Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 137 [This is a big acquisition]

The next day, the news that someone wanted to take the risk of acquiring the Paramount Restaurant Company, regardless of the high proportion of shares held by the major shareholder, spread in the market, arousing some people's suspicion.

They don't think anyone would dare to launch a takeover in this way; it's a typical 'rich and stupid' move.

However, the fact that the shares of Paramount Restaurant Company were absorbed by multiple accounts and the price continued to soar made them unbelievable, but investors still took a wait-and-see attitude.

The top floor of a commercial building in downtown Kowloon

There are a lot of green plants here, full of vitality, and it is obvious that someone takes care of them regularly.

There was furniture for entertaining guests inside the grape arbor, and there were three men sitting there, creating a somewhat weird atmosphere.

The middle-aged and elderly man wearing a Tang suit and skillfully operating the tea set is Gao Shengquan, the owner here and the real helmsman of the Landlord Association.

Next to him were senior Landlord Association members Zhong Wei and Xie Jiyuan.

In comparison, Xie Jiyuan sat there tremblingly, as if he was sitting on pins and needles.

Maybe I'm not very relaxed in front of my superiors or my boss.

"Manager Xie, do you know what mistake you made that led to the current situation?" Gao Shengquan glanced at Xie Jiyuan and brought a cup of tea to Zhong Wei and Xie Jiyuan.

Xie Jiyuan thought for a moment with a flickering look in his eyes. He wondered if his boss wanted to punish him, and said, "It was because I was too anxious that Luo Qihong discovered the flaw so quickly."

"No, it's you who don't know how to behave. Luo Qihong holds such a high percentage of shares, so of course he's not afraid of challenges from others. He should be very happy that we invest in Paramount's shares, instead of blocking us." Gao Shengquan laughed, "You think you have successfully cooperated with Luo Qihong, that you are already Luo Qihong's partner, that you are very smart, and that Luo Qihong has to rely on you to succeed."

"I have studied Luo Qihong. He is a very capable person. Otherwise, he would not have built his business from scratch in such a short time. Even if there is no Landlord Association, Luo Qihong will succeed in the Hongpu Real Estate Company's project."

"To be honest, I made some mistakes. Maybe I shouldn't have given this project to you. Stop it and let Manager Zhong handle it. You can take charge of other small projects."

Xie Jiyuan still wanted to fight for it, as this was his chance to move up, but a warning look from Zhong Wei made him dare not speak.

After Xie Jiyuan left, Zhong Wei asked, "Should we continue?"

"Go ahead, but stop for two days first to give investors some illusions. This way, Luo Qihong won't be able to handle the whole thing alone, which will be more beneficial to us." Gao Shengquan poured tea by himself.

“I’m worried that the investment will be too large without a big return, and we have so many projects on hand right now that we simply can’t spare so much money,” Zhong Wei said with some worry.

"Manager Zhong, do you know the difference between us and those tycoons?" Gao Shengquan changed the subject.

"The difference between us and the tycoons?" Zhong Wei thought about what Gao Shengquan meant and said, "Are you saying that we are their puppets?"

"To put it nicely, I'm a partner, to put it bluntly, I'm their dog, but I don't want to be a dog, and we already have the strength to move from secret to open, so I want to acquire a listed company and leave the landlord association," said Gao Shengquan.

Zhong Wei was a little surprised, and couldn't understand Gao Shengquan's meaning even more, so he was not in a hurry to talk to him, for fear of saying the wrong thing.

Although Gao Shengquan looks kind at the moment, he is actually a tyrant who just hasn't exploded yet.

"I heard that Luo Qihong has teamed up with Hongpu Real Estate Company and is preparing to acquire a company called Best Real Estate. We can mobilize funds from other projects and do both to make a lot of money. Then we will have the funds to acquire new listed companies." Gao Shengquan smiled, looking like an old fox.

"So what type of listed company should we acquire?" Zhong Wei asked, "And who will the landlord be handed over to in the future?"

"Let's go into real estate. All those tycoons deal with real estate and finance." Gao Shengquan continued, "In terms of finance, we are not strong enough and can only play on the edge. The threshold of real estate is lower and it is more suitable for us."

"As for the Landlord Association, I haven't thought about it yet, or I haven't decided whether to destroy it or get out of it unscathed."

destroy? !
Zhong Wei was suddenly shocked. Although the Landlord Association was a puppet, it could make a lot of money, and most of the projects were guaranteed to make money because they were the operators.

Now he wants to destroy this treasure bowl. He doesn’t know why Gao Shengquan has such an idea.

Gao Shengquan saw through Zhong Wei's thoughts and said, "Do you want to take over the landlord? If you take over, I might feel more at ease."

"Gao Sheng, you are so young and in the prime of your life, why do you want to quit?" Zhong Wei asked.

"Zhong Wei, you are a smart man. Since it is a stain that cannot be exposed to the public, do you think those tycoons will allow the landlords to continue to exist when they retire?" Gao Shengquan was not afraid that his confession would scare Zhong Wei away. Instead, he wanted to use this opportunity to test Zhong Wei's ambition.

Zhong Wei knew very well what those tycoons who looked so glamorous in front of the public were doing secretly. It could be said that the tycoons all developed by borrowing money from the public, and they didn't have to pay it back.

If the public knew that the tycoons were conspiring to drive up stock prices and make money from them, they would surely become stinking shit. No one would allow themselves to fall into such a predicament.

When it comes to keeping secrets, the dead are naturally more reliable than the living.

But money is a powerful thing. Zhong Wei is not willing to give up this good thing. Even if he becomes the next Gao Shengquan, he would be willing to do so. And even though Gao Shengquan says so nicely, he is still using him.

The best things are what you hold in your hands.

"Gao Sheng, don't worry. If I take over the Landlord Association, I will definitely develop it well and work hard to break free from the control of those tycoons." Zhong Wei's words were very inspiring, but deep down he just wanted to make a fortune and leave.

"Okay! When I retire, the Landlord Association will be handed over to you." Gao Shengquan smiled with relief.

Luo Qihong, Li Yude and Lin Luoqi didn't know that Best Real Estate Company had been targeted by two gangs. Even if they could take it down, the result would be serious financial losses.

A private room at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central

Luo Qihong personally poured Li Fusu a glass of red wine before sitting back in his seat.

"Mr. Luo, I heard that your company is acquiring shares of Paramount Group." What Li Fushu wanted to ask was why Luo Qihong insisted on hyping up the share price of Paramount Group, and whether he wanted to make more money from Chinese Estates Holdings.

Luo Qihong smiled and said, "Mr. Li, have you heard of the Landlord Club?" Seeing Li Fushu nodded, Luo Qihong continued to explain, "I have cooperated with the Landlord Club on the projects of Hongpu Real Estate Company. Maybe because of greed, the Landlord Club wants to continue to hype the Paramount Company. They know that the Paramount Company will be sold to Chinese Estates Company soon."

"I didn't agree, so they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to buy up shares. I just wanted to teach them a lesson so they don't have to do it again in the future."

In Li Fushu's opinion, it is a good thing that the landlords are willing to invest. If the share price of Paramount is driven up now, Chinese Estates will suffer some losses. Although the losses are not big, it will make Li Fushu feel uncomfortable.

Li Fushu was not satisfied with this reason, but he did not want to delve into it. "The current market value of Paramount is 9.2 million yuan, and Luo Sheng, you hold 49% of the shares (holding 50% will trigger a full acquisition), which is 4.5 million yuan."

"Chinese Estates plans to complete the delivery in half a year, with the payment ratios of 3%, 3%, and 4%, with an interval of 3 months. What do you think, Mr. Luo?"

Luo Qihong shook his head. "I need funds urgently. I hope the time can be shortened to three months and the payment can be completed in January next year."

Luo Qihong plans to use this money to launch an acquisition, and of course he does not want to delay the plan.

"Mr. Luo, 4.5 million yuan is not a small amount, and three months is very tight. If you really need funds urgently, Bank of East Asia can give you a loan." Li Fushu directly solicited business for the bank.

"I have the same idea. Since the loan can be repaid in half a year, I ask Chinese Estates Holdings to increase the down payment ratio to 4%, and Bank of East Asia needs to provide me with a loan of 7 million yuan," Luo Qihong suggested.

Li Fushu frowned slightly and said, "Can Luo Sheng explain the purpose of the 7 million yuan and how to repay it?"

"The purpose of the 6 million yuan is to carry out an acquisition. As for which company it is, Mr. Li will know later. Although this loan is large, I think Mr. Li is clear about my abilities, and I will also use the shares of Zhaoan Real Estate Company as collateral." Luo Qihong said.

Li Fushu knew that Luo Qihong was not going to use the acquisition proceeds from Paramount to repay the loan. An acquisition of more than 10 billion yuan was indeed a big deal, so he recalled some of Luo Qihong's deeds in his mind and asked, "Does Luo Qihong want to acquire China Gas Company?"

"Haha!! Mr. Li is really amazing!" Luo Qihong knew that hiding it was useless, so he might as well admit it generously, "Yes, I plan to acquire China Gas Company, so I need a loan of 6 million yuan."

Li Fushu couldn't help but be shocked. Luo Qihong was only 24 years old, but he had the ability to acquire China Gas Company. If he really grew up in the future, it might be a bit scary.

"It is not a problem for Mr. Luo to borrow 6 million yuan, but the collateral must be replaced with the acquired shares of China Gas Company." Li Fushu said.

"Okay, can the interest be lower?" Luo Qihong took the opportunity to make a request. If he couldn't pay it back, no matter what the collateral was, he would lose the shares of China Gas Company.

"How about 8% interest?" Li Fushu gave a relatively low interest rate.

"OK! Let's have a pleasant cooperation!" Luo Qihong and Li Fushu clinked their glasses with bright smiles on their faces.

He couldn't help but get excited at the thought of becoming the owner of China Gas Company.

You should know that China Gas Company was one of the top 90 blue-chip stocks in Hong Kong in the 20s. Although it was at the bottom, it was also one of the top 20 chaebols.

"Does Mr. Luo plan to buy it on the stock market, or look for Hutchison Whampoa or Wheelock?" Li Fushu asked. His family has always had the habit of investing in talents, so he naturally wanted to invest in Luo Qihong.

HSBC's former boss, Alex Sanders, invested in Pao Yue-kong, allowing HSBC to defeat Standard Chartered Bank and become the number 1 in Hong Kong's banking industry. The current boss, Stephen Sham, is investing in Li Kar Shing, and initial results are showing.

Li Fushu naturally also wanted to follow suit to see if he could improve the ranking of Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong.

"It's most likely Wheelock & Company. The shipping industry has reached its peak now, and Wheelock & Company's shipping business is expanding rapidly. Even the high-quality buildings in Central are sold without hesitation. I think this is a good opportunity." Luo Qihong smiled faintly.

"Yes!" Li Fushu nodded, "I have some friendship with John Madden. If Luo Sheng needs it, I can help you make the connection."

Li Fook Shu had served as a director of the China Gas Company for many years and was of course familiar with John Madden. In addition, Chinese Estates Holdings and Wheelock Properties had had a lot of cooperation. If Li Fook Shu could say something, things would be much easier.

"Thank you, Mr. Li! With Mr. Li's help, the possibility of obtaining equity is greater." Luo Qihong said with a smile.

"The loan and Paramount Company matters will take some time. I can help Luo Sheng make an appointment with John Madden first. This is a big project and the transaction cannot be completed all at once." Li Fushu said.

"Okay, thank you for trouble, Mr. Li." Luo Qihong raised his glass, gestured to Li Fusu, and then drank the red wine in the glass.

It was 9: in the evening when I returned to my home in Ulsan Garden in Mid-Levels.

Luo Qihong smelled of alcohol and his eyes revealed fatigue.

Seeing this, Lin Ya frowned and brought a glass of honey water, "There is no need to drink so much alcohol for social events. You still have to take care of your body."

The previous conflict with Lin Ya did not last long. After Luo Qihong did not return home for several days, Lin Ya began to lower her posture and asked Luo Qixing to call and talk to Luo Qihong. Then Luo Qihong moved back to Ulsan Garden.

Although the relationship has eased, there is still some estrangement between Lin Ya and Luo Qihong, but Lin Ya obviously can't care about this at this time.

Luo Qihong took the honey water and laughed, "It's worth drinking any amount of wine at this social event. If we can achieve our goal, we will have a place in Hong Kong."

Lin Ya was stunned, not quite understanding what Luo Qihong meant by this.

Luo Qixing had been paying attention to his brother's company and seemed to have thought of something. He asked, "Are you planning to acquire a big company?"

Luo Qihong suddenly felt that Luo Qixing had finally gotten the hang of it and became so smart. "Brother, this is a secret! You will know it later."

Luo Qihong didn't want the news to leak out before things even started. It wasn't that he didn't trust Luo Qihong, but the fewer people who knew about it, the better.

“It’s so secretive that even my family members weren’t told.” Lin Ya retorted.

Luo Qihong explained a few words and chatted with Luo Qixing for a while.

Luo Qixing also said something, "Yulang International recently acquired two printing companies at a high price. Because the penalty for breach of contract with our company is so high, they have begun to snatch our other business. Now Shengyun Printing's business volume is decreasing."

Luo Qihong thought for a while and asked, "Are they targeting our business or are all the printing companies' business being taken away?"

(End of this chapter)