Chapter 104 Storm Rises
On Friday, the stock market closed, but the capital market was in turmoil due to an announcement.
The typically low-profile and secretive Jinshi Investment has released an announcement simultaneously through official channels and major financial media outlets, officially disclosing that it has accumulated a 13% stake in Gu's Group through multiple affiliated accounts. The company also announced that it will launch a tender offer to all Gu's shareholders, aiming to further increase its holdings.
As soon as the news came out, everyone was in an uproar.
Although the market had some speculation about Jinshi Investment before, no one had expected that it had quietly accumulated such a huge amount of chips, and even at this time when the Gu family was in the most precarious situation, it showed its fangs and sent out a naked acquisition signal.
This clear hostile takeover bid sent the media into a frenzy, with a deluge of analytical articles attempting to decipher Jinshi Investment's true intentions and the identity of its mastermind. Gu Group's stock price fluctuated wildly again in after-hours trading.
At the headquarters of Gu Group, the atmosphere in the conference room was extremely solemn.
"Damn it, that little bastard Chu Yan, how dare he play tricks on me!!" Gu Hongjian was so angry that his face turned ashen, the blood vessels on his forehead bulged, and he slammed his fist on the conference table.
He felt like a complete fool, being played around by Chu Yan with sweet words, only for the other party to turn around and deal a fatal blow to Gu.
Gu Hongyuan, seated at the head of the table, had a face so gloomy it looked like water could drip from it, but compared to his brother's fury, he seemed more sinister and calm. He took a deep breath, suppressed his surging anger, and gave a hoarse command, "Activate the 'Poison Pill Plan' and announce it immediately!"
The so-called "poison pill" is a common tactic used by listed companies to counter hostile takeovers. Once Jinshi Investment's stake in Gu's shares exceeds the 20% threshold, Gu's Group will grant all existing shareholders, excluding the acquirer, the right to acquire a substantial amount of new shares at a significantly reduced price. This instantly dilutes the acquirer's equity stake, increasing its acquisition costs and acting like a lethal "poison pill" designed to deter the acquirer.
The Gu Group quickly issued an announcement, trying to build a line of defense and stabilize the anxious people's hearts.
However, just as the defenses here were being activated, another wave of more violent attacks arrived.
Gu Ye, long portrayed by public opinion as a "victim" and a "prince of revenge," chose to step forward at this critical moment. He personally issued an open letter to all shareholders of Gu Group through official channels and simultaneously launched a proxy solicitation.
In his open letter, Gu Ye mercilessly slammed Chairman Gu Hongyuan for his "incompetent management, headstrong nature, and corrupt lifestyle, whose actions have severely damaged the company's reputation and the interests of all shareholders." He cited Gu's repeated missteps in recent years, the plummeting stock price, and chaotic internal management, all of which he blamed directly on Gu Hongyuan.
He requested the majority of small and medium shareholders to entrust him with their voting rights at the upcoming special shareholders' meeting for the sake of their own interests and the future of the company, so that he could speak on behalf of the shareholders, remove the current board members headed by Gu Hongyuan, and completely reorganize the board of directors.
This move shifted the battleground from the capital market to the core of modern corporate governance—shareholder voting rights. A proxy battle officially began!
The chairman's office was unusually quiet at this moment.
Gu Hongyuan stood in front of the French window with his hands behind his back, staring at the traffic gathering like ants downstairs, his face strangely calm.
Gu Qian stood quietly in front of the desk, like an emotionless shadow.
"Heh," Gu Hongyuan suddenly sneered coldly, "I underestimated Gu Yu'an. Just like his mother, he looks silent, but in fact he is an ungrateful person who is not obedient at all..."
Gu Qian lowered her eyes and did not respond.
Gu Hongyuan didn't care. He turned around slowly, a calculating glint flashing in his cloudy eyes. "How are the arrangements going over there?"
Gu Qian raised her head and said calmly, "Everything has been arranged. Everything will be settled before the special shareholders' meeting next Wednesday."
"Well done." Gu Hongyuan smiled. "I want to see how big a wave that little bastard can make!"
"Besides, you did a good job this time. I will do what I promised you after this is over."
"Thank you, Mr. Gu." Gu Qian's face was calm, with a glimmer in her eyes.
City A, private hospital ward.
Chu Yu leaned against the hospital bed, his face still pale, but in good spirits. His secretary was standing beside the bed, meticulously reporting on the recent affairs of the Chu Group.
Chu Yu listened absentmindedly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the corner of the snow-white quilt. Suddenly, he interrupted his secretary and asked without any context, "What's going on over there?"
The secretary was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted and lowered his voice, "Young Master Yan has already announced that a special shareholders' meeting will be held next Wednesday. The shares we secretly acquired before have reached 4.9%. Take a look..."
After realizing that Chu Yan had started to take action against the Gu family, Chu Yu almost subconsciously used part of the Chu family's funds and quietly absorbed shares in the secondary market.
Chu Yu was silent for a moment, looking out the window with a complicated expression, and finally said in a low voice: "Let Gu Ye entrust everything to you."
"Yes," the secretary replied respectfully, but secretly sighed inwardly. How could these two brothers have become so estranged now? Chu Yu didn't even have the courage to attend the board meeting anymore, and could only hide behind and silently help Chu Yan achieve his wish.
City A, Ruichuang Technology Office.
Gu Xu was sitting alone in the office, and the computer screen was showing the voting proxy collection documents and related instructions sent by Gu Ye's team.
He stared at the screen, his finger hovering over the mouse, but he was hesitant to click.
His mother's power of attorney is already in his hands, plus his own... this not-too-small share may be insignificant in this game between giants, but it seems like a declaration of attitude.
Finally, he took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he moved the mouse and skillfully filled out the electronic power of attorney, entrusting his voting rights and his mother's voting rights to Gu Ye.
After doing all this, he seemed to have been drained of all his strength. He leaned back in his chair and looked out the window.
The storm is coming.
A storm has arrived, one that will determine the fate of the Gu family and the futures of countless others. All factions have made their moves, and the chessboard is turbulent, filled with murderous intent.
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