The next day, Lin Sanqi appeared at the Hong Kong Health Department.
When Health Director Elliot saw Lin Sanqi walk into the office, he stood up enthusiastically and gave him an even more enthusiastic hug:
"Lin, my dear friend, long time no see."
Lin Sanqi took out an exquisite wooden box and said:
"Mr. Director, these are the top-quality Cuban cigars I recently acquired. Good things should be shared with friends, so I came to visit."
"Haha, come, come, sit over here."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a long time, and only after the secretary brought coffee did they get down to business.
"Mr. Director, I came here this time because I actually have a small favor that I would like to ask for your help."
Director Elliot was very happy. He was not afraid that Lin Sanqi would trouble him, because any trouble came with a clear price.
"Lin, we are friends. You're being too polite. Just tell me. As long as I can do my best, I won't hesitate."
"Mr. Director, I'm looking to acquire a medium or large hospital. Could you offer any advice or assistance?"
"Buy a hospital? Tell me more about your requirements."
Director Elliot sat up straight, and images of Hong Kong hospitals began to flash through his mind.
When Lin Sanqi heard that the other party did not refuse, he knew that this matter had a chance, so he said:
“I don’t have any big requirements, but I know that most of the hospitals on Hong Kong Island are British-owned, so acquisitions are quite difficult.
Besides, Hong Kong Island is your British private territory. It is not easy for us, a Chinese company, to open a hospital.
So my goal is a hospital in Kowloon. The bigger the better, or at least there should be space reserved for expansion. As for the price, Mr. Director, don't worry, I won't treat my old friend unfairly."
Director Elliot was even happier after receiving Lin Sanqi's promise.
"A hospital in Kowloon, let me think about it.
There are currently 14 hospitals in Kowloon, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, Ormond Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, United Christian Hospital, Ko Shan Road Hospital, Youdeshall Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, Rutton Hospital and Kent Children's Hospital.
Kwong Wah Hospital and Ko Shan Road Hospital are public hospitals and cannot be sold. Among the remaining private hospitals, those with strong backgrounds are also unlikely to be sold.
But if you're talking about poor management, it's not impossible that management is willing to sell it. Let me think about it...
By the way, we should be able to take over the Ormond Hospital. This hospital was originally a private hospital under the Bell Ormond Group, but due to investment mistakes made by the headquarters, they are shrinking their overseas business.
Although they haven't publicly announced they're selling the hospital, I understand its business is poor and unprofitable. If I act as a middleman, they'll likely sell it."
Lin Sanqi felt dizzy after hearing so many foreigner's names.
"Mr. Director, where exactly is this Ormond Hospital? Please forgive me for not being familiar with hospitals in Hong Kong. After all, my family runs a clinic, so we don't usually need to go to the hospital."
Director Elliot pulled out a city map and pointed to a spot in the center of Kowloon.
"Here, Ormond Hospital is located on the south side of King's Park Hill. On the hill is the astronomical observatory, covering an area of 7 hectares. The main building of the hospital has 12 floors and should be able to meet your needs."
As soon as he heard the name of the Astronomical and Meteorological Observatory, Lin Sanqi knew where it was.
After all, the King's Park Hill is not far from Temple Street, and it only takes more than ten minutes to walk there.
"I understand, but isn't this place a bit remote?"
In the 1960s, Hong Kong and Kowloon were not very prosperous, and were similar to the junction of the city and the public, so you can imagine how remote the hospital at the foot of the mountain was.
It’s just like Pudong in the 1980s and 1990s.
Director Elliot said indifferently:
"It's so remote that it has such a large area. If it were on Hong Kong Island across the strait, such a large area would require special approval from the Governor. Look, I'm the Director, but my office is only 20 square meters."
In fact, what the foreigner was thinking was that there were few patients in such a remote place, and because there were few patients, he was losing money.
Lin Sanqi thought about it and realized how he could want... both... and...?
"Okay, Mr. Director, I'd like to go and see it in person. If possible, I'd like to complete the transaction as soon as possible."
This is not the first time that Lin Sanqi has bought a hospital. He is familiar with the process and prefers to cut the Gordian knot quickly.
Director Elliot knew he could get another substantial commission, so he stood up and said:
"Lin, let's go across the sea to Kowloon now."
The first undersea tunnel in Hong Kong was not completed until 1972. At that time, the only way to travel between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was by ferry, which is the Star Ferry commonly seen in Hong Kong movies.
However, someone like the foreign director naturally has privileges when traveling. There is a government dock for transit, and the car can drive directly there, which is very convenient.
When Lin Sanqi and Director Elliot arrived, Fengtang Master Wang Jin was already waiting with his men.
He was specifically called over by Lin Sanqi in order to have him assess future security issues and any defensive fortifications that might need to be built.
As soon as Director Elliot got out of the car, the director of Ormond Hospital and several hospital executives were already waiting.
Lin Sanqi also got out of the car, and when he saw the hospital building in front of him, he couldn't help but open his mouth wide.
Although the hospital is only 12 stories high, its east-west width is very large, at least 230 meters, so the entire main building of the hospital looks very spectacular.
Together with the two adjacent ancillary buildings, owning such a large hospital in Hong Kong is indeed something that only an established conglomerate can do.
At this moment, Lin Sanqi's eyes were full of greed.
Director Elliot brought Lin Sanqi to the welcoming crowd.
"Lin, this is Dean Eric, an old friend of mine. We came together from the distant Eagle Country to this Pearl of the Orient."
After saying this, Director Elliot lowered his voice and reminded:
"If you are willing to become friends with Dean Eric, I believe he will help you complete this transaction."
Lin Sanqi was stunned, wondering if all you foreigners are so blatant when it comes to accepting bribes? Where are the officials in developed Western countries supposedly clean and their executives professional?
Dean Eric had already spoken to Director Elliot on the phone, and the two sides had already discussed the matter privately.
Director Elliot told him that the Chinese man was a fool, a fat sheep, and generous, so as long as he helped him complete the transaction, he would definitely make a lot of money.
So now, when Dean Eric saw Lin Sanqi, it was like looking at an angel of wealth hanging with pounds, so he smiled and stretched out his hand:
"Lin, welcome to visit our Ormond Hospital. If possible, I would very much like you to become the new owner here in the future."
Lin Sanqi looked at the smiling foreign dean and three or four foreign hospital executives, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart:
Professional managers really have no loyalty at all.
This is like the civil service group in the late Ming Dynasty. If the court fell, it fell. If the emperor died, it died. After all, they were just employees. Working for anyone was not the same as working. They could still become high-ranking officials under a new emperor.
With such a group of hospital executives, it would be strange if Ormond Hospital did not go bankrupt.
But so what? Lin Sanqi needed this kind of internal support right now, so he said politely:
"Dean Eric, we are all friends, and friends are bound to be sentimental and generous, but business comes second. You need to introduce me to the specific situation of Ormond Hospital now."
As they walked towards the hospital lobby, they said:
"Lin, as you can see, the situation of patients in the hospital is not optimistic. The original location of this hospital was a mistake. In addition, our parent company encountered a financial crisis, and we have not updated our equipment for two consecutive years.
The employees have not received their salaries for six months, including me, the dean. So people’s morale is unstable now. Many doctors and nurses have resigned, which has created a vicious cycle.
But Lin, don't worry, the hardware of our Ormond Hospital is absolutely first-class, and as you can see, our hospital has only been built for 10 years, so it is still relatively new. You can put it into use directly after you acquire the hospital.
However, there is one thing I want to clarify: the land we are on can only be used for medical purposes and commercial development is not allowed. So, Lin, if you want to get into real estate, this is not the place for you.”
Ormond Hospital was built entirely in accordance with European hospital standards. Not to mention that it was considered advanced in the 1960s, even if Lin Sanqi looked at it from the perspective of decades later, it would not be outdated.
Lin Sanqi is very satisfied with the hardware.
The location wasn't great, but traditional Chinese medicine relied on word-of-mouth publicity, and Lingnantang Clinic now had that confidence. Plus, he planned to fully promote antibiotics throughout the new hospital, so he believed he wouldn't have to worry about patient recruitment.
You don't need a very good location.
After walking around the hospital for an hour, looking at everything from top to bottom, they went to the dean's office for preliminary negotiations. (End of this chapter)
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