Since the Spring Festival in 1994, Mr. D has never appeared in public. Foreign media said at least 100 times that he was "critically ill", but he lived comfortably and freely in that courtyard house in the capital.

However, at the beginning of February this year, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Z Bureau received a notice: do not leave Beijing, stay at home and stand by. It is impossible for the chiefs to go to the south to make rounds, and in order to avoid unnecessary associations, it is impossible for the charter to go to BJ at this critical moment.

So early the next morning, Zhou Zhou, the director of the Hong Kong branch of the New H Society, and a director Jiang who had just gotten off the plane, hurried to the Hong Kong NB real yàn room located on the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. At the same time, a financial team composed of domestic economists and financial experts from several major banks also arrived at the Xiangjiang Shi Yàn Center in the name of a visit.

There was Chen Zhenghuai and Dean Xie Weichang of the Hong Kong Business School to receive him, and he didn't have to worry about the charter, but he had to come forward in person for the sudden visit of President Zhou and Director Jiang.

"Mr. Wu has a very important meeting in the morning, and he will arrive at about half past ten, why don't I accompany the two of you to go around first?"

When I returned to Hong Kong from Monaco three years ago, I dealt with President Zhou at Shigang Airport, and the Director Jiang next to him, if I guessed correctly, should be the next president.

The news received at night was so shocking that until this moment, President Zhou still felt incredible.

In the past 90 years, Hong Kong has taken office and participated in almost all the central negotiations in the past seven years, withstanding pressure from all quarters to prepare for the selection committee and elect the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The main members of the first government have basically been determined, and they actually made a trip to bite the gold halfway.

In all fairness, if Wu Jinhua can join the SAR government. That would be very beneficial for the rest of the work.

He was born from the grassroots. Not so complicated background. All he has is based on his own efforts, and he can be recognized by the vast majority of Hong Kong people; He is very capable, has a Ph.D., and worked his way up from engineer to senior vice president during his time at HK Electric.

After entering politics, he has a very good "official reputation".

As the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, he was committed to promoting Hong Kong's products and services to the world market, and developing and expanding markets for Hong Kong enterprises. To strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international business and trade centre, to strengthen the promotion of Hong Kong's international image of market openness and fair trade, and to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the beginning of the reform and opening up, we also tried every means to promote tripartite cooperation between Hong Kong, the mainland and overseas companies.

After being appointed as the Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, he assisted the manufacturing and service industries in the efficient use of resources and the enhancement of added value through professional services. He leads the Corporate Innovation Division and its subsidiaries to provide production technology and management consultancy, product testing and manpower training services to more than 4,000 Hong Kong companies every year, which is well received by the business community.

The most high-profile stage is the past four years.

Under his governance, NB Electric has become a huge corporate empire. deduced a legend that is more brilliant than Wang An and Li Chaoman. Not only is it a household name in Hong Kong, but it also has a very high reputation internationally.

The most commendable thing is. He is widely regarded as a neutral in Hong Kong. Whether he held public office in the Hong Kong government or served as president of NB Electric, he rarely expressed his opinions on politics.

If he is willing to accept the invitation, it will certainly greatly enhance the recognition of the Hong Kong people by the SAR government, and at the same time, it will also make up for the lack of governance capacity.

The key is that the news came too late, a radish and a pit, there are a few positions in total, and the candidates are roughly determined, how difficult it is to do this work?

At the same time, he is certainly a very strong person.

Without super perseverance and an iron fist, it is impossible to govern NB Electric, a large company with a business all over the world and assets of nearly 100 billion US dollars. As the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Working Committee, President Zhou must consider how to straighten out the relationship between him and Mr. Dong once he accepts the invitation.

As soon as the articles of association opened his mouth, he picked himself up cleanly, making him look like an introducer, President Zhou was extremely depressed, and couldn't help shaking his head and said: "Mr. Zhang, you have a good idea of the work of the branch, you can mention it to us earlier, you see that this matter is making trouble, and it really caught us off guard." ”

The researchers had already gone to work, and there were only three of them on the path between the chemistry building and the physics building, and the charter had no scruples, and said bluntly: "President Zhou, I must clarify this matter, Mr. Wu is indeed recommended by me, but this qiē is all under the premise that BJ sends an invitation." At the same time, I also want to tell you, I have made a lot of determination to recommend him, if I change to someone else, change to do other things, even if I am given 1 billion US dollars, I am reluctant to let Mr. Wu go. ”

Wu Jinhua's importance to NB Electric is self-evident, President Zhou thought so, and after thinking about it, he said in a low voice: "Mr. Zhang, I know your hard work, and the chief also informed me of your concerns, in the face of such a crisis, I really can't imagine that anyone can be more suitable than Mr. Wu Jinhua to take on this important responsibility." At the same time, due to the time constraints, we had to consider the impact of various aspects. ”

He does have his own difficulties, and even Mr. Gu said vaguely on the phone last night that he had created a big problem for the Hong Kong and Macao Working Committee.

Being able to give them an elite among the elites is already very cooperative, and the charter doesn't matter so much, he smiled casually: "President Zhou, you don't need to be so embarrassed, after all, are people willing to talk about it." ”

In the car, Director Jiang conveyed the instructions of the central leaders very clearly: politically speaking, as long as Wu Jinhua can join the SAR government, he will not only be able to exert his influence in the industrial and commercial circles, but also influence the academic circles that like to make trouble.

From the perspective of Hong Kong's future development, the addition of him as a capable, experienced, influential, credible and well-connected person will certainly make up for the shortcomings of the first government's governance experience. At the same time, if there is any crisis in the future, his old club NB Department will definitely not sit idly by.

President Zhou didn't dare to be careless, and hurriedly said: "Mr. Zhang, I will express our sincerity to Mr. Wu Jinhua later, but please also ask you to help us do the work, after all, it is for him." Your words carry a lot more weight than we do. ”

"That's right. I said it all at the dinner party the night before. As for whether he finally accepted the invitation, I can't force it to others. ”

From the moment they met, Director Jiang was observing the young man in front of him.

He single-handedly founded NB Electric, but never held a leadership position in the company; He created the famous NB real yàn room, but he gave up for three years; He became a world-class billionaire in just a few years, but he did not hesitate to donate it all......

What puzzled Director Jiang the most was that his feelings about China seemed to be complicated. He was willing to step up and find ways to help BJ win the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games. They also spend huge sums of money to support domestic research and higher education, but rarely deal with the central and local governments, and even rarely return to China.

A turtleneck cardigan, a pair of whitewashed jeans, and a pair of Nike shoes that don't look very new, look very simple and free, really a very strange person.

Thinking of the chief's entrustment, Director Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Zhang, what if Mr. Wu Jinhua is not interested?" ”

No doubt. He was referring to how Hong Kong should face a potential crisis.

Charter sighed lightly and looked at the beach in the distance. Said solemnly: "Mr. Jiang, Wu is always a human, not a god, and he can't solve all problems." In addition, freezing three feet is not a day's cold, and Hong Kong's current economy is not the overheated domestic economy of a few years ago, even if the prime minister comes to be the chief executive, there will be no beautiful soft landing. ”

President Zhou will be suspicious: "Is there such a strict zhòng? ”

"My economists and analysts' forecasts may be even stricter than you think. If it happens, not only will Hong Kong fall into a long-term downturn, but the domestic economy will also be affected. ”

"What about NB Electric?"

"Under the nest, there are no eggs, and the same is true for NB Electric."

Although the financial team was studying with the economists of the NB Department in the Xiangjiang Special Economic Zone, President Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Zhang, when do you think the worst will happen?" ”

There is really nothing to hide from the fact that internationally renowned economists have made numerous predictions on this subject, and the charter says: "Maybe this year, maybe next year, but it will never be delayed until the year after." ”

As soon as Hong Kong returned to the motherland, it fell into an economic crisis, and it was not a matter of returning to the motherland but also of returning to the motherland. After all, for the vast majority of Hong Kong citizens who do not know much about Hong Kong and the international economy, they only pay attention to their personal feelings.

President Zhou realized the severity of the problem, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh: "It's really not the right time, if only it could hold on for a few more years, then the SAR government will have enough time to adjust, and even if there is a loss, it will not be very big." ”

Adjust!

The charter has been ridiculed, and it is not easy to make it stop because the current deformed economic model is like a train that has lost control.

As soon as he accompanied the two to the lobby of the physics building, and was about to invite them to taste the food in the NB room, Lin Zhiguo suddenly walked over from the elevator and whispered in his ear: "Sir, the mainland media just released an obituary, at 9:08 last night, Mr. D suffered from advanced Parkinson's disease complicated by lung infection, due to respiratory and circulatory failure, rescue was ineffective, and he passed away in BJ!" ”

The old man left, although he knew that it was the past few days, he still felt very sad, remembering his old man's voice and smile when BJ bid for the Olympic Games, and said solemnly: "Inform Mr. Wu, inform Chairman Gao, and ask them to send condolence messages in the name of NB Electric and the real yàn room respectively; Forget it, give me your phone, or I'll call it myself. ”

President Zhou and Director Jiang did not show even a trace of shock, obviously they had known the bad news before they came, and when he finished calling Director Zheng, President Zhou choked up and said, "Mr. Zhang, the branch will have a memorial event tomorrow, if you can, I would like to invite you to participate." ”

"Okay, I'll go, we'll all go."

"Thank you."

"No thanks, in fact, I should have gone to BJ to deliver him to the old man's house, but ...... It's just that...... It's just for the sake of the company, for the sake of the real room, I can't help myself. ”

"Comrade XP's Heavenly Spirit will understand." President Zhou raised his arm and glanced at the time, and then asked, "Mr. Zhang, this won't affect the meeting of the waiter, right?" ”

"No, Mr. Wu will definitely come."

At 10:15 a.m., Wu Jinhua arrived at the physics building fifteen minutes early, and the bad news of the old man's death spread very quickly, less than an hour, and almost everyone in the entire building knew about it. Regardless of Hong Kong's. from domestic. Or foreign. They all respected the old man very much, and their evaluation of him was also very high, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely solemn.

As the president of NB Electric, Wu Jinhua dealt with President Zhou a lot, clasped his hand and said: "President Zhou, at this time, you can still find time to wait for me in the real room, I really don't know what to say." ”

As expected by the charter, President Zhou took a deep breath. Staring into his eyes, he said, "Mr. Wu, to tell you the truth, we were notified of the death of Comrade XP six hours ago. But in order to show our sincerity, no matter how big things happen, no matter how busy the work of the company is, we need to meet you as agreed yesterday. ”

As soon as his words fell, Director Jiang took out two envelopes from his briefcase and handed them to him solemnly: "Mr. Wu, this is a handwritten letter from the chairman and the prime minister who entrusted me to bring you. ”

Since serving as President of NB Electric. Wu Jinhua has been to BJ six times and has been received by the chairman, the prime minister, and several vice premiers. He didn't feel how flattered he was, but took the envelope with both hands and said, "How can Jinhua have the two central leaders write to me at this time." ”

"Mr. Wu, the chairman said that you, like Mr. Zhang, are the pride of Hong Kong people and the pride of Chinese."

"This evaluation is too high, and Jinhua deserves it."

Wu Jinhua glanced at the articles of association, carefully stuffed the envelope into his arms, and then said: "Two, just after the board of directors meeting before I came, I had a small discussion with several executive directors on the invitation of the central government, and the directors agreed that my resignation at this time is inappropriate, and even an irresponsible expression. ”

President Zhou nodded slightly, also glanced at the charter and said, "Mr. Wu, since Mr. Zhang recommended you, he must be prepared for this, in my opinion, the key is your personal wishes." ”

Director Jiang felt that there was a play, and added with a hot iron: "Mr. Wu, one country, two systems, Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, the SAR government needs talented and influential talents like you. ”

When a person reaches a certain height, his vision and concept will change.

After serving as the president of NB Electric for four years, Wu Jinhua can be said to have reached the peak of his career, although there are still many plans waiting for him to complete, but for him now, there is no longer the same challenge as when he first took office.

After returning from the banquet the night before, he tossed and turned all night without sleeping well, and the sentence in the charter, "You are different from me, you are a real Hong Kong person", made him feel very deeply, and suddenly a sense of responsibility arose spontaneously that "attainment is good and helps the world", and yesterday morning he even wondered who was the most suitable person to take over his current position.

But it's not easy to "let go", he can't let go of NB Electric, and he can't bear to get along with so many colleagues day and night, worrying that once he leaves, so many subsidiaries, branches and factories will have chaos.

At the board meeting an hour earlier, he had even made up his mind not to wade into the muddy waters.

However, at the critical moment when President Zhou passed away and the Hong Kong branch of the new H Society had so much work to do, he rushed to the NB real yàn room early in the morning to wait for him, and brought a handwritten letter from the two top heads of the central government, which made him hesitate a little.

Seeing President Zhou and Director Jiang looking at him, the charter realized that it was no longer okay not to say something, and said sincerely: "Mr. Wu, I respect your every decision, and at the same time, whether you are in the company or go to the first SAR government, you will continue to be your strongest backing." ”

"Mr. Wu, Mr. Zhang has talked about this, what are you worried about?"

"President Zhou, frankly speaking, I'm not very worried about the company, the key is the SAR government, after all, compared to so many Hong Kong advisers and pro-establishment factions who have long been committed to returning to China, I am just a latecomer, and my joining is bound to affect their status in the government and the executive council, which is undoubtedly a very troublesome issue."

President Zhou nodded and said, "It's really tricky, but we will do these jobs, and we will never embarrass you." ”

They will do the work of the pro-establishment faction, and as for Mr. Gu, Mr. Li and other powerful people, they will definitely support him if they have a charter, Wu Jinhua pondered for a moment and continued: "According to the current political design, I can imagine that there will inevitably be a confrontation between the executive and the legislative in the future. The government has the power but not the vote, and the political parties and parliamentarians have the vote but do not share the decision-making power. With the backing of Zhang Gong and Shi Yàn Room, I believe that I can get a relatively little more support, and this will inevitably affect Mr. Dong's authority. President Zhou, Director Jiang, I don't know what the two of you think about this? ”

One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and this is a very real problem.

No matter from which point of view, his dark horse is more capable and popular than the old horse, but now is not the time to change horses, President Zhou weighed it and resolutely said: "Mr. Wu, Mr. Dong will do the work, I dare not guarantee anything else, and I have no right to guarantee, but once Hong Kong encounters a serious crisis, we will try our best to create a space for you to show." ”

This promise is weighty, and Wu Jinhua focused on it.

But thinking that he was alone, even if he had great skills, he couldn't show it, so he said: "Zhang Gong, President Zhou, in addition to the above problems, I also need a few deputies and a first-class consulting team. ”

Without thinking about it, the charter blurted out: "Mr. Wu, NB Electric can't leave the two CEOs at once, Mr. Xu, don't beat him and pay attention, others may be able to consider it." ”

"Zhang Gong, don't worry, I won't dig any people in the company, I want to invite Dean Xie of the School of Business Administration, and I also want to use a few former officials from the Trade Development Bureau and the Productivity Promotion Bureau."

"I don't have any problem as long as he wants to."

President Zhou also nodded and said, "Mr. Wu, we will also consider it in the position." (To be continued......)