Although Shen Dong disliked the three major families, he still hoped they would win, compared to the treacherous American conglomerates.
Huo Yingdong coughed and said, "Gentlemen, let's go to the study to talk."
Shen Dong and the other three nodded in unison and said, "Okay."
Upon entering the study, Huo Zhenbei personally served five cups of tea, placed them down, and then stood respectfully behind Huo Yingdong.
This was undoubtedly telling the four that Huo Zhenbei would be the heir to the Huo family in the future.
Huo Yingdong said, "Mr. Shen, I'll be frank. I invited you to my birthday banquet for two reasons. First, I want to act as a peacemaker and resolve the hostile relationship between you and the four major families. Second, I want to ask for your help in taking over Hang Seng Bank."
Shen Dong said "Oh," and then said, "The first question is very simple. As long as Sir Li, President Li, and President Guo don't cause me trouble, I will definitely not bother them for no reason."
Li Zhaoshan asked, "Mr. Shen, are you sure you mean it?"
Shen Dong laughed and said, "Of course. Mr. Li, do you admit that from beginning to end, it was the four of you who took the initiative to attack me, while I was basically on the defensive. Although the counterattacks were a bit strong, I never attacked you first."
Li Zhaoshan was silent for a moment, then said, "You're right. There's nothing we can do about it; that's just how business competition is."
Shen Dong said, “Our Tengfei Group’s business philosophy can be summarized in eight words: healthy competition and win-win cooperation. What is healthy competition? It’s about defeating your competitors fairly and squarely by improving your product quality and service levels, thereby capturing the market and achieving success. Healthy competition is inevitable and a necessity for social development, but unethical competition can be completely avoided. Just like before, your four major families cooperated with the US conglomerate to try to kill me with Black Hawk helicopters and then divide up my company. Such behavior has gone beyond the scope of business competition and blatantly crossed the red lines of law and morality. If I had done the same, you would probably be drinking tea with the King of Hell in the underworld by now.”
Guo Shengli said, "We did not make a move."
Shen Dong sneered, "You're just accomplices who only want to profit. Let me tell you the truth, you should thank the inland government. I originally wanted to get rid of you once and for all, but it was Du Yuxin, the president of Xia Hua Society, who called me more than ten times and even alarmed a certain high-ranking leader in the north. That's why I didn't take action against you. Heh, not to brag, but when it comes to killing, our Tengfei Group is much more professional than you."
Upon hearing this, the three of them broke out in a cold sweat.
Li Ka-shing let out a long sigh of relief and said, "No wonder you haven't taken any action against us. It turns out the mainland has been pleading on our behalf."
Shen Dong said with amusement, "So, even if you don't give me 10% of the shares in the light bulb company, I won't lay a finger on you. It's just that Li Aji and your two sons will definitely die."
"Cough cough"
Huo Yingdong coughed twice, interrupting Shen Dong, and said, "Gentlemen, what is most important for us is not to dwell on the unpleasant past, but to face the future positively. As Mr. Shen said, we can compete, but the competition must be healthy."
Li Ka-shing said, "I completely agree with that statement."
Guo Shengli and Li Zhaoshan both nodded.
Huo Yingdong said happily, "That's great. As long as our local entrepreneurs can unite sincerely and avoid infighting, I believe the future of Hong Kong Island will be even better. Come on, let's drink tea instead of wine."
Shen Dong picked up his teacup, clinked it with the four of them, and took a sip.
After finishing the tea, the atmosphere in the study became noticeably more relaxed.
Li Ka-shing asked, "Mr. Shen, what are your thoughts on the dispute between us and Hang Seng Bank?"
Shen Dong said, "Hang Seng Bank is the lifeline of Hong Kong's financial industry controlled by the American conglomerate. They will do everything they can to stop your attack. With the financial resources of the American conglomerate, you simply cannot win in a short time."
Huo Yingdong sighed and said, "We have already acquired 22% of the shares, but we still need 8%. However, this 8% seems like an insurmountable barrier."
Shen Dong asked in surprise, "Mr. Huo, you also participated in the acquisition of Hang Seng Bank?"
Li Zhaoshan said, "Old Huo helped us acquire six percent of the shares from other local businessmen."
Shen Dong gave Huo Yingdong a thumbs up and said, "You have a lot of influence. How many shares of Hang Seng Bank are still held by local businessmen?"
Li Zhaoshan said, "There are also two local businessmen who own nine percent of the shares. But both of them are willing to be dogs of the American conglomerate. No matter what price we offer, they refuse to stand with us."
Guo Shengli snorted and sneered, "These two guys have close ties with the American conglomerate. They'll suffer heavy losses if they sell their shares to us."
Shen Dong asked, "If that's the case, why are you looking for me?"
Li Ka-shing said, "We would like to borrow two billion US dollars from you to acquire shares on the market."
Shen Dong said, "As far as I know, only seven percent of the shares are left on the market. Even if you acquire them all, what use will it be?"
Li Ka-shing said, "Once we reach 26% of the shares, we will be the largest shareholder of Hang Seng Bank. Regardless of whether other shareholders agree or not, we can forcefully send representatives to the board of directors."
Shen Dong said, "Hang Seng Bank's stock price has skyrocketed. If you continue to acquire shares on the market now, the losses will be too great. As the saying goes, 'To take something, you must first give something.' In my opinion, you should just sell your shares while the stock price is high enough. Doing this back and forth a few times will be enough to keep that idiot Philip Barker up at night."
Huo Yingdong said, "If they spare no expense to sweep away all our shares, then we may never have another chance to take over Hang Seng Bank."
Shen Dong raised an eyebrow and said, "That's true. Gentlemen, I'm afraid I can't give you two billion US dollars. Most of my funds have been invested in Japan, and even if everything goes smoothly, it will take at least six months to come out."
Huo Yingdong's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said, "Mr. Shen, are you beginning to execute your plan?"
Shen Dong nodded and said, "Let's begin immediately."
Li Ka-shing asked curiously, "Mr. Shen, what are you going to Japan for?"
Shen Dong didn't hide anything and said directly, "Things will turn around when they reach their extreme. Japan's economy has reached its peak, and I predict that the Japanese will be finished in less than six months. Therefore, I plan to short the Japanese stock market and the yen. If you are interested, you can try it together, and maybe you can make a lot of pocket money."
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