At the border between Hong Kong and Guangdong, Li Zhen, Liu Yongfu and Chen Yucheng waved goodbye.
Liu Yongfu is a real grown man, but with tears in his eyes, he said solemnly: "Don't worry, President, Liu Yongfu will definitely govern Hong Kong well and live up to your high expectations. The next time you come to Hong Kong, Hong Kong will be like a female university student." It will be the same as the 18th Change. It will no longer be the small fishing village it is now, but will definitely be a prosperous and prosperous place."
Chen Yucheng stood like a pine tree, but there was also sadness in his eyes, and he said decisively: "President, please rest assured that Chen Yucheng will ensure that there is no chaos in Hong Kong as long as he is in Hong Kong. If people are here, Hong Kong will be there; if people are dead, Hong Kong will still be there." .”
Both of them are extremely determined.
"I feel confident that Hong Kong is in your hands."
Li Zhen encouraged Liu Yongfu and Chen Yucheng with a few words, and then left Hong Kong with the army. Gobard, Lankfurt, Ma Hui, Robinson, Adams, Russell and other people from various countries were all escorted by soldiers. Go north and return to Guangdong with Li Zhen. These people are the capital of Li Zhen's negotiations with other countries, and Liu Yongfu's 30 million silver dollars have to be recovered from these people.
Thinking of the burden on his shoulders, Li Zhen could only sigh and try to make as much profit as possible. Yang Banhou and Qi Zhenhai led their soldiers to follow Li Zhen northward and enter the territory of Guangdong.
Not long after leaving, Yang Banhou said goodbye again and headed towards Guangxi with his soldiers.
After parting with Yang Banhou, Li Zhen, Qi Zhenhai and his party continued to move forward.
It was already early July when I returned to Guangzhou.
Qi Zhenhai was responsible for settling the army and settling Gobard, Lankfurt and others.
Li Zhen took Huang Qiang back to the governor's mansion and met Li Xiaotong, Zhilan and their family members in the backyard. Li Zhen stayed at home for a day and came to Wang Xiaoyang's study early the next morning to invite Wang Xiaoyang to discuss matters. .
The two sat opposite each other, and Li Zhen said with a smile: "Brother-in-law, in view of Hong Kong's unique location, I have separated Hong Kong from Guangdong Province as a separate region. I have given Hong Kong the level of a city, although it is a city. , but the status of Hong Kong city is equivalent to that of a province, and the status of the mayor and the governor of a province are similar."
Wang Xiaoyang raised his eyebrows, with surprise in his eyes.
It is a little ridiculous that a small island has the same status as a province. Wang Xiaoyang shook his head slightly and said: "President, Hong Kong is just a small island, how can it be compared with a province? I think your arrangement is inappropriate. "
Li Zhen said: "I think Hong Kong has potential."
Wang Xiaoyang said in a serious tone: "Regardless of whether Hong Kong has potential, I think it cannot achieve the status of a province. In terms of area, the area of Hong Kong Island is not as large as Guangzhou, or even only a fraction of Guangdong Province. It does not have any strategic depth; In terms of resources, apart from being close to the coast and having a port, what else does Hong Kong Island have? There is a lack of food and drinking water, and there is almost no use value. In terms of population, Hong Kong Island is sparsely populated, and many residents on the island are foreigners. The foreigners are businessmen from various countries, and the population is complex. Such a place, IMHO, is not suitable for being an independent ordinary city."
Wang Xiaoyang's tone gradually increased, and he even said harshly: "It is not suitable for a city, let alone the same status as a province. President, I firmly oppose it. I even doubt whether you have been bewitched by someone to be alone." If this is the case, I cannot agree even more, and Hong Kong cannot become independent."
"Brother-in-law, this is my decision, please listen to me first."
Li Zhen said: "I have considered all the issues you mentioned, and it is precisely because I have considered them that I established an extraordinary city."
Wang Xiaoyang was confused and couldn't understand Li Zhen's intention.
Li Zhen said unhurriedly: "It is an indisputable fact that Hong Kong is small; Hong Kong lacks resources, which is also a fact that cannot be erased. However, Hong Kong cannot be ignored just because it is small and has few resources. Hong Kong cannot be ignored." importance, I think that at least Hong Kong still has many advantages."
"The first point is the port you mentioned. Compared with the major ports in Guangzhou, Hong Kong's port is not far behind. It is even very good and suitable for docking ships. Secondly, Hong Kong has been under British governance for twenty years. Over time, it is no longer a simple small fishing village. Businessmen from all over the world have gathered and regard Hong Kong as a place to do business. Therefore, Hong Kong has begun to take shape as a commercial area that brings together businessmen from all over the world. Thirdly, Hong Kong’s strategic location is relatively Compared with Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and other places, Hong Kong, as a transfer station for maritime trade of various countries, has great development potential and unparalleled advantages, which Guangdong does not have."
"I have set the specifications for Hong Kong to become an independent city because I want to build Hong Kong into a commercial area that gathers businessmen from all over the world and a place for businessmen from all over the world to trade. Although it is not possible yet, as long as it develops in this direction, there is definitely a lot to be done. , as for a series of issues such as population, food and drinking water, they are all trivial matters and not worth mentioning."
Li Zhen talked eloquently and expressed what was in his heart.
Wang Xiaoyang put his hand on his forehead and sighed softly.
From Li Zhen's words, he heard Li Zhen's determination and knew that he could not change Li Zhen's decision. However, Wang Xiaoyang also felt that Li Zhen's plan was correct. If Hong Kong is really developed into a trading area that brings together businessmen from all over the world, Hong Kong will Its importance is self-evident, and it will even drive the development of Guangdong.
As a person who has been in power for many years, Wang Xiaoyang clearly understands the difference between the current situation and the Manchu Qing Dynasty. When the Manchu Qing emperor was in power, the officials in charge only needed to love the people as their own children, let the people diversify their land, and rely on the sky to have enough food. He was extremely supportive and even grateful. However, after Wang Xiaoyang took office for many years, he found that it was obviously not enough to fill the people's stomachs. To develop Guangdong and make the people richer, countless businessmen needed to participate, so he no longer opposed Li Zhen's proposal. .
Li Zhen added: "There is one more thing that needs to be dealt with regarding Hong Kong."
"What's the matter?" Wang Xiaoyang asked.
Li Zhen ordered: "Bring me the map of Guangdong."
Wang Xiaoyang's office had a map of Guangdong. He stood up, took out the map, and quickly spread it on his desk. Li Zhen walked to the desk, pointed to Kowloon and the New Territories near Hong Kong on the map, and said: "Hong Kong is just a small island. It is too small. With only one small island and hundreds of surrounding small islands, the development potential is not enough. In my opinion, Kowloon and the New Territories can be directly divided into two areas. The territory of Hong Kong increases the territory of Hong Kong.”
These words made Wang Xiaoyangrou hurt.
Although they are all small places, they are places in Guangdong and are areas under his jurisdiction. If they are set aside, they will no longer be under his own jurisdiction. However, when Wang Xiaoyang thought of Li Zhen's future plans for Hong Kong, he said : "According to your wishes, I will immediately send people to contact Liu Yongfu to separate Kowloon and the New Territories and hand them over to Liu Yongfu for management."
Li Zhen nodded with a smile and settled the matter in Hong Kong.
With Wang Xiaoyang's strong support, Liu Yongfu can go further in Hong Kong.