Chapter 136: Wei Hua's Suggestion

"You are right! The ordinary people in Hong Kong still do not understand us, nor can they access the true situation within our country. We really should pay more attention to our publicity efforts. Our Party has always valued propaganda work; using powerful campaigns to dismantle the enemy's morale and confidence has been an effective method of struggle we have employed. It seems we have forgotten this effective tool, which is truly inexcusable!" said the Second-Generation Leader.

Hearing these words, Wei Hua thought of other issues: it wasn't just this that some had forgotten. Ideals like hard work, simplicity, and serving the people wholeheartedly would soon be cast aside by some, who would become greedy parasites, sucking the blood and sweat of the people, earning the intense hatred of the masses and tarnishing the reputation of both the Party and the nation. However, Wei Hua could not tell the Second-Generation Leader these things, as they had not yet come to pass. Thinking this, Wei Hua decided to offer a warning nonetheless.

"Deng, I have received word that the country will implement a 'dual-track' price system. While this policy may stimulate economic development, I believe it will bring many problems. The most likely issue is the abuse of power for personal gain, exploiting the price differences between the two systems. Once this occurs, the ordinary people will be the ones to suffer. You might think I am speaking of fantasies, but I believe these things are bound to happen. You have read *Das Kapital*; the original sin of capital is inevitable."

"Thank you for the warning. We are aware that implementing a 'dual-track' system will create many problems, but we have no choice. You know that to develop our economy rapidly, we must mobilize the enthusiasm of the entire nation. Yet our current system is rigid, people's thinking is conservative, and their drive for economic growth is low. Our large-scale propaganda efforts have been ineffective; I suspect this is because the propaganda during the 'Cultural Revolution' was too pervasive and caused the people too much suffering. They no longer trust such political messaging. Therefore, we have no choice but to use this most direct form of stimulation—letting people pursue material life. We have considered the possibility of corruption and have made some preparations."

Wei Hua knew that saying anything more would be of little use. The official culture in China has always been "there is a policy above, and a countermeasure below"; the emergence of corrupt officials was to be expected. Still, the helplessness he felt regarding this situation made him uncomfortable. He knew he could not dismiss the benefits of Reform and Opening-up just because of corruption; without them, the national economy would be even more backward.

"Speaking of inviting Hong Kong's tycoons and prominent figures to visit Beijing, are you willing to come, little one? Your net worth now exceeds one hundred billion US dollars, doesn't it? Your personal fortune is nearly equal to our foreign exchange reserves. By personal wealth, you should be the richest in the world. As a tycoon and a prominent figure in Hong Kong, did you not think you would be invited? Besides, it is time for you to come home and take a look!"

"If you invite me, I will certainly come! However, I have to go to the UK soon and won't have time until about May or June, so I cannot go to Beijing immediately," Wei Hua replied.

"Inviting Hong Kong's prominent figures to Beijing will certainly not be limited to just you; we will invite others as well. It won't be in the immediate future, so I expect it will be after May, which won't interfere with your plans."

The meeting between Wei Hua and the Second-Generation Leader lasted a long time, with the leader carefully inquiring about the development of Wei Hua's enterprises. Wei Hua specifically suggested that the country should vigorously develop light industry and expand trade with the Soviet Union, suggestions which the leader accepted. They spoke for several hours until a secretary reminded the leader of an important foreign affairs engagement. After the meeting, Wei Hua returned directly to Hong Kong with Ding Peng and Bai Jianjun.

During the Spring Festival, Wei Hua discussed with his four wives the plans for Excellence Private Investment Company to enter the UK. In March, British coal miners would begin a massive strike that would last for a year. Wei Hua would not miss such an opportunity, and he held no particular affection for this old capitalist nation. They decided that Wei Hua would personally oversee the investment plan. Once successful, the London firm would be handed over to Han Guangyuan, an investment talent discovered by the company over the past two years. Han was a graduate of Harvard University with strong management and investment skills; recommended by Mary, he was Chinese, grew up in the US, and spoke fluent Mandarin.

On February 20, 1984, Wei Hua, accompanied by Ding Peng, He Xiaoya, Han Guangyuan, brokers from the New York branch of Excellence Private Investment, and sixty or seventy bodyguards from the Snow Leopard Security Company, flew to London on a chartered plane. They moved into an estate Wei Hua had previously purchased. Located on the outskirts of London, the estate was not large but had once belonged to British nobility. With the British economy in decline, the owner could no longer afford the maintenance and had sold it. Wei Hua, needing a discreet location, bought it for sixty million pounds.

After resting for two days, Wei Hua handed the one billion US dollars transferred from the US to his brokers. His target: the British coal futures market for the coming year.