In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 757 So what if he's the top leader? He'll be fired!
After listening to Lin Haoran's words, Richard and the others relaxed their tense nerves slightly and breathed a sigh of relief.

Richard, along with Xia Boyin, Wei Peter, and others, exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes they all saw a glimmer of hope.

Lin Haoran continued, "The company's development cannot be separated from new ideas and vitality. While ensuring that everyone has autonomy in their respective professional fields, I also hope to reach a consensus with everyone on some strategic directions and work together to promote Hutchison Whampoa's continuous development."

At this moment, Business Director Xia Boyin hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Mr. Lin, we have always been committed to the stable operation of Hutchison Whampoa, and we hope that you can give us enough trust and space so that we can continue to give full play to our expertise in our respective business areas."

Lin Haoran nodded slightly and said, "Of course, I have always respected the opinions of professionals. But at the same time, I also hope that everyone can understand that the group is a whole and we need to work together to move towards a common goal."

I have heard that during Mr. Li Ka-shing's tenure at Hutchison Whampoa, some senior Chinese executives were forced to resign. Mr. Li's control over Hutchison Whampoa was weak, and his power was severely undermined, which is not a good sign.

I hope that from today onwards, Hutchison Whampoa can create a more equitable and inclusive working environment.

Lin Haoran brought this up specifically to give these people a warning.

As soon as Lin Haoran finished speaking, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze instantly.

His gaze calmly swept across the faces of every executive present, finally lingering on Richard's face for half a second, almost imperceptibly.

This seemingly casual word "knock" was like a boulder thrown into a seemingly calm lake, stirring up a storm in Richard's heart and the hearts of his relatives.

Xia Boyin's statement just now, expressing his hope to gain "trust and space," was originally a tentative first step in their plan, intended to create an atmosphere of unity among management and a desire for autonomy.

However, Lin Haoran not only failed to appease them, but instead directly raised two sensitive topics: "Chinese executives forced to resign" and "Li Jiacheng's power being undermined," which completely disrupted their plans.

Richard's heart sank.

He had realized that this new boss was far more difficult to deal with than Li Jiacheng.

In order to maintain stability, Li Jiacheng adopted a tolerant or even tacit attitude towards such matters. As long as the performance looked good, he was unwilling to investigate the internal personnel infighting.

It can be said that for nearly a year, he has basically been the one to call the shots at Hutchison Whampoa.

Although Li Ka-shing had nominally taken control of Hutchison Whampoa and become its chairman, his actual power was very limited.

Therefore, Lin Haoran's statement that Li Jiacheng's power was effectively usurped is indeed true.

But what they didn't expect was that Lin Haoran, as soon as he took office, directly exposed this hidden intention, making his intention to establish his authority obvious.

After a brief silence, Richard knew he had to step forward.

Retreating would mean that their meticulously planned "coup" would fail before it even officially began, and it would also mean that they would completely lose their bargaining power with Lin Haoran in the future.

He cleared his throat, trying to maintain a calm and sincere expression, and said in English, "Mr. Lin, our management team also deeply regrets the issue you raised."

The business world is like a battlefield, and staff turnover is sometimes unavoidable. The departure of some colleagues is based on a comprehensive consideration of their personal career development or performance evaluation. We always adhere to the principles of professionalism and fairness.

Of course, the fair and inclusive work environment you advocate is precisely the goal that we at Hutchison Whampoa have always pursued, and our management team will certainly do our utmost to implement it.

These words both attempted to downplay the past events and conveniently took over Lin Haoran's "banner," making them seem very cooperative.

As for the so-called undermining of Li Ka-shing's management control over Cheung Kong Holdings, he simply pretended not to hear it.

However, Lin Haoran merely nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, his gaze remaining deep and unfathomable, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

The pressure from this silence is more unbearable than a direct questioning.

Richard decided to stop beating around the bush and reveal his hand.

He glanced at Xia Boyin and Wei Peter beside him, and both of them nodded almost imperceptibly in support.

Richard adjusted his posture and said in a more solemn tone, "Mr. Lin, you just mentioned that strategic direction requires consensus, and we fully agree."

In order to ensure the continued and stable development of Hutchison Whampoa and to maximize the effectiveness of the management team, our core management team, after careful discussion, drafted a "Proposal on Optimizing the Future Governance Structure of Hutchison Whampoa."

As he spoke, he gestured to his secretary to hand Lin Haoran a document that had been prepared beforehand.

Ma Shimin sat to the side, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, but he remained silent.

He realized that this was the expected "attack".

He looked at Lin Haoran, who calmly picked up the document and slowly began to read it, his face showing no emotional fluctuation.

This proposal is meticulously worded, filled with technical jargon and management theories, but its core message is very clear:
It is hoped that Lin Haoran, as the major shareholder, can play the role of a financial investor and strategic direction approver, just as Huifeng Bank did in the later period when it became the major shareholder of Hutchison Whampoa, and completely delegate the power of daily operation, personnel appointment and dismissal, project decision-making and other powers to the professional management team led by Richard Xin.

They euphemistically call it "establishing a modern enterprise system" and "achieving an effective separation of ownership and management" to ensure the "professionalism and continuity" of the company's operations.

The proposal even subtly suggests that excessive intervention by major shareholders could affect the morale of the management team, lead to the loss of key personnel, and ultimately harm the company's long-term interests.

This is practically a blatant threat.

Lin Haoran read very slowly, and the only sound in the conference room was the rustling of papers turning.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the new boss's reaction.

Richard and the others harbored a sliver of hope, wishing that Lin Haoran, like Li Jiacheng, would weigh "stability" against "power" and choose the former.

Finally, Lin Haoran closed the file and gently placed it on the table.

He raised his head, a faint smile even on his face, but his eyes were as cold as frost.

He wasn't actually keen on getting involved in company management affairs because he knew his own management skills.

However, there is a premise to this: his own unwillingness to intervene does not mean that he has no right to intervene.

These are two different concepts!
For example, he has the right to intervene in the internal affairs of companies under his control, such as Hong Kong Electric Holdings, Hongkong Land Group, and Wanqing Group.

Business leaders such as Ma Shimin, Chen Shulin, and Burton would also listen carefully to his opinions.

Therefore, Lin Haoran simply doesn't want to interfere too much, but that doesn't mean he will lose the right to intervene!

After all, he is the boss, and the company is his property. If he interferes in the company's operation and management, that is perfectly normal, isn't it?

Richard and his group actually attempted to strip him of his real power with a single proposal, turning him into a mere figurehead major shareholder. This was undoubtedly a blatant challenge to his bottom line.

According to Richard and others' plan, he, as the boss, should not be able to interfere in any company affairs at all.

This situation made it seem as if the company had absolutely nothing to do with him.

All I can say is that these people are incredibly audacious and extremely arrogant.

They acted so recklessly, as if they didn't respect him, their boss, at all. It was like Lin Haoran had bought a dog to guard the house, but the dog actually wanted to become the master.

Ridiculous, really ridiculous!
Do they think that Hutchison Whampoa can't function without them?

Thinking of this, a cold smile appeared on Lin Haoran's face.

“Mr. Richard,” Lin Haoran’s voice was not loud, but it reached everyone’s ears clearly, “This proposal is very well written. The separation of ownership and management is indeed the direction for the development of modern enterprises.”

Upon hearing this, Richard and the others had just shown a hint of joy on their faces, but Lin Haoran's next words plunged them into an icy abyss.

“However,” Lin Haoran’s tone suddenly turned cold, “this does not mean that the major shareholder should give up the right to supervise and guide the company, nor does it mean that the management team can be above me, the major shareholder with absolute control, and form an independent kingdom.”

The so-called 'full authorization' is not 'complete decentralization'.

He looked directly at Richardson: "My acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa is not for financial investment, to wait for year-end dividends, nor to become a puppet to be controlled by you. I am here to lead Hutchison Whampoa to create a greater future."

What I need is a team that can understand and execute my strategic intentions and stay highly aligned with the company's overall development direction, not an 'independent kingdom' that just wants to shut itself up and make its own decisions.

These words were extremely blunt, ruthlessly tearing apart Richard and others' ambitions that they were trying to conceal with technical jargon.

Richard's face instantly turned extremely ugly. He hadn't expected Lin Haoran to be so tough, leaving no room for reconciliation.

He knew that the moment had come when the true intentions would be revealed.

The thought that Lin Haoran still needed him and that he couldn't just drive them all away gave him a sense of confidence.

In any case, Richard Shin is now considered the head of Hutchison Whampoa, the CEO of Hutchison Whampoa, in charge of all matters, big and small, inside and outside the company.

If he cannot subdue Lin Haoran at this moment, he will never have a peaceful day again, and his power will be completely taken back by Lin Haoran.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, and his tone became firm: "Mr. Lin, we greatly respect your position as a major shareholder."

However, managing and operating a massive business empire like Hutchison Whampoa requires extremely high levels of expertise and experience.

Our team has served Hutchison Whampoa for many years, possessing in-depth knowledge of all business operations and having built strong relationships of trust with clients and partners worldwide. If our professionalism and autonomy are not given due respect, it will be difficult to guarantee that the company's operations will not experience fluctuations.

Ultimately, a company's stability depends on the stability of its people.

These words constitute an open threat.

This implies that if Lin Haoran does not agree to their conditions, they may resort to passive cooperation or even a mass resignation, plunging Hutchison Whampoa into chaos.

Xia Boyin and Wei Peter, among others, echoed this sentiment, stating that the unity and confidence of the management team were crucial, thus placing their interest group in opposition to the interests of the shareholders.

The atmosphere in the meeting room immediately became tense.

Ma Shimin shook his head inwardly. Richard and the others had ultimately underestimated Lin Haoran's courage and methods.

Using the same tactics they used on Li Jiacheng against Lin Haoran is tantamount to courting death.

Lin Haoran listened quietly to their "statements," and the smile on his face finally disappeared completely, replaced by an unquestionable majesty.

He waited until everyone had finished speaking before slowly opening his mouth. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a sense of oppressive power that seemed to decide one's fate:
“Mr. Richardson, and everyone here, I think you may have misunderstood something.”

He paused, then said, word by word, "I've taken over Hutchison Whampoa to lead you, not to negotiate with you. Don't forget, I am the owner of Hutchison Whampoa."

I determine the company's direction, and the team's execution must align with that direction. This is a fundamental business rule, and there is absolutely no room for negotiation.

His gaze swept over the crowd again, finally settling on Richard's pale face: "You just mentioned 'human stability,' very well, then I'll talk about the human problem."

“Mr. Richard, you joined Hutchison in 1927 and have served for over fifty years. You are indeed a veteran of the company. You also made many contributions during Mr. Wylie’s time, but…” Lin Haoran’s voice was cold.

This "but" almost made Richard's heart stop beating.

"However, after Mr. Li Jiacheng took over, as CEO, you not only failed to do your best to assist the new owner and integrate company resources, but also indulged and even led internal factional struggles, squeezed out Chinese executives, and tried to undermine the influence of the major shareholder and protect the private interests of your small group."

This is a serious violation of the basic professional ethics and duty of loyalty of professional managers!

Lin Haoran's tone grew increasingly stern, each word like a heavy hammer blow to Richard's confidence.

"Your remarks just now were an open threat to the company's stability, an attempt to force the major shareholder to comply. Such behavior is absolutely intolerable in any legitimate company!"

A manager who cannot work in harmony with shareholders, or even attempts to hijack the company to satisfy their personal power desires, is no longer suitable for a leadership position, no matter how strong their professional abilities.

Richard was trembling all over, wanting to defend himself, but found that he couldn't utter a single word.

Xia Boyin, Wei Peter, and the others also turned pale. They hadn't expected Lin Haoran to be so ruthless and decisive, directly overturning the table.

Lin Haoran stopped looking at Richard's letter and turned to all the senior executives in the conference room.

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, he said loudly, "Given that Mr. Richardson's behavior is seriously unsuitable for continuing to serve as the CEO of Hutchison Whampoa, I, as the controlling shareholder of the company, hereby announce that, effective immediately, Mr. Richardson is hereby removed from his positions as CEO, Executive Director and all other posts of Hutchison Whampoa!"
The heads of Human Resources and Security are requested to be present immediately to supervise Mr. Richard's resignation handover procedures. All procedures must be completed today, and he must leave the company building!

"Get fired!"

These three words exploded in the conference room like a thunderclap!
Direct, decisive, and without any hesitation!
They didn't even give them a chance to adjust!
So what if he's the top executive at Hutchison Whampoa?
Insubordination was enough for Lin Haoran to fire him.

Richard was dumbfounded, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He stared at Lin Haoran in disbelief, his lips trembling, before finally slumping into his chair.

All his scheming and ambition crumbled instantly in the face of Lin Haoran's absolute strength and courage.

No one expected Lin Haoran to be so decisive, leaving no room for negotiation whatsoever.

The meeting room was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

All the executives were stunned by Lin Haoran's thunderous and overwhelming methods.

They originally thought it would be a long game and negotiation, but they didn't expect the new boss to play by his own rules and directly choose the most intense and effective method - to make an example of someone!
This "chicken" is none other than Richard, the highest-ranking and most arrogant among them!
Lin Haoran's gaze slowly swept over Xia Boyin, Wei Peter, and the other executives who looked terrified. His tone softened slightly, but it still carried an unquestionable authority:
"As for the rest of you, I'll give you a chance to choose."

Those who are willing to stay and sincerely assist me in taking Hutchison Whampoa to new heights will be treated exceptionally well by me, Lin Haoran. Their salaries and bonuses will be reassessed and will only be better than they are now.

But the prerequisite is that the old factionalism must be completely abandoned, and everything must prioritize the company's interests and be guided by my strategic direction.

"If anyone still wants to maintain their dictatorship, I'm sorry, I don't have that right. You can resign now, I'll approve it, and you'll receive reasonable compensation according to your employment contract. Let's part ways amicably."

“However,” Lin Haoran’s voice turned cold again, “if you choose to stay but then outwardly comply while inwardly disobeying, or even secretly engage in underhanded tactics, then Richard’s fate today will serve as a model.”

I, Lin Haoran, have built this empire to its current level, and I will never fear any internal challenges. I have never lacked the determination and means to clean house.

The stark warning, accompanied by the recent "bloody" example, has been deeply etched into the minds of every senior executive.

Xia Boyin, Peter Wei, and the others broke out in a cold sweat; they had no doubt about the truth of Lin Haoran's words.

Even a high-ranking elder like Richard Xin could open it so easily, let alone them.

After a brief silence, Xia Boyin was the first to react. He immediately stood up and said respectfully, "Mr. Lin, I, Xia Boyin, am willing to fully support your work and do my utmost for the development of Hutchison Whampoa!"

He knew very well that if he didn't demonstrate his loyalty at this crucial moment, he would likely be the next one to be "kicked out."

As a business director at Hutchison Whampoa, Xia Boyin's position in the current Hutchison Whampoa professional management team is almost second only to the CEO; it would not be an exaggeration to say that he is the second most important person.

Moreover, the platform provided by Hutchison Whampoa, a business giant, is undoubtedly a vast arena where he can fully display his talents.

He couldn't imagine whether he could find a job comparable to his current one if he left Hutchison Whampoa.

Peter Wei and other executives followed suit, vying to express their support for Lin Haoran's leadership and their unwavering loyalty.

Richard was trembling with rage as these comrades who had previously pledged allegiance to him now betrayed him. He pointed at them, his lips moving but no words came out.
He looked as if all his strength had been drained away, leaving only despair and anger.

“You…you opportunists!” Richard’s face turned red as he finally managed to squeeze out these words through his clenched teeth.

At this moment, his voice was hoarse and dry, as if it had been sanded by sandpaper, and it was filled with endless resentment and unwillingness.

In that instant, he truly tasted the bitterness of betrayal, a taste that was anything but pleasant.

He had originally thought that after replacing Wei Li, he would naturally become the "leader" of these old officials, and they would wholeheartedly follow his command, fight alongside him, and stand in the same trench.

However, Richard overlooked a crucial point: he was not Wylie after all.

He lacked both Wylie's exceptional talent and Wylie's deep-rooted influence in the hearts of the people.

Over the past year, as his power has grown, he has gradually lost himself, believing himself to be just like Wei Li.

Richard slumped in his chair, staring blankly ahead, realizing that he, who once commanded respect and influence with Huang, was now in such a sorry state.

At this moment, all that responded to him were the slightly embarrassed and hurriedly lowered gazes of the other executives, as if they were afraid of making too much eye contact with him.

And Lin Haoran's gaze, still calm as still water, yet exuding an undeniable and authoritative aura, was like an unshakeable mountain, making it hard for him to breathe.

Richard felt a chill run from his feet to his head as he looked at his "defected" colleagues.

The once-stable alliance crumbled instantly under Lin Haoran's ruthless methods.

Looking at the group of executives who had instantly become obedient, Lin Haoran knew that he had achieved his goal of making an example of them.

This is exactly the effect he needs: to establish his unchallengeable authority in the shortest possible time, completely shatter the old power structure, and clear the way for subsequent reorganization and integration.

Of course, when he said he wanted to fire Richardson directly, he did consider whether Chapman, Peter Weber, and others would be of one mind with Richardson and use this to coerce him.

Indeed, if the entire team were to leave Hutchison Whampoa, it would undoubtedly be a significant blow to the company.

After all, these people have cultivated deep roots with Wong for many years and control a large amount of business resources and personal connections.

Without them, Hutchison Whampoa will inevitably fall into chaos in its business operations and a break in resource integration in the short term.

Hutchison Whampoa's vast business empire, from international shipping scheduling to real estate development and order processing, relies heavily on the experience and connections accumulated by these executives and their teams over many years.

If they collectively withdraw, many key processes will likely come to a standstill, partners' trust will be shaken, and the company's reputation will be at risk of damage.

Even facing such a situation, he still insisted on firing Richardson.

The reason is simple: Lin Haoran will never allow anyone to challenge his authority!
He is the boss, the rightful owner of this company.

A master should have the bearing of a master; what kind of person is a subservient one?

(It's almost the end of the month again, and it coincides with the double monthly pass event, so please vote with your monthly passes! If you still have any, don't waste them~ Thank you all so much for your support along the way, I'm truly grateful for this!~)

　It's almost the end of the month again, and it coincides with the double monthly pass event! Please vote with your monthly passes, and don't waste any you still have! A special thank you all for your continued support; Lemon is truly grateful!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)