Chapter 306 Finding the Traitor, Lin Haoran's Plan
"Let's talk in your office," Lin Haoran said to Su Zhixue.
"Yes, boss!" Su Zhixue replied immediately.
The two quickly made their way to the general manager's office.
"How's the situation with Land Development Corporation?" Lin Haoran asked.
By now, it was ten in the morning, meaning the stock market had been open for half an hour.
"Boss, the news spread incredibly fast, so many investors are eyeing Land Development Corporation's stock. In less than thirty minutes, the company's market value has risen from 9.5 billion Hong Kong dollars to 10.2 billion, and it's still climbing.
In this half hour, we managed to absorb an additional 1.18% of Land Development Corporation's shares. Combined with the 29.36% we already held, Universal Investment now controls 30.54%.
Due to the rapid price increase, I've temporarily halted further acquisitions," Su Zhixue reported.
Lin Haoran nodded and remarked in surprise, "You bought that much?"
1.18% — previously, it had taken nearly a week or two to absorb that amount.
Now it had happened in less than half an hour.
"In the past, we absorbed cautiously to avoid detection.
Today, without restrictions, we launched full firepower.
Since we're very familiar with Land Development Corporation's stock, the acquisition went very smoothly," Su Zhixue explained.
Su Zhixue then provided a full update on Land Development Corporation's situation.
Currently, a flood of investors had poured in, many hoping to replicate the fortunes made during the battle over Wharf Holdings.
Last time, many investors made huge profits, so now, knowing Lin Haoran was targeting Land Development Corporation, speculation was only natural.
"Judging by current market sentiment, its stock price should continue to rise quickly. Should we continue increasing our holdings?" Su Zhixue finally asked.
Lin Haoran calculated mentally. Including the 6% controlled by Hong Kong Electric, he effectively controlled 36.54% of Land Development Corporation.
Unless something unexpected happened, Jardines Matheson and the British capital groups couldn't surpass this number, meaning he could essentially seize control.
However, one worry remained: the unknown competitor who had quietly absorbed up to 5% of the shares over the past few months.
If they sold their stake to Jardines, his position might not be as secure.
"How's the trading volume for Jardines Matheson's stock?" Lin Haoran asked.
"It's about the same as before — no significant changes.
Only our Universal Investment appears to be absorbing quietly," Su Zhixue responded.
"Alright. Continue acquiring Land Development shares, but slow down the pace.
At the same time, instruct the Jardines Matheson project team to intensify acquisitions there," Lin Haoran ordered.
A preliminary plan had formed in his mind.
"Understood, boss," Su Zhixue said, nodding.
"By the way, Zhixue, has anyone resigned from the Land Development project team recently?" Lin Haoran asked casually.
"Boss, our salary and benefits are among the best in Hong Kong's securities industry, so no one resigns unless we fire them.
As of this year, no employee has left voluntarily," Su Zhixue answered truthfully, although he didn't understand the reason behind the question.
"Good. That's all for now — get back to work," Lin Haoran said, waving him off.
"Yes, boss!" Su Zhixue responded before leaving the office.
After Su Zhixue left, Lin Haoran returned to his own office.
He generally trusted Su Zhixue deeply and didn't interfere too much with project team affairs.
Sitting by the large windows, Lin Haoran overlooked the skyscrapers lining Victoria Harbour and the bustling traffic below.
In the distance, a plane took off from Kai Tak Airport.
Today, the weather in Hong Kong was pleasant — clear skies and bright sunshine — but Lin Haoran's heart was far from calm.
Because he was finally ready to make his move against Land Development Corporation and Jardines Matheson.
Especially against Land Development — for him, success was the only option.
Time passed slowly, and soon it was noon.
Lin Haoran left his office just as Su Zhixue emerged from the Jardines project team area.
"Boss, it's lunchtime. Morning trading has ended.
Shall I come to your office and report on the morning's results?" Su Zhixue asked eagerly.
Lin Haoran shook his head and said, "No rush. Gather the entire Land Development project team in the conference room.
It won't take long — just a few minutes."
He hadn't forgotten — there was still a traitor within the company.
From earlier questioning, Lin Haoran knew that no one had resigned this year.
Thus, the insider who leaked information to the Hong Kong Times was still inside Universal Investment.
Enjoying high salaries while selling secrets outside?
Not on his watch.
For most people, finding the mole would have been extremely difficult.
But for Lin Haoran, it was child's play.
"Understood, boss. I'll hurry.
Otherwise, they'll all head out for lunch," Su Zhixue said quickly.
Soon, dozens of employees from the Land Development project team assembled in a conference room.
There were both men and women, but mostly men, all sharply dressed, looking puzzled.
This was their lunch hour — they had an hour to eat before resuming work.
As Lin Haoran entered the room, all employees greeted him in unison, "Good afternoon, boss!"
"Thank you all for your hard work recently," Lin Haoran said, smiling.
But his eyes quickly locked onto a middle-aged man wearing a colorful tie.
Among all the employees, his loyalty stood out — in a bad way.
While most employees had loyalty scores between seventy and eighty, the man in the colorful tie had a loyalty of only 13/100.
Ridiculously low.
Lin Haoran remembered checking everyone's loyalty before hiring.
This man, Ruan Jingcheng, had originally scored over seventy.
Clearly, betrayal had caused his loyalty to plummet.
Finding the mole was now obvious.
"Alright, I won't delay your lunch.
Everyone, enjoy your break — we still have a tough afternoon ahead," Lin Haoran said warmly.
All the employees left, still bewildered, unsure why they had been summoned just for a few kind words.
Even Su Zhixue was confused about the purpose.
After everyone left, Lin Haoran turned to Su Zhixue and asked,
"The middle-aged man wearing a colorful tie, slightly balding, with gold-rimmed glasses — that's Ruan Jingcheng, right?"
"Yes, boss.
He's a senior employee, part of the third batch we hired — been here for over a year," Su Zhixue answered respectfully.
Lin Haoran nodded, but didn't tell Su Zhixue that Ruan Jingcheng was the mole.
Even if he had, conventional methods wouldn't force a confession.
Instead, Lin Haoran gave an order:
"Starting this afternoon, don't assign him any important or confidential tasks.
But make sure he doesn't notice he's being sidelined."
"Ah? Boss, you suspect he's the one who leaked our Land Development plans?"
Su Zhixue immediately grasped the meaning.
"Just follow my instructions," Lin Haoran said with a faint smile, offering no further explanation.
He didn't want to scare the mole into fleeing Hong Kong.
Although Ruan Jingcheng was a small figure, betrayal must have consequences.
And Lin Haoran had special means to make sure he confessed — methods beyond ordinary people's imaginations.
"Yes, boss. I understand," Su Zhixue said, not pushing the matter further.
For him, carrying out the boss's orders was enough.
After that, Su Zhixue began reporting on the company's morning performance.
With the slowed pace of Land Development share acquisitions, by noon, Universal Investment's holdings had risen to 30.76% — only 0.22% more than two hours ago.
However, Jardines Matheson acquisitions had yielded significant gains.
In just one morning, Universal Investment increased its stake in Jardines by 0.96%.
Adding this to previous holdings, Lin Haoran now secretly controlled over 19% of Jardines Matheson.
At the morning's acquisition rate, reaching 20% by the end of the day was almost certain.
It was the first time their buying spree had been this aggressive.
Previously, after more than six months, they had only managed to accumulate about 18%.
Now, in a single morning, they absorbed nearly 1% of Jardines Matheson's total shares.
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