Chapter 347 Sale of Land
Perhaps no one cares more about the future of Hong Kong Island than the trading companies such as Jardine Matheson & Swire. After all, the bulk of their assets are in Hong Kong Island.

Therefore, Henry Keswick actually knew very well that after the situation in the north had stabilized again, Britain and the Hong Kong government began to contact the north and try to discuss the future of Hong Kong Island.

But based on the feedback we have received so far, the situation is very unclear.

What Jim said is not wrong. Due to some specific reasons, China and the United States need each other more. Therefore, on many issues, the United States has changed its attitude towards the North, even including Taiwan.

As for Hong Kong Island, it has even less weight to the United States.

This also means that it is currently difficult for Britain to gain support from the Western world on the issue of Hong Kong Island. Without the support of the United States, the Western giant, countries like Germany and France would rather laugh at Britain's mistakes.

So Henry Keswick is very clear that Downing Street currently does not have a good idea for solving the Hong Kong issue, and they have no good solution to the attitude of the North.

At present, the future of this land is actually uncertain.

Manhattan Bank is taking action at this time. Could it be that there is really some news that they don't know?
Inside the mansion on Taiping Mountain, after Li Changhe finished listening to Jim's story, Li Changhe couldn't help but give Jim a thumbs up.

"Jim, that's a great thing you said."

"I don't think Newbijian will be able to sleep tonight."

Li Changhe was not aware at this moment that Henry Keswick, the man behind the scenes at Jardine Matheson, had already arrived in Hong Kong Island.

But even if he knew it, he wouldn't think it was a big deal.

In fact, in terms of timing, now is not the best time to acquire Swire Properties.

Li Changhe was very clear that in two years, when the Hong Kong real estate crisis broke out, Swire Properties would face a major financial crisis. That would be a good time to take action against Swire Properties.

However, this is only from an economic perspective. In fact, from a political perspective, the past two years are a good time to acquire Swire Properties. The reason is that the future of Hong Kong Island is uncertain and the British group is very panicked.

Li Changhe estimated that the other party was already in a stage of indecision, and Jim's words would only add fuel to the fire in his heart.

As for whether this fire can be started and how fiercely it will burn, Li Changhe has no idea.

But it will never be extinguished, and political considerations will definitely become an important bargaining chip for Newby and others to weigh now.

As expected, by the evening, Jardine Matheson did not continue to raise the price in the newspaper, nor did it come up with a new plan to deal with the acquisition.

Li Changhe estimated that Jardine Matheson’s funds might have reached their limit.

"Jim, send these two reports out tomorrow morning."

"Two reports, each accounting for half of the newspaper share."

Li Changhe handed the two manuscripts to Jim. Jim took a look and then smiled: "Vic, once this is released, I think Jardine Matheson will surrender."

Sure enough, when the news came out in the newspaper the next day, it immediately caused a sensation in Hong Kong Island.

[Jardine Matheson has no money]

A huge front-page headline hung on the front page of Ta Kung Pao, and throughout the news report, Li Changhe listed in detail Jardine Matheson's various investment data and recent returns.

The detailed data is listed only to prove one thing: Jardine Matheson now does not have enough funds to repurchase shares. The cash they have is only enough for them to repurchase less than 5000 million shares of Hutchison Whampoa.

The most important thing is that Jardine Matheson has no other assets to exchange for Hutchison Whampoa. Apart from Hutchison Whampoa and Wharf Holdings, all of its other assets have been transferred overseas.

In other words, Jardine Matheson now has no back-up plan!

In addition, another report also made everyone exclaim.

That is China Eastern International, which is buying Hutchison Whampoa shares at a price of HK$21, with only two days left.

Two days later, China Eastern will terminate this price and make a new offer for Hutchison Whampoa's shares.

There is no doubt that this is the final notice to Hong Kong stock investors. The high-priced stocks will only last a few days.

At this time, if Jardine Matheson had money, it would undoubtedly be a good opportunity for Jardine Matheson to counterattack, but as the newspaper headlines said, Jardine Matheson had no money.

In response to China Eastern International's acquisition notice, Jardine Matheson did not respond at all.

This also made many investors anxious.

I was originally planning to wait for Jardine Matheson and China Orient to continue raising the price, but now you tell me that Jardine Matheson has no money?
You, Oriental International, will only acquire it in the last two days?
So what are you waiting for? Sell it now?

As a result, at the acquisition points set by the exchange and Oriental International, a large number of shareholders lined up, wanting to sell their stocks before Oriental International stopped the acquisition.

At this moment, Li Changhe's money began to flow into the hands of many shareholders like water.

At the same time, in Jardine's office, Newby and Henry Keswick sat there in silence.

As expected, the other party was fully prepared.

Although the financial data about Jardine Matheson in the newspaper is not completely true and is somewhat exaggerated, the general direction is correct, and Jardine Matheson cannot show its own financial data to refute it at this moment.

That would only expose your secrets.

Jardine Matheson is not completely without money now. It still has 300 to 400 million Hong Kong dollars in its hands. However, this amount of money will not make much waves if invested in the stock market.

Jardine Matheson's offer price is HK$20 per share, and HK$4 million can only buy 2000 million shares, which is less than %, which is not very meaningful.

"Mr. Henry, have you really decided?"

Newbijian asked Henry Keswick hesitantly at this moment.

Henry Keswick sighed and placed the newspaper in front of Newby.

"David, he's right, we have no money."

"According to today's trading situation, the other party's shares are likely to exceed ours today and become the major shareholder of Hong Kong Land."

"If we do this, we will lose control of the land as well."

"Do you think we should sell it or continue to stalemate with them?"

Once China Orient becomes a major shareholder of Hong Kong Land, Jardine Matheson will be in trouble.

Of course, with Jardine Matheson's shares, they can still maintain their position as directors on the board of directors of Hutchison Whampoa and even continue to have a say in the development of Hutchison Whampoa.

However, the most important role of Hutchison Whampoa to Jardines has disappeared.

That's a blood transfusion.

Having lost its status as a major shareholder, it will be difficult for Jardine Matheson to use Hutchison Whampoa's assets to provide financial support to its other industries and even overseas. As a result, Hutchison Whampoa's role in Jardine Matheson will be greatly reduced.

So, with the increase and decrease of one thing and political considerations, Henry Keswick's choice between selling and keeping was undoubtedly one.

Newby also shook his head. In fact, he could understand Henry Keswick's choice.

If it were to sell now, Jardine Matheson might be able to get a good price.

If we continue to stay, not only will we not be able to compete with the other party, but we may also be dragged down by the country in the future.

Putting aside other things, if the major shareholder takes the initiative to expand its shares, will Jardine Matheson follow suit or not?
If you follow it, you have to invest money in Swire. If you don’t, your shares will be diluted, the value will plummet, and you will lose money in vain.

This is the same as the positioning of Hutchison Whampoa.

"Then I'll go talk to them?"

"As for the stock price, what should we set?"

Newbijian hesitated and asked Henry Keswick.

Henry Keswick smiled and said, "Quote it to him at twenty yuan first. I think our bottom line price should not be lower than 17 yuan per share." Since he was going to sell it, of course he had to sell it at a high price.

"Let me try this first."

Newbijian knew that Henry Keswick was asking for a very high price, and that the other party would never agree to it.

Can the price of 20 individual purchases on the stock market be the same as the price of a large sale of shares?

But let's talk about this price first. There is an old Chinese saying, "ask for a high price and pay low." Let's ask for 20 first.

Just when Henry Keswick was about to chat with Li Changhe, not far from the Jardine House, in another building, Li Jiacheng was sitting there reading a newspaper, thinking.

Jardine Matheson is out of money?
Oriental International’s last two days to acquire?
It seems that the people behind Oriental International have made very accurate calculations.

According to Li Jiacheng's estimation, Jardine Matheson should have very little money at this time.

Since China Orient International dared to make the bold acquisition in the last two days, does it also mean that the shares they hold will soon surpass Jardine Matheson and become the largest shareholder of Hutchison Whampoa?
Li Jiacheng's eyes were empty at this moment, and he sat in the chair thinking unconsciously.

Will Jardine Matheson admit defeat at this time?
If you admit defeat, will you sell the property?

If Jardine Matheson admits defeat at this time, does that mean
opportunity?

Can he intercept?
"Chairman?"

Just then, someone knocked gently on the door and shouted at the door.

After hearing this, Li Jiacheng was suddenly awakened from his empty state.

"Chairman, here is a document that needs your signature."

"Okay, give it to me!"

After Li Jiacheng took it, he looked at it carefully and then signed his name.

"Go out and help me close the door, and tell everyone that no one is allowed to disturb me without my notice."

When the subordinate was walking out, Li Jiacheng spoke to him gently, but the tone of his words left no room for doubt.

"Okay, Chairman."

After the other party closed the door, Li Jiacheng picked up the phone.

"Hello, I'm Li Jiacheng from Cheung Kong Holdings. I'd like to arrange a meeting with Mr. Newby."

In New Bijian's office, he was a little surprised to hear the report from his secretary.

"Mr. Henry, this is Li Jiacheng from Cheung Kong Group, he wants to talk to me on the phone!"

"Li Jiacheng? He's the guy who took the lead in attacking Wharf, right?"

Henry Keswick asked, frowning when he heard the name.

Newbijian nodded: "Yes, it's him."

"Pick it up and see what he wants to talk to you about."

Henry Keswick nodded in agreement.

Newbyjian then picked up the phone, but hung up after a while.

"He wanted to ask me out for a date."

"David, the fact that he was able to discover the loopholes in Wharf Holdings shows that he has a keen business sense."

Henry Keswick said thoughtfully at this moment.

Newby nodded: "Yes, this guy is actually a very powerful businessman. We lost the land of Standard Chartered Station in Central to him before. He gave 51% of the shares to MTR and only wanted 49%. He is a very powerful person."

In 77, Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Holdings competed with Hutchison Whampoa for the site of the old General Post Office at Standard Chartered Station in Central. In that battle, more than real estate developers were involved, including Hutchison Whampoa, but the ultimate winner was Cheung Kong Holdings.

This was also the battle that made Li Jiacheng famous. A Chinese real estate company began to enter Central, the top commercial area in Hong Kong Island.

"He called you at this time. I think there are only two possibilities. The first possibility is that he wants to take advantage of us and see if he can make a profit."

"The second is that he thought the time was right and planned to leave."

Henry Keswick said as he thought about it at this moment.

"So what should we say if he wants to leave?"

Newbijian asked Henry Keswick at this time.

"How strong is he now?"

Henry Keswick didn't know Li Ka-shing very well. When Li Ka-shing was in charge of Jardine Matheson Land in Hong Kong Island, Li Ka-shing was not very famous and was not in Henry Keswick's eyes.

Newby recalled for a moment, then introduced Henry Keswick, "How can I describe his ability? I think he is the best among the Chinese in Hong Kong Island."

"His Cheung Kong Holdings had a market value of only 600 million before. To be honest, if he had taken over Wharf Holdings at the beginning, he would not have been able to take it all. We were just careless at the time."

"But he recently acquired Hutchison Whampoa shares from HSBC through a deal with Pao Yu-kong. Shen Bi thinks highly of him and thinks he is the second Pao Yu-kong."

"His relationship with HSBC is very good now."

Jardine Matheson had investigated Li Ka-shing's information at the time, so Newbijian had a relatively clear understanding of it.

"It took over Hutchison Whampoa? And it was appreciated by Shen Bi?"

"This is interesting."

"Then you meet him and see his attitude to see whether he wants to help us or just take advantage of us."

"If he just wanted to make a profit, he should have told him directly that we were planning to sell our shares in Hong Kong Land."

"Look at his reaction."

"Then in the afternoon, you can meet with the people from Dongfang International and tell them that in addition to them, there is also a third-party Chinese capital that is bidding against us."

"If Oriental International does not agree to our terms, we will sell our shares in Hong Kong Land to Chinese Capital."

"As for how they fight for the land in the end, that is none of our business."

Henry Keswick gave orders to Newbijian at this moment.

Since they are planning to sell the land, it is of course impossible to sell it honestly. The highest bidder will definitely win.

So at this time, Henry Keswick didn't mind spreading the news to see if he could attract a few greedy guys.

He didn't necessarily have to sell it to Li Jiacheng, but Henry Keswick was willing to let Li Jiacheng take this opportunity to act as a troublemaker.

Of course, if Li Jiacheng can afford the price in the end, then he can also sell it to Li Jiacheng.

Hearing Henry Keswick's words, Newbijian nodded.

"Ok, I see."

Then, Newby walked out of the office and prepared to meet with Li Jiacheng.

　The adjustment of work and rest schedule didn’t work, it’s a headache!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)