Author: Zero Romance

Chapter 3140

March 1657, Pearl River Estuary, Guangdong, Hong Kong Island.

More than twenty years have passed since the Executive Committee launched the Hong Kong project at the end of 1629. With the rapid growth of trade volume between Haihan and Ming Dynasty, Hong Kong Island has gradually become one of the busiest trading ports in the Pearl River Estuary.

A considerable part of the various goods from Haihan are collected, distributed and distributed here, and then transported to various parts of Guangdong and Guangxi. Therefore, almost all big business houses with names in the Guangdong and Guangxi areas have business stores here.

After Haihan took control of the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, it strengthened the construction of port facilities on Hong Kong Island, which greatly increased the cargo throughput here compared with before.

In the early years, Hong Kong Island had only a few fishing villages. Today, the island's population has increased nearly a hundred times, two-thirds of which are engaged in trade and shipping. The number of various ships entering and leaving the port every day has even exceeded the traditional Guangdong and Guangxi.

Trade center Guangzhou.

Causeway Bay on the northern coast of Hong Kong Island is the first commercial port developed by Haihan on the island, and it is also the most prosperous area in the area. However, starting a few days ago, the Causeway Bay Pier no longer allows new arrivals in the name of maintaining port facilities.

Ships docked at the port, and the ships originally berthed here were quickly moved to other piers.

Well-informed sources claim that the reason for emptying the port is not for repairs, but to prepare for the large fleet coming from Hainan Island. It is said that a big figure from the Executive Committee is going to visit Hong Kong.

Not many people believed this rumor at first. After all, Bai Kesi had only been to Hong Kong last year. It stands to reason that a big shot would not visit such a small place so frequently.

But when Malik, the governor of the two regions, suddenly came to Hong Kong Island with many officials, and all the naval and land forces stationed on the island entered a state of combat readiness, the credibility of this rumor suddenly increased a lot.

Not only people from the government followed Malik to Hong Kong, but also many leading figures in the business circles of Guangdong and Guangxi, who also appeared quietly on Hong Kong Island in the past few days.

A large number of dignitaries have poured into Hong Kong Island, and the most direct impact is that the local accommodation provided for tourists has suddenly become tight. All hotels with better conditions have been fully booked, and the price of luxury suites with courtyards has increased than usual.

More than five times.

Some private houses with quiet environment and available for rent have become a hot commodity for a while. The daily rent of a three-yard house has been fetched to more than 3,000 yuan by wealthy people from all over the country.

However, the upper-class people with real status naturally don't have to compete with others for accommodation resources, because they already own their own properties here.

There is a manor built on the mountain at the foot of Xianglu Peak near Causeway Bay, covering an area of ​​about dozens of acres. Its layout faces south and faces north, facing the strait between Hong Kong Island and the mainland, and the view is very broad.

This manor was designed and built by famous Jiangnan garden masters. The building materials and furniture used were said to be purchased and shipped from all over the country. Hundreds of craftsmen worked together and it took nearly four years to complete.

Because its owner is Li Jifeng, the richest businessman in Guangdong and Guangxi, the manor is known as "Li Garden" among the people.

However, Li Jifeng's health has become increasingly poor in recent years and he rarely leaves Guangzhou. Therefore, after the completion of this hugely expensive manor, it remained vacant most of the time, except for occasionally hosting some distinguished guests to stay for a few days.

For example, when Bai Kesi, a senior official of the Executive Committee, visited Hong Kong last time, he stayed at "Lee Garden". However, after that, the manor returned to a closed state.

A year later, "Li Garden" opened again, and this time the guest of honor was Maliko.

With his status, he naturally deserves this special treatment. However, he is not the only one who will be staying in "Lee Garden" this time, there are also members of the executive committee who are about to arrive in Hong Kong.

There are several large courtyards in "Li Garden", which can easily accommodate hundreds of people, which is enough to accommodate senior officials of the executive committee and their entourage. However, after all, the space is limited. Other entourages, such as officials from various ministries, businessmen, foreign envoys, etc., can

Then you probably won't be able to enjoy such treatment, and you will have to find another place to live, or make do with it on the ship.

Anyway, the fleet only plans to stay in Hong Kong for one night. It can be spent as soon as you close your eyes and open your eyes. It's not impossible to find a place to sleep.

As the richest man in Guangdong and Guangxi who have a close relationship with Haihan executives, the Li family naturally cannot miss such an important moment. Although Li Jifeng could not come due to physical reasons, he still asked Li Nai to come to Hong Kong as a representative.

However, Li Nai did not come here with Malico. He arrived here a few days in advance and supervised his subordinates to clean up the inside and outside of "Li Garden" and make preparations for receiving distinguished guests.

Although Malico has been to Hong Kong many times, this was actually his first time staying at "Li Yuan". After reviewing the living environment here, he couldn't help but admire Li Nai's preparations.

"It's a pity that this place is empty. We should bring your old man over and let him enjoy the beautiful scenery here. Maybe under a change of environment, his health and bones can slowly recover."

Li Nai responded: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ma. My father has always wanted to come and see us. When spring comes, if his condition gets better, I will send him here to stay for a while."

Maliko said: "It's rare for the executive committee to go on a tour together, but Mr. Li can't come and meet. It's really a pity."

In the early years, Haihan sent people to Guangzhou to carry out trade activities and established the Office in Guangzhou. Malik was one of the founders. He had dealt with the Li family for many years, so he naturally knew the personal relationship between Li Jifeng and his son and the senior officials of Haihan.

Li Nai also looked regretful and said: "My father wanted to come, alas... I heard that the Executive Committee is heading north this trip and only stopped briefly in Hong Kong. I don't know if anyone will visit here on the way back.

arrange."

Maliko nodded and said: "The Executive Committee's trip to the north is in a hurry. It has to arrive in Hangzhou before the National Day, so it will not stop anywhere else except Hong Kong. As for the arrangements for the return trip,

It is estimated that it has not been completely determined yet. When the fleet arrives here, you, as the landowner, can invite them on your own."

Li Nai asked: "Since the trip is in a hurry, why do you have to stay in Hong Kong for one night? Is it possible that there are some important arrangements?"

Malico did not treat Li Nai as an outsider, and told him frankly: "The executive committee just completed the personnel replacement not long ago, and there are big differences on the future development direction. Do you know this?"

Li Nai nodded and said: "I saw it from the newspaper. The discussions among the adults were very lively!"

Maliko said: "The new executive committee will next confirm whether the national development plan in the next few years will be inward or outward. This is very important to our two vast regions, and it took me a lot of effort to make it

The executive committee arranged this trip and may be able to take this opportunity to have some influence on their final decision."

Li Nai suddenly said: "That's it."
Chapter completed!