Reborn Xiangjiang as a Tycoon

Chapter 637 Reporting and Negotiation (Two in One)

When we returned to the hotel, it was already past one in the afternoon.

Despite this, Wei Li still contacted Lin Baicheng in Xiangjiang.

It was already around nine o'clock in the evening in Xiangjiang. Knowing that Wei Li would contact Lin Baicheng here after lunch in London, he did not go out after dinner and kept reading biomedical books in the study.

Starting from this year, Lin Baicheng will study and study at the same time.

"Hello, I'm Lin Baicheng."

"Mr. Lin, this is Wei Li."

Weili said: "The Prime Minister and I finished our conversation and just returned to the hotel."

"How was the discussion?"

Lin Baicheng asked, if the talks collapse, it will still have a big impact on Hutchison Whampoa and himself. Although Britain is already in decline, it is still a big country, and he personally cannot compare with a country.

Weili said: "I told the Prime Minister that we wanted to acquire Bentley, and the Prime Minister did not object. However, the defense company Vickers is currently preparing to acquire Rolls-Royce. It seems that it is interested in Rolls-Royce's engine technology."

"I expressed my hope to the Prime Minister that he would support our acquisition of Bentley. The Prime Minister neither agreed nor refused. Instead, he arranged for someone to take us to Rolls-Royce to visit and investigate Bentley, and we will conduct more detailed discussions after the investigation is completed."

"I didn't expect such a change."

After hearing this, Lin Baicheng doubted the authenticity of Vickers' acquisition of Rolls-Royce, but after thinking about it, he felt that this possibility was unlikely. Since Hutchison Whampoa's acquisition of Bentley was not resolutely rejected, it meant that there was hope.

The prime minister of a country would not do such a thing if he fabricated this lie at a high transaction price.

Therefore, Lin Baicheng still prefers that Vickers' intention to acquire Rolls-Royce is true, but it just happened to be encountered by Hutchison Whampoa.

"Vickers is incomparable to Huang in terms of his own strength and connections. Therefore, unless the Prime Minister supports us, it is impossible for us to intercept Hu Bentley." Weili expressed his view.

"I know that."

Lin Baicheng certainly does not think that Hutchison Whampoa can compete with Vickers, a national defense and military industry company. Not to mention its own strength, and its connections are incomparable. Any country's defense and military industry companies must have deep connections with the country's military.

connect.

"Since the Prime Minister asked you to do research first, then do the research first. It would be best if you can get the Prime Minister's support to acquire Bentley. If it doesn't work, forget it. Bentley is not irreplaceable."

"Yes, Mr. Lin."

Wei Li agreed, without guaranteeing anything, because the Prime Minister was not something he could influence.

Lin Baicheng reminded: "Don't forget what I told you. If you can't acquire Bentley, then switch to other car brand technologies, but the scale of investment must be controlled well, and the company can develop slowly."

"Don't worry, Mr. Lin, I will always remember it." Wei Li responded.

Lin Baicheng ordered: "After the investigation is completed and before going to see the Prime Minister, remember to contact me first and report to me the specific situation of Bentley."

Wei Li naturally accepted the order.

After that, Lin Baicheng gave Wei Li a few more words before hanging up the phone.

…

Sunday afternoon, Peninsula Hotel in Xiangjiang.

Henry Kaiser invited Shen Zhou to have afternoon tea here, and the two first chatted about politics, economics, etc.

After a while, Henry Kaesik got to the point: "Taipan, I would like to ask, is HSBC determined to acquire Jardine Matheson's shares in the telephone company?"

Shen Porridge put down his tea cup and shook his head with a smile: "We can't say that we are determined to win. HSBC is just accepting the employer's entrustment to make an acquisition. If Jardine's bid is far higher than the employer's bottom line, then it will definitely not acquire it."

Henry Kasik heard this and said: "In that case, why would HSBC block my proposal to acquire the telephone company at the board meeting?"

"If it doesn't happen, HSBC has no ability to influence Jardine."

Shen Porridge vetoed it. Although everyone knew it, they couldn't admit it. After all, it was interfering in the internal affairs of other people's companies. To describe it in one sentence, interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is a taboo.

"HSBC is both Jardine's major shareholder and Jardine's major creditor. It has great capabilities."

Henry Caesar expressed his dissatisfaction. Jardine belonged to the Caesar family, and he would never allow this to happen. If this is the case, does Jardine belong to the Caesar family or HSBC?

"There is absolutely no such thing. I think this must be a misunderstanding."

Shen Chou firmly denied that there are some things that can be done but cannot be said. If word spreads, other companies will definitely think too much about it, which will not be conducive to the future development of HSBC's business.

"Let's just treat it as a misunderstanding, but when I hold the next board meeting, I believe that the acquisition proposal for the telephone company will definitely be passed."

Henry Kaiser did not go into details. He did not want to break up with HSBC, but whether it was for the sake of face or his acquisition plan, he would definitely push for the adoption of the acquisition bill. Kaiser has controlled Jardine for several generations, and his influence on Jardine will only be On top of HSBC.

This time it was just a surprise attack by HSBC. With the control of Jardine Matheson by the Kaiser family, Henry Kaiser could forcefully pass the acquisition proposal.

"I believe you can do this, Chairman Henry."

Shen Zou knew that Henry Kaesak was not talking big words, so he said: "But I still hope, Chairman Henry, that you can sell Jardine's telephone company shares to HSBC. In return, HSBC can grant an additional grant to Jardine." A loan, I know Jardine is short of funds now."

Henry Kaiser was a little confused: "HSBC can't do this just for the entrustment fee, right? I don't think the principal will ask for a sky-high entrustment fee."

"HSBC naturally has HSBC's considerations."

Shen Porridge didn't say much. The agreement with Li Jiacheng must not be made public. If more people know about it, it will be more dangerous. Of course, the danger is not HSBC, but Li Jiacheng. But if something happens to Li Jiacheng, what will happen to HSBC? Li Jiacheng's investment was ruined.

Henry Kaiser suddenly asked: "If I entrust the acquisition of the telephone company to HSBC, I wonder if HSBC is willing to support Jardine Matheson?"

Shen Cong did not answer, but said: "Chairman Henry, why do you insist on acquiring the telephone company? Jardine can choose other targets. Whether it is acquiring other companies or using funds to develop existing companies, it is a good choice. .”

"Listening to what you said, I'm even more curious now about why HSBC wants to help Cangjiang Industrial. Li Jiacheng is Chinese."

Henry Caesar was curious and reminded him loudly.

Shen Zong said: "I know he is Chinese, but this does not affect HSBC's cooperation with him. HSBC has HSBC's layout."

Henry Kaiser snorted: "Be careful, Li Jiacheng is Lin Baicheng's second. The rise of one Lin Baicheng in Hong Kong is enough for us. If there is another one, does this Hong Kong belong to us or to the Chinese?"

"Of course this Hong Kong belongs to us!"

Shen Chou immediately stated, and then said: "However, Chinese capital has risen. This cannot be denied, and it is something we cannot suppress now. HSBC is a bank, and it is different from your business operations. It is impossible to give up Chinese customers, otherwise it will be in the It is a disguised form of support for the rise of those Chinese banks."

The reason is very simple. If HSBC does not lend money to Chinese businessmen, the Chinese business owners will definitely find other banks to borrow money. HSBC is the largest bank in Hong Kong, but there are many Chinese banks and overseas bank branches in Hong Kong, so HSBC does not Not the only option.

Henry Kaesik nodded without refuting, but said: "It is not impossible for me to sell the shares of the telephone company. In addition to the normal premium acquisition, HSBC will also provide the Land Company with a loan of no less than 1 billion Hong Kong dollars. Just calculate the interest as normal.”

Land Corporation is known as the "Central Landlord" because it holds many real estate properties in Central. Jardine Matheson controls this company through cross-shareholdings. However, Land Corporation has been expanding overseas before, which has led to the battle line being stretched too far. As soon as the economic crisis caused by the oil crisis occurred, the company immediately suffered huge losses.

In the past two years, due to the improvement of Xiangjiang's real estate industry, there has been some recovery, but funds are still short and more funds are needed for development. But the problem is that Land Company already owes a lot of debt to banks such as HSBC, and banks will evaluate the company. , when it is considered that there is a great risk in lending money to the enterprise, it will not be so easy for the enterprise to borrow money again.

As for Land Corporation, this is the current situation. Banks are less willing to lend money to Land Corporation unless the Land Corporation pays off part of its current debt.

"A loan of no less than HK$1 billion?"

Shen Porridge couldn't help but frown slightly after hearing this: "You know best what Land's situation is now. It owes too much debt. If the bank lends money to Land again, the risk will be very high."

"Land prices in Heung Kong have been rising in the past few years, and Land's main business in Hong Kong is real estate, so it has benefited greatly. Land's current debt is not low, but it cannot crush Land. The risks are controllable of."

"Besides, this loan from Land is to acquire land. I plan to let Land build a luxury building. With the current real estate market in Xiangjiang, this investment will definitely make Land a huge profit."

Henry Kasik talked about his plan. Compared with the telephone company, Land is the real son of Jardine. If Land's situation can be improved, the mere shares of the telephone company that have not been acquired will be nothing at all.

Which one is more important, Henry Kasik still knows.

Shen Porridge will not judge whether the investment can make a lot of money. After all, this is a matter of the future. It is too early to say this now.

"Loans are OK, but one billion Hong Kong dollars is too much."

After thinking for a while, Shen Cong said that there was a risk in continuing to lend money to the Land Company, but it was still within the controllable range. In order to help Li Jiacheng, such a risk could be taken.

"HSBC can only provide a loan of HK$500 million."

"500 million is too little."

Henry Caesar was overjoyed, but he retorted loudly. With a loan of HK$500 million and the company's cash, the land for building the building can be obtained in the early stage, and the subsequent construction can wait until the land is obtained. Then take the land to a bank for a loan.

One wanted more loans and the other didn't want to give too much. After some bargaining, HSBC's loan to Land Corporation was set at HK$700 million.

"Taipan, let's talk about HSBC's acquisition price next."

After negotiating the loan amount, Henry Caesar was very happy. The next step was to sell the shares of the telephone company at a high price. The more, the better.

"Chairman Henry, HSBC based its acquisition on a market value of HK$1.132 billion, which is already a premium in itself, not to mention a 15% premium on this basis. Such a high premium will never happen again."

Although the acquisition cost Li Jiacheng's money, Shen Zhou wanted to assist Li Jiacheng in acquiring the telephone company, so he spent as little money as possible.

"I admit that this is a high premium, but Li Jiacheng is not the only one who is interested in the phone company."

Henry Kaesik spoke up and said: "To be honest with Taipan, just yesterday, an Italian company contacted me and said that it wanted to acquire Jardine Matheson's shares in the telephone company, but at that time I still wanted to Jardine bought the phone company, so they turned it down."

"Now I am willing to sell the shares of the telephone company, but Taipan, you can't let Jardine suffer a loss, right? If this company bids higher, there is no reason for me to sell the shares to Cangjiang Industrial instead, right?"

"Is there such a thing?"

Shen Porridge was a little skeptical after hearing this. This was too coincidental. It felt like Yihe was trying to raise the price.

"It's a coincidence, but it's the truth."

Henry Kaiserk did not deceive Shen Chow, so he had no guilt at all. "Although I still don't know how much they are willing to pay to acquire the shares in Jardine Matheson, but the premium offered by HSBC cannot satisfy me, then I am sure You have to listen to the offer from this Italian company and then make a decision."

Shen Porridge made a sound to test: "Chairman Henry, I wonder if HSBC can listen when Yihe meets with this company?"

Henry Kasik immediately shook his head after hearing this: "Taipan, this is a business negotiation, related to Jardine's interests."

Hearing this, Shen Cong reminded aloud: "Chairman Henry, if you don't sell your shares to HSBC, there is no reason for HSBC to take risks and continue to provide loans to Land, don't you think?"

"I will make a decision based on the quotes from both companies."

Henry Caesar nodded slightly. As long as the Italian company's offer did not exceed HSBC's by a lot, he would eventually sell his shares to HSBC. After all, the Land Company's loan was also a disguised benefit.

Of course, if the Italian company's quotation is much higher than HSBC's, then it must choose a much higher quotation and get the profits first. As for the loan, it can only be slowly figured out.

After all, it was actually Henry Caesar who was dissatisfied with HSBC's offer and wanted to make more, so he did not sell his shares to HSBC immediately.

Shen Chou stopped trying to persuade him. Without knowing whether this third party existed or not, and without knowing what price the third party offered, HSBC would only be taking advantage of the situation if it raised its quotation.

"Daban, you can go back and discuss with Li Jiacheng from Cangjiang Industrial to see if you want to quote a higher price. Or, I can contact you Taipan after I discuss it with the Italian company."

"Then HSBC will just wait for Chairman Henry's contact."

The conversation ended here. Henry Caesar and Shen Porridge drank tea for a while and then left.

(End of chapter)