Chapter 312 Confrontation with Niu Bik Kin
Facing the reporters' aggressive questioning, Lin Haoran answered without hesitation,
"The reason I considered taking action against Jardines Matheson is largely due to the significant loan support I obtained from Huifeng Bank.
If I could secure further strong backing from Huifeng Bank, my confidence in successfully acquiring Jardines would undoubtedly be even stronger — just as Mr. Bao Yugang succeeded in acquiring Wharf Holdings back then!"
Although Lin Haoran had already realized, after Shen Bi's continued silence, that Huifeng Bank was unlikely to support him,
he didn't mind using Huifeng Bank's name to add weight to his plans, playing a little game of "borrowing a tiger's might."
He had invested significant funds in Jardines Matheson.
If he could successfully control it, naturally it would be the best outcome.
However, if he couldn't, holding onto those shares would be meaningless.
Thus, if he could pressure the British financial consortium into giving him a hefty payout instead, it would still be a wise move.
After losing interest in Wharf Holdings and Land Development Corporation, Lin Haoran honestly no longer cared much for Jardines Matheson.
Its greatest advantage lay in its international network, established by acquiring companies across various countries over the past twenty years.
But to Lin Haoran, such an advantage was of little use.
The British consortium certainly would not want him, a potential threat, to continue holding a significant portion of Jardines' shares.
Because even if the current takeover attempt failed, his large shareholding would always loom as a latent threat, capable of launching another assault at any time.
After answering several more questions from the reporters, security informed him that Niu Bik Kin had responded.
"Mr. Lin, Mr. Niu Bik Kin is waiting for you on the 28th floor," said the head of security.
"Gentlemen, the interview ends here," Lin Haoran said with a polite smile.
Though the reporters wanted to continue, they knew better than to insist.
With notes and photographs secured, they now had enough material to write numerous sensational articles.
Under the guidance of a building staff member, Lin Haoran stepped into a Western-style office on the 28th floor.
Inside sat Niu Bik Kin, the famous taipan of Jardines Matheson.
"Mr. Lin, please have a seat,"
Niu Bik Kin said in a calm voice, suppressing the storm raging within him.
He knew better than anyone that Lin Haoran, now publicly claiming to be the largest shareholder of Jardines, was a threat not to be underestimated.
Niu Bik Kin's mind flashed back to a few months ago, when he had been forced to publicly apologize to Lin Haoran on television —
one of the most humiliating moments of his career.
Never had he imagined that the same young man who had once brought him public disgrace would now threaten the very empire he ruled.
As Lin Haoran sat down with a smile, he said,
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, you must already guess my purpose here.
I believe Jardines is an outstanding company.
That's why I want to acquire it.
If you support me, I promise you can continue running Jardines after the acquisition."
"Mr. Lin, I'm afraid I must disappoint you,"
Niu Bik Kin replied immediately,
"Jardines Matheson will never fall into Chinese hands!"
Lin Haoran wasn't surprised by the firm rejection.
"I urge you to think carefully.
I am now the largest shareholder of Jardines.
I already have significant voting power on the board.
If I can secure Huifeng Bank's support, your current position may no longer be safe," Lin Haoran said calmly.
"Huifeng Bank will never support you in acquiring Jardines!"
Niu Bik Kin snapped back with confidence.
After years as taipan of Jardines, he knew very well how things worked.
He had long suspected that Huifeng Bank's support for Bao Yugang's acquisition of Wharf Holdings was motivated by their own ambition to dethrone Jardines and claim the top spot.
And they had succeeded.
Now, Huifeng Bank stood unchallenged as Hong Kong's leading financial power.
But if Lin Haoran succeeded in merging Jardines with his existing empire — Hong Kong Electric, Kowloon Bus, China Gas, Qingzhou Cement —
then Huifeng Bank's supremacy would be under serious threat.
Thus, Niu Bik Kin was convinced that Huifeng Bank would never support Lin Haoran.
"Oh? And why is that?" Lin Haoran asked playfully.
"Call it intuition.
Huifeng Bank would never support you," Niu Bik Kin replied, unwilling to reveal his true reasoning.
"Until the very end, no one can say for certain," Lin Haoran said, smiling.
"Mr. Lin, how much of Jardines do you already control?"
Niu Bik Kin asked seriously, his eyes sharp.
Lin Haoran smiled and answered,
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, it's no secret — I hold more than 20% of Jardines' shares.
The Keswick family, who used to be the largest shareholder, holds only around 10–12%.
That's why I'm so confident."
Hearing this, Niu Bik Kin's expression changed subtly.
Twenty percent!
He hadn't expected Lin Haoran's holdings to be so large already.
For a brief moment, he struggled to keep his composure.
"Even if you own a significant stake, Mr. Lin, you still need to convince other shareholders.
It won't be easy," Niu Bik Kin said, regaining some calm.
"Of course.
I understand that.
But trust me, I've prepared extensively.
Even without Huifeng Bank's help, I have alternative plans," Lin Haoran said confidently.
He deliberately refrained from mentioning that he had nearly 40% control of Land Development Corporation —
a card that Niu Bik Kin knew nothing about.
"Mr. Lin, Jardines has a long history and profound heritage.
It will always belong to the British community.
We won't give it up easily," Niu Bik Kin said stiffly.
Lin Haoran smiled warmly and replied,
"I respect Jardines' history and traditions.
But the business world is always full of change and opportunity.
I believe Jardines needs fresh perspectives and diversity to thrive — and that's exactly what I can bring."
Although the conversation yielded no concrete agreements, Lin Haoran had achieved his real purpose.
By revealing his 20% stake, he planted a deep seed of fear and urgency.
He wanted the British consortium to live under constant pressure.
Only then could he maximize his future gains.
Ultimately, the meeting ended without any real conclusion.
Watching Lin Haoran's departing figure, Niu Bik Kin stood frozen for a long time.
Once again, this young Chinese magnate had shocked him.
Sighing, Niu Bik Kin composed himself and prepared to contact the Keswick family.
They would have to coordinate carefully to counter Lin Haoran's growing threat.
Because now, Lin Haoran's 20% stake hung over them like a looming mountain.
Meanwhile, Lin Haoran left Jardines House and got into his car.
"Boss, where to?"
Li Weidong asked from the driver's seat.
"Back to the villa at Shixun Road," Lin Haoran said, checking the time — it was almost 5:00 p.m.
No need to return to the office today.
He wasn't in a rush to play his next move.
After two rounds of media interviews and a tense confrontation with Niu Bik Kin, he had already set the perfect stage.
Now, all he needed to do was wait —
wait for the situation to ferment and escalate further.
The bigger the storm, the better it would be for him.
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