(Correction: The "French Integrated Media Group" mentioned above is incorrect and should be Lagardère SCA)
It was already past three o'clock in the morning when Jing Gao finished the phone call. He took a nap in his clothes in the study room on the second floor. At about six o'clock in the morning, he received two unexpected and uninvited guests: Arthur.
- Lagardère, and Bernard Arnault's confidant and spokesperson Andre Griffin.
Dong Youwei's eyes were bloodshot and he led the two of them to see Jing Gao who had finished washing up in the living room on the first floor.
The living room is elegantly furnished and has a simple layout. Jing Gao sat on the single-backed sofa without getting up, with a cup of warm tea at hand.
Jing Shufeng, the staff member who continued to act as translator, sat behind him.
Andre Griffin is a German, short and fat, with a square face. He bowed to Jing Gao and said: "Dear Mr. Jing, I am very sorry that Mr. Arnault cannot come due to physical reasons. I will serve as his
The plenipotentiary has come to make a request to you, hoping to gain your understanding."
Arthur Lagardère couldn't help but sigh in his heart, professional managers work hard, and with such a low posture, he couldn't speak, so he could only bow to Jing Gao. It was like the subjects were meeting their king!
Jing Gao nodded and made a gesture for the two of them to sit down and talk.
Andre Griffin did not sit down, but stood and talked to Jing Gao, saying respectfully: "Mr. Jing, the assassination you encountered tonight was by the Minister of Territorial Integration and Local Liaison Affairs Louis-
Froude started it. His attitude has always been tough. Mr. Arnault has always been a moderate."
Jing Gao smiled but said nothing.
Who are you kidding? Bernard Arnault is known as the "wolf in a cashmere shirt". He only has the wrong name, not the wrong nickname. This shows his style of acting.
Andre Griffin observed his words and said sincerely: "Mr. Jing, to show our sincerity, Mr. Arnault and the Lagardère Consortium are willing to help you solve Louis Froude.
Of course, this requires some cooperation from you: ask your country's embassy to investigate your assassination, and continue to put pressure on the French cabinet and police. At the same time, we are willing to make compensation."
Jing Gao pondered slightly.
To be honest, even if it was found out that Louis Froude had taken action against him and he wanted to send someone to kill him, he would not be able to take action against a French cabinet member in the short term. He could only wait a few years to wait for Louis Froude.
After losing power and disappearing from the public eye, send someone to kill him.
A car accident, a medical accident, or an accident can cover up all traces.
Now that the Arnault and Lagardère consortiums are willing to take action on their behalf, they can quickly deal with Louis Froude and make him angry. This is an unexpected gain.
Idaka nodded, recognizing the "sincerity" of Bernard Arnault and the Lagardère Consortium.
Andre Griffin suddenly felt relieved and continued: "Mr. Arnault is willing to sell 70% of the equity of the luxury brand Bulgari to you for 5 billion euros. In order to allow Zhaoshi Group to make up for its shortcomings in the field of high-end watches.
plate.
According to financial data in May this year, Bulgari’s total sales in watches, jewelry, perfumes, skin care products, hotels and other businesses last year were 2 billion euros. The accounting firm valued Bulgari at 7.5 billion euros. .
However, Mr. Arnault hopes to reach a gentleman's agreement with you. When you want to sell Bulgari's equity, LVMH Group has the right of first refusal."
Arthur Lagardère was also standing negotiating, and then said: "Mr. Jing, Lagardère is willing to pay a 30% premium to take over 10% of the shares of the Lagardère Group (Lagardère SCA) in your hands.
We are also willing to divest several of our non-core magazines and publishing houses and sell them to you to help you gain admission to the French public opinion arena.
I want to explain that French print media has certain limitations, because fewer and fewer young people read newspapers. But publishing houses still have huge influence.
However, Mr. Jing, you have no connections in French politics, so it will be difficult for you to play the role of a publishing house. But you can use this to transform towards the Internet. We are willing to help."
Idaka is of course interested in entering the French media industry. The French media has become one of the "separation of powers". But the risks involved are very high. As long as some departments in France conduct an investigation for security reasons, he will All investments will be wasted.
As for transforming to the Internet, don’t think about making social media or news clients. These are the territories of Google, faebook, Twitter, Instagram and other software.
However, as a powerful person, is he still afraid that his investment will be in vain? What he wants is a channel through which capital can be used to exchange power.
This is a "conspiracy". It's not that he looks down on Arthur Lagardère. This is simply not a suggestion that this person can make.
First, the Lagardère consortium repurchases his shares, even at a 30% premium, resulting in a large amount of debt. But similarly, its shareholding in the French integrated media group will rise to about 20%, giving it greater control. strengthen.
Second, it induces him to invest in the media industry, which may cause him huge losses in the future.
It can be seen that Bernard Arnault still has some thoughts about him. But under the current situation, he has to bow his head.
Jinggao wanted to understand and said: "Arthur Lagardère, I think French publishing houses and magazines will not play a big role, they are just identity authentication. The transformation to the Internet will only be a content provider, and it will not be big." Is this all Gardel’s sincerity?”
Arthur Lagardère felt like sweating on his forehead and said tremblingly: "Mr. Jing, I am willing to sell the ancestral home of the Lagardère family to you. From now on, the glory of the Lagardère family belongs to Mr. Jing." Your stepping stone.”
Jing Gaosha laughed and stood up from the sofa. Even though he was trampling the enemy under his feet to seize the fruits of victory, even after being tired all night, his mind was still very clear. He said: "What do I want your ancestral home for? What glory?" , a stepping stone, I am afraid that if I take over your family’s ancestral home, I will trigger a boycott by the entire French consortium.”
Arthur Lagardère said quickly: "Don't dare, don't dare."
Idaka said: "Lagardère purchased 100% of my shares in the French integrated media group at a premium."
Arthur Lagardère defended in shock: "Mr. Jing, I don't have that much money in my hands."
Jing Gao interrupted him forcefully and said, "I can lend you money!"
What Igao said seems a bit nonsensical, but actually the secret lies in this: The equity of Lagardère Group is yours, but I am your creditor! I can maintain a certain degree of influence.
And the Lagardère Consortium needs to repay its debt every year. If you work hard for a year, the profits will be mine.
Idaka did not mention that he would form a new bank, and said: "I will accept the magazine and the publishing house. I don't want your ancestral home. Give me a larger piece of land in the suburbs of Paris. I'm going to build one."
A bigger manor.”
Arthur Lagardère did the math in his mind, and he was frustrated to find that if he acquired it at a 100% premium, he would owe Mr. Shimojing nearly 3 billion euros in debt. This does not include interest. With the profitability of the Lagardère Group,
Within the next ten years, it may be difficult for him to get rid of the impact of this debt.
As one of the world's three largest publishing groups, the annual net profit of the Lagardère Group is not high. The estimated net profit for 2018 is only about 250 million euros.
Originally acquired at a premium of 30%, part of the funds would be advanced by Bernard Arnault, who would then directly convert debt into equity. He will continue to be a supporter of the Lagardère family in the Lagardère Group.
Of course, the price Lagardère paid was that he was lagging behind in this negotiation and was in a weak position, bearing the dissatisfaction of Mr. Jing.
This is a negotiation skill. Arnault and Lagardère set out conditions respectively. In comparison, it is obvious that Arnault is more sincere. Then, there is a high probability that Mr. Jing will agree to Arnault's conditions and then challenge and question Lagardère.
sincerity.
However, I didn’t expect Mr. Jing to be so aggressive and ask for such a cruel price!
Arthur Lagardère grimaced and agreed tangledly: "Okay, Mr. Jing."
"Okay, Youwei, you entertain them and implement the agreement." Jing Gao ordered and went to the third floor to rest.
The news that Igao was shot last night swept through certain circles in Paris like a storm and spread quickly. However, not a word appeared on the Internet or in the news.
Dong Lingxi, Ouyang Wan, and Chen Qingshuang had breakfast in the embassy, and accompanied by Counselor Wu, returned to the villa at No. 12 Rotan Street, District 16.
The villa under the shadow of the plane trees was slightly quiet, with the summer wind blowing slowly by. The vigilant bodyguards were doing their duty, but their faces looked tired. Obviously, they were very tired after last night's hard work.
There was no one in the hall on the first floor. Dong Youwei and others were negotiating in the living room. When Counselor Wu, Dong Lingxi and others arrived, they took a short break.
Counselor Wu wanted to come over to check on Jing Gao. When he learned that Jing Gao was sleeping soundly on the third floor, he smiled and said, "As long as everything is fine, Assistant Dong, you can go get busy!"
Dong Youwei's eyes were red from the stress, and he smiled with exhaustion, escorted Counselor Wu out, and whispered about the shooting, "Our boss, Mr. Jing, made several calls last night and basically confirmed that the person behind the scenes last night was A."
.I hope the embassy can put pressure on the French cabinet and police to provide an explanation."
Counselor Wu was a little surprised. He didn't even know who was behind the scenes last night. After thinking about it, he said frankly: "Assistant Dong, let me tell you the truth. You just have some injured people. The French police will not investigate seriously at all. Check."
If there is no result, the cabinet can naturally fool it."
Dong Youwei smiled slightly and said, "Just apply pressure."
Counselor Wu understood a little bit. There should be exchanges and compromises behind the scenes, and said with a smile: "Okay. Our citizens and entrepreneurs were shot in France. It is our duty to notify the French government and put pressure on them."
He went to inform Jing Gao last night, and what happened next was also clear. The general view among him and his colleagues was that the shooting incident was most likely directed and staged by Jing Gao to solve the fatal situation last night.
I guess Mr. Jing has gained a lot from this! He is really a smart and powerful person, and he is also very courageous!
Not to mention that Dong Youwei went to see off Counselor Wu. Dong Lingxi, Ouyang Wan, and Chen Qingshuang went to the third floor to see Jing Gao, but they saw that the windows in the master bedroom were closed, the air conditioner was on, and Jing Gao was sleeping in a soft gray suit.
She was lying on the bed and sleeping soundly. She was breathing evenly. She must have been exhausted last night.
I don't know where to start talking about the worries and feelings of the three of them, but I feel that in the quiet bedroom, my heart becomes softer.
