Hong Kong 1980: The Savage Era

Chapter 71 [If you want to make money, what are you afraid of]

After Su Qishan left the office, Luo Qihong racked his brains and came up with two solutions. One was to discuss with Lin Luoqi and let Yiren Real Estate Company continue to invest 3 million (the property on the first floor of Gongbei Building can be loaned 6 million, plus the remaining 1 million, which is 1 million). The other was for Luo Qihong to pledge the shares of Paramount Company to the bank and borrow 1 million. The latter would allow him to have more money for the next move.

So, Luo Qihong called Lin Luoqi to discuss the former plan with him. Unfortunately, Lin Luoqi said that Yiren Real Estate Company was no longer able to embezzle such a large amount of funds, and asked Luo Qihong if there was any other way to solve the problem.

Soon, news came from Su Qishan: the owner agreed to pay the balance of 5 million within 3 days, but an additional 5 yuan would be required as interest.

Luo Qihong agreed. 3 yuan for 5 days may seem expensive, but it is worth it. It can greatly alleviate their situation.

The next afternoon, the two parties signed a transfer agreement at the Paramount Company. Then Luo Qihong took the relevant information to the bank to apply for a mortgage loan of 5 million yuan on the first floor of the Gongbei Building property.

It was not until the third day that the full loan of 5 million was obtained. Near dusk, Luo Qihong handed over the balance of 505 million yuan to the original owner. At this moment, the property of the 3-story Gongbei Building fell into their hands.

A few days later, Oriental Daily, Sing Tao Daily and other publications reported that Paramount Group was about to acquire the Gongbei Building and was planning to demolish and rebuild it into a new commercial building. It was estimated that the new commercial building would have a floor area of ​​more than 30 square feet.

With the publicity from these six major newspapers, Paramount Company became a hot topic among Hong Kong citizens. Of course, many people believed that Paramount Company did not have the strength to carry out demolition and reconstruction, and that it was just a hype.

Luo Qihong then released the second piece of news, saying that Paramount Company was not carrying out the project alone, but was cooperating with other companies to develop the project.

Upon seeing this, the owners of the Gongbei Building immediately raised the prices of their properties, regardless of whether the news was true or not. One owner offered a high price of 1 million yuan for a floor of property.

Reporters smelled big news and interviewed Luo Qihong. During the interview, Luo Qihong confidently said that a large company had already participated in the project and that Paramount Company was just a representative in front of the stage. However, in the end, he still did not reveal the name of the company behind it.

The news was hyped again. At the same time, Luo Qihong began to pretend to contact other owners of the Gongbei Building and negotiate to acquire their properties in the Gongbei Building, making it look like he really wanted to acquire the Gongbei Building.

At this point, it was no longer up to Cheung Kong Holdings to believe it or not. They had to respond. Once acquired by Paramount Group, Cheung Kong Holdings' headquarters building would be reduced in size, or they would have to pay a huge price to acquire the Gongbei Building.

Li Jiacheng knew that there was a high possibility that Paramount Group was speculating on the Gongbei Building, but he could not gamble because no matter what happened, Cheung Kong Holdings' plan to acquire the Gongbei Building would not change.

Moreover, after the hype by the Paramount Group, the properties in Central are already treasures. Now, they can be used to build commercial buildings of 30 square feet. Those powerful companies will immediately react and participate in the acquisition of the Gongbei Building.

Every real estate company wants to own a commercial building in Central with a floor area of ​​30 square feet, which is a treasure that supports the company's development.

Late September

Luo Qihong received an invitation from Hong Xiaolian, secretary to the general manager of Cheung Kong Holdings. Hong Xiaolian did not state her purpose directly, but only said that she wanted to invite Luo Qihong for dinner. In fact, both of them knew the purpose of the conversation.

Luo Qihong inquired about Hong Xiaolian's background. This woman only had a high school education. She joined Cheung Kong Holdings in 72 and served as Li Jiacheng's administrative secretary with her strong abilities. Now she has been promoted to deputy general manager of Cheung Kong Holdings, in charge of the real estate leasing and sales department.

Being able to stand out in the talented Cheung Kong Group and become Li Jiacheng's most trusted confidant, Luo Qihong dare not underestimate this woman. However, Luo Qihong has the bargaining chips that Cheung Kong Group wants. As long as it is not excessive, Cheung Kong Group will still "buy it".

Hilton Central Hotel

This is a hotel acquired by Li Jiacheng in the late 70s. It is a 4-star hotel in Hong Kong.

Hong Xiaolian does not have a remarkable figure, average looks, and wears a pair of lightweight glasses.

"Hello, Mr. Luo! I didn't expect that Mr. Luo is really as young as the rumors say. A 23-year-old chairman of a listed company is unique in Hong Kong." Hong Xiaolian was very enthusiastic as soon as she came up. "Ms. Hong, you are too kind! But I am just lucky, how can I compare to you, Miss Hong?" Luo Qihong also complimented in the same way.

After chatting for a while, Hong Xiaolian got down to business. "Mr. Luo, Cheung Kong Holdings wants to buy the 3rd floor of Gongbei Building from you. Please name your price."

Luo Qihong thought for a moment and shook his head, "The acquisition of Gongbei Building is Paramount's established plan. It is difficult to change. I am sorry to disappoint Miss Hong."

Hong Xiaolian was not ambiguous and directly offered, "1 million yuan for a floor-level property, how about that?"

1 million yuan per floor is just the market price, which doesn’t mean the conditions are very good.

"I'm sorry! I can't disrupt the company's plan, otherwise it will be difficult to explain to the board of directors." Luo Qihong still shook his head. In fact, he was very dissatisfied with the quotation.

"Mr. Luo, the Gongbei Bank Building is related to a major plan of Cheung Kong Holdings. I hope you can help. My boss will remember this favor." There was some threat in Hong Xiaolian's words, but it was not strong.

Luo Qihong responded, "Okay, I can sell the property of Gongbei Building to Cheung Kong Group, but it costs 1700 million per floor."

Hong Xiaolian's face changed slightly. Luo Qihong was fighting back. "1700 million is impossible. Our Cheung Kong Industrial Company can only offer 1300 million. In this way, Luo Sheng, you have already made a profit of 9 million, which is enough."

Luo Qihong bargained, "1600 million!"

"Mr. Luo, I'm taking the initiative to give you an extra 50 per floor." Hong Xiaolian didn't expect that this young man Luo Qihong would be so difficult to deal with and he didn't give her any face at all.

"1350 million per floor is impossible. I also believe that there will be many companies willing to offer a higher price. What do you think, Miss Hong?" Luo Qihong said with a smile.

Hong Xiaolian thought for a moment with an unpleasant expression, and decided that she couldn't return empty-handed. "1400 million per floor, this is the highest price."

Luo Qihong also felt that it was about enough. The asking price was too high. What if Cheung Kong Holdings gave up and turned to purchase office buildings from other properties and then spent some money to change the direction of public opinion? Or if Li Jiacheng simply gave up on the idea and turned to the "nail building" business? He would suffer a great loss.

"Okay! 1400 million per floor, but I only accept one-time payment, not installments." Luo Qihong was worried that Cheung Kong Holdings would play tricks, so of course he wanted the money to be safe in his pocket.

Hong Xiaolian secretly took a deep breath. This guy was very thoughtful and actually thought of all this. "Okay! Settle all the payments on the day of signing the contract."

"Then we'll have a pleasant cooperation, Miss Hong!" Luo Qihong raised his glass to gesture.

"It's a pleasure working with you!" Hong Xiaolian took a sip of red wine.

Hong Xiaolian left the private room after five minutes because the company had important matters to deal with.

Luo Qihong didn't force it. Hong Xiaolian wasn't a beauty, and she didn't look very appetizing. It would be more comfortable for her to eat alone.

In fact, Luo Qihong knew that Hong Xiaolian was in a hurry to go back and report to Li Jiacheng, and she didn't want to confront him.

(End of this chapter)