Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 238 [Successful Interception]

Li Wendi continued to throw out the benefits, "Uncle Tong, what do you think of the Sai West Lake land released by Swire Properties?"

That’s right, Li Wendi wanted to use New World Development Company as a banner, and then get a loan from the Canadian Commercial Bank as start-up capital for the project.

Speaking of this, Zheng Yutong's eyes lit up. The Saixihu project is of very high quality and many people are optimistic about this project. However, the downside is that Swire Properties' asking price is not low, which is 7000 million.

In this period of real estate downturn, it is not a problem to buy two commercial buildings in Central for 7000 million. However, the land of Taikoo Dockyard (where Sai Hu is located) is still barren and it will take some time to truly develop it. In this way, these funds are trapped there, which will naturally have a relatively large impact on the company's development.

But Cheng Yutong was a well-known "shark-hearted man", otherwise he would not have spent HK$70 million to buy the "Blue Chimney" land in Tsim Sha Tsui from Swire Group in 1.3, and developed it into New World Center, which greatly increased the market value of New World Development Company.

"What? Do you want to take over this project?" Zheng Yutong asked back. Seeing Li Wendi nodded, he continued, "Do you want to take over this piece of land with the New World Development Alliance?"

"Yes, I also plan to win over the Canadian Imperial Bank, so that we can solve our loan problem while minimizing the impact on the development of our respective companies." Li Wendi stated the initial plan.

Zheng Yutong nodded slightly, his face still thoughtful. There are naturally pros and cons to bringing in Canadian commercial banks. The disadvantage is that their profits will be reduced, while the advantage is that the risk will be reduced and there will be less capital being locked up.

In fact, what Zheng Yutong likes most are the advantages. After all, he is a relatively stable person in business, so he can better withstand crises, especially the current stock market crash and the economic crisis brought about by oil.

"So how much do you plan to bid?" Zheng Yutong asked.

"I've thought about it. Many businessmen will probably offer a 2% premium. To be more conservative, I plan to offer a 3% premium, and the price will be 9000 million." Li Wendi replied seriously.

It was 500 million more than Li Jiacheng in his previous life. Li Wendi thought it was safe, after all, it was a 3% premium.

Zheng Yutong said, "Okay, 9000 million is a little bit more, but it can guarantee that we can get it. So how do you plan to distribute the proportions?"

"Give 30% to Canadian Commercial Bank, 35% to New World Development and % to Changxin Real Estate Company respectively. What do you think?" Li Wendi said. This ratio was carefully considered. If Canadian Commercial Bank has any objections, Li Wendi has a backup plan.

"Are you planning to apply for a bank loan for the land cost or the initial start-up capital?" Zheng Yutong continued to ask.

"If we loan out both parts together, the total loan amount can be 5000 million, and we can get the lowest interest rate," Li Wendi replied.

"Then you can have someone make a plan. After you have discussed it with the Canadian Commercial Bank, we will go to the law firm to sign the contract." Zheng Yutong immediately agreed.

Changxin Real Estate Company
Li Wendi read the bid prepared by Zhang Wentao and others and found no problems, so he asked Zhang Wentao to send the bid to Swire Properties.

"You go and raise 3000 million in funds. If you win the bid, we will be in a hurry." Li Wendi said thoughtfully. 3000 million in funds is not a light burden for Changxin Real Estate, although Lin Dongmei helped to make a profit of 2000 million in the money market.

However, this is a good opportunity for Changxin Real Estate Company. After success, Changxin Real Estate's name will become more famous in the Hong Kong business community, making it easier to attract more cooperation opportunities in the future.

Some business will always come to your door, and your reputation is obviously extra important at this time, otherwise who knows if you have the ability to complete this project.

"Yes! Can we mobilize the profits earned by the investment department in the currency market?" Zhang Wentao asked cautiously.

Li Wendi nodded and said with a smile, "They are all the company's funds. There is nothing wrong with transferring them. But in the future, you have to cooperate more with the investment department. They will not interfere with your work."

Li Wendi's words reminded Zhang Wentao not to worry about Lin Dongmei shaking his position, so that Zhang Wentao could work with peace of mind and cooperate well with the investment department.

"Got it!" Zhang Wentao quickly changed the subject and said, "The most powerful companies this time are Cheung Kong Holdings and Nan Fung Textile Company. Their bids are estimated to be around 8000 million. Our bid is 1000 million higher than theirs. There is a high chance that we will be successful in bidding for this project."

Zhang Wentao is quite capable, for example in intelligence gathering, and he has worked in the real estate industry for many years and has sufficient industry experience.

Of course, the growing Changxin Real Estate Company will be decentralized. It is impossible for Zhang Wentao to always control most of the company's affairs. The reason is simple. Zhang Wentao's ability is not enough to support it. Li Wendi also needs to have full control of the company and needs to balance some forces to prevent one party from dominating.

"Well, keep paying attention to the movements of Cheung Kong Holdings. I guess they don't dare to bid 9000 million." Li Wendi's second half of the sentence seemed to be spoken to himself.

Canadian Commercial Bank Hong Kong Office

Li Wendi specifically visited the head of the office, Bond, who was a genuine European, nearly 1.9 meters tall, half a head taller than Li Wendi, with a beard on his face, which did not affect the handsomeness of the white man.

"Mr. Bond, I'm here to bring you a very good business project for your commercial bank." Li Wendi said in a mysterious way, but his eyes were fixed on Bond.

"Really? Mr. Li, can you tell me what the business is about?" Bond's blue eyes stared straight ahead.

Li Wendi turned around and said with a smile, "I have already agreed with my partner that the Saixi Lake land that Swire Properties is bidding for can be given to commercial banks with a 30% share. What do you think, Mr. Bond?"

Bond looked a little conflicted, as if he was trying to choose something.

A name immediately popped up in Li Wendi’s mind: Li Jiacheng. In his previous life, Li Jiacheng approached the Bank of Commerce of Canada to jointly develop the land of Saixi Lake.

"Mr. Bond, has anyone contacted you?" Li Wendi asked bluntly.

Bond nodded. This was not a secret. Li Wendi would know it as long as he checked. So he said expressionlessly, "Yes, it was Mr. Li Jiacheng, the boss of Cheung Kong Group, who approached me. The intention of cooperation was also the Saixihu land of Swire Properties."

Li Wendi smiled and said, "Has Mr. Bond agreed? Or are they still discussing it?"

"I've already agreed verbally. I'm really sorry, Mr. Li," Bond said.

"Mr. Bond, the bidding has not yet ended, and the Saixi Lake land still does not belong to anyone. What do you plan to do if Mr. Li Jiacheng does not get this land?" Li Wendi said with a smile.

"Mr. Li, do you mean that you will get him?" Bond naturally heard the hidden meaning of Li Wendi's words.

Li Wendi shook his head. "The results haven't come out yet. Who dares to say who this piece of land belongs to? Mr. Bond, the Chinese have a saying that 'all your eggs should not be put in one basket'. If it were you, you would diversify your investments. Would Mr. Bond be willing to give up such a good project?"

"Okay! Mr. Li, we haven't signed a contract with Mr. Li Jiacheng yet, and we are still free. I promise you, as long as you get the Saixihu land, Commercial Bank will definitely cooperate with you." As a businessman, profit is naturally the highest standard, and a verbal agreement is just to curry favor.

"Even if we take over this piece of land, we still lack some funds. I wonder if Mr. Bond can lend us 5000 million Hong Kong dollars for this good project?" Li Wendi said, taking advantage of the opportunity.

Bond began to look a little embarrassed, obviously this was a large loan.

"Mr. Bond, as long as we can win this project, the commercial bank will lend us 5000 million yuan. I can promise that the commercial bank can get a profit of no less than 4000 million yuan. If it is less, I am willing to make up the gap with ten times the price. How about it?" Li Wendi took the opportunity to throw out his trump card and gave Bond the final blow.

"Haha!! Mr. Li, that's not what I meant, but since Mr. Li said so, let's just make it a deal." Bond was very satisfied with the conditions offered by Li Wendi. At least they were much better than those offered by Li Jiacheng.

"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!" Li Wendi raised his glass towards Bond and took a sip of coffee. Bond also put the cup over.

Fortunately, Li Wendi had prepared a backup plan. Who knew that Li Jiacheng was so quick and had already discussed it with the commercial bank before bidding. Fortunately, the two parties did not sign a contract, otherwise Li Wendi would have to change another bank.

The reason why Li Wendi wanted to share a property with the Canadian Commercial Bank was to build up relationships in Canada through these collaborations and prepare for future expansion into Canada.

He also knew that Canadian officials liked to attract Chinese businessmen to invest, but those investment projects were not of high quality, and high-quality projects still required some connections to operate.

On the afternoon of the day when Swire Properties submitted its bid, it announced the result: Changxin Real Estate Co., Ltd. won the bid for the North Point Sai Sai Lake project with a price of 9000 million.

The second place was Cheung Kong Holdings with 8600 million, which was only 400 million less than Changxin Real Estate Company. This made Li Jiacheng a little annoyed. Li Wendi had already intercepted many projects of Cheung Kong Holdings, which were all important parts of the development and growth of Cheung Kong Holdings.

"Why? Is it just a coincidence? Or am I being targeted by Li Wendi?" Li Jiacheng muttered to himself in a heavy tone, his face looking a little scary in its dark color.

Soon, Secretary Hong Xiaolian came in with documents in her hands. She was not surprised to see this. "Li Wendi visited Bond of the Canadian Commercial Bank yesterday. The content of their discussion was probably related to the bidding for the Saixi Lake land. Could it be that Bond leaked our bidding?"

Li Jiacheng rolled his eyes and thought for a moment, then shook his head decisively, "It couldn't be Bond. He just knew about the intention to cooperate. I didn't mention any content of the bid to him. It could be someone inside the company."

"Don't worry! I will investigate it thoroughly." Hong Xiaolian was also in a bad mood, but she was very confident about the investigation because there were only a few people who had been involved in the bidding case.

"From now on, you must pay special attention to Changxin Real Estate Company and Li Wendi. We have fallen into his hands several times." Li Jiacheng gradually regained his senses and sat in a chair giving orders.

"Will it affect our cooperation with Changxin Real Estate Company in Wan Chai?" Hong Xiaolian reminded.

"Be careful. Li Wendi is a young man and a bit impulsive. It will not do us any good if we anger him, but we can't just leave him alone. He has already threatened our layout." Li Jiacheng said seriously.

"Okay, I'll find some reliable people to do it." Hong Xiaolian nodded.

After Li Jiacheng finished the transaction, he began to ponder again, while Hong Xiaolian put down the documents and tactfully left the office.

After deciding to win the Saixi Lake land project, Li Wendi immediately contacted Bond from the Canadian Commercial Bank to discuss the signing of the contract with him.

At this time, Bond put on a warm face, as if he and Li Wendi were friends who had known each other for a long time.

While chatting with each other, Li Wendi expressed his willingness to invest in Canada as long as he had extra funds. This was naturally something Li Wendi showed deliberately.

Bond also kept this in mind because he had recognized Li Wendi's abilities. He used to look down on Li Wendi because of his young age, but not now, because he was already aware of some of Li Wendi's abilities.

Back to Changxin Real Estate Company

Li Jiacheng had been waiting in the conference room for a long time. Li Wendi would not neglect Li Jiacheng at this time. He pretended to be very impatient and walked into the conference room, saying a few polite words of apology to Li Jiacheng.

"I wonder why Mr. Li came to visit me today?" Li Wendi asked with a smile. In fact, he had already guessed that Li Jiacheng's purpose was just to compete with the West Lake project.

"Mr. Li, to be honest, I am very optimistic about the Saixihu project, so I wanted to ask if Cheung Kong Holdings could join in?" Li Jiacheng said bluntly.

"Mr. Li, I'm really sorry. Changxin Real Estate Company, as the leading enterprise, already only holds 35% and there are already two partners. If we add more people, everyone's profit will be very thin." Li Wendi would certainly not agree, otherwise it would be "aiding the enemy".

Li Jiacheng smiled and said, "Mr. Li, the profits are indeed diluted, but isn't the risk also lower? There are good properties everywhere now. Can't we all make money together?"

"This business is not just for Changxin Real Estate, we'll have to wait until next time." Li Wendi said with a wry smile.

Li Jiacheng stopped forcing her, and talked about another matter. "Mr. Li, did you buy Wharf Holdings to invest or wait for an opportunity to acquire it? I just asked casually, there is no other meaning."

I don't believe you at all, you old man are such a bad guy!
Li Wendi couldn't help but complain in his heart. He suspected that Li Jiacheng was playing the trick of 'first suppress and then praise'. His purpose should be to inquire about the affairs of Wharf Holdings. Maybe this guy had already been interested in Wharf Holdings.

Li Wendi recalled what Li Jiacheng said to reporters after he became famous: "Many businesses are not started on a whim. I have been observing for several years and waiting for a good opportunity before I dare to start."

Then the rumors in the previous life that Li Jiacheng suddenly took action against the Wharf Group should be just rumors.

"We certainly don't have the strength to acquire the company now." Li Wendi admitted politely, because this would discourage Li Jiacheng from having any evil thoughts about Wharf Holdings. Even if he wanted to snatch it, he would be in the right position.

"Mr. Li is so sharp! If you need help in the future, just ask. We Chinese should be united against the outside world. There are so many Chinese in Hong Kong, and we should not be controlled by the British." Li Jiacheng laughed.

These words made Li Wendi confused about Li Jiacheng's purpose for a moment. Did he come here deliberately to make friends?

Li Jiacheng is very self-interested. The good deeds he did in his previous life were only for greater benefits. After all, a good reputation can bring high-quality cooperation.

"Of course, we are all Chinese. Before the British lost power, our bloodline was the best alliance." Li Wendi smiled and said, "Mr. Li, when do you think it is appropriate to start against British capital?"

The two of them started talking nonsense again, but no one told the truth.

(End of this chapter)