Reborn as a tycoon in Hong Kong

Office of the Governor.

There were only Lin Baicheng and Mailihao here. For this negotiation, Mailihao specifically told his secretary to wait until the conversation was over before reporting anything even if something happened.

Mailihao said: "Lin Sheng, I think you came here today to inform me of your decision, right?"

"good."

Lin Baicheng nodded.

"What do you mean, Lin Sheng?"

Mailihao showed concern. Although he believed that Lin Baicheng would agree to invest in the UK if nothing unexpected happened, there was no guarantee whether Lin Baicheng would do so. If Lin Baicheng didn't agree, it would have a huge impact on him.

Once Lin Baicheng doesn't agree, Downing Street will definitely be dissatisfied. Downing Street will definitely ask him to suppress Lin Baicheng, and he can't refuse. Even if he is just showing off to Downing Street, he will still have to do something, so his relationship with Lin Baicheng will inevitably be affected.

Since he and Lin Baicheng are no longer friends, Mailihao's loss is not small. First of all, on the private investment side, I know that this investment is unlikely to have a huge return, and may even suffer losses; furthermore, Lin Baicheng is now very powerful, and losing such a partner will mean that he will lose an absolutely perfect partner when he is transferred back to London. Good help.

With MacLehose's seniority and political achievements, it is not impossible to move back to London and take further steps. If there is the support of big capital, he can even embark on the road of running for prime minister. In the past, he had no big capitalist friends, but now Lin Baicheng has this strength and has a good relationship with him. The two parties can cooperate with each other, so he does not want to lose this future partner.

As for protecting Lin Baicheng, that is absolutely impossible. Once MacLehose does this, it will mean that he has offended Downing Street. In that case, even if he has the support of big capital, he will not be able to go further.

Therefore, if MacLehose really had to choose, MacLehose would only choose Downing Street.

Lin Baicheng said: "I decided to let Hutchison Whampoa invest in the UK, but there are some things we need to talk about."

"Lin Sheng, please speak."

Maliho couldn't help but smile after hearing this: "Since Hutchison Whampoa is willing to invest, whether it's Lin Sheng or Hutchison Whampoa, if you have any difficulties, just tell me and I'll see if I can help solve it."

Lin Baicheng said: "Xiangjiang Airlines, as I told Sir Mai last time, I wonder when the establishment of the company will be finalized?"

Mailihao immediately said: "Procedure review will take some time, but don't worry, Lin Sheng, this time won't be too long."

"I believe Sir."

Lin Baicheng nodded. He believed that Mailihao would not lie to him or go back on his word after agreeing to his promise.

"Sir, I have to say one thing first. Hutchison Whampoa's investment in the UK cannot be as much as a billion dollars at once. The specific investment amount depends on whether the project the company wants to invest in goes smoothly. At most, it should not be It’ll be over a billion dollars.”

Mailihao said: "I know this, but the investment amount is not less than 500 million US dollars. What do you think, Lin Sheng?"

"Yes, if the investment goes well, the investment this time will be no less than US$500 million."

Lin Baicheng nodded. If the acquisition of the Bentley brand and technology goes smoothly, then the investment amount this time will definitely be no less than US$500 million. The acquisition of brand technology requires a sum of money, and the investment in the design and manufacturing of new cars will definitely require a sum of money. It is hard to say whether the total of US$500 million will be enough.

Maliho said: "Sheng Lin, Downing Street is currently undergoing state-owned enterprise reform and selling some state-owned enterprises to private individuals, so there are many projects that can be invested. If you are interested, Mr. Lin, you can ask Hutchison Whampoa to invest more."

Lin Baicheng couldn't help but shake his head: "The state-owned enterprises that need to be sold must be suffering serious losses, right?"

"The reform of state-owned enterprises is indeed aimed at those enterprises with serious operating losses, but not all of these enterprises have negative equity. Some enterprises have very good technology. After private individuals take over it and invest a sum of money, it is entirely possible to improve the operation of the enterprise. Condition."

Maliho tried to put it in the best possible light.

Lin Baicheng said directly: "Sir, let me ask you a question. Will the employees of these state-owned enterprises reformed be unable to be laid off after private ownership?"

"If we discuss it with Downing Street, I think we can still get a certain proportion of dismissals."

What Mai Lihao said was ambiguous. How could such a state-owned enterprise be able to fire employees at will? If it were that simple, the reform of state-owned enterprises would have progressed very smoothly.

If employees are fired, they will definitely be dissatisfied with the government. They and the votes they can influence will definitely not vote for the party in office. First of all, the support rate of the members and the MPs will definitely drop, and eventually the opposition party will take office.

Therefore, politicians will never do anything that has an adverse impact on votes.

Shaking his head, Lin Baicheng said directly: "Sir, I have something to say up front. There is no problem in asking Hutchison Whampoa to invest in the UK, but Hutchison Whampoa was not in the past to receive bad assets, but to make money in the future after investing. If Hutchison Whampoa invested in the past to spend money to take over the business, then I think it’s better to forget it. I have to be responsible for the interests of other shareholders and myself, and Hutchison Whampoa will not choose to spend money to buy Ping An.”

"I understand what you mean, Lin Sheng. Don't worry. Since it is an investment, Downing Street will not let Hutchison Whampoa spend money in vain. Otherwise, who will dare to invest in the UK in the future? Don't you think so?"

Regarding this, Mailihao still dared to assure Lin Baicheng. It is true that Downing Street needs Hutchison Whampoa's investment, but it has never thought of grabbing money openly. Downing Street will never do such a thing that affects the credibility of a country.

"With Jazz's guarantee, I'll feel relieved."

Lin Baicheng couldn't help but nod. As long as there was a safe transition in the past few years and the return of Hong Kong was confirmed, Downing Street and the Hong Kong government would no longer be a threat to him in the future.

Lin Baicheng is now the richest man in Hong Kong. Under the premise of Hong Kong's return, even if Lin Baicheng offends the Hong Kong government, the Hong Kong government will not have a good way to deal with Lin Baicheng, and the suppression of business may not be effective.

After all, it will be returned to China in more than ten years. The Hong Kong government will no longer be able to do whatever it wants in Hong Kong. The Chinese officials will not allow it, and the various families in Hong Kong will not allow the Hong Kong government to do whatever they want.

Maliho asked: "By the way, Lin Sheng, do you have any direction for Hutchison Whampoa's investment in the UK?"

“I am ready for Hutchison to enter the automobile manufacturing industry.”

On this point, Lin Baicheng did not hide it. He said: "I asked Weili to investigate. The current situation of the British automobile industry is not very good. The domestic market is largely occupied by cheaper Japanese cars, not to mention the overseas market. , the auto industry is shrinking every year.”

"I also know about this situation. It's exactly what you said, Lin Sheng."

Although Mailihao works in Xiangjiang, he still knows some about the domestic political and economic situation.

"Lin Sheng, can you change this situation?"

"Change? Who knows, I'm not sure."

Lin Baicheng listened and said: "I am optimistic about the prospects of the automobile industry, so I want to acquire an automobile company and then build cars. Not to mention defeating Japanese cars, as long as we can maintain the situation, we can always find opportunities with continuous investment."

To be honest, Lin Baicheng is really not sure about defeating Japanese cars. After all, the popularity of Japanese cars in the world has already demonstrated the superiority of Japanese cars. All he can bring to car companies is funds, whether it is model design or car manufacturing technology. He can't even help the company, so he has no chance of defeating Japanese cars.

When he was not sure, Lin Baicheng also asked Hutchison Whampoa to enter the automobile industry. This was certainly not because he felt that he had too much money and no place to spend it.

In the mainland market, if Hutchison Whampoa has its own car company, Lin Baicheng can let Hutchison Whampoa cooperate with mainland car companies to allow cars to enter the mainland market.

As long as they establish a foothold in the mainland before the 21st century, car companies will definitely not lose money.

Besides, this is the worst-case scenario. Maybe with the investment of funds, automobile companies can occupy a place in overseas markets, and with the support of the mainland market, it is entirely possible for automobile companies to develop into the world's top 500.

Maliho said: "The investment in the automobile industry is not small, but Hutchison Whampoa is not short of money now. Lin Sheng, you can delve deeper into this industry, and maybe you can make a difference."

"I'm going to ask Weili to go to the UK to investigate first and see which car companies can be targeted."

Lin Baicheng did not reveal that Hutchison Whampoa’s first target was Bentley. If Downing Street thought that Hutchison Whampoa had to have Bentley, then even if Downing Street agreed to sell it, it would definitely kill Hutchison Whampoa and charge a high price.

"I still have some connections in London. Lin Sheng, if you need anything, you can contact me."

MacLehose doesn't mind helping. If Hutchison Whampoa invests in automobile companies in the UK, its influence will be greatly increased. In the future, he will need such influence and support if he wants to go further.

"I won't be polite if necessary."

Lin Baicheng did not refuse. With connections, after helping each other, everyone's relationship will become closer.

Malihao said: "Sheng Lin, when are you going to send Mr. Weili over? I can tell Downing Street so that Downing Street can arrange someone to receive him."

Lin Baicheng thought for a while and said: "It will take some time for Hutchison Whampoa to investigate the car company in the UK. In addition, my birthday is coming soon. I plan to ask Wei Li to go there at the end of February. I will tell you the specific day then. You see how?"

"No problem. Lin Sheng can arrange for Weili's class to come whenever it's convenient for you."

Since Lin Baicheng has agreed to let Hutchison Whampoa invest in the UK, the specific time to pass is not so urgent, as long as it is not delayed for several months.

"Well, when Weili and the others go to London, I will ask him to contact Jazz."

Lin Baicheng nodded, drank tea, and chatted with Mailihao for a few words.

Later, Lin Baicheng turned to talk about other things: "Sir, regarding the Tin Shui Wai New Town plan I proposed, I still hope you can help. This is also a good thing for the Hong Kong government, isn't it?"

After hearing this, Mai Lihao said: "I also know that this is a good thing, but the interests involved are not small. You need to communicate with Lin Sheng in all aspects. I can only say that I have no objection and will support you. But I can’t express my support from the beginning, so you have to understand my difficulty.”

"Then Sir, do you have any suggestions?"

This was not the first time Lin Baicheng heard this. He also knew that as the governor, it was not easy for Mailihao to favor him openly, so he did not insist that Mailihao help.

Mai Lihao didn't want to help. He couldn't force him even if he wanted to, and he couldn't force Mai Lihao.

"The plan for Tin Shui Wai New Town is very good. The investment in this project is not small. I think Lin Sheng, you can contact more companies for cooperation. For example, Swire Properties, Land Company, etc. are all good choices. Lin Sheng, you should understand what I mean. .”

MacLehose reminded aloud that it would be easier for many members of the Hong Kong government to smooth their relationships with British capital.

"I understand what you mean, Sir. I'll think about it again."

Lin Baicheng nodded. The Tianshuiwei New Town project was huge, and it would not be easy for him to handle it alone. But if he cooperated with British capital, the plan might be able to unfold more smoothly.

But the problem is that the relationship between Lin Baicheng and Yingzi is not good, and since he created this project, he is always a little unwilling to let Yingzi come in and get a share of the pie.

"Lin Sheng, please think about this yourself slowly. I can only help you so much."

With that, Mailihao gave a final reminder: "Lin Sheng, when doing business, interests come first. If you can reach cooperation with British capital, your current mutual hostility may be changed, or at least alleviated. This It’s not bad for you.”

"Thank you Sir for reminding me, I will seriously consider it."

Lin Baicheng didn't talk to Mailihao about this. He really needed to think about it carefully.

Afterwards, Lin Baicheng and Mai Lihao chatted for a while, and then Lin Baicheng said goodbye and left.

After leaving the Hong Kong government, Lin Baicheng returned to Hutchison Whampoa in an extended Lincoln.

On the way back, Lin Baicheng couldn't help but think about MacLehose's suggestion, that is, whether to cooperate with British capital.

But soon, Lin Baicheng remembered one thing, that is, after the return of Xiangjiang is confirmed, some British capital will definitely choose to withdraw from Xiangjiang, or move their headquarters away from Xiangjiang.

To put it simply, they were reluctant to part with the business in Xiangjiang, but they were afraid that their company's assets would be confiscated by Chinese officials after Xiangjiang returned, so they chose to move their headquarters away from Xiangjiang, so that they could accept losses even if they suffered.

But in this case, Lin Baicheng has no need to cooperate with British capital. After all, such companies will not be able to assist him in business in the future.

Instead of cooperating with British capital, Lin Baicheng might as well find Chinese capital to cooperate. Furthermore, if such a large project seeks British capital instead of Chinese capital, then those Chinese real estate tycoons will definitely have objections to Lin Baicheng. They don’t know how they will arrange Lin Baicheng’s project behind the scenes, which will cause bad reputation to Lin Baicheng. Influence.

Therefore, when he thought of this, Lin Baicheng immediately gave up the idea of ​​​​cooperating with British capital, but he could consider cooperating with Chinese capital.

Fortunately, this matter is not urgent. Even if there is a partner, the Tianshuiwei New Town project will not be decided immediately. Lin Baicheng has enough time to consider it and is not in a hurry to make a decision.