Chapter Seventy-Seven: Return to Hong Kong Once More

With sufficient funds in hand and the construction of the Shekou Industrial Zone already underway, Wei Hua was ready to embark on his investment plan in Hong Kong. This time, he transferred Celine, Jessie, and Mary from Tokyo back to the United States so they could oversee his companies there, while Wei Hua himself planned to return to Hong Kong. Wei Hua had his own reasons for such an investment plan. Hong Kong’s geographical position was simply too important—at least for the next few years, it would be the best window for investing in Mainland China. Hong Kong was close to the future city of Shenzhen, where Wei Hua intended to make substantial investments. Living in Hong Kong would make it convenient for him to manage his investments in Shenzhen, traveling easily between the two cities. Most importantly, Wei Hua considered himself Chinese; living abroad for the long term was not his choice. He preferred to live in his own country, yet he was not fond of the political climate in the eighties and nineties, mainly because of the rampant corruption among officials. Thus, Hong Kong became his ideal option.

Wei Hua planned to invest in Hong Kong by establishing a chip manufacturing plant, a wafer fabrication facility, and an ocean shipping company. He aimed to produce his own chips, including CPUs, and intended to move his Changbai Technology Laboratory to Hong Kong. This way, even if the United States imposed a technology embargo on Mainland China in the future, his innovations could be easily transferred home to aid his country. The idea of founding an ocean shipping company came to him after meeting Christina, the daughter of Greek shipping magnate Onassis, in Europe. According to information from his bio-computer, the twentieth-century shipping industry was highly profitable, and would become even more vital in the twenty-first century. Oil transport, in particular, was crucial: to control oil tankers was to control oil. Which nation, including China, would not desire oil in the coming century? Possessing oil without the means to ship it would be futile, especially for countries like Japan.

Wei Hua had another consideration as well. Since he eradicated the Black Dragon Society and the Japanese Youth Association in Japan, his perspective had changed dramatically; he had grown indifferent to the sanctity of law, especially the laws of other nations. Otherwise, he would not have registered marriages with Celine, Jessie, Mary, and Sakurako Kinoshita in four different places. Wei Hua was only human, not a god. In many respects, China in the twenty-first century lagged behind the United States. Some matters, even if he intervened, would not change their ultimate outcome. He believed that countries like the US would soon start imposing technological blockades on China. Having his own shipping company would make it easier to smuggle the latest technological products, which he thought Mainland China would need. Moreover, it would be a profitable endeavor—ultimately, it was the US government that would suffer, so why not?

In April 1980, Wei Hua returned to Hong Kong once again. In advance, he had purchased a luxurious villa in Repulse Bay through a Hong Kong law firm. The lawyer, Liu Weijian, came highly recommended by Father James. When Wei Hua arrived at his villa from the airport by taxi, both Father James and Liu Weijian were present. After warmly embracing Father James, Wei Hua smiled and said,

“Father! You look well. It seems you’ve been living quite comfortably lately!”

“Of course! With your help, I no longer worry about funding. There are many young people assisting me with management, making my days very relaxed. How could I not look well? Come, let me introduce you to a friend—you owe your villa to him. This is Liu Weijian, barrister at Minghua Solicitors in Hong Kong,” Father James said, indicating Liu Weijian.

Upon hearing the introduction, Wei Hua hurriedly extended his hand and said, “Thank you for your help, Mr. Liu! I’ll need your assistance on many matters in the future, and I hope you’ll offer your guidance.”

Liu Weijian quickly reached out to shake Wei Hua’s hand and replied, “Mr. Wei, you’re too kind! Father James is someone I deeply respect—a true philanthropist. Helping his friends is helping him, and I’m glad to support someone like him.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Weijian produced several documents for Wei Hua to sign, which Wei Hua knew pertained to the villa’s ownership. He quickly signed them, and after Liu Weijian took his leave, Father James stayed behind. He had much to discuss with Wei Hua.

Wei Hua promptly brewed a pot of tea for the priest and himself, and the two settled on the sofa in the living room. Father James took a sip, set down his cup, and asked,

“Wei Hua, are you planning a long stay this time?”

“Yes, Father! You understand our Chinese culture. I am Chinese—how could I live abroad for long? I left my hometown for a better life, but now I have my own company and have made considerable money. My business in America is running smoothly with dedicated managers, so I don’t have to worry much. That’s why I decided to settle in Hong Kong. You know the saying, ‘To wear splendid clothes and not return home is like walking at night in finery.’ With so many enterprises abroad, it makes no sense not to have any in Hong Kong. No matter what, Hong Kong is part of our China. So, I’ve decided to come back.” Wei Hua took a sip of tea and replied.

“Good! I support your decision. One should never forget their roots! If you hadn’t returned this year, I was planning to write and urge you to come home. There’s been a lot happening in Mainland China this year—it seems quite different from before. What do you think? I’d love to visit again; I lived there for many years and have deep feelings for it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t still be in Hong Kong,” Father James asked wistfully.

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