Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window is the bustling Central of Hong Kong Island. The scenery is very nice, but now everyone in the conference room is sitting on both sides of the huge sandalwood long table, their eyes are all focused on Kobayashi Tenmo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Land Group, who is sitting in the main seat.
As the new director, Ho Chun-ting sat diagonally opposite Lin Huowang with a deep and calm expression on his face, but in his heart he already felt that he had a sure win today.
"Xiao Linsheng."
At the outset of the board meeting, Director Leung Pak-tao, hired by Ho Chun-ting as a "gun," spoke first. Playing the role of "rational questioner," he naturally expressed old-fashioned concerns, saying, "The Home Ownership Scheme is a good thing for the people of Hong Kong Island. His Excellency the Governor fully supports it, and we directors admire Xiao Linsheng's generosity. But then again, as directors of Hong Kong, our most important responsibility is to protect the interests of all shareholders and ensure the stability and profitability of the company!"
As he spoke with sympathy, he gently nudged the building materials cost analysis report meticulously prepared by Huo Zhenting before him. Then, he spoke with reasoned evidence, "We've carefully calculated. Even if we use the lowest price we can get for the group's largest-scale purchase, adding in labor, regulatory fees, and land costs, and selling at 'half the market price' as planned...with all due respect, this project will not only fail to make money! We might even incur huge losses before even completing the first phase of construction..."
After he said this, Fok Chun-ting, as planned, immediately took over the conversation, deliberately speaking with a sense of "responsibility to shareholders" and said in a gentle manner: "Mr. Xiaolin, we really don't oppose this plan that benefits the people. It's just... this matter is too big! It concerns the financial situation of Hong Kong Land for several years to come, and it may even affect the capital market's confidence in our Hong Kong Land Group.
Although you are a major shareholder, you cannot do whatever you want and ignore the interests of all shareholders!
Small and medium-sized shareholders also need reassurance! We want you to make two clear commitments at the board meeting! First, no matter how far the "Home Ownership for All" initiative progresses, the core interests of Hong Kong Land shareholders must be protected!
Second, during the years of project implementation, the dividends that Swire should pay to shareholders must be stable and predictable! You must come up with a concrete and feasible guarantee plan! I think these two requests are not too much to ask, right?
After Huo Zhenting finished speaking, all the directors in the room turned their gazes towards Lin Huowang again, looking forward to the show and wanting to see how Lin Huowang would respond.
After all, Fok Chun-ting's combination of punches was truly insidious. On the surface, he was expressing "reasonable concern" and putting "shareholder interests first," and every word was so high-sounding that no one could find any reason to criticize it.
But what is the reality? Jin Yong's "The Greatest Hero" has just given Lin Huowang a layer of "moral gold", almost elevating him to the level of a "sage".
At this time, if Lin Huowang retreated or made excuses, not only would this golden body be shattered immediately, but it would also cause a huge backlash.
But... if Xiaolin Tianwang really promised in public to "give priority to protecting shareholders' interests" and "stabilize dividends", then when Ho Chun-ting uses the power of the Ho family and makes a small adjustment in the price of building materials, these promises will become the rope that strangles Lin Huowang.
So, when Huo Zhenting set up this game, no matter what Lin Huowang did, Huo Zhenting was right. Huo Zhenting looked at Lin Huowang at this moment, who seemed to be caught between morality and business interests, and almost couldn't suppress the smugness in his heart and laughed out loud.
Gao Qiaohao, who was sitting next to Lin Huowang, was so nervous that he could feel his palms sweating in the face of so many bigwigs, even though he had already got the trump card given by his boss.
This game looks peaceful, and Master Huo keeps giving "suggestions", but in fact, every move is really dangerous and can cost lives!
Huo Zhenting had lost a few times before, and it seemed that he had really learned his lesson. He swallowed his saliva, carrying a packet of information and plans, waiting to obey Lin Huowang's order.
Lin Huowang did not immediately respond to Huo Zhenting's "pressing question", but replied with a very polite and elegant smile:
"I fully understand the directors' concern for me and the Home Ownership Scheme I proposed, especially Director Fok's concern for the company and shareholders. Shareholders' rights are the foundation of the company, so how can we ignore them? Whether Home Ownership Scheme can make money is crucial to whether Hongkong Land can shoulder this responsibility. Director Leung's report..."
At this point, Lin Huowang smiled, glanced at the documents on his desk, and continued, "The data is quite detailed, and the analysis is thoughtful. It really points out the problems with the 'old ways'. The core issue is undoubtedly how to control costs for our Hong Kong Land Group."
Lin Huowang paused, then suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming sharp. "But! The old ways don't mean they're the only way! What Hong Kong wants to do is revolutionize the Hong Kong real estate industry! Cost control is also part of this revolution!"
His gaze, like a knife, swept over Huo Zhenting, with a sharpness that saw through everything. "Director Huo just mentioned 'shareholder rights', worrying that the project would not make money or even lose money. Then I will give you a clear answer now..."
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