In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 865 It's a pleasure to see business rivals in such a sorry state!
"Boss, if we were to really compile a list of the world's richest people, I think you would most likely be the world's richest person."

Although European and American conglomerates control numerous listed companies, these companies actually have complex equity structures, and the controllers are often a family or a group of people, rather than a single individual.

"For someone like you to have, in such a short period of time, clearly and directly control such a vast and highly profitable asset empire in your own name, is probably unique in the history of modern global commerce."

After presenting the financial report, Ma Shimin exclaimed sincerely, his tone filled with awe and disbelief.

World 's richest man?

Lin Haoran smiled, not really caring about the title.

As is widely known, the so-called world's richest people on the previous list were never the real world's richest people.

The wealth hidden behind ancient family trusts, offshore funds, and complex cross-shareholding structures is the real, bottomless iceberg.

The authoritative lists he knew from his previous life, such as the Forbes Global Rich List and the Hurun Global Rich List, are mostly the surface of the picture presented to the public.

The recently released Hong Kong rich list would not be authoritative if someone else were chosen as the richest person in Hong Kong. Therefore, only he can be the richest person in Hong Kong.

If he could truly hide most of his wealth, he wouldn't care about the so-called title of the richest man.

"Mr. Ma, remember this: true power lies not in how much wealth you have exposed to the public for others to judge, but in how many resources you can mobilize, how many decisions you can influence, and how many escape routes and armor you have when the storm comes."

The title of "richest person" does us no good whatsoever, except make us more conspicuous targets.

Ma Shimin felt a chill run down his spine and immediately understood his boss's deeper meaning.

Yes, the names Rothschild, Rockefeller, and Morgan resonated throughout an era.

However, the wealth network that their family truly controls remains shrouded in mystery, with its influence being both profound and secretive.

Publicly disclosed wealth often comes at a "price" or requires a "posture" to be displayed.

"The boss is right; I was short-sighted," Ma Shimin said sincerely.

"It's alright." Lin Haoran waved his hand. "It's normal for you to have such thoughts. After all, our achievements are indeed something to be proud of."

But after pride comes indifference and planning; our journey is still long.

Ma Shimin is only in his forties and currently has a 100% loyalty rating. If nothing unexpected happens, he can work for him for many more years.

Therefore, Lin Haoran had high hopes and great trust in Ma Shimin.

This is not only an outstanding executor, but also a core member who can be entrusted with more strategic responsibilities in the future.

He didn't want Ma Shimin to be blinded by the current glory, but rather to be able to see further and think more deeply, just like him.

He paused, then continued, "You mentioned the secrecy of our assets, which is good, but not enough."

In the future, we should consciously spin off some of our "clean," "transparent," and mainstream-value-aligned assets and businesses, and even package them for listing to be subject to public and regulatory scrutiny.

For example, some of our not-very-profitable enterprises, the operation of charitable foundations, and even some green energy projects.

Companies like MediaCorp, Langwei Group, and Hong Kong Revival Fund can find a suitable time to go public in the future.

We must cultivate a positive image, demonstrating innovation, social responsibility, and adherence to international rules.

More fundamental assets and strategic deployments, however, should be like the undercurrents of the deep sea—silent yet incredibly powerful.

Ma Shimin suddenly realized.

This is a more sophisticated "combination of reality and illusion"!
Bright and attractive flags and benchmarks are displayed in the open to attract attention and cooperation.

Hidden in the shadows are unfathomable secrets and networks, controlling true power and managing risks.

One is light and the other is dark, complementing each other.

"I understand, boss. We'll make some of our business 'sunshine,' which will satisfy outside curiosity and regulatory requirements, while also providing cover and resources for our covert operations," Ma Shimin said excitedly.

“That’s exactly what I meant.” Lin Haoran nodded approvingly. “So, let’s leave the empty title of the world’s richest man to those celebrity entrepreneurs who need exposure.”

What we need is a real force that can transcend cycles and influence the landscape; ideally, a force that is unfathomable yet not to be underestimated.

He put the financial statements aside and continued, "Just like playing chess, a true chess player doesn't lay all their pieces out in the open."

Some pieces must be hidden in one's sleeve, and some strategies must be buried in the ground, so that they can be used to make a decisive move and turn the tide at the crucial moment.

Our strategic moves—those listed companies, public foundations, and transparent collaborations—are all aimed at building credibility, pooling resources, and paving the way.

But our hidden pieces are the real key to victory.

Ma Shimin nodded repeatedly, feeling a sense of relief and a deeper respect for his boss.

This understanding and application of the essence of power transcends the realm of ordinary businessmen; it is more like that of a strategist deeply versed in tactics.

"Alright, we can explore these strategic considerations in more detail later." Lin Haoran glanced at the time and ended the topic. "Go and prepare for your meeting with Samsung. Find out what their objectives are."

Remember, if it's beneficial to us, we can certainly engage, but the bottom line must be clear: we must maintain control, especially regarding technology sharing and market access—there can be no ambiguity.

Ma Shimin's expression turned serious: "I understand, boss. Cooperation is a two-way street, but we must take the initiative. I will carefully evaluate Samsung's proposal to see how much sincerity they can offer and how much practical value they can bring us."

"Okay, go ahead." Lin Haoran waved his hand.

Ma Shimin bowed slightly to Lin Haoran again, then turned and quickly left the office.

Compared to when he first came in, his eyes were clearer, and his whole aura seemed much more refined.

Clearly, the strategic advice he had just received regarding "light and shadow, reality and illusion" had greatly benefited him.

The office returned to quiet.

Lin Haoran's gaze returned to the financial report.

This is definitely a very significant report card.

It not only records the glorious achievements of the past year, but also serves as a mirror, clearly reflecting the current structure, strengths, and potential vulnerabilities of his business empire.

He picked up the summary report and began to carefully review it again, his eyes lingering on the key data and charts.

After what seemed like an eternity, a knock on the door startled him awake.

"come in."

The person who pushed open the door was Liu Xiaoli.

Originally, Lin Haoran hadn't planned to come this morning, so she had Liu Xiaoli go to other departments for training.

"Boss, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have come up and served you."

The two had been intimate countless times, so Liu Xiaoli's speech to Lin Haoran became more casual and affectionate, lacking the initial obsequiousness of a subordinate to her boss, and instead displaying a more familiar and coquettish tone.

Lin Haoran looked up at Liu Xiaoli, who was dressed in a well-fitting business suit, with exquisite makeup and a slender figure, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"I only decided to come because something came up at the last minute. So, what have you learned these past two days?"

"I've learned so much!"

Liu Xiaoli closed the door and naturally walked behind Lin Haoran, massaging his shoulders as a faint fragrance wafted over.

"I went to the investment department today and listened to their analysis of US stocks, the Nikkei index, and global economic trends. It felt very complicated, but also very interesting. Boss, you are really amazing to be able to manage such a huge business."

Her eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and affection when she looked at Lin Haoran.

Since following Lin Haoran, her world has undergone a dramatic change; she is no longer the young dancer from mainland China.

Not only did she enjoy a life of unimaginable material comforts, but more importantly, she gained access to knowledge, connections, and perspectives she never dared to dream of before.

She knew very well that all of this was caused by the man in front of her.

Therefore, in addition to being conscientious at work, she is also extremely considerate in life, striving to be a caring person who is both pleasing to the eye and provides emotional value to Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran smiled but didn't respond to the question.

Wealth and career were topics he discussed with Ma Shimin, He Shanheng, Cui Zilong, and others.

When he was with Liu Xiaoli, he enjoyed the ease and the feeling of relaxation that came with not having to be constantly tense.

"If you find it interesting, learn more about it. It won't hurt you." Lin Haoran closed the financial report in his hand and leaned back. "Maybe it can help me manage some things in the future."

Liu Xiaoli can't be his secretary forever; who knows, one day he might suddenly want to change his secretary.

Therefore, if Liu Xiaoli performs well, he wouldn't mind handing over a small company to her to manage in the future, making her the company's chairperson.

Of course, the company still belongs to Lin Haoran.

He was quite at ease with Liu Xiaoli.

Because during this period, the other party's loyalty increased a little.

He also felt that Liu Xiaoli's loyalty to him had previously been 97%.
Now, it has risen to 98.
Don't be fooled by the small increase; it's only 2 points away from 100 loyalty points.

Lin Haoran had already decided that as long as the other party's loyalty reached 100%, he could give her more trust and resources.

They even let her independently manage some less core but still important business segments as a reward for her loyalty and ability, and at the same time to cultivate a reliable "insider" for themselves.

After all, the value of a subordinate with perfect loyalty is immeasurable.

To date, he has only six subordinates with a loyalty rating of 100 or higher: Su Zhixue, Li Weidong, Li Weiguo, Yamada Keiko, Ma Shimin, and Cui Zilong.

This shows just how difficult it is to get a subordinate's loyalty to reach 100%.

If Liu Xiaoli's loyalty reaches 100%, his attitude towards her will naturally change. Liu Xiaoli is not only his employee, but also his lover.

If Liu Xiaoli gives birth to children for him in the future, he would not mind giving her and the children a portion of his assets so that they can also live a wealthy and carefree life.

Of course, all of this is predicated on loyalty and devotion.

If her heart changes in the future, no matter how much favor and wealth she receives, it will eventually be taken back.

Liu Xiaoli was unaware of the many thoughts that had crossed Lin Haoran's mind. She only heard Lin Haoran say, "Maybe you can help me with some things in the future," and her heart was already filled with boundless anticipation and gratitude.

For her, this was not just an improvement in job opportunities, but also a form of recognition and acceptance.

Then, somewhat embarrassed, she said, "Really? Me? Can I do it? I'm afraid I won't do a good job and will cause you trouble, boss."

"Take your time, no rush." ​​Lin Haoran patted the back of her hand. "Focus on doing your job as a secretary well, listen more, observe more, and learn more. When you're ready, you'll naturally be given the opportunity."

As long as you're my woman, you don't need to worry about your future. Even if I find someone new in the future, you'll still receive everything you deserve.

Lin Haoran's words carried a calm yet undeniable promise, giving Liu Xiaoli both hope for the future and clearly defining the boundaries.

She is his woman, and can enjoy a comfortable life and a certain status, but the core of all this is based on loyalty and obedience.

Liu Xiaoli felt a tremor in her heart, a mixture of relief and gratitude at being promised a promise, as well as a complex feeling that was hard to describe.

She knew her place, and she knew that a man like Lin Haoran could never have only one woman by his side. She even knew that she could only ever be a secret lover to Lin Haoran.

But she did not feel any dissatisfaction because of this.

After all, he had made thorough preparations when he chose to follow Lin Haoran.

During her time in Hong Kong, she became even more aware that it was perfectly normal for wealthy families in Hong Kong to have multiple wives and concubines.

Liu Xiaoli was just a little regretful that she wished she had come to Hong Kong earlier.

She had heard that ten years ago, it was perfectly acceptable to have multiple wives and concubines in Hong Kong. If she were to live in that era, she might also be able to become one of Lin Haoran's wives and concubines in public!

However, receiving such a guarantee was already a stroke of luck she never dared to dream of before.

She immediately composed herself and nodded even more vigorously: "Yes! Boss, I understand. I will definitely learn well and do my job well. I will never let you down and I will never do anything to make you unhappy."

Her statement was intelligent and clear, and Lin Haoran nodded in satisfaction.

At noon, Lin Haoran took Liu Xiaoli to the nearby Xiyue Restaurant for a sumptuous lunch.

At 2 p.m., he returned to his office in the Kang Le Building.

He did not inquire about how the talks between Ma Shimin and the Samsung chairman went.

Ma Shimin has not yet reported back, which means that the talks between the two sides have not yet ended, or there is no result yet.

Before we knew it, it was past four o'clock in the afternoon.

In addition, the sunlight shining on Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon reflected onto the window of Lin Haoran's office, casting a shimmering golden shadow on his smooth desk.

The office was quiet, with only the occasional rustling of Lin Haoran turning the pages of a book.

He was leaning back on the sofa, looking at an English business book, trying to learn some useful lessons from it.

As for Liu Xiaoli, she sat beside him, feeding him grapes while massaging his legs.

This is truly a pleasant life.

Just then, the mobile phone on the desk rang.

Lin Haoran and Liu Xiaoli's eyes immediately turned to the mobile phone.

Liu Xiaoli stopped what she was doing, got up and quickly walked to her desk, handing her mobile phone to Lin Haoran.

He pressed the answer button, and Cui Zilong's voice came through immediately: "Boss, it's me. I have something I'd like to report to you. Are you available now?"

Lin Haoran glanced at Liu Xiaoli, then said directly, "Yes, that's convenient. Go ahead."

"At 4 p.m., Mr. Malcolm Forbes, Chairman of the Forbes Group, arrived at Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport."

After arriving in Hong Kong, he checked into the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central and contacted me, saying he hoped to see you, Boss, as soon as possible. Boss, what are your thoughts on this? Cui Zilong reported.

Lin Haoran knew that Malcolm Forbes had left New York yesterday morning and arrived in Hong Kong this afternoon, so it wasn't surprising.

To his surprise, the other party, after traveling for more than 20 hours, did not choose to rest upon arriving in Hong Kong, but instead contacted him immediately to request a meeting.

This urgency fully illustrates the current predicament of the Forbes Group and the other party's humble attitude.

"It seems Mr. Malcolm is really in a hurry," Lin Haoran said with a smile.

“Yes, boss, but given Forbes’ current situation, he has no choice but to be anxious. If this matter isn’t resolved soon, Forbes’ global influence, built up over sixty years ago, may be completely destroyed because of this incident,” Cui Zilong said with a smile.

As the head of the intelligence department, Choi Ja-ryong was fully aware of the latest information from Forbes.

The public is facing a crisis of trust in Forbes, advertisers are leaving, the stock price is plummeting, and there are differing opinions within the family.

Malcolm Forbes, the second-generation leader known for his luxurious lifestyle and shrewd mind, is probably facing the most severe test since taking over.

However, these were all things that Lin Haoran and Cui Zilong were happy to see.

After all, Forbes had already offended Lin Haoran and Cui Zilong when it targeted Oriental Media Group.

Forbes' current situation is a fitting punishment for them!

The more severe the retribution from the enemy, the better!
"Since he's in such a hurry, let him wait. Tell him that my schedule is already full tonight and tomorrow, and I can't receive any guests!" Lin Haoran's voice was calm and composed.

"Is there a fixed time?" Cui Zilong was clearly taken aback.

"No, it depends on my mood. I'll see him if I'm in a good mood!" Lin Haoran said with a smile.

“Okay, boss, I know how to reply to them now.” Cui Zilong smiled as well.

The other party is a media tycoon; to be treated like this is an utter disgrace to him.

However, seeing his business rivals in such a sorry state is also a pleasure for Cui Zilong, especially these opponents who were once high and mighty and tried to attack him with the weapon of public opinion.

"Okay, reply to him like that. Also, have the general manager of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central keep an eye out for who this Mr. Forbes has met and what he has done in Hong Kong these past two days."

Although the other side came seeking peace, necessary surveillance is still essential to prevent them from playing any tricks or contacting certain forces in Hong Kong.

“Understood, boss!” Cui Zilong replied.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran handed the mobile phone to Liu Xiaoli, leaned back on the sofa, and had a playful smile on his face.

Making Malcolm Forbes wait a few more days in anxiety serves two purposes: firstly, to further exert psychological pressure, and secondly, to give more time for any differing opinions within the Forbes Group to develop.

Sometimes, the longer external pressure lasts, the stronger the internal divisions and willingness to compromise become.

Even if he can't figure out what benefit he can gain from Forbes backing down, he still can't.

But so what?
The fact that a media empire he was famous for in his previous life had bowed down to him was itself a tremendous achievement and a powerful deterrent.

Moreover, since the other party had offered themselves up, Lin Haoran never believed that there was such a thing as a pure, selfless compromise in this world.

Malcolm Forbes must have come with some kind of exchange condition, or a weakness that Lin Haoran could exploit.

"Boss, if you leave him hanging like this, won't he get angry and leave?" Liu Xiaoli asked curiously.

She reasoned that someone as influential as Forbes would find it difficult to tolerate such deliberate neglect.

As Lin Haoran's personal secretary, Liu Xiaoli knew more or less about some things, including the Forbes matter.

"He won't leave." Lin Haoran shook his head firmly, and opened his mouth so that Liu Xiaoli could put a red grape in it.

He didn't mind mentioning some minor business matters to Liu Xiaoli.

"If he leaves, it means that the Forbes Group may really be beyond saving. He's like an ant on a hot pan, and he can't find a more effective solution except through me."

The more anxious he is, the fewer cards he has left to play, and ultimately he'll be willing to give up even more benefits. As for saving face?

Lin Haoran chewed on the sweet red grapes and smiled calmly, "When survival is a problem, face is the least valuable thing."

These long-established Western families understand pragmatism better than we do.

Liu Xiaoli nodded thoughtfully, feeling that although her boss's words sounded somewhat cold, they seemed to be the reality of the business world.

She picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped away a non-existent water stain from the corner of Lin Haoran's mouth, her movements natural and intimate.

"Boss, you know so much, no wonder you've achieved so much."

Lin Haoran smiled and didn't continue the topic.

He glanced at the wall clock; it was almost five o'clock in the afternoon.

"You should go back to the villa on the hillside first. I won't be going over tonight," Lin Haoran said, turning to her.

Liu Xiaoli nodded, showing no dissatisfaction.

After all, she knew her place and was aware that Lin Haoran's fiancée, Guo Xiaohan, was about to officially become Mrs. Lin. With the wedding imminent, it was only natural for Lin Haoran to spend more time with his legal wife.

She is already incredibly lucky to have everything she has now, and dares not ask for anything more.

(End of this chapter)