webnovelfull Chapter 141 9 Dragons Warehouse Acquisition 3
Chapter 141 9 Dragons Warehouse Acquisition 3
Nestled in the dense shade of camphor trees, a white house in the Victorian architectural style stands quietly, surrounded by carved iron railings.
Inside those iron bars, even the air seemed to be frozen, filled with a tense atmosphere.
Yes, this is the villa of the shipping magnate of Hong Kong.
At this moment, the shipping magnate's study was filled with so much smoke that it was almost dripping wet.
The large rosewood desk was covered with densely packed documents, and on top of it was the Oriental Daily, which had just been printed this morning.
The boldface of the headline was particularly glaring...
Jardine Matheson announced that it will exchange one Jardine Matheson share for five Wharf Holdings shares, with a three-day window for the exchange.
In the leather chair behind his desk, the shipping magnate frowned, his knuckles white from gripping the pen so tightly.
He had just finished a ten-hour transoceanic flight and rushed back to Hong Kong from a cruise ship ordering conference in Europe.
Moreover, before he even had a chance to change his clothes after arriving home, he was cornered in the study by a group of "confidants and advisors".
"Shipping magnate, Jardine Matheson's move was too ruthless!"
The speaker was the finance manager of Bao's Shipping, who slammed a crumpled equity structure report on the table.
His voice was full of exasperation, "On the surface, they're restructuring assets, but in reality, they're undermining our foundation!"
Which retail shareholder of Wharf Holdings doesn't know the prestigious name of Jardine Matheson?
One share of Jardine Matheson is worth more than twice the market value of five shares of Wharf Holdings.
"Once this share swap plan is announced, retail investors will definitely go on a selling spree for Wharf Holdings shares!"
The general counsel standing next to him nodded in agreement, his face as solemn as if covered in frost.
"What's even more ruthless is that Jardine Matheson is forcing us to take a stand."
If we don't follow up during the three-day window, all the retail investors' shares will be bought up by Jardine Matheson.
The 18% stake in Wharf Holdings that we had painstakingly acquired after investing billions of Hong Kong dollars has now become meat on the chopping block.
But if we follow suit, we'll have to use our shipping working capital, and right now is exactly when the shipping industry needs money.
New ship orders from Europe are still pending payment, and our cash flow simply can't hold up!
The executives spoke one after another, their anxieties surging like a tide.
The shipping magnate leaned back in his chair and wearily pinched the bridge of his nose.
The silver strands at his temples were particularly noticeable under the light, and the days of travel had left this shipping magnate, who had dominated the shipping industry for decades, looking somewhat worn out.
Wharf Holdings was the property he had coveted for five whole years.
This long-established British-owned enterprise, which controls most of the port warehousing business in Hong Kong, is not only a vital artery of Hong Kong's shipping industry.
It is also a crucial step for their shipping company to move from "sea" to "land".
In order to gain control of Wharf Holdings, he mortgaged three giant oil tankers to raise enough funds to acquire the shares.
With the shareholding ratio gradually approaching the 20% warning line, no one expected Jardine Matheson to suddenly launch such a surprise attack.
"After the darkest hour comes the dawn..."
The shipping magnate muttered to himself, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the table.
"Is it really going to all be for naught?"
He was not reconciled.
From an ordinary apprentice in Ningbo, mainland China, to the "World Shipping King" who now owns hundreds of ships.
The shipping magnate has faced countless storms in his life, but never before has he been caught in such a dilemma as he is today.
Jardine Matheson's move struck right at his Achilles' heel...
The cash flow needs of the shipping industry and the capital requirements for real estate acquisitions are inherently a difficult contradiction to reconcile.
Just then, there was a gentle knock on the study door, and the butler tiptoed in.
"Shipping magnate, this is your private call. It says it's from Secretary Chen of Zhonghua Group."
"Zhonghua Group?"
The shipping magnate was stunned for a moment and didn't react immediately.
Zhonghua Group has a fairly well-known reputation in Hong Kong. Its main businesses are game console manufacturing and real estate development, and it has almost no connection with its shipping industry.
His only impression of her was that Su Wanqing, the head of the group, was a young but capable rising star.
He frowned, sat down by the phone, picked up the receiver, and said wearily, "This is the shipping magnate, Secretary Chen. What can I do for you?"
A crisp, capable female voice came from the other end of the phone; her speech was slow but clear.
"Hello, Mr. Lin Zhou, I am Chen Man, his secretary."
"Excuse me for bothering you, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you—our Zhonghua Group currently holds 22% of Wharf Holdings' ordinary shares."
"What?"
Bao Yugang suddenly stood up from his chair, his voice rising abruptly, causing everyone in the study to turn their heads in unison.
He almost dropped the phone receiver; his heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and even his breathing faltered for a beat.
22%!
This number was like a thunderbolt, splitting the layers of gloom that had shrouded the villa.
He had previously used most of his shipping company's assets, along with the help of a group of Chinese-owned allies, to barely scrape together an 18% stake.
And Zhonghua Group has quietly accumulated 22% of the shares?
This means that as long as he can acquire these shares, his shareholding ratio will instantly exceed 40%, directly crushing Jardine Matheson and firmly taking control of Wharf Holdings!
"22%...22%..."
The shipping magnate kept repeating the number, his whole body trembling slightly with excitement.
The fatigue and anxiety of the past few days vanished, and an amazing light shone in his eyes.
He slapped his thigh hard, his voice almost overflowing with ecstasy.
"After the darkest hour comes the dawn! It truly is a case of 'after the darkest hour comes the dawn'!"
At this moment, the executives in the study also came out, and upon hearing this, they all became excited and gathered around.
The worry on his face vanished instantly, replaced by unbelievable joy.
The finance manager was so excited that his voice was trembling:
"Shipping magnate, this is a stroke of genius! Zhonghua Group is... offering timely help!"
The shipping magnate was also somewhat dizzy from the sudden good news, until his assistant gently touched his arm.
He suddenly came to his senses and almost shouted at Chen Man on the other end of the phone, "I need them! I desperately need these shares!"
Secretary Chen, name your price, no, I'll offer 105 yuan per share!
This price is a full fifteen yuan higher than the market price, which is definitely a great deal!
On that day, Wharf Holdings closed at HK$90 per share on the Hong Kong stock market. The shipping magnate immediately offered a high price of HK$105, which was enough to show his determination to win.
He knew in his heart that the price was far beyond the value of the stock itself, but for the sake of Wharf Holdings and the future of their shipping group, the money was well spent!
Chen Man on the other end of the phone did not immediately agree; her voice remained calm, without the slightest hint of emotion.
"Shipping magnate, I can't make the decision about the price."
Mr. Lin Zhou said he greatly admires your courage and vision, and would like to speak with you in person.
Bao Yugang's heart sank slightly, but then he relaxed again.
He understood that such a large transaction, involving billions of Hong Kong dollars, was certainly not something a secretary could make a decision on their own.
He composed himself and softened his tone: "No problem! Mr. Lin can come directly to my house anytime!"
"Mr. Lin Zhou means that he will personally visit you at 10:00 AM tomorrow."
Chen Man then added, "At that time, we will bring the shareholding certificate and discuss the specific transaction details with you, the shipping magnate."
"Good! Good! Good!"
The shipping magnate said "good" three times in a row, his smile almost overflowing.
"I've instructed the butler to prepare fine tea, eagerly awaiting Mr. Lin's arrival!"
After hanging up the phone, the shipping magnate let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if all the bones in his body had relaxed considerably.
He turned around, looked at the executives in the room who were all beaming with joy, and waved his hand sharply, his voice loud and clear.
"Stop looking so gloomy! Get the drinks ready! Tonight, we're drinking until we drop!"
The atmosphere in the villa instantly became electric, with the long-suppressed anxiety replaced by ecstasy.
The shipping magnate was deep in thought, wondering why Zhonghua Group would suddenly offer up 22% of Wharf Holdings' shares at this critical juncture.
Is it simply for investment profit? Or is there another motive?
Would the other party be satisfied with a price of 105 yuan per share?
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind, yet a smile that he could not hide remained etched on the corners of his mouth.
No matter what, it's enough that we managed to survive a desperate situation.
Tomorrow, if we can just get through tomorrow's negotiations, Wharf Holdings will change hands!