People in Hong Kong create super chaebols

"Mr. Li, you never come to visit someone without a reason. This time, you must have something important to discuss, right?" Su Cheng asked straight to the point, his tone was both polite and direct.

For him, the relaxed atmosphere of casual chatting between him and Li Jiacheng seemed to be missing. After all, the life trajectories and social circles of the two had quietly shifted.

However, this does not mean that Su Cheng lacks respect for Li Jiacheng.

On the contrary, he was well aware of Li Jiacheng's talent and was filled with sincere admiration for him.

But this admiration comes more from recognition of ability rather than social closeness.

The failure to successfully acquire Hutchison Whampoa has indeed prevented Mr. Li Ka-shing from rising to the top ranks in Hong Kong's business community, but even so, he is still a highly-regarded first-class billionaire whose influence cannot be underestimated.

Compared with the chairman of Hutchison Whampoa Group in another world, the Chinese Mr. Li, the gap is quite large. Even so, Su Cheng knows that the strength of Cheung Kong Holdings today is definitely at the top level among Chinese companies.

"Mr. Su, I noticed in the news that you have become the second largest shareholder of Wheelock Group. This is undoubtedly an important expansion of your business empire. It is really cause for celebration!" Li Jiacheng smiled, his tone revealing sincerity and congratulations.

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Cheng immediately became alert.

Wheelock Group? It is no coincidence that Li Ka-shing specifically mentioned this.

He was keenly aware that the purpose of Li Ka-shing's visit this time was likely to be inextricably linked to the Hutchison Whampoa Group.

Therefore, Su Cheng concentrated more and prepared to listen to Li Jiacheng's next words in order to capture the possible hidden intention of cooperation or other important information.

"It was pure luck. I didn't expect that Jardine Matheson Group would take the initiative to come to me and sell shares of Wheelock Group. I originally thought that this foreign company was very good and wanted to acquire it in the future, but I didn't expect it to take the initiative to come to my door, allowing me to easily control so many shares of Wheelock Group." At this point, Su Cheng couldn't help but smile.

At this moment, Li Jiacheng couldn't help but feel an indescribable jealousy in his heart.

He had never expected that this transaction between Su Cheng and Jardine Matheson Group was actually an olive branch extended by Jardine Matheson Group, rather than Su Cheng's active purchase as his Cheung Kong Group had expected.

This made him wonder inwardly: Why did Jardine Matheson Group choose Suzhou instead of himself?
Although he felt unwilling, he also understood that it was useless to dwell on these things now.

After all, those valuable shares have already fallen firmly into Su Cheng's hands. It is undoubtedly a pipe dream to expect him to let go easily.

Two or three hundred million Hong Kong dollars worth of stocks is something that the Cheung Kong Group can easily come up with, not to mention the world's richest man like Su Cheng. Therefore, it is basically impossible to ask Su Cheng to give up the acquisition of Wheelock Group.

Li Jiacheng is well aware of his situation and knows that he does not have enough bargaining chips to persuade Su Cheng to give up his shares in the Wheelock Group.

So he quickly adjusted his mindset, buried his jealousy and unwillingness deep in his heart, and faced reality with a more peaceful and pragmatic attitude.

He understood that the business world is like a battlefield and opportunities are fleeting. Only by seizing the opportunities in front of you can you remain invincible in the fierce competition.

At this moment, hasn't Li Jiacheng also become the one who actively seeks cooperation, just as Jardine Matheson Group did to Sucheng before?

He smiled bitterly with a hint of helplessness, and said to Su Cheng frankly: "Mr. Su, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I do hold some shares of Wheelock Group."

Su Cheng couldn't help showing a hint of surprise when he heard this. He really hadn't expected this situation. After all, in his memory, Li Jiacheng had never taken any action to acquire Wheelock Group, but Bao Yugang became the key figure.

But the reality at this moment was so different from his memory that he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

After a moment of hesitation, Su Cheng quickly captured the subtle changes.

He realized that this might be the charm of the unpredictable and changing business world.

Now that the wheel of history has deviated from its established track, he must re-evaluate the current situation and make corresponding adjustments.

So, Su Cheng asked Li Jiacheng with a more cautious and curious attitude about the purpose of his holding shares of Henderson Land Development.

Perhaps it was because he had seized the Hutchison Whampoa Group in advance that he had to choose a new target in the end, and that target was the Wheelock Group.

"Indeed, our Cheung Kong Group holds a considerable stake in Wheelock Group. To be specific, it is 9.7% of the shares, and this has always been our trump card that we have not disclosed to the public. Today, we are actually the third largest shareholder of Wheelock Group, but the outside world does not know it." There was a hint of heaviness in Li Ka-shing's words, without any of his usual ease and smile.

After all, no one can be happy after wasting two years of time and getting nothing in the end.

Hearing this, Su Cheng couldn't help but feel even more curious and speculative: "So, what is Mr. Li's real intention for this visit?"

He wondered whether Cheung Kong's move meant that they intended to withdraw from the competition with Wheelock Group or whether there were other deeper considerations.

"Could it be that they want me to give up my pursuit of the Wheelock Group?" Although Su Cheng had this thought in his mind, he immediately shook his head and laughed at himself for worrying too much.

"There's no reason to let go of the fruit that I have already obtained." He was secretly determined in his heart.

However, Su Cheng was not in a hurry to express his thoughts, but waited for Li Jiacheng's further explanation with a wait-and-see attitude.

“Mr. Su, I know that you have become the second largest shareholder of Wheelock Group, and you must have plans to acquire Wheelock Group.

Cheung Kong Group naturally has no intention of competing with you head-on. Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to give up further pursuit of Wheelock Group.

Since Mr. Su has a strong interest in this group, I am willing to transfer our shares to you as a personal cooperation.

I wonder if Mr. Su is interested in this?" Li Jiacheng's words were sincere and direct, expressing his true intentions.

"Another person coming to sell shares?" This time it was Su Cheng's turn to be surprised.

He also thought that there was a high probability that Li Ka-shing would not give up and would come to seek his shares in the Wheelock Group, hoping to buy them from him.

However, the fact is just the opposite. The other party has no such intention at all. Instead, just like Jardine Matheson Group, they directly intend to sell the shares to him. (End of this chapter)