In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 474 Li Jiacheng: Don’t mess with Lin Haoran, no matter who you are!
A night just passed like this.

Lin Haoran didn't care how angry Jardine Matheson was.

Who made them want to take revenge on him first?
If they hadn't caused this incident, Lin Haoran had no intention of taking such countermeasures.

Today is the weekend, however, Lin Haoran still got up early as usual.

Last night, Ma Shimin told him that their actions had been leaked in the afternoon.

So he also wanted to see how the media reported it.

After going downstairs, the servant brought him the prepared breakfast and newspaper.

Lin Haoran didn't even have time to eat breakfast, so he couldn't wait to pick up the newspaper and start reading.

The headlines of all major newspapers were all focused on the unprecedented employee job-hopping wave at Jardine Matheson Securities. The shocking headlines and fierce words seemed to portray this business war as an "earthquake" in the financial world.

"Oriental Daily" used the title "Jardine Matheson Securities suddenly changed, 700 elites 'migrated' to Hong Kong Holdings overnight" to describe in detail the spectacular scene of the brain drain, with such exaggerated words that it seemed as if one had witnessed this war without the smoke of gunpowder.

The report not only mentioned the huge number of employees who jumped ship, but also boldly predicted that this move would have a "devastating blow" to the future of Jardine Securities and even the entire Jardine Matheson Group.

The Ta Kung Pao adopted a more academic perspective, with the title "Talent War: Talent Drain at Jardine Matheson Securities and Undercurrents in the Capital Market", and conducted an in-depth analysis of the business logic and strategic considerations behind the incident, pointing out that this was not just a simple flow of talent, but also a silent contest between the two giants. The words between the lines revealed deep concerns about the future fate of Jardine Matheson.

Ming Pao, on the other hand, places more emphasis on the human touch. By interviewing several employees who have confirmed their job change, it tells the story from a first-person perspective about their inner struggles and choices, as well as their complex emotions when faced with high temptations. It humanizes this business event and allows readers to feel the weight behind each decision.

The Hong Kong Economic Journal used the eye-catching headline "Jardine Matheson Securities encounters 'talent winter', market value may evaporate by more than 10 billion", directly pointing out the potential impact of this incident on the financial situation of Jardine Matheson Securities. Through data analysis, it predicted the double blow of huge compensation and market confidence crisis that Jardine Matheson Securities may face.

As a professional media in the financial industry, Hong Kong Securities Daily analyzed the impact of this job-hopping incident on Hong Kong's financial market from a professional perspective. The title "Jardine Matheson Securities is in a precarious situation, Hong Kong Land Group takes the opportunity to rise, and Hong Kong's financial landscape may be reshaped" hinted at a deeper industry reshuffle behind this talent war.

The South China Morning Post, with its international perspective, placed the incident in the context of the global financial market. With the title "Talents from Jardine Matheson Securities jump ship en masse, shocking Hong Kong's financial community and attracting attention from international investors", it explored the possible long-term impact of this incident on the international image and investment confidence of Hong Kong and even the Asian financial market.

Each newspaper, in its own unique way, exaggerated the event of large-scale job-hopping of Jardine Matheson Securities employees as if it were a carnival in the financial world. In this carnival, Jardine Matheson undoubtedly became the most eye-catching "fallen aristocrat."

Lin Haoran sat at the dining table, flipping through the reports one by one, a faint smile inadvertently appearing on the corners of his mouth.

He and Jardine Matheson had already formed an indissoluble bond when Jardine Matheson wanted to use public opinion to retaliate against him.

This employee defection storm was merely a climax of his rivalry with Jardine Matheson, and was his response to the retaliation against Jardine Matheson.

This is also a warning to everyone that Lin Haoran is not someone who can be easily manipulated.

Even if it is Jardine Matheson, so what?
While Lin Haoran was carefully reading each newspaper, citizens in the streets and alleys of Hong Kong were also enthusiastically discussing this incident.

They showed no sympathy for the so-called "victim" of Jardine Matheson.

After all, Jardine Matheson's actions not long ago almost plunged Hong Kong's real estate industry into an irretrievable situation.

"Jardine Matheson has hit a tough bone this time. It's really retribution!" An old man was sitting in the corner of the teahouse, holding a newspaper in his hand, shaking his head and sighing, his tone full of satisfaction.

“Yes, I heard that those employees who changed jobs all received generous treatment from the Jardine Matheson Group. It’s really enviable!” A young tea drinker took over the conversation, his eyes full of envy.

"Lin Haoran is truly extraordinary. He is worthy of being the richest man at such a young age. He has poached so many elites from Jardine Securities in one go. Even Mr. Bao Yugang can't do this, right?" Another middle-aged man took a sip of tea and said thoughtfully.

"Hmph, Jardine Matheson has it all their own fault this time. They used to rely on their power to bully Hong Kong, but this time they've finally met their match." An old man in plain clothes interrupted, his tone somewhat angry.

"Anyway, this business war is really exciting to watch. It's also nice for us ordinary people to just sit in this teahouse and watch the excitement." A smiling old man concluded, drawing laughter.

“I originally bought shares of Jardine Securities. Fortunately, I sold them quickly on the first day when I heard some bad news. Otherwise, I would have suffered a huge loss now!” said a young man with some relief.

"You are so smart. I still hold a lot of Jardine Securities shares. They were worth more than 30,000 Hong Kong dollars a few days ago, but I estimate they will be worth less than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars on the next trading day. The most important thing is that I can't sell them. I am really heartbroken!" Another stockholder frowned and sighed.

In teahouses, on the streets and in the alleys, citizens were discussing the issue heatedly.

Not only did they pay close attention to the progress of this business war, but they also felt happy in their hearts about the retribution that came to Jardine Matheson.

After all, they had been affected to varying degrees by Jardine Matheson's past actions, and now that they saw Jardine Matheson in trouble, they naturally felt relieved.

More importantly, Lin Haoran, like them, is a thoroughly Chinese.

In the past, it was normal for Hong Kong natives like them to be looked down upon by foreigners.

Now, the situation has changed, and the foreign-funded enterprises have been beaten by the Chinese-funded enterprises without any chance to fight back. They can't help but feel happy, even though this matter has nothing to do with them.

But they still felt great.

Although some shareholders have been greatly affected, shareholders holding Jardine Securities shares are ultimately only a minority and cannot represent the majority.

If today was not Saturday, it is obvious that the share price of Jardine Matheson Securities would experience another big drop.

And this time the fall may be even worse.

This is not just a matter of Jardine Matheson Securities being sold off by Jardine Matheson, but a matter of fact that Jardine Matheson Securities has been badly hurt.

Everyone can already imagine how miserable the shareholders of Jardine Securities will be when next Monday comes.

Deep Water Bay, Bao family villa.

Bao Yugang gently put down the newspaper in his hand, his eyes were deep, with a smile of approval on the corner of his mouth, and he thought to himself: "Young people are formidable, they are really the pride of the times!"

Recalling the thrilling battle of Wharf Holdings' share purchase two years ago, he still remembers it vividly.

In that business competition, although he finally seized control of Hutchison Whampoa, he also paid a heavy price of nearly HK$2 billion in debt, and the family business was severely damaged.

Since then, Bao Yugang has been acting more low-key, and the Bao family has entered a dormant period, focusing on restoring their strength.

In the past two years, the name Lin Haoran has risen rapidly in Hong Kong's business world like a bright new star. Not only has he replaced him as the new richest man, but his extraordinary means and wisdom have also stirred up the entire Hong Kong business world, directly allowing the strength of Hong Kong's Chinese-funded enterprises to completely surpass that of British-funded enterprises.

Bao Yugang does not feel the slightest bit jealous of Lin Haoran's current achievements. Instead, he is filled with relief.

Although Bao Yugang has become a British citizen, deep in his heart, he always remembers his Chinese ancestry, which is an inseparable connection.

For him, the vigorous rise of Chinese financial groups is undoubtedly a good thing worth celebrating, because it symbolizes that the power of the Chinese entrepreneurial group is growing and gradually occupying a place in Hong Kong and even on the broader world stage.

Bao Yugang was well aware that no matter how successful he was in the business world, he would always be regarded as an "outcast" by the deeply entrenched British financial groups.

Although Huifeng Bank has given him a lot of support in the past, this support is more based on his own strength and the value of the benefits he can bring.

The reason why Bank of Hong Kong was able to win the competition with Jardine Matheson and lead Hong Kong into the Bank of Hong Kong era was largely due to Bao Yugang's successful battle to take over the Wharf.

Without him to weaken the strength of Jardine Matheson, Bank of Hong Kong would even be slightly inferior to Jardine Matheson.

In a villa not far from the Bao family, Li Jiacheng, who had just woken up, also had a look of shock on his face.

Although he had received some information yesterday, he was still not sure.

But now, these newspaper reports have obviously thoroughly confirmed the authenticity of the matter.

Although Hutchison Whampoa has now firmly established itself as one of the top five companies in Hong Kong's business community after Li Ka-shing took it over, and even has the potential to challenge the top three, its strength should not be underestimated.

But when facing Jardine Matheson, a British giant with a long history, he still remained cautious and respectful enough and would never make enemies easily.

In contrast, Lin Haoran dared to challenge the authority of Jardine Matheson so boldly that he even did not hesitate to make a mortal enemy with it. This courage and boldness made Li Jiacheng both admire and fear him.

In Lin Haoran, Li Jiacheng saw the kind of reckless and courageous spirit that he lacked.

He has realized that it is no accident that Lin Haoran has risen so quickly to become the new richest man in Hong Kong.

This person is decisive, skillful, and unafraid of power. Even he would not dare to provoke such an opponent easily.

This seemingly reckless move may actually be Lin Haoran’s confidence in his own strength!

Therefore, a firm idea emerged deep in Li Jiacheng's heart: Lin Haoran, this person must not be offended, no matter who he offends, never offend Lin Haoran.

Once you make enemies with them, the consequences will be disastrous and you will inevitably be retaliated by them fiercely and without regard for the consequences.

Li Jiacheng, who has been working in the business world for many years, knows very well that his current achievements are based not only on his extraordinary strength, but also on the wisdom to judge the situation and know when to advance and when to retreat so as not to bring disaster upon himself.

(End of this chapter)