Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 178 [Qinian Newspaper's New Business]

Changxin Real Estate Company Office

Zhang Wentao looked a little impatient. "Cheung Kong Holdings has confirmed that it will bid for Hong Kong Tower and Zhongming Tower. The owner of Zhongming Tower has asked for more than 2800 million yuan. I'm afraid we can't snipe at Cheung Kong Holdings."

Hong Kong Building is a small commercial building, while Zhongming Building is a medium-sized commercial building with an area of ​​about 2 square feet and is located closer to the Central area.

The price of 2800 million is indeed not within Li Wendi’s plan. It’s not that he can’t afford it, but it will disrupt his subsequent plans.

In order to snipe Cheung Kong Holdings and damage the long-term interests of Changxin Real Estate Company and China Entertainment Real Estate Company, it is not worth the loss. Li Wendi certainly would not make such a wrong decision.

"Where is Xiangdao Building?" Li Wendi looked up at Zhang Wentao and asked.

"The asking price is 680 million. Many small and medium-sized companies want to bid for Xiangdao Building." Zhang Wentao replied.

According to the development trajectory of the previous life, most of the small buildings in Wan Chai would be "merged". Li Wendi felt that after the successful acquisition of Hong Kong Island Building, it would be inevitable to merge it because there were many small commercial buildings nearby.

Li Wendi thought for a while and said, "It seems that we have no chance of getting Zhongming Building. Then let's focus on Xiangdao Building. Let's spread the word that Changxin Real Estate Company will bid for Xiangdao Building with 1000 million yuan."

"1000 million?! Isn't it a bit high? Our peers might think we are deliberately raising the price of commercial buildings in Wan Chai, or even think we are hired by the owner of Xiangdao Building." Zhang Wentao said in shock. This is a premium of nearly 50%, and very few buildings can reach this price.

Li Wendi smiled and asked, "What price do you think is suitable?"

"888 million! It's a good idea, and the price is also suitable, with a 3% premium." Zhang Wentao continued, "I have collected a lot of cases of commercial building transactions in Wan Chai, and the highest premium is 3%. This time, no one should exceed %."

Li Wendi wanted to explain why he wanted to use this as an advertisement, but after thinking about it, he realized that he was already at the top of the city at this time, so he could talk about fame later. Now he should focus on the actual benefits. "Okay, then let's do as you wish, 888 million!"

"Since the bid price is 888 million, let China Entertainment Real Estate Company complete the bidding alone. China Entertainment Real Estate Company will be a real estate company under Changxin Real Estate Company."

Zhang Wentao's eyes lit up slightly. He had already guessed what Li Wendi was thinking. It was a bit of a surprise to him to get his personal acknowledgement today. After all, the status of Changxin Real Estate Company represented his future ranking among all of Li Wendi's confidants.

Soon, the bidding for four commercial buildings in Wan Chai began one after another. The competition was as fierce as Li Wendi had expected, but the bids of the real estate developers did not exceed 3% premium, and it seemed that none of them wanted to raise the land price in Wan Chai too high.

Li Huanggua was willing to spend money on high-quality properties. He paid a 3% premium for Zhongming Building and finally got it as he wished.

As for the Xiangdao Building, Li Huanggua offered a premium of 29%, only 1% less than Li Wendi's. However, such a price only made Li Huanggua sigh and then forget about it.

Li Wendi naturally would not miss this opportunity. He bribed other newspapers to report the matter vigorously, using the reputation of Cheung Kong Holdings to increase its presence and at least let some people know the name of China Entertainment Properties.

Qi Nian Newspaper
Under He Qijun's management, the newspaper has been on the right track, and the personnel structure has begun to become complete. Li Wendi only dealt with some difficult issues and affairs at the beginning, and did not deal with other official duties. "Do you plan to add some business and industries to the newspaper?" Li Wendi asked with a smile. The role of the newspaper has always been to control the mouthpiece, not to make money.

In fact, the printing industry makes more money than some newspapers and magazines produced by newspaper companies, but it certainly cannot compare with best-selling magazines such as "Handsome" and "ON!", and the derivative products of "ON!" are also a goose that lays golden eggs.

He Qijun immediately shook her head. "Very few newsprints are profitable. Most newsprints are losing money and are just struggling to survive. The Qinian Newspaper is not like those newspaper groups. It is difficult for it to survive for a long time."

From He Qijun's tone, it seems that she is not willing to use the profits from the two magazines to make up for the losses caused by newsprint. He Qijun believes that business is business, and making money is the top priority.

Li Wendi smiled and consoled him, "I have many ways to make money. You don't have to worry about Qi Nian's profitability. The purpose of publishing a newspaper is to expand the influence of Qi Nian Newspaper. Otherwise, how can Qi Nian make a name for himself in the Hong Kong industry?"

"A way to make money? Magazines again?" He Qijun asked with interest. In her opinion, magazines can also expand influence.

Li Wendi shook his head. "No, what do you think of comics?"

He Qijun was slightly stunned. "Comics?! The comics market in Hong Kong is indeed not small, but the comics from RB are very influential in Hong Kong. We may not be able to compete with them."

"Challenges prove the potential of the market. RB comics are not scary. I am confident that I can beat them in terms of content." Li Wendi grinned and said, "The profits from the derivative industry brought by comics should be more substantial than that of ON! Magazine, enough to support the losses of a piece of newsprint."

"I'm not just worried about the loss. The competition in the newsprint sector may be even more intense than in the real estate industry. As far as I know, in order to continue to maintain its leading position, Oriental Daily has already planned to start lowering the price of newspapers. This will be a blow to its peers. If we open a new newspaper, it is very likely that we will be rejected and attacked by our peers." He Qijun sighed.

"Qijun, money is not a problem. I can own two listed companies in one year. Can't I afford the loss of a piece of newsprint?" Li Wendi persuaded. "Newsprint is the source of our influence. If we experience another Repulse Bay Road incident, it will be in vain to make more money."

Hearing this, He Qijun stopped refutation and nodded in agreement, "Okay, then I will arrange the recruitment and set up a newsprint team as soon as possible."

"Recruitment is definitely necessary, but in order to better attract citizens, I suggest recruiting experienced talents from other newspapers to join us. As for the salary, we will increase it by 2% first, and the highest is 5%." Li Wendi said seriously.

"Poaching talents? This will easily lead to hatred among peers. Harmony brings wealth. Can't we use a gentler approach? For example, offering high salaries to attract talents." He Qijun suggested. Under the influence of the He family's family education, she naturally did not have the character of a robber.

Li Wendi smiled and said, "It's not much different from the previous method. It's essentially the same. Well, how to build a newspaper team is your business. I won't interfere. If you need funds, I can lend it to the newspaper first, and then pay it back when I make money."

There are only two of them as shareholders of the Qinian Newspaper. Although He Qijun seems to have a gentle personality, she is actually very strong-willed and does not want others to look down on her. That is why Li Wendi said he would lend the funds instead of giving them directly.

"Okay, I think the profits from the two magazines should be enough to support the establishment of a newspaper." He Qijun said seriously, "As long as it is successfully established, I will try my best to reduce the losses. As for the profits, I will also do my best."

"Well, I'll leave this matter to you." Li Wendi changed the subject and said, "I have seen a bright future for the Qinian Newspaper Company, and the Ming Pao Group is not far away."

(End of this chapter)