Chapter 429: Hardy’s Centennial

Dr. Key made a secret visit to China and, after successful negotiations, announced that President Mike would visit China at an appropriate time. This marked a significant shift in the long-stalled U.S.-China relationship.

The news caused a global sensation.

In the United States, the prospect of the president's visit was widely supported. With the Vietnam War dragging on and anti-war sentiment growing, the warming of U.S.-China relations hinted at possible changes in the war's future.

The U.S. had heavily invested in the Vietnam War, and Hardy's supermarket chain had become a major supplier of essentials to the military, leading to substantial profits.

For the Soviet Union, this was unwelcome news. The potential reconciliation between the U.S. and China was seen as a strategic setback.

Hardy, however, decided not to join Mike on his visit. He believed it wasn't the right time for investment in China and preferred to wait for the anticipated reforms and opening up that would come in a decade.

Instead, Hardy focused on expanding his operations. The situation in Southeast Asia had evolved significantly. The Federation of Malaysia was smaller than before, limited to a small area on the Malayan Peninsula with Sudanese influences.

Hardy aimed to equip Singapore with weapons, positioning it as a key stabilizer in Southeast Asia. At that time, Singapore's ruler was An Feng, also known as Bern Hardy. Hardy and Mike discussed weapon procurement, and the U.S. was willing to sell everything except aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.

Several months later, a historic moment arrived. President Mike's visit to China was accompanied by a Global Times reporter. At the airport, Zhou Wei greeted Mike, marking a new phase in U.S.-China relations. A prominent sign read, "Unity of Oppressed Peoples and Nations! Down with Imperialism and Reactionaries!"

During a banquet at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, traditional Chinese dishes were served, and chopsticks were provided instead of knives and forks. Mike used chopsticks with ease, sharing with Zhou Wei that he had learned to use them from Hardy, who was a fan of Chinese cuisine.

Zhou Wei, intrigued, inquired about Hardy. Mike confirmed that Hardy was Jon Hardy, a well-known business tycoon. Zhou Wei had heard of him through various publications and was aware of his significant achievements.

This visit marked the beginning of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China. The U.S. lifted its embargo on China and allowed the sale of non-strategic goods, which was a boon for Hong Kong. Hardy's industries in Hong Kong, already thriving, saw their value increase dramatically with the embargo lift.

As the 1970s progressed, the electronics industry surged. Hardy had strategically invested in technology giants like IBM, Motorola, and others. He also established investment firms in Silicon Valley and invested in numerous tech companies, including Intel, AMD, Apple, Oracle, and Microsoft.

By the late 1970s, as China began to show signs of reform and opening up, Hardy Group was among the first to invest heavily. Other foreign investors were hesitant, but Hardy seized the opportunity. Through companies in the Cayman Islands, Malacca, Penang, and Hong Kong, Hardy made extensive investments in China.

Hardy's investments included factories and companies across various sectors: textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and more. Wells Fargo Bank established a branch in Shenzhen, becoming the first wholly foreign-owned bank in New China and partnering with ICBC for overseas business.

In interviews, Hardy expressed his optimism about China's future, despite the country's initial lack of infrastructure. He believed that investing early would yield significant returns.

As the 1980s and 1990s brought the rise of information industries and the Internet era, Hardy Group continued to invest and expand. By 2021, Hardy Group had become a legendary global enterprise, with Hardy himself recognized among the century's most influential figures.

At 100 years old, Hardy still appeared youthful, likely due to his extraordinary recovery abilities. Reflecting on his life, he saw himself as having achieved immense success and created substantial wealth. Despite having numerous descendants and a sprawling empire, Hardy remained indifferent to personal wealth accumulation, focusing instead on ensuring his family could pursue their passions and dreams.

As he prepared for a visit to China, Hardy received an unexpected notification. A voice in his mind announced:

"Ding~ Congratulations to the host for passing the system test and completing the primary tasks. Now you can activate the system. Do you want to proceed?"

Hardy, taken aback, hesitated. At his age, he had little to lose. With curiosity piqued, he decided to proceed.

"Activate!"