The World's Real Estate Tycoon: Starting in Hong Kong, 1958

Hong Kong Island. In 1945, the Four Great Detectives patrolled the streets, while 17-year-old Li Ka-shing quit his job as a teahouse waiter to become a salesman at a hardware store. In 1950, Ge Zhaohuang founded the 14K Triad, and 22-year-old Li Ka-shing started his own business. That same year, 27-year-old Huo Qidong founded Lixin Property Co., Ltd. and entered the real estate business. He pioneered the presale of subdivided flats, known as “uncompleted units,” and installment payment plans. Countless people followed his example, ushering in a major boom in Hong Kong Island's property market. In 1953, Ge Zhaohuang died, and his son Ge Zixiong took over the 14K Triad. Xiang Qian, founder of the Wo Shing Wo, was driven out, and leadership passed to his eldest son, Xiang Guoyan. The underworld of Hong Kong Island entered a new era. In 1957, 50-year-old Run Run Shaw returned to Hong Kong Island from Nanyang. That same year, Rediffusion Television, now ATV, began broadcasting. In 1958, Lui Lok was promoted to Chief Detective of the New Territories, while Li Ka-shing built his first industrial building. That same year, 20-year-old police officer Chen Zhengang rose to prominence after his outstanding performance during the hostage crisis involving Ray Ryrie, general manager of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bus Company. Hong Kong Island's golden age was about to begin. A magnificent era was on its way, and the curtain was slowly rising. Everyone would be swept up in it! Having transmigrated here, Chen Zhengang had hoped to rise through the police ranks during the future anti-corruption campaign. But in the autumn of 1958, his fate took a dramatic turn. Chen Family Ancestral Hall, Sha Tin Town, New Territories. The storm raged. A large gang of thugs surrounded the ancestral hall, shouting and waving clubs and machetes.