In Hong Kong in 1928, the shocking news quickly spread throughout the city that Lee Hysan, a well-known business magnate, had been fatally assassinated and his life was abruptly halted at the age of 49.
The man who set foot in Hong Kong at the age of 17 and gradually climbed to the pinnacle of business through his ingenuity and hard work, his life trajectory is like a legendary novel, full of ups and downs and incredible turns.
At the height of his career, Lee Hysan chose to invest in the wasteland of Causeway Bay, and with his extraordinary business acumen, he foresaw the future value of the land.
Just as he was about to transform this wasteland into one of Hong Kong's most prosperous business districts, fate suddenly took a tragic turn. What led to Lee Hysan's tragic end?
Early years of education and marriage
At the age of 17, Lee Hysan followed in his father's footsteps and stepped into Hong Kong, a city full of hope and opportunity. The migration of their family is not only a change in geographical location, but also a turning point in lifestyle and destiny.
At this turning point, Queen's College in Hong Kong became an important stop in Lee Hysan's life's journey. As an educational institution with a strong reputation, Queen's College not only provides a solid academic education, but also serves as a platform for students to socialize.
On the campus of Queen's College, Lee Hysan not only immersed himself in books, absorbing Western knowledge and ideas, but more importantly, he met Huang Lanfang, a girl who also thirsted for knowledge and shared ideals.
Huang Lanfang's family background is similar to that of Lee Hysan, and the two found that they had a lot in common with each other in their interactions, and this spiritual fit gradually cultivated a deep relationship.
In 1898, the relationship between the two finally blossomed, and Lee Hysan and Huang Lanfang entered the palace of marriage.
This wedding was also a grand event in Hong Kong society at that time, not only the relatives and friends of the two families came to congratulate, but also many Hong Kong celebrities were invited to attend, and this marriage undoubtedly deepened the status and influence of the two families in Hong Kong society.
After marriage, Lee Hysan and Huang Lanfang's life was full of harmony and happiness, Huang Lanfang was not only Lee Hysan's wife, but also his strong backing, and the two faced the ups and downs of life together.
During his tenure as a teacher at Queen's College in Hong Kong, Lee Hysan taught and educated people to spread knowledge while also expanding his social circle.
At this stage, he actively participated in various social activities and made many friends from different fields. These connections later played a huge role in his transition into business.
Shortly after their marriage, Lee Hysan made an important decision to resign from his teaching position and devote himself to business. Although this decision surprised Wong, she still firmly supported Lee Hysan's choice, believing that he could break new ground in the business world.
Lee Hysan and a few like-minded friends began to explore various business opportunities, and their eyes eventually focused on the opium trade, which was very lucrative at the time but also controversial.
Turn to the opium trade
Lee Hysan had several discussions with several close friends before making his decision. Some of these friends have already made small achievements in the opium trade and have a deep understanding of the pros and cons of this industry.
They told Lee Hysan that while the opium trade was lucrative, the industry was fraught with uncertainties, including legal risks, market volatility and ethical controversies.
Lee Hysan knows that once you step into the industry, you have to go against the prevailing values of society. The harm of opium is not only the destruction of personal health, but also leads to the fragmentation of many families and the chaos of social order.
He has witnessed all of these in the melting pot city of Hong Kong, and even heard the tragic story of the destruction of his family due to opium.
After much deliberation, Lee Hysan finally decided to join the opium trade. He set up a trading company in a joint venture with a few like-minded friends and started their opium business.
They connected with overseas suppliers to transport opium from its production to Hong Kong, from where it was distributed to other regions. In those days, opium remained an extremely popular commodity on the black market, despite official restrictions.
In order to avoid legal risks, Lee Hysan and his partners adopted an extremely cautious strategy. Not only do they trade in Hong Kong, but they also have their reach in other regions where laws are less restrictive.
At the same time, they are actively looking for those power channels to obtain the latest legal information and market developments, ensuring that their actions are always on the edge of the law and minimizing the risk of being investigated and punished.
Investment in Causeway Bay
In 1923, the Causeway Bay area of Hong Kong was far from being the thriving commercial centre it is today. This vast wasteland, for most people, doesn't seem to have much value.
But for Lee Hysan, it's a treasure trove of potential. After accumulating in the opium trade, he already had considerable capital and a keen insight into the market.
He can foresee that with the rapid development of Hong Kong, this wasteland will become a hotspot for urban development in the future. Before deciding to invest in the Causeway Bay site, Lee Hysan conducted extensive market research and analysis.
Not only did he visit the area himself, but he also consulted with a number of real estate experts and business partners. Through these detailed preparations, Lee Hysan was finally convinced that the site in Causeway Bay would be an excellent investment choice.
To purchase the land, Lee Hysan entered into negotiations with Jardine Matheson. As one of the largest trading companies in Hong Kong at the time, Jardine Matheson had a wide range of business interests and resources.
After a series of discussions, the parties finally reached an agreement and Lee Hysan successfully purchased the land for HK$3.8 million.
The deal was a considerable investment for Hong Kong at the time, and it demonstrated Lee Hysan's strong belief in the future value of the site.
After the successful land acquisition, Lee Hysan began to plan how to develop the area. He realized that transforming this wasteland into a valuable commercial or residential area would require huge sums of money and careful planning.
Therefore, instead of rushing to start development, he chose to wait for a more opportune moment. At the same time, he began to seek more partners, including builders, financial institutions and government departments, to prepare for future development work.
In the following years, as Hong Kong's economy continued to grow and urbanization accelerated, the value of the Causeway Bay area gradually became apparent.
Lee Hysan's vision gradually became a reality, and the former wasteland began to attract the attention of more and more investors and developers.
Lee Hysan has also embarked on his development plans, including the construction of residential, commercial facilities and public spaces. As the project progressed, the area was transformed into one of the most prosperous commercial and residential areas in Hong Kong.
This investment has not only brought great financial returns to Lee Hysan, but also greatly enhanced his social and business standing in Hong Kong.
Over time, the development of Causeway Bay has become one of the important sources of wealth growth for the Lee Hysan family, and it has also gained them prestige and influence in Hong Kong and the international community.
Family life
In Hong Kong, a city where East meets West, Lee Hysan's family life is a microcosm of the society of the time. As a successful businessman, his private life is equally layered and colorful.
Lee Hysan and his wife, Wong Lan Fong, have been married for many years, and the two have gone through the process of going from poverty to prosperity together, and this long companionship has forged a strong bond between them.
Huang Lanfang is not only Lee Hysan's wife, but also his strong backing, whether it is in business decision-making, or family management, Huang Lanfang has played an irreplaceable role.
As Lee Hysan's career continued to succeed, he took three concubines in succession, according to the custom of some wealthy families at the time. This was not uncommon in the social context of the time, reflecting a social concept of marriage and family at that time.
Each concubine had their place in Lee Hysan's family, and like Wong Lan Fong, they also blessed Lee Hysan with many sons and eight daughters.
This large family was particularly prominent in Hong Kong society at that time. During a holiday or family gathering, Lee Hysan's home becomes a sea of joy.
The laughter of the children filled every corner, and Lee Hysan felt the satisfaction and joy of being a parent in such an environment. He knows that such a happy family is the best reward for his years of hard work.
In terms of the education of children, Lee Hysan also has his own set of ideas. He firmly believes that education can change people's lives, and this is what he learned from Queen's College as a young man.
Therefore, Lee Hysan strives to give them the best educational opportunities, whether they are born to their own children or concubines. He hoped that the children would be able to receive a modern education, acquire knowledge, cultivate moral character, and be able to gain a foothold in society in the future.
Lee Hysan's family not only brought him joy and support, but also laid the foundation for his business empire to pass on.
He understands that a strong and harmonious family is the most valuable asset beyond a successful businessman's career.
He hopes that through his own efforts, he can leave a solid platform for his children, so that they can continue to expand the family business and make greater contributions to society.
A tragic end and a family legacy
In 1928, Hong Kong society was overshadowed by the shocking news that Lee Hysan, a businessman who was on the rise in Hong Kong's business circles, had been fatally assassinated. This incident is not only a huge blow to Lee Hysan personally, but also a severe test for the entire Lee family.
49 years old is the age when a man's career and family are at their peak. However, Lee Hysan's life came to an abrupt end at this moment, and the peaceful old age he had hoped for had not yet arrived.
Although this sudden tragedy brought unprecedented challenges to the Lee family, under the leadership of Lee Hysan's widow Wong Lan Fong, the whole family showed a rare unity and tenacity.
After the death of her husband, Huang Lanfang assumed the role of the head of the family, and with her wisdom and determination, she ensured harmony within the family and avoided the possible struggle for inheritance in the face of great wealth.
During that turbulent period, Hong Kong's social climate was complicated, and many families were torn apart by inheritance issues after the death of the head of the family. However, the Li family, with its unique cohesion and Huang Lanfang's strong leadership, has become an exception.
Under Huang Lanfang's management, not only the relationship between family members has been strengthened, but also she has shown great wisdom and foresight in handling family assets and careers.
One of the backbone of the Lee family, Lee Hysan's eldest son, Lee Ming Chak, carried on his father's legacy after his death and began to further expand the family business in the real estate sector.
With the business acumen inherited from his father and a deep understanding of the market, Li Mingze has successfully pushed the family business to new heights.
In Causeway Bay, a treasure trove carefully selected and invested in by Lee Hysan during his lifetime, Lee and his team have made it one of the most prosperous business districts in Hong Kong with their forward-looking planning and development, bringing a steady stream of wealth to Lee Family.
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