Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 117 [Wan Chai AXA Centre Building]

So Luo Qihong summoned Zhao Kai, the manager of the property department, and told him, "Manager Zhao, the company is short of funds recently and has to undertake some big projects, so I plan to sell the Lee Fat Building on Bute Street in Mong Kok that I just acquired."

"I've given this matter to you. The requirement is that the price of this building cannot be less than 2 million. Can you do it?"

After reading the documents, Zhao Kai said, "According to the current market conditions, there shouldn't be any major problems, but we still need to go to the site to take a look and test the buyers' reactions."

Luo Qihong had little experience with Zhao Kai, so he subconsciously thought that the guy in front of him was playing tricks, so he advised, "If the property department can't do it, I can let the property department do it."

Zhao Kai didn't say anything, and Luo Qihong got even angrier. "It seems that the Property Department's ability is very poor, not as good as the newly established Property Department 1. Why not merge the Property Department into Property Department 1? What do you think, Manager Zhao?"

After saying this, Zhao Kai's face finally changed drastically, "Don't worry, Luo Sheng, my property department will definitely meet your requirements."

"How long will it take you?" Luo Qihong asked with a slightly relieved expression.

"Half a month!" Zhao Kai thought for a while and said, looking at Luo Qihong.

Luo Qihong said suddenly, "Okay, I'll give you half a month. If you do it well, I'll give your property department a bonus. If you can't do it, the property department must be laid off."

How long has he been in charge of Paramount Company, yet there are still people who dare to play tricks and show off their status? Of course, he will not act like a "prime minister with a big heart", but will just "slap him in the face".

Not long after, Su Qishan, the manager of the Information Integration Department, knocked on the door and came in with a report in his hand, unable to hide the joy on his face.

"Boss, the AXA Center building jointly built by Cheung Kong Holdings and Kwong Sang Hong Company in Wan Chai is about to be sold. Should we take the opportunity to participate?" Su Qishan said.

AXA Centre is located at 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. It has 25 floors, covers an area of ​​2.7 square feet, has a floor area of ​​28.75 square feet, and is worth more than HK$9 million.

Since Cheung Kong Holdings defeated Hong Kong Land Development in the twin towers project of Admiralty Harbourfront Centre in 78, its reputation has soared. It then started a huge plan of "paying some construction costs and co-building commercial buildings with others". Kwong Sang Hong Company was just a partner of Cheung Kong Holdings, and the bulk of the money came from British companies such as Wheelock & Company.

Such a plan naturally made Cheung Kong Holdings a fortune. Luo Qihong estimated that it could make a profit of 10 billion yuan.

Luo Qihong was in no hurry to respond to Su Qishan. He finished reading the information before saying, "There should be a lot of competitors, right?"

Su Qishan replied, "Yes, there are quite a few! AXA Center is close to Victoria Harbour and is a newly built commercial building. Many real estate developers want to get such a property. Even if it is for speculation, it is a good choice."

"What if we want to take over the entire AXA Center? Do you think it is possible?" Luo Qihong asked seriously.

Such a commercial building is very suitable for speculation, and Paramount is very short of money now. If it can earn tens of millions of profits from the AXA Center, half of the Central commercial building will be secured, and the share price of Paramount can also be driven up, which is killing two birds with one stone.

Su Qishan was stunned when he heard this, and after thinking for a while, he responded, "It's unlikely, it's very difficult."

In fact, the so-called difficulty is that a premium is required. If the premium is 1%, Cheung Kong Holdings will certainly not refuse to sell.

Nowadays, commercial buildings are mostly sold on a floor-by-floor basis at market prices, which is why real estate developers and speculators flock to them.

Luo Qihong nodded, but he still wanted to acquire the shopping mall. The profit of tens of millions was enough to attract him.

So Luo Qihong called Hong Xiaolian from Cheung Kong Holdings. Fortunately, he had dealt with her before and Hong Xiaolian agreed to meet him immediately. Of course, she wanted to regain the face she had lost last time.

Luo Qihong didn't care much about these things. His current task was to meet Li Fushu's requirements and obtain a large amount of benefits from the Paramount Company to lay the foundation for taking over the China Gas Company.
There weren't many customers at this time, only a few scattered around, and the shop assistants were all bored and alone, as chatting was prohibited during working hours.

Hong Xiaolian, carrying a green handbag, walked over decisively and sat down directly opposite Luo Qihong.

"I haven't seen you for many months. Mr. Luo looks even more charming than before." Hong Xiaolian flattered with a smile, but Luo Qihong felt there was something else behind her words.

"Haha!! Miss Hong has become much prettier. It seems that her work has been going well recently." Luo Qihong knew that Hong Xiaolian was a workaholic. She had no chance of falling in love. Her career was her only love.

"Mr. Luo, let's make it short. What price do you want to offer to acquire the AXA Center Building in Wan Chai?" Hong Xiaolian rearranged her green handbag.

Luo Qihong raised a finger and said, "9 million yuan! The floor area of ​​AXA Center Building is 6 square feet, but the usable area is only 28.75%, which is 9 square feet. The price of 26 million yuan is very consistent with the current market price."

Hong Xiaolian smiled and said, "If the price is this high, there is no need for Cheung Kong Holdings to sell the ANXING Center to you, Luo Sheng."

"Then Miss Hong, please name a price." Luo Qihong threw the initiative back to Hong Xiaolian, but still failed to get it back.

"One hundred and fifteen million!" Hong Xiaolian smiled faintly, seeming a little proud.

Luo Qihong smiled and said, "Ms. Hong is really good at asking price. It's a 2% premium. This is impossible. I'll add another 4 million to make it an integer, 1 million!"

Hong Xiaolian took a sip of coffee and said calmly, "Since Luo Sheng has raised the price, I will also lower it to 1 million."

After repeated negotiations between the two, the price of the AXA Centre in Wan Chai was finally set at HK$1 million, a premium of about 5%.

In this way, Hong Xiaolian avenged the grudge from a few months ago and also made Luo Qihong give up some of the profits from the Gongbei Bank Building.

"How does Mr. Luo want to pay the 1 million?" asked Hong Xiaolian.

"Pay in three installments. 3% in the first installment and the remaining 7% within two months, 3% in the first month and 4% in the second month." Luo Qihong briefly outlined the plan.

Hong Xiaolian thought about it carefully, "How should I deal with the interest generated?"

"According to the bank's 8% interest rate, the interest for two months is less than 1 million yuan (7% in the first month and only 4% in the second month, so the interest is about 77 yuan). I will calculate it as 1 million and add it to the final 4% balance. How about that?" Luo Qihong said.

Although 1 million is nothing to the huge Cheung Kong Group, it is a performance achievement for Hong Xiaolian and has a very different meaning.

"Okay! Let's do as Luo Sheng says. The specific contract signing needs to be reported. This is just the result of the preliminary discussion between you and me." Hong Xiaolian reminded.

"I know! But I still have to trouble Miss Hong to give me a definite answer as soon as possible. I also need time to raise such a large sum of money." Luo Qihong said solemnly.

Hong Xiaolian would naturally not be careless about these things. "I will give you a reply before I get off work tomorrow."

"Then I'll wait for good news from Miss Hong." Luo Qihong raised the white porcelain coffee cup and gestured to Hong Xiaolian, who naturally tactfully returned the gesture.

Watching Hong Xiaolian leave, Luo Qihong looked at the passers-by hurrying outside the window and fell into deep thought. In his eyes, the 1% premium of AXA Center Building was not expensive. As long as the hype was done properly, there would still be good profits.

(End of this chapter)