America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 284 Buying Smith of London
Some people say that in the United States, only New York is a big city, and the rest are rural areas.

According to this standard, in the UK, except for London, which is a big city, it is all countryside.

The same is true in the eyes of Londoners.

Early August 2001.

The Times published a report that made most British people feel a little angry after seeing it.

When mentioning the Thames, the first thing Chinese people think of is the Thames, the mother river of London.

By extension, most Chinese people would also think that The Times means The Times.

Actually not.
The English name of "The Times" is The Times, and the Chinese literal translation should be "Times" or "Times".

However, its Chinese translation has become the same as the "Thames" (Thames) which has a similar pronunciation but has nothing to do with it.

Due to the customary relationship, this mistranslation has been preserved in the Celestial Dynasty to this day.

There are many newspapers called Times, such as The New York Times, all over the world.

To distinguish it, The Times is sometimes referred to as The Times of London by English speakers.

Another cold knowledge is that "The Times" is the world's first newspaper named after "Times".

This is why the British would say that newspapers such as the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times were actually copycat versions of The Times at first.

On August 2001, [-] this day.

News Corp.'s The Times.

published an article titled "Are the Americans Buying Britain?" "News.

This news is on the headlines of the second edition, not the front page.

It shows that The Times still has scruples
【.As we all know, the United States of America was originally the thirteen North American continents of the British Empire, and later】

【.In late July this year, an American businessman named Abel Smith came to London.The great-grandfather of Mr Smith's great-grandfather, departed from Plymouth on September 1620, 9.]

【...380 years later, the descendants of Mr. Ander Smith returned to London.He only came to London for less than half a month, and he almost bought half of London. 】

【.Let us see what this descendant of Mr. Ander Smith bought in London. 】

[Newspapers: Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Star, Glasgow Herald.]

[Magazines: "New Scientist", "New Society", "Women's World". What are these, these are the newspaper companies that Mr. Smith bought in London during ten days.According to calculations by professional accountants, these newspapers have cost Mr Smith about 15 billion pounds. 】

[The cost of 15 billion pounds has made Mr. Smith's British Smith Media one of the top media giants in the British Isles in one fell swoop]

【Do you think Mr. Smith only buys newspapers?No, he bought a lot of things!Just look down. 】

[Except for Smith Media.Mr. Smith established a British new start real estate company in the UK.The company began to sweep goods in London frantically, and within a week, the average price of the entire London luxury housing market increased by five percentage points. 】

【Have you ever heard of "Kensington Palace Gardens"?You may not have heard of it, so let me tell you, it is at No. 8000 Garden Street, Kensington Palace, and it is worth [-] million pounds! 】

[Maybe you don’t know Kensington Palace Garden Villa, then you may have heard of “Strawberry Hill”.Maybe you haven't heard of Strawberry Hill, but many of you should have seen "The Castle of Otranto". 】

["The Castle of Otranto" is the originator of Gothic novels.Strawberry Hill is the former residence of Mr. Walpole, the originator of Gothic novels. 】

[Strawberry Villa has a long history, it is dilapidated, but has unparalleled historical value.The World Heritage Fund has listed it as one of the 100 endangered monuments in the world this year. 】

[It also now belongs to Mr Smith, who only paid £1500 million to get it.Because of subsequent maintenance and repairs, another 1500 million pounds may be needed.No one is willing to pay the money, but Mr. Smith is willing, so it belongs to him. 】

【.Newspapers, luxury real estate, do you think he only bought these? 】

【Do not!In a very short period of time, this gentleman bought 52% of the shares of MUPLC Group. MUPLC Group is a listed company. Yesterday this gentleman launched a general tender offer for this company. 】

[Many people may not know what MUPLC means?So let me tell you, MUPLC is the abbreviation of "Manchester United Limited Liability Company"!That's right, MUPLC is Manchester United! 】

[This gentleman from the United States has become the largest shareholder of the Red Devils.And is seeking to privatize the Red Devils and turn him into a team of one person.With the financial resources shown by Mr. Smith, the process must not be difficult. 】

[When Mr. Smith announced the general takeover offer yesterday, the market value of Manchester United Group on the London stock market was 4.2 million pounds.I believe Mr. Smith can afford this amount of money. 】

【.】

This article is very long.

A detailed list of investments made by Abe Smith in the UK in a very short period of time.

If the British News Corporation hadn't paid special attention to Abel, it would be impossible to achieve this level.

Such a detailed list can be listed so quickly in such a short time.

In addition to the fact that these transactions are all public and have been announced to the public.

It is also related to the British News Corp. paying special attention to Abel and The Times paying special attention to Abel.

This also means that the American News Corporation, the controller of the British News Corporation, attaches great importance to Abel!
In other words, Murdoch was a little nervous about Abel coming to London.

What are you nervous about?
Nervous Abel launched a raid in the British media circles, shaking News Corporation's position in the British and European media circles.

In fact, Murdoch is right to be nervous.

It's only been a few days since I didn't see Abel coming.

The British Smith Media Group is already in the scale and sales of newspapers.

Almost on par with News Corp., or even surpassed a bit?

If Smith Media UK buys a few more TV stations in the future.

That News Corporation and two other local media giants.

You have to pinch your nose and watch the new competitors squeeze into their original ecological niche.

However, whether it is Murdoch or the two local snakes.

They have no resistance at all to Abel's way of buying, buying, buying and buying.

When Murdoch came in, he played like this.

Krypton gold is the simplest and most effective technique.

If Abel is from another country.

For example, neon, such as Huaxia, and even other European countries.

If these non-Five Eyes, that is, non-Angsa-dominated countries want to come in.

Murdoch and the others may still be able to find a way to suppress it from the level of the London government.

But Abe Smith is an American.It is the five-eyed big brother Amelia that is even more authentic than Murdoch's motherland, Australia.

The British Isles, who have already begun to lie flat as younger brothers.

There is no resistance to this intrusion of conjugated fathers and sons from North America.

Murdoch could not rely on the power of the government, because the British government did not dare to reject Abel from Wall Street.

Murdoch can only focus on mobilizing public opinion and the British people.

See if you can pass these leeks and create some obstacles for Abel.

At best it can only be a hindrance, because the British public, like the American public—

It also plays a little role in elections, tax payments, and consumption.

Since it is a leek, there is only a little obstacle that can put pressure on Abel.

After The Times launched a report in this regard.

The newspapers of several large media groups in the British Isles also quickly followed.
Originally, they were afraid of offending Abel on Wall Street.

But now that Murdoch has done it, they still have the courage to follow suit.

Under the instigation of these media.

For a while, ordinary British people felt quite "wolf is coming".

People who don't know think that Abel is really going to buy the whole of London.

In fact, Abel only spent about 40 billion pounds in the UK in about ten days.

Based on the current exchange rate of 1 pound to 1.45 U.S. dollars, it is almost 58 billion U.S. dollars invested.

This amount of money is not small, but it is still [-] light-years away from buying London.

There are not many melons from the imperial court who gave money more than ten years later.

That is to say, the British media circles united for a short time to launch a small counterattack against the newly squeezed giant crocodiles.

However, this kind of formation made Abel Smith, who was already well-known in the UK to a certain extent, suddenly become more famous.

Many British people immediately regarded him as the richest man in the United States.

If he is not the richest man in the United States, how can he be so rich?
Very simple understanding, almost brainless and no common sense understanding.

But in the UK, or in the US and most of Europe and America.

Ordinary European and American people, most of them are like this.

at this time.

1366 Paddington Avenue, Paddington, West End.

There is a building here that is not very high, only 15 floors.

This building is regarded as a holy place in the eyes of many racing fans all over the world.

When many racing fans come to London to travel, they will take photos with this building in front of the building as soon as possible.

Because this building is only fifteen stories high, its name is "F1 Building".

Yes, this unremarkable building.It is one of the most popular sports events in the world, and the headquarters building of F1 Holding Company, the main controller of Formula 1 racing.

However, some people believe that the real headquarters of F1 is in Geneva, Switzerland.Because there is the headquarters of the International Automobile Federation, which is the headquarters of the FIA.

Strictly speaking, both arguments are valid.

Because it is the FIA ​​that formulates the rules for Formula 1 racing.

The executor of these rules, the organizer of the competition, as well as commercialization, etc., are the responsibility of the F1 holding company.

Neither side can lose the other, and the development of F1 has been very good.

Bernie Ecclestone, the actual controller of the F1 formula car, works in this building.

8 month 3 number.

There is no game today, Bernie Ecclestone, the behind-the-scenes controller of F1, came to work in the F1 building as always
Bernie is full of energy, the 70-year-old man with a crazy penchant for tidiness.

Everywhere in his office is neat, very clean, very symmetrical.

Bernie is said to have even demanded that the F1 world be similarly tidy.

For example, all transport vehicles parked in the parking lot must be arranged in a line, and the distance between each other should not exceed 5 cm.

Bernie came to work today, and he found that the newspapers on his desk were not neatly arranged.

This is generally the job of his secretary.

Bernie Ecclestone's former secretary resigned after returning home to have a baby.

Last month, the company recruited a new secretary for him, who graduated from Cambridge University with a master's degree in business school.

Bernie Ecclestone was in his office, and immediately cursed:
"He even said he was a top student who graduated from Cambridge University! If you can't even do neatly, how can you do a good job if you're not neat enough?"

Thinking about firing the secretary, the white-haired old man sat down and finished the newspaper.

While arranging the newspapers, Bernie Ecclestone looked up and saw the headline on the "Daily Express" in front of him.

This title is too sensational, mainly because Bernie heard it.

Because the title is "F1 is about to change ownership?Smith from the United States bought a Formula Car!
Bernie Ecclestone fetched the newspaper at once.

He moved so hastily that he toppled the pile of newspapers and looked untidy.

But for now, Bernie Ecclestone didn't care if they were untidy.

Bernie is more concerned about why the "Daily Express" wants to "talk nonsense" like this.

A report, Bernie Ecclestone quickly glanced at ten lines.

After reading it, the F1 queen broke out in a cold sweat.

"Why didn't you notify me! Why didn't you notify me! Fake! Fake! Fake!"

It took a long time for Bernie Ecclestone to grit his teeth and stand up.

He picked up the company phone on the desk and dialed out.

The call was quickly connected.

"Kerry!"

Once connected, Bernie Ecclestone exclaimed:
"Why didn't the Kirsch Group tell me about the sale of SELC's shares? As you know, I have always been interested in SELC's shares, and I have always wanted to privatize it!"

Responding to Bernie Ecclestone was the unhurried voice of Kerry Kirsch, the senior president of the Kirsch Group.

"Bernie, for the sake of our past friendship. I would like to answer these two questions for you. The first question is why you were not notified."

"I'm sorry, this is the negligence of the Kirsch Group, and I apologize to you here."

Bernie Ecclestone wanted to yell at Kerry Kirsch.

How could such a thing be forgotten?

Even if Kerry Kirsch and the rest of the Kirsch Group executives forgot.

The people in their company will definitely remind them.

Because according to laws and regulations, when a shareholder sells the company's shares, other shareholders of the company have the right to know.

But if it is violated, it is no big deal.

That is to say, fines, hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Bernie Ecclestone had to grit his teeth and said softly:

"But Kerry, why doesn't the Kirsch Group sell me a stake? You know I'm interested."

"Your quotation is too low. Bernie. You are only willing to pay 5 million euros, and you even have to pay in installments. It is impossible for the Kirsch Group to agree."

At last Bernie Ecclestone could stand it no longer.

Holding up the phone receiver, he yelled at Kerry Kirsch across the way:

"Then you can't sell stocks to Americans! God knows how much I hate that guy! You know what? The doctor said I had a heart bypass surgery and it was best not to fly or take a long trip, but last month , but I."

"dududu~"

Bernie Ecclestone's growling voice was interrupted by a busy tone from the handset.

Kerry Kirsch hung up the phone.

boom!
Bernie was so angry that he slammed the phone on the desk, so hard that the whole phone flew off, and other pen holders, decorations and documents around it were messed up.

Not tidy at all.

After taking a breath for a while, Bernie knew that it was useless for him to be angry now, the most important thing now was to stabilize his position.

"There is still a way out... There is still a way out."

Bernie Ecclestone talked to himself, as if encouraging himself.

SELC is the parent company of the F1 holding company and management company.

It is true that I only hold 25% of the shares of SELC.

But the most valuable thing about F1 is the recognition of the brand and those who joined the team, and the certification of the FIA

It doesn't matter if the SELC company is lost, it doesn't even matter if the F1 holding company is lost.

As long as those FIA ​​teams are willing to support me, then I still have a chance to come back!
Bernie Ecclestone calms down.

In a hurry, he found out the phone contact information of those F1 team leaders.

Then he picked up the phone that he had dropped on the ground, trying to make a call.

But he found that the phone seemed to be broken, and he smashed it just now.

With the phone book in hand, Bernie Eccles walked outside.

He wants to contact those team owners as soon as possible, contact Geneva.

Bernie is unwilling to give in to the "betrayal" of the Kirsch Group and will never accept it.

Just as Bernie opened the door of his office, he heard the anxious voices of company employees from outside.

"Who are you? Who are you? How can you intrude, and we will call the police if you come in again, security guard, security guard?"

Bernie heard that it was his secretary who graduated from Cambridge University, and he was resisting the entry of outsiders.

One of the true founders of F1, among the outsiders, saw Smith standing out from the crowd.

Bernie's heart suddenly sank. He stood at the door of the office and looked at the person with a blank expression.

Bernie, the secretary who graduated from Cambridge University, was also speechless after seeing the equity certificate displayed by the other party's entourage.

Soon the other party came to Bernie Ecclestone.

The little old man with a height of only 163cm had to look up to see Abel's expression.

Alan Baker to Bernie Ecclestone, revealing certificate of shareholding - "Mr. Bernie Ecclestone. On behalf of my licensor, Abe Smith, as the absolute controlling shareholder of SELC Corporation , relieve you of all positions in the F1 holding company and management company."

"I reject!"

Knowing that things can't be done, Bernie Ecclestone still wants to persevere.

He thinks he still has a chance to come back.

"Go to court. I won't back down until the court judges me! F1 is mine and it will always be mine."

said the stubborn old guy.

(End of this chapter)