thefictionvixens Chapter 45 A Huge Harvest, Joining the Ranks of First-Class Families!
Chapter 45 A Huge Harvest, Joining the Ranks of First-Class Families!
Lee Hysan Properties was absorbed and acquired.
This is also a demonstration of strength for the Gu family. Many media outlets are referring to the Gu family as one of the new "Four Great Families": the Gu family, the Bao family, the Li family, and the He family.
The four major families of Hong Kong's future are Li Ka-shing, Kwok Tak-seng, Cheng Yu-tung, and Li Chiu-kei.
Of course, if Bao Shifeng were still alive and hadn't passed away, there might still be a Bao family. However, Bao Shifeng's biggest problem was that he had no sons, only daughters. His son-in-law, Wu Guangzheng, was no match for Bao Shifeng in terms of ability and competence, so he could only fall behind.
The media's creation of this title is just a gimmick to boost sales. A true definition of the new "Four Great Families" won't be available until at least the 1990s. However, in this world, Gu Yuhan feels that four great families aren't necessary; their single Gu family is sufficient.
However, it's worth mentioning that the Analects is selling extremely well in the market now, and some other Confucian classics are also selling quite well. Booksellers are saying that this is the secret to Gu Jia's wealth.
It's all just following the trend. Gu Yuhan was speechless for a while.
However, the Gu family still has a lot to do now, namely, to take stock of the assets held by Lee Hysan Properties and to liquidate and divide them.
"The Li family really does have quite a few good things!" Gu Zhenguo looked at the assets of Li Hysan Properties and couldn't help but laugh. "As expected of one of the four established families, their capital is truly abundant!"
Gu Yuhan glanced at it a few times and was also slightly taken aback.
In fact, Lee Hysan Properties has been expanding steadily over the years, acquiring stakes in United Soda Water Company Limited and Mido Limited, as well as British American Tobacco Company Limited, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Shanghai Commercial Bank. It's worth noting that Lee Hysan initially established TVB for a mere four million Hong Kong dollars. Now, TVB is worth at least tens of millions.
Li Xiaohe can also be considered the founder of TVB, bringing a new era to Hong Kong's electronic media industry. He served as the company's chairman for fourteen years, but later suffered from heart disease, which led him to gradually relinquish his power, allowing Shaw Yat-fu to succeed him as chairman of TVB.
One is TVB, and the other is FVB.
Gu Yuhan was considering separating the two television stations, ideally with healthy internal competition. One would be a wireless channel, and the other a Phoenix TV. One belonged to the Gu family, and the other also belonged to the Gu family.
Although Gu Yuhan scoffed at the term "new four great families" and even felt it wasn't a good title, there was no doubt that the Gu family was now considered a first-rate family by the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens.
It's at least on par with shipping magnates.
Besides real estate, the biggest profit center for the Li family is the United Soda Factory. To Gu Yuhan’s surprise, Li Xiaohe also owns a semiconductor company.
Xinghua Semiconductor Company, and Xiangjiang Semiconductor Company. Gu Yuhan was slightly taken aback when he saw this.
He wanted to see for himself just how much technological expertise the Li family had accumulated and how many skilled workers they had. In addition, Li Xiaohe also held shares in Hutchison Whampoa.
After this inventory, Gu Yuhan had to admit that the Li family still had a considerable fortune, with hotels, real estate, and properties. If things went smoothly, even if nothing happened to the Li family, they could basically live a life of wealth and worry-free.
The Li family may split and decline, but fundamentally, their descendants will still enjoy wealth and status. "Dad!"
Gu Yuhan glanced at the list and then slowly asked, "How much of Hutchison Whampoa's shares do we hold?" "About 28%!" Gu Zhenguo replied. "What? If you include the Li family's, it should be 30%."
"Is Li Jiacheng still not making a move?" Gu Yuhan asked.
Gu Zhenguo shook his head and said, "Not yet, but I think it will probably be after the Spring Festival!" "That Li Jiacheng!" Gu Yuhan laughed, "He really knows how to keep his composure!"
Gu Zhenguo nodded: "We've fought with Li Jia to this extent, and he still hasn't made a move. I think he wants to wait and see, wait until our capital is depleted faster, so that when he comes to compete with Hutchison Whampoa, we won't have enough cash flow!"
Gu Yuhan completely agreed with his father's opinion.
"Dad, we'll definitely be making some big moves next year, and I have something to discuss with you!" Gu Zhenguo said, "This matter!"
"Go on!" Gu Zhenguo nodded. Gu Yuhan smiled and continued, "Actually, it's not a big problem. It's just about reorganizing the company so that our shares in Hutchison Whampoa will be split 50/50 between Bright Group and Sunshine Group!"
Gu Zhenguo nodded: "No problem!"
"My plans are as follows: real estate, property management, hotels, supermarkets, convenience stores, and so on will all be placed in Hutchison Whampoa. However, similarly, some technology-based industries will be placed in my Bright Group, including manufacturing, chip manufacturing, finance, and other technology-related industries!"
"Besides that, there's the Sunshine Group!" Gu Yuhan smiled. "Ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications—what do you think?"
Gu Zhenguo thought for a moment and said, "You want to get involved in telecommunications? Energy? We've never been involved in those industries before!" "Even if we're not involved now, we'll inevitably be involved in them someday!"
Gu Yuhan smiled slightly: "What we need to do now is to differentiate between technical and management talent!"
"I think the focus with Sunshine Group and Hutchison Whampoa Group should be on providing a safety net. These industries may not be quick or lucrative, but they can provide us with a steady stream of cash flow. Our main investment areas should be real estate and hotels!" "As for me, I want to pursue a technology-driven path, getting involved in manufacturing. My future focus will gradually shift towards mainland China, and I believe they will definitely be willing to provide us with ample support!"
Gu Zhenguo was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "You want Sunshine Group and Hutchison Whampoa to guarantee the minimum return, and then what kind of technology are you going to get involved in? Can we even handle that?"
"It's not that I'm asking you to guarantee our success, Dad. We still want to continue expanding, but my energy is limited!"
Gu Yuhan smiled and said, "I can't worry about everything. However, I want to work on technology products. If I fail, there's still Hutchison Whampoa and Sunshine Group, right?"
Gu Zhenguo nodded: "If you want to do it, I won't stop you. What you said is right. It's okay if you fail. You can always come back!"
Gu Yuhan smiled and said, "As things stand, Wei Li definitely needs to be ousted. My plan is to have Huo Jianning take over as president. That kid's quite capable!"
Gu Zhen nodded: "Okay, I'll consider it!" "Also!"
Gu Yuhan continued, "My suggestion is that we need to take the company to the next level, which is to address management issues. My suggestion to HR is to implement a PBC (Problem-Based Compensation) system."
"Performance under the PBC (Performance-Based Business) system is essentially results plus behavior, and its purpose is for overall resource allocation."
Some processes need to be highly standardized, systematic, and formalized before we can gradually adjust them. I think, Dad, you really need to go to the US to learn about management and minimize internal friction within the company. Of course, this doesn't mean blindly copying; it requires adapting to local conditions!
Gu Zhenguo asked curiously, "I've heard that you've been organizing some of your filmmakers to learn management recently. What, are you planning to have me learn management too?"
"That's right!" Gu Yuhan nodded. "This is very important. A person's time and energy are ultimately limited. It's essential to cultivate subordinates. Performance management is a tool for managers to motivate their teams, getting subordinates to go beyond their job responsibilities!" Gu Zhenguo nodded. "Then I'll find some time to study it properly. By the way, what about you?" "I'm a little different!" Gu Yuhan smiled and said calmly, "PBC performance management + KPI individual performance are industrial thinking. Technological innovation is different; it requires freedom to develop. Different companies and different types of enterprises need different things. I have my own set of standards!"
"Alright then!" Gu Zhenguo didn't say much, just nodded: "I'll go to the US to study later!" "By the way, it's almost Chinese New Year, and your grandfather wants our whole family to come over this year!" Gu Zhenguo suddenly said: "Last year you were in England and didn't go, but you can't refuse this year!"
"I understand, but I still need to take care of some things on my plate, and I need to reconsider the staff meeting before the new year!" Gu Yuhan smiled and said, "We'll talk about it later. I also need to check out those two semiconductor companies to see if they have any technical personnel!"
After chatting for a while, Gu Yuhan said, "Alright, I need to go back and rest tonight!"
Once seated in the car, Gu Yuhan casually picked up the car phone and made a call to Zhou Jun. "Boss!" Zhou Jun's polite voice came through. "Does Mi Xue have time?" Gu Yuhan asked casually.
"I'll make time, even if I don't!" Zhou Jun laughed, then quickly said, "Boss, shall I take her to General No. 1 tonight?"
Gu Yuhan thought for a moment, then continued, "Where is Chen Yulian?"
"Young Master Yu!" Zhou Jun suddenly laughed, a lewd laugh in his voice. "I'll arrange it right away, send them all over to you!"
"You arrange it!" Gu Yuhan stretched. He had been busy dealing with Li Xishen Realty lately and hadn't had time to satisfy his physical needs. Now, he could finally relax before the New Year.
Of course, Gu Yuhan definitely won't be able to relax after the New Year.
On one hand, they face a joint attack from Li Ka-shing and Wei Li; on the other hand, there are internal problems within the company. While Gujia appears large, it is actually extremely bloated, with many overlapping businesses, significant barriers between departments, and an inability to achieve effective communication.
These are all urgent problems that need to be addressed. Gu Yuhan plans to conduct a complete restructuring and reform of the company, strengthening and expanding management.
The father had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings and wanted to do everything himself. However, in Gu Yuhan's view, once the company grew big, he couldn't let the father do everything himself.
Currently, Gu Zhen personally handles many of the negotiations in China.
Moreover, now my dad has to hold meetings every morning, sometimes for three or four hours, because there are just too many things that need to be decided by him.
Sometimes meetings are held while eating breakfast. In addition, there is another problem: some of the old brothers who have worked hard with Dad are now unable to keep up with their positions, but Dad still hasn't fired them.
After acquiring Hutchison Whampoa and Lee Hysan Properties, Gu Zhen's work pressure suddenly increased. Sending his father to the US to study management was actually a plan by Gu Yuhan to use this time to take action against the company's senior staff. However, all of this was not yet clear; it would have to wait until after the major moves of 1979 were over.
While her father couldn't bring himself to do it, Gu Yuhan didn't have so many obstacles. After the reorganization, a group of young people would be selected to take over. Now, Gu Yuhan was going to force her father to make some cuts.
We can't let Dad do everything himself anymore. We need to be bolder and delegate authority to our subordinates. We need to fully unleash their initiative.
However, it is also necessary to establish a bottom-up regulatory mechanism. Simply put, it is necessary to provide an upward channel and an incentive mechanism for those at the bottom, and also to enable those at the top to quickly understand market trends.
If the grassroots perform well, they should be given learning opportunities, promotion opportunities, and even stock dividends, though only dividends and no equity.
To build a management system or a management model, the chairman only needs to grasp the general direction.
Just like Gu Yuhan now, he basically leaves the things under his command to Huo Jianning to handle, and he can find something that interests him every day. Gu Yuhan basically controls the overall direction himself.
Night.
The world was draped in a thin veil of twilight. On a quiet path in Tseung Kwan O, Chen Yulian and Chow Yun-fat were walking.
The Tseung Kwan O Film City has been significantly developed in the past six months. Although only one-third of the project has been completed, it is already sufficient to cover daily expenses.
Not long ago, Gu Yuhan moved TVB and Phoenix TV here, and also opened a large number of artist dormitories here, including stuntman Gu Yuhan.
Film and rest on the spot.
If you want to have fun, there are plenty of bars nearby where celebrities can eat, drink, and have fun. Of course, this requires spending money. Gu Yuhan strictly prohibits gambling and drugs here. I am mortal to the end with drugs and gambling.
In addition, there are hotels and residential buildings. Tseung Kwan O has seen a significant influx of people, with its population gradually reaching 80,000. This is partly due to the need for workers in film-related developments, partly due to construction needs, and the gradual reopening of schools and hospitals.
In the future, this area certainly cannot be used as an industrial zone, but turning it into a scenic spot shouldn't be a problem. The Tseung Kwan O Film City can be developed as an attraction, or it can be demolished and turned into an amusement park. In short, there's no shortage of development opportunities here.
The couple Chow Yun-fat and Chan Yuk-lin have at least aroused the envy of many people. After all, Chow Yun-fat is handsome, and Chan Yuk-lin has a top-notch appearance.
However, during this period, the two of them did spend very little time together.
There are shooting assignments every day.
Now, the filming tasks of the crew have become more detailed. Each director's team needs to complete a large table of tasks, and the heads of each team arrange the work within their team according to the contents of the table.
However, this did indeed greatly speed up the filming process. Chow Yun-fat and Chan Yuk-lin also had a lot more free time.
"Let's go to Dream Bar. It's a newly opened bar, and they're quite well-staffed!" Chow Yun-fat extended an invitation.
"Well, I'll go back and change my clothes!" Chen Yulian said with a wry smile, "You can't expect me to go out in my costume, can you?" Chow Yun-fat nodded, "I'll see you off!"
Arriving at the bottom of the dormitory building, Chen Yulian returned to her own dormitory.
Just then, the dormitory phone rang: "Hello, what...you told me...don't go too far?...Okay...I understand."
After receiving Zhou Jun's call, Chen Yulian also felt a headache and a bit down.
"Ah Fat, you're here?" Just then, a man approached Chow Yun-fat: "What are you still doing here?"
"Ah Luo? What's wrong?" Chow Yun-fat was slightly taken aback. "What happened?" "Don't you know?" the man named Ah Luo said, "Today the company is announcing a batch of promoted B-level actors, everyone should go and see, aren't you going to see Mom?"
"What?" Chow Yun-fat was slightly taken aback. "I don't know!" "Let's go take a look!" Ah Luo said quickly. "Now the group has to make it public!" As he spoke, Ah Luo pulled Chow Yun-fat away.
"Wait a minute!" Chow Yun-fat stopped her for a moment, then said, "I need to tell Ah-Lin!" Just then, Chen Yu-Lin slowly walked out of the stairwell, and then Chow Yun-fat quickly came to Chen Yu-Lin and explained the situation.
Whether it was a misperception or not, Chow Yun-fat felt that there was a hint of spring in Chan Yuk-lin's unhappy expression, just like... the shy yet sweet look on the girl's face after she was rejected when he tried to kiss her last time.
It must be an illusion!
"I'll come back to see you again!"
Chow Yun-fat said, "Then I'll be going now!"
"I understand, you can go ahead!" Chen Yulian nodded slightly, "I won't bother you any longer!"
Chow Yun-fat nodded: "Wait for me, wait until I sign a B-level contract, I will definitely bring you good days!" After Chow Yun-fat left, Chen Yulian sighed softly, turned around and went to the parking lot, heading straight for Gu Yuhan's General No. 1.
Although she felt that her behavior was immoral, Chen Yulian was really looking forward to meeting Gu Yuhan.
Come to think of it, this guy hadn't contacted her for several days, and she was filled with anticipation. However, upon arriving at Gu Yuhan's luxurious villa, she suddenly discovered that there was another woman there, exuding charm. She immediately recognized this woman—Mi Xue.
During this period, Michelle Yim filmed Police Story with Jackie Chan, and then she completely gave up on working with him. Working with others might be about money, but working with Jackie Chan was truly a matter of life and death.
After building up her popularity, Michelle didn't continue working in the film industry. Instead, she returned to television dramas, back to her comfort zone. Anyway, Gu Yuhan would connect her with GG Entertainment, and the money was substantial.
Not long ago, Michelle Yim continued to play Huang Rong, portraying a nearly forty-year-old Huang Rong in Chen Yulian's "The Return of the Condor Heroes". The two could not be said to know each other, but they could even be said to be familiar with each other.
"Sister Xue, you're here too!" Chen Yulian frowned slightly upon seeing Mi Xue. "Yes!" Gu Yuhan smiled and said, "I asked her to come. Sit down, let's eat first and chat slowly!"
Chen Yulian said, "I... I'll go first. You guys continue chatting!"
"Don't leave!" Gu Yuhan simply said three words. Chen Yulian got up to leave, but upon hearing those three words, she seemed frozen in place, unable to move at all. Gu Yuhan then calmly said, "Eat first!"
Michelle sighed softly, stood up, and pulled Chen Yulian to sit down at the dining table. Chen Yulian didn't dare to disobey Gu Yuhan and could only obediently sit down. Gu Yuhan then smiled, "Tonight, neither of you are allowed to leave. I'll teach you each a new game!"
"Young Master Yu, you're so naughty! What game is it?" Michelle giggled, asking with a hint of teasing. "You two, one Huang Rong and one Little Dragon Girl, try stacking yourselves on top of each other!" Gu Yuhan laughed as well.