Reborn as a tycoon in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airways, founded in 1946, is the first airline to provide civil aviation services in Hong Kong and the only airline in Hong Kong.

At present, Cathay Pacific Airways is affiliated to the Swire Group and is the only airline in Hong Kong. It has a monopoly on Hong Kong's external aviation business.

No matter which industry it is, as long as it is a monopolistic enterprise, there is basically no possibility of losing money.

"There is only one airline in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, and it is also a subsidiary of the Swire Group. It will not be easy to acquire it."

It was not only difficult for Lin Baicheng to put down the information he had. He knew that it was basically impossible for him to acquire Cathay Pacific from the Swire Group, unless he offered a premium of several times.

However, a premium of several times is obviously impossible. Let's not talk about whether Lin Baicheng will become the biggest victim. This is not the way to do business.

"Mr. Lin, Cathay Pacific has a monopoly on Xiangjiang's aviation business, and its annual profits are quite large. Therefore, it is impossible for the Swire Group to sell Cathay Pacific without special circumstances."

Qin Lan, who was sitting opposite Lin Baicheng, said aloud.

"It's a pity. It would be nice if Cathay Pacific's recent major accident happened within the past year or two."

Lin Baicheng picked up the information and read it again, feeling a little regretful. Information shows that Cathay Pacific Airways had a major accident in June 1972. A bomb was placed on a flight, causing the plane to explode and 81 people on board were killed.

Such a major accident will definitely cause Cathay Pacific to be hit hard. If someone wants to acquire Cathay Pacific at a premium at this time, the shareholders of the Swire Group may transfer Cathay Pacific out of interest considerations.

Unfortunately, it is now the end of 1979, seven years have passed, and the negative impact of the plane explosion on Cathay Pacific has passed.

Now, Cathay Pacific creates considerable profits for Swire Group shareholders every year and is a good asset. Shareholders will not sell Cathay Pacific easily.

"Mr. Lin, if you really want to acquire Cathay Pacific, you can try HSBC and entrust HSBC to acquire it from the Swire Group. Maybe there will be some hope."

Qin Lan made a suggestion. Although she felt that even if HSBC took action, it was unlikely to succeed, there was still a glimmer of hope.

"You can try HSBC."

Lin Baicheng nodded slightly and decided to try HSBC's Shen Porridge. Anyway, even if it didn't succeed, there would be no loss.

On the same day, Lin Baicheng asked Qin Lan to help him arrange a meeting with Shen Chou, and then discussed with Shen Chow about entrusting HSBC to acquire Cathay Pacific Airways.

When Shen Zong learned that Lin Baicheng had entrusted HSBC to acquire Cathay Pacific from the Swire Group, he first agreed and then said that the matter was very difficult. Cathay Pacific was operating very well and it was almost impossible for the Swire Group to sell Cathay Pacific.

Shen Porridge said that he was just trying to ask, but the possibility of success was low, and Lin Baicheng had to be mentally prepared.

Lin Baicheng also knew that the possibility of success was low, but there was still hope if HSBC tried. If he didn't take action, there would be no hope at all.

Only one day later, Shen Porridge contacted Lin Baicheng and informed him that Swire Group clearly refused to sell Cathay Pacific, stating that Cathay Pacific was not for sale and did not even offer a price that was as high as a lion's share, which showed its determination.

In this way, Lin Baicheng had no choice but to accept it. He had no choice but to sell the company.

However, Lin Baicheng, who discovered that Hong Kong was only an aviation service company like Cathay Pacific, was unwilling to give up so easily.

Realizing that it was almost impossible for him to acquire Cathay Pacific, Lin Baicheng began to plan to open another company. The Swire Group's rejection made him decide to take action.

There will definitely be huge resistance to starting a company to compete when there is only one airline, Cathay Pacific. The Swire Group, a vested interest, will definitely not let Lin Baicheng start an airline to compete with itself.

This is Xiangjiang, and the British still call the shots in Xiangjiang, so Lin Baicheng is not prepared to face the pressure of the Swire Group alone.

Lin Baicheng is planning to find someone to form a joint venture. People such as Bao Yugang and Guo Henian are good partners. Their joining can allow everyone to work together to withstand the pressure exerted by the Swire Group through the British side.

On Saturday, Lin Baicheng, Bao Yugang, Guo Henian and Hu Yinxiang gathered at Lin's house.

There was a reason why Lin Baicheng didn't ask out Huo Yingdong and Zheng Yudong this time. The reason for not making an appointment with Zheng Yudong is because Zheng Yudong has relatively small capital, and if the airline is really established, the initial investment will be quite large.

As for not asking Huo Yingdong, that's because the establishment of the airline would have been blocked by the Swire Group. If there was another Huo Yingdong, the hope of establishing the new company would be even lower.

Before China and Britain sign relevant contracts on the return of Hong Kong, it is obviously best not to set up a company with Huo Yingdong. Otherwise, the company will only be suppressed by the Hong Kong government and it will basically be difficult to succeed.

Yesterday, facing Lin Baicheng's invitation, Bao Yugang and the other three agreed to get together and set a time and place for their meeting at noon today.

At about 2:30, Lin Baicheng, Bao Yugang, Guo Henian and Hu Yinxiang had afternoon tea together in the garden of Lin's villa.

Father Lin and Mother Lin are not in Xiangjiang now. They flew to Los Angeles the day before yesterday to see Lin Qin. However, they don't plan to stay in Los Angeles this time. They have two nephews from the mainland. They must watch and take care of them and not leave for a long time.

It was precisely because his parents were not at home that Lin Baicheng decided to meet at home.

"Lin Sheng, when you invite us to get together this time, you really don't just want to chat with us, right?"

The four of them drank tea and chatted for a while, and then Bao Yugang looked at Lin Baicheng with doubts.

Lin Baicheng smiled and nodded: "I just want to get together and chat with you, but I also have something to discuss with you."

"Lin Sheng, what's going on?"

Guo Henian couldn't help but wonder if Lin Baicheng wanted to invest in something with everyone.

"Is such that."

Lin Baicheng said to the three of them: "A few days ago, I suddenly felt that there was a lot of potential in the aviation industry, so I wanted to acquire airlines. After checking, I found that there is currently only one Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong and no other competitors."

"Cathay Pacific is part of the Swire Group, but Cathay Pacific is not a listed company. I don't think you can acquire Cathay Pacific, Lin Sheng, right?"

After hearing this, Bao Yugang immediately said that when he decided to go ashore, he checked many high-quality companies in Hong Kong, and Cathay Pacific Airways was one of them. However, he knew that it was basically impossible to acquire Cathay Pacific, so he did not take any action at all.

Lin Baicheng nodded: "Sheng Bao is right. I entrusted HSBC's Shen Daban to acquire Cathay Pacific for me, but the Swire Group clearly refused."

Hu Yinxiang asked with a question on his face: "Lin Sheng, why did you mention this matter to us?"

"I'm still a little bit unwilling to give up."

Lin Baicheng did not hide anything, and said to the three of them: "I think since I can't acquire Cathay Pacific, why can't I establish an airline? I know that if an airline is established, Cathay Pacific, which has a monopoly on the aviation business, will definitely stop it. Swire The group will definitely try its best to stop it, so I want to unite a few people and work together to establish the airline."

Bao Yugang shook his head gently: "Lin Sheng, this is not an easy task. After all, the British have the final say in Xiangjiang now."

Lin Baicheng said with a smile: "If people don't tell secrets, if this is not difficult, I can set up an airline by myself. There is no need to find a few more people."

Hearing this, Bao Yugang, Guo Henian and Hu Yinxiang couldn't help but nodded in agreement. If they could really monopolize the benefits, let alone Lin Baicheng, they would choose to monopolize the benefits.

Lin Baicheng said: "Three of you, let's not consider the difficulty of establishing an airline now. Let's first talk about whether the three of you are optimistic about the aviation industry and whether you want to invest in establishing an airline with me. Let's decide first whether we want to cooperate together." , and then we’ll talk about the difficulties.”

Bao Yugang immediately said: "With the reform and opening up of the mainland, the importance of Xiangjiang as a bridgehead connecting the mainland and overseas will continue to become more prominent. The aviation industry will definitely have great potential. I am willing to invest in a joint venture with Lin Sheng to establish an airline company."

"I don't have a problem either."

Guo Henian followed closely. The future prospects of the aviation industry are foreseeable and the possibility of making money is great. He has no reason to refuse.

"I'm also willing to cooperate."

Hu Yinxiang nodded, and then asked: "But what is everyone's investment ratio and shareholding ratio?"

Lin Baicheng said to the three of them: "If we all cooperate together, we will have as many shares as we contribute. I think everyone should have no problem with this, right?"

"No problem!" "That's fair!" "Okay!"

Regarding this point, Bao Yugang, Guo Henian and Hu Yinxiang all had no objections.

"Then, in terms of investment ratio, Bao Sheng and I each contribute 30%, and Guo Sheng and Hu Sheng each contribute 20%. What do you think?"

Lin Baicheng asked aloud, if he could not hold 30% of the shares, then there would be no need to establish this airline. If he could not make much money after being busy, why would he do so many things?

"I'm OK!"

Guo Henian just pondered for a moment and agreed. Even if the four people split it equally, he would only have 25% of the shares. In this case, it would be better to sell Lin Baicheng to save face. Besides, if you hold less shares, you can make less money, which is not a bad thing.

"That's okay with me too."

Seeing that Guo Henian agreed, Hu Yinxiang did not object after hearing the words. After all, it was Lin Baicheng who asked them to cooperate. It would make sense for Lin Baicheng to have more shares. It would also make sense for Bao Yugang to be stronger and have more shares than him.

Besides, this was his first time working with Lin Baicheng and Bao Yugang, so it was best not to worry about it, so as not to leave a bad impression on others.

"I have a question!"

Bao Yugang solemnly said: "In this cooperation, Lin Sheng, you are the sponsor after all. It makes sense that you hold more shares than us. But it doesn't make sense that I hold more shares than Guo Sheng and Hu Sheng. Therefore, I hold more shares than us." 20% of the shares are fine, Lin Sheng, you hold 40% of the shares, so you can determine who is the leader."

"If Lin Sheng and I have the same shareholdings, which one of us will be in charge? The lack of clear leadership will not only be detrimental to our establishment of the company, but will also be detrimental to our development plan for the company after it is established."

"this"

Lin Baicheng was a little surprised.

Upon seeing this, Guo Henian said: "Lin Sheng, please don't refuse. A snake without a head is really not good."

"That's the truth."

Hu Yinxiang also agreed with this and clearly put Lin Baicheng as the leader, so that internal strife would be less likely to occur. More importantly, the three of them collectively own 60% of the shares, so there is no need to worry about Lin Baicheng messing around.

Of course, if the three of them joined forces to fight against Lin Baicheng, they would definitely not do that unless they had no choice, because doing so would mean breaking up with Lin Baicheng.

"Since the three of you have said so, I won't refuse."

When Lin Baicheng saw this, he was no longer polite. No matter if he had 10% more shares, he would like to have as many shares in the airline as possible.

Afterwards, the four people discussed the total investment amount of the airline and decided to invest 500 million to 1 billion Hong Kong dollars in the early stage. The details will be discussed after the airline is established.

Now, the most important thing for Lin Baicheng and the four of them is to establish the airline. If the company cannot be established, there is no point in discussing it in detail now.

The four of them all know that establishing an airline will definitely face resistance from the Swire Group. If they want to establish an airline, they must be approved by the Hong Kong government. Once they apply to the Hong Kong government to establish an airline, the Swire Group will know about it immediately.

Therefore, it is useless to launch a surprise attack. The Swire Group will respond as soon as possible. What they need to do is publicize the Hong Kong government and get the Hong Kong government to agree to their establishment of an airline.

Bao Yugang said to Lin Baicheng: "Lin Sheng, how big the profits of the aviation industry are, how big the resistance we face will be, so we have to prepare for a long-term battle and want the Hong Kong government to agree to our establishment of an airline in a short time. I’m afraid it’s not that easy.”

Hu Yinxiang said: "The first thing we have to do is to prevent the Hong Kong government from immediately refusing to approve our establishment of an airline. As long as we can do this, we can take our time later."

"I will talk to Sir Mai, Bao Sheng, Guo Sheng, Hu Sheng, you must also contribute."

Lin Baicheng nodded and said to the three of them that he was looking for them to join the joint venture just so that they could share the pressure and contribute together.

"We will all do our best."

Bao Yugang immediately said that they were doing their best for their company and of course they would not neglect it.

"yes."

Guo Henian and Hu Yinxiang also meant the same thing. If they didn't want to contribute, they would not agree to cooperate together.

Lin Baicheng said: "We lobby first and get the support of some people to ensure that there is hope to establish an airline, and then apply to the Hong Kong government to establish a company. We can hide this from Swire Group for as long as we can."

All three of them agreed with this. Doing relevant work in advance can ensure an invincible position.

After that, the four people discussed how to deal with the pressure from the Swire Group and formulated a rough plan.