1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 749 The Zhang family was sold off just like that!

"Jerry, how many Hong Kong dollars do we have left?"

In the office, Li Changhe asked his finance team in a low voice.

"Boss, you currently have HKD 9.6 billion remaining in your personal Hong Kong dollar investments, and HKD 8.5 billion remaining in the US investment institutions. Under your instructions, they have also purchased some stocks as investments."

"The Hong Kong dollars exchanged from Europe so far amount to only 3.5 billion."

Jerry quickly reported the accounts to Li Changhe.

"How much more money do we need to pay from Europe now?"

In Europe, Li Changhe's previous series of investments had actually cost him a lot of money. For example, he bought Château Latour himself, spending a total of $3.6 million.

Even if Li Changhe later used Château Latour as collateral to borrow another $300 million, interest still had to be paid on that money.

Li Changhe currently has a lot of money on hand, but he also spends a lot.

“Boss, regarding Europe, based on the various expenditure plans you currently have, we need to keep at least $150 million as a safeguard. As for Hong Kong, including the various funds we are about to pay to the Keswick family, as well as the loan interest from major banks, we need to pay approximately HK$1.8 billion. If we include the principal, we need to pay a full HK$9.4 billion.”

The reason there is so much capital in Hong Kong is that Li Changhe has lent out a full HK$8 billion in loans, all of which were converted into US dollars. Now, with the exchange rate change, the original HK$8 billion has become about HK$12 billion.

However, Li Changhe has invested over 6 billion yuan in the stock market and bought assets at rock-bottom prices during this period, so he now has less than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars left.

Li Changhe now truly understands that once money reaches a certain point, it really does become a simple numbers game.

"If we want to acquire Wheelock, we need to prepare at least HK$2 billion. In addition, we also need to set aside some funds for other miscellaneous investments."

"In that case, we will pay the money to Keswick and his group as usual. As for the money from the major banks, we will first pay back the ones with high interest rates, and keep the ones with low interest rates for our own use for the time being. Our reserve funds should not be less than five billion Hong Kong dollars."

"The funds from Europe will be converted into US dollars by the Hong Kong government after the new exchange rate is released. Then, I will transfer US$300 million worth of stocks from my personal investments in Japan to the investment institutions in Europe."

"Half of the funds from the US will be transferred back to Hong Kong. One part will go into the stock market, and the other part will be used for investment. As for the other half, it will remain in Hong Kong, awaiting my next instructions."

Next year will be 1984, and Li Changhe knows that by then, Japan's financial gates will be smashed by the United States. At that time, funds within Japan will be able to circulate freely, and funds from the United States will be able to openly enter Japan.

As Li Changhe issued one command after another, Jerry quickly took notes in his notebook.

Li Changhe remained there, lost in thought.

The money is still not enough, after all, in addition to Wheelock, there is also Standard Chartered Bank, and the European side has already started actual acquisition negotiations with Standard Chartered Bank.

Of course, despite the talks, progress was still somewhat slow. Li Changhe knew that Standard Chartered was also dragging its feet, waiting for the situation in Hong Kong to completely settle down. After all, a Hong Kong that had returned to China and a Hong Kong that was under British control were two completely different concepts for Standard Chartered.

But Standard Chartered also needs a sum of money.

Regarding Standard Chartered Bank, Li Changhe is considering bringing in money from US investment institutions. After all, it's impossible to connect with the whole world through banking without the assistance of Americans. Having an American shareholder would make things much better.

Although Li Changhe wanted to use Standard Chartered as the core of his conglomerate, he couldn't rely on Standard Chartered entirely, since it was a listed company and it would be difficult for him to remain completely secretive.

Therefore, Li Changhe's idea was to use another unlisted bank as a shell, with Standard Chartered providing superficial support while the underlying structure was to transform this unlisted bank into a financial bank within the consortium.

These small banks are now everywhere in Hong Kong. For example, Sun Hung Kai Bank, owned by Fung King-hei, couldn't withstand this wave. Even though Li Changhe gave them a heads-up beforehand, Sun Hung Kai Bank still suffered an impact under the economic climate in Hong Kong and is now on the verge of collapse.

Of course, these small banks aren't expensive either; you can acquire all the shares for a hundred or two hundred million Hong Kong dollars.

Li Changhe didn't kick them while they were down. Instead, he sought help from people in Saudi Arabia to acquire Sun Hung Kai Properties. And it wasn't just Sun Hung Kai; many small banks in Hong Kong that couldn't survive this time were also on Li Changhe's acquisition list.

These small banks will become inconspicuous shell banks under Standard Chartered, but by leveraging the Standard Chartered system, they will be transformed into financial and economic converters under Li Changhe.

While Li Changhe was calculating his funds...

At HSBC headquarters, Li Jiacheng confidently returned to Sir Michael Sandberg's office.

"You still want to target Wheelock?"

In his office, Shen Bi couldn't help but shake his head when he heard Li Jiacheng's idea.

“John Madden’s side should also be in contact with you. Obviously, you’re not the only company eyeing Wheelock. Are you sure you can take it down?”

After listening to what Sir Michael Sandberg said, Li Jiacheng said seriously, "Mike, I not only know that someone is eyeing Wheelock, but I also know who is eyeing Wheelock."

Shen Bi was surprised: "Oh? You already knew?"

Li Jiacheng nodded: "That's right, it's Bao Zeyang! In fact, he was the one who first approached Zhang Yuliang to make an offer, but Zhang Yuliang didn't want to sell the shares to him, so he came to me and wanted to bring me into the game."

“Zhang Yuliang didn’t tell me the news at first. It wasn’t until John Madden found you that he opened up and told me the truth.”

"So, Bao Zeyang now wants to acquire Wheelock?"

Shen Bi pondered for a moment and then said.

Li Jiacheng nodded: "Yes!"

"Then you don't need to consider it, Li. You won't get Wheelock!"

Shen Bi shook his head helplessly at this moment.

Li Jiacheng frowned slightly, looking at Shen Bi with suspicion.

What do you mean?
Does Shen Bi become so timid upon hearing the name Bao Zeyang?

Does this mean he should just wait to die and leave the stage?

Sir Michael Sandberg didn't keep you in suspense: "Let me put it this way, Bao Zeyang's current cash flow is no less than HSBC's. I can give you a heads-up, he currently has more than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars in his hands!"

Even if HSBC supports you, what will you have to compete with them?

Although Sir Michael Sandberg was optimistic about Li Ka-shing, there was a limit to HSBC's support.

Li Jiacheng's attempt to outbid Bao Zeyang on price is nothing but wishful thinking.

Unexpectedly, after listening, Li Jiacheng not only did not back down, but instead shook his head at Shen Bi.

“Mike, this news has indeed surprised me, but I want to say that you are wrong about one thing.”

"Actually, if we want to join Defeng, we don't necessarily have to compete with Bao Zeyang!"

Upon hearing Li Jiacheng's words, Shen Bi looked at Li Jiacheng in surprise: "What do you mean?"

Li Jiacheng smiled slightly: "It's very simple. Wheelock is a huge company. Many of its businesses overlap with Hongkong Land and Hutchison Whampoa. So no matter which aspect of Wheelock's assets Bao Zeyang has his eye on, he certainly doesn't have his eye on the whole of Wheelock."

"This means that, in Bao Zeyang's hands, Wheelock will most likely be broken up."

"Since it's going to be split up, why don't we go and get a piece of the pie?"

After listening, Shen Bi looked at Li Jiacheng in surprise: "You mean, you want to cooperate with Bao Zeyang to split up Wheelock?" Li Jiacheng nodded: "Yes!"

Are you sure Bao Zeyang will cooperate with you?

Shen Bi was somewhat at a loss for words. Had Li Jiacheng overestimated his influence with Bao Zeyang? After being repeatedly beaten down by Bao Zeyang, how could he possibly get in the door now that he was going to talk to Bao Zeyang about cooperation?

Li Jiacheng smiled and said, "If it were me, I definitely wouldn't stand a chance."

"Even with HSBC included, I think it would be difficult!"

Shen Bi bluntly pointed it out. Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew very well that HSBC didn't have much influence with Bao Zeyang.

Some things can be discussed, but they cannot infringe upon his interests.

"Don't worry, Mike, I know all that, but think about it, what if we add Chinese companies to the mix?"

"Chinese-funded enterprises?"

Shen Bi was genuinely surprised to hear Li Jiacheng's words.

“Mike, I know this is a bold move for you, but I want to ask you first, do you think London still has room to fight for Hong Kong Island?”

Li Jiacheng asked Shen Bi calmly at this moment.

When questioned by Li Jiacheng, Shen Bi did not hide anything.

"To be honest, it's difficult. As far as I know, London has already begun preliminary official contact with Beijing. At present, all we can do is try our best to protect the interests of some British companies, which is why I have always advised against you taking action against Wheelock."

Li Jiacheng nodded: "That's it. I think you, Mike, should also have considered HSBC's interests."

"HSBC's actions in Hong Kong this time have been quite disgraceful. The decline in Hong Kong's real estate and stock markets, as well as the exchange rate fluctuations, are all inseparable from HSBC. If Hong Kong is returned to China, you should also consider how to salvage this situation."

At this point, Li Jiacheng also got straight to the point with Shen Bi.

Without a doubt, HSBC has played a dishonorable role in this series of economic fluctuations in Hong Kong.

Once Hong Kong Island returns to China, HSBC will need permission from Beijing if it wants to continue operating there. Even if London can help it secure some protection in the negotiations, without the approval of the authorities, HSBC will face significant difficulties.

Therefore, Li Ka-shing was certain that HSBC wanted to sell itself well to the capital.

In fact, Li Ka-shing's guess was entirely correct. HSBC has already received a warning from Beijing. Although it is a British bank, it is still based in Hong Kong.

This wave of trouble has greatly angered the capital. Shen Bi also knows that HSBC has acted too recklessly this time. If it doesn't make amends quickly, HSBC will not be able to survive in Hong Kong in the future.

However, HSBC's current position is also awkward. It is not appropriate for it to take the initiative to express its opinion, nor can it go against London's will. In fact, Sir Michael Sandberg has been thinking about how to break the deadlock these past few days.

Now, Li Jiacheng's suggestion has given Shen Bi a new idea.

How can Wheelock be used to sell a good deal to a Chinese company?

Seeing Shen Bi deep in thought, Li Jiacheng knew that Shen Bi must be tempted.

HSBC is currently in a dilemma, and Li Ka-shing's idea has undoubtedly done HSBC a great favor.

As for the Chinese companies, Li Jiacheng wasn't worried. They were definitely thinking about getting involved in various industries in Hong Kong. At this time, if they were allowed to acquire a portion of Wheelock's assets, those Chinese companies would certainly be happy to do so.

Li Jiacheng refused to believe that with HSBC and Chinese companies joining forces, they couldn't negotiate with Bao Zeyang.
"You can try this. HSBC will not make a statement on this matter, but will provide appropriate financial support."

"But I hope that you can schedule the signing of the agreement with Victor as late as possible after the negotiation results. I can tell you that no matter how the negotiations go, there will definitely be a result between the two sides next September."

Shen Bi then spoke to Li Jiacheng after careful consideration.

"Understood. I'll handle the arrangements; HSBC doesn't need to get involved."

For Li Jiacheng, all he needs is the support of HSBC, since that's the source of his funds. As for anything else, HSBC really doesn't need to get involved.

Soon, Li Jiacheng had quietly completed all of this.

For Chinese companies, this is a perfect match. Acquiring a large portion of Wheelock's business empire would be a great thing for them.

Then, Li Jiacheng, full of confidence, began to arrange a meeting with Li Changhe.

Li Changhe was somewhat surprised to hear that Li Jiacheng had requested a meeting.

However, he did not refuse and still planned to meet with Li Jiacheng.

Later, the two Lis met again in the Landmark office.

"Ah Yang, I hope you don't mind my abrupt visit."

After entering the house, Li Jiacheng spoke to Li Changhe in a very kind manner.

Li Changhe smiled slightly: "Not at all, Mr. Li, your arrival makes my humble abode even more honored!"

Li Jiacheng shook his head. Putting everything else aside, Bao Zeyang's ability to speak to people in a way that suits him is comparable to his own.

"Ah Yang, I heard you want to take over Wheelock?"

Li Jiacheng didn't exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Li Changhe immediately realized what was going on.

No wonder there's been no movement from John Madden and Zhang Yuliang lately; it turns out this old guy got involved.

"What? Mr. Li, you want to get involved too?"

Li Changhe then asked with a smile.

Li Jiacheng smiled and nodded: "It's true that I want to get involved, but I don't want to go against you, Ah Yang."

"Here's the thing, Zhang Yuliang contacted me, hoping I would take over the Zhang family's shares. I didn't know at first that you wanted to take over Wheelock."

"What happened next was something I found out by accident. I've always believed that it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. I was willing to make peace with you, Ah Yang."

"Ah Yang, how about this? I'll help you take over Wheelock, but you can give us a portion of some of Wheelock's assets that you don't need."

Upon hearing Li Jiacheng's words, Li Changhe astutely grasped two key points.

First, it's quite obvious that the Zhang family is about to be sold out by Li Jiacheng, and this has been laid bare on the dinner table.

Secondly, Li Jiacheng was referring to "us," so it's clear that he wasn't the only one involved; there must be others as well.

Thinking of all this, Li Changhe looked at Li Jiacheng. He wanted to see what this old guy was up to.
(End of this chapter)