Chapter 442: Advance and Attack, Retreat and Defend

A voice rang out; as Ning Ning Wantian was still hesitating, Ning Wencan suddenly spoke, her tone resolute.

Hearing Ning Wencan's words, Ning Ning Wantian opened his mouth but said nothing; he believed caution was warranted, for this concerned the very survival of Ning Corporation.

But Ning Wencan had already made up her mind; Ning Ning Wantian could only sigh inwardly. The next generation of the Ning family had only Ning Wencan, and all the family assets belonged to her. If she was willing to take this risk, what could he say?

Li Li Dongling gave Ning Wencan a deep look, wanting to tell her that risk and reward were proportional—this could make them soar or reduce the Ning family's decades of effort to nothing—but he met only her gaze, resolute and all-in.

He nodded and said, "Hong Kong Telecom's current market value is around HK$150 billion. Swallowing it whole in one go is difficult and cannot be done immediately!"

"First step: I plan to get Digital Harbor onto the Hong Kong Telecom board."

Li Li Dongling said, "If Digital Harbor, backed by Li Dongling High-Tech and Ning Wanjing Trading, joins the Hong Kong Telecom board, then in this acquisition, Digital Harbor will be able to advance or retreat as needed!"

As long as Digital Harbor enters the Hong Kong Telecom board, it gains leverage: acquiring shares as a board member counts as a transaction among shareholders, leaving only Great Eastern Telegraph as the true opponent.

Moreover, once Digital Harbor becomes a shareholder of Hong Kong Telecom, any other rival—whether Singapore Telecom or the Li family of the Yangtze—must have Digital Harbor's approval to acquire Hong Kong Telecom; otherwise, they'll face Digital Harbor rallying a coalition of small shareholders to cause trouble!

In this world, achieving something is hard, but causing trouble is easy—especially obstructing others; the tactics are endless.

"If we achieve the first step, acquiring Hong Kong Telecom through Digital Harbor becomes viable. This acquisition need not be rushed—the longer we wait, the higher our chances of success!" Li Li Dongling said.

Hearing Li Li Dongling wasn't rushing to swallow Hong Kong Telecom outright, Ning Ning Wantian exhaled in relief; it showed Li Li Dongling had thought this through carefully, not acting on impulsive folly.

"But according to Hong Kong Telecom's board rules, to join the board, you must acquire 13% of the shares."

"If we rely solely on buying shares on the open market, it's impossible to accumulate that much!"

Ning Wencan frowned slightly and said, "Hong Kong's exchange differs from the A-share market: to acquire a company, as long as you have money, you can keep buying on the market—once you hit 5%, you must disclose information; at 30%, you must file a public notice declaring your intent to take over."

But given Hong Kong's situation, everyone knows everyone else's holdings—truly buying 30% would send the price soaring long before, and there'd be no need to scrape shares from small investors; buying directly from major shareholders would be far cheaper.

"Five percent!"

Li Li Dongling said, "Digital Harbor only needs to acquire 5% of Hong Kong Telecom's shares from the market. The remaining 8%…"

"Li Dongling High-Tech will acquire the 8% of Hong Kong Telecom shares held by Nishiguchi Taifu Group—enough to get Digital Harbor onto the Hong Kong Telecom board!" Li Li Dongling said.

Lin Lin Xianhui glanced at Li Li Dongling, now understanding why he had dared to claim just days ago that this empty shell company, Digital Harbor, could enter Hong Kong Telecom's board.

"But where's the funding? Even acquiring 13% of Hong Kong Telecom's shares, at current valuations, exceeds HK$19 billion—nearly $2.3 billion!"

"If we rely solely on Ning Wanjing Trading, it's impossible to borrow such a massive sum!"

When Ning Ning Wantian mentioned the acquisition price, his gums ached; such billion-dollar deals he'd only ever read about in the news—now he was personally involved, and he felt no excitement, only deep dread.

Moreover, Ning Ning Wantian knew exactly how much capital Ning Corporation possessed. Though it had gained considerable fame in Hong Kong these past few years, expecting banks to lend a couple of billion HKD on nothing but words was still unrealistic.

"Li Dongling High-Tech will provide support. Its subsidiary, Feiyan Technology, will jointly guarantee Digital Harbor's borrowing with Ning Wanjing Trading. If necessary, Li Dongling High-Tech will also guarantee Digital Harbor's loans."

Li Li Dongling knew that when it came to the final showdown, Li Dongling High-Tech would have to step in—it couldn't stand by completely idle.

But this support must not jeopardize Li Dongling High-Tech's own stability: at most, Li Dongling High-Tech would pledge 15% of its equity as collateral for Digital Harbor's bank loans—and only step in during the second phase, when negotiating with Great Eastern Telegraph.

"Bank of China Hong Kong Group will provide part of the funding. The rest must be raised through… Japan, Korea, Siam, Malaysia, and other countries' banks!"

Li Li Dongling paused, deciding it was time to make the Japanese, Koreans, Siamese, Singaporeans, Malaysians, and Filipinos—the Asian dragons and tigers who enjoyed comfortable lives—suffer a bit. He'd borrow dollars from their banks first.

When Soros arrived, he'd repay them. After all, if he didn't use the money, it'd just turn into worthless paper in their hands anyway.

Once the won, baht, and other currencies depreciated by 70–80% against the dollar, he'd repay them then.

As long as he could borrow dollars from Korea and other countries' banks—even at high interest—borrowing $2.3 billion would require repaying only $400–500 million in local currency.

One bank couldn't provide that much, but combined with banks from Siam, Malaysia, Japan, and others, it should suffice. Li Li Dongling would pay every penny of interest—no less—after all, one must have conscience.

"Starting tomorrow, negotiate with PCCW, Nishiguchi Taifu, and Bank of China. Once we secure the 8% shares from Nishiguchi Taifu, begin buying 5% of Hong Kong Telecom's shares on the market—but this must remain secret until completed!"

"Then let's negotiate on a yacht."

Ning Wencan said. Many Hong Kong elite families owned yachts; they'd become symbols of status in Hong Kong. After all, luxury goods, horseback riding, and golf were now within reach of middle-class households—yachts and private jets naturally emerged as new markers of identity and position.

After all, maintaining these things cost real money; only those with deep pockets could afford them. Those who couldn't pay for upkeep or dock fees naturally gave rise to thriving yacht and private jet rental markets—demand creates supply.

As for what happened on these yachts once they reached international waters—whether fishing, hosting models and minor actresses for yacht parties, or other activities—that remained unknown, unless someone like Teacher Chen, the exceptional photographer, leaked photos revealing glimpses.

Of course, Li Li Dongling and his group were chartering a yacht to ensure secrecy; in Hong Kong, with its tiny land area, avoiding attention was nearly impossible.

Lin Lin Xianhui was finalizing details. His current role was General Manager of Digital Harbor; Ning Wencan was the public face of the acquisition, but the actual operations required Lin Lin Xianhui's hand—especially after Li Li Dongling returned to Hanxi, where many tasks would fall to him.

Whether entering Hong Kong Telecom's board or truly swallowing it whole, including all the dirty, tedious work, someone had to do it.

The moonlight, pale and pure, spilled onto the balcony, enveloping Li Li Dongling and Ning Wencan in its glow.

"How's the taste?"

After Li Li Dongling finished several calls, Ning Wencan handed him a cup of coffee she had brewed.

"Good," Li Li Dongling said, taking a sip.

Ning Wencan smiled at him, her eyes curved. In the past, she rarely made soup or coffee; she never particularly liked or disliked doing such things—but now, she was willing to.

"How are things between you and Miss Yao?" Ning Wencan sipped her coffee, as if casually asking.

Li Li Dongling turned, studying her refined face, then said, "If Feiyan Technology successfully lists on NASDAQ, she will step down as CEO and join the Zhixing Foundation, overseeing the Li family's charitable initiatives."

Li Li Dongling did not elaborate, but Ning Wencan understood what it meant for Yao Yao Luoying to manage the Li family's philanthropy.

Ning Wencan fell silent for a moment, complex emotions rising within her. She looked up at Li Li Dongling's face—he did not look away. They gazed at each other.

"After Hong Kong Telecom is settled, would you stay in Hong Kong a few more days? I'll show you around Hong Kong—or Southeast Asia—as thanks for Li Dongling High-Tech's support of Ning Wanjing Trading."

"Of course, if you'd like a Hong Kong actress to keep you company, I can arrange one!" Ning Wencan smiled, teasing him slightly.

Li Li Dongling had been about to say Hanxi still had many matters awaiting him—but hearing her words and seeing the hope in her eyes, he found himself unable to refuse outright.

"Then I accept your kind offer," Li Li Dongling said.

"Stop staring—she's gone already!"

In the night, Li Li Dongling's cars drove out of the Ning family villa.

Leaning on his cane, Ning Ning Wantian said to Ning Wencan, then followed her inside: "Wencan, I know you've always had your own mind. I was too busy when you were young, and your mother passed away early—I didn't pay enough attention to you. But this time, listen to me: sometimes, you must let go."

"If you wish, I can find you countless talented young men from Hong Kong and Southeast Asia…"

"Dad, I understand. Rest now. I know my own mind," Ning Wencan pushed him into his room, instructed the family doctor to examine him, and ordered the butler to see him to rest.

Outside the door, Ning Wencan stood still, glancing once more outside. There were indeed many rising young talents in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia—but when fireflies compete with the moon, whose light do people see?

For Ning Wencan, who had lived independently since childhood with her own convictions, she knew clearly what she wanted.