Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 395 Let the British deal with the British

In the original time and space, in the process of Xiangjiang's return, the most disruptive and slowing business force was Jardine, a veteran British foreign firm that claimed to "always represent Xiangjiang in the colonial era".

First of all, on March 1984, 3, at the critical stage of negotiations on the future of Xiangjiang, Jardine Matheson moved the company’s registration from Xiangjiang to Bermuda, the British Autonomous Region, which brought severe shocks to the economic environment of Xiangjiang.

On March 1987, 3, Jardine began to play the digital game of stocks again, announcing that 27 share would give 1 B shares, and the face value of B shares was 4 cents, which was only equivalent to one-tenth of the face value of Jardine A shares. But it has the same voting rights as A shares.

Jardine's plan to issue B shares immediately caused an uproar in Xiangjiang. Four days later, Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa under Li Bancheng followed suit and announced the issuance of B shares.

The actions of these large consortiums were understood to have the intention of "reducing A shares, increasing B shares, and withdrawing funds", which immediately caused some small and medium-sized listed companies to follow suit, triggering a wave of stockholders selling their stocks.

Amid strong opposition, Cheung Kong and Hutchison held a press conference on April 4, announcing the automatic cancellation of the plan to issue B shares.

The next day, the Xiangjiang Stock Exchange and the China Securities Regulatory Office issued a joint statement, prohibiting the listing of new B shares.

As a result, Jardine's B-share plan was aborted, but the adverse effects it could cause were irreversible.

However, the cunning Yihe did not give up on the plan of capital flight. He just divided the entire plan into several steps to make it less dazzling to the outside world.

At that time, the stocks of the entire Jardine family belonged to the first listing of Xiangjiang and needed to be regulated by the Hong Kong Securities Regulations. In other words, Xiangjiang was the main supervision center of Jardine.

In order to be exempted from the supervision of the Hong Kong Securities Ordinance, Jardine Matheson and the securities regulatory authorities in Hong Kong launched a fierce battle that lasted for five years.

The first step was in May 1990, when Jardine Matheson announced that it would take London as the secondary listing, switch to international accounting standards to prepare the company's accounts, and switch to the US dollar as the unit of calculation.Then it was listed in Sydney, Australia and Singapore successively.

The second step was in March 1991, when Jardine was preparing to move its first listing status from Xiangjiang to London, and applied for exemption from listing in Xiangjiang.

For this reason, Jardine Matheson suggested that Heung Kong create a category of listed companies called "pure trading company" for itself, which is only subject to the supervision of overseas listing rules, but is not subject to Heung Kong's listing rules, acquisition and merger rules, and company return. Constrained by the share purchase code.

At the same time, Jardine Matheson issued a threat that if the proposal is rejected, it will not hesitate to cancel its listing status in Hong Kong.

After removing all kinds of deceptive tricks, Jardine's core logic is actually very simple, that is, it does business in Xiangjiang and earns money from Xiangjiang people, but at the same time it does not accept the supervision of Xiangjiang.

Jardine's request immediately aroused a strong reaction from Xiangjiang's public opinion.

No one is stupid. Once this precedent is set, it will inevitably attract more listed companies to follow suit, which will seriously damage the integrity of the Xiangjiang market and cause injustice to minority shareholders.

At that time, Xiangjiang will really become an empty shell.

In order to ease the pressure of public opinion, Jardine Matheson promises to continue to abide by Heung Kong's acquisition and merger rules within three years after the cancellation of Heung Kong's first listing status.

On September 1992, 9, the first listing of Jardine Holdings in London officially took effect; the next day, Heung Kong became the second listing area of ​​Jardine Holdings.

Because secondary listed companies mainly rely on the local regulators of the primary listing, Hong Kong's regulators take a back seat.

On the surface, it seemed that Jardine could take a break, and the whole incident seemed to come to an end.

However, on March 1994, 3, Jardines took the final step. On the occasion of Jardines’ announcement that its relocation to Bermuda was about to expire on the 24th anniversary, Jardines Holdings announced the most shocking announcement it has made in Hong Kong for more than a century and a half. Statement of regret: Decided to terminate the secondary listing status of Jardine shares in Xiangjiang and withdraw from Xiangjiang stock market from December 1994, 12.

Jardine Matheson's announcement once again had an impact on the Hong Kong stock market. The Hang Seng Index, which was originally rising, fell sharply by 400 points.

In this way, Jardine, which has made more than 100 years of gold in China, ran away from Xiangjiang in a magnificent manner, leaving behind all kinds of fear and uneasiness, but the parties concerned have nothing to do but watch.

Comparing Jardine's behavior and moral integrity, the deep meaning of the "responsibility of the Xiangjiang No. [-] consortium" emphasized by Tang Huan is self-evident.

With Jardine under his control, it is naturally impossible to stir up troubles and add fuel to the already extremely complicated situation in Xiangjiang, making it difficult for ordinary people to live a peaceful life.

How did Youde know that Tang Huan still had these twists and turns in his heart.In his view, since the British government is promoting the privatization of British state-owned assets, it is not unacceptable for Jardine, which has lost all its glory, to be replaced by a well-capitalized owner. As long as it continues to guarantee its British attributes, As well as the rights and interests of British shareholders, even if they have successfully repaired the past.

As for Simon Keswick's running around and jumping up and down, the source of his motivation is simply that Jardine has always been regarded as his family's ancestral business and no outsiders are allowed to get involved. His vision and structure are too small.

It has to be said that this is the difference in the starting point of thinking between politicians and businessmen. Simon Keswick may not understand that the more he goes to Youde to exert pressure, the more he shows what he can do in Xiangjiang. Devaluation comes into play.

Since the atmosphere is good and the conversation is speculative, the time in the car is obviously not enough, so Youde, who knows that Tang Huan took less than two hours to fly from Baodao to Xiangjiang, followed him to the airport unceremoniously. In the office, sipping tea and discussing the Tao, to set up a friendship while the iron is hot.

Regarding the situation of Jardine, apart from the general principle, Tang Huan avoided talking about it on the grounds that "the specific situation has not had time to hear the report".

Youde didn't care, because he had other topics and wanted to communicate with Tang Huan.

"As far as I know, Mr. Tang has been investing in Xiangjiang for almost three or four years. I don't know what hope you have for Xiangjiang's future development?" Youde put down his teacup and changed the subject.

"Sir Youde's question, I really have an idea." Tang Huan replied slowly, "It's about high-quality talents. The high-tech characteristics of the company under my name determine the sensitivity to this. And there’s always a sense of unfulfilled hiring desires.”

"It must be admitted that Hong Kong's higher education is still at a very backward stage." Youde nodded, "Currently there are only two recognized universities in Hong Kong - Hong Kong University and Hong Kong Chinese University. As for the technical colleges, there are only Polytechnic Institute and Lingnan College , Shue Yan College and Hong Kong Baptist College, etc., are very few, which makes only [-]% of the graduates of Hong Kong Secondary School enjoy the opportunity to receive higher education in the local area.”

Speaking of this, Youde suddenly remembered something, "I heard that you have been actively running the project of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts?"

"There is such a thing. I have an entertainment company in Xiangjiang, so I will naturally be more enthusiastic. I found that Xiangjiang has always trained Shaw Brothers artists, TVB artist training courses, and Qianli's artist training courses in cultivating performing arts talents. These commercial organizations, such as classes, take on tasks spontaneously, which is regarded as self-production for the company, but for artists, they often lack a formally recognized qualification, which causes inconvenience in the flow of talents and lacks an international high-level structure.”

After Tang Huan carefully explained his original intention, he smiled wryly, "But unfortunately, the establishment of an institution of higher learning cannot start a project solely by relying on funds. The official response seems to have been ineffective."

"The problem before taking office. I don't know, but I promise that I will start to promote the establishment of the Xiangjiang Academy for Performing Arts after I go back." Youde made a decision on the spot. The ready-made political achievements are in front of him, and he has no reason to let go.

"Of course that's good." Tang Huan laughed, thinking that if Xiangjiang Academy for Performing Arts could be established two years earlier than in the original time and space, it would be really beneficial. At least it would make it easier for TVB to train retainers through the TVB artist training class. Control artist resources.

"Since the 1970s, the electronics industry in Hong Kong, such as electronic parts, watches, and electrical appliances, has developed rapidly, becoming the second largest pillar industry after the textile industry. The proportion of its total export value has exceeded 16% this year."

Youde, who has done his homework well, counted Xiangjiang's advantages in the electronics industry, and looked at Tang Huan with a smile, "Moreover, recently, many American video game companies have been attracted to build factories and start production. Mister is best at the industry, but it seems that you are here in Xiangjiang, such actions are not very big."

"Among these video game console companies, there must be EA, the second largest video game company in the United States, Atari, which is second only to me." Tang Huan smiled playfully, and said to himself, just wait to be tricked, you can't use it In a year, Atari will retreat from here.

"It turns out that Mr. Tang also knows about these situations, so why did he fall behind them?" Youde asked earnestly.

"Actually, I set up a factory in Xiangjiang to cope with the sudden shortage of products in the global supply chain, but I soon moved to the opposite special zone." Tang Huan took a sip from his teacup, "I was there side, you can enjoy more favorable policies.”

Youde, who heard this, was slightly taken aback, and was a little embarrassed. Tang Huan refused in disguise.

However, it is normal to encounter these differences during the conversation, otherwise it would be abnormal. Because Tang Huan is currently powerful in Hong Kong and has his own interests, it is impossible to be obedient and always sell well in front of the Governor of Hong Kong.

Seeing that the major issues are almost communicated in place, Youde, who has a lot of research on Chinese literature, started the romance again.

After this session, Youde got up to say goodbye and said: "I know that Mr. Tang has a lot of contacts in the mainland, so after Jardine was acquired by you, it might not be an opportunity. , I can help you a lot.”

"It's a matter of duty." Tang Huan nodded happily and agreed, and at the same time gave a gift, "I heard that Sir Youde loves music, this is the latest high-tech product of the company under my name - CD player, record, and home Audio. Compared with traditional compact records, digital music will bring listeners a completely different HIFI experience, I hope you like it.”

A big man like Tang Huan was able to put his mind to doing what he liked. Youde was very happy and accepted it. After thanking him, he got in the car and left.

Tang Huan rubbed his nose and muttered as he watched the Hong Kong Governor's car gradually go away, "This old British man who can be called a Chinese hand can really speak!"

"However, on the surface, the other party is not hostile and seems to be easier to get along with." Zhou Mi added with a smile.

"That's because we have the strength that the other party must respect." Tang Huan snorted and continued: "Generally speaking, the Hong Kong Governor from now on should be able to understand the situation clearly. Of course, there may be exception."

Speaking of this, Tang Huan thought of Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong in the original time and space. This senior politician caused a lot of trouble.

"When Niu Bijian heard that you arrived in Xiangjiang, he rushed over immediately. Do you want to see him?" Zhou Mi asked after returning to the office.

Tang Huan frowned, "I didn't move Niubijian's Jardine chair. What did he want to do in such a hurry to come over to see me?"

Zhou Mi chuckled, "Niubijian wants you to honor the agreement he reached with Simon Keswick. The board of Jardines will pay 100 million pounds. U.K."

"That agreement was made by Simon Keswick in order to kick Niu Bijian away so that he could take over the position. Why should I pay now?"

A smirk appeared on Tang Huan's face, "Besides, Niu Bijian is still very useful. The idea of ​​letting the British deal with the British depends largely on him to realize it, especially that Simon Keswick. It is a big trouble, and it would be a pity not to use his old enemy Niu Bijian."

Hearing that Tang Huan had this plan, Zhou Mi opened his mouth wide in surprise, "Using barbarians to control barbarians is considered necessary and feasible, but Niu Bijian, an important leader who fought us so hard before, is unlikely to be able to support us. Use it."

"How will you know the result if you don't try? Anyway, if I'm asked to pay the 100 million pounds pension, I won't do it!" Tang Huan shrugged.

Just as Zhou Mi was about to speak, Niu Bijian knocked on the door and walked in. He had to shut up and walked out of the office to make room for him to negotiate.

Sure enough, after sitting down, Niu Bijian directly explained the purpose of his visit.

"That was the transaction condition after the company's political struggle between you and Simon Keswick. I don't think I have any reason to be responsible for it." Tang Huan replied more simply and bluntly.

"That's not a transaction condition, you can check the documents of the board of directors." New Bijian said angrily.

"This kind of fig leaf is all kinds of embarrassment when it is pulled off. Do you think I look like someone who has been taken advantage of?" Tang Huan had a smile on his face, but the words that came out of his mouth were cold.

Seeing that there was no room for maneuver, Niu Bijian no longer swallowed his anger. He slapped the table and stood up, "Then I will wait for your dismissal notice."

(End of this chapter)