Chapter 272 Why not

As night falls, the coastline of Repulse Bay is dotted with bright lights, making it look like a dream.

On the soft sandy beach, the breeze blows gently and people dance.

In the distance, the mansions nestled against the mountains and by the sea are brightly lit, like palaces on the sea, displaying luxury and nobility.

In one of the villas.

An upper-class cocktail party is in full swing.

The elegantly dressed people, the clinking of glasses, the melodious music and the laughter intertwined together, adding a touch of romance and intoxication to this bustling night.

Lin Baixin, chairman of the board of directors of Li & Fung Group and a tycoon in the Hong Kong clothing industry, also attended the reception.

Lin Baixin could never have imagined it.

As a wealthy person ranked around 20th in Hong Kong, I can only be considered ordinary in Hong Kong in terms of wealth and social influence.

But at this moment, he could actually enjoy treatment that the old four major families, the new four major families, and the Huo and He families could not enjoy...

Because after Shaw Yi-fu, he was "noticed" by the Americans.

It can’t be said that they were attracted to him, but the Americans did take the initiative to talk to him.

"...Lin, your TV station may not be as good as Shao's. But in terms of international influence, it is slightly better than Shao's."

"I think you should let your TV station focus on developing in Southeast Asia, or go north to your home country. Only in this way can you compete with Shao's TVB."

“Perhaps you should focus on international and regional news and increase your influence in the Asian Chinese and Confucian cultural circles.”

"Instead of confining yourself to this small city of Hong Kong, you should compete with Shao's TV station."

"Honestly, Hong Kong is good in every aspect. But its potential is too low. I told your best actor last time that you should develop Hong Kong to radiate to the central cities in Southeast Asia and some South Asia."

"It is definitely not just Hong Kong's future to be one of Asia's international financial centers."

“…”

The topics discussed by the Americans were very broad, even extending to international events and Hong Kong's future development direction and positioning.

He even talked about the big boss who was present in person when Hong Kong returned to China a few months ago.

Lin Baixin smiled bitterly in his heart. How could he have the qualifications to discuss these things?

Among so many celebrities and wealthy people in Hong Kong, probably only Huo, Zeng and Zhuang can rely on their seniority to compete with the best actor in the north.

But the situation within Hong Kong is complicated, even if the North intends to do so.

Whether Hong Kong can do it on its own is also a big question.

As for his own TV station, Lin Baixin guessed that this was probably the reason why he was noticed by the Americans.

Same as Shao Yifu.

Because he also started his career in the media, he naturally had a good impression of himself and Shao Yifu who worked in the TV station.

He just had a chat with Shao Yifu.

Only now will it find me.

But seriously, for Asian TV.

In the first few years after acquiring the business, Lin Baixin was indeed determined to run it well.

The more successful reforms of Asia TV were all left behind when Lin Baixin was personally in charge.

But later Lin Baixin discovered that the Hong Kong market was too small.

Even if he develops Asia Channel, he can surpass TVB and monopolize the Hong Kong market.

However, the money earned each year is not as much as the 10% annual increase in turnover of its main business, Li & Fung Group.

It's simply a case of getting half the result with twice the effort, more work and little money.

Later, Lin Baixin gradually neglected Asia Channel and basically stopped taking charge of it.

Little did he know that Asia Channel was just one of his many assets.

However, at this cocktail party tonight where all the celebrities in the city gathered, he enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, a feeling that even the highest officials or the former Governor of Hong Kong could not enjoy.

In response to the American's conversation, Lin Baixin smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Blackburn, your opinion is very pertinent. It can even be said to be far-sighted. But I have to say that, as you said, the market in Hong Kong is too small."

"If I want my Asia Channel to go beyond Hong Kong and radiate its influence to Southeast Asia and even Japan, South Korea and the Asian population in North America that you just mentioned, it will cost a lot of money."

"First, I don't have that much money. Second, even if I did, the investment and return ratio would be prohibitive. Because I can invest this money in more profitable areas, areas that make more money than television, and earn more money for me."

"So, Asia Channel can only be Asia Channel."

This is Lin Baixin's sincere words.

It’s really like what the United States always says, spending tens of billions to do it.

Let’s not talk about whether Lin Baixin can take it out.

Even if Lin Baixin can come up with it, is it guaranteed to make money from these billions? That may not be the case.

Moreover, the media and entertainment industry has a naturally small market, and the best that Chen Yazhou has developed is just that.

Even if Lin Baixin really had so much money, he would use it to do his main business.

Or it can be used to auction more pieces of land and build more buildings in Hong Kong.

That’s right, no matter what industry you are in in Hong Kong.

The end is always real estate, no matter if you used to be in the plastic flower business, smuggling business, shipping business, or a clothing business like Lin Baixin.

In the end, what really made them rich was all real estate.

Hong Kong's economy has become extremely distorted.

It is purely supported by the financial and real estate industries, and all others serve these two industries.

“I see.”

Milo Blackburn looked at the gloomy old man and suddenly asked, "Lin, have you ever considered selling Asia Channel?"

"Huh?" Lin Baixin looked up at Milo. This American was too tall.

He was even the tallest one at the cocktail party.

It's not just about height, it's also about status.

"Sell it to me."

Milo went straight to the point. In fact, he had just met with Run Run Shaw and revealed his idea of ​​buying TVB.

But the old man refused immediately.

The old guy had sold most of the Shaw Brothers' films, and his only obsession before his death was probably to run the TV station well.

There is no shortage of money, so it is almost impossible to buy Run Run Shaw's TVB.

Milo then had to settle for the next best thing and came to Lin Baixin to buy the Asian Channel, which had been the runner-up for a thousand years.

"What do you mean?" Lin Baixin was surprised. He didn't expect that the American company had been preparing for so long and actually wanted to buy Asia Channel.

"Like I said just now. Sell Asia Channel to me, and after it becomes part of Paladin Media, it can do what I just said. As its former owner, you would be happy to see Asia Channel become a truly Asian TV station."

Do you really think Milo is so bored that he specifically looks for Shao Yifu and Lin Baixin? Maybe he has feelings, but he is more concerned with interests.

He will only talk about feelings when his interests are protected.

Or if the benefit is small enough, he will pay for his own feelings.

"Are you serious?" Lin Baixin started thinking quickly.

"Of course." Milo smiled. "You know, I'm in the media industry. I've been looking for an opportunity to enter the Southeast Asian market. Asia Channel is a good entry point, but that's all. Name your price, Lin."

Too direct.

Lin Baixin thought to himself, he really didn't expect this.

The main reason was that Milo had just met with Shao Yifu and had a very pleasant chat with those actors in the entertainment industry.

Lin Baixin thought that Milo just wanted to get in touch with Hong Kong filmmakers.

I didn't expect that he would buy Asia Channel for me right away.

Lin Baixin could even guess that this American must have looked for Shao Yifu just now.

But there is a high probability that Shao Yi-fu would refuse.

So, do you want to sell it?

From 1989 to 1992, Lin Baixin spent nearly 350 million to acquire 90% of the controlling shares of Asia Television, which is now the Hong Kong and International Channel.

After operating for many years, the investment and returns are calculated.

Lin Baixin remembered that there was still about 200 million yuan in costs that had not been recovered.

So if you really want to sell it, how much should it be sold for? Looking at the foreigner in front of me, I thought of his identity as the richest man in the world.

Considering that Forbes said he had increased his wealth by US$120 billion, that means his net worth is nearly HK$800 billion.

A hundred times more than me! He is so rich, I have to take advantage of him.

Thinking of this, Lin Baixin was about to speak.

Then the foreigner said, "By the way, Lin. I remember that clothing trade and production account for a large proportion of your industry. Is the main export destination still North America? Listen, I have some friends in the Canadian and American trade departments."

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

"If we become friends, I think my friends might be of some help to your business."

"For example... increase the proportion by 5% or something like that."

"I think this shouldn't be very difficult for my friends."

After hearing this, Lin Baixin felt a chill in his heart.

Even if Milo said so.

Although the most profitable business of the Li & Fung Group now is its real estate company in Hong Kong.

However, the main business of clothing production and foreign trade exports accounts for a considerable proportion and is also the support basis for the stock markets of several listed companies.

Therefore, whenever the financial statements come out every year, whether they are rising or falling, they will quickly affect the changes in the stock prices of Li & Fung Group's affiliated companies.

Since the 1970s, Western countries led by the United States have been imposing quotas on Hong Kong's textile industry.

Only a certain amount of import quota is open to Hong Kong each year.

This was the main reason for the collapse of Hong Kong's textile industry that year.

Although what Milo just said was "help", it meant giving Li & Fung Group a larger share.

But since he can increase the quota of Li & Fung, it stands to reason that he can also reduce or even eliminate the quota of Li & Fung Group.

Although this business is not very profitable now.

But once the quota is reduced too much, or even gone...

The Lin family’s several listed companies are expected to hit rock bottom soon.

Lin Baixin is certainly not a fool. Milo said he wanted to make friends and help others.

But how could he not hear that the damn foreign devil was threatening him! And he was threatening one of the roots of the Lin family.

You have to know that although the Lin family's main profitable industry is real estate.

However, what supports their family's wealth and status is definitely the market value of those listed companies.

What if these listed companies collapse?

The Lin family’s influence and status in the city would probably collapse as well.

Thinking of this, Lin Baixin felt extremely regretful.

He knew that if he really swung the knife, he didn't know whether he would succeed in killing the foreigner.

But the foreign devils will definitely fight back and make me extremely uncomfortable.

Lin Baixin could only smile: "That's great. Mr. Blackburn, thank you very much."

"Haha, I just love making friends."

"Mr. Blackburn, how about this..."

After careful consideration, Lin Baixin came up with a solution.

"Why don't you go to my TV station tomorrow or later when you are free? I think by then, we will all have a more direct feeling of the value of the TV station."

"How about we discuss the price then?"

Milo thought about it for a moment and readily agreed, "Okay."

He doesn't have to buy Asia Channel or the current Hong Kong Channel.

Except for a little bit of sentimentality.

Milo wants to buy TVB or Hong Kong Channel (Asia Television), mainly to leave a ladder for Paladin Media in East Asia.

This matter is among European and American media tycoons.

In fact, Murdoch has been doing it all the time.

In 1993, Murdoch spent hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase Hong Kong's Star Media from the Li Huanggua family, attempting to use it as a breakthrough to enter the mainland television market.

Then Murdoch discovered that he had been tricked by the cucumber.

Star Media’s business could not be implemented and its entry into the market failed.

But he was not discouraged. The huge market of more than one billion people in the mainland was too tempting.

In a few years, the Australians will try to cooperate with local television stations in the mainland.

Moreover, Haiqing TV seems to be very remote and inconspicuous.

But it was soon stopped for crossing the red line, leaving a pile of bad debts.

It was not until 2010 that News Corporation sold three TV channels including Star TV.

The idea of ​​entering the mainland was completely abandoned.

So can Milo do what Murdoch couldn't do? Milo himself thinks that there is a high probability that he will fail.

So his idea is simple.

That is to get TVB or Asia Television. If that doesn't work, then set up a TV station in Taiwan.

With the help of this ladder, we will do our best to create quality content and become the highest quality content production media in East Asia, Southeast Asia and even Asia.

Relying on Hollywood's resources and the United States' strong national strength, this ladder can be used to influence Asian public opinion.

It does not directly enter the mainland, but it can directly build an Asian TV entertainment circle around the mainland.

As long as there is demand for high-quality entertainment content in the mainland, those in the mainland entertainment industry will want to expand internationally.

Then you must rely on him.

At the same time, no matter how friendly their attitude is, they insist on their so-called neutral position.

Even if there is no way to enter the mainland directly.

Milo believes that he can also indirectly influence some public opinion in the mainland through the Chinese entertainment industry.

Isn't this much better than Murdoch entering the venue with a bang, then finding out that it was not going to work and sneaking in, but still being blocked? If I don't go in, I'll just perform outside your house.

The opera they sang is better than yours, and better than yours. Would you like to watch it? Even if you don’t, your family members will want to watch it, right?

People always pursue beautiful things, even if these beautiful things are created illusions.

This is the roundabout plan that Milo created for Paladin Media to enter the mainland market, which is traditionally a forbidden zone for European and American media.

It may not succeed.

But if successful, it can at least increase Paladin Media's market value by 20%.

It can also expand the invisible influence of public opinion in his hands.

You can also enjoy his feelings here.

Why not?

(End of this chapter)