Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 258 Chapter 259 [Acquisition Failed]

Sunday, November 10

The Hong Kong government, together with Merlin, Barita and HSBC, supported the troubled Sun Hung Kai Bank. At the same time, the Hong Kong government injected HK$17 billion from the Foreign Exchange Fund to save Hang Lung Bank.

Soon after, the Hong Kong government announced the implementation of a "linked exchange rate" system pegged to the US dollar, setting a standard of 7.8 Hong Kong dollars to 1 US dollar.

A series of good news made the impending huge crisis disappear and Hong Kong gradually return to peace.

The exchange rate of 7.8 is a 5.13% depreciation from the previous 50, but it is good news for those who are optimistic about the future of Hong Kong because the value of Hong Kong properties has not changed.

The Peninsula Tsim Sha Tsui
Zhao Shizeng sat with an old man, looking relaxed, as if he had nothing to do with the upcoming negotiations.

The old man was Zhao Shizeng's father, Zhao Congyan, one of the five biggest shipping tycoons in Hong Kong. He started to make his fortune in Hong Kong in the 5s. The family fortune and connections he has accumulated now are far beyond what Luo Qihong can compare to.

However, Luo Qihong had to challenge the abilities of these old predecessors, because many of Hong Kong's resources were in these people's hands. How could he truly take root in Hong Kong and make Hong Kong his base camp and rear base if he didn't snatch them?

"Mr. Zhao, I'm sorry, I'm late!" Luo Qihong said to the old man with a smile before Zhao Shizeng answered, "This should be your father, Mr. Zhao Congyan? I've heard of your name for a long time!"

Luo Qihong quickly walked up to him and shook hands with him, with a smile on his face, as if they were very familiar with each other.

"Hello, Luo Sheng!" Zhao Congyan nodded with a smile. His face looked a little haggard, but his eyes were quite sharp, like an eagle.

"I have heard of Zhao Sheng's name as the shipping king since I was a child. Everyone in Hong Kong knows the name of Zhao the Shipping King. The current Huaguang Shipping Company is even more amazing. The tonnage of its ships exceeds 1 million tons, which is higher than the tonnage of warships of most countries." Luo Qihong sat down and continued to flatter Zhao Congyan in order to reduce Zhao Congyan's resentment.

"Mr. Luo, you're too kind! It's just some business." Zhao Congyan was still humble. He certainly would not let his guard down against those who wanted to seize the family company.

"Mr. Zhao is too modest." Luo Qihong continued to brag. After all, Zhao Congyan was smiling very happily.

Half an hour later, Zhao Congyan turned the topic to Huaguang Real Estate Company.

"I heard that Luo Sheng acquired a lot of shares of Huaguang Real Estate Company, which has exceeded 30%. I wonder if it is true or not?" Zhao Congyan said with a gentle smile, his tone full of calmness.

"That's true. Mr. Zhao has told me many times about the sale of Huaguang Real Estate Company. I'm worried that Mr. Zhao will sell Huaguang Real Estate Company all at once on impulse. So I'm taking advantage of the low stock price right now to acquire more to prevent any accidents and put myself in a passive situation." Luo Qihong took the lead in occupying a favorable position.

This means that he is not a person who takes things by force. It was because your Zhao family intended to sell the property and the price you asked for was too high that he was forced to take this measure.

It also implies that 'if you were willing to sell it to me at a suitable price, the situation today wouldn't be like this, so you should also bear part of the responsibility.'

"I have instructed Ah Zeng to say this to Luo Sheng, but it was just a test. After all, Luo Sheng has a long-standing reputation in the world. If Luo Sheng wanted to acquire it at the beginning, I would still refuse in other ways. So the Zhao family does not really want to sell Huaguang Real Estate Company." Zhao Congyan only stated the reason, but did not say the rest.

"Really? I misunderstood what Mr. Zhao meant. You are very popular in Hong Kong. I am worried. I hope Mr. Zhao can understand." Luo Qihong did not mention any conditions for withdrawal.

Zhao Congyan looked at Zhao Shizeng, who immediately understood what he meant and asked Luo Qihong, "What conditions does Mr. Luo want to cancel the acquisition?"

Luo Qihong smiled and said, "Mr. Zhao, you are too serious. There is no need for any conditions. It's just a misunderstanding."

"Master Zhao and Master Zhao can't let me lose money, right? If this happens, wouldn't it be a slap in the face of the Zhao family if it gets out?"

He spent at least 1 million yuan to acquire these shares. He didn't think Zhao Congyan was willing to use money to buy back these shares. Moreover, if he bought them all back, it would also touch the bottom line of a full acquisition. The Zhao family did not have so much money to handle this matter.

As for taking back half of the shares, that would be useless, and Luo Qihong would not agree to it. "I have a plan here, which is beneficial to both Luo Sheng and me. Would you like to listen to it?" Zhao Congyan already knew how difficult Luo Qihong was, and he regretted not looking at the little devil in front of him. It was all his fault for being too careless.

Over the past decade, Hong Kong's business world has seen many evildoers. Not to mention veterans like Li Jiacheng who have been lurking for many years, there are also many newcomers like Luo Qihong.

"Mr. Zhao, please speak. I am all ears!" Luo Qihong responded politely and without humility.

"The plan is simple. Just like the Madden family of Wheelock and the Zhang Zhushan family, Luo Sheng is the major shareholder of Huaguang Real Estate Company. The Zhao family will be John Madden and be responsible for managing Huaguang Real Estate Company. How about that?" Zhao Congyan found the plan that is most beneficial to the family now.

Originally, Luo Qihong's acquisition of Huaguang Real Estate Company was out of malicious intent. Now Zhao Congyan has made an appointment with Luo Qihong to negotiate peace. If he continues with the acquisition, his notoriety will become even worse, and it will be difficult for him to truly integrate into Hong Kong's wealthy group like Liu Luanxiong.

Moreover, Luo Qihong is the major shareholder of Huaguang Real Estate Company. Anyone who wants to acquire Huaguang Real Estate in the future will not be able to get past him. In other words, the Zhao family no longer wants Huaguang Real Estate, and no one can acquire it unless Luo Qihong does.

It seemed that Luo Qihong had no way of refusing this plan.

"Mr. Zhao's suggestion is very good, but I also have some conditions."

"Please speak!" Zhao Congyan gestured gentlemanly, allowing Luo Qihong to speak freely.

"The first condition is that Huaguang Real Estate Company cannot sell or mortgage its assets. The second condition is that I must send someone to supervise the company's operations. The third condition is that if Huaguang Real Estate Company wants to be sold, Mr. Zhao must consider me first and cannot contact other people first." Luo Qihong said, "If any of the above three conditions are violated, I have the right to acquire Huaguang Real Estate Company and exercise control over the company."

"Shouldn't these three conditions be changed?" Zhao Shizeng was a little angry. This was really like inviting a wolf into the house.

"There is no possibility of change. To put it bluntly, I am the one who has the upper hand now. If it weren't for the Zhao family's advantage in public opinion, I would not agree to such a plan. What do you think, Mr. Zhao?" Luo Qihong answered with a smile. The most important reason was that Luo Qihong was afraid of the funds that Zhao Congyan had hidden. He was not sure how much was there.

"Okay! Let's sign the contract according to these three conditions. But I hope this contract will not be leaked, otherwise it will be bad for everyone's reputation." Zhao Congyan stared at Luo Qihong.

"Of course it is. It's not good for me either." Luo Qihong nodded with a smile.

"Oh, there is one more thing I want to tell Mr. Zhao. Wan Guo Bao Tong Financial Company has also bought a lot of Huaguang Real Estate Company shares. I hope the board of directors can give them two seats." Luo Qihong continued.

Zhao Congyan was slightly startled, then nodded and said, "That's no problem!"

After discussing the matter, the three of them began to chat freely, as if what had just happened had never happened.

After Luo Qihong left, Zhao Shizeng's expression suddenly changed, and he gritted his teeth and said, "This man is really a vicious wolf. No matter who he is, he wants to take a bite."

Zhao Congyan shook his head helplessly and said, "It's a done deal. There's no point in blaming yourself too much. Luo Qihong is already a big deal. Don't offend him too much. If he really becomes your enemy, how can you resist him?"

"I don't believe that my Zhao family's connections and influence in Hong Kong cannot defeat a little guy who has just risen up." Zhao Shizeng said angrily.

"The connections I have accumulated for you are okay. They can help you once or twice. If it's more than that, it's hard to say. The key is how many times can you brothers withstand his attacks?" Zhao Congyan admonished his son with a normal expression.

"." Zhao Shizeng remained silent. It was really hard to have such ability and patience. There was a vicious wolf lurking beside him, waiting for him to be weak and then bite him. How could he not be afraid?

"Okay, let's stop with the Huaguang Real Estate Company. Focus on running the company well in the future. Don't get into conflicts with Luo Qihong's people and let him get hold of something." Zhao Congyan sighed, "I also have to help your eldest brother with the Huaguang Shipping business. I don't have the energy to help you deal with things."

"Yes, I won't cause trouble for you again." Zhao Shizeng was as well-behaved as a child of a few years old.

(End of this chapter)