In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

It was not until about ten o'clock the next morning that Lin Haoran received a call from Shen Bi.

Knowing that Shen Bi would most likely call him in the morning, Lin Haoran simply stayed at home and waited, and was not in a hurry to go out early.

"Mr. Lin, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. Our high-level meeting was not successfully held until nine o'clock this morning. Regarding Mr. Lin's loan, after discussion, all the senior executives have approved it. You can bring the shares of Hong Kong Electric Group for mortgage loan. After the contract is signed, I will approve the loan immediately, and the funds will be directly transferred to your Huifeng Bank account, Mr. Lin!
In addition, regarding Mr. Lin's investment in Huifeng Bank as a shareholder and board member, as it is a matter of great importance, we are preparing to hold a press conference, which is expected to be held within three days. I will notify you of the time separately!" Shen Bi said on the phone.

Originally, Shen Bi said that it might be possible to get it done yesterday evening, but it was obvious that the high-level meeting was not held as scheduled last night.

However, this doesn’t matter to Lin Haoran. After all, it’s just a matter of sooner or later.

As for becoming a shareholder, it is obvious that Hui Feng Bank hopes to announce this to the public and let the citizens of Hong Kong know that Lin Haoran, the Chinese tycoon, has become one of the bosses of Hui Feng Bank. This can be regarded as a small means for them to increase the recognition of Hui Feng Bank in the hearts of Hong Kong citizens.

After all, Hong Kong is a city with a majority Chinese population, and the Bank of Hong Kong is also a bank whose customers are mainly Chinese, so pleasing the Chinese is also a key factor.

Otherwise, Huifeng Bank would not have gradually accepted Chinese people as board members.

"Okay, Mr. Shen Bi, I will arrive at the headquarters of Huifeng Bank in about half an hour. I look forward to meeting you again!" Lin Haoran hung up the phone with a smile.

The HK$20 billion has finally arrived in my account, how can I not be happy?

Although it was borrowed, it was not difficult for Lin Haoran to repay the money when it was due.

After getting the share certificates of Hong Kong Electric Group, Lin Haoran took the two brothers Li Weidong and Li Weiguo away from the Shi Xun Road villa.

The location of Sze Hoon Road is very good. Whether you are going to Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Central, Sheung Wan and other places, it doesn’t take too long and you can basically get there within 20 minutes.

So, about twenty minutes later, Lin Haoran once again appeared in the personal office of Shen Bi, the boss of Huifeng Bank.

"I'm really sorry for keeping Mr. Lin waiting for so long. I originally planned to hold a high-level meeting yesterday afternoon, but several senior executives were not here, so we had to wait until this morning." After sitting down, Shen Bi said apologetically.

"It's okay. It doesn't matter if there is no problem. Let's sign the loan contract. I have brought the share certificates of Hong Kong Electric Group!" Lin Haoran said with a smile.

"Of course, I have prepared the loan contract, please take a look, Mr. Lin!" Shen Bi said as he handed a contract to Lin Haoran.

The contract was entirely in English, but that didn't pose a problem for Lin Haoran.

After reading it carefully twice, there is no problem.

The interest, term, etc. listed above were all in accordance with what he discussed with Shen Bi yesterday, without any changes.

Compared with the past, the interest rates on bank loans in Hong Kong have increased a lot, and the annual interest rate in the market is generally above 13%.

However, Shen Bi also gave Lin Haoran a preferential interest rate, an annual interest rate of 10%.

In other words, Lin Haoran will have to pay a full HK$20 million in interest on this HK$2 billion loan in one year.

However, compared with the profits he earned from it, HK$2 million is nothing.

Once we can take over the Jardine Matheson Group, what’s the harm in paying some interest?
The bank interest rate in Hong Kong has increased from around 1978% in 5 to more than ten points today. You can imagine how much the interest rate has increased.

In March of this year, the annual interest rate on bank loans even reached a terrifying 3%, and it has only been slightly reduced in the past few months.

This is not the peak yet. By October next year, the annual interest rate on bank loans will even exceed 10%.

The main reason is that the real estate market in Hong Kong is still booming, and the citizens' demand for loans has increased greatly. Naturally, banks have taken this opportunity to make a lot of money.

The speculation in housing prices has made banks earn a lot of money.

"OK, let's sign this contract!" Lin Haoran said directly.

So, the two of them signed two copies of the loan contract.

Afterwards, Shen Bi stamped his work seal.

"Mr. Shen Bi, the cooperation is very pleasant." Seeing that the contract issue was settled, Lin Haoran stood up with satisfaction and shook hands with Shen Bi.

"It's a pleasure working with you." Shen Bi was in a good mood, with a big smile on his face.

HK$20 billion is not a small sum even for a financial giant like Bank of Hong Kong.

But if Lin Haoran used the shares of Hong Kong Electric Group as collateral, everything would no longer be a problem.

"The contract has been signed. I will go and arrange the funds. Please wait in the VIP room, Mr. Lin." Shen Bi said after looking at the share certificate of Hong Kong Electric Group and confirming that it was correct.

"Okay, trouble."

Lin Haoran followed Shen Bi out of the senior office and, under the guidance of senior account manager Miss Huang, came to a VIP room, where he sat and waited.

After the funds arrive, he will need to transfer another 60 million Hong Kong dollars to the four original TVB shareholders of the Li family.

At the same time, deposits also need to continue into the stock trading bank account of Huanyu Investment Company.

At twelve o'clock noon, Lin Haoran successfully came out of the Huifeng Bank's headquarters building with a satisfied smile on his face.

Everything was settled, and there was no shortage of funds for the time being. The shares of Hong Kong Land and Jardine Matheson could be bought without any pressure.

Especially for the Hong Kong Land Development, he is now full of confidence in taking over the largest real estate group in Hong Kong within this year.

After all, the day before, he saw that Universal Investment Company held 26.27% of the shares of the Jardine Matheson Group.

These are just the shares held by Huanyu Investment Company.

Don’t forget that Hong Kong Electric Group also holds 6% of the shares of Hong Kong Land Development!
The Hong Kong Electric Group is completely controlled by Lin Haoran.

In other words, Lin Haoran has the final say on this 6% stake.

This means that Lin Haoran’s actual controlling stake in the Jardine Matheson Group has exceeded 32%.

Even if Lin Haoran proposed to take over the Jardine Matheson Group now, he might have a chance of success.

However, he is not in a hurry and plans to continue increasing his holdings.

At the very least, Huanyu Investment Company must control 30% of the shares of the Swire Properties Group.

Since too many shares have been absorbed, it is obvious that the speed at which Huanyu Investment Company absorbs shares will become slower and slower.

But no matter what, one more share means one more assurance.

Although Jardine Matheson and Jardine Securities only hold about 20% of the shares of Hutchison Whampoa, other British shareholders also hold certain shares, some of which are public and some are not. Even Lin Haoran is not sure how many shares of Hutchison Whampoa Group the British consortium controls.

However, more than 30% is certain.

Therefore, Lin Haoran’s idea is that the more holdings can be increased, the better!
After all, once his ambition was exposed, if his goal of taking over the company was not achieved, then Jardine Matheson would definitely have a way to defend itself.

Therefore, the acquisition of the Jardine Matheson Group must be accomplished in one go!
……

TVB Headquarters, Broadcast Drive, Kowloon Tong.

Run Run Shaw had just come from Tseung Kwan O and walked into TVB, the headquarters of Hong Kong's famous TV station, which seemed a bit deserted.

Run Run Shaw is a non-executive director of TVB, but as the second largest shareholder, he also has a certain say in the company and often comes here.

Amidst the greetings from the employees, Run Run Shaw arrived at the TVB chairman's office.

After opening the door and walking in, looking at the photo of Li Xiaohe still hanging on the wall, Run Run Shaw still felt a little emotional.

He and Li Xiaohe had known each other for decades and had a very deep friendship. Run Run Shaw still felt a little sad about the death of his good friend.

However, it's just a moment of discomfort occasionally, so it's not too pretentious.

At his age, he has seen a lot of birth, aging, sickness and death.

Apart from anything else, his father, elder brother and others have passed away one after another, but life is still not going on like that, not to mention that Li Xiaohe is just a business friend of his.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Shao Yifu looked up at the office door and said.

The office door opened and in came TVB General Manager Yu Bojun.

"Mr. Shao, Chairman Li has passed away for several days. TVB cannot be without a chairman for long, so I plan to organize a board meeting to re-elect the position of chairman of the board. What do you think?" Yu Bojun asked respectfully.

"Well, a new election is indeed needed." Run Run Shaw nodded in agreement.

Although the general manager is usually in charge of the company's daily affairs, the position of chairman is equally indispensable, especially in TVB, where many major decisions are often made by the chairman.

"I think it would be best if Mr. Shao could be the new chairman of the company." Yu Bojun expressed his opinion when no one was around.

"Let's see the attitude of the Li family first. If they want to take the position, I have no reason to compete for it." Shao Yifu shook his head and said.

Due to the death of Li Ka-shing, he had not discussed with the Li family who would take over TVB.

"If the Li family wants to take this position, I think only Mr. Li Mingze can do it, but he seems to have never been interested in the television industry." Yu Bojun thought for a while and said.

"Has there been any change in the company in the past few days?" Shao Yifu did not continue Yu Bojun's topic, but instead asked.

"No, although Mr. Li passed away suddenly, he had made arrangements for the company's recent work before his death, so I am currently carrying out the work arrangements made before his death, and there are no surprises." Yu Bojun replied.

After chatting with Yu Bojun for a few words, the other party left the office.

Run Run Shaw was deep in thought in his office.

"It seems that I need to talk to the Li family in advance!" Shao Yifu said to himself. (End of this chapter)