Chapter 43

With Li Chao's recommendation, Wang Zhong's application to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club was quickly approved. If it were a regular member who recommended him, the Jockey Club would have conducted a complex investigation of the new member. However, since Wang Zhong's recommender was Li Chao, the investigation process was greatly simplified.

Holding the certificate symbolizing his membership in the Jockey Club, Wang Zhong could hardly contain his excitement. The Jockey Club had only 200 formal members, representing the true elite of Hong Kong.

The Jockey Club staff informed Wang Zhong that they would hold a simple welcoming ceremony to officially welcome him as a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club!

At that time, any members who were available would attend!

Li Chao also called, saying he would personally attend the welcoming ceremony the next day and formally announce the "Ross Plan" to the Hong Kong Jockey Club!

Wang Zhong understood that this was Li Chao's way of building momentum for him, hoping he could quickly integrate into the upper echelons of society!

After all, whether in terms of age or experience, Wang Zhong was somewhat thin in the upper echelons of Hong Kong society!

"Rulan, how about this black suit?"

Wang Zhong, dressed in a black suit with a red tie, stood in front of the mirror and asked Rulan for her opinion.

"Too stiff!"

Rulan looked at him seriously and firmly rejected it.

Wang Zhong's face instantly showed a pained expression. He had already changed into five outfits, but Rulan always felt something was missing and rejected each one.

"How about this one?"

Wang Zhong changed into a white suit.

"Too plain!"

Rulan shook her head firmly.

...

"As long as it's decent and elegant, that's fine!"

After trying on more than ten outfits, none of which satisfied Rulan, Wang Zhong looked at his watch and realized that the clothing trial had taken over two hours, making him a bit irritable.

"How can you be so casual? This is the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the true elite of Hong Kong!"

Rulan looked excited.

"Let's try this brown suit, it will definitely suit you!"

Seeing Rulan's eager and excited expression, Wang Zhong had no choice but to continue as a human mannequin. After another two hours of trying on clothes, when Wang Zhong was already numb, Rulan finally found the outfit she liked.

The next day, Wang Zhong went to the Jockey Club's headquarters in Happy Valley with Li Chao. It must be said that Li Chao was an excellent recommender. On the way, he not only taught Wang Zhong various social etiquettes but also introduced him to several board members of the Jockey Club.

Kwok Pui-luen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Hung Kai Properties

Li Ka-shing, Chairman of Henderson Land, Hsin Chong, and Towngas (Hong Kong)

These two were the wealthiest tycoons after Li Chao, so he gave a detailed introduction.

Wang Zhong listened attentively, memorizing everyone's preferences.

As the car entered Happy Valley, Wang Zhong couldn't help but be attracted by the surrounding mountains.

Happy Valley is located in the southern part of Wan Chai, originally called Wong Nai Chung Valley, named after the yellow mud water flowing from Wong Nai Chung Gorge, which later became Bowrington Canal (Goose Neck Creek). The area at the mouth of the gorge was called Wong Nai Chung Valley. There are two small mountains to the north of the valley: Morrison Hill to the west and Liddell Hill to the east.

In 1840, the British established a military camp in Happy Valley, but many soldiers died of fever there and were buried in the Wong Nai Chung area. The camp was later evacuated. Due to the increasing number of British soldiers who died of disease, the area became a cemetery, which the British called "Happy Valley," meaning a blissful place. Many British cemeteries also bear this name.

In 1846, the British found the valley suitable for horse racing and established the Happy Valley Racecourse.

In 1904, the Hong Kong Tramway was extended to Happy Valley.

Wang Zhong was neither an economist nor a historian, so he didn't care about the governance or economy of Happy Valley. He only cared about feng shui!

Morrison Hill and Liddell Hill are the British names; locals still prefer to call them Big Horse Hill and Little Horse Hill. Combined with other mountains, there are actually five mountains around Happy Valley that resemble horses.

Considering the ancient marshy terrain of Happy Valley, Wang Zhong understood its feng shui.

Five Horses Returning to the Stable!

The five mountains symbolize five horses, which need to drink water from the valley, hence the term "returning to the stable."

It is perfect for building a racecourse!

Moreover, this area is a cemetery, known as a yin place in feng shui. Yin alone does not thrive, benefiting women but not men, making it a place of many widows.

The British filled the marsh with sand and gravel to build the racecourse.

Horses in the I Ching are associated with the乾 (Qian) trigram, which is yang, forming a yin-yang union.

On the left side of the racecourse stands a large banyan tree, which has witnessed the transformation of Wong Nai Chung Valley into Happy Valley.

The large banyan tree symbolizes wealth and protection. In the Jiangnan region, many villages plant a large banyan tree at the entrance.

The large banyan tree in Happy Valley is located at the Green Dragon position, enhancing the presence of noble people, wealth, and safety.

Thus, after the racecourse was built, the feng shui of Happy Valley gradually improved, and it is now a symbol of high-end neighborhoods in Hong Kong.

The more horses that run on the racecourse, the better the feng shui of Happy Valley!

Seeing the magnificent racecourse!

Wang Zhong nodded in approval.

The welcoming banquet hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club was grand. Not only were Li Chao, Kwok Pui-luen, Li Ka-shing, and Macau's gambling king Stanley Ho present, but nearly 100 other elites from various sectors also attended.

Among them, Wang Zhong recognized several familiar faces: the billion-dollar commissioner Lo, the Shaw Brothers' Run Run Shaw, the Galaxy Entertainment Group's Stanley Ho, and the Emperor Entertainment Group's Raymond Chow. These acquaintances smiled at Wang Zhong, congratulating him on joining the Jockey Club.

Stanley Ho, seated on a high platform, nodded friendly at Wang Zhong.

The other members' gazes toward Wang Zhong also subtly changed. With the favor of two tycoons, his future was boundless!

Many unfamiliar members also began to show goodwill toward Wang Zhong.

The tycoons on the board chatted and communicated on the stage, while the ordinary members began to socialize below.

"Mr. Wang, I am very satisfied with 'Police Story.' I will organize the Hong Kong police to watch it together when it is released!"

Lo raised a glass of red wine and greeted Wang Zhong first.

Belinda, who followed Lo, also nodded in agreement. 'Police Story' was produced by Shaw Brothers, with Jackie Chan as the lead. Belinda was very confident in its quality and box office.

"Mr. Wang, you are truly a talent of Xiangjiang. Your writing and script are excellent!"

The elderly Sir Run Run Shaw, supported by Belinda, came to the three of them and interjected.

"I wonder if Mr. Wang is interested in writing a script for Shaw Brothers!"

Belinda glanced at Run Run Shaw with a somewhat displeased look, coldly snorted, and turned to leave.

Lo helplessly shrugged at Run Run Shaw. The conflict between Belinda and Run Run Shaw dates back to the 1970s, making them long-standing rivals.

Run Run Shaw's face showed a hint of anger.

"Sixth Uncle, you are joking. All the films this year will pale in comparison to Shaw Brothers' 'The Shaolin Temple'!"

Wang Zhong said sincerely.

The film 'The Shaolin Temple,' co-produced by Shaw Brothers and mainland China, was released in January 1982 and achieved a box office miracle of 100 million yuan.

Considering that the ticket price in mainland China was only 10 cents, 'The Shaolin Temple' can be considered the box office king of Hong Kong cinema.

"Mr. Wang, you are too kind!"

Sir Run Run Shaw spoke humbly, but his eyes showed deep joy. The great success of 'The Shaolin Temple' was a strong boost for him and Shaw Brothers.

"Mr. Wang, you are a master of prediction, having successfully predicted the box office of 'The Young Master.' Can you predict the total box office of 'The Shaolin Temple'?"

Belinda, who had been silent, interjected.

Belinda is Sir Run Run Shaw's lover and his most capable assistant. Although her background as a dancer has been criticized, her abilities are undeniable.

In the later years, the large ship of Shaw Brothers was steered by this woman.

"Since Ms. Belinda asks, I will share my thoughts. 'The Shaolin Temple' will be a legend in Hong Kong cinema, with a total box office exceeding 100 million yuan!"

Wang Zhong swirled the red wine and said seriously.

"How much? 100 million yuan!"

Sir Run Run Shaw, Belinda, and Commissioner Lo were all stunned by the number Wang Zhong threw out.

It wasn't that they lacked the capacity to handle it, but the number Wang Zhong mentioned was too shocking.

"How is that possible? Mr. Wang, you must be joking!"

Belinda's face showed discomfort, and her gaze toward Wang Zhong was filled with doubt.

Although Run Run Shaw didn't say anything, his expression clearly showed his attitude.

Several guests nearby, who were chatting, suddenly stiffened, clearly paying attention to the conversation between Run Run Shaw and the others.

"The total box office of 'The Shaolin Temple' will definitely exceed 100 million yuan, mainly from mainland China!"

Wang Zhong raised his glass, took a sip of the rich red wine, and said confidently.

"Mainland China, that backward place, how is that possible?"

Belinda looked at Wang Zhong with disbelief. If not for the occasion and her status, she would have had someone kick Wang Zhong out at Shaw Brothers.

"Mainland China is a magical place, full of miracles. If Ms. Belinda doesn't believe me, I am willing to bet with Shaw Brothers!"

Wang Zhong looked at Belinda confidently. Being a woman and lacking experience in handling major situations, her breadth of mind and depth were inferior to Sir Run Run Shaw and Commissioner Lo.