Chapter 602: The Ugly Capitalist

Before long, the challenge began, and Xia Yu and the others, who had wanted to leave, stopped again. They didn't leave until the challenge was successful, and they left in cheers.

Unfortunately, when Elena went to find her mentor, she learned by accident that her mentor had gone to Cambridge University for academic exchanges yesterday and would not be back for three days.

Although she was disappointed, she had to accept it. Elena gathered herself together and once again strolled around the campus with Xia Yu and the others, before exploring the city of Oxford.

It wasn't until around 5:00 p.m. that the group returned to London. After finding an elegant restaurant for dinner, they sent Elena and the others home before Xia Yu returned to his manor.

That night, while Hong Kong was still in daylight, Xia Yu placed an international call to Gavin Peter, instructing him to acquire Guinness World Records. Gavin Peter gladly obeyed.

Time flew, and on May 18th, the new British cabinet was finally decided upon, and the weak empire once again began to run at full speed.

On the evening of the 20th of May, Xia Yu, dressed in formal attire, met again with the Duke of Carter Howard, who had returned to London, and Elena. The three of them went to a private thank-you reception hosted by the Conservative Party.

The money to host the reception was basically leftover campaign funds after donations.

According to British laws and regulations, political contributions can only be used for election campaigns and other political-related activities, and cannot be used for party building, daily operations, etc.

Therefore, any excess political donations are generally used to pay into the treasury, make charitable donations, or pay for expenses related to their official duties after being elected.

Of course, there will be a name for how this money is actually spent, but there is a lot of room for manoeuvre. Since this money comes from donations, it can of course also be used for banquets to thank the donors.

Although this banquet was held in the name of the Conservative Party, it could actually be considered Margaret Thatcher's personal banquet. It was of a higher standard, and only important people were able to come.

When Xia Yu and Duke Carter Howard arrived, there were already quite a few people at the venue. At least 70 or 80 people could be seen at a glance, chatting in groups of two or three, occasionally glancing at the door to observe the newcomers.

Duke Carter Howard is one of the few dukes in the UK, and he is also one of the wealthy ones. He has a strong influence in the energy, mining, and financial industries, and his presence naturally attracted the attention of most people.

Naturally, Xia Yu, who came with Duke Carter Howard, also attracted the attention of a group of people. After so long, Xia Yu finally had a little bit of fame, so some people whispered to their friends.

Xia Yu kept his composure, maintaining a calm smile throughout. When his gaze met someone's, he would smile and nod in acknowledgement.

After a quick glance around, Xia Yu noticed that Gerard Pat was also in the corner. After all, he was the head of the City of London, and it was only natural that he would be present.

There were many people, and neither Xia Yu nor Gerard Pat wanted to overly expose their relationship. After a nod of acknowledgement, they stopped paying attention to each other.

After entering the crowd, Xia Yu was a social butterfly, and skillfully began his own process of socialising.

Time passed, and people continued to arrive one after the other. The total number of people in the room exceeded 100, and many senior members of the Conservative Party came, including Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister, as well as the ministers of commerce, energy, and defence. These people were all senior members of the Conservative Party, holding important positions in Margaret's cabinet and serving as her powerful subordinates.

The banquet followed the usual routine. After the brief ceremony and speeches, the socialising continued. Margaret and the other senior Conservative Party members mingled with the guests, chatting away.

'Xia Yu, my father told me to tell you to be prepared. He has laid the groundwork. Later, Lady Margaret should ask you some questions, so answer carefully,'

Just as Xia Yu was heading to the food area to get some fruit, the innocent and beautiful Elena quietly came up to him and whispered in his ear.

Xia Yu's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled and nodded to Elena, saying, 'I know.'

Sure enough, less than two minutes later, Xia Yu saw Margaret finish talking to someone and walk straight towards him with a wine glass in her hand.

'Hello, Lady Margaret!'

Xia Yu took the lead in bowing slightly and smiling to say hello. On this occasion, Margaret was thanking the donors in her capacity as leader of the Conservative Party, so Xia Yu did not address her as Prime Minister, and not only him, but everyone else there as well.

A gentle smile appeared on Margaret's face as she thanked him, 'Mr. Xia, I'm very happy to see you again. Thank you for your recognition and support of the Conservative Party. Please allow me to extend my sincerest gratitude.'

Saying this, she raised her glass, the rim of which tilted slightly towards Xia Yu, who understood and took a small sip instead of clinking glasses.

'Margaret, I believe that under your wise leadership, Britain will definitely emerge from the economic quagmire, and your glorious deeds will be remembered in British history.'

'Mr Xia, thank you for your blessings!'

After a few pleasantries, time was precious and Margaret began to test the waters.

She simply asked, 'Mr Xia, I know you are from Hong Kong and are the most outstanding Chinese person in the UK. In order to better govern this country, I urgently need a lot of opinions and suggestions. As an external investor, I would like to hear your views on the UK, in any area, such as people's livelihood, the economy or... politics?'

'Here it comes!'

Xia Yu's heart trembled slightly, but his face remained expressionless as he pretended to think. After a few seconds, he looked Margaret in the eye, who was smiling, and said calmly, 'Ms. Margaret, then I will share my humble opinion and explain my personal views. Please forgive me if I am wrong.'

'Please!'

Margaret smiled and made a gesture of invitation, and looked as if she was listening.

'In my opinion, every system has its time. It plays a different role at different stages. For example, the current state-owned economic system in the UK played a very important role in restoring infrastructure and restarting industries of strategic importance after World War II.

'However, starting in the 1960s and especially in the 1970s, the world economy changed more and more rapidly, technological innovation emerged in endlessly, competition became increasingly fierce, and the disadvantages of the state-owned economy emerged. Production efficiency could not keep up with the times. Coupled with the oil crisis, it dealt a severe blow to British heavy industry.

'Under these circumstances, the Labour Party was not thinking about progress. Only your insightful view realised that the state-owned economic model was no longer suitable, and the economic reform strategy you proposed was highly feasible. This gave us businessmen hope and business opportunities.'

'In my opinion, under your leadership and that of the Conservative Party, the British economy is about to rise, and there are business opportunities everywhere. Hong Kong is too small after all, so I came.'

Xia Yu spoke eloquently, while Margaret kept smiling and nodded from time to time, making Xia Yu unable to tell whether she agreed with him or not.

'I'm honoured that Mr Xia recognises the UK. The development of the UK economy cannot do without foreign capital, and your investment will play a significant role in the UK. I believe the UK market will not let you down,'

Margaret said with a smile.

'I'm relieved to hear that,'

Xia Yu gave a relieved smile, pondered for a moment, and said solemnly, 'In that case, I can invest even more boldly. If I discover other opportunities in the UK, I will increase my investment and put up 500 million pounds to invest in the UK, provided that there are suitable investment opportunities, of course.'

One cargo, two owners. Xia Yu was going to invest massively in the UK anyway, and he had previously promised Gerald Pat. At this time, he used 500 million pounds to lure Margaret. After all, he had only said that he would invest in the UK. Doesn't London belong to the UK anyway!

Upon hearing this, Margaret was moved. She looked at Xia Yu, who was smiling faintly, and asked again, seriously, 'Mr Xia, are you sure you will invest 500 million pounds?'

Xia Yu nodded slightly and said, 'Of course, I have already prepared the funds. As long as the UK welcomes foreign investors like us, then I don't think the funds will go to the US, France or Germany.'

Xia Yu's words full of meaning made Margaret's heart stir. She sincerely said, 'I can guarantee that the UK is ready to welcome capital from all over the world.'

Margaret had no choice but to say this at this time. After all, Xia Yu used the word "we". If his £500 million investment was rejected, and if this got out, it would put the Conservative Party and her personally in an extremely disadvantageous position. This was contrary to her campaign approach and would seriously damage the foundation of her administration.

Xia Yu played her, but the goal was still Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Now this £500 million investment has been tied to the acquisition of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

To be honest, Margaret could not refuse this £500 million investment at all. The temptation was too great. If it was really invested in the UK, it would have a positive effect on the economy and would also play a huge role in her economic reform.

But thinking about Xia Yu's investigation information, Margaret was not at ease.

After being stabbed by Xia Yu, she was not willing to be outdone and responded, 'Mr. Xia, we welcome any capital that has goodwill towards the UK.'

'By the way, I heard that you have made large-scale investments in the mainland. I wonder why you made that choice?'

After saying this, Margaret looked at Xia Yu with burning eyes.

Xia Yu knew that she would ask this question, and the profound meaning of the question pointed directly to his position. The phrase "capital of goodwill" was the leeway she had created for herself.

Xia Yu said calmly, 'There was indeed a little investment, but it was not large.'

'You should know the nature of capital. Compared to Hong Kong, the mainland has extremely cheap labour. For the sake of strengthening the competitiveness of the enterprise, I had no choice but to go. If you were in my shoes, what would you choose?'

Margaret was at a loss for words. Her question asked about position, but Xia Yu answered her from a capital and business perspective. It so happened that Xia Yu's answer was well-reasoned and well-founded, and she simply could not refute it. She could not possibly ask Xia Yu to operate a business in Hong Kong or the UK, which would lead to a decline in competitiveness and eventual bankruptcy and collapse, could she?

Seeing Margaret's embarrassed expression, Xia Yu knew when to stop. He smiled and said, 'Of course, we capitalists like business opportunities. If there are business opportunities in the United States, I will go to the United States; if there are opportunities in France, I will go to France. Now I think there are opportunities in the United Kingdom, so I plan to invest massively there.'

'The nature of capital dictates that I must do this whether I want to or not. If there are greater opportunities on the mainland, I will invest there. If there are more opportunities in the UK than on the mainland, I will of course prefer to contribute to the UK with my limited funds.'

'I think I am a qualified capitalist. My favourite thing is money, and nothing else matters.'

At this moment, Xia Yu looked completely justified, with the ugly mien of a capitalist, and yet he spoke with a sanctimonious air. This made Margaret suddenly feel sick, and she thought to herself, 'Ugly capitalist.'

Xia Yu said this, and he almost believed it himself. Will there be more opportunities in the UK than on the mainland? Don't even think about it!

Moreover, his current strength is not yet enough to make Britain wary of him. In order to win her trust and allow himself to develop better, he must deceive Margaret and make her lower her guard against him.

For the great cause of his motherland and his own great career, he is now just putting on a front. There is no such thing as being wronged, but rather, he is making himself safer. How wise!

Once he dispels Margaret's suspicions, he will be able to invest in the mainland without getting caught, and Margaret will find it hard to do anything to him in the future.

It has to be said that Xia Yu's ugly face of a capitalist, which he takes for granted, not only makes Margaret feel sick to her stomach, but also greatly reduces her doubts about Xia Yu's position.

Although MI6 is very powerful, it is absolutely impossible to infiltrate the high levels of the mainland.

Margaret simply could not know what Xia Yu discussed with the mainland's senior officials, and naturally she did not know Xia Yu's true position, so she could only suspect Xia Yu's investment in the mainland.

Otherwise, she would not be chatting with Xia Yu at the private banquet she organised, and Xia Yu would not even be able to enter the door.

Xia Yu's explanation now made perfect sense, and she had no reason to hold on to it.

Continuing to chat with Xia Yu would be pointless, not to mention that she had already spoken with Xia Yu for long enough, and there were still many people waiting for her to attend to at the banquet.

Therefore, she did not linger, but left after leaving a message.

'Mr. Xia, please believe that under the governance of our Conservative Party, the business environment and market in the UK will be the best in the world. You have definitely made the right choice, and we look forward to your investment!'

It worked!

Upon hearing these words, Xia Yu secretly thought to herself, I have indeed successfully fooled Margaret.

It's not surprising that Margaret was fooled. Xia Yu thought to himself that his acting skills were definitely worthy of an Oscar. Not to mention Margaret, but also other old foxes would be fooled if they came with unequal intelligence.

Elena, who had been observing from a distance, saw Margaret go away and immediately came over, looking expectantly at Xia Yu and asking, 'Xia Yu, did Ms. Margaret agree?'

Seeing the expectation in Elena's eyes, Xia Yu smiled and nodded: "It should be fine. You'll have to work hard again next.'

Elena's smile bloomed like a blooming peony, and she said happily, "It's not hard. This is what I should do.'

Her wish having been granted, Xia Yu felt at ease and continued to mingle.

Sure enough, when it was time to leave, after going outside, Duke Carter Howard gave Xia Yu a definite answer: Margaret had agreed, and she had just privately ordered the Ministry of Defence to approve the Bright Fund's takeover offer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Sure enough, the next morning, the stalled takeover process suddenly began to make rapid progress, and Elena led the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars takeover team into substantive negotiation procedures with the British Defence Equipment Group.