Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 305 303 [Hot Cake]

The stock market, which had just calmed down, was in turmoil again. China Motor Bus Company and Electric Light Company were both well-known companies in Hong Kong. The latter launched a takeover of the former. Even though the former's strength was weaker than a few years ago, it was still one of the specialized companies and had relatively stable income.

In the era when the subway was not yet fully popularized in Hong Kong Island, trams could only reach Sai Wan and North Point on Hong Kong Island. The buses of the China Motor Bus Company became a necessary means of transportation for ordinary people to travel. Although the profits were suppressed by the Hong Kong government, they still made considerable profits.

A large number of shareholders rushed to buy shares of China Motor Bus Company, making the trading hall lively, which seemed to be similar to the scene of the Wheelock Group acquisition case some time ago.

It is estimated that this time, the shareholders still failed to learn the lesson from the last acquisition case and still believed that if the Electric Light Company could successfully acquire the China Bus Company, they could make a safe profit.

Changxin Real Estate Company
Lin Dongmei, wearing a business suit and high heels, walked in with a loud voice, "Boss, we have acquired 199.8 million shares of China Bus Company, accounting for 5.4%, and the cost is about 1500 million yuan."

"According to investigations, the Electric Light Company has acquired approximately 3.4% of the shares from the shareholders of the China Bus Company. It now holds 24.4% of the shares, which is 3.4% less than the Yan family."

"I predict that the electric light company will launch a takeover bid soon, and the stock price will soar even more sharply."

Li Wendi looked at Lin Dongmei and said, "Do you want to sell at a high price and cancel your plan to become a director of China Bus Company?"

Lin Dongmei did not rely on her close relationship to persuade Li Wendi to change his mind. She shook her head and said, "No! This is something you need to consider, boss. I don't mean that."

Li Wendi's fingers kept wagging as he considered his next move. "Go and find out who holds China Bus Company shares. We can buy them at a 3% premium based on the current market price. If the price exceeds this, we will let go immediately."

"Does the boss want to participate in the acquisition or hype up the stock price?" Lin Dongmei asked doubtfully. She couldn't figure out Li Wendi's thoughts.

"Neither!" Li Wendi said solemnly, "I want to hold shares of China Bus Company for free and join the board of directors."

Lin Dongmei's eyes widened. What kind of plan was this? There was nothing wrong with it. The boss wanted to buy some stocks, sell them at a high price, and use the profits to offset the losses.

Li Wendi did not want to waste the opportunity to break through brought by the Hong Kong Electric Company. Perhaps in the 80s, he could cooperate with Luo Xurui. Even if it was to split the China Bus Company in half, it would be good for his companies.

After entering the 80s, land in Hong Kong Island will become increasingly scarce, and at the same time it will contain huge business opportunities, with profits more than double that of before. At this time, the New Territories will enter a stage of rapid development.

There were too many mergers and acquisitions in the 70s, and those shareholders had learned to wait for the right price. Not many people were willing to give up their chips too early, so Changxin Real Estate Company's 3% premium did not achieve the expected effect and only acquired 4.1% of the shares.

In this way, Changxin Real Estate Company held 9.5% of the shares of China Bus Company and successfully became the third largest shareholder of China Bus Company.

Many people expect that Changxin Real Estate Company will be able to participate in the acquisition of China Bus Company, and the stock price will usher in the biggest surge, and they will get more profits.

The three forces are competing for China Bus Company, and the situation is very chaotic, which has triggered the competition among shareholders.

Unexpectedly, after Changxin Real Estate Company acquired 9.5% of the shares, it began to stop and no longer made any moves, which surprised the Electric Light Company and the Yan family. They had no idea what Li Wendi meant by this move.

There seem to be only a few possible meanings for Changxin Real Estate Company, either "while the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman gains" or "selling at a high price and making a fortune", but are you sure which one it is? If you make a mistake in judgment, the entire China Bus Company will be lost, and no one can afford such a loss.

Therefore, whether it is Connor from the Electric Light Company or Yan Chengkun from the Yan family, it is most important to figure out what Li Wendi means.

Hongkong Land
First they lost Wharf Holdings, and then the acquisition of Wheelock Properties failed. Bo Fuda and the employees of Hutchison Whampoa became very depressed and lost their previous proud atmosphere.

Bao Fuda is indeed an elite. When he heard about the China Bus Company, he suddenly smelled something different.

"The asset value of China Motor Bus Company is good, but it is not in line with the current interests of Hong Kong Land. Bus transportation is restricted by the Hong Kong government and there is not much profit margin. They have a large amount of parking land in Hong Kong Island, but it cannot be compared with the land reserves of Hong Kong Land," Newby analyzed with a frown. He no longer wanted to fight with Li Wendi because his position in Jardine Matheson was no longer as good as before and he urgently needed a quick victory (acquisition) to make up for the losses of Hong Kong Land and consolidate his position.

But Bao Fuda thought this was a good opportunity to regain face and make up for his assets.

"Didn't Hong Kong acquire Dairy Farm International just for the farm land in Pokfulam and Causeway Bay? The Keswick family still thinks that was their classic battle. Although China Motor Bus Company is slightly worse than Dairy Farm International, the land in North Point is very profitable, which is also a compensation for Hong Kong, and is beneficial to our voice in the board of directors." Bao Fuda retorted.

Niubijian felt that his authority was undermined. After thinking it through, he said, "With four parties competing for China Bus, the stock price will rise to a very high price. What if Li Wendi takes the opportunity to cash out and make a fortune, and we don't get China Bus? Our position on the board of directors will be even more dangerous."

Newby was unwilling to take risks. He increasingly felt that Bob Ford was a playboy who always liked to take risks in acquisitions and never considered the consequences of failure. He was unwilling to see the results of his decades of hard work at Jardine Land destroyed in Bob Ford's hands.

"Since the boss doesn't want to, I can only submit this plan to the board of directors. I hope the directors have the same idea as the boss." Bao Fuda said unhappily.

Newby put on a sour face and kept slandering Bao Fuda in his heart, "Don't forget, I am the boss of the Landmark Company, you are just the CEO."

Sometimes the struggles among high-level officials are a little childish, but the tactics under the table will continue.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Central
Connor, the former enemy, met with Li Wendi because he was naturally interested in the shares of China Bus Company held by Changxin Real Estate.

Although 9.5% of the shares are not a large amount, they can make the difference between victory and defeat at a critical moment and control the balance.

"Mr. Li, we meet again. The last time we met was at the board meeting of China Gas Company." Connor had a faint smile on his face, and there was no sign of alienation.

Li Wendi was already familiar with the ways of the business world, and smiled at Connor, "Yes, it's been a year."

"Mr. Connor asked me out for the 9.5% stake in China Bus Company, right?! Since we are in the business world, I will get straight to the point. What price does Mr. Connor intend to pay in exchange for my support?"

Connor smiled at Li Wendi's frankness and said, "Mr. Li is a business tycoon in Hong Kong. The Electric Company will certainly not treat him unfairly. After the Electric Company takes control of the China Bus Company, it will sell the approximately 17 square feet of land in Quarry Bay to the Changxin Real Estate Company at the market price. What do you think?"

It was a tempting condition, but Li Wendi did not want to choose the Electric Light Company from the bottom of his heart, because the Electric Light Company was too powerful. Once it controlled the China Bus Company, he would have no chance.

Of course, acquiring the electric light company together would also be a good option, but Li Wendi does not have the funds for this at the moment.

"This condition is indeed good, but I cannot agree to it for the time being because the Yan family has not yet made an offer. In the business world, everything goes to the highest bidder, and I have no friendship with Mr. Connor."

After all, Li Wendi was not very satisfied with Connor's offer, so he wanted to see Yan Chengkun's offer. Connor knew that Li Wendi was reminding him to offer a higher offer, but he felt that this offer was good enough and the Yan family might not be able to offer it.

"Okay, then Mr. Li, contact the Yan family first. If the conditions of the electric light company are high, Mr. Li, remember to contact me. The conditions of the electric light company will not be lowered." Connor said.

Then the two of them started chatting casually until lunch time was over.

Changxin Real Estate Company Meeting Room

In order to fight for the control of China Bus Company, Yan Chengkun of the Yan family had to go in person. His opponent was the famous electric light company in Hong Kong.

"Hello, Mr. Yan!" Li Wendi stood up and shook hands with Yan Chengkun.

Yan Chengkun responded as usual and praised Li Wendi a few words, saying nothing more than a young hero.

Yan Chengkun was born in 1900 and is now 76 years old, but his eyes are still sharp and he still has the energy to handle the affairs of the China Bus Company, so he is still the chairman of the board of directors.

This time, Yan Chengkun brought with him his eldest daughter Yan Jieling. Yan Chengkun has two sons, but they have no interest in running a bus company, so the heir can only fall to the eldest daughter.

Yan Jie Ling became the executive director of China Bus Company in 68. She had been running the bus company for many years and was very familiar with business affairs. However, faced with such a large-scale acquisition, she was still a little panicked, so she asked Yan Chengkun to step in.

In addition, Li Wendi's status in Hong Kong is changing with each passing day. It is probably difficult for Yan Jieling alone to show the Yan family's sincerity.

"Mr. Yan, Ms. Yan, to be honest with you, Connor from the Electric Light Company has already contacted me. The condition he offered is a 17 square feet parking lot in Quarry Bay. Once he takes over the China Bus Company, he will immediately sell the land to the Cheung Sun Properties Company." Li Wendi said with a serious expression.

"We understand Mr. Li's meaning very well. The Electric Company acquired China Motor Bus just for the land in North Point. What if the car park land in Quarry Bay is exchanged for the car park land in North Point?" Yan Chengkun said with a faint smile.

In fact, China Motor Bus Company has several parking lots in North Point, and the one near the old power plant is the largest, covering more than 7 square feet.

"Haha!! Mr. Yan, you are really generous. That is a piece of Feng Shui treasure land. Are you really willing to give it up?" Li Wendi was naturally tempted. "Aren't you afraid that I will get the land and turn around to develop it together with the electric light company?"

Yan Chengkun's expression froze for a moment, then he reacted in an instant and said with a smile, "Since it has been transferred to Mr. Li, then Mr. Li has the final say. It has nothing to do with me anymore."

"Mr. Yan, if you want me to support you, I must at least be on the board of directors." Li Wendi proposed new conditions and said that he would not sell his shares.

Yan Jie Ling wanted to speak, but was suppressed by Yan Chengkun, who said, "Okay, but we have to sign an agreement that Mr. Li cannot acquire China Bus. How about that?"

Yan Chengkun was of course afraid of "driving away the tiger but attracting a hungry wolf", so he took the opportunity to set up this fence and test Li Wendi's intentions.

Li Wendi was in a dilemma at this moment. If he disagreed, Yan Chengkun would naturally keep a close watch on him.

"Okay! I have one more condition, I hope Mr. Yan can consider it."

Yan Chengkun frowned slightly and said, "Mr. Li, please speak!"

"I hope that when China Bus Company develops its land, Changxin Real Estate Company will be the top priority choice. This will also be beneficial to the development of China Bus Company." Li Wendi said shamelessly.

Yan Jie Ling wanted to refuse again, but was interrupted by Yan Chengkun, "Okay! It's up to Mr. Li!"

"Then let's have a pleasant cooperation, Mr. Yan and Ms. Yan!" Li Wendi stood up and extended his right hand towards the father and daughter.

After the agreement was reached, Yan's father and daughter left Changxin Real Estate Company.

Zhang Wentao, Zhao Hongcheng and Lin Dongmei came to Li Wendi's office to discuss the next signing process.

"Let Hongcheng be in charge of the signing. The company's legal team should be mobilized and must pay close attention to every clause." Li Wendi still had some thoughts about China Bus Company, especially after the Electric Light Company initiated the acquisition.

"Boss, are you worried that China Bus and the Yan family might be doing something under the table?" Zhang Wentao asked.

"No, it's just that there's nothing wrong with being careful." Li Wendi waved his hand and said this, which was due to his uneasiness.

"Boss, are you still interested in China Bus Company? We can choose not to sign the non-acquisition agreement. Although it will arouse the Yan family's vigilance, we still have a chance." Zhao Hongcheng saw through Li Wendi's thoughts.

Li Wendi still shook his head. "No matter how I answer, the Yan family has definitely increased their stake in China Bus. Today, the Yan family holds more than 36% of the shares, while we only hold 9.5%. The difference is too big."

"Why not cooperate with the electric light company? Then we still have the opportunity to acquire it." Lin Dongmei asked.

Li Wendi sighed, "Yes! We should have cooperated with the electric light company, but it's too late now. We can't go back on our word."

Li Wendi did have a misconception, which was why she agreed to Yan Chengkun's request. Now that she wants to go back on her word, it seems a little inappropriate.

I thought that obtaining the cooperation rights would maximize the benefits for Changxin Real Estate, but I forgot the principle that "electric light companies can also be acquired."

"Forget it. We can still make a good profit from it. It's not good to be too greedy." Li Wendi said as if to comfort himself.

After discussing for a while, the three left the office. Li Wendi began to calm down and think about whether there might be other opportunities in the meantime.

"There is still a chance, but it will cost a bit." Li Wendi's eyes gleamed with a gleam, and the corners of his mouth lifted inadvertently.

(End of this chapter)