Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 140 [Cleaning the Company]

"Okay, then let's say it's a 25% premium, priced at 2 million yuan!" Guo Zhiren responded immediately.

Luo Qihong recalled a piece of information about the Wing On Group in its previous life. Since the third generation of the Guo family came to power, the group's strategy has become more conservative. However, it bought a large number of properties at the highest point in 73, causing heavy losses (the economic crisis in 73), and the group suffered considerable damage.

Now starting to buy at the peak period, it really is "the right timing". The foundation accumulated by two generations is certainly not enough for the "advancement" of one generation.

This naturally had nothing to do with Luo Qihong. Since someone was willing to buy it at a high price, he was happy about it. Zhaoan Real Estate Company originally needed a lot of funds. This was like 'someone brought you a pillow when you wanted to sleep'.

With the 2 million yuan in funds, Zhaoan Real Estate Company can use this money to start investing in some projects and work at full capacity to clear Zhaoan Real Estate's debts.

Guo Zhiren was still thinking about paying the money in installments, but was directly rejected by Luo Qihong, who said that since Yongan Group owned Yongan Bank, there was no need for installments, and Zhaoan Real Estate Company urgently needed to recover the funds.

Guo Zhiren could only say that he would go back and seek the opinions of the board of directors. Luo Qihong nodded and agreed, saying that he could wait for two days.

After seeing Guo Zhiren off, Luo Qihong began to think about how to invest the money. Although he lacked funds for the cooperation with Li Yulong, he was not in a hurry and could make some short-term investments first.

Meeting room of Hongpu Real Estate Company
There were still four people attending the meeting, Luo Qihong, Lin Luoqi, Li Yude and senior executive Wu Defeng.

Luo Qihong browsed through the information carefully, his brows slightly frowned inadvertently, and he flipped through the pages faster and faster.

"I didn't expect that a small company like Best Property would attract acquisitions from five companies (including Hongpu Real Estate). It's really exciting." Luo Qihong said with a cold face. It was indeed spectacular.

Luo Qihong has already thought about withdrawing. It is not worth it to make a big fuss for a heavily indebted Best Real Estate Company, which may even result in losses. They can completely shift their target and do not need to hang their heads on the same tree.

"We have already acquired 14.3% of the shares of Baide Real Estate Company. Now we are in a difficult situation." Lin Luoqi's words somewhat imply that he does not want to withdraw.

Luo Qihong put down the information and said with a smile, "The equity can be sold completely, or sold after some speculation. Our goal is to acquire a listed real estate company, and then restructure its debts and assets, and finally make a profit. There is no need to worry about whether this company is Best Real Estate."

Li Yude echoed, "Ah Hong is right. If there is no Best World Real Estate, there will be Qianshi Real Estate. It is of no benefit for us to go head-to-head with our competitors. It is better to make a profit and leave. Besides, Hongpu Real Estate Company is short of funds and it is difficult to win a takeover battle."

Lin Luoqi was a little obsessed because Yiren Real Estate Company had joined the acquisition war, and he wanted to use this opportunity to defeat the Lin Luoxun brothers and win back the face he had lost by losing Yiren Real Estate Company.

"I saw in the information that Yiren Real Estate Company is also involved. We might as well take advantage of Yiren Real Estate Company's weakness and make a fortune." Luo Qihong glanced at Lin Luoqi and said with a smile, "I suggest that Hongpu Real Estate Company immediately announce the acquisition of Best Real Estate Company. The momentum should be larger so that the stock price can rise higher."

Li Yude smiled and said, "I think this plan is feasible. What do you think, Rocky?"

"Okay, then let's do as Ah Hong said." Lin Luoqi was helpless, but the only thing he could be thankful for was that he could make Brother Lin Luoxun fall hard.

"Since Best Investment has been excluded from our plan, we should hurry up and collect information on the next acquisition company. I think it's best to give this task to Luo Qi. What do you think, Uncle Li?" Luo Qihong didn't want Lin Luo Qi to quit at this time.

Luo Qihong didn't really trust Li Yude, so Lin Luoqi being in charge of these matters would serve as a counterweight to Li Yude, and his position would be safer.

He also had to concentrate on running Zhaoan Real Estate Company and didn't want to spend too much time on this project. After all, Zhaoan Real Estate only got departmental profits.

Luo Qihong also planned to make more profit from the acquisition, and even take the opportunity to clear his personal debts and the debts of Zhaoan Real Estate Company.

"Okay, leave the information collection to me." Lin Luoqi still responded unhappily.

After leaving Hongpu Real Estate Company, Luo Qihong immediately called Bai Jinyan and asked him to help Zhaoan Real Estate Company buy shares of Baide Real Estate, and specifically told him not to expose it easily.

At this time, the stock of Baide Real Estate was in a period of chaos, and absorbing some small scattered shares would not easily attract other people's attention.

Although it cannot make a lot of money from Best Real Estate Company, "no matter how small an ant is, it is still meat", Zhaoan Real Estate Company needs to increase the capital it holds so that it can make a lot of money.

A few days later
Luo Qihong and John Madden signed a formal contract, and 31% of the shares of China Gas Company were transferred to Luo Qihong's Hehong Real Estate Company. Together with the 5% shares of China Gas Company acquired from Chinese Estates Holdings, Hehong Real Estate Company now holds 36% of the shares and has become the largest shareholder of China Gas Company.

Luo Qihong did not immediately deprive John Madden of his position as chairman of the board of directors. Instead, he made himself the executive director and general manager, directly sidelining John Madden.

Through this operation, Luo Qihong gained a good reputation and took actual control of China Gas Company, killing two birds with one stone.

In fact, the reason why Luo Qihong adopted this approach was that he wanted to give himself some time to deal with the personnel issues of China Gas Company without pushing those people too much, as they might do something desperate.

However, Luo Qihong ignored the fact that John Madden valued face more than profit. As a result, the next day, Wheelock announced the acquisition, the profit, and the board of directors continued to let him serve as chairman.

This caught Luo Qihong off guard. Although it had little impact on the management of China Gas Company, it had a huge impact on him personally. Many people in Hong Kong set their sights on him, making it more difficult for him to do things.

Such shocking news was inevitably reported and exaggerated by major newspapers, making Luo Qihong's name even more dazzling.

Sing Tao Daily's headline: 'A new generation of tycoons is rising! ! '

The headline of Oriental Daily News is "Another British-owned franchise company falls into the hands of Chinese! !"

Some even compared Luo Qihong with Li Jiacheng, who acquired Hutchison Whampoa, and Pao Yue-kong, who acquired Wharf Holdings, and called Luo Qihong the leader of the new generation of Chinese tycoons.

Some magazines began to report on Luo Qihong's background and deeds, and one newspaper even wrote him as the illegitimate son of Luo Yingshi, the owner of Eagle Properties.

Fortunately, Luo Qihong himself has a complete family and a network of relatives for more than ten years, otherwise it would be hard to say. Such news spread throughout Hong Kong, and naturally many second- and third-generation heirs of Hong Kong Chinese families were very dissatisfied with this, believing that Luo Qihong was just a "flash in the pan" without much foundation to support him, and would sooner or later become Hong Kong history.

Luo Qihong was troubled by this. He had no good way to stop it and could only endure it silently, thinking that if he did not respond, the news would disappear in a few days.

Yiren Real Estate Company Office

Lin Luoxun looked at the newsprint with a dark face. Luo Qihong actually acquired such a high-quality franchise company. Now he dared to confirm that Luo Qihong sold the Paramount Company entirely to raise funds to acquire the China Gas Company.

"This Luo Qihong has such a deep mind!" Lin Luoxun put down the newsprint and sighed.

If Luo Qihong really swallows up the China Gas Company like a snake swallowing a whale, he will definitely become a big shot, and it will be difficult for Lin Luoxun to catch up with him, or even to even compare with him.

Lin Luoshi was sitting next to him, his face extremely ugly. "The market value of Paramount is 9 million yuan, and Luo Qihong made a maximum profit of 2 million yuan. Where did he get such a huge amount of funds to acquire China Gas Company? He must have borrowed money from the bank, and he may not be able to swallow it."

Lin Luoxun said, "The two-thirds loan amount is indeed amazing, but I don't think Luo Qihong will fail. At the beginning, many people were not optimistic about Paramount Company and Hongpu Real Estate Company, but he, Luo Qihong, saved these two companies. What's more, there is no problem with the operation of China Gas Company itself, so Luo Qihong still has a great chance of digesting China Gas Company."

Lin Luoshi was still not convinced, but he remembered another thing: "Should we continue with the Best World Real Estate Company?"

Lin Luoxun knew that Lin Luoshi had some concerns, but he shook his head and said, "Of course we should continue. This is a money-making project and a normal business behavior. No matter how powerful Luo Qihong is, he can't threaten us."

“Well, let’s continue.” Lin Luoshi nodded, “But brother, if Luo Qihong grows up, we may not be able to suppress Lin Luoqi. After all, they are partners.”

Lin Luoxun looked at Lin Luoshi and said seriously, "Do you want to get involved in China Gas Company? That's a big company with a market value of 22 billion yuan. The market value of Yiren Real Estate Company is only a few hundred million, and it can't be pried open at all."

Lin Luoshi smiled and said, "Brother, besides China Gas Company, doesn't Luo Qihong also have a Zhaoan Real Estate Company? I have investigated and the current market value is 1 million yuan, but Luo Qihong holds a high stake."

Lin Luoxun was a little angry. "We all know that Luo Qihong holds a large stake. Why are we intervening? Are we trying to provoke hatred?"

Lin Luoshi said calmly, "Luo Qihong is now in debt of several hundred million. I think he is likely to reduce his holdings in Zhaoan Real Estate Company. Wouldn't that be our chance? As long as we operate properly, it won't be a problem to drive Luo Qihong out of the real estate industry."

This statement has to be said to be somewhat reasonable, because China Gas Company is of better quality than Siu On Property, and China Gas Company's controlling stake is not very stable. Luo Qihong will certainly not abandon China Gas Company and choose Siu On Property.

Lin Luoxun did not respond immediately, but fell into deep thought. He actually didn't want to make enemies with Luo Qihong again, but if Lin Luoqi made a comeback, everything he had done before would be in vain, and the family business would most likely fall into the hands of Lin Luoqi and his son.

Aren't the two brothers working in vain and making wedding dresses for Lin Luoqi and his son?

He couldn't let Lin Luoqi develop, he had to take countermeasures.

As for reconciliation with Luo Qihong, it's not that Lin Luoxun has not thought about it, but even so, it can't stop Luo Qihong and Lin Luoqi from cooperating.

He and Luo Qihong had some minor conflicts, and it was difficult for them to achieve a "close and intimate" level of cooperation.

This is nothing more than the difference between drinking 'strong poison' and 'chronic poison', and ultimately there is no escape from the threat of death.

Instead of waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative and extend the time for Luo Qihong to rise.

"Okay! But don't use the funds from Yiren Real Estate Company to buy it. Instead, use the funds from Haofeng Real Estate. This way it will be safer." Lin Luoxun finally agreed.

Haofeng Real Estate will still be in Lin Zuhui's hands for the time being, while Yiren Real Estate Company may change hands at any time, so it is not safe.

The two brothers smiled at each other, as if their plan had succeeded.

The Paramount Company had already been handed over to the Chinese Estates Company, so Luo Qihong placed a part of the staff headed by Kang Wenyi in the Zhaoan Real Estate Company, and the other part of the staff headed by Su Qishan in the China Gas Company.

He did not directly put people into certain departments of China Gas Company, because doing so would only disperse his strength and be targeted by certain senior executives. So he created a new department - the General Manager's Secretariat, and placed all of Su Qishan's people in the General Manager's Secretariat.

The secretariat nominally assisted the general manager in his work, but in reality it investigated the interpersonal network of China Gas Company and the attitudes of managers, while infiltrating various departments.

This is the best solution Luo Qihong could come up with, and it is also the one with the least loss and the best effect.

If John Madden had not made the matter bigger without authorization, Luo Qihong would not have been so passive and could have handled the problems of the China Gas Company more calmly.

General Manager's Office, China Gas Company
"Boss, most of the foreign management are ready to make a move. They don't want to accept a Chinese boss." Su Qishan reported with a sullen face.

Luo Qihong nodded. This was expected. "We need to appease them. The company cannot do without them for the time being. How is the investigation I asked you to do going?"

"Most of the Chinese are willing to approach us. As for whether there are foreign spies among them, we need to investigate further." Su Qishan said with a smile, "There are also three foreign managers who are willing to surrender to us. They are the deputy manager of the sales department, Resk, the deputy manager of the transportation department, Zamasu, and the supervisor, Finch."

"If I promote them to be department managers, can they have full control of the department?" Luo Qihong asked.

Su Qishan hesitated for a moment and said, "You can give it a try, but it should be difficult."

"Don't worry. Talk to the two deputy managers of the sales and transportation departments first. You can tell them that I intend to promote them to managers. In advance, they need to ensure that there is no turmoil in their departments."

(End of this chapter)