The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1645 Open and Covert Struggles, and Huang's Sovereignty!
Kowloon, Po Ming Shipyard
The shipyard that once belonged to the Abrahamic family has long since changed hands.

As for where this family went, nobody knows!

Lin Yaodong holds a strong control over this shipbuilding group with 65% of the shares.

In addition to shipbuilding, Boming Shipyard has been actively promoting reforms in various other areas over the years, including port trade and real estate.
However, Lin Yaodong focused more on smuggling.

Because he owned a shipyard, even if he couldn't compare to the shipping magnates, the Bao family, he was still a well-known "shipping magnate" in Hong Kong!
But his ships were mostly used to purchase various goods in Southeast Asia and then transport them home.

Besides food, there were also various things that couldn't be shown to the public.

The idea of ​​taking over Hutchison Whampoa was not Lin Yaodong's, but Zhang Cheng's decision.
Back in 1979, Lin Yaodong, as a representative, had discussed Hutchison Whampoa's shares with Sir Michael Sandberg, but his offer was not accepted. Instead, Cheung Kong Holdings acquired 20% of the shares in a "snap up" deal, creating a "shocking transaction"!
Zhang Cheng didn't say anything on the surface about this, but he had already held a grudge in his heart.
It's worth noting that Hutchison Whampoa was initially valued at over six billion, with a significant portion of its shares held by HSBC.

Cheung Kong Holdings' assets are around 600 million, yet through a share swap, they acquired 20% of the shares. This isn't just a backroom deal; it's blatant favoritism!
At the time, Zhang Cheng asked Lin Yaodong to negotiate a price of 2 billion, which included the option of exchanging the Boming Shipyard, valued at 1.8 billion, but this offer was rejected outright.
He didn't kill Smythe at the time purely because the timing wasn't right; the English were "studying" him.
Therefore, Zhang Cheng can only prove that he is "patriotic" and will not harbor resentment towards Shen Bi's actions.

But he didn't forget to write in his little notebook!

Zhang Cheng: You're having a good time now, but watch out, I'll hold you accountable in the future!
Inside the large office, Lin Yaodong was having tea with Lin Zonghui.
Many of them, being members of the Lin family, have already been brought over by Lin Yaodong for development.
It was simply too exhausting for him to manage such a large shipyard and other businesses all by himself.
Zhang Cheng did not reject Lin Yaodong's idea; after all, no one could ever be as reliable as his "clan members."
"Brother Cheng, you've arrived!"

Upon seeing Zhang Cheng appear, Lin Zonghui quickly stood up.

"Sit, sit, sit!"

Glancing at Lin Zonghui, Zhang Cheng walked to the sofa and sat down, asking, "How's the cargo from South Asia going?"

"They've all been shipped back, Brother Cheng!"

Lin Yaodong smiled as he spoke to Zhang Cheng.
Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lin Zonghui was filled with admiration. After all, he hadn't expected that the eldest son's wife, who had run away years ago, would now be the chairman of a shipyard.
Lin Zonghui no longer wants to go back to Tazhai as village chief; he wants to be the chairman of the board!

Lin Zonghui: Vote for me! Vote for me! Vote for me to be the chairman!
Lin Yaodong: Aren't you going to be the village chief anymore?
"Zong Hui, take some men to study Hutchison Whampoa's shareholding structure. Next, we're going to have a tough battle with Cheung Kong Holdings!"

When Zhang Cheng spoke to Lin Zonghui, he couldn't help but become serious.
"Brother Cheng, we were rejected before. If we try to make a move now, HSBC won't agree, right? Besides, we're still short on funds!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lin Yaodong's expression turned serious.

In recent years, they have made a lot of money, but they have all gone back to their families. Various factories and businesses have given Tazhai a completely new look.

Young people can go on blind dates without needing matchmakers; girls from all around come to the city in droves.

Although this is just a change in Tazhai, it is the reason why these people are fighting for it!
“I know there’s a funding gap, but I’ve talked to Smith at Citibank, and they’ll help us borrow money!”

Speaking to Lin Yaodong, Zhang Cheng picked up a cigar from the side.

Lin Zonghui stepped forward to light Zhang Cheng's cigar, then said seriously, "HSBC won't just watch us enter!"

"We should have killed Shen Bi four years ago!" Lin Yaodong said coldly, his expression turning grim.
Because when he went to negotiate, he offered enough, but Sir Michael Sandberg chose Cheung Kong Holdings instead. Wasn't that a slap in their face?
Over the years, the Pottinger Group has had its share of conflicts with Cheung Kong Holdings, but with HSBC backing them up, they have had a difficult time.
But things are different now. They've reached an agreement with Citibank, so they're no longer afraid of HSBC regarding funding.
Moreover, in terms of strength, Pottinger Group is not afraid of Cheung Kong Holdings.
Their side is British-owned, but the Podkwyn Group here represents the family!
Even without support from above, the Huo family would provide overt and covert assistance!
"Starting tomorrow, drive down Hutchison Whampoa's stock price relentlessly! I want them to know that a gentleman takes revenge from morning till night."

Looking at Lin Yaodong beside him, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but feel gloomy.
Because Huang is too important; he holds a significant number of shares and controlling stakes in the port. If it falls into Li Xiangjiao's hands, Zhang Cheng will have sleepless nights.
This is still the Pottinger Group, which owns its own port in Kowloon. Otherwise, they would have been driven out of business long ago the day Cheung Kong Holdings acquired Hutchison Whampoa.

As for the others who are on good terms with the Li family, Zhang Cheng could not discern their attitudes, but he knew that this would be a major battle sweeping across Hong Kong.

Zhang Cheng: Let's start a group buy! Let's start a group buy!
Hua Run:
In a high-end clubhouse in Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon...
An elderly man in a suit walked in, led by a waiter.

"Wow!"

The moment the door opened, Smith, looking puzzled, asked, "Zhang, who are they?"

“My friends, Mr. Smith, are the Lin brothers, Yao Dong and Zong Hui, from the Bo Ming Group!”

In his introduction to Smith, Zhang Cheng then revealed his intention to challenge Cheung Kong Holdings for control of Hutchison Whampoa.

Upon hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Smith frowned and said, "Zhang, it's not that I don't want to help you, but the problem is, even with our help, Shen Bi won't allow outsiders to take over Hutchison Whampoa."

Looking at Smith in front of him, Zhang Cheng smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Smith, Citibank is a powerful and long-established bank, but in Hong Kong, everyone seems to choose HSBC. Do you know why?"

"wht?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with confusion, Smith became puzzled.

"That's because you don't have any support, while our Podcast Group can help you promote Citibank's strength! Acquiring Hutchison Whampoa would be a fantastic choice, wouldn't you say?"

Zhang Cheng gestured to Lin Yaodong and couldn't help but smile.
Picking up the box, Lin Yaodong opened it and found stacks of US dollars inside, totaling nearly ten million!

Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Smith's expression turned strange as he said, "You don't want to borrow money; you want to use Citibank's strength to fight against HSBC. Zhang, you're too insidious!"

"Would you be willing to do me this favor, Mr. Smith?"

Extending his hand, Zhang Cheng looked at Smith with a smile.

Because this money was "borrowed" from HSBC back then.
However, Zhang Cheng did not spend all of this money; he still has approximately 300 million US dollars in bonuses.

Zhang Cheng was sure he could take down Li Xiangjiao, but he didn't think he could do that with HSBC, which was a global bank!

Tapping the table, Smith then extended his hand and said, "My friend, I really don't know how to refuse you!"

Just as the two men were smiling, Lin Yaodong and Lin Zonghui also laughed.

(End of this chapter)