Faced with this problem, Wang Yaocheng didn't think too much and looked at Robert Downey Jr. with a calm expression. Seeing him staring at him nervously, he frowned and said;
"Downey, as the controlling shareholder of Marvel Animation, I have great trust in the current management team. Although I sympathize with your situation, I have no intention of interfering with their normal work."
As soon as these words came out, Robert Downey Jr.'s disappointment was beyond words, and his face became gloomy.
As the ultimate boss of the consortium and the boss behind the most popular film company in Hollywood, Wang Yaocheng's words are equivalent to the ultimate verdict in the film industry, and no one can overturn his decision.
He can decide the fate of a popular A-list movie star, whether he will rise to great heights or fall into ruin.
At this moment, Downey's heart felt like it was falling into the ice.
Wang Yaocheng is not completely suppressing this powerful superstar who can handle tens of billions of dollars in box office in the future. Who would think that he has too much money in his pocket?
Just when Robert Downey Jr. was feeling desperate, Wang Yaocheng chuckled and said;
"In essence, no one can be someone else's angel. Destiny is in your own hands. I respect you very much for your hard work in playing the role of Iron Man. Let's do this... I personally request President Pan to reopen the door to negotiations.
Given one more chance, I hope you and your agent can seize this opportunity and achieve a win-win result, what do you think?"
Although there was a questioning tone in his tone, it had actually been decided and could not be changed.
After some flattening and rounding, Robert Downey Jr.'s heart was filled with hope again, and he nodded in panic and agreed.
President Pan Shiyi and Xie Yi were clearly watching from the side. Their eyes looked at each other intentionally or unintentionally. They already knew in their hearts that one was going to be a good person and the other was a bad person. The situation was determined.
The boss has been a good guy, now it’s time for him to be a bad guy.
Afterwards, Robert Downey Jr. followed President Pan Shiyi and left the room, presumably to summon relevant managers and legal advisors to negotiate a new contract.
Wang Yaocheng would not participate in these small bargaining matters, as it would be too low a price.
Turning his eyes back to the popular Oscar-winning actress Richards Theron, who was sitting quietly aside, Wang Yaocheng smiled politely and said;
"I don't know how I can help you, the beautiful Miss Richards Theron. Although I have been familiar with you in the news media for a long time, I think this is the first time we have met. I have to say that you are stunningly beautiful.
"
"Thank you for the compliment, my dear Lord."
Richards Theron smiled, instantly brightening the room.
She combed her hair around her ears seductively and said, "I'm tired of working alone in Hollywood, and I want to find a strong supporter, so..."
So it found me.
Wang Yaocheng took the initiative to complete what she had not finished. Faced with such a straightforward and unabashed self-recommendation, Wang Yaocheng's face turned red for a rare moment.
Damn it, is my reputation in Hollywood so bad now?
"Oh...hehe, Miss Richards Theron is very funny, I..."
Richards Theron immediately interrupted him and said to himself;
"I have already thought about it. My dear Lord, I can accept the relationship of family and friends, and I am also willing to have children for you. To be honest, I think your genes are the best in the world, so I am ready for everything.
"
"You know it is very difficult for a woman to make a career in Hollywood. Even if I have a successful career, there are still many lustful eyes staring at me. Instead of doing this, I might as well find someone who is good enough, strong enough, and reliable enough to back me up.
.”
"You are tall, handsome, wealthy, and intelligent. You are a rare man in the world. I look forward to developing a relationship with you. Well... that will be the most beautiful moment in my life."
"Of course, I really need you to protect me from the wind and rain, just like Nicole Kidman, who can stay away from harassment. After all, I am also a new Oscar-winning actress, so I should be able to meet your standards."
"I like children, being able to be with you..."
"Cough cough cough..."
After hearing these words, Wang Yaocheng couldn't help but cough violently. It was so embarrassing.
Shay, who was sitting aside, had his head pounding as he listened. The less he knew about the big boss's privacy, the better. Just a few words like this were enough to shock him. He slipped out quietly and closed the door behind him.
…
a few days later
April 7, 2004
After more than five months of lengthy negotiations, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Co., Ltd. announced that it will acquire the Hilton Hotel Group of the United States and its 14 hotel brands around the world for US$24.2 billion, including Hilton Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, and Connaught Hotels.
Ryder, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, etc.
This large-scale merger shocked the world's financial community, and everyone turned their attention to it.
This was a large-scale merger and acquisition that changed the pattern of the world's high-end hotel industry. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Co., Ltd. suddenly became the world's number one large hotel management group, completing a qualitative transformation.
Hilton Hotel Group in the United States has more than 2,800 high-end hotels, 480,000 rooms, and a total of 100,000 employees.
Among them, Waldorf Astoria and Conrad are its highest-level ultra-luxury hotels and enjoy a high reputation in the industry for their perfect and thoughtful service.
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York is known as the "Queen of Hotels in the World". It has hosted many kings, queens, heads of government, millionaires and celebrities from all walks of life. It is a long-established super five-star luxury hotel.
Hilton Group's business is not limited to the high-end hotel industry. Its assets also include Baileys Entertainment Group in Las Vegas. Hilton Hotel Group is also the largest gaming company in the United States and owns the world's largest casino group "Harrah's Entertainment"
Ltd."
This time, Hilton Barron, chairman of the board of directors of Hilton Group, accepted the acquisition plan of Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Co., Ltd., specifically:
The acquirer pays US$8.2 billion in cash, and the remaining US$16 billion is converted into five-year corporate bonds with an annual interest rate of 5.5%. The acquirer must pay principal and interest on a quarterly basis. Payment can be made in advance but cannot be postponed.
This bond totaling US$16 billion is guaranteed by the Royal Family Fund, and both parties signed a gambling agreement;
If Hilton's stock price falls by 32% based on the average stock price of the ten trading days before April 7, the repurchase line will be triggered. The acquirer will repurchase the bonds at 120% of the average stock price of the ten trading days before April 7.
Hilton Barron has the right to choose cash, or equivalent value of Cisco stock or HSBC stock.
All Hilton Hotels Group assets sold will go into a charitable foundation named after Barron Hilton's father.
Barron's method of distributing inheritance is a method often used by billionaires in European and American societies to prevent prodigal sons from losing all the family assets.
Charitable institutions in Europe and the United States are often trust institutions. 80% of the annual income is given to the family and 20% is donated to charity. This can avoid sky-high inheritance taxes and prevent prodigal sons from committing catastrophic deaths. It is a very good tax avoidance method.
After merger
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Co., Ltd. owns 19 hotel brands. The number of hotels has increased sharply from 672 to 3,480, with 650,000 rooms and a total of 133,000 employees.
It also owns Baileys Entertainment Group in Las Vegas, which ranks first in the world's gaming and entertainment industry, Harrah's Entertainment Co., Ltd., the largest casino group, and hotel businesses on four continents in the world.
After the news of the merger came out, the New York Times commented:
People have seen that Mr. Wang Yaocheng, the godfather of Silicon Valley, has taken a new step in not doing his job properly. A company owned by the Royal Family Fund has acquired the Hilton Hotel Group, which is the most shocking news in the world's financial world this month.
Can this multi-pronged group diversification strategy ultimately succeed?
Whether the Royal Family Fund is good enough and has enough appetite to digest Hilton Hotel Group, a large international enterprise, industry insiders have many differences on this, showing an interesting phenomenon of diametrically opposed views.
Can't deny
At the very least, this attempt was brave and positive, and Wall Street responded positively to it. Hilton Hotel Group's overall stock price rose by more than 6.5%, and its market value reached US$20.76 billion. It handed over a barely qualified answer.
No matter what other people say, Wang Yaocheng is happy in his heart.
The sudden emergence of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group Co., Ltd. has greatly promoted the linkage of the entire consortium, which cannot be reflected by superficial data at all.
The joint development of HSBC, Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group is definitely one plus one greater than two. It should also include Global Telecommunications Company and even Atlantic Business Machines Company and Swire Trading Company.
The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group consumes a huge amount of resources every year. This large market is included in the internal circulation of the consortium companies. Atlantic uses office equipment and computers from the Machinery Company, small household appliances from the Gree Group, tea, coffee and fruit juice drinks from the Swire Trading Company.
Carrefour Group has tens of thousands of products, HSBC and Cathay Pacific can develop high-quality customers, and the potential benefits are simply endless.
At the same time, the consortium enterprises reported back to the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel Group that this was a win-win result.
"Cheers, I hope Morita will make great achievements here."
"Thank you, Chairman. Liu Shoutian is able to win the favor of the Chairman and shoulder the important responsibility of developing the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotel. He will do his best to complete the Chairman's blueprint. He will never slack off and live up to the Chairman's ardent hope."
"Hahaha... Morita is heavy. You have always been steady and solid in doing things. I am very optimistic that your management skills are worthy of this important task. Go ahead and do it boldly, ah!"
At the celebration banquet held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Wang Yaocheng's face was glowing and he frequently toasted with everyone to celebrate his victory.
Liu Shoutian, the deputy director of the secretariat next to him, has been newly appointed as the CEO and president of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Group. He is responsible for taking charge of the world's number one hotel management group. It is really a long way to go.
To put it in detail, Liu Shoutian has rich work experience. He was once a seafarer and had rich experience in Carrefour Supermarket Group, Atlantic Business Machines and Cisco.
After returning to the headquarters of the consortium, he took charge of the secretariat business in every detail and always handled it steadily and orderly. He is an excellent manager with a big picture view.
Such talents may not necessarily excel in high-tech Internet companies in Silicon Valley, but in the traditional hotel industry, they will never go astray in implementing the development strategy determined by Wang Yaocheng.
As the president of a multinational hotel group, he does not necessarily need to be proficient in specific hotel business, but he must have a clear strategic plan for corporate development, strong coordination and execution, and Liu Shoutian possesses all of these excellent qualities.
Many talents just don't have a suitable stage to shine, and eventually they are gradually lost to all living beings.
Putting Chambers in the Carrefour supermarket group may not necessarily bring success, and it is not appropriate for Dong Mingzhu to take charge of Google. It is like a key opening a lock. There is really no one in a million who has the aura of cheating like Wang Yaocheng.
Even so, if he is put in charge of a large multinational company, he may not be able to do better than everyone else is doing now.