In 2006, Li Ka-shing was confronted with a different kind of tragedy — one marked not by loss, but by desecration. The grave of his late wife, Chong Yuet-ming, had been disturbed by grave robbers. Distraught and furious, Li turned to feng shui master Tsai Po-lee for help.
Tsai visited the site and carefully assessed the area. He then proposed a new design based on the feng shui principle of 藏風聚氣 — “concealing wind and gathering energy.” The goal was to shield the grave from disruptive elements and create a space where spiritual harmony could return. After the changes were made, the site remained undisturbed.
Li Ka-shing reportedly gave Tsai a reward of 2 million Hong Kong dollars [approximately US$260,000] in gratitude. The generous payment raised eyebrows, sparking wild rumors: some claimed Tsai had revealed dark omens or secrets; one story even suggested that he told Li that Chong had “died in anguish and now suffered further indignity,” prompting an emotional outburst.
But the truth behind the payment was far more grounded — and more meaningful.
Charity with purpose
Tsai wasn’t merely a feng shui consultant — he was also a quiet philanthropist. Around the time of the incident, he launched a charity called Shun Lung Yan Chak, which supports underprivileged students and funds development projects in rural areas.
The 2 million HKD from Li Ka-shing wasn’t just a fee — it became seed funding for that foundation.
Tsai once explained his view of wealth like this:
“Wealth that cannot benefit others is like water without a source. It will eventually dry up.”
In this light, the fortune Li Ka-shing received — and the advice that helped guide it — was part of a larger cycle of giving. This reflects a philosophy both Tsai and his predecessor, Master Chen, held dear: that good fortune must be paired with good character.
They believed that while feng shui can influence luck, true and lasting success comes from integrity, generosity, and moral strength. And Li Ka-shing has long embodied those values.
Traditional values in a modern empire
Although Li Ka-shing never completed formal schooling, he has always held a deep respect for traditional Chinese culture — especially its moral teachings.
In 2004, a group of rising business elites from mainland China traveled to Hong Kong to meet him. They expected a formal reception. Instead, Li himself stood at the elevator to greet them. It was a small gesture, but it left a deep impression.
Later, in a now-famous speech titled The Art of Dedication, Li Ka-shing attributed his success not to luck or strategy alone, but to values: fairness, honesty, compassion, and hard work. Most of all, he emphasized “walking the right path” — meaning to act with capability and conscience, rather than taking shortcuts or bending the rules.
That spirit is reflected in the name of his company, Cheung Kong, which refers to the Yangtze River — a symbol of openness, vastness, and enduring flow. The company motto reflects this ideal:
“Not limiting to small streams, but embracing all rivers.”
In his office hangs a couplet from Qing Dynasty statesman Zuo Zongtang:
Aspire to noble goals, accept ordinary relationships, and enjoy humble blessings;
Stand in high places, live in calm places, walk along open paths.
For Li Ka-shing, this isn’t just decoration — it’s a personal philosophy.
Luxury never defined him
Despite being one of the richest men in Asia, Li Ka-shing is famously frugal. In a 2016 interview with Bloomberg, the reporter wore a luxury watch worth over US$100,000. Li wore a modest Citizen watch valued at under US$400.
He proudly explained that the watch was durable, solar-powered, and waterproof. He’d been wearing it for over a decade. Hong Kong reporters later confirmed that he continued wearing it until 2024, when he finally switched to an Apple Watch.
His simplicity also shows in his daily life. Meals are plain: steamed vegetables, white rice, and fish. The Li family observes a strict tradition — Monday night dinners are sacred. No matter how busy they are, everyone gathers. During the meal, they rarely speak, a nod to the Confucian custom:
“Do not speak while eating, do not talk before sleeping.”
A local journalist once remarked:
“It’s as if the Li family never left the values of Republican-era China.”
The quiet power of restraint
That same discipline and restraint may explain why, even in turbulent times, the Li family remains united and composed. During the recent controversy over the overseas port sale, none of his relatives made public statements — not even his son, Li Tzar-kuoi, who now heads the Cheung Kong and Hutchison empire. The family stayed silent, presenting a unified front.
It wasn’t the first time Li Ka-shing went against the political tide.
In 2019, amid the Hong Kong protests, the government held a private meeting with major tycoons, urging them to publicly denounce the student demonstrators. Most complied. Li Ka-shing took a different path.
He issued just two short statements. One was a cryptic quote from a classical Chinese poem:
“The melon on Huangtai — how can it be picked again?”
The line mourns overharvesting — the idea that if you push too far, the source is destroyed. It was widely seen as a subtle warning not to crush the younger generation.
The second statement appeared conventional at first glance. But hidden in its structure was a secret message: reading the final character of each line vertically spelled out a phrase:
“Freedom for China, tolerance for Hong Kong, rule of law for the self.”
This kind of hidden message is a form of acrostic wordplay, often used in classical Chinese literature and poetry. By arranging lines so that the first or last characters form a secondary message, writers could subtly express deeper meanings — sometimes even politically sensitive ones — without stating them outright. In modern times, the technique occasionally reappears in public statements as a discreet way to signal dissent or personal conviction.
The literary trick stunned observers. One commentator wrote,
“Who helped Li Ka-shing write this? It’s brilliant.”
Walking the narrow path
For Li Ka-shing, “walking the right path” has never been easy — and in politically charged times, it’s only grown more difficult. He once said:
“The right path is narrow, but it’s still a path.”
As the steward of a vast business empire, he must constantly weigh personal convictions against the needs of thousands of employees and shareholders. Every decision is deliberate, cautious, and considered.
The recent port deal sparked fierce debate. Some hailed him as brave and principled. Others accused him of betraying national interests.
But regardless of which side you fall on, one thing is certain: the story of Li Ka-shing is far from over.
For now, we can only wish this 96-year-old legend continued strength and clarity as he walks the path he’s always chosen — one of reason, resilience, and righteousness.
See Part 1 here
Translated by Joseph Wu
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