Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 121 [China Gas Board of Directors Meeting]

When Wong Yuk-lang saw Luo Qihong's mocking look, he was immediately furious, but he still held back.

He knew about Luo Qihong's past and even studied Luo Qihong's way of doing things. He found that Luo Qihong was very capable. In just one year, he was worth hundreds of millions of yuan, and these were his assets on the surface. Naturally, he found out some of Luo Qihong's investments in the stock market and the actions of Dehe Real Estate Company.

Wong Yuk-long himself started his business in 76 and has only achieved success now. He failed several times in four years. How can he be compared with Lo Chi-hung?

Of course, Wong Yuk-long also considered himself extraordinary, but he knew that he was still somewhat inferior to Lo Chi-hung, and that Lo Chi-hung could rely on the stock market and real estate to "pump water" (provide large amounts of funds), so he was somewhat worried that he could not compete with Lo Chi-hung's huge funds.

"Is Luo Sheng really unwilling to give in?" Huang Yulang asked gritting his teeth.

"In the business world, it has always been the case that those who are capable get what they want. Mr. Huang should be very clear about this. If I have to give way to anyone who comes, then what business am I in for?" Seeing that Huang Yulang had retreated, Luo Qihong took the opportunity to take a step forward.

"Okay, then we'll see you in court." Huang Yulang's eyebrows twitched twice, and he stood up and left after saying some harsh words.

Luo Qihong looked at Huang Yulang's receding back and said with a smile, "If you use the society, I would be a little hesitant. In a lawsuit, who is afraid of who? I have plenty of money."

Return to the Paramount Restaurant company office.

Luo Qihong asked his secretary Cheng Jianshen to bring a large amount of information about high-end residential buildings and land transactions in the Mid-Levels. He wanted to study the land prices and properties in the Mid-Levels in detail over the past few years.

In fact, almost all the land in the Mid-Levels is controlled by British companies, of which Hong Kong Land holds one third. The Chinese companies that have emerged in the past decade can only purchase some land in the Mid-Levels for development.

Therefore, many Chinese real estate companies are coveting the property land at 1A, Diligundri.

Luo Qihong saw this point and wanted to sell it after acquiring the project to make a profit.

According to the transaction records of high-end residential buildings in Mid-Levels in recent years, the highest premium is only 25%. It seems that the 3% premium this time is enough, but Luo Qihong’s ideal premium is 4%.

However, the 4% premium has a big disadvantage, which is that Paramount's profits are greatly compressed and the risks involved are also increasing.

After much deliberation, Luo Qihong decided to refer to Li Jiacheng's bidding proposal for the twin towers project of Admiralty Harbour Centre, with a 25% premium, giving 30% of the profits of the entire project to the Hutchison Whampoa Company, and signing a gambling agreement: the down payment would be 2%, and the remaining 8% and 30% of the profits, no less than 3 million yuan, would be paid before 82, otherwise the Paramount Company would need to pay the Hutchison Whampoa Company a compensation of 6 million yuan and would not be allowed to reclaim the 2% down payment already paid.

This was a plan that Luo Qihong had racked his brains to come up with. If it failed to get the approval of the Jardine Matheson Group, he would have to accept his fate and the Paramount Group would have no chance of getting this project.

Luo Qihong knew that this bid was more dangerous than the transaction with Chinese Estates Company, but he had been forced into a corner and had to take the risk.

A high-end residential area in Causeway Bay
It was already past eight o'clock in the evening. The dishes on the table were in a mess, with only a little vegetable juice left.

Luo Qihong was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper when suddenly a beautiful woman in pajamas, her figure vaguely visible, appeared at the door and was fiddling with her waist.

Luo Qihong noticed it and hooked his finger at the beauty with a sly smile on his face. This woman Li Zhi finally learned how to dress "appropriately".

Li Zhi walked over and sat on Luo Qihong's thighs, with his arms around Luo Qihong's neck, a bright smile on his face and his cheeks seductively rosy.

Luo Qihong smiled and said, "What's wrong, my little beauty?"

Li Zhi pursed his lips and said, "I don't want to work at Zhaoan Real Estate anymore. The employees always say behind my back that I seduced you. They say all kinds of nasty things. I want to work in another company where no one knows about our relationship." Rumors can kill people, not to mention the 20-year-old Li Zhi. Even a strong man with rich life experience would be seriously affected mentally.

"Okay, then I'll arrange for you to work at Paramount Company first." Luo Qihong nodded and agreed. This woman was more tactful than Guan Jiahui and knew how to please others.

"I will go to the interview myself and then start working normally. I can't let others notice any difference." There was a bit of determination in Li Zhi's words. It was obvious that the rumors had a great impact on her.

"Okay, I'll let you know after I've arranged it." Luo Qihong smiled. It was just a small matter. He just needed to tell the manager to do it.

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Your girlfriend, Miss Guan Jiahui, came to see me."

Hearing this, Luo Qihong was a little shocked. What did Guan Jiahui want to do?
"What did she say to you?" Luo Qihong suppressed his shock and asked, trying his best to conceal it.

"You said some gossip, probably to make me think it over. There will be no result with you." Li Zhi acted calmly.

Luo Qihong stroked Li Zhi's hair and said soothingly, "Don't worry, she won't affect our relationship, don't feel any psychological burden."

Li Zhi curled his lips and said, "I was originally your mistress. I don't think you would marry her. We are both in a similar situation. The only advantage she has is that she is a little prettier than me."

"She showed me that you bought her a house. I don't care about gold and diamond jewelry."

Luo Qihong certainly understood Li Zhi's little trick, so he smiled and said, "I also bought two residential units in Causeway Bay, but I only gave you the down payment, and you have to repay the loan yourself. As for the gold jewelry and other things, I will buy them another day."

A smile suddenly appeared on Li Zhi's face, but he still pretended that it was not for the money.

Luo Qihong smiled, then picked her up and walked towards the bedroom, "You have to work harder today, otherwise you will be sorry for how much I love you."

Then, a blood-boiling sound was heard in the bedroom.

The next morning, Luo Qihong first sat in the Paramount Company for about an hour, and then went out to Hysan Place Building in Causeway Bay to attend the board meeting of China Gas Company.

Luo Qihong acquired 5% of the shares of China Gas Company from Chinese Estates Holdings, and naturally replaced Li Fook Shu's board seat on China Gas Company, becoming the smallest shareholder on the board.

The directors participating in the meeting included John Madden, chairman of Wheelock Company, Li Jiacheng, chairman of Hutchison Whampoa, Ko Cha, chairman of Kwan Yik Wah Group, Li Mingze of the Li family, and Luo Qihong.

Li Jiacheng looked at Luo Qihong with a smile. Luo Qihong nodded towards Li Jiacheng as a greeting. After all, who in Hong Kong didn't know this Chinese tycoon?

John Madden has a typical European appearance and a sturdy build, but his hair is a little sparse and he has a bald head.

Today, the composition of the board of directors of China Gas Company has undergone a major reversal. Previously, the Chinese directors were at a disadvantage, holding far less shares than foreigners, and could not make any effective opposition to the resolutions. Now, John Madden is the only foreigner left on the board of directors (the Junyi Group is affiliated to Hutchison Whampoa, and Kou Cha can only follow Li Jiacheng's footsteps).

However, all the Chinese present were willing to give John Madden face and would not object unless it was a big deal.

(End of this chapter)