreign leaders!
He was merely a businessman — and yet they had prepared such a spectacle for him.
Despite any prejudices he might have held about the Japanese in the past, Lin Haoran had to admit — there were things worth learning here.
Their respect for an entrepreneur was genuine and deeply impressive.
With a slight curiosity, Lin Haoran descended the aircraft stairs.
The red carpet was lined with applauding officials, and camera flashes fired like a dazzling strobe light.
For a moment, he felt as if he were a national leader.
As he stepped onto the tarmac, Lin Haoran immediately spotted Mr. Tanaka, the Foreign Minister he had met before.
There were also other unfamiliar faces —
Lin Haoran hadn't previously visited Japan nor paid much attention to Japanese affairs.
With Kenneth Ho and the bodyguards following behind, Lin Haoran walked down the steps.
Mr. Tanaka approached him warmly.
"Mr. Lin, welcome to Japan!" he said with a beaming smile.
"I'm honored that you would personally come to greet me," Lin Haoran replied with a smile, shaking his hand.
"We attach great importance to your visit, Mr. Lin.
Allow me to introduce some of our representatives:
This is Mr. Kitayama Kazuyuki, President of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), and this is Deputy Mayor Matsuda Naoki of Tokyo."
As they spoke, Mr. Tanaka led Lin Haoran over to meet the two Japanese dignitaries.
Lin Haoran shook hands with both of them.
After a brief exchange, he understood that JETRO was a nonprofit government agency aimed at promoting Japanese trade.
Their main duties included providing market and industry information, connecting businesses with service providers, and facilitating trade and investment — especially in East Asia.
Learning this, Lin Haoran realized why the JETRO President had come to greet him.
It was essentially Japan's version of a foreign investment promotion agency.
As for Mr. Tanaka's original invitation, it was clear:
they hoped Hong Kong's — and Asia's — wealthiest businessman would invest heavily in Japan.
Although Japan had been a developed nation since the 1970s, its eagerness to welcome foreign investment from someone of Lin Haoran's stature was entirely understandable.
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