In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 808 Take this money!

"They want me to be their scapegoat, to stab you in the back! I, Li Guowei, may not be talented, but I am by no means an ungrateful person!" Li Guowei said solemnly.

As he spoke, he pressed the play button on the recorder, and a portion of his conversation with Miller from the previous night was clearly heard.

Even Lin Haoran was surprised by the line, "Here is a bearer check for $500 million. This is just the beginning."

The other party is actually willing to spend such a huge sum of money?
Five million dollars might not seem like much to Lin Haoran's wealth, but he knew better than anyone that in the early 80s, that amount of money was enough to tempt anyone to take risks.

This is no longer a simple bribe, but a meticulously planned conspiracy.

After the recording finished playing, the room was completely silent.

Li Guowei looked at Lin Haoran nervously, wondering how his boss would react.

After all, there was a moment yesterday when he was genuinely tempted by those five million dollars.

Lin Haoran listened quietly, his face showing no change in expression, only frowning slightly as if he was considering something.

After a moment of silence, just as Li Guowei's heart was pounding in his chest, Lin Haoran suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha! Good! Good! Mr. Li, that's exactly what I've been waiting for!"

This reaction was completely unexpected by Li Guowei, who was stunned.

Lin Haoran stopped laughing and looked at Li Guowei with a relieved expression: "President Li, you have passed the most crucial test. You have not let me down."

He stood up, walked to the coffee table, poured a cup of hot tea, and pushed it in front of Li Guowei, his tone carrying an air of complete composure: "Take this money."

Li Guowei's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard: "Boss, this..."

Lin Haoran smiled slightly, his smile carrying a deeper meaning: "To make the play work, you have to go all the way. Only after you've received the money will they believe you've been bribed and will they tell you the 'script' and the subsequent plans."

Only then can we know what tricks they're trying to play, such as whether they want to use you to spread false information to drive a wedge between me and Mr. John Reed? Or perhaps they have some other ulterior motive?

He paused, then said with certainty, "Only when they feel that you have become one of their people will this play be realistic, and only then can we seize their weakness and turn the tables."

Consider this 500 million as their advance payment for 'information' and 'performance'.

Li Guowei suddenly realized what was going on, and a feeling of admiration for his boss welled up in his heart.

It turns out that the boss had already seen through everything, and may even have foreseen the temptations and struggles he would face.

His composure and strategic thinking completely won him over.

In fact, Li Guowei was right. Although Lin Haoran hadn't guessed that a Citibank executive director wanted to buy Li Guowei, even if the buyout had been successful, Lin Haoran would have easily found out.

It depends on the change in loyalty, of course.

If they wait until Lin Haoran leaves the United States and returns to Hong Kong before trying to bribe Li Guowei, Lin Haoran might not find out.

After all, he can only see loyalty with his own eyes.

But he's still in the United States. Although he doesn't see Li Guowei every day, he goes to Citibank every day or two, and Li Guowei reports to him about his situation at Citibank.

If he were truly bribed, the changes in his loyalty rating would definitely not escape Lin Haoran's notice.

"Boss is very insightful and far-sighted. I admire you. I know what to do now!" Li Guowei said sincerely, and the last trace of unease in his heart disappeared.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced that he had made the right choice.

Otherwise, if they are tempted by the $500 million and become traitors, the consequences will be unimaginable!

Li Guowei broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

He will not only lose his boss's complete trust and ruin his bright future, but he may also face his boss's ruthless retaliation.

With Lin Haoran's methods and influence, it would be no difficult task for him and the Li family to make things impossible for them in Hong Kong's business world.

Money is certainly tempting, but compared to long-term development, a solid backing, and the fundamental principles of being a decent human being, five million dollars suddenly seem as insignificant as a feather.

He realized that he had not only escaped a test, but had also been entrusted with an important mission to fight back.

"Boss, please rest assured! I know how to deal with them next, and I will definitely not give anything away." Li Guowei nodded solemnly, his anxiety completely gone, replaced by an excitement and sense of responsibility for participating in a major plan.

"Very good." Lin Haoran nodded in satisfaction. "Remember, when dealing with them, details are very important. Get their specific plans, especially how they intend to fabricate evidence to sow discord between me and Reed. I'll take care of the rest."

It's getting late, I should get to Citibank headquarters soon so Miller doesn't notice anything amiss.

Watching Li Guowei put away the check, Lin Haoran sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and a smile appeared on his face.

"This looks much more interesting."

In fact, when Li Guowei arrived, he noticed that the other party's loyalty had decreased by 5 percentage points compared to before, from 95 to 90.
He immediately guessed that something unusual was about to happen.

After learning more about it, he realized that the other party must have gone through a fierce internal struggle last night, but ultimately held firm to their bottom line.

However, he wasn't angry.

This subtle fluctuation proved the authenticity of Li Guowei's report, and made Lin Haoran even more at ease with him.

Five million dollars!

As far as he knew, when Li Guowei was the general manager of Hengsheng Bank, his annual salary, excluding incentive bonuses, was only around HK$500,000.

Even including incentive bonuses, Hang Seng Bank's earnings never exceeded one million Hong Kong dollars when business was good.

And this five million US dollars, at the current exchange rate of nearly 1 to 5.8, is almost thirty million Hong Kong dollars.

This is equivalent to Li Guowei's total income over several decades at Hengsheng Bank!
Faced with such a huge sum of money, Li Guowei ultimately resisted the temptation, which fully demonstrates his trustworthiness and value.

Lin Haoran's opinion of this subordinate rose even higher.

Later, when Lin Haoran made Li Guowei accept the money, Li Guowei's loyalty level even increased significantly from 90, surpassing the previous high of 95 and reaching as high as 98.

It seems that the other party's psychological defenses have been completely solidified, and they will probably be difficult to sway by money in the future.

This figure already ranks among the top of his many subordinates.

Richard Miller's swift action truly surprised Lin Haoran.

He had only been an executive director of Citibank for a few days when the other party was already eager to target those close to him.

But Lin Haoran knew very well that there must be a deeper reason behind this matter.

Miller would never go to such lengths just to drive a wedge between him and John Reed.

As for the claim that it was "for the benefit of Citibank," that's utter nonsense.

He spent five million US dollars out of his own pocket just for the company's benefit?

Even Miller himself probably wouldn't believe such a statement.

Moreover, the other party explicitly stated that the five million was "just the beginning."

When did millions or tens of millions of dollars become so worthless?
Lin Haoran narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa.

Richard Miller's eagerness and willingness to spend so much must have a deeper calculation behind it.

"It seems my arrival at Citibank has touched upon the fundamental interests of some people? Or perhaps, their ultimate target isn't me?" Lin Haoran muttered to himself, a playful smile playing on his lips.

He quickly sorted through the known information in his mind.

Citibank is rife with factions, and while Chairman Walter Riston supports him, it's clear that not everyone is happy about his success.

Richard Miller likely represents those conservative, xenophobic factions, or those who are rivals of John Reed.

What they feared was perhaps not only the alliance between Lin Haoran and John Reed, but also the terrifyingly accurate insight that Lin Haoran brought, which was ahead of its time, and which would completely disrupt the existing power balance within Citibank.

Of course, there is also a very high possibility that the other party is not targeting him, but someone else, namely John Reed, the future head of Citibank.

Lin Haoran was merely a pawn, or rather, a weak point, used by the other side to attack John Reed!

Once this idea took hold, many details became clear.

Why is Richard Miller in such a hurry?

Why are you so generous?
The potential gains from taking down John Reed, a strong contender for the future leadership position, far exceed five million dollars!

If John Reid could be disgraced for "making significant losses by adopting radical advice from outsiders" or "having improper dealings with outsiders," then Miller and his faction would gain a decisive advantage in the power struggle within Citibank!

"What a brilliant move, killing two birds with one stone!" A cold glint flashed in Lin Haoran's eyes.

This would both strike a blow against him, the "outsider" who had suddenly entered the scene, and severely damage his rival, John Reed.

If the plan succeeds, Lin Haoran will be kicked out of Citibank, and John Reed will lose his eligibility to compete for the highest power.

"Unfortunately, you've come to the wrong person and underestimated me."

He immediately realized that this was not only a crisis, but also a huge opportunity.

If he can help John Reed thwart this plot, their alliance will become incredibly strong. He will no longer be an isolated outsider within Citibank, but a strategic partner deeply intertwined with the future leader!

My thoughts became clear instantly.

This also gave him a clearer understanding of the intensity of the power struggle within Citibank.

However, all of this was still just speculation on his part. What he needed to do now was to determine whether Richard Miller's true purpose was as he suspected.

Determining the other party's intentions is not difficult; simply talk to John Reed, and everything will become clear.

Lin Haoran glanced at his watch; it was 8:51 a.m.

As far as he knew, John Reed had recently been focusing on Foresight Capital, and if nothing unexpected happened, he should already be in the chairman's office at Foresight Capital.

Foresight Capital's offices are actually located in the Citibank headquarters building, but they are separated into one of the floors.

After all, Foresight Capital is ultimately just a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup.

Just as she was pondering this, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Guo Xiaohan walked out, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Brother Haoran, did someone just come by? I think I heard voices." Her voice was soft and sweet, as if she had just woken up.

"It's General Manager Li here to report on some work matters." Lin Haoran smiled and waved to her. "Did I disturb you?"

"No, I should get up too." Guo Xiaohan sat down next to him and leaned naturally on his shoulder. "Have you finished taking care of everything?"

"Not yet. I have some important things to take care of later, so I probably won't be able to spend the morning with you," Lin Haoran said apologetically, stroking her face.

Guo Xiaohan was very sensible. Although she was a little disappointed, she still nodded obediently: "It's okay, Brother Haoran. Work is important. I'll just read some books at the hotel or go shopping at the nearby mall."

"Good girl." Lin Haoran kissed her forehead. "I'll spend a lot of time with you this afternoon after I'm done with my work."

After calming Guo Xiaohan down, Lin Haoran got up and straightened his clothes.

He needed to see John Reed immediately to inform him of the bribery of Legoway and his own analysis, and to discuss countermeasures.

This not only relates to his situation, but could also affect the power structure within Citibank.

Regardless, he is now an ally of John Reed, and he is hoping that once John Reed takes office, he can leverage Citibank, a top global platform, to better realize his global ambitions.

How could he allow a clown like Richard Miller to ruin his long-term plans?
However, he did not go directly to John Reed's office.

After all, if he really went there, the news would reach Richard Miller's ears very quickly.

By then, the other party might guess that Li Guowei may have already told Lin Haoran the news.

In this way, his plan to turn the tables on him might fall through.

Lin Haoran pondered for a moment, and immediately came up with a new plan.

He picked up the phone and dialed John Reed's office number.

“Mr. John, it’s me, Lin Haoran.” His tone was relaxed and natural, as if it were just a routine daily conversation.

"Lin? Good morning." John Reed's voice came through, tinged with surprise, as if he hadn't expected Lin Haoran to call him so early.

"I have an idea I'd like to discuss with you, about that thing we talked about before, um, about the issue of diversifying risk in US market bond investments." Lin Haoran deliberately spoke somewhat vaguely, but touched upon a business topic they had indeed briefly discussed before.

"I think we could introduce some new structures. When would be a convenient time for you this morning? We can talk over coffee. By the way, it's best to do it somewhere that no one knows about."

John Reed, a man of exceptional intelligence, immediately discerned the unusual meaning behind Lin Haoran's seemingly ordinary invitation.

Lin Haoran deliberately chose a public and reasonable reason, and implied that a face-to-face meeting was necessary, which was definitely not to discuss any ordinary bond structure.

This is very likely just an excuse from the other party, and there must be something more important to discuss behind the scenes.

The reason, of course, is the concern that there might be other people in the office.

Don't be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of the eventuality.

Acting cautiously has always been Lin Haoran's motto.

"The structure of U.S. bonds?" John Reid understood immediately and replied cooperatively, "Yes, that's certainly a question worth exploring in depth."

Okay, I know a place. There's a very quiet private café in Lower Manhattan called 'Oak Corner'. It's members-only and very private.

I have an appointment there at ten o'clock, we can meet there while we're at it.

He chose a third-party location completely out of Citibank's sights, minimizing the possibility of being discovered by Richard Miller's informants.

He had already guessed that Lin Haoran definitely had something very important to tell him.

"OK, 10 o'clock, 'Oak Corner,' see you then." Lin Haoran hung up the phone with satisfaction.

This arrangement is more secure than meeting within Citibank.

At 10:00 a.m. sharp, Lin Haoran appeared on time at the "Oak Corner" café, which was hidden on a quiet street.

The heavy wooden doors and understated signboard, along with the dark wood interior and soft lighting, create a sense of privacy. Each private room is cleverly separated using the finest soundproofing materials.

John Reed was already waiting for him in one of the innermost boxes.

The waiter served two carefully prepared cups of coffee and then quietly withdrew.

“Lin, you can tell me now. What exactly happened?” John Reed asked impatiently as soon as the door closed.

Lin Haoran no longer held back and recounted in detail how Li Guowei had been bribed by Richard Miller for five million dollars, including the key contents of the recording and his analysis that Miller's ultimate goal was to target John Reed himself.

“So, John, I think it’s not just about dealing with me. He secretly took out five million dollars just to pry open Li Guowei’s mouth and say that everything was for Citibank. I don’t believe he’s that noble. I guess he definitely has a deeper purpose,” Lin Haoran said with a smile.

John Reed's face grew increasingly somber as Lin Haoran continued his narration.

After the recording finished playing, John Reed's face was so dark it looked like it could drip water.

“Richard Miller!” John Reed practically spat out the name, his voice filled with rage.

“Mr. Lin, I think you’ve already guessed it. That’s right. Actually, Richard Miller and I were both considered strong contenders to succeed Walter Riston a few years ago.”

However, I have always had a much greater advantage than him, I have more supporters on the board, and even Walter Riston is more optimistic about me.

In addition, a decision made by Richard Miller three years ago caused significant losses to the company, which severely damaged his reputation on the board.

In the past year or two, Richard Miller's desire to find a successor as chairman seemed less intense than before. I thought he had given up, but I never expected him to still be so determined, even resorting to such underhanded tactics!

John Reed's tone was filled with disappointment and anger.

He had assumed Richard Miller had accepted reality, but he never expected that the other party was secretly plotting such a sinister scheme.

Lin Haoran listened quietly, and only after John Reed had calmed down a bit did he slowly speak: "This shows that he never really gave up, but was just waiting for the right opportunity, and now, my appearance has given him that opportunity."

“You’re right.” John Reed took a deep breath. “He must think that attacking you indirectly attacks me, which is the most effective way.”

After all, you were the one I brought into Citibank despite all opposition. If you are proven to be problematic, my judgment and leadership will be seriously questioned.

Furthermore, a few days ago, you directly contradicted him at the board meeting, and I abstained from voting, choosing not to support him. This actually made him realize something was amiss.

Lin Haoran nodded; this analysis perfectly matched his previous judgment.

Richard Miller's real target was indeed not him.

John Reed is their real target!

No wonder they were so willing to spend so much, actually taking out a full $500 million to bribe Li Guowei.

This was not a simple bribe at all; it was a high-stakes gamble against John Reed!
If they can successfully oust John Reed, then Miller and his faction will regain control of Citibank's future direction, with potential gains far exceeding fifty million or even five hundred million dollars!
In comparison, what is a mere five million dollars?
A flash of realization crossed Lin Haoran's eyes; all the clues connected at that moment.

Richard Miller was so eager and willing to spend a fortune because this was his last chance.

Once John Reed has complete control of the situation, he will never have a chance to rise within Citigroup.

"It seems that we are not facing a simple bribery case, but a carefully planned power struggle."

Once Miller learns that your Foresight Capital is making counter-cyclical investments, he could very well use that opportunity to launch an attack on you at the board meeting, accusing you of adopting my 'wrong advice' and putting Citigroup at great risk.

"At that time, regardless of whether our investment is ultimately successful or not, he can use this to his advantage and undermine the board's trust in you before the results are in," Lin Haoran said slowly.

John Reed nodded emphatically: "You're absolutely right. That explains why he's willing to spend so much. Five million dollars is just a ticket to this game of power for him."

And this is exactly what I'm most worried about. If he makes a move before we profit from our investment, then my subsequent covert investments will not be able to continue.

As you can see, no one at the entire board meeting believed what you said, Mr. Lin, and no one believed that the US stock market would still fall under so many policies.

Even Mr. Walter Riston has chosen to believe Miller this time, and once the news gets out, they will absolutely oppose my actions.

(End of this chapter)