In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 794 Foreigners forcing a resignation? Fire them all!
Several people were discussing Huifeng Bank's performance in the stock market in the office.

Before we knew it, it was 4:30 in the afternoon.

John Bao glanced at his watch, stepped forward to Lin Haoran's side, and whispered to him, "Boss, as you instructed this morning, all the employees in the headquarters building, except those who are on duty, have been moved to the staff conference room on the third floor."

Do you think the present is the past?

Lin Haoran nodded and said to He Shanheng and Ma Shimin, "Uncle He, Mr. Ma, let's go and meet these employees. Huifeng has just undergone a huge change, and morale is low. We need to stabilize the workforce."

Especially as the new boss, I need to personally step in and reassure everyone.

He Shanheng agreed, "That's right. Employees are the foundation of a bank. Haoran, it would be most effective if you personally went to appease them. Mr. Ma and I will accompany you."

Ma Shimin nodded in agreement.

Led by John Bao, the group left the chairman's office and headed to the staff conference room on the third floor.

This conference room is very large, enough to accommodate thousands of people, and is where Huifeng Bank usually holds its general staff meetings.

At this moment, the conference room was bustling with people.

Among them, Executive Director Pu Weishi had arrived early.

Almost all of the more than 800 employees at Huifeng Bank's headquarters were present.

Among them were middle and senior managers in suits, as well as junior office staff in ordinary business attire.

Looking around, the vast majority of people were foreigners, with less than one-fifth being Chinese.

In other words, of the more than 800 employees at Huifeng's headquarters, only a little over 100 are of Chinese descent, and most of them are ordinary employees.

Especially among the middle and senior managers sitting in the front row, almost all of them were white men, with one or two Indian or mixed-race faces occasionally. Chinese faces were almost non-existent among the middle and senior managers.

This personnel composition clearly reflects the colonial background and historical legacy of Huifeng Bank as a long-established British bank.

When Lin Haoran and his entourage entered the conference room, the previously noisy room instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on this young, legendary new boss.

The employees' eyes held a variety of complex expressions.

Most of the Chinese employees were filled with curiosity, anticipation, and even a touch of pride and excitement.

After all, the acquisition of Huifeng was by a Chinese businessman, which was unprecedented in the entire Hong Kong Chinese business community, making them proud.

Many foreign employees, however, showed doubt, unease, and even disdain and resistance.

For them, serving a century-old British-owned business was an honor, but the sudden change to a Chinese boss, especially one so young, filled them with uncertainty and discomfort stemming from a deep-seated sense of superiority.

John Bao strode to the microphone on the podium, cleared his throat, and said, "Dear colleagues, please be quiet. First of all, thank you very much for attending this general meeting of all employees on time."

Today, we are very honored to have with us Mr. Lin Haoran, the owner of Hengsheng Group, the new controlling shareholder of Huifeng Bank, Mr. He Shanheng, Chairman of Hengsheng Group, and Mr. Ma Shimin, President of Hong Kong Land Group.

I know that the turmoil at Huifeng Bank has caused much anxiety among everyone. Now, let's welcome Mr. Lin with warm applause to speak to us!

A polite round of applause broke out from the audience. The Chinese employees applauded more enthusiastically, while many of the foreign employees only clapped a few times symbolically, their eyes filled with scrutiny and observation.

Lin Haoran calmly walked to the microphone, his gaze sweeping steadily over the hundreds of faces below the stage.

His young face carried a composure and confidence beyond his years.

"Good afternoon, colleagues from Huifeng Bank." Lin Haoran's voice clearly echoed throughout the conference room through the microphone. "First of all, I want to tell you that standing here, I share the same feelings as you all, filled with emotion."

Huafeng Bank is a financial institution with a glorious history. It has witnessed the growth of Hong Kong and made great contributions to its prosperity.

Everyone here today is a participant and one of the creators of this glorious achievement. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your past efforts and contributions.

The opening remarks were appropriate and sincere, and many of the long-time employees in the audience, whether Chinese or foreign, nodded slightly, which eased the atmosphere a bit.

“I know that Huifeng Bank has undergone a series of major changes in the past year, from being the dominant player in Hong Kong’s financial industry to being acquired by Standard Chartered Bank, and now being controlled by our Hengsheng Group.”

Lin Haoran paused for a moment, then continued, "Frequent changes in shareholding inevitably bring uncertainty, which will cause everyone to have doubts and concerns about future development and their personal prospects. I understand this very well."

He paused, then his tone became more firm: "So, my primary purpose in standing here today is to communicate frankly with everyone and to dispel any doubts you may have."

What I want to tell everyone is that Hengsheng Group's acquisition of Huifeng Bank is not a short-term financial investment, nor is it for the purpose of splitting it up and selling it.

With utmost sincerity and a long-term plan, we hope to lead Huifeng Bank, a century-old institution, into a new stage of development, restoring and even surpassing its former glory!

These words caused a small commotion, especially among the Chinese employees, whose eyes lit up.

"Regarding the future of Huifeng Bank, Chairman He Shanheng already announced some preliminary plans at the afternoon press conference," Lin Haoran continued. "We will invest resources in building a new headquarters building, we will consolidate and expand our overseas business, and we will increase investment in technology and innovation..."

All of this requires the collective effort and talent of every colleague present here. I can assure you unequivocally that Huifeng Bank will not be laying off staff on a large scale!

As soon as the words "there will be no large-scale layoffs" were uttered, a number of people in the audience could be heard breathing a sigh of relief.

This is the issue that some employees are most concerned about.

“However,” Lin Haoran’s tone changed and became serious, “not laying off employees does not mean that we will maintain the status quo and become complacent. Huifeng Bank needs to change and needs to be injected with new vitality.”

We need more efficient operations, more customer-centric service, and a more inclusive and diverse corporate culture.

When Lin Haoran mentioned "inclusivity and diversity," the expressions of some foreign executives in the front row of the audience changed slightly, as if they had sensed something unusual.

“In my opinion,” Lin Haoran’s gaze swept across the audience again, lingering slightly on the faces of the foreign executives, “a truly great company, especially in a predominantly Chinese society like Hong Kong, should have a core management team and employee composition that better reflects the community it serves.”

Huifeng Bank's past deserves respect, but its future development must be based on fairness, competence, and contribution, not any other factors.

That's quite a straightforward statement.

Some of the more sensitive foreign employees in the audience began to whisper among themselves, their faces showing disapproval.

Just then, a discordant voice rang out from the front row, interrupting Lin Haoran's speech.

“Mr. Lin, please forgive my intrusion.” The man who stood up was a British man in his fifties with neatly combed hair and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He was Richard Harrison, the general manager of the corporate credit department of Huifeng Bank.

He wore a smile that appeared polite but was actually arrogant.

"Your vision is very appealing, but please forgive my bluntness, banking, especially international banking, is a highly specialized business that requires extensive experience and connections."

We admire your business achievements, but managing a bank like Huifeng, with its complex international network and long history, is quite different from running a bank in Hong Kong.

Although Hengsheng Group's banks now hold a commanding market share in Hong Kong, their international experience is lacking!

Richard's words immediately drew agreement from many of the foreign employees in the audience.

Lin Haoran showed no displeasure, but calmly looked at him, gesturing for him to continue.

He Shanheng and Ma Shimin exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing slightly, but neither of them spoke.

John Bao and Pewter seemed somewhat nervous.

Seeing that Lin Haoran was not angry, Richard became bolder and continued, "Huifeng Bank has been able to operate to this day thanks to the professional experience and international vision of our core team."

I think this is one of the key reasons why Standard Chartered Bank was willing to acquire it in the first place, and why Hengsheng Group is now willing to take it over. There was a subtle, almost imperceptible, threat in his words.

"So, what do you mean?" Lin Haoran asked calmly.

“To ensure the bank’s stable operation and to allow our core team to stay and continue to create value for the bank,” Richard cleared his throat and raised his voice a few decibels, “we believe the bank should make a stronger commitment to us key employees.”

On behalf of the majority of the middle and senior management team, as well as a significant number of senior employees, I would like to make a few demands of the management team; otherwise, don't blame us for a strike.

He pulled out a small notebook, clearly having come prepared: "First, all Huifeng headquarters staff will have their salaries increased by 100%;

Secondly, to encourage employees' enthusiasm, the bank should allocate a portion of its shares to employees, with no upper limit on the amount based on performance.

Third, ensure that existing core team members are not dismissed or transferred from key positions within the next three years;

Fourth, management needs to consult our core team on major business decisions.

These conditions are not just outrageous, they are downright coercion and extortion!
Moreover, the other party made a request, not a suggestion!
Doubled salaries, employee stock options, job security, and even interference in decision-making!

The audience erupted in uproar, while many of the foreign employees showed expressions of anticipation and agreement. Clearly, Richard's statement about "the majority" was not an exaggeration; they seemed to have indeed connected with a considerable number of people.

After Richard finished speaking, he looked at Lin Haoran with confidence. He and the group of people behind him were certain that Huifeng Bank had just changed hands and was in dire need of rebuilding. They absolutely could not do without their "experienced" old team, especially the huge international business network, which needed them to maintain it.

If they go on strike or resign en masse, Huifeng Bank could be paralyzed instantly.

They believed that the young Chinese boss would ultimately have no choice but to compromise. He Shanheng's face darkened, and he was about to reprimand him when Lin Haoran gently raised his hand to stop him.

Instead of showing anger, Lin Haoran revealed a meaningful smile.

He looked at Richard and the foreign executives behind him who were clearly on the same side, and slowly said, "Mr. Richard, are you sure you represent the views of the 'majority' of middle and senior management and a 'considerable number' of employees?"

“Of course!” Richard straightened his back. “We can hold a vote right here. Colleagues who support our request, please raise your hands!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a whole bunch of arms shot up from below the stage.

At a glance, it really is close to half of the total number of people!
The vast majority of them were foreign employees, with a few Chinese employees who seemed to have been persuaded or coerced.

The scene was visually striking and full of provocation.

The atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became incredibly tense and oppressive.

The employees who hadn't raised their hands, especially the Chinese employees, watched Lin Haoran nervously, wondering how their new boss would handle this near-mutiny situation.

John Bao and Pewter were sweating profusely.

Just yesterday, Richard and several senior executives approached them, suggesting that the two organize all employees to put pressure on Hengsheng Group.

The aim was to force Hengsheng Group and its backer, Lin Haoran, to reduce their interference in Huifeng Bank, so that Huifeng Bank could operate independently of Hengsheng Group.

Richard and others held the view that even though Hengsheng Group held 51% of Huifeng Bank's shares, Huifeng Bank was still a British-owned enterprise and should never be controlled by Chinese!
However, John Bao and William Pu were well aware of Lin Haoran's strength and methods, and they also knew who held the controlling stake in Huifeng Bank. They dared not and were unwilling to participate in such a foolish act that would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock, so they politely declined.

They thought Richard would back down, but they didn't expect him to be so audacious as to launch an attack at the all-staff meeting and involve so many people!

John Bao and William Pu, as the top two executives of Hengsheng Group, were worried that they would be fired by Lin Haoran, so they refused the offer.

Unexpectedly, these people still orchestrated this whole charade behind their backs.

He Shanheng and Ma Shimin also looked solemn.

They all knew that this was an extremely difficult situation, and if not handled properly, Huifeng Bank could really suffer serious damage.

However, Lin Haoran's next reaction exceeded everyone's expectations.

He looked at the raised arms, but instead of panicking, his smile became even more pronounced, even carrying a hint of...relief?
"Very good." Lin Haoran's voice, transmitted clearly through the microphone, reached everyone's ears with a surprising calmness.

“Thank you very much for your candor. It has made it very clear to me who is genuinely willing to work together with the new Huifeng Bank and who places themselves above the bank itself.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping calmly over the people with their hands raised: "I was still considering how to gradually optimize Huifeng Bank's talent structure without causing too much upheaval, so that the company can better adapt to future competition and development."

After all, a bank's core competitiveness lies in its service and innovation, not in certain self-important 'key figures'.

Richard and the others' expressions changed; they sensed an ominous premonition in Lin Haoran's words.

“However,” Lin Haoran’s voice suddenly rose, “since you have so clearly expressed your ‘values’ and chosen to ‘negotiate’ through a strike, then I can save myself a lot of unnecessary steps.”

He turned to He Shanheng and Ma Shimin beside him, whose expressions had shifted from solemn to astonishment, then to realization, and even a hint of approval. He nodded slightly, then faced the entire room again, his tone resolute:

"I hereby formally announce that all employees who raised their hands to support Mr. Richard Harrison's terms at this moment are dismissed! Effective immediately!"

"what?!"

"God!"

"This is impossible!"

The audience immediately went wild!

Those with their hands raised could hardly believe their ears!

They thought they had misheard!
Fired?

And it was a complete layoff?
how can that be!

Is he crazy?

Without them, how would Huifeng Bank function?

Richard, his face ashen, cried out in a mixture of shock and rage, “Mr. Lin! You can’t do this! You’ll ruin Huifeng Bank! Without us, our overseas business will collapse immediately! We’ll lose a huge number of customers! You’re courting disaster!”

"Destroy Huifeng Bank? You're courting disaster?" Lin Haoran sneered, his tone filled with powerful confidence and authority. "You overestimate yourselves!"

Huifeng Bank's century-long legacy won't crumble just because some incompetent, senior employees, or even those attempting to hold the company hostage! The world will keep turning no matter who's gone!

He stopped looking at Richard and the others' ugly faces and turned his gaze to the employees who hadn't raised their hands, whose faces were filled with shock, confusion, but also excitement and anticipation, especially the Chinese employees.

"And for those colleagues who chose to stay and are willing to fight alongside the new Huifeng Bank," Lin Haoran's tone softened, filled with encouraging power, "I assure you that your choice today is the right one!"

You will witness and participate in the rebirth and rise of a great financial institution!

"All vacant positions, including management positions, will be filled through a combination of internal selection, lateral transfers from other sister banks within the Hengsheng Group, and external recruitment!"
I believe that every capable and ambitious colleague here, whether of Chinese or British descent, will have unprecedented opportunities for promotion and development!

Huifeng Bank's future talent promotions will depend solely on your abilities, contributions, and character, not your skin color or background!

These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating huge ripples!
Those employees who stayed, especially those outstanding employees who had long been unable to get promoted because of their Chinese identity, had their eyes instantly light up with excitement and hope!
"In addition," Lin Haoran continued, offering a more practical reassurance, "all employees who remain will receive an extra 50% of their salary this month as a loyalty bonus!"

Furthermore, the Human Resources Department will immediately initiate a new evaluation of job levels and compensation systems. I promise that as long as the bank's performance improves, the compensation of all remaining employees will receive a substantial and fair increase!

"Great!"

"Lin Sheng is wise!"

"Support Lin Sheng!"

……

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience, this time from the heart, mainly from the Chinese employees and the foreign employees who had not participated in the coup.

The sound was so loud that it completely drowned out the clamor of the previous group.

In stark contrast to the jubilation on this side, Richard and his men looked like stray dogs.

They finally realized that they had miscalculated; they had underestimated the young boss's boldness and skill, and overestimated their own importance to the bank.

Lin Haoran not only did not succumb to their threats, but instead took advantage of the situation and removed this group of "cancers" in one go, even saving on compensation—because they were the ones who took the initiative to propose outrageous conditions and create trouble, so Lin Haoran's dismissal was justified!

They not only lost their jobs, but also ruined their reputation in Hong Kong's financial circles.

Their attempt to kidnap the new boss resulted in a mass purging, a truly disgraceful chapter in their careers.

"Security!" Lin Haoran shouted outside the conference room, ignoring the ashen-faced former employees.

"Please assist those who have terminated their employment relationship with Huifeng Bank to immediately return to their respective posts, collect their personal belongings, and leave the building within one hour."

The Human Resources and Finance departments will settle salaries with them in accordance with labor contracts and legal regulations.

The security personnel who had been waiting outside immediately entered the scene and began to "politely" ask Richard and his group to leave.

The scene was somewhat chaotic at one point. Among those who were fired, some were filled with remorse and tried to beg for forgiveness and explain, while others were furious and cursed loudly.

But even with the security guards' "escort," they were powerless to change the situation and could only slink away.

Watching that group of people disappear through the conference room door, the remaining four hundred-plus employees in the conference room felt as if they had experienced a dreamlike reshuffle.

Looking at the tall, imposing young boss on the podium, they were filled with awe, reverence, and a renewed sense of hope.

Lin Haoran's swift and decisive action not only instantly eliminated the biggest destabilizing factor and obstacle within the bank, greatly increasing the proportion and morale of Chinese employees, but also demonstrated to everyone his absolute control over Huifeng Bank and his strong determination to rebuild this century-old institution.

"Alright, colleagues," Lin Haoran's voice rang out again, pulling everyone back to reality, "The obstacles have been cleared. Now, it's time for us to unite as one and work together for a new chapter for Huifeng Bank!"

After the meeting, department heads organized the remaining staff to calm their nerves and ensure the smooth operation of all business processes. New appointments and adjustments will be announced tomorrow.

The meeting concluded in a complex yet hopeful atmosphere.

As the employees left the meeting room, many were still excitedly discussing what had just happened.

They knew that from this day forward, the world of Huifeng Bank had completely changed.

(End of this chapter)