Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 239 Secretly assassinating Chen Cang
Tsim Sha Tsui, that's the place.

Inside the Mitsubishi sedan, a middle-aged man sat in the passenger seat, while a young man drove.

Both men had cameras hanging around their necks and were wearing jeans; they were clearly reporters.

"Brother Le, you might as well go shoot some tabloid news." The young man said impatiently, smoking a cigarette.

"What? You can't sit still anymore? Let me tell you, in our line of work, besides luck, the most important thing is patience."

A middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses lectured the young man, glancing out the window every now and then, a crumpled Seven Stars card tucked between his fingers.

"Back in the day, I did the same thing. I spent three days and three nights staking out Jackie Chan's villa before I finally managed to get a picture of Jackie Chan and Lam..."

The middle-aged man was referring to the scandal between Jackie Chan and Lin Fengjiao, which was the peak of his career; apart from that, there hadn't been any other explosive news.

Young people have heard it almost a thousand times; their ears are practically calloused from it.

He couldn't help but roll his eyes and quickly interrupted, "Brother Le, what are we here for? Tell me the whole story."

"Do you really want to know?"

Brother Le took a deep drag of his cigarette and lowered his voice, "Have you ever heard of the Landlord Society?"

The young man looked blank, and Brother Le chuckled and said, "You don't know, do you?"

"The Landlords Association is a mysterious organization in Hong Kong. Top Chinese real estate agents such as Sima Xiang, Zhan Peizhong, Huang Shitong, and Chen Zhan are all members of the Landlords Association."

“They are influential figures in Hong Kong’s financial world. I have a friend who works as a gofer at Sima Xiang’s company. I heard that they helped Chinese businessmen like Fok Ying-nam, Ho Sin, and Lam Ming-chak earn billions of Hong Kong dollars.”

The young man seemed to remember something and quickly said, "Is our waiting here today related to the landlord's association?"

"Yes, haste makes waste. Today, the members of the landlord's association are meeting with the Liang family of Hang Seng Bank here."

"I'm coming."

Suddenly, the young man shouted excitedly and looked out of the car.

A Volvo 780 two-door coupe pulled up in front of the Shangri-La Hotel. Sima Xiang and Luo Minsheng got out of the car and tossed the keys to the valet at the entrance.

Immediately afterwards, a Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up at the entrance. Liang Zhonghao buttoned up his suit jacket and strode into the hotel.

The three sat by the window, chatting and laughing.

The two immediately pressed the shutter. The landlords' association members met with Liang Zhonghao. Does this mean that the stocks of Hang Seng Bank or the Grand Hotel are about to appreciate wildly?
If this information were sold to some big players, it would be worth at least six figures.

The two pressed the shutter button repeatedly, trying to take as many photos as possible.

But soon, the two of them were stunned.

"Is this the governor parading through the streets?"

"So many luxury cars?"

Two top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz W14s, flanking a magnificent extended Mercedes-Benz six meters long, slowly pulled up at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Mercedes-Benz Pullman armored vehicle.

A vehicle used by heads of state.

The next moment, as the convoy stopped by the roadside, a group of tall, well-dressed bodyguards, each wearing black sunglasses, with bulging muscles and earpieces, escorted a young man out of the car.

"Sir Chen, Mr. Sima Xiang and Mr. Liang are already waiting for you inside."

The security guard at the entrance and the hotel lobby manager were both very familiar with Chen Jiajun.

The Shangri-La Hotel is owned by the renowned Fok family in Southeast Asia.

Who are the Huo family of Nanyang?

The first Chinese family in Malaysia, headed by Robert Fok, is the world's sugar king, controlling up to 150 million tons of sugar annually, accounting for about 20% of the international sugar market.

More importantly, Huo Henian was also a patriotic businessman.

Therefore, as soon as the Shangri-La opened, Chen Jiajun booked a long-term presidential suite.
"Okay, same as always, give me a cup of West Lake Longjing tea." Chen Jiajun nodded.

"Sir Chen".

"Mr. Liang."

Walking to the window seat, Chen Jiajun and Liang Zhonghao shook hands.

After taking his seat and smoking a cigar, Chen Jiajun smiled and said to Liang Zhonghao, "Mr. Liang, the reason I took the liberty of having Sima Xiang and Luo Minsheng invite you out is because there is a collaboration we would like to discuss with you."

"Sir Chen, you might as well speak frankly."

Liang Zhonghao's gaze sharpened, and he leaned forward slightly, speaking with a solemn expression.

Chen Jiajun smiled faintly and said, "As far as I know, the Liang family's current business focus is on the real estate industry."

"Yes." Liang Zhonghao nodded frankly.

Chen Jiajun smiled and said, "My collaboration involves real estate projects. As far as I know, most of the assets of Xiangjiang Shanghai Grand Hotel Group are in the real estate sector, and this part will be managed by you."

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhonghao frowned slightly, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

However, Chen Jiajun quickly dispelled his doubts, saying, "Our Guojun Group also has its own real estate company, and we have enough land to develop. You can rest assured about that."

"I'm currently looking to consolidate the hotel market, so I'd like to collaborate with Mr. Liang on the stock of the Grand Hotel Group."

When Liang Zhonghao heard that Sir Chen wanted to integrate the hotel industry, he was somewhat surprised. Although he was curious, he did not ask any further questions.

But what exactly does Sir Chen mean by "cooperation"?
Liang Zhonghao puffed on his cigar and pondered for a moment before slowly asking, "Sir Chen, I would like to hear more details."

Chen Jiajun nodded and said, "That's what I think."

“Mr. Liang, you currently hold 31% of the shares in the Grand Hotel Group, but your focus is on the real estate industry. Why not sell your shares to me?”

“I want to acquire a large hotel group and remove the Kadoorie family from the board of directors. If the operation is successful, I will give Mr. Leung several prime plots of land, and we will achieve a win-win situation.”

"If the operation fails, I will sell Mr. Liang a few plots of land at a low price as compensation."

"Mr. Liang, what do you think?"

Chen Jiajun's words were very straightforward, and Liang Zhonghao understood them immediately.

To put it bluntly, it's about getting him to stab the Kadoorie family in the back.

Although it might incur the wrath of the Kadoorie family, it did bring the friendship of Sir Chan and the acquisition of several plots of land.

Although the Liang family lost the Grand Hotel Group, the Grand Hotel Group's stock price has remained very stable in recent years, and Liang Zhonghao never intended to pursue it further.

As for offending the Kadoorie family?
Liang Zhonghao, on the contrary, was the least concerned.

Liang Zhonghao immediately typed out: "Sir Chen, we are both Chinese, and I should stand on the same side as you. Even if it is a little detrimental to our family, I am certainly willing to do my part. How about this, based on today's market price, 31% of the Grand Hotel Group's shares will belong to you, Sir Chen."

That's a very pleasing way to put it.

Chen Jiajun smiled, not taking it seriously, and raised his teacup, saying, "Thank you for your generous help, Mr. Liang. I'll toast you with tea instead of wine."

Liang Zhonghao quickly picked up his teacup and said with a loud laugh, "Sir Chen, this is our first collaboration. I wish us a pleasant working relationship."

"Of course, I respect you." Chen Jiajun smiled and nodded.

"please."

After saying that, the group gently clinked their glasses together and then drank them down in one gulp.

The tone has been set; the specific details no longer need to be handled at their level.

After chatting with Liang Zhonghao for another fifteen minutes, Chen Jiajun and the others said goodbye.

After bidding farewell to Chen Jiajun, Sima Xiang and Luo Minsheng got into a Volvo coupe, fastened their seatbelts, and immediately headed to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) to complete the transaction of the 31% stake in the Grand Hotel Group they had just acquired before the end of the workday. With the influence of the Landlord Association, they could easily have taken the opportunity to buy up the shares of the other minority shareholders, reaching the 35% threshold required to initiate a full takeover bid.

However, they knew that Sir Chen's target was CLP.

As for the large hotel group, it was just a trap.

The Grand Hotel Group has a total share capital of 97 million shares, and its current share price is 42.5 yuan.

Chen Jiajun purchased 31% of the shares from Liang Zhonghao for a total of HK$13.175 billion, bringing the group's total market value to HK$42.5 billion. The Kadoorie family holds 1033 million shares, representing a 10.33% stake.

The hotel group is already considered a behemoth in Hong Kong.

However, Boss Jun stated that those with a market capitalization below 10 billion are merely stocks in the market.

The next day.

Wyman Woo, a board member of Dragon Fund, general manager of Asian investment banks, and former taipan of Hutchison Whampoa, held a press conference in the large conference room of the Shangri-La Hotel, which can accommodate 700 people.

This press conference attracted countless Hong Kong reporters. Facing the reporters below the stage, Wei Li spoke into the microphone:

"Dear reporters, on behalf of Longteng Fund, I hereby announce that Longteng Fund currently holds 3100 million shares of Xiangjiang Shanghai Grand Hotel Group, becoming its largest shareholder. We have submitted an application to join the board of directors of the Grand Hotel Group. Furthermore, we will expel Roland Kadoorie from the Kadoorie Group."

Wei Li's voice was unusually domineering.

Upon hearing this, the reporters in the audience erupted in an uproar, frantically pressing their camera shutters.

After a year of silence, no one expected that the former stock market sniper god, Sir Chan, after acquiring China Motor Bus and Kowloon Motor Bus Group last year, would set his sights on the Grand Hotel Group after a year of silence.

Wei Li continued, "Although the Kadoorie family is the founder of the Grand Hotel Group, their style of doing things is no longer in line with the times. After we take control of the Grand Hotel Group, we will give it a complete makeover."

"Our next step will depend on the situation and whether we will launch a full-scale takeover bid."

"Thank you all for coming. That concludes my remarks."

A thunderous revelation.

This news is nothing short of earth-shattering.

No one expected that, since the Wharf Holdings stock battle, another Hong Kong Chinese tycoon would launch an attack on the foreigners.

Once the battle was launched, the stock price of the Grand Hotel Group rose directly to 50 yuan after a brief period of price fluctuation.

Investors waved their banknotes and headed to the stock exchange to buy shares of the Grand Hotel Group.

2 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong Island – St. George's Building.

This building, a Grade A commercial building of more than 20 stories, was built by the Kadoorie family in 1968 and is a landmark building of the Kadoorie family on Hong Kong Island.

Inside the Kadoorie Group, everyone was in a hurry. Michael Kadoorie, a famous second-generation rich kid from Hong Kong, strode into the chairman's office. "Dad, something bad has happened."

“I have received news that Liang Zhonghao betrayed us.”

Laurence Kadoorie, the head of the Kadoorie family, had a displeased expression and trembling lips.

"Dad, what should we do next? Sir Chen is trying to wipe us out completely."

Michael Jiali was completely flustered and at a loss.

Why are many executives of listed companies afraid of being kicked out of the company?

the reason is simple.

As long as they are in the company, they can enjoy generous benefits and earn millions in salary. As long as the board of directors agrees, isn't that a good deal?
Roland Gardner, puffing on his cigar, said in a deep voice, "You go and contact those minority shareholders right now. Our most important task right now is to get their support. As long as they support us as chairman of the board, we can still turn things around."

"Dad, I see."

Michael Cartier was ordered to leave.

The Kadoorie family has weathered more than half a century of ups and downs alongside the Grand Hotel Group, and it shouldn't be difficult for Roland Kadoorie to gain the support of its shareholders.

But this is just a delaying tactic.

The sniper god truly lives up to his name; he's fast, ruthless, and accurate.

They directly grasped his weak point.

It's too late to hold Liang Zhonghao accountable now.

The important thing is how to make up for the shortcomings.

However, the thought of Sir Chan, the behemoth that is Guojun Group and Longteng Fund, fills Roland Scarborough with a sense of powerlessness.

Thinking of this, Roland Gardner picked up the phone and instructed his secretary, "Call a meeting of all senior executives in the group."

"I understand, boss."

Half an hour later, after Roland Gardner had a general understanding of his own financial situation, he rubbed his temples and asked, "How much capital do we need to keep our stock at a safe level? What is the budget?"

The head of the securities department at Kadoorie Group replied, "Lord Kadoorie, there is never a safe level in the stock market. Given Sir Chen's style, he could launch a hostile takeover at any time. Moreover, he currently holds a 31% stake. I've learned from the Securities and Futures Commission that we have no legal loopholes to exploit. We have no choice but to fight this battle head-on..."

The person in charge stopped there.

The answer is self-evident.

It's like a fire burning one's eyebrows.

Roland Garland exhaled a breath of stale air and said, "You're right. So, according to your estimate, how much capital would we need to buy up Sir Chen's shares?"

"The longer it drags on, the worse it will be for us. According to my budget model, we'll need to use 20 billion within a week. Within two weeks, it will reach 25 billion..."

The person in charge replied.

Roland Gardner shook his head and made a decision he would regret for the rest of his life: "Sell some of the CLP Group shares. I need to raise funds to launch a counter-takeover campaign and settle things with Sir Chen within a week."

"Lord Kadoorie, how many shares are we selling? Or rather, how much capital do we need?" the person in charge asked.

Roland Gardner said, "One billion, I'll figure out the rest."

After saying that, he walked out of the office, dialing a number on his mobile phone: "Hello, is this Mr. He?"

“It’s me, Kadoorie.”

"I would like to invite Sir Chen to dinner. Mr. He, could you act as an intermediary?"

The Kadoorie family patriarch, Laurence, certainly did not expect that Chen Jiajun's feigned intentions were actually aimed at CLP Group.

Of course, the Kadoorie family's securities division would never sell shares worth a billion dollars on the primary market, because doing so would cause CLP Holdings' share price to plummet.

Meanwhile, the landlords' association has been searching the world for minority shareholders of China Power Group to negotiate with.

Inside a villa in Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island.

Huang Shitong shook hands with a well-off, balding middle-aged man and said with a smile, "Mr. Wang, thank you."

The bald, middle-aged man adopted an even more humble posture than Huang Shitong, and quickly said with a smile, "Brother Tong, you flatter me. My company has been able to thrive thanks to your care. It is my honor to be able to do you a small favor now."

Huang Shitong readily agreed: "Mr. Wang, don't worry. We've been cooperating for quite some time now. As you know, I'm always generous to my friends. If you have any business dealings in the financial field in the future, feel free to come to me anytime."

The balding middle-aged man said gratefully, "Then I thank you, Brother Tong."

Huang Shitong smiled and said, "I'll be leaving now. I'll treat you to dinner next time."

"Brother Tong, let me see you off."

Amidst the farewell of a portly, balding middle-aged man, Huang Shitong entered his Bentley, hefted the heavy file bag in his hand, and revealed a satisfied smile.

(End of this chapter)