Siheyuan (courtyard house): My name is Shazhu!

The news that Dongda Group invested in seven companies, bought 30% of their shares, and provided them with a low-interest loan of 1 billion yuan did not elicit any opposition from their bosses or employees.

At this point, the company was basically on the verge of bankruptcy, and the acquisition and investment by Dongda Group was a shot in the arm.

These seven companies have potential; otherwise, Dongda Group wouldn't have been so optimistic about them, specifically acquiring 30% of their shares and providing them with a loan of 1 billion yuan to help them overcome their difficulties.

Dongda Group is optimistic about them, so we should definitely buy their stock. It's a good idea to hold onto it since the price is low and it will surely appreciate.

Seven companies experienced a "miracle," starting to rise against the trend in a plummeting stock market. They not only stopped falling but also rose by about one dollar from their original price.

Then it stopped, there was no more trading volume, and investors simply wouldn't sell their shares, and they couldn't buy them even if they wanted to.

The owners and employees of the seven companies were happy, as this wave of events had stabilized their businesses and prevented them from going bankrupt. Moreover, with the Dongda Group halting its acquisition of a 30% stake and the loan in place, they could expand the implementation plan.

They don't care about Dongda Group taking a 30% stake; the purpose of selling the shares is to raise money to expand the company's scale.

It doesn't matter who holds the shares. Working for which shareholder makes money is still making money. It's just a matter of going from a retail investor to becoming part of Dongda Group.

Four subsequent news items ignited the Hong Kong market: Dongda Group had acquired two companies from three consortia in succession, and Dongda Group would have to pay at least 10 billion Hong Kong dollars, but Niu Niu Ren didn't care.

From now on, three of the four major conglomerates will be under the control of Dongda Group, leaving only Hutchison Whampoa, which has no intention of selling its shares.

Dongda Group Press Conference!

"Why did Sir Robert Ho want to acquire the four major trading companies? Why did Hutchison Whampoa fail to acquire them?"

"The reason for acquiring them was that I had always disliked Jardine Matheson. After buying Hongkong Land and Electric Holdings, I saw how they could operate with only financial services left."

It wasn't an acquisition by Swire Group; rather, it was a share swap between me and them, exchanging shares of NiuNiu Beihai Oilfield with Swire Group's shares in Hong Kong City.

Both sides got what they needed, and the atmosphere was very friendly. They will cooperate again in the international arena in the future, which will just be normal business exchanges.

I believe everyone knows what the situation is like at Wheelock Group; it's a bit chaotic. I think the company is quite good, and it could be consolidated. Too many factions within a company hinder its development.

The Qingzhou Yingni project was acquired, and the ExxonMobil tank farm was also exchanged. These two sites are suitable for real estate companies to develop land, and using them as factories and tank farms would be a waste!

As for Hutchison, they were heavily indebted, but they thought they were still doing well. They held more than 50.1% of the shares, while we only had 41%, so we had to give up the acquisition.

However, I personally do not have a good opinion of Sir John C. Tseung Kwan. His ambitions are too great. He can't manage more than 400 companies!

Especially with oil prices rising today, several companies will continue to lose money in their main businesses, and I hope Sir John Trevor will accept our acquisition offer.

Hutchison has its strengths and shouldn't let itself decline!

We will offer a suitable acquisition price!

We also acquired a 21% stake in Peninsula Hotels and a 22% stake in CLP Power. I am optimistic about the future prospects of these two companies.

"Why didn't Sir Ho acquire all the companies? Why only acquire 20% to 30% of the shares?"

"We are just a company, and it's impossible for us to acquire all the businesses in a city. I personally don't like doing that."

Our company has a bank and an investment department. They believe that the stock market is currently very low, and our investment in several struggling companies, along with loans, will help them get out of their predicament more quickly.

Don't forget, everyone, we have employee retirement pensions, which require investment to generate income and then deposited into their retirement accounts.

The money to buy their shares came from their retirement accounts, the loans were provided by the company, and they receive half of the annual profits from the shares. We don't know how many more investment opportunities like this will arise.

"Sir He, do these company employees belong to Dongda Group?"

"The investment company isn't; the employees of the acquiring company are."

Will any company still be broken up and sold off?

"Yes, we will not leave some industries that are not related to our company. We are responsible to them and to other employees. We will not enter any industry without being prepared."

All I can say for this is my apology!

What about the employees of the companies under the Swire Group?

"These are employees of our company, which is preparing to enter the aviation industry. We will increase the number of air routes and purchase large passenger aircraft to make travel more convenient for the people of the port city."

"How much has Dongda Group invested in total?"

"Even with loans, it's less than 16 billion!"

"Sir Ho, is your company's acquisition only targeting Niu Niu Trading Company? Are you trying to drive them out of Hong Kong?"

"No, it's because they have too many good industries in their hands. For various reasons, they developed early and took away the good industries in the port city."

Our company wanted to expand but had no choice. We made a little money last year, and with the stock price very low, our investment department screened companies all over Hong Kong and discovered an indisputable fact.

Good industries and port cities occupy land and docks, and they are responsible for shipping. Our company now exports many of its goods and buys various mineral resources from abroad, which requires shipping and the expansion of wharves.

There was no other way but to acquire their company. Of course, the reason for acquiring Jardine Matheson was that their debt ratio was too high, they had little cash, and they were constantly causing trouble!

He Yuzhu wouldn't say at this point, "I'm going to clean up their big company."

Ordinary people work for their company, eat their food, use their products, and dare not oppose these outsiders even if something happens.

Eight of the ten major trading companies here have already been taken down by He Yuzhu and his men, leaving only Hutchison Whampoa as the target.

By the 1970s, Renji Trading Company had ceased to have any actual business operations, and its historical role had long since ended.

It's safe to say that of the ten largest trading companies in history, only Hutchison Whampoa remains; there's no way you could possibly be the only one left.

As for other small companies, don't care. They're just barely surviving. They'll only be judged by their value in the future!

Although He Yuzhu did not explicitly state that he was targeting foreign firms, anyone with eyes could see his attitude!

As for the Peninsula Hotel, the other party held too many shares, making it impossible to acquire. As for the power company, Dongda Group already owns an electric lighting company, so it cannot own two power companies at the same time.

Dongda Group is just a front; its other underlings are secretly acquiring shares in their two companies and will not allow their family to remain if given the chance.

I have no liking for the hoopoe-man!

Moreover, after 97, shares could be exchanged freely. Electricity is too important for a modern city, as is waterworks.

Niu Niu understood what He Yuzhu meant by doing this. There was no other way; his family back home was planning to give up on this place because of the poor economy.

What kind of plan is going to come up this time? Let's wait and see!

The actions of the Dongda Company gave the local natives a boost of confidence, and they understood what Sir He meant: the foreigners had many good things in their hands, and they could buy them.

Moreover, they want to acquire more companies; their only remaining target is Hutchison Whampoa, and all other companies are open to acquisition.

Including Niufeng Bank and Niuzha Bank, Dongda Group doesn't need them; their banks are far more powerful.

But I don't have the money to acquire them, so I'll just lie in bed and think about how to acquire them!

Niu Feng Bank and Niu Zha Bank breathed a sigh of relief. They were afraid of being acquired by Dongda Group, as only their company in Hong Kong had that kind of power.

These are all listed companies rushing to buy back their own shares, leaving no possibility of being acquired.

Then they want to curse: Dongda Group, who do you think you are if you don't acquire us?

We are a large bank!

We want the benefits and perks of your employees!