In a private club in Kowloon Tong, some small Chinese business owners were discussing Kobayashi Tenwang's sky-high advertising move.
"Xiao Linsheng...is he too arrogant this time?"
A middle-aged boss in a silk shirt put down his teacup and said with a frown, "It wasn't long after he took over Hong Kong Land, and he made such a big move, and he even got caught. Putting aside other things, just the combination of Newbigin and Fok Chun-ting is enough to make him suffer."
"I don't think so!"
Another more radical boss retorted, "When has Xiaolinsheng not taken risks to win? He dared to do this, so he might have a backup plan. Ten million yuan may not be a big deal for him or Hong Kong Land, but if he wins the bet against ATV, the value will be enormous! That's called courage!"
"Courage? I think it's reckless! The listed company is not just his toy!"
The person who heard this shook his head and denied it, saying, "Rules are rules. What will the major shareholders of other listed companies think if he does this? Will the rights of minority shareholders be protected? I don't think HSBC will stand idly by."
People were talking about it. Some were worried that Kobayashi Tenwang would take too big a step and fail, while others admired his courage and thought he must have some hidden agenda.
But without exception, everyone believes that a storm surrounding the control of Hutchison Whampoa has officially begun with the controversy over "sky-high advertising fees".
Some people who know the inside story are looking forward to the temporary board meeting of the Swire Group that will be held today. They want to know how Mr. Kobayashi, who has always been high-profile and arrogant, will respond to the questions from almost all the directors.
At this time, on the top floor of the Ming Pao Building, editor-in-chief Wang Yang also walked quickly into Jin Yong's office with several freshly printed newspapers.
"Master, big news! Xiao Linsheng has caused a big mess!"
Wang Yang spread the newspaper in front of Jin Yong, pointed at the eye-catching headline and the figure of "10 million Hong Kong dollars", and said:
"He just spent a little over 30 million to acquire Jiayi Television, didn't he? And now he's using the name of Hong Kong's Dairy Farm subsidiary to spend 10 million on advertising sponsorship for his own station! This... wow, it's truly appalling!"
For a senior newspaper editor like Wang Yang, he is very clear about the advertising market in Hong Kong.
Although the effects and costs of television advertising are much better than those of newspapers, the advertising fee of 10 million Hong Kong dollars is indeed a bit too exaggerated.
Upon hearing this, Jin Yong immediately put down the brush in his hand, picked up the newspaper and took a closer look. His eyes behind the glasses could not hide his shock.
"Ten million? Just for an advertising sponsorship? This young man... really knows how to have fun! This might break the record for a single advertising fee in Hong Kong Island, and even the entire Far East! Unheard of!"
My annual advertising budget for Ming Pao is probably only around HK$10 million! In some years, it’s even less than that!
Jin Yong couldn't help but shake his head, thinking about how he had worked so hard to establish Ming Pao, but the profits he earned were really far less than the advertising fee that Kobayashi Tianwang casually passed by.
Wang Yang also smiled and shook his head and said, "How can this be compared! Cha Sheng, our Ming Pao's advertising revenue is basically fixed. When it's good, it's tens of millions a year, and when it's bad, it's seven or eight million.
However, Kobayashi's sky-high advertising fee of 10 million is probably just a gimmick.
He has always been well versed in this, and his ability to create gimmicks and attract attention is unmatched.
And you see, he's a major shareholder in Hong Kong Land Holdings, yet he's also the sole owner of Asia Television. He's harming the interests of many shareholders of Hong Kong Land's publicly listed companies while enriching his wholly-owned ATV. This is a truly shrewd calculation.
I think Asia Television's advertising and investment department can be disbanded in the future. Just having Mr. Kobayashi to "pull sponsorships" is enough!"
“Smart is smart!”
Jin Yong slowly shook his head, his face devoid of any smile, but instead a hint of worry. He said, "But the way he's eating... is too ugly, too eager." Hongkong Land Group is one of the top three listed companies in Hong Kong by market capitalization, and its every move is closely monitored by the market and regulatory authorities.
If Mr. Kobayashi really intends to provide such a long-term "blood transfusion", I'm afraid he will be subjected to a storm of questioning at the board meeting.
If he can't justify his claims and is found guilty of illegal profiteering, leading to an investigation by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and even the Independent Commission Against Corruption... then his position as chairman of Hongkong Land, which he worked so hard to secure, will be in jeopardy, and he will lose all face."
At this point, Jin Yong suddenly remembered something and asked Wang Yang, "Oh, right! Any news from Gao Qiaohao? Last time, he promised me on behalf of Xiao Linsheng that if I published that 'manifesto' criticizing TVB in the newspaper, he would arrange a private meeting between me and Mr. Huang Yi! How many days has it been?"
Wang Yang also remembered this and immediately understood and responded: "I'll contact them right away!"
Then he walked out of the office quickly.
About ten minutes later, Wang Yang returned with a hint of excitement on his face. "Mr. Cha, we've made contact! Gao Qiaohao gave us an address, a private room at the Lu Yu Tea House in Wan Chai. He said Mr. Huang Yi is there right now... waiting for your arrival!"
Jin Yong was also very happy to hear this. The mystery of the author of "A Step into the Past" that had troubled him for a long time was finally going to be revealed!
He had no time to care about anything else. He immediately stood up, straightened his gown, told the driver to prepare the car, and then rushed to the famous old teahouse in excitement.
Lu Yu Tea House, Lanxiang Pavilion private room.
The quaint carved wooden door was tightly closed, blocking out the slight noise from the lobby outside.
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