Right Move

It seems that again I have taken an enormous risk that has paid off, and placed the Noble House clear out of danger, while other HK businesses are heading e scylla in charybdis. By repositioning many of the Noble House's most critical interests outside of HK, I have avoided the impending doom that John CW Tsang is denying the existence of.


Comprador Philip Chen would have agreed

In fact, things are looking so good here that I am actively seeking land to develop new European headquarters for the Noble House here in the Netherlands (which is probably now more laissez-faire in terms of economy than HK).

A design competition to design the new HQ buildings will be opened for budding young architects here in the Netherlands

New Frontiers

Always a follower, never an innovator (except in areas of deception and underhand dealings), Rothwell-Gornt's head Quillian Gornt has finally come into the internet age, and sat at the e-business table. Just as I thought he might, he has been so distracted with trying to manage this new venture, that he failed to notice that the building plot in front of his house was sold. To me. I can now reveal the new plans for Struan Heights. Enjoy the view, Gornt.

An additional thought

I think it's about time I traded in my reliable old Merc, as it's probably causing HK's air pollution all by itself as my head butler takes it out for its weekly stretch.

Demand for the former property of the Tai-Pan is usually high, so I'll start the bidding at HK$1.5M in bonds, bullion or property (HK island only).

New Deal

Another deal investing further in Dutch heating oil went ahead today with a small Anglo-Dutch joint venture called Shell. The company was so pleased to be doing business with the Noble House that the CEO personally came out to sign the deal. It seems that in these tough times for all but the Noble House, even oilers are affected. I believe that with the Noble House's investment they should be able to pay their staff this year.


The oil company's CEO, very happy after today's meeting

The Tai-Pan of the Noble House, musing on a deal in warmer climes

Weathering the Credit Crunch

As Tai-Pan of the Noble House, I am well versed in risk and am used to staking incomprehensible sums on the market and the horses at Happy Valley. The present economic climate hasn't affected our assets, as my seemingly left-field investment in Dutch heating oil, garlic farms and whale farming was actually a cunningly instigated tactical move. These happen to be the only three sectors that are growing in the face of financial collapse. The Noble House has again outflanked Rothwell-Gornt and our other rivals to remain the dominant trading power. But this is not the end of the opportunities for the Noble House in the Dutch Market, and to this end I will be establishing a permanent branch of the company here.

Gornt - out-manoeuvred again

Asian Food Dutch Style

As you would expect for Tai-Pan of the Noble House, born and raised in Hong Kong, Asian food is something I am very particular about (unlike that uncultured Gornt). Being used to only the finest from the best restaurants and chefs in HK, you would think it very surprising if I found the Asian food here in the Netherlands up to scratch. And you'd be right. This Japanese establishment, ironically run by compatriots rather than the real McYamamoto, is a good example of how to use garlic as the main ingredient of every dish. By main, I mean at least 60%. For this reason, the Noble House will be buying into Dutch garlic farms.



Lay Ho Tai-Pan, err, I mean irasshaimasu!

You call this weather?

In Hong Kong we have real storms; they bring down buildings, cause landslides and bury our friends and colleagues under tonnes of rubble and water. Here, 'bad weather' is a persistent drizzle and a bit of a breeze. Still, it's got HK beaten on the low temperature front, and to this end, the Noble House is buying into Dutch heating oil.

Drizzle
Real rain