Hong Kong Island Chronicles: From Electrical Appliances King to Business Legend

Chapter 83 Negotiating Terms Again with Shen Bi

Around 14pm.

Li Jiagang visited HSBC headquarters.

In Shen Bi's office.

"Li, when did you get back? Did your trip to Tokyo go well?" Shen Bi was very happy to see Li Jiagang arrive.

Now, Sir Michael Sandberg has a very high opinion of him, and he is very satisfied with his integration and management of the acquired companies.

His electrical appliance company, in particular, caught Shen Bi's eye.

He had been keeping a close eye on the sales of the Legend washing machine. He knew that the product was still selling well and had a high level of consumer acceptance.

In addition, he was even more satisfied with Li Jiagang's tough, efficient, and swift handling of the issues he had with the electrical appliance dealers.

A capable, intelligent, resourceful, and potentially high-potential businessman is arguably the kind of partner HSBC needs most.

How could Shen Bi be dissatisfied with him?

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Sir Michael Sandberg. I only returned to Hong Kong yesterday afternoon," Li Jiagang replied with a smile. "My trip to Tokyo was perfect. We have already reached a cooperation agreement with Takashimaya Department Store."

Upon hearing this, Shen Bi's eyes darted around. "Oh, judging from your smile, you've at least secured a regional distributorship with Takashimaya, haven't you?"

Li Jiagang maintained his enigmatic smile: "Master Shen Bi, you can be even bolder." At the same time, he began brewing tea.

As he became more familiar with Shen Bi, he became very relaxed in Shen Bi's presence. Without being told, he would act as if he were in his own office, personally brewing tea or casually relaxing.

Shen Bi also approved of this relationship, ignoring his casual tone and widening his eyes with curiosity, asking, "Could it be that you've reached an exclusive agency agreement with Takashimaya?"

According to Shen Bi, although Li Jiagang Company's washing machines are good, the company lacks influence and brand awareness. It is already quite good that it was able to reach a cooperation agreement with a department store like Takashimaya to become the general agent for the Tokyo area.

That's why he was so shocked when he thought Lijiagang had reached an exclusive agency agreement with Takashimaya. This meant that Lijiagang products could be sold throughout Japan.

As for higher-level cooperation, Shen Bi didn't even dare to think about it. He said, "Lijiagang Company has no influence and its products have no brand recognition."

"Hahaha----.

""

Li Jiagang burst into laughter.

"Master Sim, you—" he replied while pouring tea, "This time, Takashimaya and I are not only building a factory, but also jointly establishing a company and launching a comprehensive collaboration. How about that, are you shocked?"

"call!!!!"

Shen Bi stood rooted to the spot, staring at him with an incredulous expression.

The fact that even someone like him was so shocked shows just how impactful the news was.

Shen Qiang was well aware of Takashimaya's status in Japan.

At first, he even thought that Li Jiagang's trip to Tokyo might be fruitless.

This is not because he underestimates Lijiagang.

However, he was quite familiar with department stores of the level of Takashimaya.

They have no shortage of big brands, and their malls sell only globally renowned brands. A newly established company like Lijiagang, with its newly launched products, may sell well in Hong Kong and have leading technology, but it's still not enough to secure a partnership with Takashimaya.

But now————.

Li Jiagang told him that not only had they reached a cooperation agreement with Takashimaya, but they had also established a joint venture company to carry out comprehensive cooperation.

How could this not shock him?

"Li, you're not kidding, are you?" Shen Bi still looked bewildered. "You really reached a joint venture agreement with Takashimaya to establish a company and fully cooperate?"

Li Jiagang nodded firmly.

Oh my god!

How did you do that?

Shen Bi quickly walked over and sat down beside him, his eyes expectantly waiting for Li Jiagang's response.

"Of course, it's all thanks to my silver tongue."

"shit————."

"6

"Li, tell me quickly," Shen Bi was indeed full of curiosity at this moment, "I didn't expect you to bring such shocking news."

""

"By the way, you're here because you need funds, right? If your company really reaches a joint venture agreement with Takashimaya to establish a company, I can guarantee that HSBC will approve whatever amount is needed."

Shen Bi patted his chest and said.

This shows that he attaches great importance to Takashimaya, which is why he made this guarantee.

At the same time, Li Jiagang understood Shen Bi's true intentions: he wanted to expand the Japanese market and HSBC's channels there through him.

Don't be fooled by HSBC's impressive reputation in Hong Kong.

However, HSBC had already established a presence in Japan long ago. In fact, as early as the 19th century, HSBC had set up a branch in Yokohama, operating in the form of trade, foreign exchange, and finance.

Unfortunately—

Even now, a full century later, HSBC's business in Japan remains very small.

The reason is obvious: it's not that HSBC didn't want to expand its business there, but rather that it was suppressed by local conglomerates and simply couldn't expand.

Tokyo is the region that HSBC most wants to develop and enter, which is why Sir Michael Sandberg was so excited and shocked to hear that Li Ka-shing and Takashimaya had reached a joint venture agreement to establish a company.

For him, it was also an opportunity for HSBC.

"Mr. Shen Bi, don't rush," Li Jiagang replied calmly. "My laboratory is developing a groundbreaking product. It was this product and our company's leading technology that impressed Ichiro Sato and made him agree to this collaboration."

"Furthermore," he said, his tone shifting to a serious expression, "I have enough funds for the initial development there, but—" Li Jiagang paused, whetting his appetite, "I know the Tokyo market is very important to HSBC and to you, Sir Michael Sandberg, and I am willing to cooperate with you."

Before coming to Shen Qiang, Li Jiagang had already planned how to get Shen Qiang to do everything he could to apply for a security license with a gun permit.

It was through his collaboration with Takashimaya that HSBC capital was channeled into the company, and with Takashimaya's assistance, HSBC was able to establish a branch in Tokyo.

Li Jiagang believed that with this cooperation as a foundation, he did not believe that Sir Michael Sandberg would not do his best to help him apply for gun and security licenses from the British Hong Kong government.

This is a method that achieves multiple benefits.

It can help HSBC open up the Tokyo market.

It also allowed him to get Sir Michael Sandberg to do everything he could to smooth things over with the British and Hong Kong governments and obtain a security license with a gun permit.

With HSBC's financial support, he at least doesn't need to worry about any funding issues.

Even without HSBC's financial assistance, he could still mobilize funds through his partnership with Takashimaya. Don't forget that he had arranged for people to invest in gold in the United States, and he was ready to cash out.

But since a loan from HSBC would be more beneficial to his development, he certainly wouldn't care about the interest; making money for the company is the most important thing.

Shen Bi was excited upon hearing this.

But he wasn't stupid; he understood the unspoken meaning in Li Jiagang's words.

He composed himself and asked with a hint of seriousness, "Li, I'm very grateful for your consideration for HSBC. But do you have other requests? Why don't you just say so?"

"Hahaha----.

"6

"As expected of Mr. Shen Bi."

As soon as Li Jiagang finished speaking, he took out a security company's plan from his briefcase.

"Mr. Simbir, please take a look," she said, handing him the proposal. "I need your help. Without your help, I believe this matter will definitely be rejected."

Sir Michael Sandberg did not respond to Li Jiagang immediately, but looked at his proposal very carefully.

"Security company license?"

"You want to establish a security company, and you even need gun licenses?" Shen Bi looked at him suspiciously. "Li, isn't a security company a lot of potential for development? What are you doing?"

“Master Shen Bi,” Li Jiagang replied earnestly, “I established the security company not to make money, but to prepare for safety in advance.”

""

Shen Bi understood instantly.

Without the slightest hesitation, and with unwavering confidence, he replied, "If that's all you're asking for, I'll help you."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang smiled broadly and said, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Sim Bi."

"On behalf of HSBC, I thank you."

"Li, come here first. I need to understand your cooperation with Takashimaya in detail before we can discuss the cooperation plan with Japan."

Sir Michael Sandberg was eager to learn about the situation in Lijiagang and Takashimaya so that he could come up with a plan on how HSBC could take the opportunity to open up the Tokyo market.

The whole afternoon.

Li Jiagang was in Shen Bi's office.

The two talked until dinner time.

If Li Jiagang hadn't had to rush home, even Sim Bi would have wanted to invite him to dinner to continue the talks.