Chapter 436: Others Hoard Grain, I Hoard Guns

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange today marks the listing day of Fang Zheng Group, becoming another tech company listed in Beijing's Zhongguancun; after today, Zhongguancun's flag has been preliminarily raised across the country.

A convoy appeared before the exchange's main gate; the lead vehicle was a Maybach, the most coveted luxury car among Hong Kong's wealthy.

Upon seeing this car, Hong Kong's TV stations, newspapers, magazines, and tabloids—all previously alerted—flooded the scene; the commotion far surpassed the earlier arrival of Fang Zheng Group's team.

"Li Sheng, is Zhao Zhao Shinan's bankruptcy connected to you?"

"Li Sheng, what's your take on the Zhao family's bankruptcy?"

"Zhao Zhao Shinan is rumored to be bankrupt, with whispers linking him and Miss Xiang Xiang Ningwen to you—could this be true?"

As Li Li Dongling, escorted by Yang Zhi and other security personnel, entered the trading hall, a swarm of reporters immediately surrounded him; the most eager weren't financial journalists, but tabloid reporters.

Even reporters from major Hong Kong outlets like TVB, Phoenix TV, Apple Daily, Ming Pao, and Finance News were genuinely curious.

Zhao Zhao Shinan, once worth nearly a hundred million, and the Zhao family, with six hundred million in assets, collapsed suddenly—transforming from billionaires to debt-ridden paupers—in just a short time. Media rumors claimed Zhao Zhao Shinan's downfall stemmed from offending Li Li Dongling, one of Asia's top twenty billionaires this year.

Whether the rumors were true was hard to say, but such ruthless tactics shocked many in Hong Kong; the Zhao family wasn't among the top-tier clans, yet they held considerable status, and their sudden collapse was truly alarming.

Even the top-tier clans would need considerable effort to bring down the Zhao family, but for Li Li Dongling, it was like a autumn breeze sweeping fallen leaves—he cleaned them out in one sweep. Zhao Zhao Shinan's bankruptcy was certain; even if the Zhao family avoided formal bankruptcy, they were now shattered and would never recover.

"About the Zhao family and Mr. Zhao Zhao Shinan, I have only one thing to say: I don't know him."

"But I trust Hong Kong's judicial system—it will never wrong an innocent, nor let a guilty man escape."

Facing the crowd of reporters, Li Li Dongling reluctantly stopped and spoke.

Li Li Dongling offered no further explanation regarding Zhao Zhao Shinan or the Zhao family; rumors are just rumors. For those in certain circles, the Zhao family's fate needed no commentary from him—they already knew how to read the signs.

Only then did the major media reporters step forward to ask questions about Fang Zheng Group.

"Li Sheng, mainland red-chip stocks have been falling steadily this year—do you think Fang Zheng will break its offering price today?"

"Will Li Dongling High-Tech consider listing in Hong Kong?"

"Rumors say your trip to Hong Kong is tied to Hong Kong Telecom—is this true?!"

Under the escort of Yang Zhi and other security personnel, Li Li Dongling walked into the trading hall and replied offhandedly, "I believe Fang Zheng Group won't let investors down."

He said it, but in truth, he had no confidence; mainland red-chip listings in Hong Kong had performed poorly since last year.

No one knew whether Fang Zheng's stock would break its offering price, but Li Li Dongling's 11% stake couldn't be sold until after the lock-up period—over a year away.

By then, the internet's spring breeze would likely sweep the globe; stocks tied to the internet—whether websites, hardware, or telecom firms—would surge.

Fang Zheng would benefit too, so stock price wasn't a concern; Li Li Dongling's interest in Fang Zheng's computer brand far outweighed his interest in its stock price.

"Li Sheng, over here!"

As Li Li Dongling entered, Zhang Zhang Yufeng waved him over, pulling him to join Wang Zuo Xuan, Zhang Zhang Xuanlong, and Liang Liang Botao of Babson for a group photo.

The digital clock ticked forward; on a temporary stage stood a bronze gong. At the appointed moment, Zhang Zhang Yufeng, representing Fang Zheng Group, raised his mallet and struck it hard.

In that instant, countless flashes erupted—it was Zhang Zhang Yufeng's moment of glory, the dream of countless mainland companies; listing meant success, fame, and achievement.

After the gong struck, Fang Zheng's ticker appeared on the exchange's large screen, its price beginning to fluctuate from the offering price of HK$1.98.

Zhang Zhang Yufeng and Fang Zheng's executives stared intently at the opening price movements; every rise and fall tightened their nerves.

Li Li Dongling and Liang Liang Botao on the other side paid little attention; Li Li Dongling never expected a significant price jump, while Liang Liang Botao, having overseen numerous IPOs and M&As for Babson, had long lost any sense of awe.

It's like motorcycles: for many families, they're still major appliances, handled with care to avoid scratches; for others, who've owned countless bikes—even Kawasaki— they floor the throttle without hesitation.

Some drive Rolls-Royces with gloves on, others use them for off-roading; some won't ride their bicycles, while others stand up and pedal them.

Liang Liang Botao noticed Li Li Dongling beside him, rose, and walked over. "Li Sheng!"

"What's your view on the Hong Kong stock market, Li Sheng?" Liang Liang Botao asked.

"Everyone knows the Hong Kong market is in a bull run!" Li Li Dongling laughed.

Liang Liang Botao's eyes gleamed as he pressed, "Would you consider listing Li Dongling High-Tech in Hong Kong? If Li Dongling High-Tech lists here, it could set a new record for Asian tech stocks—no matter the funding amount, Babson is ready to help raise it!"

This idea had haunted Liang Liang Botao for countless nights; if Li Dongling High-Tech listed in Hong Kong, he was certain he could raise funds—Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and beyond were full of billionaires eager to buy Li Dongling High-Tech shares.

Li Li Dongling looked at Liang Liang Botao; in his past life, he had been the official banker of the Yangtze Li family, with deep connections across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

In the 1980s, the Yangtze Li family raised HK$10.3 billion in one go, spun off TOM. com with 669 times oversubscription, and listed its biotech subsidiary—all orchestrated by Liang Liang Botao; his ability was obvious.

Li Li Dongling had no doubt about Liang Liang Botao's capability; if he said it, he could deliver. If Li Dongling High-Tech listed during this bull market, it might truly set the highest market cap record for Asian tech stocks.

Yet facing Liang Liang Botao's invitation, Li Li Dongling shook his head. "I'm sorry, Li Dongling High-Tech isn't short on cash right now."

Hearing the refusal, Liang Liang Botao felt slight disappointment, but not surprise—he'd expected it.

Babson's analysts had studied Li Dongling High-Tech and reached a startling conclusion: though a high-tech R&D firm, Li Dongling High-Tech was remarkably conservative.

Li Dongling High-Tech's products were always high-margin tech goods, yet its operations were cautious, prioritizing cash flow; its bank loans were all for acquisitions—not because it lacked cash, but precisely because it wanted to retain cash reserves after acquisitions.

Since last year, Babson also discovered Li Dongling High-Tech had been borrowing from overseas banks—including Korea, Japan, Singapore, and especially Thailand; it had borrowed nearly a billion U. S. dollars' worth of Thai baht from Thailand's major banks, converting them into dollars immediately.

Yet despite borrowing so much, Li Dongling High-Tech hadn't spent it—it kept the funds in accounts to boost cash reserves, leaving Babson baffled.

To this day, Babson still couldn't determine exactly how much cash Li Dongling High-Tech held, but they were certain: it was Asia's undisputed cash king.

As for Li Li Dongling, Liang Liang Botao's research revealed something peculiar—it reminded him of an old acquaintance.

The head of the Yangtze Group, a long-time Babson partner, was similarly cautious, always holding massive cash reserves, yet never hesitating when action was needed.

Liang Liang Botao felt these two men named Li were nearly identical in cash management; Li Li Dongling's style didn't match his age—it resembled that of veteran patriarchs like the Yangtze Group's.

Whether the Li in Hong Kong or the Li in Hanxi, both hoarded more cash than anyone else—even some Southeast Asian bank vaults likely held less than their personal reserves!

"Actually, Li Dongling High-Tech's subsidiary, Feiyan Technology, will spin off next year and prepare for a Nasdaq listing."

Li Li Dongling told Liang Liang Botao; upon hearing this, Liang Liang Botao's face showed faint regret.

"But!"

"Li Dongling High-Tech and Babson will surely have cooperation opportunities in the future—I hope you'll support us then, President Liang."

Li Li Dongling said to Liang Liang Botao, who paused, pondering the implication, then smiled and replied, "Of course—if Babson can help, I'll do my utmost."

Li Li Dongling nodded; though Babson had collapsed under Soros due to massive losses, its strength before that was undeniable—especially in fundraising. Li Dongling High-Tech's shell companies in Hong Kong would soon need large cash injections, and Babson was just the right partner to help.