The situation is critical.
I have done my best to raise funds to cope.
But you know... it has little effect. Right now, the only person in Hong Kong who can truly influence the overall situation is you. Only HSBC."
Shen Bi didn't say anything on the other end of the phone.
Only the sound of light breathing could be heard.
It brought an invisible sense of oppression to Newbijian.
Newbigin took a deep breath.
Throwing out the most critical purpose of this call:
"I know.
Jardine Matheson has a loan from your bank.
The mortgage is 20% of the shares of Hong Kong Land Group.
Peter.
I implore you...if tomorrow the share price of Hong Kong Land unfortunately falls below HK$60...do not immediately sell out these 20% shares!"
He emphasized the word "implore".
It was as if he was pouring all his hopes into it. “20%… that number is too big.
It’s too heavy.”
Newbigin's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Once you decide to throw it out.
The entire market simply cannot withstand such a huge selling pressure!
Panic is already spreading in the market.
If I am hit by another 20% of shares like a mountain falling... the consequences... I can't even imagine the consequences!
Yesterday, only Jardine Matheson sold 2% of its shares.
The stock price of the entire land has plummeted by nearly 40%!
Market confidence collapsed instantly!
If it were 20%…”
He gasped in pain. "That would be a complete collapse!
A cliff-like plunge!
It will definitely exceed your imagination!
It could even fall below 50! 40! Or even lower!
The market will become an uncontrollable disaster!"
“Peter.
You are clear.
Calculated based on yesterday's closing price of 136 yuan.
The market value of Hong Kong Land Development is close to HK$8 billion.
This 20% stake.
It’s worth exactly 1.6 billion!
This is for HSBC.
This loan is secured by shares.
How much is it?
HK$700 million plus HK$300 million.
The total is only HK$1 billion!"
There was a hint of bitterness in Newbigin's voice.
“If it were in the past.
For us at Jardine Matheson.
1 billion Hong Kong dollars.
He doesn't even frown!
You can pay it off anytime!"
"But now..." Newbigin's voice trailed off.
Full of frustration and helplessness. "The problem is exactly now!
Jardine Matheson’s capital chain…is experiencing difficulties in cash flow.
Our overseas investments.
It's all stuck.
No return in the short term!
It just happened to be at this critical juncture..."
He took another deep breath.
Like a drowning man grasping at the last straw.
Trying to elevate the words to a higher plane: “Peter.
This is not just about the survival of the Jardine Matheson family.
It also concerns the reputation and future of all British-funded enterprises in Hong Kong!
Think about it.
If Jardine Matheson really lost control of the Hong Kong Land Group!
This is significant for the prestige of British capital in Hong Kong Island.
What a heavy blow it was?
It's such a shame!"
“For hundreds of years.
There are only examples of British capital swallowing up Chinese capital!
Is there ever a precedent for British-owned core assets being taken away by Chinese capital?!" Newbigin's voice became sharp with excitement.
“Lose the land.
It’s a huge slap in the face of all British companies!
It will make the people of Hong Kong look down on us!
Think we can’t do it!
Believe that the halo that once surrounded British companies.
It's all false!
That aura of power and success that we carefully maintain.
It will be smashed to pieces!
The impact will be catastrophic!
It will shake the foundation of British capital as a whole!"
His tone became urgent and affirmative: "And! Peter!
This stock market crisis.
It definitely doesn't happen naturally!
There must be someone behind this!
Adding fuel to the fire!
The intention is extremely sinister!
I bet.
It must be those Chinese families who have always coveted the Hong Kong Land Group! The Huo family! The Li family! The Bao family! They are like a pack of hungry wolves.
Watching us from the dark, waiting for us to reveal our flaws!
This is simply a carefully planned trap!
A conspiracy to erode our century-old British foundation!
Peter.
You are one of us British.
He is the real economic helmsman of Hong Kong Island!
You must not fall into the trap set by those Chinese! Helping Jardine Matheson means helping the entire British capital camp to safeguard our dignity and interests in Hong Kong Island!
Let those with ill intentions see that British capital is still unshakable! "
On the other end of the phone.
There was a brief silence.
Newbijian's heart was in his throat.
Every second feels like a century.
He could hear his heart pounding in his chest.
Dongdong sound.
He played his most powerful cards: reputation, dignity, the bigger picture, potential conspiracy theories.
He hoped these would impress Shen Bi.
I hope this retired emperor can stand on the side of British capital and help Jardine Matheson. Finally, Shen Bi's voice sounded again.
With a strange feeling.
Even a somewhat exaggerated "praise".
"Well, well, well... Sir Newbigin."
He even chuckled a little.
“I have to say.
Your analysis just now...is very insightful.
Very accurate.”
Newbigin was stunned.
A glimmer of hope has just emerged.
Shen Bi's next words.
Like a dagger tempered with ice.
It instantly pierced his heart: "That's right. The facts are as you expected.
Someone was definitely behind all this. And... just now.
Just before you called."
Shen Bi's voice was clear and calm.
But it contains terrible power.
"Huo Yingdong.
Just spoke to me on the phone.”
"Huo... Yingdong?!" Niu Bijian repeated the name subconsciously.
An extreme anger mixed with the fear of being exposed rushed to the top of his head!
It’s him!
It really is this old fox!
The rage that almost exploded.
The last bit of sanity was instantly burned away.
Shen Bi's voice sounded like he was stating something quite ordinary.
But every word was like a poisonous needle. "Mr. Huo put it to me clearly.
As long as I nod.
He is willing to pay HK$65 per share.
Buy out all of the 20% stake in Hong Kong Land Development that I hold.
and……"
Shen Bi paused deliberately.
Enjoying the suddenly heavier breathing on the other end of the phone.
“He promised.
Even if the share price of Hutchison Whampoa falls below 60 tomorrow.
Even lower.
The price of 65 yuan remains unchanged. It's valid.
…
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