America's Road to Wealth

Chapter 295

Carrington Training Base.

After Peter Kenyon, CEO of Manchester United Group, took the big boss from the United States and they left.

An angry Ferguson called David Beckham, who was a little nervous.

"Alex, what's the matter with you?"

David Beckham looked at Sir Alex Ferguson and said with some guilt.

Ferguson looked at the handsome face in front of him.

Thinking about how David listened to himself so much in the past, he almost felt like a father and son with himself.

But now the two can only drift away.

Who is to blame?
Blame Victoria.

Anyway, the head coach thinks so.

Sir Ferguson took a deep breath to calm down his anger.

"David. I know what you want to do. Was that ball you just did on purpose?"

Ferguson said, staring directly at Beckham.

David Beckham naturally cannot admit it.

In fact, David has already regretted a little, regretting that he was too impatient.

The ball that was kicked just now was very accurately positioned.

David kicked it on purpose.

David Beckham is most famous and one of the best abilities is his extremely accurate passing and set-piece ability.

The decision to kick the ball to Abel and the others just now was made by David Beckham on the spur of the moment.

The cause of this bold decision was David's wife Victoria.

The reason for this is that it was a while ago.

since some time ago.

After the news that Manchester United was acquired was exposed.

Throughout Manchester United, the happiest person is Beckham's wife.

The reason is very simple.

Because of the acquisition of Manchester United's new boss, Abel Smith, others think he is a Wall Street giant and a media giant.

In the eyes of Victoria and her team and group members, the other party is one of the Hollywood giants.

Hollywood giants bought Manchester United, and her husband is Manchester United's star.

If you can find a way to get involved with this boss.

Victoria feels that she and Beckham have hope to develop in Hollywood and the United States.

European filmmakers have always boasted on the surface, but they are still adherents of film art.

But the reality is that European movies are hitting Hollywood wave after wave.

Now in 2001, whether you admit it or not, Hollywood is already the center of world cinema.

At the same time, the Grammys have become the center of world pop music.

This makes the entertainment circles all over the world look like Huaxia.

That is, everyone wants to go to Hollywood, and everyone wants to go to the United States to become famous.

The British are no exception.

Victoria and her husband talked about a lot of possibilities in this regard, and David Beckham was also moved.

Having already seen the flamboyant world of the entertainment industry, Xiao Bei is also willing to develop in that circle.

David wanted to interact with Abel. He saw Abel appear on the training ground just now.

After thinking about it for a while, a brain-crazy David Beckham kicked the ball over.

David's thinking was simple.He wanted to use this ingenious way to interact with the new boss.

It's best to be able to get acquainted with each other, even if it doesn't work, it's just a try.

The fact is that it is not true, because the new boss did not interact with the players after kicking the ball away.

He just chatted with Ferguson and Peter Kenyon for a while and left.

Beckham was very disappointed.

But it's not over yet.

Ferguson knows Beckham too well, and he knows the Victoria behind David even more.

Others thought David was a mistake and saw through David Beckham and Victoria's Ferguson.

But the possibility came to mind, and then this conversation happened.

"How is that possible?" David Beckham cried out guiltily, "It was just an accidental kick during training. Alex, people always make mistakes."

Ferguson looked at David Beckham, who mustered up the courage to meet his gaze.

"It's better." Ferguson finally decided to let him go.

David Beckham breathed a sigh of relief.

But a little disappointed, disappointed that Abel didn't interact with him at all.

Under Ferguson's silence, David Beckham returned to training with his companions.

At this moment, the members of the Manchester United team are all discussing the exaggerated volley just now by the new boss.

It's just that I didn't discuss the reason, because the boss only drew the ball once.

Just left behind.

Abel, who walked around Manchester United's training ground, arrived at the core of Greater Manchester County, Manchester City at noon.

Manchester is the UK's largest financial center outside of London.

On the King's Street here, there is the stock exchange market, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the earliest and most prosperous Bank of England branch.

Abel leaving Old Trafford.

At noon, he was here, waiting for Ian Conn, the CEO of Centrica Group, and Richard Heisenwaite, the chairman.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen."

A cafe on King Street was temporarily booked up.

Abel, who came in, first apologized to the two old white men, "I just came from the Carrington training base. You know, I bought a team and I like Manchester United."

Chairman Richard Heisewitter smiled and shook hands with Abel, "It's understandable, that's the Red Devils. As long as they can, who wouldn't want to own the Red Devils?"

Ian Conn also shook hands with Abel, but the chairman had already spoken, so he just smiled and said hello to Abel.

After greetings, everyone sat down.

Unlike Americans, Brits don't talk about business before they get down to business.

A lot of the time it's about other things.

Chat about the weather, hobbies, even pets.

Richard originally wanted to talk about Manchester United, who called Abel just bought Manchester United.

Fortunately, it was not the first day for Abel to come to the UK.

During this period of time, he already knew the temper of the British.

Abel felt that this was a bit like the habit of merchants in China.

It probably has a little history, or a country where the ancestors have been forked.

It will all look like this.

But Abel was not in the mood to chat with two old white men.

When Richard Heisenwaite wanted to speak, but didn't speak yet.

Abel cut to the chase and said:
"Mr. Heisenwaite, and Mr. Conn. Just like I said when I invited you here, I want to acquire the power distribution network company under the Centrica Group."

Ian Conn and the chairman looked at each other.

Both of them were thinking—Americans are just so straightforward, not gentlemen at all.

But since Abel has already talked directly about the business, it is of course not good for the two of them to talk about other things.

Richard said, "Of course. That's why we're here."

"24 billion pounds." Abel offered the price directly: "It can be the corresponding stock, of course it can also be cash."

That's why Abel came to Manchester from London today.

He went to the Red Devil's side, but just happened to be here, so he just stopped by to have a look.

For him, the Red Devils are nothing more than a toy with feelings and favorites.

Abel still knows what is more important to him.

Like Centrica Group's power distribution network company, Abel knows that it is far more important than Manchester United.

"Mr Smith."

Under the gesture of Richard's eyes, the CEO of Centrica Group spoke with a smile.

Ian Conn has a very obvious Welsh accent, and his surname is also the surname of a Welsh Englishman.

He said: "Centerrick Distribution Networks is one of the six major electricity distribution companies in Great Britain. It owns 14 of the 3 regulated grids in the UK, with a total length of 11 miles of cables covering an area of ​​about It covers 11 square kilometers and supplies electricity to more than a quarter of the UK's population, with 800 million customers."

"The company's net profit last year was 1.3 million pounds. Don't you think the price of 24 billion pounds is too low?"

The Centrica Group managed and controlled by these two people is a British multinational utility company. It was just established in 1997, but its development speed is very fast.

The reason is because this company is the same as the original Sempra Energy.

They are all companies that emerged after the merger of several other companies.

And behind this company, there is also capital from Wall Street.

That's why Abel was able to reach them so easily and start negotiating right away.

Who is Abel himself, he is from Wall Street.

Headquartered in Windsor, Berkshire, the company's main business is to supply electricity and natural gas to businesses and consumers in countries such as the UK, Ireland and North America.

It is the UK's largest natural gas supplier and one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers.

Its subsidiary, Centerli Power Distribution Networks, is headquartered in Manchester.

This is why the two sides will meet and talk here.

"The price is not low."

Abel said calmly:

"In fact, this evening, I'm already here and have an appointment with someone from EDF."

Hearing what Abel said, Ian Conn quickly looked at the chairman.

Richard Heisenwaite thought for a while, and immediately said:

"The Southern Distribution Network Company of EDF? Mr. Smith, in terms of scale and power grid quality, the Southern Distribution Network Company is not comparable to Centrica Distribution Network Company."

"But it's cheaper." Abel smiled. "If it's EDF. I think they will have a high probability of selling the company to me with an asking price of around 20 billion pounds."

"Two gentlemen." His eyes became aggressive.

"I can use 20 billion pounds to buy the Southern Distribution Network Company owned by EDF."

"Another 24 million pounds will be injected to allow the Southern Distribution Network Company to develop its business, or to engage in a price war. I think this operation may be more effective than directly purchasing Centrica Distribution Network Company with [-] billion pounds."

"28 billion pounds." Richard Heisenwaite did not answer Abel's words, but offered another price.

"No, I will only accept £25 billion at most."

"27 billion pounds, this is the bottom line of the Centrica Group."

"Bottom line, I have a bottom line. My bottom line is"

"."

In the end, the price negotiated by the two parties, the basic intention price was set at 26.5 billion pounds.

At this price, Centrica Group will sell its Centrica Distribution Network Company to Pacific Energy Corporation of the United States.

"Pleasant to work with."

Abel stood up and shook hands with the two Centrica giants.

Two old British white men also smiled and shook hands with him.

"It's already noon." After shaking hands, Richard Heisenwaite said happily:

"Mr. Smith, I don't know if I have the honor to invite you to have lunch and taste our British cuisine with you?"

British cuisine.
Looking up at the starry sky fish head pie?

Abel felt relieved.

"Next time." Abel said with a smile, "I still have an appointment later."

"Oh, well." Richard Heisenwaite was not regretful at all, "That's really a pity. Next time, Mr. Smith, if you go to Berkshire Windsor, you must inform us and let us know We are the landlords."

"No problem." Abel agreed with a smile.

The two Centrica giants left quickly.

In the cafe, only Abel and his people were left.

Abel waved to Alan and Aymo Alamuddin next to him.

"Alan, send someone to Berkshire Wind Shah immediately."

The core of the advisory group nodded yes.

The corresponding negotiation team has been configured, and you only need to wait for the local lawyer and accountant team to come to sign the contract.

"Aymo, please also inform Clifford Chance." Abel said to Legally Blonde again, "Your business is here."

Aymo Alamuddin is sweet as it should be.

As Clifford Chance's liaison with Abel.

Aymo Alamuddin was brought to Manchester by Abel today.

She originally thought with some expectation that she might be under unspoken rules.

I didn't expect to come here. I went to see the team first, and then had a business negotiation at noon.

It took less than an hour for Abel to buy a company worth more than two billion pounds.

This incident made Aymo Alamuddin, who had no experience, learn a lot.

She felt that it was much faster and more efficient than going to those cosmetics counters by herself.

The rookie lawyer didn't know, for today's negotiation.

Abel's advisory group had already drawn up a rough plan when they were in the United States.

Before Abel met Richard Heisenwaite and Ian Conn today.

The contact between the two parties has been going on for a few days.

The giants of the two sides can meet here because of the basic price and some terms.

Have been in contact with each other before and have an intention to each other
This made the negotiation at noon today seem unusually efficient and fast.

This kind of transaction mode in which the advisory group first sends people to contact the other party, and after the negotiation has achieved results, Abel will come forward and then directly make a decision.

Both Abel and the advisory group have become more and more proficient in using it, and both have a set of established models.

Because Abel made a quick move, he never talked about the price.

At present, this model has not encountered the kind of hard bone that cannot be chewed.

Of course, these are also the companies that Abel is currently eyeing. Most of them are companies that are easy to talk about and have the intention to buy.

If Abel wants to buy, it is a more important company, such as NBC Television Network.

Then this highly efficient model is completely useless.

After explaining to Aimo Alamuddin, Abel looked at Alan Baker.

"Alan, are the people from EDF here?"

Alan Baker quickly checked the time, and it was 12:30 noon.

"The EDF people are expected to arrive around three o'clock in the afternoon," Allen said.

Abel nodded, "Let's talk here tonight. You go and inform them."

Allen quickly responded.

What Abel threatened to Ian Conn and Richard Heisenwaite just now is that if they don’t buy the distribution network company of Centrica Group, they will buy the Southern distribution network company of EDF. .

But it is not comprehensive. The comprehensive thing is that he wants to buy both of these two power network companies.

Since the 80s, the wave of privatization of state-owned enterprises in the UK began.

Those original British state-owned enterprises have also fallen into a large number of foreign investors.

Like the grid network in the UK, there are currently six major companies.

Of the six major companies, only two are local companies.

The other four companies are Deutsche Electricite, EDF, Eon Group, and Iberdrola Power Company.

The four companies belong to Germany, France and Spain respectively, and only Centrica Group and Scottish Southern Power are local companies.

Now the Centrica Group has sold the power distribution network company to Abel.

In the UK's electricity network, there is only one company left that is local.

It is still a Scottish company that has never had much to do with England.

The most important foundation of a country can be controlled in this way.

It can only be said that Mrs. Thatcher is too popular with capitalists.

As for Abel now, he wants to buy the electricity distribution network company of EDF and Centrica Group at the same time.

As long as these two companies are successfully integrated, the new company will suddenly become the largest power network giant in the UK, occupying at least half of the UK's electricity market.

This investment is one of dozens of projects in Europe that Abel specially selected for him in the advisory group.

The reason why the Advisory Board recommends this asset is simple.

Because this kind of assets related to a country’s infrastructure belongs to public utilities, its value and source of income can generally be linked to inflation, and it is also supported by regulatory guarantees. It is a relatively safe haven type of asset.

To put it simply, the profit is stable, and asset inflation can be avoided through price increases.

The real estate giants on Hong Kong Island like to invest in this kind of monopoly company.

The reason why Abel chose to enter this field in addition to finance and media in the UK.

It's also because he knows that Hong Kong's local tyrants like this kind of assets the most.

The advisory group thought he was trying to make a reasonable asset allocation.

Abel is trying to make a reasonable asset allocation at the same time.

Wait a few years or more, and get a vote from the rich on Hong Kong Island.

After confirming the matters to be negotiated with the people from EDF at night.

Abel relaxed for a moment.

He said to David Jones next to him, "What's there to eat in this cafe? Let them bring some food over."

David smiled and walked aside to give instructions.

Abel looked at Aymo Alamuddin who came back from the phone call, smiled and waved to Legally Blonde.

"Miss Alamuddin, how about sitting down and having lunch with me? I just talked about an appointment with someone, maybe it was you."

Alan Baker turned around quickly and sensiblely, and was busy with the next work.

Aymo Alamuddin was of course very happy, she came to Abel with a smile.

She sat down where the two giants of the Centrica Group had just sat.

"I am honored, Mr. Smith." Amo Alamuddin tried to make himself smile more charmingly.

Her smile like this made Abel feel that she was more and more like Anne's sister.

Do you want to eat the beautiful clothes delivered to your door?
Is this a problem?

It's not a problem at all.

As long as the safety of the body and physiology can be guaranteed.

For other problems, Abel feels that he can handle them now.

Unless the person sitting in front of her is a European princess or something.Of course Aymo Alamuddin was not a princess, so it was easy.

　Damn, the order is wrong, I will ask the editor to adjust it tomorrow

　　
　
(End of this chapter)