Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire.

Chapter 263 Group Headquarters 4K (Seeking monthly votes, recommendations, and subscriptions!)

A few days later, in the conference room on the top floor of the Weiye Building, the core management team of Sugar Heart Capital and Chenji Foods gathered together.

This was the first formal meeting after the Spring Festival, and the agenda was very full.

Chen Bingwen sat in the main seat, listening to Fang Wenshan report on the group's overall financial situation.

The huge profits from gold trading, coupled with stable cash flow from the North American market and the initial proceeds from the sale of the Qingzhou Yingni Cement business, brought the cash on hand to an unprecedented level.

"Mr. Chen, you have plenty of funds."

As per your instructions, some of the funds have been deposited into several major banks, including Citibank and HSBC, ensuring the safety and liquidity of the funds.

The remaining available funds are more than sufficient to support all of our upcoming major investments.

Fang Wenshan gave a report.

Chen Bingwen nodded slightly, his gaze calmly sweeping over every face present.

Ling Pei-yi, Vincent Fang, Canning Fok, Michael McLoughlin, Li Ming, Ling Pei-yi, Simon Ma, Morris, Gu Yongxian, and others are all key figures in his business empire.

Money is ammunition, but now, the key is how to accurately hit these ammunition where they are most needed to generate the greatest strategic benefits.

Chen Bingwen nodded; his gaze swept over everyone: "We have the money; how to spend it and where to spend it are the key points."

Today we'll focus on a few key points.

First, regarding the renaming of RTV (Rediffusion Television).

"Morris, could you first give me a summary of the initial discussions?"

Morris opened the folder: "Mr. Chen, colleagues. Regarding the renaming of the TV station, Mr. Chen's previous suggestion of Asia Television is a very good direction and has a broad vision."

I've had several private discussions with General Manager Ling, Director Fang, and several key members of the program department, and we feel that—perhaps we could reconsider the details.

Ling Peiyi took over the conversation and said tactfully, "Mr. Chen, the name Asia Television sounds grand, but it sounds a bit—empty."

It doesn't seem to fully reflect the core direction you mentioned earlier: to be rooted in the local community, delve into the cultural heritage, and create a unique feature that distinguishes it from wireless.

It feels more like the name of a broadcasting platform covering a specific area, rather than a memorable, content-centric television channel brand.

Fang Wenshan added: "From the perspective of brand communication and possible future spin-off listing, a more distinctive name that is easier for the audience to identify with and remember might be better."

For example, could we consider emphasizing elements such as the Chinese language, Chinese people, or the Pearl of the Orient?

Chen Bingwen leaned back in his chair, listening attentively to his subordinates' opinions.

He proposed "Asia Television" mainly based on his memories from his previous life; it was the later name of RTV (Rediffusion Television).

But the subordinates' opinions were indeed reasonable.

The name "ATV" failed to bring good fortune in its later years due to poor management.

In this life, he wants to completely change Li's fate, so perhaps the first impression of her name should really break free from the shackles of her past life and choose a name that better fits his strategic vision.

After Fang Wenshan finished making his suggestion, the meeting room fell silent. Everyone looked at Chen Bingwen, waiting for his decision.

He paused for about ten seconds before speaking: "As a long-term strategic direction, Asia Television is acceptable, but as a television channel brand directly targeting millions of households, it may not be approachable or focused enough."

Changing the name is a big deal; it's the first step in brand reshaping and shouldn't be done hastily.

As he spoke, Chen Bingwen looked at Morris and instructed him, "Morris, you should take the lead in setting up a project team for this matter. You can invite several top international and local brand consulting firms to participate and conduct more in-depth market research and solution comparison."

The core requirements are: the new name must reflect our ambition and vision, contain profound cultural connotations, be easy to spread and remember, and especially be able to accurately attract Chinese audiences in Hong Kong Island and Southeast Asia, giving them a sense of belonging.

"Understood, Mr. Chen. I will get this work started as soon as possible," Morris replied immediately.

"The second thing," Chen Bingwen said, looking at everyone, "is the issue of relocating the group headquarters and adjusting the top-level structure."

The business is becoming increasingly complex. It is controlled by Sugar Heart Capital and includes Chen Ji Foods, Hutchison Whampoa, Watsons, Qingzhou Yingni, and the recently acquired RTV (Rediffusion Television).

If the management scope is too large and the hierarchy is not clear enough, efficiency will be affected.

I plan to further purify Sugarheart Capital, upgrading it to a strategic holding and investment headquarters, and no longer directly interfere in the day-to-day operations of specific businesses.

At the same time, we need a decent corporate headquarters to match it.

Director Fang, you are responsible for finding or building a new headquarters building in Central, near the Hutchison Whampoa Group headquarters building, to serve as the headquarters of Sugarheart Capital, thereby concentrating the physical space of the core management team and improving collaboration efficiency.

Chenji Foods' headquarters, due to its production and R&D characteristics, can remain in the Weiye Building. However, core management functions such as finance, strategy, and human resources must be integrated into the group's unified control system to ensure strategic synergy.

Fang Wenshan nodded as he took notes, then suggested, "Mr. Chen, since we're talking about top-level architecture, let me add something."

I suggest that a separate family affairs office be set up in the British Virgin Islands.

A hint of approval flashed in Chen Bingwen's eyes; this idea coincided with what he had been thinking about recently.

He gestured for Vincent Fang to continue.

"There are several advantages to setting up a family office," Fang Wenshan analyzed one by one. "First, it allows for centralized and professional management of your personal and family's global assets, including existing equity, financial investments, and real estate that may be involved in the future, while isolating them from the asset risks of the operating company."

Second, it allows one to focus on long-term wealth transfer, tax planning, and philanthropic planning.

Third, in the future, when undertaking large-scale international mergers and acquisitions or highly sensitive investments, family offices can serve as a very flexible holding platform with a clearer and more secure structure.

Chen Bingwen nodded to himself.

Bermuda is a renowned offshore financial center, and setting up a family office there is precisely to lay the groundwork for future global expansion.

This not only allows for better asset allocation and risk isolation, but also aligns with the practices of top business families.

Moreover, his plan was to use his family office to control Sugar Heart Capital, and then Sugar Heart Capital would control the various industrial companies under its umbrella, thus forming a firewall.

Chen Bingwen nodded: "That's the right approach."

For the specific plan, Director Fang, you should take the lead, with Attorney Gu assisting, to develop a detailed establishment plan and operating charter.

It must be legal and compliant, and the structure must be clear.

"clear."

The meeting continued, and when discussing recent market trends, McLeish mentioned a situation: "Mr. Chen, Chen Songqing, the chairman of the Carnegie Group, which has been making waves in the market recently, has sent a message through an intermediary, hoping to meet with you to discuss the joint development of a real estate project."

They offered very generous terms, including a prime plot of land near the Golden Gate Building that they had just acquired, inviting us to co-develop it.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of several senior executives in the conference room changed.

The record-breaking acquisition of the Golden Gate Building by the Caring Group caused a sensation in Hong Kong, and its chairman, Chan Chung-ching, instantly became a highly sought-after "god of wealth," with countless individuals and organizations wanting to get on his good side.

Partnering with Jialing seems like a shortcut to quickly enter the high-end real estate market.

Li Ming couldn't help but say, "Mr. Chen, Jia Ning is currently at its peak. If we can cooperate and leverage their momentum, it might help us quickly expand our real estate business."

Even the usually cautious Huo Jianning pondered, "The area around the Golden Gate Building is indeed a prime location. If the project is reliable, the profits can be considerable."

Chen Bingwen's face remained calm, but in his heart, the highest level of alarm instantly sounded.

Jia Ning! This seemingly glamorous and invincible business myth is, in fact, a sandcastle built on high leverage, complex related-party transactions, and even fraud. It is destined to collapse in a few years, dragging down countless companies and investors.

He absolutely cannot have any substantial involvement with this company, even if it seems like a sure-fire way to make money.

Just when everyone thought Chen Bingwen would consider the proposal, he said in a firm voice, leaving no room for negotiation, "This matter ends here."

I believe Director Fang conveyed my message beforehand, but I'd like to reiterate it at this formal meeting: Sugar Heart Capital, and all its subsidiaries, are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of cooperation, investment, guarantee, or even commercial transactions exceeding the scope of routine small-scale purchases with Jianing Group and its affiliated companies.

All business dealings involving Jianing, regardless of the amount, must be reported to me for final approval.

Without approval, no dealings with the Jianing Group are permitted!

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Chen Bingwen's attitude to be so resolute.

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Chen Bingwen's attitude to be so resolute and tough, leaving no room for discussion.

Mai Lisi tentatively asked, "Mr. Chen, are you worried about Jia Ning's background—or rather, whether there's something wrong with the source of their funds?"

"I don't care who's behind him, nor do I try to guess where the funds come from," Chen Bingwen interrupted him, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present. He said with unusual seriousness, "My judgment is based on business logic itself."

The speed at which Jialing rose to prominence defied normal business principles.

The transaction of the Golden Gate Tower involved excessive premiums, and the flow of funds remains a mystery. This prosperity, built on high leverage and market speculation, is extremely fragile and carries enormous risks.

We are in the real economy, and we value steady progress, healthy cash flow, and high-quality assets.

We don't make that kind of quick money by taking risks, nor can we afford it.

Once you get involved, you could lose everything.

He paused, noticing a hint of doubt on some people's faces, and then emphasized, "I know that many people outside now regard Chen Songqing as a god, believing that he can turn stones into gold."

But I hope that every one of you, from the core management team to the front-line employees, must reach a consensus: the essence of business is to create real value, not a speculative game of musical chairs.

From this moment forward, everyone in the group must resolutely abide by this discipline and stay away from everything related to the Jianing Group.

Anyone who contacts members of the Jia Ning Group privately, or even enters into any form of agreement without my approval, regardless of their motives, will be considered to have committed a serious violation of discipline and will be held legally responsible.

Do you understand?

Seeing their boss's stern expression, everyone tensed up, immediately abandoning any侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or wishful thinking), and replied in unison, "Understood, Mr. Chen!"

"Alright, let's leave this topic at that. Let's move on to other topics." Chen Bingwen stopped dwelling on the matter and brought the meeting back on track.

He knew that Jia Ning's Ponzi scheme could last for a while, and that future temptations and pressures might appear in various forms. He had to build a strong firewall within the group.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, in a grand office building in Central, is the chairman's office of the Caring Group.

Chen Songqing sat behind his large desk, listening to his subordinate's report. "Mr. Chen, Sugar Heart Capital has replied, saying that Mr. Chen Bingwen is currently very busy and it is inconvenient for him to meet with us at the moment."

There is no clear intention regarding collaborative development.

The subordinate said cautiously.

Chen Songqing's habitual smile faded slightly, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Oh? Not interested? Young man, you certainly have character."

He wasn't angry; instead, he found it rather amusing.

In Hong Kong's business community today, who wouldn't want to get on Chen Songqing's good side?

This suddenly emerging Chen Bingwen has made a series of acquisitions of British-owned companies, with considerable scale, indicating that he is not an easy person to deal with.

"Forget it, there's no need to force it. There are plenty of people willing to cooperate." Chen Songqing waved his hand. "Our focus is on telling the story of the Kinmen Building as soon as possible and boosting the stock price."

Also, how's the contact with the Lijia Soft Drink Factory going?

"Mr. Li Xiaohe seems to be in poor health recently, and Mrs. Li has been managing the affairs."

"Our offer was very attractive, but Mrs. Li didn't seem particularly eager."

"Yes, keep following up. That plot of land is in a good location." A glint of light flashed in Chen Songqing's eyes.

He enjoys the feeling of acquiring assets from established families, as it constantly reinforces his "Midas touch" image.

As for Chen Bingwen's refusal, it was just a minor episode, insignificant in the grand scheme of his vast capital empire.

What he needs to do now is to inflate the bubble of Jia Ning even bigger and more dazzling.

A few days later, news quietly circulated in the top business district: Li Xiaohe had been hospitalized due to a heart condition, and his condition was not optimistic.

This news has once again drawn many people's attention to the Li family's vast business empire.

Meanwhile, at the Lee family mansion in Deep Water Bay, after seeing off her friends who had come to visit her in the hospital, Lee Luk Ngan-kwan sat alone in her study. Her husband's sudden illness forced this woman, accustomed to a comfortable life, to confront the fate of her family.

She looked at the financial statements for the soda factory on the table, and then thought of the several acquisition offers she had recently received, including the rising star, Jialing Group, and Sugar Heart Capital, which had subtly expressed interest through an intermediary.

She knew it was time to make some tough decisions.

This family needs her to shoulder the burden.