399, the most powerful group of people in Hong Kong (Part 1)
No. 19, Zhongxia Road, Xiangjiang!
This is the executive room of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, where all the senior executives of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation have lived.
The lights here are bright today, and top luxury cars are driving in here one after another.
To use an old joke to describe the situation here tonight, if a bomb falls here, 90% of the top wealthy people in Hong Kong will die, and the Hong Kong government in Hong Kong will lose more than half of its officials.
Chu Huan got out of the car, dressed in a black Italian handmade custom-made suit, and walked slowly into the hall.
The hall was brightly lit and crowded, with almost all the well-known figures in Hong Kong's political and business circles already present.
But even so, when Chu Huan appeared here, he still attracted the attention of everyone present.
There is no way, who makes Chu Huan the richest man in Xiangjiang now!
Chu Huan walked into the hall slowly, took a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray, and walked towards the center of the hall. Everyone moved out of the way, and people on both sides greeted Chu Huan.
Chu Huan responded one by one with a smile, and soon came to the middle of the hall.
Standing here are the chief executive officer of HSBC Bank, Sha Ya, the chief secretary of Hong Kong, Luo Bishi, and the chief executive officer of Yihe Bank, New Bikin. There is only one Chinese, Pao Yukang. At this time, Chu Huan appears, two Chinese!
Except for the fact that Governor MacLehose and Lord Fok did not appear due to their status, it can be said that the five most influential people in Hong Kong's political and business circles are standing here at this time.
"Mr. Taipan, congratulations to HSBC on its successful start!"
Chu Huan smiled and talked to Sha Ya.
Hearing what Chu Huan said, Sha Ya smiled broadly, Luo Bishi looked relaxed, and Niubijian and Bao Yugang looked at Chu Huan with some doubts.
Just from the expressions of these four people, it can be seen that Luo Bishi already knows the reason for tonight's dance, but Niubijian and Pao Yugang don't know yet.
They were also very curious about why Sha Ya, who had always been low-key, would suddenly hold such a grand dance at this time, but they did not expect that Chu Huan already knew about it.
Sha Ya smiled and said, "I have to thank Director Chu for this matter. If it weren't for Director Chu's help, our HSBC would not have gone so smoothly!"
Chu Huan smiled and said, "It is my honor to be able to help Mr. Taipan and HSBC!"
After the two exchanged pleasantries, they clinked glasses to celebrate!
Niubijian and Pao Yugang looked at each other, and neither of them asked. Since the dance had already been held, Sha Ya would definitely announce the reason later. If they asked at this time, they would be in trouble.
Luo Bishi said to Chu Huan at this time, "Director Chu, regarding the application for land next to the two factories of Youth Toys and Endeavor Printing, our Colonial Secretary has no problem. I don't know when these two factories are going to sign with us.
A contract?"
Chu Huan and Luo Bishi were old acquaintances, but even so, they were planning to work with Sha Ya to renovate Chu Huan's Youth Toy Factory and Endeavor Printing Factory.
But under Chu Huan's subtle threats and the temptation to help HSBC take over the North American Ocean Milan Bank.
The private undercurrents between the two parties have disappeared, replaced by the fact that the two factories have received approval from the Hong Kong government for purchasing land!
Luo Bishi also had mixed feelings about Chu Huan. As the second-highest figure in the Hong Kong government, Luo Bishi was wary of Chu Huan's rise, otherwise he would not have teamed up with Sha Ya to target Chu Huan.
However, Luo Bishi couldn't live without Chu Huan, just like MacLehose couldn't live without Chu Huan.
Chu Huan's factory supports tens of thousands of families in Hong Kong, with a population of nearly 100,000. It helps MacLehose's Hong Kong government promote the public housing project and solve the employment problem. These are their political achievements!
Now these two factories are about to expand again. It is foreseeable that after this expansion, at least 10,000 jobs will be created for Xiangjiang and tens of thousands of families will be stabilized. This is another achievement of theirs.
However, Chu Huan's development frightened them. If it continues at this rate, in the future, the names of the Governor of Hong Kong, HSBC, Jardine Matheson, and the Jockey Club, the four names that govern Hong Kong, will be followed by Chu Huan.
!
Thinking about it, this is an incredible thing.
Chu Huan raised his wine glass and said to Luo Bishi with a smile, "Thank you so much, Colonial Secretary, so that you can help Xiangjiang solve more employment problems. It is our company's honor!"
In such an occasion, no matter what the relationship is, it is always hello, hello, hello to everyone!
"Director Chu, our Wharf is really interested in your company's development in East Tsim Sha Tsui. How about you and I working together to develop it?" Niubijian also asked Chu Huan with a smile at this time.
Chu Huan said with a smile on his face, "Our company is also interested in the development of Land in Central. If we can cooperate together, I think it will definitely become a good story in the business community of Hong Kong!"
"Haha!" Niubijian laughed and stopped talking.
At this time, Bao Yugang said, "Dr. Chu, your business is getting more and more extensive now. Are you interested in entering the shipping industry? We Global welcomes people like Director Chu to join!"
Bao Yugang's words made Sha Ya, Luo Bishi, and Niubijian show varying degrees of surprise. None of the three of them thought that Pao Yugang wanted to invite Chu Huan to join Universal. This is Bao Yugang's private territory.
ah.
Is Chu Huan's influence already so terrifying?
Chu Huan said with a smile, "Weng Bao is too polite. If it had been before, my nephew would have been very happy to agree to Weng Bao's invitation. Unfortunately, now the company's cash has to be used to prepare for the development of East Tsim Sha Tsui. I'm afraid he is powerless!"
Bao Yugang showed a disappointed expression.
I don’t know if Pao Yugang had the idea of abandoning the ship and landing at this time, but what is certain is that the business wizard Pao Yugang must have felt the problems in the shipping industry at this time, especially the previous oil crisis that caused the global oil price to rise.
, the cost of shipping industry increases.
So at this time, Pao Yugang hopes that more influential people can join Universal, especially people like Chu Huan who have a large amount of cash flow in their hands.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! But now it seems that Chu Huan has no intention of joining the shipping industry.
You definitely can’t join!
The last oil crisis was not a fatal blow to the shipping industry. When the next oil crisis breaks out, it will be a devastating blow to the shipping industry.
Bao Yugang abandoned the ship and landed in advance, and Cao Wenjin had already moved his main business to Southeast Asia early, allowing the two of them to successfully escape the cold winter of the shipping industry.
However, several other shipping kings in Xiangjiang did not fare so well. Zhao Congyan had to auction off his collection of antiques to pay off debts, and Ship King Dong's Orient Overseas almost went bankrupt.
At this time, Chu Huan said that he would never enter the shipping industry.
The five of them simply exchanged greetings and then separated. It was impossible for the five of them to stay together at the dance.
However, it was quickly discovered that in the entire hall, the five people quickly formed five small and medium-sized groups, with the five of them as the core.
Kwok Desheng of Sun Hung Kai, Zheng Yutong of New World, Qi Dezun of Hehe International, Hu Yingxiang of Hopewell Properties, Jian Yueqiang who has just completed his retirement, Feng Hanzhu of Li & Fung Group, Tang Jiqian of Nanhai Textile, Feng Jingxi of Sun Hung Kai Securities, and Lao Jia of Grand Hotel Group
Logically speaking, Zhao Congyan and others from Huaguang Shipping were by Chu Huan's side.
"Ah Huan, what did HSBC do this time? Hold a banquet with such great fanfare?"
Guo Desheng also heard the conversation between Chu Huan and Sha Ya just now. At this time, he asked Chu Huan with some curiosity. Everyone present was considered to be Chu Huan's allies in the business world, so everyone was not like Bao Yugang and Niu Bi before.
That kind of worry.
If you don’t know and are curious, just ask!
Chu Huan smiled and said, "Let the host announce it. After all, people hold such a party because they want to enjoy the moment exclusively!"
Chu Huan's joke made several people at the scene laugh helplessly, but they also became more curious about what kind of thing could make Sha Ya pay such attention to it.
In fact, not only them, but everyone in other small groups is also like this.
But soon, this doubt disappeared, because after everyone attending today's dance party arrived, Sha Ya finally decided to announce the matter.
At this time, Saya was standing on the steps. Standing on the left and right sides were HSBC's General Manager Shen Bi and Loan Department Manager Luo Yin Bentley. Saya's face was also glowing, and the atmosphere was a bit quiet. Those who didn't know why, at this time
Everyone wants to know what exactly Sha Ya is going to announce.
"Thank you very much for attending this dance today. On such a beautiful day, HSBC has something happy to share with you."
Everyone looked at him, wanting to know as soon as possible what was going on that could make Sha Ya pay so much attention to it.
HSBC represents the economy of Hong Kong. This matter is so important that it is likely to change the existing economic pattern of Hong Kong.
Shaya continued, "Here, I am very honored to announce to you that just three days ago, HSBC completed the acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank of North America. Now HSBC owns 51% of the shares of Ocean Milan Bank of North America, becoming the North American Ocean Bank.
The largest shareholder of Bank of Milan.
I hope that in the future, everyone’s business in North America will pay more attention to Ocean Milan Bank, because it already belongs to our HSBC and our Hong Kong!”
As soon as the words fell, those who had just learned the news were stunned on the spot. No one thought that what HSBC was going to announce would be such a thing.
Then everyone couldn't help but sigh, HSBC is indeed HSBC. Everyone thought that HSBC's development had reached its ceiling, but they didn't expect that HSBC could find a new path and develop its business in North America!
There were all the top figures in Hong Kong's political and business circles present, and they naturally knew about the situation of Ocean Milan Bank.
Now that HSBC has acquired Ocean Milan Bank, it has expanded its business in the Americas. Some groups with business in the Americas suddenly began to think that this matter is most beneficial to them!
"It turned out to be the acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank, and HSBC's situation suddenly changed!"
Jian Yueqiang stood in front of Chu Huan and couldn't help but sigh.
Then Jian Yueqiang couldn't help but look at Chu Huan. According to the relationship between Chu Huan and HSBC, Chu Huan shouldn't know about this matter earlier than others. Now Chu Huan unexpectedly knew about it in advance.
There's something wrong with this!
"Ah Huan, is it possible that you have contributed to this matter?"
Before Chu Huan could answer Jian Yueqiang, Sha Ya on the steps had already continued talking. In fact, he had just been saying that, for example, HSBC cooperated with KKR in New York to successfully obtain the controlling stake of Ocean Milan Bank.
Originally, everyone didn't care much about this matter. Just like Jian Yueqiang's emotion just now, everyone was surprised that HSBC was able to take control of Ocean Milan Bank, and kkr was so far away from Xiangjiang. These people present, business
Most of the focus is on Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, with very little business in North America.
The largest number is the trading company Li & Fung Group.
But what Sha Ya said now was enough to shock everyone present.
"Here, we at HSBC would like to thank our directors Chu Huan and Director Chu. If Director Chu had not been there to guide us, we at HSBC would not have contacted kkr, and it would have been impossible for HSBC to find such a suitable partner. Please come to the stage!"
Sha Ya's words made everyone at the scene turn their attention to Chu Huan again, and the complicated light in his expression flickered.
No one could have imagined that Chu Huan would have so much energy in North America that he could help HSBC contact fund companies to acquire Ocean Milan Bank.
But these people soon figured it out. After all, now everyone knows that "Fantasy Comics" and its surrounding areas have exploded in popularity around the world. Chu Huan can get to know some North American brokerage companies, and there seems to be nothing wrong with it.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Just
Could it be that Chu Huan has already started investing in North America?
This is what everyone is thinking. If this is the case, it would be terrible.
If these people knew that more than half of the cash used by HSBC to acquire Ocean Milan Bank came from Chu Huan, they would definitely be even crazier.
No matter what these people thought, Chu Huan had already slowly stepped forward and reached the steps.
Regarding Sha Ya, there was no mention that Chu Huan lent money to HSBC to acquire Ocean Milan Bank. Chu Huan and Sha Ya had communicated on the phone before.
Previously, Chu Huan and Sha Ya agreed that both parties would jointly invest in the acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank. When the financial pressure on HSBC was not so heavy, they could buy back the shares of Ocean Milan Bank from Chu Huan at the original price.
However, both parties later thought that this matter was too troublesome, so they changed the situation to HSBC being solely responsible for the funds. Chu Huan only acted as a go-between in this matter.
Of course, Chu Huan's loan to HSBC must not be made public. HSBC still wants to lose face.
"Mr. Taipan is so polite!" Chu Huan stood next to Sha Ya and said with a smile, "After all, I am a director of HSBC. I am just doing what I can for the development of HSBC. I believe that Sha Ya Taipan's acquisition
The matter of Ocean Milan Bank can be the same as the previous purchase of 51 shares of Hang Seng by Sandus Group in order to help Hang Seng, and it can become a highlight in the history of HSBC!"
Shaya's previous chief executive at HSBC was known as one of the most successful chief executives at HSBC. During his tenure, there were two achievements that were mentioned.
The first one was naturally to support Bao Yukang, the last richest man in Hong Kong, and help him become the world's shipping king.
The second is to acquire shares of Hang Seng 51, making HSBC the largest banking consortium in Hong Kong.
Now Chu Huan compared the acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank under the leadership of Sha Ya to the acquisition of Hang Seng 51 shares by Sandus, which made Sha Ya immediately glow.
After all, before this thing was accomplished, because of Zhu Yu’s leadership, Sha Ya has been criticized since she became the chief executive of HSBC for not being enterprising and resting on the merits of her predecessors.
This kind of comment had basically become the final conclusion when Sha Ya resigned as the chief executive of HSBC.
When Sha Ya was in office, she only did one big thing. She established a business and it was not obvious that she made a lot of profits!
"Director Chu is too polite. After all, we have just acquired the shares of Ocean Milan Bank 51, and we have not completed everything yet. We will still need more help from Director Chu in the future!"
Shaya laughed and said.
When everyone at the scene heard what Sha Ya said, they showed surprised expressions again. Originally, they thought that the completion of HSBC's control of Ocean Milan Bank would be enough to shock everyone.
But I didn’t expect HSBC’s ambition to be so big. It wanted to fully acquire Ocean Milan Bank!
That's right, we must work hard to acquire them all! Chu Huan said with a smile, "If there is anything I can do to help HSBC in the future, I personally will be obliged to do so!"
There is a difference between holding a controlling stake and fully acquiring Ocean Milan Bank.
In another time and space, the first half of the process of HSBC's acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank was as smooth as it is now. However, when HSBC wanted to fully acquire Ocean Milan Bank, it encountered huge resistance.
First of all, when HSBC acquired Ocean Milan Bank in another time and space, it happened to coincide with the financial problems of Ocean Milan Bank. This caused HSBC's board of directors to have major differences on HSBC's wholly-owned acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank. Some people thought that the acquisition of such a bank had
Banks with financial problems have doubts about whether they will suffer financial difficulties later.
Then there was the obstruction of the New York State Banking Supervisor in North America, forcing Ocean Milan Bank to obtain a national bank license. At the same time, New York State repeatedly traced the internal reserves of HSBC, because North Americans traditionally value the disclosure of information, while Hong Kong allows
Banks do not publish internal reserves.
It was precisely for these reasons that it took a long time for HSBC to acquire the shares behind Ocean Milan Bank.
These troubled matters can also slow down HSBC's plans to target itself.
As Sha Ya announced this, everyone also knew the theme of the dance, and then they all stepped forward to express their congratulations to Sha Ya.
Chu Huan walked down the steps at this time, and Jerry Kohlberg, Henryk Laiwei, and George Roberts came to Chu Huan's side with some disappointment.
Originally they thought that this matter would bring some business funds to kkr, but tonight, the top businessmen in Xiangjiang did not look at them differently because they helped HSBC acquire Ocean Milan Bank.
"Xiangjiang is experiencing labor pains now. At this time, Xiangjiang's businessmen are more focused on the local market, so you should work hard to develop your customers in North America!"
After hearing their situation, Chu Huan smiled and said.
The three of them knew that this was all they could do.
Henryk Laiwei said to Chu Huan, "Mr. Chu, after tonight's dance, we will return to New York tomorrow. We will pass on the information you want to you in a few days!"
Chu Huan nodded and said with a smile, "Don't be too anxious about this matter, I need to raise funds!"
Although the acquisition of North American Bank is urgent, land development in East Tsim Sha Tsui also requires preparation of funds, and Chu Huan does not have a lot of cash on hand right now.
George Roberts said, "This matter is not an easy matter. We also have a lot of preliminary preparation work to do. Let's try to synchronize our time!"
Chu Huan nodded.
"Dr. Chu, if you have any good business, don't forget about us at Standard Chartered. We have cooperated quite happily before!"
While Chu Huan was chatting with the KKR trio, Sanderson, the senior manager of Standard Chartered Bank, walked over with a smile on his face.
Jerry Kohlberg and Chu Huan nodded and continued to contact customers.
"Sanderson's senior class!" Chu Huan smiled and clinked their wine glasses with Sanderson.
After Sanderson took a sip of the champagne in his glass, he looked dissatisfied and said to Chu Huan, "Director Chu, you can't favor one over the other. If you can help HSBC contact and acquire banks in North America, why can't you help Standard Chartered also expand?
Where’s the business outside of Asia!”
Chu Huan chuckled softly and said, "Teacher Sanderson, you really think too highly of me. I just helped HSBC introduce kkr, and I didn't do much to help you!"
Sanderson smiled and said, "Dr. Chu, everyone is in Xiangjiang. Don't I know if others don't know? Two to three billion US dollars is already a lot, even for HSBC, let alone in today's situation."
, HSBC must put its main energy and funds into Hong Kong, especially for a cautious person like Xiang Shaya.
But now, HSBC spent a lot of money to acquire Ocean Milan Bank. Coupled with the love-in-love relationship between Director Chu and HSBC, Sha Ya was able to personally invite Director Chu to the stage. Thank you very much. I don’t think that Director Chu is just
It’s just threading a needle!”
There are still many smart people in this world!
Chu Huan smiled and said, "I'm afraid Mr. Taipan really thought wrong this time. You also know the cash pressure I'm facing now. Even if I want to help, I don't have the strength!"
Sanderson looked at Chu Huan suspiciously. He didn't believe that Chu Huan was just helping to thread the needle in this matter, but what Chu Huan said was right. Everyone knew that Chu Huan was now making every effort to prepare for the development of East Tsim Sha Tsui.
Chu Huan must be prepared to spend a large amount of cash for this project.
Seeing Sanderson's suspicious eyes, Chu Huan smiled and said, "But Mr. Sanderson also said that the two of us had a very good cooperative relationship before, so now I can provide Mr. Senior Class with some news. I
I think you will be very interested!"
Sanderson's eyes immediately gleamed. Now in Xiangjiang, no one would underestimate the information provided by Chu Huan.
"I wonder what Director Chu is talking about?"
Chu Huan said softly, "When HSBC acquired Ocean Milan Bank, I also researched European banks and found that although the Royal Bank of Scotland, the leader of the five largest settlement banks in the UK, has a transcendent status, because of its status as a listed company, its shares
The distribution situation is the same as that of Ocean Milan Bank, which is very fragmented. If a bank wants to acquire them at this time, I think the chance of success will still be great!"
HSBC’s triangle stool strategy, the American bank is Ocean Milan Bank, and the target in Europe is the British Royal Bank of Scotland!
But in fact, it was not HSBC that took the lead in acquiring Royal Bank of Scotland, but Standard Chartered.
At that time, HSBC was under pressure to fully acquire Ocean Milan Bank. It announced a rights issue for the first time in 60 years and raised HK$2 billion. However, just when HSBC was preparing to launch a final attack on Ocean Milan Bank, Standard Chartered Bank suddenly announced that it planned to
Merge with the Royal Bank of Scotland on the condition that 1 Standard Chartered ordinary share with a par value of 1 pound plus 50 pence in cash is exchanged for 5 ordinary shares of the Royal Bank of Scotland with a par value of 25 pence.
Such behavior disrupted all HSBC's plans at once, so HSBC could only immediately turn around and start competing with Standard Chartered Bank for Royal Bank of Scotland.
The fight between the two parties attracted the attention of the British Trade Secretary, who subsequently announced that the proposal to acquire Royal Bank of Scotland had been submitted to the British Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation in accordance with the Fair Trading Act, and both parties were prohibited from proposing new acquisition conditions during this period.
The British Monopolies and Mergers Commission ultimately voted five to one against HSBC and Standard Chartered's acquisition of Royal Bank of Scotland, believing that the proposed acquisition by both parties would have a negative impact on Scotland's employment prospects, business and the public interest of the United Kingdom.
Subsequently, the British Department of Trade officially announced that the government accepted the majority decision of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and rejected the acquisition of Royal Bank of Scotland by HSBC and Standard Chartered.
For the British Treasury and the Bank of England, the country's main settlement banks should be in the hands of local banks, because they are the lifeblood of the British banking industry and are not allowed to fall into the hands of overseas companies like HSBC registered in Hong Kong.
For the Scots, they are not willing to see the management of Royal Bank of Scotland leave Scotland.
As a result of this announcement, neither HSBC nor Standard Chartered succeeded in acquiring Royal Bank of Scotland, and Standard Chartered has been in decline since then, and has even aroused the covetousness of many people.
As for HSBC, they did not give up their strategic layout of the triangle stool. After the British government relaxed the control of the London Stock Exchange, HSBC made a comeback. It first acquired the equity of the British securities company James James and then used it as a springboard to start.
Launched an acquisition of Bank of England, another settlement bank in England.
The whole process lasted from the 1980s to the 1990s, and was completed after two major positions, Shen Bi and Pu Weishi.
HSBC also used this acquisition to merge with Bank of Midland, relocating HSBC out of Hong Kong in disguise.
Just the follow-up acquisition of Ocean Milan Bank cannot completely hold back HSBC. If coupled with the situation in Europe, it may be able to completely hold back HSBC!
And you can also use this matter to get Standard Chartered into trouble!
Chu Huan felt that his words could bring so many beneficial results, which was quite impressive!