"Brother Sheng, should we deal with the backlog of notices in Hong Kong first, or rush back to the company headquarters?"

Wang Yaoyang flipped through the itinerary and asked with his head tilted.

"Let's put these on hold for now. Let's meet with the CEO of Star Media tomorrow. I heard that Murdoch is back."

After finishing the filming, Du Sheng couldn't rest.

The Chinese New Year and other holidays are the busiest times for artists, and they are likely to be working non-stop.

However, compared with the company's long-term plans, these announcements have to be postponed.

Because the most appropriate time to acquire Phoenix TV shares held by Star Media is probably now.

"Brother Sheng, do you want to contact Mr. Zheng?"

Wang Yaoyang heard this and asked thoughtfully.

Du Sheng thought for a moment and said:
"He is eyeing STAR Newspapers, the holding company of Star Media. It would be nice to contact him."

I don’t know if the Zheng family has also realized the importance of the mouthpiece. At the same time, in order to expand the publicity and distribution channels, they have now begun to lay out the relevant industrial chain.

The Goldlion Group, where Zheng Zetao works, is currently stepping up its efforts to acquire shares as the problematic share price of STAR Newspapers hits a new low.

At this moment, Du Sheng, who had just gotten off the car, saw a TVB news report playing on the outdoor big screen:
“Dear viewers, we just received a report from a reporter that a large number of investors have gathered outside the gate of STAR Newspapers, the holding company of Star Media.

They are holding a collective protest!

Next we will connect with reporters at the front line to bring you the latest on-site situation..."

As the camera switches, a group of people gather in front of an office building.

“Hello everyone, we are now at the headquarters of STAR Newspapers.

Many Hong Kong citizens came here to express their dissatisfaction.

Now, let's interview a few random participants.

Hello, may I ask why you came here to protest today? "

"We are here to denounce Pat Murdoch, the loser!

He actually acquired STAR Plus (Tianzhu TV) at a price twice the market price, which was extremely stupid!

The company has lost billions and is heavily in debt, but he is still partying every night?
Such an idiot is actually the nephew of newspaper tycoon Murdoch? Damn it!
He is still the general manager. How can such a waste lead STAR Newspapers out of its predicament?

We will never have peace until Pat Murdoch is removed from office!"

Suddenly, a drunk man rushed into the camera and shouted:

"All the leeks, stop being oppressed and call for the removal of Pat, this loser!"

"Pat, fuck you, give me back my coffin book!"

Then, everyone clenched their fists, raised their arms high, and responded in unison.

These investors have been suffering over the past few months as stock prices have continued to fall.

Now that I have finally found a channel to vent my emotions, I am extremely excited!
The scene was in chaos and the security personnel were obviously unable to control the situation.

"Dear viewers, no senior executives from STAR Newspapers have responded so far, and angry investors have already begun rushing to the company's headquarters!"

The camera returns to the host in the studio:
“Oh! It seems that the investors of STAR Newspapers have accumulated too much dissatisfaction.

Mr. Xu, in this situation, what do you think Star Media should do? "

"The most effective way is to ask his father to return to Hong Kong as soon as possible and personally solve the problem!"

Mr. Xu, a securities analyst, said seriously:

"Jared Murdoch is the core figure of Star Media. Although he is 66 years old, the market will still respect him if he can stand up again."

The host nodded in agreement and continued:
“Dear viewers, now we are entering the opening time, let’s see how the market performs today.

First up is today’s hot topic, STAR Newspapers!

The stock price fell 13% right after opening. Investors are really expressing their dissatisfaction with their actions!"

Mr. Xu nodded in agreement:
"Indeed, the future of Star Media Group looks very uncertain."

"Mr Xu, is it possible that Jared Murdoch is managing the company remotely from Australia?"

Mr. Xu shook his head:
"Leaving aside the question of management costs, Jared Murdoch is like the commander-in-chief of Star Media Group.

If he is not at the front, morale will be low.

Moreover, the market is gradually losing confidence in STAR Newspapers, which it controls!

If share prices continue to fall, banks that provide loans will not sit idly by.

Once the bank starts to collect the loan, Star Media Group’s funding chain may be broken! ”

At this point, Mr. Xu added:
“In fact, these problems had already emerged last year. If it weren’t for the continuous expansion of overseas media business,
If Star Media Group had not forcefully acquired advertising companies in the Mainland and over-expanded Star TV, the situation might not have reached this point.”

The host shook his head helplessly:

"Alas! I didn't expect that a subsidiary of News Corporation, a huge empire, would face such a serious crisis..."

At the same time, in the exclusive trading room, Zheng Zetao leisurely issued a trading order:

"Wow, there was an 18% drop right at the opening!"

"Keep shorting. I want to see at least a 30% drop, which will make those lending banks nervous!"

As a group mainly engaged in newspaper and media business, Star Media has a high debt ratio.

This, coupled with a series of wrong decisions made by Pat Murdoch last year, has left the holding company saddled with huge debts.

If it is not controlled, the stock price will fall to the point where the assets are not enough to cover the liabilities!

"Mr. Zheng, Mr. Du is here. You asked him to discuss something."

"Ah Sheng is here! Take him to the meeting room first, I'll be there soon."

.........

At Hong Kong International Airport, in a luxury car.

Jared Murdoch, who had just returned to Hong Kong, stared at the stock price trends on his laptop screen.

It fell 18% in the first ten minutes of trading.

It then went down all the way until it reached a 20% drop before temporarily stabilizing.

This was actually a support point he had arranged in advance.

However, after only half an hour, the stock price was hit by a large sell order again.

Subsequently, retail investors also began to panic sell, and the stock price plummeted to 25% and 30% with almost no resistance!
At this moment, Jared knew clearly that his company had become the target of the wolf.

There is no way that ordinary retail investors can cause such a drastic drop in stock prices!

Ever since he returned to Australia to deal with the breeding business there, the situation here has gotten out of control.

He even began to suspect that his elder brother had changed his mind and was planning to conspire with the short sellers to regain control of Star Media.

Just thinking about it, it's not very likely.

Although his elder brother Rupert Murdoch spent HK$800 million to acquire Star Media ten years ago, the focus has long since shifted to New York.

That is, to acquire General Motors' 19.9% ​​stake in Hughes Electronics, the parent company of DirectTV, in an attempt to build a sky empire.

This acquisition will require up to $70 billion, so Rupert Murdoch must keep an eye on it.

As for the business in Asia, it was delegated to him for management five years ago.

It’s just that Jared had been in charge of animal husbandry in Australia before, and he felt a little uncomfortable with the sudden transition to the media industry.

In addition, the layout in Asia is too large, involving Southeast Asia Channel, Singapore Telecom, the three major TV stations in India, Star TV and Chinese Media in the mainland...

Look, we’ve taken a big step.

Just recently, executives from several banks called him one after another.

Just for one purpose, debt collection!
If the debt cannot be repaid in time or the stock price cannot be increased, the bank will have to auction the mortgaged assets of STAR Newspapers, Phoenix Satellite TV, etc.!
It's a misfortune.

At this time, the assistant hurried into the car.

"Have you investigated it clearly?" Jared asked.

The assistant shook his head:

“Several securities lending firms refused to reveal the identities of the borrowers, claiming it was a commercial secret.

The other shareholders were very nervous, and I think some of them may have known something, but they clearly no longer supported us.”

Jared sneered.

These yellow people are all opportunists!

In the past, the Murdoch family would have kept a shitty business secret!

The assistant hesitated for a moment and said:

"But I found a clue. Du Sheng, the boss behind the Metropolitan Entertainment Newspaper who broke the news about Bert's scandal, seems to have a close relationship with Zheng Zetao, the son of the Zheng family, one of the top ten families in Hong Kong!"

Jared silently recited Zheng Zetao's name, watched the stock price stop at a 32% drop, and closed his eyes.

The other party's motives are already very clear.

"Contact Zheng Zetao and invite him to the manor. I want to talk to him in person."

.........

Standing at the gate of STAR Manor, Du Sheng couldn't help but feel emotional.

I originally thought that the meeting would be held in some high-end and private business club, but I didn't expect that they would be invited directly here.

The two followed Pat Murdoch to the reception room in the manor.

I saw Jared Murdoch, CEO of Star Media, sitting in a chair reading a newspaper.

When he saw Zheng Zetao coming in, he did not stand up to greet him.

Instead, he pointed to the seat opposite him, motioning Zheng Zetao to sit down, and then said:

"Pat, you go out first."

Pat Murdoch nodded, walked slowly out, turned around and glanced at Du Sheng.

Jared turned his gaze to Du Sheng who was still standing, and then looked at Zheng Zetao, as if asking the entourage whether to step aside?
Zheng Zetao replied with a smile:

"Mr. Jared, this is my partner, Du Sheng." Jared Murdoch then looked at Du Sheng carefully.

She really has an outstanding temperament and is very spirited.

As for whether he is handsome or looks like a star, it is not his consideration at all.

Du Sheng saw Jared nodding to him and sat down next to Zheng Zetao without caring.

"Master Zheng, your methods are amazing. Even the people outside the court are helping you!"

Jared looked directly into Zheng Zetao's eyes and said.

He even speculated in his heart that the protesters outside the newspaper headquarters today might have been secretly arranged by Zheng Zetao.

"Mr. Jared, if this is the topic for today, then perhaps we don't need to continue."

Zheng Zetao answered with a smile.

When communicating with foreigners, of course we use English.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Jared realized that probing was fruitless, so he asked directly.

"Mr. Jared, I want the STAR newspaper. Will you give it to me?"

Zheng Zetao looked directly into Jared's eyes.

"Young man, aren't you afraid of choking with such a big appetite?"

Jared deadpanned.

"I can't help it. Being young is good. I wonder if Mr. Jared can still make a living?"

Zheng Zetao kept smiling.

Jared was silent for a moment, then he took a sip of coffee and said:
"Mr. Zheng, you Chinese people do business based on mutual benefit and win-win!

I can promise you to become a shareholder of STAR Newspapers, but you have to give up your voting rights."

"Mr. Jared, I respect you as my father's friend, but please don't treat me as a joke!"

Zheng Zetao laughed and said:

"Letting me join STAR Newspapers as a decoration will not only allow you to continue to control the overall situation, but also use my Zheng family's reputation to boost the stock price and scare off other potential competitors. This is a really good calculation!"

He came here as a representative, so he was naturally fearless.

Du Sheng looked at Zheng Zetao who was so confident. If he didn't know his true intentions, he might have been frightened.

"So, your Zheng family is determined to win?"

Jared frowned.

"Mr. Jared, don't you forget that after the financial crisis, your group was frantically withdrawing funds to acquire Hughes Electronics. How could it have any extra liquidity?

Two years ago, you could raise billions of Hong Kong dollars with just one sentence, but what about now?

Don't say I look down on you, Star Media. You are lucky to be able to raise 1 billion Hong Kong dollars now! Is 1 billion enough to fill the hole this time?"

At this point, Zheng Zetao looked at Du Sheng:
"Ah Sheng, do you know how much debt Star Media has now?"

Du Sheng knew what he meant and said with a smile:
“I don’t know much about Star Media as a whole, but I do know a little about STAR Newspapers.

Three years ago, its stock price peaked at 13 yuan, but now it has fallen to 2 yuan, with a market value of only a few billion yuan.

But last year, Pat acquired three major media companies in India for tens of billions of rupees, leaving it with a debt of more than $10 billion.
I heard that the performance of the three major media companies in Tianzhu is declining instead of increasing. I wonder how much the bank auction can offset?"

Zheng Zetao laughed and turned around and said:
"Mr. Murdoch, I'm not in a hurry to take over. I have plenty of time. I just don't know if the creditors will give you this window of opportunity."

"Don't threaten me with the bank. They can only argue at best. If they really force STAR Newspapers to go bankrupt, they won't get a dime."

Jared remained calm and noncommittal.

His last name is there, and with News Corporation behind him, it won't be difficult for him to return to defense.

It's just that he doesn't want to rely on his family for everything, as that would make him seem mediocre.

"Okay, Mr. Jared, see you at the shareholders' meeting!"

Zheng Zetao said with a smile.

"What do you mean?"

Jared asked, frowning.

Zheng Zetao ignored his question and looked at Du Sheng again:
"Ah Sheng, do you know why Liu Lianxiong always made a fortune in the stock market?"

Although Du Sheng guessed the reason, he shook his head cooperatively.

"Because in Hong Kong, many major shareholders want to gain control of the company at the lowest cost."

Zheng Zetao smiled faintly:
"Like STAR Newspapers, several companies under STAR Media hold shares in each other, and the Murdoch family's actual controlling stake is only 35%."

"That is to say, the Murdoch family does not have absolute control over STAR Newspapers!"

"Ah Sheng, if you were a minority shareholder, who would you favor?"

"Of course I'm biased towards your Zheng family. After all, you're the local boss."

Du Sheng smiled slightly:
"Although News Corporation is well-known, it has many bankrupt subsidiaries, not to mention that Star Media is not its core asset."

"You're right. When I went to meet those shareholders these past two days, they were all dancing with joy."

Zheng Zetao said quite complacently.

Jared Murdoch remained calm and said:

"Master Zheng, if you can really obtain absolute controlling rights, there is no need to come to see me. Just tell me your real purpose!"

Zheng Zetao replied with a smile:

“As expected of a core figure of the Murdoch family, he is very confident.

But if you really think that I can't obtain absolute controlling rights, you are totally wrong!
If I didn't want to waste manpower and resources, and didn't want to make things too awkward with your Murdoch family, I would have a great opportunity today."

When it came to business, his face turned serious:

"As long as you are willing to sell half of your shares, my Zheng family can promise not to take any action against the other two listed companies of Star Media."

Jared Murdoch became serious and said calmly:

"Why, didn't you just disparage the STAR newspaper company?

I still say the same thing, I welcome you to become a shareholder and make money together with me.”

Although STAR Newspapers' current stock price is low, it has control over a number of high-quality projects.

For example, Jordan Plaza, STAR Factory, Star Hotel, etc.

"The focus of Star Media has now shifted to Southeast Asia. The value of STAR Newspapers will only depreciate in the hands of your Murdoch family, but it will be different in my hands."

Zheng Zetao is full of confidence:
"Mr. Jared, if you don't agree, then we can only fight a protracted war and see who can last to the end."

Jared Murdoch turned a deaf ear to him and drank his coffee.

He was naturally aware of the current predicament of STAR Newspapers, and even if he personally stepped in, it would be difficult to turn the tide.

The general environment is there, and we can only delay until policies and markets recover.

If he doesn't let go, he will have to face the Zheng family who is eyeing him covetously.

More importantly, his current focus is indeed on Southeast Asia and Australia. Over time, the shareholders who originally supported him may also turn against him.

Thinking of his good-for-nothing son, Jared shook his head.

I think it would be better to get out as soon as possible and focus on other business of the company.

He pondered for a moment and asked:

"How much can your Zheng family offer?"

Zheng Zetao showed a hint of joy on his face and began to negotiate the price with Jared.

Du Sheng watched from the side and felt that the two of them were like vendors and customers bargaining in the market.

The only difference is that the transaction units here are measured in billions.

Although STAR Newspapers' current market value is only a few billion, this is not its entire value. The key lies in its control over those properties.

The reason why the Zheng family is interested in STAR Newspapers is that at this stage, there is a greater need to convert capital into influence.

One party wants to streamline its business, while the other party wants to expand its marketization.

In the end, the Zheng family negotiated the deal in exchange for a large sum of cash and some of the shares they held in the other two companies.

After it was confirmed, Zheng Zetao was in a good mood:
"Mr. Jared, if we don't reach an agreement this time, we might actually have a head-on confrontation next time!"

Jared's face was calm:
"So, your Zheng family still gave me face?"

Zheng Zetao chatted for a while and suddenly said:
"Mr. Jared, is Star Media's acquisition of Singapore Telecom not enough money?"

"Why, your Zheng family also wants to expand into Southeast Asia?"

Jared Murdoch narrowed his eyes. The other party had indeed hit the nail on the head.

Zheng Zetao shook his head and smiled, looking at Du Sheng beside him:
"Mr. Jared, this time it's not my Zheng family that wants to buy it, but Ah Sheng wants to give you money."

Jared then looked carefully at Du Sheng who had been sitting next to Zheng Zetao, thinking:
"Tell me why you're here."

"Mr. Jared, aren't you planning to streamline your business in Hong Kong and the mainland? I'm quite interested in this."

Du Sheng smiled faintly:
"You have invested heavily in Phoenix TV in an attempt to compete with TVB.
However, not only did we fail to achieve our goals over the years, but we were forced to increase investment, resulting in bloated business...

Why don’t you get rid of the burden of Phoenix TV now, and free up your hands to expand into Southeast Asia.”

"You want to buy Phoenix TV?!"

Jared Murdoch was a little surprised when he heard the other party's purpose.

He hadn't expected that this rising star from the mainland would dare to get involved in this business.

In Hong Kong, who among those who dare to run a TV station is not a big shot in the industry?
Whether it is Shao Yifu, Qiu Degeng or himself, they are all well-known figures.

If the Zheng family wanted to take over Phoenix TV, he would not be surprised at all.

But who exactly is this Du Sheng?

………(End of chapter)