In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 754 Treating Lin Haoran as a sucker?

At this moment, Ma Shimin already knew that what the boss wanted to build was not a bloated behemoth, but a unified yet flexible, powerful yet agile business ecosystem!
Lin Haoran looked at Ma Shimin's heartfelt admiration and simply smiled faintly.

He was merely standing on the shoulders of giants, having happened to have seen relevant information on the internet in his previous life.

Today, it's simply drawing on the management wisdom of some successful multinational corporations from later generations.

But in Ma Shimin's view, this was undoubtedly a groundbreaking and ingenious idea.

“It’s good that you understand the essence. The specific details and implementation will require you and the future committee members to refine and promote them. The success of this model depends on its execution,” Lin Haoran nodded and smiled.

"Don't worry, boss! I fully understand your strategic intentions! With these four principles as the guiding principles, the committee's specific charter and operating rules will have a soul and direction!"
"I will definitely come up with a feasible plan that not only meets your vision but also fits the actual situation of each of our groups!" Ma Shimin's confidence grew.

At this moment, he was filled with unprecedented confidence and motivation to complete the important task assigned by his boss.

He seemed to already see how, under the guidance of this advanced management model, the "Galaxy" commercial aircraft carrier would flexibly and powerfully forge ahead through the waves.

However, there's no rush to establish the 'Galaxy Strategic Development Committee' yet, as there are still many other things waiting for them to handle.

Ma Shimin put the draft of the Strategic Development Committee document given to him by his boss Lin Haoran into his briefcase, and then said, "Boss, things have come to this point. It's time to put an end to your shareholding battle with Mr. Li Jiacheng."

Therefore, it would be best if you, Boss, and Mr. Li Jiacheng jointly held a press conference to make this matter public. Before I returned, Mr. Li Jiacheng already said that we would arrange this and he would cooperate fully.

In this battle for control of the shares, Li Ka-shing was clearly the loser, so it's understandable that he didn't want to host this press conference.

Lin Haoran nodded. Both Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa are large Hong Kong companies and listed companies, so it is indeed necessary to make their identities public.

So he said, "Alright, in that case, go ahead and make the arrangements. Send invitations to the mainstream media companies in Hong Kong. Let's set the time for eleven o'clock. Mr. Li Jiacheng shouldn't have any problems, right?"

It's not even 10 o'clock yet, giving these media outlets a little over an hour to come over is more than enough.

After all, Hong Kong is only a small place, and mainstream media are mostly concentrated in the city center, which is even smaller. Basically, if the notification is received, most of them can arrive within half an hour.

Lin Haoran didn't care about those who were too late; their absence was a loss for these media outlets.

“There shouldn’t be any problem. I’ll call Mr. Li Jiacheng first. If there are no issues on his end, I’ll have the public relations department send invitations to all mainstream media immediately!” Ma Shimin nodded and said.

"Okay, then go ahead and get busy!" Lin Haoran waved his hand.

"Yes, boss!" Ma Shimin, who is about to be promoted to chairman of the 'Galaxy Strategic Development Committee', is now full of enthusiasm.

Watching Ma Shimin's departing figure, Lin Haoran smiled, stood up from his chair again, walked to the round window, and looked towards the Hong Kong Stock Exchange once more.

Over there, the faint sounds of stock market investors' chatter could still be heard.

The trading floor has descended into madness.

At 10:07 AM, a mysterious buy order of 500,000 lots suddenly appeared in Cheung Kong Holdings, violently boosting the stock price by 30%, almost reaching HK$21 per share!

"It's Galaxy Securities! It's definitely Galaxy Securities, Lin Haoran has made his move!" Some investors frantically chased the rising stock price.

"I think it's Li Ka-shing's side paying the price. He can't just sit and wait to be defeated. This is the start of a counterattack!" Another group of shareholders firmly believed that this was Li Ka-shing's desperate counterattack and followed suit by buying in.

The trading hall was bustling with noise as bulls and bears clashed fiercely. On the huge, simple electronic screen, the stock price curve of Cheung Kong Holdings fluctuated violently like a roller coaster, with trading volume surging. Every large order affected the nerves of countless people.

The air was filled with a unique smell of money, sweat, and tension.

Whether they firmly believed that Lin Haoran would win in the end, or thought that Li Jiacheng had a stronger foundation, they were all unsettled by this sudden huge amount of money being spent, yet they couldn't help but throw themselves into this thrilling game of wealth.

However, none of them knew that this seemingly fierce battle had actually been decided last night.

The dramatic battles currently taking place in the market are nothing more than a self-indulgent frenzy and gambling among individual investors and some belatedly aware capital.

The true masters of the game have already left their seats and are preparing for the next stage of their strategy.

People crowded to the trading counters, and buy orders piled up on the brokers' desks like snowflakes.

All the stock market investors were hoping to take advantage of Lin Haoran and make a killing off him.

Just like back then, when Pao Yugang used approximately HK$21 billion in cash within hours to increase his control of Wharf Holdings from 30% to 49%.

Today, all stock market investors carry this idea: they dream of becoming the ultimate winner in this seemingly fierce tug-of-war over stock prices and achieving a surge in wealth.

In any case, these shareholders think that Lin Haoran has a lot of money, so it's perfectly reasonable for him to let them make some money!
They just wanted to make Lin Haoran the sucker.

In a relatively quiet VIP box in the trading hall, A-Feng, a senior trading manager at Baoyuan Securities, frowned as he quickly analyzed the trading volume and buy/sell order volume.

“No, this volume is too fast and too sudden!” he whispered to his colleague next to him. “Look, although the buying is surging, the large orders are not sustained. Many of them are orders from retail investors following the trend, and it’s very strange.”

"What's wrong, Feng?" A colleague came over.

“At 10:07 just now,” Ah Feng pointed to the hastily hand-drawn stock price chart, where a sudden vertical upward line appeared, “an instantaneous surge of 500,000 buy orders violently pushed the price up by 30%! This tactic is too aggressive, unlike Lin Haoran’s steady style; it seems more like a bull trap!”

Not long after the market opened, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong, so he deliberately had his men place 50,000 lots to confirm his own thoughts.

Now, he is even more certain.

A bull trap?

My colleague's expression changed.

If the price was deliberately artificially inflated to attract more retail investors to buy in...

If they continue to chase the price up, wouldn't that be very dangerous?

"Let's look at the support and resistance levels," Ah Feng continued. "Although the buy orders below are substantial, they're mostly small orders piling up. The real big buy orders were quickly withdrawn after the initial bluff. This is a classic baiting tactic!"

Without further hesitation, he decisively ordered: "Notify our clients that those with open positions to start placing sell orders in batches! Set the prices high, and take advantage of the current market activity to sell as much as possible! We're not getting involved in this mess!"

Soon, Baoyuan Securities' account began to move.

A number of substantial sell orders quietly appeared in the high-price sell queue, like shadows lurking among the revelers.

However, those who are so clear-headed are ultimately in the minority.

More often than not, people believe that this opportunity is profitable.

The stock market frenzy continues.

The market is in a frenzy of selling; the stock prices are still skyrocketing!
"Charge! Lin Sheng is definitely going to buy up shares! Li Ka-shing won't give up easily, there's bound to be another big battle!" A retail investor in a floral shirt waved his receipts, shouting at the top of his lungs, his face flushed red.

"Yeah! It's only 38.4% to 40%, such a small difference. With Lin Sheng being so dominant, how could he not cross the line? Li Ka-shing will definitely be on high alert! Buy now! Now is the time to follow the trend and make a killing! Lin Sheng is definitely going to be the sucker! The more he buys, the more we make!" A bald, middle-aged man next to him shouted loudly on purpose.

However, the bald middle-aged man was merely a shill from Baoyuan Investment.

The phrase "sucker" had become an unspoken understanding among many retail investors in the trading hall.

It has even become a phrase that many stock market investors often use.

These messages were quickly relayed to Galaxy Securities headquarters through Galaxy Securities' employees stationed at the stock exchange.

Many retail investors and some less powerful investment teams believe that Lin Haoran, this young "stock market sniper," will inevitably continue to frantically buy up shares in the secondary market at any cost in order to seize control of Cheung Kong Holdings.

In order to preserve his power, Li Ka-shing will certainly fight to the death and drive up the stock price.

This dramatic "two dragons vying for the pearl" is a golden opportunity for these small investors to reap the benefits!

Lin Haoran's substantial wealth made him a "fat sheep" in their eyes, someone they could take the opportunity to "harvest".

"Buy! Sweep up as much as you can! Follow Lin Sheng and you'll have money every day!" The slogans rose and fell.

The trading terminal was crowded with people, and the sounds of transactions blended into a rapid noise.

Buy orders poured in like snowflakes, propelling Cheung Kong's stock price upwards like a runaway horse.

The retail investors' faces glowed with excitement, their eyes gleaming with greed for huge profits.

They calculated that as long as the news of Lin Haoran continuing to raise his stake came out, the stock price could rise to another level. That would be the time for them to safely withdraw, leaving Lin Haoran holding the bag at a high price.

40%.

50%.

60%.

Within an hour of the stock market opening, Cheung Kong Holdings' share price had risen by a full 64% compared to the opening price.

If things continue as they are, and if things develop normally, it's no problem for Cheung Kong Holdings' stock price to double by noon.

And Cheung Kong's market capitalization might just break into the top three.

It's insane, the stock market investors have all gone mad.

They were all waiting for Lin Haoran to come and buy their shares with loads of cash.

Around 10:30 a.m., just as Cheung Kong's stock price was pushed to another peak by retail investors' enthusiasm, and the entire trading hall was almost in a state of collective frenzy, a sudden piece of news was poured down like ice water.

"Hey! Did you hear? Hongkong Land Group! The parent company of Galaxy Securities has just issued an urgent notice that a press conference will be held at 11:00 AM at the Connaught Building! TVB Jade will broadcast it live throughout Hong Kong!" A broker holding the latest pager information shouted loudly.

"What?!" The frenzied atmosphere froze for a moment, then erupted into an even greater uproar.

"A press conference? Now? Are you kidding me! The stock market is in full swing! Lin Sheng has time to hold a press conference?"

"What's going on? Holding a press conference at this hour? Are they announcing a shareholding increase plan? Are they telling everyone to keep following?" "Wait a minute! If it were good news, they should have announced it before the market opened! What does holding it now mean?"

"Could it be that Li Ka-shing's side couldn't hold on any longer, and some major negative news broke out?"

Various speculations have emerged.

Retail investors who were initially convinced that "Lin and Lee will definitely have a showdown" now have a thick cloud of doubt hanging over their hearts for the first time.

The dream of that "sucker" seemed to have been punctured, and a sense of unease quietly seeped in.

“Kang Le Building, isn’t that Lin Sheng’s headquarters? Why is he holding a press conference at this time…” Some previously frenzied stock investors looked at the stock price on the electronic screen, which remained firm but whose trading volume was beginning to show subtle changes, and cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

"Something's not right...something's really wrong..."

Meanwhile, in a conference hall of the Kang Le Building, more than a hundred reporters had gathered.

This is the very place where those shareholders of Cheung Kong Holdings previously held a press conference.

At this moment, there are still ten minutes until 11:00 AM, but all the invited media reporters have already arrived!
51st floor, Lin Haoran's office.

"Boss, all the reporters have arrived. In addition, Mr. Li Jiacheng has also arrived at the Kang Le Building and is heading to the conference hall for the press conference, accompanied by Mr. Ma Shimin," Ma Shimin's assistant reported as he entered.

"Okay, I understand!" Lin Haoran nodded and got up to leave.

"In addition, Mr. Dai from Galaxy Securities asked me to pass on a message to you: the share price of Cheung Kong Holdings has risen wildly. People from the exchange have relayed that many shareholders want to take advantage of you, boss, waiting for you to do what Mr. Bao Yugang did when he spent money to acquire Wharf Holdings shares," the assistant continued.

Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran's lips curled into a meaningful smile. How interesting.

"A sucker?" He chuckled, his tone slightly mocking.

"The idea is good, but unfortunately, they've chosen the wrong target."

He straightened his suit and tie, and walked calmly towards the door, heading downstairs to the press conference.

In the corridor outside the conference hall, Lin Haoran met Li Jiacheng.

At this moment, although Li Jiacheng looked somewhat haggard, he no longer had the obvious dejection he had yesterday. Instead, he had a calmness that came from accepting reality. Even deep in his eyes, there was a subtle, complex scrutiny of the young man in front of him.

"Mr. Li, thank you for your trouble, it's too much trouble for you to make this trip in person." Lin Haoran extended his hand, his tone was calm and respectful to his senior, but without any hint of weakness.

Li Jiacheng shook hands with him, applying just the right amount of pressure, and forced a business-like smile on his face: "Mr. Lin, you're too kind. This is an important matter, and it's only right that I be there. In the future, I will have to learn a lot from you, Mr. Lin."

These words were spoken flawlessly, acknowledging the current situation while preserving his dignity.

The two exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word.

The smoke of past conflicts seems to have dissipated, and future cooperation and competition will unfold within a new framework.

Of course, Lin Haoran couldn't care less about what Li Jiacheng was thinking.

The press conference started promptly at 11:00 AM.

The spotlights illuminated the podium brightly.

TVB Jade had already set up its live television equipment and was pointing it at the podium, beginning its live broadcast.

Ma Shimin strode onto the stage, while reporters below held their breath, awaiting news that would determine the market's fate.

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Ma Shimin went straight to the point, his voice clearly carried throughout the venue through the microphone: "Thank you for attending. The purpose of this press conference is to issue a final announcement regarding the matters concerning Galaxy Securities, Cheung Kong Holdings, and Hutchison Whampoa Holdings."

He then explained the recent abnormal market fluctuations. Now, please welcome our boss, Mr. Lin Haoran, and Mr. Li Jiacheng, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cheung Kong Holdings, to be seated!

As soon as Ma Shimin finished speaking, the scene erupted in an uproar.

Viewers watching on television were also shocked.

Especially in the stock exchange, when the live broadcast came on a TV in the corner, all the stock investors were stunned.

Joint press conference between Li Jiacheng and Lin Haoran?

What's going on? Shouldn't they be fighting over shares of Cheung Kong Holdings?

Why are the two of them here at the same time?
Why did they hold a joint press conference?

A series of question marks exploded in the minds of all the stock market investors watching the live broadcast.

The deafening clamor in the trading hall was abruptly cut off by an invisible hand, instantly plunging into an eerie silence.

Countless eyes were fixed on the television screen, their faces filled with disbelief.

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Lin Haoran and Li Jiacheng calmly walked onto the stage and took their seats.

Both men were unusually calm. Lin Haoran exuded a confident and composed air, while Li Jiacheng displayed a calm demeanor that came from weathering many storms. However, the very sight of them sitting side by side was enough to leave everyone who had speculated about the "two dragons vying for a pearl" speechless.

Ma Shimin didn't give the audience or those watching on screens much time to process the shock. He picked up a prepared document and read it aloud in a clear and powerful voice:

"With the formal confirmation of Mr. Lin Haoran and the board of directors of Cheung Kong Holdings, and with all relevant legal procedures completed, Mr. Lin Haoran successfully completed the acquisition negotiations yesterday for the 40% stake in Hutchison Whampoa held by Cheung Kong Holdings, thereby obtaining absolute control of Hutchison Whampoa."

At the same time, Galaxy Securities, holding 38.4% of Cheung Kong Holdings' shares, officially became the second largest shareholder of Cheung Kong Holdings.

With the conclusion of the re-election of the board of directors of Cheung Kong Holdings Limited, Mr. Lam Ho-yin, the actual controlling shareholder of Hongkong Land Group, has been appointed as the new vice chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings Limited.

Later, Cheung Kong Holdings and Hutchison Whampoa will issue their respective announcements.

After Ma Shimin finished speaking, he led the applause.

However, the first reaction of the reporters below was not to applaud, but after a brief silence, a tidal wave of questions erupted, with microphones reaching out like a forest of guns towards the two people on the stage.

Shocking! These news reports are absolutely shocking!

If Li Jiacheng hadn't shown up, they wouldn't have believed these words were true.

At this moment, Li Jiacheng took the microphone.

Immediately, the entire scene fell silent.

Everyone was eager to see what Li Jiacheng would say.

Li Jiacheng sighed inwardly, then said, "Ladies and gentlemen, as Mr. Ma Shimin said, the business competition between me and Mr. Lin Haoran has officially ended."

Since Cheung Kong Holdings no longer holds any shares in Hutchison Whampoa, I have submitted my resignation to the board of directors of Hutchison Whampoa. Effective today, I, Li Ka-shing, will no longer hold any position at Hutchison Whampoa.

At the same time, I warmly welcome Mr. Lin Haoran to the Cheung Kong Holdings family, and I hope that together we can make Cheung Kong Holdings' future even brighter!

His words seemed somewhat insincere.

However, this also proved that what Ma Shimin said was true.

The reporters on the scene were stunned by this sudden bombshell news. After a brief silence, a flood of questions came in.

"Mr. Li, what were your considerations in choosing to sell your shares in Hutchison Whampoa?" A young female reporter asked first, her voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

Li Jiacheng slightly adjusted his posture, his gaze calm yet profound: "Business competition is like this, with its ups and downs. Mr. Lin has demonstrated extraordinary strength and vision. Hutchison Whampoa may be able to open a new chapter in his hands."

My decision to step down is also to give more opportunities to the younger generation, and at the same time, I want to refocus my energy on Cheung Kong Holdings and seek new developments.

Another reporter followed up with, "Mr. Lin, now that you have successfully acquired Hutchison Whampoa's shares and become the vice chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings, what are your plans for these two groups going forward?"

Lin Haoran smiled confidently, “Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong Holdings are both gems of Hong Kong’s business world, possessing profound heritage and outstanding teams.”

Going forward, as the controlling shareholder, I naturally hope that Hutchison Whampoa will develop even better; as for Cheung Kong Holdings, I believe that with Mr. Li Ka-shing at the helm, I don't need to worry too much."

The reporters in the audience took quick notes while continuing to bombard the audience with a variety of pointed questions.

This press conference undoubtedly became the focus of attention throughout Hong Kong, and every answer could trigger a chain reaction in the market.

Meanwhile, at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the trading hall remained eerily silent.

The investors, who were just moments before caught up in the frenzy of stock trading, were now frozen in place, as if under a spell.

The sudden news of the press conference was like a heavy hammer blow, completely shattering their dream of "taking Lin Haoran as a sucker".

"How...how is this possible? How could this be?" The retail investor who was wearing a floral shirt and had been shouting for others to rush in was now deathly pale, clutching the recently completed transaction slip tightly in his hand, his eyes filled with despair and disbelief.

The balding middle-aged man has gracefully disappeared from public view.

Looking at the stock market investors around him who were still in shock and unable to extricate themselves, he couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions. He felt sympathy for those who blindly followed the trend, as well as pride in his own wise decision.

"It's all over, it's all over! The stock price is definitely going to plummet!" Someone shouted, and this shout acted as a fuse, instantly igniting panic in the trading hall.

The previously strong stock price curve began to plummet as the market panicked and sold off.

The numbers on the simple electronic screen kept changing, and every change made the investors' hearts clench.

Those stock investors who were previously dreaming of a windfall are now only thinking about how to sell their stocks as quickly as possible to minimize their losses.

"Mine, mine, trade mine quickly! Sell now!" In front of the trading counter, people frantically crowded together, scrambling to throw away their stocks.

Brokers were extremely busy, quickly completing one transaction after another, but still could not meet the urgent selling demands of investors.

(End of this chapter)