Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 263 263 [Former Site of Tobacco Company]

Li Wendi bet all the profits he earned from Weisheng Development Company on Golden Harvest Entertainment and Zou Wenhuai. The investment of nearly 1000 million yuan allowed Li Wendi to obtain a large number of new shares issued by Golden Harvest Entertainment, accounting for 17%, becoming the fourth largest shareholder of Golden Harvest Entertainment.

Of course, Zou Wenhuai would not miss the opportunity to sign the agreement. As long as Zou Wenhuai was in Golden Harvest Entertainment, Li Wendi would not support anyone else to manage Golden Harvest Entertainment.

After obtaining the funds, Zou Wenhuai decisively launched an attack on Shaw Brothers Film Company. He no longer focused on the acquisition of theaters, but as Li Wendi suggested, he used his previous relationships at Shaw Brothers Film Company to persuade a series of talented people such as actors and directors whose contracts were about to expire to switch jobs, and promised them greater benefits.

Some people are afraid of Run Run Shaw, some people do not want to lose the Shaw Brothers Film Company as their strong backing (Golden Harvest Entertainment now only has 40% of Shaw Brothers Film Company), and of course there are also people who are willing to change jobs, such as the popular actor Sam Hui.

Zou Wenhuai was very courageous. He was even willing to help pay the liquidated damages for some actors and directors who had been of great help to the development of Golden Harvest Entertainment Company. However, this liquidated damages would ultimately come at the expense of the sheep.

Zou Wenhuai's high-salary poaching had a huge impact on the huge Shaw Brothers Film Company, and it seemed to be shaking its foundation.

Shaw Brothers Film Company's office
Run Run Shaw sat on the chair with a pale face. He originally thought that Li Wendi was going to give up, but he did not expect that Li Wendi would increase his cooperation with Golden Harvest Entertainment at this time. Last time, he was still making fun of Li Wendi, a gangster who was not presentable, but now he was slapped in the face and felt a little embarrassed.

The key point is that Shaw Brothers Film Company is now in a mess because of Zou Wenhuai, but Run Run Shaw still does not want to increase the remuneration and salaries of his employees because it would be a huge cost expenditure.

"These people are too greedy. They are ungrateful wolves who can never be tamed." Run Run Shaw knocked on the table and said in a heavy tone.

When Shaw Brothers was filming "Feng Fei Fei" 4 years ago, there was a scene where a martial artist ate steamed buns, and the price required was "20 yuan to buy 100 steamed buns". The production staff had already signed, but when it was reported to Run Run Shaw, he said "no approval" because the buns in the cafeteria were only one cent each, so why did they have to pay 20 yuan here? As a result, the movie could not be filmed, and Shaw Brothers also lost more than 1 yuan.

Afterwards, Run Run Shaw summoned the production manager and gave him a scolding, saying that the manager had not explained the situation. If he had, he would never have been so lenient with the 20 dollars.

This is just a small incident on Run Run Shaw's "lonely" journey.

"Then what should we do? Raymond Chow has already shaken the foundation of the company." Fang Yihua knew Run Run Shaw well and knew that it would be extremely difficult to get him to change his 'stingy' style.

Many popular actors, outstanding directors, and experienced behind-the-scenes staff have been poached. Some teams have been torn apart and need to be reassembled. It will take some time to cultivate the tacit understanding and cooperation among them, which will cause losses to the huge Shaw Brothers.

Today, Shaw Brothers is in turmoil again because of Zou Wenhuai. Everyone wants to switch to Golden Harvest Entertainment to earn more money instead of suffering with the salary at Shaw Brothers.

"Tell them that anyone who dares to change jobs will be banned by the company one by one, and they will never be able to work in this industry again." Run Run Shaw thought this trick was very useful. After all, Shaw Brothers was still the "big brother" in the Hong Kong film industry.

Zou Wenhuai had already thought of Run Run Shaw's response, so he took Li Wendi to hold a press conference and announced that Li Wendi had invested in Golden Harvest Entertainment. At the same time, Zou Wenhuai publicized Li Wendi's background and some of his deeds, letting the outside world know that Golden Harvest Entertainment had found a new big backer. As for the rumors that it was suppressed by Shaw Brothers, they naturally disappeared a lot.

Fang Yihua knew that this trick was no longer effective, but there was no better way for the time being.

What Run Run Shaw didn't know was that Wendi Li had provided Golden Harvest Entertainment with several excellent scripts, preparing to make a name for herself in Shaw Brothers' strongest field.

Different from his big hits in the film industry, the real estate sector that Li Wendi excels in is very quiet. No major events have occurred. Only some small companies have been acquired (non-listed companies), causing little impact.

Li Wendi suddenly saw an advertisement in the newspaper. It was a promotional advertisement for a hotel with a very advantageous geographical location.

"Yonggao Company?!" Li Wendi grabbed the newsprint and began to daydream, recalling memories of his past life.

Hong Kong Yonggao Company was an enterprise invested in Asia by two American businessmen, John Joe and Alvin, in the late 50s. This company invested in Hilton Hotels and Hyatt Hotels in Hong Kong and Bali respectively.

The Hilton Hong Kong Central opened in 63 and became the first hotel in the world to introduce mini bars in its guest rooms in the 70s, while the Hyatt Regency opened in 73, a difference of nearly 10 years.

Yonggao Company went public in 69 and raised 7700 million yuan, all of which was used in the Hyatt Hotel in Bali. It was this decision that caused Yonggao Company to have profit problems.

Yonggao Company's profit last year was only over 900 million yuan, almost 90% of which was generated by the Hong Kong Hilton Hotel.

This also indirectly proves that Hong Kong's hotel business has the highest return rate in the world.

The two founders, John Joe and Alvin, hold a total of 1048 million shares, accounting for 56% of the equity of Wing Gao Company, while the current share price of Wing Gao Company is only 7.5 yuan. Li Wendi is not interested in Wing Gao Company, but the Central land of Hilton Hotel under Wing Gao Company. The area of ​​this land is 4 square feet, located at 2 Queen's Road Central, Central, not far from Landmark Plaza, and it is a super high-quality property.

In the previous life, this company was acquired by Cheung Kong Holdings, and the Hilton Hotel was demolished and rebuilt, becoming the headquarters of Cheung Kong Holdings.

Of course, Li Wendi also wanted to build a commercial building belonging to the company's headquarters on this land. However, the stock price of Yonggao Company was very low at that time. But with the premium, at least 100 million yuan in cash would be needed, otherwise it would be impossible to acquire it.

As a result, Li Wendi felt a headache. This was not 1000 million yuan, but million yuan, which was higher than the market value of Changxin Real Estate Company. Moreover, these funds were of great use now and could make several times the profit. However, Yonggao Company was facing a crisis now and it was a good opportunity to make a move.

Li Wendi did not decide immediately whether to take action or not, but instead recorded the matter in a notebook. Because Li Jiacheng would not take action against Yonggao Company for the time being, he could also calmly arrange the funding issue.

Just as I was about to continue reading the newspaper, Gao Yi knocked on the door and came in, with a hint of joy on his face.

"Boss, the foreigners are interested in selling the 'Old Tobacco Company Site' in Wan Chai. The area is more than 8 square feet, which can be used to build a Grade A commercial building and a residential building. However, the foreigners require a cash transaction, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for us at Ducheng Real Estate to raise more than 8000 million in a short period of time." Gao Yi said excitedly. This is a project no smaller than the King's Road Dockyard.

The requirement of 8000 million in cash would probably stump most real estate companies in Hong Kong. Even the Jardine Matheson Group would have to think carefully about it.

So from Gao Yi's tone, he wants to jointly develop this land with other companies.

This is a big project, and as a company executive, Gao Yi finds it difficult to get in touch with big bosses and big businessmen, so it all depends on Li Wendi's ability.

Li Wendi remembered that the land here was built into the Elizabeth Building and the Clo Building in the previous life. The former was the ABC residential building with commercial stores on the lower floors, and the latter was a shopping mall.

The developers in the previous life were four major families, but now they do not have the strength to take over this project on their own.

In fact, if Li Wendi grits his teeth, he can still come up with 8000 million, but this will affect the next plan, which is a bit like "losing the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds", but there are huge profits in it.

He still remembered that a strange case had happened in this residential building in the 80s in his previous life. The two brothers and sons of a Singaporean jeweler were tied together in a 96 position and killed, and then sealed in a sink with cement. In the end, the murderer was never found and it became an unsolved case. What was shocking was that the deceased had four keys in his mouth, as if it was some kind of sorcery.

"In that case, let's develop it jointly with other companies. This will also reduce the company's operating risks." Li Wendi said. He really wanted to take over the commercial building. After all, the properties in Wan Chai are of relatively high quality. However, these things need to wait until it is completed in the future, when there will be more funds.

Li Wendi acted quickly and met with Zheng Yutong at a leisure club that afternoon. The topic of discussion was naturally the development project of the old site of the tobacco company.

"I have also heard reports from my subordinates about this project. It is indeed a good investment project. However, 8000 million in cash is a bit difficult to handle. Our two companies are cooperating, and each person will get 4000 million, not including the subsequent construction costs. This project will probably take more than 1 million from start to finish, which is about 6000 million per person. It's not cost-effective." Zheng Yutong still didn't want the two companies to bear the risk.

"Uncle Tong, what you said makes sense. I have the same idea. Uncle Tong, you have better connections than I do. Why don't you contact some old friends to get involved, and we can develop it together with several companies. This will benefit everyone." Li Wendi said seriously.

In this era, real estate developers like to split up large projects and collaborate on them, which can reduce risks for both parties and maintain friendships.

Cheng Yutong thought for a moment and said, "I want to get Henderson Lighting, Sun Hung Kai Properties, and Cheung Kong Holdings involved. What do you think, Wendy?"

Zheng Yutong had heard about some conflicts between Li Wendi and Li Jiacheng, so he was not sure whether Li Wendi wanted to involve Cheung Kong Holdings. If Zheng Yutong wanted to offend Li Wendi in order to please Li Jiacheng, he was unlikely to do so.

After all, Li Wendi is younger and more courageous than Li Jiacheng.

"Okay, each company will take 20%, and we can cooperate very well." Li Wendi immediately told the proportion.

Zheng Yutong glanced at Li Wendi and nodded, "Okay, I'll inform them. I don't think they will refuse."

"If I reject such a good project, I would really miss out on it," Li Wendi laughed.

The development prospects of Wan Chai area are already "obvious", and it even has the meaning of "the next Tsim Sha Tsui". If you can acquire 8 square feet of land here, you will make a lot of money. It is difficult for real estate developers to resist this temptation.

(End of this chapter)