Chapter 397 Again with Jianning Group?
Hearing the boss's instructions, Dai Shi couldn't help but be stunned. Wasn't it said that the boss was facing a financial crisis? How could he still be acquiring companies? And not just any company, but the renowned Bank of East Asia! He even planned to take controlling ownership? Dai Shi fully understood the implications of such a move. Bank of East Asia currently had a total market value of 2.5 billion Hong Kong dollars, and gaining a controlling share would require over one billion Hong Kong dollars!
From this perspective, the boss didn't seem to be facing any financial troubles at all. Dai Shi couldn't help but feel relieved internally. In his view, the rumors about Lin Haoran's financial crisis had completely fallen apart. After all, if he were truly in trouble, how could he still have the luxury to acquire one of Hong Kong's most famous listed companies?
"Boss, rest assured, I will do my utmost to complete this task successfully!" Dai Shi said solemnly, his face beaming with a smile.
"Good, but remember — secrecy is paramount. You must not leak a single word. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe!" Lin Haoran warned seriously.
He knew very well that the Lee family, who controlled Bank of East Asia, would never let go easily. If any leak occurred, Lin Haoran's plans regarding the bank would be ruined. Thus, he had to increase his holdings in the secondary market secretly, and only after surpassing the Lee family's shareholding could he forcefully assert control without fearing their resistance.
After all, in terms of wealth, the Lee family's assets were significantly smaller compared to Lin Haoran's.
Lin Haoran's decision to target Bank of East Asia was the result of careful deliberation. If he were going to acquire a bank, it should be one that was large, well-established, and with a long history. Small banks, while easier to control and perhaps costing only a few billion Hong Kong dollars to acquire, wouldn't serve his needs. They wouldn't be capable of handling the flow and appreciation of his massive funds.
In short, a small bank couldn't support his financial ambitions.
Lin Haoran then discussed more details about the Bank of East Asia acquisition with Dai Shi.
"Gather everyone in the conference room. I'll hold a short meeting and pick out a team. This team will operate independently and focus solely on the covert acquisition of Bank of East Asia," Lin Haoran instructed after about fifteen minutes of discussion.
"Yes, boss. I'll call everyone right away!" Dai Shi responded promptly before hurrying off.
Not long after, he returned to inform Lin Haoran that all the employees were assembled in the conference room.
"Let's go," Lin Haoran said, patting Dai Shi on the shoulder with a smile.
Soon, the two entered the large conference room where over sixty employees sat quietly, waiting. There was a noticeable buzz of whispered conversations, and some employees even showed worried expressions.
They feared that the boss had gathered them to announce layoffs.
Universal Investment Company offered better benefits than most securities firms in Hong Kong, and most who joined were reluctant to leave. Over the past two years, employees had made a lot of money.
The employee conference room differed from the executive meeting room — it was larger and had no central conference table, so even with sixty-plus people, it was spacious enough.
Lin Haoran stood at the podium, with Dai Shi beside him. Observing the employees' worried looks, Lin Haoran smiled, fully aware of the anxiety caused by the financial rumors.
At a glance, he could see everyone's loyalty levels.
No one had a loyalty rating below 70. Universal Investment Company had strict hiring standards; anyone below 70 loyalty was not accepted. Given the sensitive nature of their work, confidentiality was critical.
Among the sixty-plus employees, more than half had loyalty between 70 and 79, around twenty had loyalty between 80 and 89, and only four had loyalty above 90.
At that moment, Lin Haoran mentally selected the small acquisition team for Bank of East Asia. After memorizing the names, he focused back on the group.
"Everyone, I called you here not because of any emergency. I understand many of you may be anxious, worrying about layoffs to cut costs. Here, I want to assure you clearly: as long as you remain loyal to the company, fulfill your duties, and contribute, there will be no layoffs.
Even though there are rumors about my financial troubles, I have the ability to take care of every one of you. Think about it — I control massive companies like Land Holdings Group, Hongkong Electric, and Wanching Group, each with thousands of employees, and I have never mentioned layoffs. Would I start cutting staff here, where there are just a few dozen of you?
So please rest assured and focus on your work without unnecessary worry," Lin Haoran said warmly.
The employees immediately felt a wave of relief, and soon, the conference room erupted in applause — a heartfelt expression of gratitude toward their boss, who stood by them even in tough times.
After a few more words of encouragement, Lin Haoran dismissed the gathering, allowing everyone to return to their posts.
"Dai Shi, come to my office afterward," Lin Haoran said before leaving the room.
Dai Shi nodded and followed him back to the office.
"Regarding the team for the Bank of East Asia project, I've finalized the members: Yan Sheng, Ke Zibin, Yan Guolong, and Zhu Jiarui. Secretly gather these four and set them up in a separate office for this task. Be sure to enforce strict confidentiality," Lin Haoran instructed, naming the four employees with loyalty above 90.
Dai Shi was surprised. "Boss, these employees have always performed well and are very proactive. How did you notice them?"
"Zhixue discussed company employees with me before he left for the U.S. These names stuck in my mind," Lin Haoran replied casually, naturally not revealing that he could actually see their loyalty ratings.
"Understood, boss. I'll arrange everything privately. They'll start preparing for the Bank of East Asia acquisition tomorrow!" Dai Shi responded seriously.
Clearly, Dai Shi was very satisfied with the list — if anything leaked, the responsibility would fall heavily on him, so he was relieved that the team was trustworthy.
"Work hard. I expect good news when I return from the U.S.!" Lin Haoran encouraged.
"I will do my best, boss. I won't disappoint you!"
"Good. I'll be off now. Make sure everything is well arranged," Lin Haoran said, patting Dai Shi's shoulder before departing.
After leaving the 31st floor, Lin Haoran didn't leave Wanching Building immediately. Instead, he took the elevator down to the 29th floor to visit Burton's office.
Along the way, employees greeted him politely but, like those at Universal Investment Company, carried traces of worry on their faces, fearing the financial rumors might impact their jobs — delays in salary, layoffs, etc.
This was understandable. As long as it didn't interfere with work, Lin Haoran saw no need to refute the rumors. If he publicly denied them, it could ruin the timing for selling real estate properties.
If Hong Kong citizens sensed that he wasn't actually in financial trouble, and he continued large-scale property sales, it would panic the market, affecting real estate prices. So it was better to let the rumors run their course.
Reaching Burton's office, Lin Haoran saw through the glass that Burton was on the phone.
Without waiting, Lin Haoran opened the door and stepped inside. Seeing the boss, Burton quickly stood up, but Lin Haoran motioned for him to finish his call first.
After two minutes, Burton hung up.
"Boss, after we released the news about property sales, I just got a call from Mr. Chen Songqing, Chairman of Jianning Group. He wants to buy International Plaza in Central but hopes we can give him a discount," Burton reported.
"Jianning Group again?" Lin Haoran thought to himself, surprised.
Jianning Group certainly had deep pockets. They had already spent over a billion acquiring shares of his Aimco company and now wanted to buy International Plaza.
"What price did he offer?" Lin Haoran asked with a smile.
They had discussed it yesterday: International Plaza was listed at 1.2 billion Hong Kong dollars, slightly above market value.
"Boss, Jianning Group offered 900 million Hong Kong dollars, but I estimate their real target price is about 1 billion. They're just lowballing for bargaining room," Burton replied.
"Hmm, the minimum is 1 billion. Below that, we won't sell," Lin Haoran said.
"Understood, boss. I'll negotiate to push the price higher," Burton assured him.
"Also, make sure that the transaction with Jianning Group is for full upfront payment before transferring ownership. No installments!" Lin Haoran emphasized.
He knew Jianning Group's background well — they were essentially speculators and fraudsters. If payments were in installments, there was a risk of not receiving the full amount.
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