Video Game Empire

In a luxurious private room of the Royal Yacht Club in Central, Li Xuan chatted leisurely with a white man while drinking coffee. ︾Top︾︾︾, . . . Although the other party tried his best to talk about some light topics, the worried look on his brows still betrayed his current mood.

As the second largest British-owned group in Hong Kong after HSBC, Jardine Matheson has no doubts about its influence in Hong Kong. The Taipan of Jardine Matheson has been one of the most influential figures in the city since Hong Kong’s opening as a port in the nineteenth century. When the Opium War broke out between the United Kingdom and the Manchu Qing Dynasty, it also left the tour of the two founders of Jardine Matheson in London.

But obviously, the current situation of Jardine Matheson, Sir Ben Newberkin, has been very bad recently, or it can be described as extremely bad. Last year, he made a serious misjudgment about the political and economic situation of Hong Kong. He is optimistic that Margaret Thatcher's visit to China can be based on the settlement of the Hong Kong issue. Therefore, the flagship subsidiary of Jardine Matheson and Hong Kong's largest real estate company, Hong Kong Landmark, has continued to acquire land with large sums despite the cautious wait-and-see of many peers.

Hong Kong Landmark first purchased the Baibishan section of Tai Tam Road on Hong Kong Island for HK$108 million, and then purchased the old wing of the Miramar Hotel in the tourist center of Tsim Sha Tsui for HK$800 million. It also bought the “land in Central” on Hong Kong Island at a high price of 4.755 billion yuan. King", ready to build the Exchange Square Building.

But last year, the Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher fell at the entrance of the Great Hall of the People, which not only cast a shadow on the Sino-British negotiation, but also completely shattered the confidence of Hong Kong people. Since 1977, the real estate industry has gone through a five-year upswing, and the price bubble has already gathered. Now it's finally shattered in an instant.

Hong Kong's real estate industry has been falling in an avalanche since October last year. The company that was too aggressive in the early stage was immediately hit hard. For example, Carnival Group, an established real estate company in Hong Kong, just declared bankruptcy and liquidation not long ago. And Landmark's days are also very difficult. Only the three major investment projects of the Central District Exchange Square, the old wing of the Miramar Hotel, and the Baibi Mountain Development Plan have suffered losses of more than one billion yuan. According to Landmark's latest financial statement for the first quarter of this year, the company's total debt has soared to 15.07 billion yuan, and the debt ratio has risen to 56%, making it the largest debt-ridden company in Hong Kong and dubbed the "Debt King" by market investors. .

In fact, Landmark under the leadership of New Bijian has always pursued a conservative, steady and prudent style. But in 1980, Mr. Bao Yugang of Global Shipping abandoned his boat and landed, taking control of Wharf from Landmark's nose. This battle and Li Jiacheng's acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa. It is also known as a classic historical event in which a Chinese-funded consortium in Hong Kong challenged the British. And New Bijian not only lost face, but also was severely criticized by the Keswick family, the major shareholder of Jardine.

It was after 1980 that New Bijian's management style began to turn aggressive, impetuous and speculative, so that Landmark became the "super best friend" of the Hong Kong real estate industry in the past two or three years. After losing the Wharf, New Bijian, in order to prevent the Chinese consortium from coveting other companies of the Jardine family, came up with the idea of ​​cross-shareholding between Jardine and Landmark to defend the company's controlling rights. But as the saying goes, good and bad are intertwined. Because of the mutual control of Yizhi, not only Hongkong Land is now in the quagmire of losses. Even the parent company, Jardine Matheson, held more than 0% stake in Landmark, and its performance was seriously dragged down. The profit in the first quarter just announced turned from profit to loss, a sharp dive compared to the previous one.

"Your Excellency Sir. I heard that Mr. Li Jiacheng seems to be interested in acquiring HK Electric?" Li Xuan asked with a smile.

The Landmark company before this year was one of the most spirited companies in Hong Kong. In addition to spending 10 billion to buy land, New Bijian also launched the Dawn Operation. It acquired a 4.9% stake each in Hong Kong Telephone Company and Hong Kong Electric Company, which are also among the top ten British listed companies.

It was unexpected that Niu Bijian received an invitation to afternoon tea from Li Xuan today. Because Li Xuan's Dongfang Electronics Company had little interaction with the Jardine Group, he did not guess the intention of the other party.

"Mr. Li Jiacheng has this intention!" New Bi nodded firmly.

"According to the acquisition of HK Electric by Landmark last year, two companies, Carrian and Cheung Kong, are also interested! Now that Carrian is no longer able to protect itself, I didn't expect that Mr. Li Jiacheng's Cheung Kong Holdings is still interested!

In fact, I really admire Mr. Li's character of making decisions and then acting. For example, his previous acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa is a classic! Hong Kong Electric's current power plant on Hong Kong Island is too close to the urban area, and environmental pollution is not conducive to the health of all Hong Kong citizens. I wonder if Mr. Li can convince the Hong Kong government to approve another piece of land to build a new power plant after acquiring HK Electric, such as Lamma Island! "Li Xuan said with a smile.

Li Jiacheng's Cheung Kong Industrial Co., Ltd. is the Chinese-owned company that has the most strength to challenge the status of Landmark as the leader of Hong Kong's real estate industry. Li Xuan's words have been very straightforward. The reason why both Landmark and Cheung Kong have set their sights on Hong Kong Electric is simply because of its power plant site on Hong Kong Island. .

The power plant occupies a large area. Once the land is vacated, it can definitely be developed into a huge real estate project. If New Bijian sold the Hong Kong Electric Company to Li Jiacheng, it would undoubtedly be an act of financing the enemy.

"I think what Mr. Li heard may be wrong. We have no plans to sell HK Electric!" New Bijian said sternly.

"Oh, right? But I heard a few days ago that Simon Keswick, the managing director of Jardine, publicly stated that Landmark needs to implement a large-scale downsizing and austerity policy, control spending, reduce debt, and will actively sell some non-core products. Assets!" Li Xuan showed a very surprised expression.

New Bijian's face became more and more gloomy. Ever since Simon Keswick came to Hong Kong from the UK to take up the post of managing director of Jardine He, the other party has been looking for trouble with him at the Board of Directors meeting. New Bijian is also very aware that the major shareholder Keswick family has been dissatisfied with him for a long time, and very much wants this Simon to replace him and become the fifth Jardine of the Keswick family.

Dragged down by the huge losses of Landmark, Jardine Matheson is experiencing the most serious business crisis since it completely withdrew from the Chinese mainland market in 1949. As the largest creditor of Jardine Matheson. Two banks, HSBC and Standard Chartered, have issued warnings in both directions. If Landmark cannot maintain its liabilities at a low-risk level as soon as possible, the two banks do not rule out drawing loans in advance.

To the real estate company. Once the bank's credit support is lost, it means the end of the world. Fortunately, the big class of the two banks only privately hinted that New Bijian needs to make some positive actions as soon as possible. Otherwise, once the market knows the news, the stock price of Landmark, which has fallen by 40%, may collapse instantly.

It is precisely because of such huge pressure that although New Bijian knew the actual purpose of Li Jiacheng's proposal to acquire HK Electric, he still did not refuse. Today, when Li Xuan suddenly brought up this topic, Niu Bijian couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Dongfang Electronics also intends to enter the real estate industry in Hong Kong?

well known. Li Xuan's Oriental Group is the most profitable company in Hong Kong. Even if it has been heavily acquired before, most of it has used its own capital. New Bijian couldn't help but guess whether the smiling "God of Fortune Li" in front of him was also interested in the Hong Kong Electric Company. Moreover, after the relocation of HK Electric's power plant on Hong Kong Island, the vacated land can create great benefits, but HK Electric itself is also a high-quality enterprise.

Most of the public utility companies in Hong Kong have franchises. For example, there are only two companies in Hong Kong that have the power generation and transmission business. They are the Hong Kong Electric Company, which has obtained the franchise rights on Hong Kong Island, and the China Electric Power Company, which has obtained the franchise rights in Kowloon and the New Territories. . Because of having an exclusive competing franchise. Most of these companies have very stable earnings and are good investment targets in themselves.

"Then, I wonder if Sir Sir has considered selling the Hong Kong Telephone Company?" Li Xuan asked suddenly.

Only then did New Bijian realize that his previous guess was completely wrong. According to the end of last year. Dongfang Electronics and mainland China jointly established a communication equipment manufacturing company to develop telephone switches.

Apparently, the acquisition of the Hong Kong Telephone Company. It is more suitable for this "God of Wealth Li" as a technology tycoon. And the meaning of the other party's words just now is obvious, if Landmark chooses to sell the Hong Kong Telephone Company. It can also recover a large amount of money to cope with the immediate debt crisis, which can suspend the sale of Hong Kong Electric Company and let Li Jiacheng take advantage.

"The Hong Kong Telephone Company owns the franchise of local telephone calls in Hong Kong. The Dadong Telegraph Office is also very interested in this!" New Bijian is indeed a cunning and cunning fox. Although the current situation is very unfavorable for him, he still only uses half of it. In seconds, I found a reason for myself to raise the price.

The Dadong Telegraph Office owns the franchise of Hong Kong's external international telephone calls. If it can acquire the Hong Kong Telephone Company, it will be able to unify the communication market in Hong Kong, which will be very beneficial to the subsequent operation.

Li Xuan didn't say anything to New Bijian's words, but asked calmly: "I don't know what the Dadong Telegraph Office offered you? Last year, Landmark purchased HKC at HK$8.00 per share. The company's 4.9% stake, at that time, the Dadong Telegraph Bureau thought the price was too high, and did not compete!

Now the share price of the Hong Kong Telephone Company has fallen to HK$6.8 per share. I wonder if they are buying at par or at a premium? "

A trace of anger flashed across New Bijian's face, but it was immediately concealed by him. If he is used to seeing strong winds and waves in normal times, New Bijian, who considers himself a gentleman, will definitely be able to hide his joy and anger. But now, he is stepping step by step to a situation of internal and external difficulties, betrayal and separation. The external debt collection banks and suppliers kept coming to press the door, and the internal Simon Keswick kept contacting other directors to challenge him. Nubijian, who was exhausted with anxiety, also lost his former composure.

Li Xuan, who had been staring at New Bijian, keenly captured his anger at the moment of his own words. It seems that the Dadong Telegraph Office is definitely going to take advantage of the situation, and it is likely to ask Landmark to transfer its shares in Hong Kong Telephone Company at a price lower than the market price.

"Dongfang Electronics is willing to buy 4.9% of the shares held by Geology Company at a price of 1.7 billion Hong Kong dollars!" Li Xuan said bluntly.

Last year, Landmark acquired the equity of this part of the Hong Kong telephone company at a price of HK$0 billion, but the current market value is only about HK$1.65 billion. Although the performance of the phone company is still stable, due to the sharp fall of the Hong Kong stock market, the share price of the phone company has also been affected. Compared with the price at the time of the acquisition of Hongkong Land, it has dropped by nearly 0%. Although the price given by Li Xuan was not much, it at least showed his sincerity and did not mean to take advantage of the situation.

"Mr. Li, I think you have underestimated the value of the phone company. Although its stock price has fallen a bit, the actual operating data is rising. I think HK$100 million is a suitable price!" New Bijian said with a smile.

Li Xuan sneered: "Sir Newberkin, please don't take my kindness as weakness! Last year and this year, the economic situation in Hong Kong has been deteriorating, and the improvement in the business data of the Hong Kong telephone company is actually due to the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar! You must know that the Hong Kong Telephone Company just raised the price per minute of local calls at the end of last year, and after taking these factors aside, the business volume of the Hong Kong Telephone Company has not grown much!"

New Bijian's face was red and white, and it had been a long time since he was robbed like this in person. But he couldn't attack. Li Xuan's offer was undoubtedly more sincere than the Dadong Telegraph Bureau. He naturally couldn't offend such a **** of wealth who was in urgent need of money.

So New Bijian said a few words, saying that the teams of the two companies would be responsible for the specific negotiations. He also thought about putting pressure on the Dadong Telegraph Bureau after returning. It is best to let Li Xuan and the Dadong Telegraph Bureau raise the bar, and the two sides bid a high price. UU reading www.uukanshu.com and Li Xuan never thought that a meal of afternoon tea would be able to get the Hong Kong Telephone Company into the bag, he just expressed his intention to New Bijian.

Seeing that the business was over, New Bijian said goodbye and hurriedly left the yacht club. In contrast, Li Xuan's mood is very leisurely, he is not in a hurry to leave, but drinks tea while looking out the window of Victoria Harbour.

Previously, the ultra-luxury yacht he custom-built a year and a half ago at Ally Yachting in Italy was supposed to be completed this month. But due to several industry-wide strikes organized by various unions in Italy last year, the delivery date of the yacht was forced to be delayed by three months. It can also be seen that in the past 198 years, the global economic situation was indeed very bad.

But this has little to do with Li Xuan. His industry has been thriving, giving him enough money to buy a luxury toy like a super yacht. In June, the 5-foot-long superyacht will be docked in Victoria Harbour for his inspection.

"Boss, Assistant Ke just called. Sister Guan came to the downstairs of the company. She has waited for an afternoon and refused to leave. I hope to see you!"

Li Xuan was looking at the scenery outside the window, and his security assistant walked forward with a black brick-like object. (To be continued..)