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

Chapter 86 Pulling Shen Bi into the Trench

After discussing it with his uncle.

That afternoon around 14 p.m., Li Jiagang went to HSBC to see Sim Bi again.

"Li, what brings you here?" Shen Bi asked, his face full of doubt. "Is there some problem that we need to discuss further?"

He assumed that Li Jiagang had come to see him because there were still unresolved issues regarding his cooperation with Takashimaya.

"Master Shen Bi," Li Jiagang said calmly, "I hope I haven't disturbed your work?"

"Hahaha----.

""

"How could that be?"

"I'm glad I didn't disturb you," Li Jiagang said, pushing the neatly bound document across the large mahogany desk. "I'm here today not to talk about Takashimaya, but for a personal matter that I'd like your help with."

He adopted a very humble attitude, unlike his previous casual approach when he came to Shen Bishi, and even stated directly that he came to ask for his help.

His uncle had warned him that although his relationship with Sir Michael Sandberg was not ordinary, HSBC was, after all, a "profit-driven" organization and would never help anyone at the expense of offending others without any benefit.

Not to mention helping him deal with "Hang Lung Bank" and then letting him take control of the bank, which would undoubtedly be HSBC shooting itself in the foot.

Shen Bi would absolutely not help with something like this unless he was a fool.

Therefore, before he came, Li Yongsen told him that he had to lower his stance, show weakness, and even surrender, otherwise the cooperation would absolutely not be possible.

"Private matters?" Shen Bi looked puzzled and slowly opened the folder. "Li, as you know, HSBC generally doesn't interfere in anyone's family affairs."

Sambi's response was also part of his discussions with his uncle. He calmly replied, "Actually, it's not entirely a family matter; it's also a business-related internal cleanup."

Li Jiagang leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of ruthlessness, "Mr. Shen Bi, I'm sure you don't want to see foreign capital grow stronger in Hong Kong either, do you? You've always advocated for cooperation between Chinese and British capital to jointly maintain Hong Kong's prosperity. But I've discovered that some parasites are using the guise of Chinese capital to secretly serve the Nanyang conglomerates."

At this moment, Shen Bi did not immediately respond to Li Jiagang, but instead looked at the document carefully.

"Philippine Unification Agency", "Hang Lung Bank", "Philippine Company?"

Although Shen Bi was very puzzled when he saw these words, he still continued reading.

A full half hour later————.

After reading the documents, Shen Bi gently placed them on the table, his face showing no emotion. He looked at Li Jiagang and asked.

"Li, I can only say I'm very sorry about your father's situation," then Sir Michael Sandberg's tone suddenly turned sharp: "You're dealing with Hang Lung Bank and Philip Company. Logically speaking, given our relationship, HSBC would definitely help you."

"But—you want to get involved in the banking industry?"

At this time, Shen Bi was completely different from his previous easygoing and unconventional self.

The current Sim Bi is sharp and ruthless; this is the real him. A decisive and charismatic figure in the business world, capable of wielding immense influence, and hailed as a "legend" in finance.

Shen Bi's reaction was also within his plan.

"Master Shen Bi," Li Jiagang said calmly, "I understand your concerns, but don't rush, listen to my advice."

.

Before Li Jiagang could say anything more, Shen Bi immediately retorted.

"Li," his voice was low and cold, completely devoid of the politeness he had shown earlier, "I do feel sorry for your father's fate, but business is business, and you surely understand the principle that the marketplace is like a battlefield. I won't stop you from dealing with Zhuang Kunrong and Han Jiale. But do you realize that you're taking away HSBC's interests by trying to use this opportunity to swallow Hang Lung Bank?"

Shen Bi's reaction was unexpected, contrary to his previous discussions with his uncle.

This shows that Shen Bi was absolutely ruthless in dealing with people and matters that conflicted with HSBC.

Lijiagang didn't beat around the bush anymore.

Facing Sir Michael Sandberg's icy gaze, Li Jiagang did not back down. He took a deep breath and, following the strategy his uncle had taught him, slowly began, "Mr. Sandberg, you're right, I do want to take over Hang Lung. But do you think it's more beneficial for HSBC to have Hang Lung controlled by a group of unscrupulous Southeast Asian capital, or to have Hang Lung controlled by your friend?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Bi frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and gestured for him to continue.

Seeing that Shen Bi's attitude had softened and was no longer as tough and unapproachable as before, Li Jiagang was relieved and knew that the matter was negotiable.

"Zhuang Kunrong and Han Jiale colluded with more than just Nanyang Capital," Li Jiagang pointed to a detail in the document, "Look here, Hang Lung has had several large-scale fund flows within six months."

In particular, this HK$500 million short-term loan, nominally an interbank loan, actually flowed through an offshore company to a shell bank in the Philippines.

Furthermore, while Philip Company appears to be a private company, it is backed by Hang Lung Properties and, in conjunction with the Unification Agency of the Philippines, has been constantly encroaching on Hong Kong's Chinese-owned businesses. My father was one of the victims.

What does this tell us?

This indicates that Hang Lung is colluding with Philippine overseas consortia to infiltrate Hong Kong, operating as an organization specifically for foreign capital to raise, launder, and siphon off funds, and that its motives may even exceed our expectations.

Shen Bi's gaze sharpened slightly.

Li Jiagang had been watching his expression closely, and although his action was inconspicuous, he still managed to catch it.

As the tycoon of HSBC and the pillar of Hong Kong's financial sector, what he fears most is the instability of the financial system, especially the infiltration of foreign capital that erodes local industries and leads to capital outflow.

Li Jiagang wanted to open up Shen Bi's closed heart and make him willing to cooperate with him.

Before Sir Michael Sandberg could think further, Li Jiagang pressed on, saying, "If I succeed, Hang Lung Bank will completely sever its ties with Southeast Asian capital and become a purely Chinese-owned bank."

Li Jiagang spoke sincerely, "And behind this Chinese-owned bank stands HSBC. This not only proves to London that HSBC has the ability to control Hong Kong's financial landscape, but also demonstrates to other Chinese-owned conglomerates that HSBC's influence in Hong Kong's financial sector is unshakeable by foreign capital."

"And I believe that even if my involvement in the banking industry does not threaten HSBC's interests, but rather represents a powerful alliance and a mutually beneficial collaboration."

Shen Bi fell silent, leaning back in his chair, his gaze intently scrutinizing Li Jiagang. This young man was more ambitious than anyone he had ever met, and he knew better how to exploit human weaknesses.

But undeniably, his words were not without reason, and they resonated with him deeply.

The threat of allowing the Nanyang conglomerate to control Hang Lung Bank and wreak havoc in Hong Kong is indeed far greater than the threat of Li Ka-shing controlling the bank.

At least he knows Lijiagang inside and out.

He knew a little about the Nanyang Unification Organization, but who was behind it? Could there be conglomerates from Singapore or Malaysia involved?

He was unsure about any of these things.

At the same time, what impressed Sir Michael Sandberg the most was Li Jiagang's statement that making Hang Lung Bank purely Chinese-owned would undoubtedly show London that HSBC had the ability to manage Hong Kong's financial sector well.

It also allows local Hong Kong businesses to see that HSBC is the true financial giant in Hong Kong.

This has always been HSBC's guiding principle, and it was also the thing that Sir Michael Sandberg most wanted to accomplish after taking office.

"Li," Sir Michael Sandberg finally spoke, his tone softening somewhat but still carrying a warning, "you're playing with fire. Hang Lung is no small company, and with the power behind it, if you fail, HSBC's reputation will also be damaged."

"I will not fail," Li Jiagang replied resolutely. "Of course, I need your support, not just financially, but also in terms of attitude. As long as HSBC remains neutral at this time," refusing to lend a helping hand to Hang Lung, and ensuring that Hang Seng and other banks within the HSBC system refuse to help, and that Standard Chartered and others are pressured into not providing assistance, I am confident that I can completely break Hang Lung Bank's financial chain within a week."

"Oh, it seems you came prepared."

"You might even have included me in your scheme, kid. You're really terrifying."

Shen Bi stared at him for a long time, his tone sarcastic towards Li Jiagang, but with a smile and an appreciative look in his eyes.

"Tell me the details of the plan," Shen Bi's tone returned to its previous gentleness, "and besides what you just mentioned, what benefit does HSBC gain from helping you?"

"Most importantly," Sir Michael Sandberg's tone sharpened again, "after you take over Hang Lung Bank, how do you plan to develop it, and how do you guarantee that it won't create conflicts of interest with HSBC?"

"As long as you can convince me on this point and make a guarantee that I can trust, I'll play this game with you, and even cooperate fully."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiagang was thrilled.

He sensed that Shen Bi was interested.

He was just one step away from launching his plan. He also already had a strategy in mind to persuade Shen Bi, and Shen Bi's reaction to this point was exactly what they had anticipated.

Of course, this was all part of his uncle's plan.

When he was discussing with Li Yongsen how to persuade Shen Bi, he was also very impressed when his uncle put together the whole plan.

He was able to predict Shen Bi's every word and action, and even his reactions and movements.

Such brilliant strategy.

Li Jiagang couldn't help but admire, even idolize, his uncle.

If his uncle hadn't lacked the ambition of Li Ka-shing and Pao Yue-kong, Li Jiagang would definitely believe that his achievements in history wouldn't have been so low, given his intelligence.

Joining the ranks of top-tier wealthy families is a given.