Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 282 280 [Acquisition and Debt Repayment]

When Sun Hung Kai Securities announced that Li Wendi already held 46.1% of Wharf Holdings' shares, Hong Kong Land had already smelled something different, and a strange scene occurred. While Hong Kong Land was shouting against the takeover, it was selling a large number of Wharf Holdings' shares on the stock market. Of course, Hong Kong Land had already stopped acquiring Wharf Holdings' shares.

Hongkong Land Office

The foreign secretary was reporting on the stock sales. "We have sold 1372 million shares of Wharf Holdings on the stock market, raising 2 million yuan. We still hold 7440% of the shares, and the current share price has fallen to 26.28 yuan."

Bao Fuda and Newbyjian's faces were extremely gloomy. Although they had reaped a lot of rewards in this Wharf acquisition battle, they had lost the controlling rights of Wharf, a large company known as the left wing of Jardine Matheson. At this time, Jardine Matheson was like losing an arm.

"We have already lost the Wharf Group. We must harvest some high-quality companies from this downturn in the real estate market to make up for the losses caused." Niu Bijian said in a deep voice.

"Boss, what do you think of Wheelock and Company?" Bao Fuda suddenly blurted out a shocking statement, and the secretary next to him was startled.

As one of the four largest trading companies in Hong Kong, Wheelock & Company's current asset value is no less than that of Wharf Holdings, but the difficulty of acquiring it is equally astonishing, and there are people who may obstruct it.

"Wheelock & Company?!" Newby was slightly stunned, then looked at the secretary next to him and motioned him to go out.

This matter is so big that a small secretary is not qualified to know about it and is afraid of leaks.

"Don't tell anyone what you just heard." Bao Fuda reacted and threatened the secretary.

"Yes, I didn't hear anything." The secretary rolled his throat and then hurried away with a pile of documents.

"I had this idea before. Now that we have lost Wharf Holdings, only large companies like Wheelock & Company can make up for our losses." Bao Fuda continued, "The shipping industry is booming now, and Wheelock & Company is one of the best. It just happens that we have a place in the shipping industry."

"Moreover, Wheelock Properties' real estate trusts, Realty Development, Lane Crawford Development, Po Fook Development, Harriman Development and Wheelock Shipping are all very high-quality companies that can at least make up for the losses of Wharf Holdings."

Of course Newby was tempted. After losing Wharf Holdings, he didn't know how to explain to the board of directors of Jardine Matheson Group. He couldn't say that he had made a profit of more than 100 million from Wharf Holdings.

"This matter can be submitted to the Jardine Matheson board of directors, and the board of directors can make the decision. This can also be regarded as a response to the loss of Wharf Holdings." Newby thought for a while and said, "I guess the board of directors will agree. You can use the funds recovered to secretly purchase shares of Wheelock Holdings."

Bao Fuda did not respond to Newby immediately. Instead, he looked thoughtful. "If we acquire Wheelock and Company, the strength of the Jardine Matheson Group will exceed that of HSBC. Will that guy Shen Bi do something?"

As one of the most outstanding managers of HSBC, Shen Bi was committed to making HSBC an international bank. However, before his return, he would not allow any company to surpass HSBC in size. After all, HSBC had been the boss for so many years. If it lost its top spot during his tenure, Shen Bi would not have the face to stay in the position of manager.

Newby knew what was going on, but he needed Wheelock & Company to make up for the loss, otherwise his position as the boss of Jardine Matheson would not be so stable.

"Let's talk about Shen Bi later. Let's do our own thing first and give an explanation to the board of directors." Niu Bijian decided to acquire the company.

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." The gloom on Bao Fuda's face disappeared a little.

The acquisition by Wharf Group was successful, but the 100 million loan from HSBC was about to expire, and Li Wendi needed to raise funds to repay it.

Sun Hung Kai Securities

"Mr. Li, do you really want to sell these stocks? Blue-chip stocks are rising rapidly right now. If you wait a few more months, you may be able to double your profits." Feng Jingxi was very professional. Even when faced with these coveted stocks, he repeatedly persuaded Li Wendi.

"Mr. Feng, the 1 million loan I owe to HSBC is about to expire. I must repay it now, otherwise I will destroy the entire Yonggao company." Li Wendi said helplessly.

Feng Jingxi nodded. "What do you think of Sun Hung Kai Securities taking over this batch of stocks, Mr. Li?"

"Haha!! Mr. Feng, of course this is possible. It also saves me the time of selling it." Li Wendi laughed. He could earn a favor by selling it to Feng Jingxi, so why not do it.

“谢谢李生了！”冯景禧拿出一份报告，将里面的内容读了出来“怡和公司的股票是93万股、置地公司88万股、大酒店公司106万股新世界发展公司223万股、新鸿基地产公司101万股”

"According to your suggestion, Mr. Li, we will retain the shares of Hutchison Whampoa and Swire. The current share price of Jardine Matheson is 6.7 yuan, and that of Hong Kong Land is 57 yuan. The total funds recovered are 7364.89 million yuan, and the average rate of return is 1.4."

"It seems that there is still about 3600 million left from the funds used to acquire Wharf Holdings." Li Wendi saw Feng Jingxi nod and said, "Add this amount now, it will be 1 million."

"Mr. Feng, please help me repay the 1 million loan from HSBC. For the remaining 1000 million, can you help me compile a list of relatively high-quality small and medium-sized companies in Hong Kong? I want to choose a good investment project for the 1000 million." "Okay, Mr. Li is the largest client of Sun Hung Kai Securities, and we should provide some reference materials for our customers." Feng Jingxi did not want to lose Li Wendi as a big client. Sun Hung Kai Securities could make tens of millions just from this batch of stocks.

In fact, Li Wendi's companies, including Changxin Real Estate Company, China Entertainment Real Estate Company, and Ducheng Real Estate Company, all had loans of varying amounts from HSBC, and were all ordered by HSBC to repay the loans within a specified time, otherwise the collateral would be taken away.

Therefore, these companies are carrying out pledge release operations and transferring their pledged loans to other banks, such as Standard Chartered Bank and CITIC Bank. Although they appear to have lost some money, in fact, these properties were bought at the lowest point. Now that the local market has recovered, they can naturally make some profits, but not much.

The change of banks wasted a lot of manpower and resources, and caused losses to companies such as Changxin Real Estate.

Li Wendi silently took note of this confrontation with HSBC and was determined to get back the money with interest in the future.

The news that Li Wendi defeated the Hong Kong Land Development and successfully acquired the Wharf Holdings spread like wildfire in Hong Kong. Those companies that had some minor conflicts with Li Wendi or his subsidiaries hurriedly visited Li Wendi, hoping that he would not take it to heart.

For example, Luo Yingshi of Eagle Properties was not immune either, because Li Wendi had a very bad reputation and was a vindictive person. Eagle Properties now could not withstand Li Wendi's fierce resistance.

"I wanted to come and visit Mr. Li earlier, but unfortunately I was too busy and didn't have the time." Luo Yingshi said with a laugh.

Li Wendi smiled and said, "Mr. Luo is a senior in the real estate industry. I should pay him a visit. We have dealt with him a lot in Kowloon Bay industrial properties before."

"Dealing" is not an ordinary dealing. What Li Wendi meant is reciprocity. Since Eagle Properties helped the British to stab Li Wendi in the back when he was in trouble, it must pay a price, otherwise where is the rule.

"Mr. Li is right!" Luo Yingshi naturally knew that this was the purpose of his visit. This was definitely not something that could be resolved with just an apology.

Hong Kong is a capitalist society, not a place where seniority is the key. Everything is ranked according to strength. It's just that Luo Yingshi is not young anymore, so Li Wendi gives him some respect.

"Why did Luo Sheng come here this time?" Li Wendi asked pretending to be stupid.

Luo Yingshi smiled and said, "Last time, there was some misunderstanding with Mr. Li's Mingcheng Real Estate Company, so I came to apologize today. I hope Mr. Li can let it go."

"These are just minor issues. Business in the mall is bound to have bumps and bumps. Luo Sheng is a little too cautious." Li Wendi added, "There is no need to solve business problems privately. Just follow the rules."

Do I need an apology from you? Li Wendi sneered in his heart. We are all Chinese, but they are helping the British to punish him. Are they still thinking about their old friendship?

"This is an 8-storey industrial building in Kwun Tong. My men took it in malicious competition with your company last time. It was too late when I found out, so I came to your house in person to return the building." Luo Yingshi said seriously.

"Then what price does Luo Sheng plan to sell it for?" Li Wendi certainly wouldn't be pretentious and evasive.

"According to the previous market price."

"Wouldn't Mr. Luo be at a loss if he did that? Eagle Properties bought this property at a premium." Li Wendi said, "We are both Chinese, I can't let Mr. Luo suffer a loss, let's just keep the original price."

Li Wendi was unwilling to push his luck further. The Wharf acquisition battle this time also made him realize the power of "lack of support", which was a bit like when everyone pushed down the wall, so it was necessary for him to establish a good personal image.

"Since Mr. Li said so, let's just follow the original price." Luo Yingshi didn't want to argue over such a small amount of money.

Li Wendi refilled Luo Yingshi's tea and said, "Eagle Real Estate Company is a veteran in the field of industrial properties. Mingcheng Real Estate Company and Metropolitan Real Estate Company are both newcomers. Mr. Luo, please help us to promote them. The market in Hong Kong is so huge. We can definitely cooperate and achieve win-win results."

"Mr. Li, how do you want us to cooperate?" Luo Yingshi asked.

"The Kwun Tong Industrial Zone has been developed for many years and the industrial buildings are old. We can cooperate to demolish and rebuild them. As for the profits, how about a 50-50 split?" Li Wendi proposed a plan that had been brewing for a long time.

The Kwun Tong Industrial Zone was established ten years earlier than the Kowloon Bay Industrial Zone and is larger in scale than Kowloon Bay. As long as new industrial buildings can be rebuilt, the profits will be quite high.

"Okay, I'll come to sign the contract in two days." Luo Yingshi is also a straightforward person.

Thus, the conflict between the two began to be resolved.

(End of this chapter)