1RomanceEB Chapter 29: Becoming a Distinguished Member of the Jockey Club
Chapter 29: Becoming a Distinguished Member of the Jockey Club
Li Jiagang initially had some doubts about whether horse racing was manipulated.
But now...
He was fairly certain for the time being that manipulation did not exist, otherwise Shen Bi's horse would not have lost every race and never won first place.
Shen Bi still looked dejected.
He's good at doing business and managing companies.
But Shen Bi's judgment in judging horses was really lacking.
This is a well-known fact among the citizens of Hong Kong. His horse racing always resulted in more losses than wins. "He loved gambling but had poor judgment." This is a glorious story about Sir Michael Sandberg that has been passed down in Hong Kong.
"Li, I'm sorry, I let you lose."
"It's nothing." Li Jiagang looked at him, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Li, is there something you want to say?"
Shen Bi wasn't very good at judging horses, but he had an uncanny ability to see people and things.
Every single one I predict is accurate.
"Master Shen Bi, I'd like to say something," Li Jiagang paused, glanced at everyone, and then spoke, "Could it be that the problem isn't with the horses, but rather with the groom's handling?"
"Master Ma?"
Hahaha!!!!
Although Li Jiagang didn't speak very loudly, everyone still heard him and burst into laughter again.
Shen Bi's face showed utter despair.
"What are you laughing at?"
Li Jiagang became puzzled again.
"Li Sir, do you know who Shen's horse trainer is?" the Jockey Club chairman asked him.
Li Jiagang shook his head directly.
"Young Master Li, take a look at the introductions." Bao Yugang, standing to the side, smiled and pointed to the introductions of the horse masters on the wall. "The head horse master of Shen Bi is called Mo Jiali."
"Mogali?"
Li Jiagang looked curiously at Master Ma's introduction.
"Moggali, who won multiple championships from 73 to 78, was known as the Magician..."
Alright, Li Jiagang didn't continue watching.
He finally understood why these guys were laughing again; it turned out he was the clown.
He originally wanted to comfort Shen Bi, but unintentionally he only made Shen Bi step on him, further confirming his poor judgment in judging horses.
Even with the best horseman, he couldn't win.
What can you blame for this?
"Master Shen Bi, do you think it's possible that...?"
"Li, you'd better not say anything more," Shen Bi quickly interrupted Li Jiagang, who was about to speak. "I know you want to comfort me, but you really don't know how to comfort people." He looked like he was about to cry but had no tears left.
Laughter erupted from the scene once again.
Although the atmosphere in the VIP room was a little awkward, it was very relaxed.
At this moment, Shen Bi was completely different from his usual serious self, appearing quite cheerful and lively. Even when everyone teased him, he not only didn't get angry, but instead cooperated by making various funny faces.
This shows that these people are not cold-blooded machines; they are just ordinary old people in private.
"The second game is here."
"Hey! Mr. Li," Bao Yugang pointed to the field, "Is horse number 2 yours?" he asked somewhat uncertainly.
Li Ka-shing did not deny it and nodded.
"Mr. Li, do you have horses too?"
"Yes, Mr. Li, number 2 is called 'Passing the Imperial Examination,' which is exactly what I bought to play around with when I had nothing else to do." Li Ka-shing answered seriously in response to Li Jiagang's question.
It was only then that Li Jiagang remembered that Li Ka-shing was also a horse lover.
He had read a report before that showed Li Ka-shing's excitement and agitation when watching his own horse races were completely unlike his usual calm demeanor when doing business.
"Li! Why don't you buy one too?"
"Yes, Mr. Li, then we can organize fun games together often."
Li Jiagang turned to look at Bao Yugang, who was speaking: "Mr. Bao, are you saying you also have horses?"
"Of course, number 3 on the field is my Chase the Wind."
He figured he was the only one in the private room without a horse, which suited him perfectly.
If he could also become a horse owner, he would be able to integrate into the horse racing circle to some extent.
"How can I become a horse owner?" Li Jiagang asked, puzzled.
"That's easy." As he spoke, Sir Michael Sandberg glanced at the Jockey Club chairman beside him: "Clague, Lee is a very outstanding young man, and I believe he is qualified to become a member of the Jockey Club." At this point, Sir Michael Sandberg revealed a playful smile: "Oh, by the way, he is the one who acquired Hong Kong Electric, the new chairman of Hong Kong Electric."
Upon hearing this, the chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club straightened up slightly from his casual leaning against the window, his eyes suddenly sharpening as he scrutinized Li Jiagang from head to toe, as if trying to see right through him.
"Oh? You're the one... who took over Hong Kong Electric?" His voice was deep, with a British-accented Cantonese accent, the last syllable rising slightly, carrying an elusive meaning.
Li Jiagang found this rather strange.
Why did the Jockey Club chairman have such a surprised expression when he heard that he had acquired HK Electric and was the new chairman of HK Electric?
Seeing the doubt in Li Jiagang's mind, Shen Bi said, "Li, Clague's father was the one who led Hong Kong Electric very early on."
"Oh! I see."
Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang finally understood.
At the same time, Bao Yugang and Li Ka-shing, who were standing nearby, also showed slight surprise upon hearing this.
Neither of them actually knew anything about the background of the Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman, Tang Luton.
They also met through an introduction by Shen Bi.
Li Ka-shing, in particular, only met Tang Luk Kwok Chi today. Although he has been a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for a long time, at his level, he really has no way of getting in touch with people of the level of the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Therefore, upon hearing Shen Bi's introduction, his surprise was no less than that of Li Jiagang.
Li Jiagang was slightly surprised, but quickly adjusted his mindset and smiled politely, saying, "That's me. I'm new to the Jockey Club and don't know the rules. Please give me your guidance, Mr. Chairman."
"Not bad, not bad. No wonder Mr. Shen Bi values you so much. Li, you are really good." Deng Lu Guo Zhi saw that Li Jiagang, at such a young age, showed the composure and understanding of an old fox who had been in the business world for half his life, and couldn't help but nod in approval.
"I will arrange the horses," Deng Lu Guozhi then extended his hand: "Welcome, Xiao Li Sheng, to become a distinguished member of the Jockey Club. I will make all the necessary preparations, and someone will notify you to come and complete the membership process."
"Thank you, Chairman Deng."
"Congratulations to Xiao Li on becoming a distinguished member of the Jockey Club!"
Congratulations, Mr. Li.
"Li! From now on, we're horse buddies."
Sir Michael Sandberg, Li Ka-shing, and Pao Yuk-kong offered their congratulations to Li Jiagang in turn.
"Thank you, all three of you."
Actually, he didn't expect to join the Jockey Club so easily. Of course, he knew that the Jockey Club chairman was probably only so agreeable because of Sir Michael Sandberg's influence, but he didn't care about that.
He, who cared about it, got into this circle.
The signal for the second horse race sounded.
Number 2, "Golden List Success," was eager to cross the finish line behind the gate. Li Ka-shing stood up, straightened his suit, and said, "I'm going to watch it cross the finish line."
Bao Yugang did the same, walking past the French windows with his eyes fixed on his beloved horse.
It's just a pity...
Neither of their horses won a championship.
Li Ka-shing's horse did well, taking third place, which is a respectable result.
Shortly afterward, the two people from the horse racing club left.
Only the four of them remained in the private room.
During a break in the stables, Shen Bi, his previous carefree demeanor gone, asked, "Bao, have you received an invitation from over there?"
Li Jiagang looked at Shen Bi, not understanding why.
But Bao Yugang and Li Ka-shing were both shocked when they heard Shen Bi's words and exchanged a glance.
A moment later, unfazed by the sharp gaze, Bao Yugang replied directly: "Yes, we crossed the border on the 27th and arrived in Beijing on the 28th. There were more than ten people on this trip."
"Mr. Li, you too?" Shen Bi asked Li Ka-shing in a cold voice.
Li Ka-shing nodded silently.
Finally, Shen Bi looked towards Lijiagang and asked, "Li, what about you?" His voice was still cold.
Li Jiagang still had that bewildered expression: "Master Shen Bi, I don't understand what you're talking about?" In fact, he had already roughly guessed what it was about, but he was just pretending to be confused.
Sir Michael Sandberg asked them if they had "received an invitation from there," and Pao Yuk-kong replied that they would "cross the border on the 27th and arrive in Beijing on the 28th." Moreover, it was almost October 1st, and he remembered that in 1978, many Hong Kong businessmen received invitations from there to attend the National Day celebrations.
And she was even received by that person.
Although he knew this, he had not been invited, so the best response for him to deal with Shen Bi was to pretend he knew nothing.
After receiving Li Jiagang's response, Shen Bi changed his cold expression and suddenly burst into laughter.
"You don't need to be nervous," Sir Michael Sandberg said, controlling his smile. "Actually, this is a good thing. It shows that they really care about Hong Kong."
Li Ka-shing and Bao Yugang looked at each other again.
"Master Shen Bi, what's going on here...?"
"Bao! Mr. Li! Don't overthink it."
"HSBC has no stance whatsoever. As long as you don't violate HSBC's cooperation rules, you can do whatever you want with other matters."
Upon hearing this, Bao Yugang and Li Ka-shing both breathed a sigh of relief.
At this time, they were indeed very concerned about HSBC and Sir Michael Sandberg's attitude, after all, their development in Hong Kong was really inseparable from HSBC's support.
They're not like Lijiagang, who's a total jerk.
For Pao Yue-kong to establish a foothold and acquire Kowloon Wharf, he would need Sir Michael Sandberg's help in overcoming the suppression and financial support from the British Hong Kong government for future development.
Li Ka-shing is even more so.
He had long coveted Hutchison Whampoa and did not want to create any distance between himself and Sir Michael Sandberg at this time, fearing that he might lose the opportunity to acquire Hutchison.
Now it seems Shen Bi doesn't mind this matter.
It certainly put their minds at ease.