Reborn Tycoon Rise

Chapter 211 Battle for Hutchison Whampoa (20)

"Xu Sheng wants to buy these two buildings?" John's eyes lit up and he was immediately interested. Wheelock's current policy is to make a fortune on this land in Xiangjiang. Although the current real estate market is crazy, Those who can buy these two buildings are all tycoon-level figures, and the tycoons are obviously not easily affected by the market. Although there are several potential buyers, they are all locked in price negotiations.

Xu Zhi smiled and said: "Yes, you know my financial capabilities. As long as the price is negotiated, the transaction can be done immediately! Mr. Madden, can you quote a price?"

"You want a quote now?" John glanced at Kadoorie next to him and said, "Sheng Xu, although Wheelock wants to sell these two buildings, there are some internal problems that cannot be explained clearly in a few words right now!"

Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Because of the Zhang family?"

"Xu Sheng knows quite a lot!" John smiled and said, "Yes, these two buildings have a close relationship with the Zhang family, and the Zhang family is also the major shareholder of Wheelock. Xu Sheng wants to buy this building. We have to discuss it with the Zhang family."

"Understood!" Xu Zhi nodded. The Zhang family is not only the major shareholder, but also the controlling shareholder. In history, almost everyone thought that Li Jiacheng's entry into Hutchison Whampoa was the first time a Chinese acquired a major British bank. But in fact, In the early 1970s, the Zhang family of Federal Real Estate already held more than 25% of Wheelock's stock, while the Madden family, which had a nominal controlling stake, only held a dozen percent.

The reason why the Zhang family was able to obtain so many shares of Wheelock was because in the early 1970s, Wheelock reached a consensus with the Zhang family in order to acquire properties in Central. The Zhang family invested in Wheelock with two buildings, the Federal Building and the International Building. , obtained huge shares.

The reason why it is being sold now is because the Zhang family, like the Madden family, is not optimistic about the future of Xiangjiang. In the original history, the Zhang family's Federal Real Estate and Li Jiacheng formed a joint company and sold it for HK$1 billion in August 1980. After purchasing two buildings and selling them for 2.2 billion six months later, Li Jiacheng made a net profit of HK$600 million.

But this transaction must have a huge inside story. Why did the Madden family agree to sell it at a low price of HK$1 billion? You must know that at that time, the Golden Gate Tower was sold by Jardine Matheson for HK$1 billion, and why did the Zhang family want to give it to them in vain? Li Jiacheng holds half of the joint venture shares, but all the parties involved are unwilling to disclose it, which naturally becomes one of the mysteries of Hong Kong business.

John Madden smiled and said: "As long as Xu Sheng reaches an agreement with the Zhang family, there won't be any big problems on my side."

Xu Zhi nodded and said: "Okay, in this case, I hope that everyone can cooperate perfectly in the next Hutchison Board of Directors."

"No problem!" John was relatively happy and naturally agreed. He actually didn't care who controlled Hutchison. Weili had given certain benefits before, but they were nothing compared to the transaction of two Central buildings.

"Hmph!" Michael Kadoorie was obviously not happy. The partner next to him had benefited, but he was threatened. This contrast was really unpleasant.

Xu Zhi joked: "Mr. Kadoorie, if you have any ideas, you can come to me at any time. I am also very interested in your hotels."

"No need." Mi Gao refused directly: "Xu Sheng should take care of his own affairs first. We are not the only directors of Hutchison Whampoa!"

Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Indeed, but since you two have distinguished status, of course I have to come forward in person. What about the rest? It should have been settled by now."

While Xu Zhi was facing Kadoorie and John Madden, Wang Liming and Yao Mingcheng also met with several other directors respectively. They either met the other party's transaction requirements or threatened to acquire the other party's industry. However, one company actually wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to sell out. In his own company, Yao Mingcheng saw that the other company also had several good properties, and he agreed immediately. He would only buy it directly after checking the account assets in the future. If there is nothing fishy, ​​he could buy it directly.

All is ready except for the opportunity!

The time soon came a week later, and Wei Lizhi was holding this board meeting with great enthusiasm.

This time, HSBC also sent someone, but it was not Shen Bi but Pu Weishi. It was also the first time that Xu Zhi met the future HSBC executive. According to the historical route, Shen Bi would retire in 1985, and the person who would take over his position would be in front of him. of pampas grass.

Seeing that everyone was present, Wei Li said: "Today's board of directors meeting mainly focused on three things. First, our Hutchison Whampoa Group's third quarter profit has come out, which was HK$67.2 million. This is also the third consecutive quarter in recent years. Quarterly profits have increased nine times, and although the company's current debt ratio is relatively high, it has come out of a loss-making state."

"It's really good!" Everyone seemed to have their own thoughts and didn't care about the number. Only Xu Zhi replied awkwardly, but having said that, Wei Li did have some ability. Before Hutchison, he had been working professionally. Manager, he saved several companies, otherwise Shen Bi would not have asked him to manage Hutchison Whampoa.

Now Hutchison Whampoa has actually come out of trouble. Except for a huge seaport project that suffered serious losses, other branches have begun to make profits, forming a virtuous circle. However, there are too many liabilities accumulated in the past, and it is difficult to fully recover.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Wei Li stopped bragging too much and continued: "The second thing is about Xu Sheng's previous proposal to privatize Hutchison Whampoa. Everyone can vote!"

Everyone whispered to each other, and as Wei Li expected, everyone except Li Jiacheng abstained from voting.

Wei Li smiled and said: "Xu Sheng, your proposal was rejected by the board of directors, but according to the company law, you still have two options:

First, hold a shareholders' meeting as a major shareholder and ask all shareholders what they want.

The second is to increase the shares to 50.1%, and then implement a general takeover offer in accordance with the takeover law. "

Although it seemed like he was giving Xu Zhi a good explanation, the arrogance could still be heard in his words.

Xu Zhi smiled and said: "Since the board of directors has vetoed it, there is no rush to complete the acquisition."

"Okay." Weili said with a smile: "Then let's move on to the next topic. You should have seen the information of Wenong Group and possible future cooperation plans.

Let me reiterate here that this vote does not determine the final amount and price of financing. It only obtains authorization from a board of directors. After approval, the company's senior management will conduct business negotiations with Wesfarmers Group, and the final result will be voted on again by the future board of directors. , so even if you object, you can state your reasons, but don't use price as the reason. "

After saying that, Wei Li glanced at Xu Zhi with a smile and asked, "Xu Sheng, you are the largest shareholder of our company. What do you think?"

Xu Zhi said with a smile: "Although I am a major shareholder, I don't understand Hutchison Whampoa's business after all. I think I should abstain from voting this time! If other directors agree, I will agree."

"Oh!" Wei Li was a little surprised, but also felt that there was something wrong. He frowned and looked at everyone and said, "Shall we start voting now?"

Everyone still looked at each other, and a few began to whisper among themselves. Weili coughed dryly, but said nothing more.

Seeing that no one was speaking, John Madden said, "I object to this proposal!"

"Why?" Wei Li's eyes wanted to kill people. He didn't know when this guy became a traitor.

John Madden smiled without explaining, and Michael Kadoorie followed suit and said, "I object too!"

After taking the initiative, several other directors immediately followed suit and voted against it.

Li Jiacheng and Pu Weishi, who were following behind, frowned, and then expressed their disapproval. Since it was different from the script, they had to immediately go with the flow.

"You!" Wei Li was so angry that he almost wanted to curse, but the situation here did not allow him to lose his temper.

Xu Zhidao: "It seems that this Xinong Group is unpopular!"

Wei Li looked at Xu Zhi with a smile, and knew that he must be behind this matter, but since the matter had come to this, he could only let it go, so he said: "Okay, in this case, the board of directors is over this time. "

"Wait a minute." Xu Zhi interrupted: "I have another proposal. Let's vote together!"

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