Chapter 240: Technical Adjustment

After thinking it through, veins bulged on Lawrence Kadoorie's forehead, and then, as if he had been deflated, his hand went limp: "Sir Chen, do you really think you can scare me with just your silver tongue?"

As a leader in Hong Kong's power and hotel industries, it was impossible for Lawrence Kadoorie to hand over power easily.

Lian Po is old, but can he still eat?

"Then let us wait and see; I respect you..."

Chen Jiajun looked at Lawrence Kadoorie's determined gaze and said softly.

Lawrence Kadoorie was not Niubijian or Baofuda; Niubijian and Baofuda were, to put it bluntly, just high-level employees of Jardine Matheson, the kind who received a fixed salary. But Lawrence Kadoorie was the heir and founder of the Kadoorie Group, and these two groups were his heart's blood.

That he would react this way was within Chen Jiajun's expectations.

After a pause, Chen Jiajun stood up and stubbed out his cigar: "So, I will go all out from here on. Xin Ge, come visit me when you have time."

Lawrence Kadoorie also stood up at the same time, "Sir Chen, then let us see the real moves in practice. Also, you must be prepared for failure, because once you lose, it will be a situation where I close the door to beat the dog."

"Heh, losing is nothing more than a few billion; see you again." After saying this, Chen Jiajun left with a carefree air.

Leaving Zhenbao Haixianfang, just as he boarded the small speedboat, He Tian'er jumped onto the boat as well, took out the videotape in her hand, and said triumphantly: "The movie I starred in has finished filming. How about it, do you want to watch it together?"

"I've already seen the rough cut; what kind of acting could you possibly have?"

In the last few months, He Tian'er, along with Wen Bixia and Lin Biqi, co-starred in a movie called *Liangmei Zai*, directed by Li Dawei.

The lead was naturally not He Tian'er; Lin Biqi was the female lead, and she and Wen Bixia were supporting roles. This movie told the story of a group of troubled girls.

This was an art film. He Tian'er's acting was not good; director Li Dawei had even complained about it in private, saying it couldn't even compare to the company's new recruit, Wen Bixia.

Of course, in Chen Jiajun's eyes, the acting skills of actors in this era were far superior to those "little fairies" of the 21st century.

Even if He Tian'er was not great.

She was still much better than those "little fairies."

He Tian'er straightened her chest and pouted her lips: "Hey, don't look down on people."

"What's the point of watching the movie you filmed? It's not as good as watching the one we filmed together."

Glancing at He Tian'er's proud figure, Chen Jiajun pulled her into his arms.

Tonight in the domestic zone, there must be Sir Chen's name.

The next day.

In the conference room of the Shangri-La Hotel, Wei Li held another press conference, announcing that the Longteng Fund had acquired 38% of the shares of the China Light and Power Company, and whether a full takeover would be launched would depend on the subsequent situation.

At the same time, Wei Li also announced that the Longteng Fund had acquired the 31% stake in Hong Kong Electric held by Jardine Matheson and would be entering the Hong Kong Electric Group.

Once this news broke, all of Hong Kong was in an uproar.

Of course, many people did not understand why Chen Jiajun wanted to invest in two power groups at the same time; after all, in this era, power companies were thankless, unlike the real estate industry, which was so lucrative.

Just look at how many of the Hong Kong Top Ten Financial Magnates were real estate developers, and it becomes clear.

After Wei Li's press conference ended, the Kadoorie Family also held a press conference.

At the Peninsula Hotel, when facing reporters, Lawrence Kadoorie did not show any signs of defeat or discouragement; instead, he smiled and welcomed the Longteng Fund to join the China Light and Power Company and the hotel group.

At the same time, Lawrence Kadoorie also said that the group would convene a board meeting in the near future in accordance with procedures.

At the end, Lawrence Kadoorie's smile faded, and he pointed at the camera, stating bluntly that the Kadoorie Family did not fear the challenge from Sir Chen.

Once these words were spoken, a scorched, pre-war atmosphere permeated the skies over Hong Kong.

Everyone understood that in today's two press conferences, both sides were declaring war.

More than a month later, Wei Li came to find Chen Jiajun in a hurry.

After sitting down, Chen Jiajun asked directly: "Is there any movement from the Kadoorie Family?"

He remembered that previously, among the equity of the China Light and Power Company, the Kadoorie Family still held 24% of the shares, while his side, combined, had reached a cumulative shareholding of 62.4%.

Apart from him and the Kadoorie Family, the other circulating equity was only about 13.6%.

The status of the China Light and Power Company as a listed company existed in name only.

It was only because the shareholding on Chen Jiajun's side was dispersed, making it difficult to define, and because these companies of Chen Jiajun's were not original shareholders, that they did not have the qualifications to revoke the China Light and Power Company's listed status.

The reason for choosing not to delist was that Chen Jiajun had deeper considerations: only by using the status of a listed company could he make a big scene and lower the difficulty for the subsequent acquisition of the Kadoorie Family's shares.

Therefore, no matter how hard Chen Jiajun's side tried, they could not increase their shareholding ratio to more than two-thirds, so Chen Jiajun's side could not dominate the board of directors, and many methods to dilute the Kadoorie Family's shareholding ratio could not be used.

Because the Kadoorie Family, relying on their 24% shareholding, possessed veto power on the board of directors.

So, when it came to matters involving the company's survival or major issues, as long as they needed to be discussed by the board, the Kadoorie Family could block them.

However, the Kadoorie Family could only barely maintain their final dignity during board resolutions; in other aspects, they were defeated again and again.

For example, the shareholders' meeting had already been controlled by Chen Jiajun's side.

Having controlled the shareholders' meeting, Lawrence Kadoorie was kicked out of the Chairman position, and all nominations by the Kadoorie Family for the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions were rejected.

Of course, because Chen Jiajun's side also could not occupy two-thirds of the board seats, Chen Jiajun's side only had the advantage and could not make decisions unilaterally, leading to the Chairman position remaining vacant.

And the board of supervisors was also controlled by Chen Jiajun's side.

To summarize.

Since Chen Jiajun acquired the China Light and Power Company, the internal struggle within the company had not stopped for a moment. Wei Li, following Chen Jiajun's instructions, used the Seven Wounds Fist directly, trading injury for injury, making the Kadoorie Family miserable.

Facing Chen Jiajun's inquiry, Wei Li nodded and said: "Yes, the Kadoorie Family can no longer hold on. I think there is a high probability they will choose to withdraw from the China Light and Power Company."

Chen Jiajun immediately became interested: "Tell me the detailed situation."

Wei Li said: "Now our China Light and Power Company is famous throughout Hong Kong. Many people know that the internal struggle is fierce, and the internal personnel changes are also very large, which has already affected the company's operations."

"In order to dilute the Kadoorie Family's shares, I have been proposing to increase investment, but every time the Kadoorie Family has rejected the proposal, and every time I have found an opportunity to leak the news."

"Major plans need to be discussed and decided by the board, but in some smaller aspects, I can decide directly. Many of the company's interests and assets have already been transferred to the Hong Kong Electric Company at low prices through reasonable means. The Kadoorie Family already knows, but they cannot find any evidence."

"... So, in the situation of losing management rights, the Kadoorie Family can only watch helplessly as their interests are damaged bit by bit."

"And because negative news has been exposed continuously, the company's stock price has continued to fall. Currently, it has fallen to about half of its normal level and has been rated as a junk stock by many institutions. The shares held by the Kadoorie Family have been trapped."

"I think no one dares to take over except us. I have inquired; the Kadoorie Family wanted to use their China Light and Power Company shares as collateral for a loan, but they were shunned by banks and the value was heavily suppressed..."

Listening to Wei Li talk incessantly about how he was "managing" the company, Chen Jiajun gave him a look of praise.

These things that Wei Li did were indeed instructed privately by Chen Jiajun.

Dealing with stubborn holdouts like the Kadoorie Family, while this method is underhanded, it is an absolutely effective one.

It is only because the Kadoorie Family is holding onto their share ratio that Chen Jiajun's side has not been able to control more than 66.7 percent.

If there were more than two-thirds of the equity, there would be no need for such trouble.

However, after tossing and turning for so long, the effect seems good; the Kadoorie Family's attitude has softened, and it is indeed time to act.

"Wei Li, continue to test the Kadoorie Family's attitude. If you think the timing isn't right, pressure them further, but be cautious and take care not to get yourself caught up in it," Chen Jiajun instructed with a smile.

"I will arrange for others to handle the acquisition of their shares, and I will have someone contact you when the time comes."

Wei Li replied respectfully: "Understood."

Afterward, Chen Jiajun asked a few more questions before sending Wei Li away.

When two immortals fight, only the common people die.

The Kadoorie Family's hardline attitude has already made many shareholders of the China Light and Power Company dissatisfied.

Especially those small shareholders; they don't care about the past glory of the Kadoorie Family, they only think about the annual dividends and the stock price in their own hands.

When the market opened the next day, the China Light and Power Company, which already had a terrifying decline, ushered in another "technical" adjustment.

It fell another fifty cents in less than half an hour after the market opened, scaring retail investors holding China Light and Power Company stock into selling off one after another.

But what made these retail investors despair was that there was no one left willing to take the stocks off their hands.

So, in a state of panic, they kept listing their stocks at lower prices.

The vicious cycle caused by this directly led to the China Light and Power Company's stock hitting the daily limit within less than two hours of the market opening.

It directly made those small shareholders and retail investors jump up and down in anxiety.

And over at the China Light and Power Company, they were also in a state of utter chaos.

Luolanshi Jiadaoli had been kicked out of the Chairman position by Chen Jiajun, and now there wasn't even a backbone to the company.

Seeing the risk of the China Light and Power Company being delisted, many shareholders understood in their hearts.

This turmoil must not be allowed to continue any longer.

Watching another expert on television running to the finance channel to talk eloquently.

Chen Jiajun immediately revealed a satisfied smile: "Good work, deserves a reward."

Wei Li said with a smile: "I have already paid them extra; they did indeed speak well."

Although these "brick experts" usually talk nonsense on television stations, this time they were not improvising freely.

In fact, many of the scripts were written by Wei Li's own team.

They were written to be both easy to understand and to clearly explain the critical information.

Wei Li said with a smile: "The market opened today, and the stock hit the daily limit again. Many financial institutions are moving to tear a piece of meat off the China Light and Power Company."

"Hmph, guys like hyenas, don't worry about them," Chen Jiajun said disdainfully: "When I have time, I will knock out all their teeth."

Before he could finish speaking, the phone in front of Chen Jiajun rang.

Chen Jiajun picked up the phone, and a smug smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

In the Kadoorie mansion, Luolanshi Jiadaoli's Young Master son was flying into a rage.

"What did you say? What do you mean our Kadoorie Family is opposing just for the sake of opposing? Have you all gone insane?"

"What do you mean it's for the good of the group? I think you all secretly took money."

"Shut up, you traitorous thing."

Listening to his son shouting continuously, yet having no solution at all.

Luolanshi Jiadaoli closed his eyes in despair.

The things that have happened recently have really taken up too much of his energy; not only the hotel group but also the China Light and Power Company side, neither is worry-free.

Luolanshi Jiadaoli's body is also no longer in its prime; he is old after all, and he is even feeling powerless to deal with the pincer attack from two sides.

It is a very normal thing for company shareholders to pressure the Kadoorie Family, but it is a pity that his own son cannot even handle this small matter, which makes him feel very exhausted.

He even had the feeling that he should have sold the China Light and Power Company to Chen Jiajun earlier.

Now that both sides have essentially torn off the masks, if he were to sell now, he would probably be heavily bled dry by Chen Jiajun.

But if he does nothing, let alone those neutral shareholders, it is estimated that even people from their own Kadoorie Family will turn against them, and by then, the father and son will truly be abandoned by everyone.

At this time, in a hotel next to the China Light and Power Company.

Except for two high-level big shots who did not come in person, everyone else had arrived.

But the conference room was not arguing endlessly as it usually was.

Instead, it was eerily quiet.

The shareholders sitting there were smoking one by one, and the entire conference room was filled with smoke, almost turning into a fairyland.

Finally, after a long silence, a shareholder spoke up: "We cannot keep fighting like this; if we keep fighting, everyone will be finished."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" At this time, a shareholder said with a bitter face: "With both sides fighting like this, will they stop? Won't we be the ones suffering the losses?"

The leading shareholder fiercely stubbed out his cigarette butt, and then a ferocious expression appeared on his face: "The situation is right here; it was the Kadoorie Family that didn't show consideration first. For those projects that promote the company's development, they oppose them just for the sake of opposing, forcing us into a corner."

"What do you want to do?" Hearing this person's words, many shareholders said with surprised expressions.

"The Kadoorie Family can afford to wait, but we cannot. I think it is time to elect a new Chairman to turn the tide," the shareholder scanned everyone coldly.

"Since I can say it, I am not afraid of anyone going to the Kadoorie Family to snitch. If Chen Jiajun refuses to attend, I don't mind selling the shares in my hands to him."

Obviously, the intention of this fed-up neutral shareholder was very clear; they wanted to force a palace coup.

Hearing this shareholder's words, everyone fell into deep thought again.

"I agree with this matter."

At this moment, a heavyweight guest suddenly raised his hand, causing an uproar among the crowd.

Because this person was none other than a shareholder of the Kadoorie Family, Brant Kadoorie.

This Brant Kadoorie was a distant relative of Luolanshi Jiadaoli and belonged to the fringe of the Kadoorie Family.

His shareholdings in the entire China Light and Power Company and the hotel group were not particularly high.

It was estimated that it wouldn't be long before their shares were swallowed up by others.

By then, apart from the surname Kadoorie, not a single hair would be left.

With someone from the Kadoorie Family stepping forward in person, this matter no longer had any suspense.

The shareholders present raised their hands one by one, agreeing to the matter of forcing the palace.

"Very good, there is no time to lose; I think we can invite Mr. Chen to come now." The shareholder who first brought up this decision was suddenly in high spirits.

Since they had already reached this step, there was no need to hide or tuck anything away.

Soon, the news reached Chen Jiajun, and both Wei Li and Chen Jiajun had expressions of surprise and joy.

Very quickly, Chen Jiajun had someone prepare a car, and the two went directly to the hotel conference room next door.

"Mr. Chen."

"You have finally come."

Seeing Chen Jiajun and Wei Li arrive, everyone stood up and said very enthusiastically.

Chen Jiajun did not act coy and sat directly in the main seat at the head of the long table.

This position was very particular, but Chen Jiajun was worthy of it.

After sitting down, Chen Jiajun scanned the crowd and said, "I heard that you all asked me to come over because there is something to discuss?"

At this time, Brant Kadoorie stood up and said, "Mr. Chen, the group definitely cannot go on like this; Luolanshi Jiadaoli doesn't care about the life or death of the group at all. We all feel that the group needs someone with weight to lead us out of the predicament again."

This statement was high-sounding, but there was nothing wrong with it.

Various signs indicated that these people from the Kadoorie Family did not manage things, and some proposals were made just to oppose for the sake of opposing.

Hearing the words of the crowd, a playful smile appeared on Chen Jiajun's face: "In other words, you all intend to nominate me as the Chairman of the group?"

"That's right, only Mr. Chen has the ability to turn the tide now." A shareholder said insincerely.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the things that had happened recently definitely had something to do with Chen Jiajun.

The reason for choosing Chen Jiajun was nothing more than the fact that Chen Jiajun had the ability and the confidence to take over.

Hearing the words of the crowd, Chen Jiajun smiled and said: "Since everyone is so insistent, as a major shareholder of the company, I will not be coy either, but... will everyone really stand with me?"

Chen Jiajun's gaze was very sharp, and those swept by his eyes felt as if they were not wearing any clothes.

These eyes could see through the human heart.

Hearing this, the crowd did not dare to answer rashly.

People's hearts are separated by skin; even if they thought this way, how could they know the thoughts of others?

If someone stabbed them in the back, wouldn't they have played for nothing?

Chen Jiajun also understood this principle, so he said indifferently: "I have a proposal..."

Chen Jiajun was a very cautious person.

"Mr. Chen, please speak." Brant said immediately.

Chen Jiajun tapped the table and pondered for a moment, then said to the crowd: "I also know your situation; during this period, everyone has suffered significant losses due to the chaos caused by the company."

Speaking of this, everyone present shook their heads and revealed bitter smiles.

It was more than just significant; under Chen Jiajun's series of operations, every share of the China Light and Power Company had almost fallen below ten dollars.

Compared to the original stock price, this directly caused their net worth to shrink by half.

Moreover, it was still constantly decreasing.

And what was most infuriating was that because of Luolanshi Jiadaoli's contract, it was a very difficult thing for them to sell the stocks in their hands.

Chen Jiajun continued: "So, in order to compensate for your losses, I can acquire the equity in your hands at a 100% premium. I wonder what you think?"

"Acquisition? Mr. Chen, as far as I know, we have contracts; it seems you cannot directly acquire them, right?" A shareholder said in a low voice.

It wasn't that they were reluctant; on the contrary, they hoped too much that Chen Jiajun would acquire the shares in their hands.

Chen Jiajun acquiring at a 100% premium—although they wouldn't make a profit, they could at least break even.

But the problem was that the restrictive clauses of the Kadoorie Family were truly too disgusting.

Even though there were buyers willing to offer a price, they still couldn't sell.

Otherwise, they would have long since sold the stocks in their hands to Chen Jiajun.

Hearing this shareholder's question, everyone also looked at Chen Jiajun.

The restrictive treaties of the China Light and Power Company were very strict; if one only wanted to rely on a few shell companies to acquire these shares, it was clearly an unrealistic thing.

If it were investigated and reported to the Securities and Futures Commission, even Chen Jiajun would be in big trouble.

However, there was another situation that could solve this problem well, and that was to borrow a boat to go out to sea.

Let an overseas third party reach out and take over the equity in the hands of these shareholders.

However, doing so had two very important problems; the first was the funding problem.

Chen Jiajun naturally had a way for this; Chen Jiajun's Guojun Group originally had some cross-border businesses, and it was too easy to transfer a sum of money that had nothing to do with himself out.

The second point was whether the other party would stand with Chen Jiajun to oppose Kadoorie after acquiring these equities.

Chen Jiajun had already prepared for this point as well.

That was to use an enterprise on Brunei Island to handle this matter.

Anyway, Chen Jiajun had already regarded Brunei Island as his own possession; even if there were any changes, he would just snatch it back then.

So regarding the questions of these shareholders, Chen Jiajun smiled lightly: "What do you all think?"

(End of this chapter)