Chapter 526

Hong Kong Island Stock Exchange.

Translation: Gangdao Securities Exchange.

As soon as the doors opened, a large crowd surged in.

Translation: As soon as the doors opened, a large crowd surged in.

The stock-for-stock exchange point set up by Jardine Matheson was surrounded by people within less than a quarter of an hour, packed tightly.

Translation: The stock-for-stock exchange point set up by Harmony Mercantile was surrounded by a crowd in less than a quarter of an hour.

Newbold never imagined that Jardine Matheson would be so popular.

Translation: Niu Bijan never expected Harmony to be so popular.

Indeed, as a foreign trading house, to ordinary people it seemed they had Kowloon Warehouse firmly under their control.

Translation: That's right; as a foreign firm, they seemed to have Kowloon Warehouse firmly in their grip to ordinary people.

They believed that once they completely won the Kowloon Warehouse defense battle, Jardine Matheson's shares would skyrocket instantly, which is understandable.

Translation: They thought that after thoroughly winning the Kowloon Warehouse defense battle, Harmony's shares would skyrocket instantly, which is understandable.

They intended to reuse the profit-making scheme they used on Kowloon Warehouse to make money again on Jardine Matheson.

Translation: They intended to reuse the profit-making scheme they used on Kowloon Warehouse to make another fortune on Harmony.

But they didn't realize this was a trap that had been set long ago.

Translation: They didn't realize this was a trap set long ago.

The more Kowloon Warehouse shares they receive now, the more they will profit when selling them to the shipowner.

Translation: The more Kowloon Warehouse shares they collect now, the more they will profit selling them to Shipowner King later.

Once the news of the defense battle's failure is released, Jardine Matheson's shares will surely plummet.

Translation: Once the news of the defense battle's defeat is released, Harmony's shares will surely plummet.

At that point, they can buy back the shares at a low price.

Translation: Then they can seize the opportunity to buy back the shares at a low price.

Then they can use the same tactic to sell Jardine Matheson shares at a high price to other Chinese merchants.

Translation: Then they can use the same scheme to sell Harmony's shares at a high price to other Chinese merchants.

In this way, all the benefits go to them.

Translation: In this way, all the benefits belong to them.

There is no plan more perfect than this.

Translation: There is no plan more perfect than this.

Therefore, facing the surging crowd of shareholders, Newbold was not worried but rather excited.

Translation: Therefore, facing the surging shareholders, Niu Bijan was not worried but rather excited.

Because it's all money.

Translation: Because it's all money.

The second day, the stock exchange remained booming.

Translation: The next day, the stock exchange remained booming.

The third day, enthusiasm for the stock exchange did not wane.

Translation: On the third day, enthusiasm for the stock exchange did not wane.

The fourth day, shareholders remained enthusiastic.

Translation: On the fourth day, shareholders remained enthusiastic.

On the fifth day, the crowd began to thin, and Newbold felt inexplicably uneasy.

Translation: On the fifth day, the crowd began to thin, and Niu Bijan felt inexplicably uneasy.

Because they had already sold half of their Jardine Matheson and Hongkong Land shares.

Translation: Because they had already sold half of their shares in Harmony Mercantile and Land Group.

If it continued for a few more days, the number of shares they held would become somewhat risky.

Translation: If it continued for a few more days, the number of shares they held would become somewhat risky.

Fortunately, according to the plan, the shipowner would act on the seventh day.

Translation: Fortunately, according to the plan, Shipowner King would make a move on the seventh day.

Now is their time to make money.

Translation: Now is their time to make money.

The sixth day.

Translation: The sixth day.

Yang Qing and Lin Cong stopped pretending; they could no longer keep up the act, as someone had been investigating who was exchanging Jardine Matheson and Hongkong Land shares.

Translation: Yang Qing and Lin Cong stopped pretending as well; in fact, they could no longer pretend, as someone had been investigating who was exchanging Harmony and Land shares.

That day, a large crowd again went to the Hong Kong Island Stock Exchange to exchange Kowloon Warehouse shares for Jardine Matheson or Hongkong Land shares.

Translation: That day, a large crowd again went to the Gangdao Securities Exchange to trade Kowloon Warehouse shares for Harmony or Land shares.

Newbold began to feel nervous and anxious.

Translation: Niu Bijan began to feel nervous.

Mackrell and Shen Bi finally uncovered some irregularities.

Translation: Mai Lihao and Shen Bi finally uncovered some anomalies.

The seventh day.

Translation: The seventh day.

The shipowner could no longer sit still and openly announced he would purchase Kowloon Warehouse shares at a price of 105.

Translation: Shipowner King could no longer sit still, directly announcing he would purchase Kowloon Warehouse shares at a price of 105.

Newbold smiled.

Translation: Niu Bijan smiled.

He immediately halted the stock exchange, then began tallying his shares, intending to sell at least sixty percent of them to the shipowner.

Translation: He immediately halted the stock exchange, then began tallying their shares, planning to sell at least sixty percent of their holdings to Shipowner King.

The remainder would be kept as an investment; today the property market began to recover, offering investment value.

Translation: The remainder would be kept as an investment, as the property market had begun to recover today, offering investment value.

They could hide behind the shipowner and wait for the property market to rise before taking another profit.

Translation: They could hide behind Shipowner King and wait for the property market to rise before taking another cut.

However, they were pleased, and Yang Qing was even more pleased, because the plan had succeeded smoothly.

Translation: However, they were pleased, and Yang Qing was even more pleased, because the plan had proceeded smoothly.

He instructed Lin Cong.

Translation: He ordered Lin Cong.

"Sell all the remaining Kowloon Warehouse shares at the current price to the shipowner."

Translation: "Sell all the remaining Kowloon Warehouse shares to Shipowner King at the current price."

"Use the money obtained to fully acquire Jardine Matheson and Hongkong Land."

Translation: "Use the proceeds to acquire Harmony and Land in full."

Don't think Yang Qing holds many Kowloon Warehouse shares.

Translation: Don't look at Yang Qing's modest holding of Kowloon Warehouse shares.

But he can't resist the soaring share price.

Translation: But the share price is being pushed up so high it's unbearable.

The market value of a single Kowloon Warehouse exceeds that of Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson combined.

Translation: The market value of a single Kowloon Warehouse exceeds that of Land and Harmony combined.

Xuanwu Investment Bank, using less than 15% of its Kowloon Warehouse shares, exchanged them for 22% of Hongkong Land shares and 15% of Jardine Matheson shares.

Translation: Xuanwu Investment Bank, using less than fifteen percent of its Kowloon Warehouse shares, exchanged them for twenty-two percent of Land shares and fifteen percent of Harmony shares.

He still has about 8.6% of Kowloon Warehouse shares left, and he exchanged them with the shipowner for nine hundred million cash.

Translation: He still holds about 8.6 percent of Kowloon Warehouse shares, having exchanged them with Shipowner King for nine hundred million cash.

Pak Tak-kong was surprised that Xuanwu Investment Bank would part with so many shares.

Translation: Bao Degang was surprised that Xuanwu Investment Bank would part with so many shares.

He never expected Yang Qing to have scooped up so many shares.

Translation: He never expected Yang Qing to have scooped up so many shares.

Compared to the Anglo-Chinese, he would rather let Yang Qing earn this money.

Translation: Compared to the Yinglian people, he would rather let Yang Qing earn this money.

Moreover, holding these shares increases his influence, allowing him to negotiate terms with Jardine Matheson.

Translation: Moreover, holding these shares increases his say, allowing him to negotiate terms with Harmony.

With absolute advantage, he no longer wants to be a sucker.

Translation: With an absolute advantage, he no longer wants to be the sucker.

"Haha, I never thought it would be so easy to get 47% of Kowloon Warehouse shares."

Translation: "Haha, I never thought it would be this easy to get forty-seven percent of Kowloon Warehouse shares."

"Newbold, do you really think you can sell Kowloon Warehouse to me at 105? Dream on."

Translation: "Niu Bijan, you want to sell me Kowloon Warehouse at 105? Dream on."

Soon he disclosed his shareholding percentage and formally issued a takeover offer.

Translation: Soon he disclosed his own shareholding proportion and formally issued a purchase invitation.

Newbold, upon seeing this figure, suddenly felt a bit anxious; it was not what they had anticipated.

Translation: Niu Bijan, upon seeing this figure, suddenly felt a bit panicked; it was not what they had anticipated.

Where did Pak Tak-kong get all those shares?

Translation: Where did Bao Degang get so many shares?

You should know that the shares he holds were pooled together by Anglo-Chinese of various sizes and influences.

Translation: You should know, the shares he holds were pooled together by Yinglian people of all sizes and strengths.

How did Pak Tak-kong manage to gather them, given that the market has been swept clean of shares after this period of purchases and Jardine Matheson's stock-for-stock scavenging?

Translation: How did Bao Degang manage this, given that purchases over this period and Harmony's stock-for-stock scavenging have nearly wiped out the market?

Right, Yang Qing.

Translation: Right, Yang Qing.

He still has less than 5% of the shares, and together with what Pak Tak-kong has gathered recently, it's indeed possible.

Translation: He still has less than five percent of the shares, and adding what Bao Degang has gathered recently makes it quite possible.

Newbold immediately went to see Pak Tak-kong, demanding that he honor the agreement and buy back his shares.

Translation: Niu Bijan immediately went to see Bao Degang, demanding he buy back his shares as agreed.

Bao Degang, who held the initiative, spoke with a much firmer tone.

Sure, I will buy back your 3% stake in Kowloon Warehouse at the agreed price of 105.

What?

Niu Bijan was furious.

Bao Degang, are you trying to break the contract?

105, buy back all the shares we hold, you're playing tricks, and you know the outcome.

Bao Degang shook his head.

Impossible, I will only buy the remaining shares at 60 each, just like Li Changjiang.

Bao Degang, don't forget, the money you borrowed is from HSBC, and HSBC still holds a large amount of your shipping group's shares.

Offend us, Bao Degang, we can lift you up, and we can also trample you into the dirt.

Bao Degang spread his hands.

As you wish.

Then he also threatened.

I also want to remind President Niu Bijan, Gangdao is no longer what it used to be.

In doing things, one must follow the rules.

And don't use HSBC to pressure me.

We and HSBC are a benefit community, applying pressure is fine, but stepping on me? Hehe...

Anyway, he doesn't want to be the sucker anymore; helping you cash out and flee is fine, but you can't just wipe me clean and eat me.

A hundred billion market value, higher than that of his shipping group.

During this period of acquisitions, he has already spent a lot of money; continuing like this, he fears HSBC will turn around and cut him off.

You know the shipping industry is sluggish now; if he wants to get ashore, the value of his shipping group would be much lower.

HSBC doesn't want to take on that mess; the best solution is to cash out.

If HSBC cashes out now, Bao Degang would be in danger.

Kowloon Warehouse drained his funds and still carried a debt of ten or twenty billion; if the shipping group is shorted at this time, he could go bankrupt overnight.

So he should spend as little money as possible, keep as much as he can in hand, increase his chips; that's the key.

Anyway, the money has been lent out; what if he deducts a bit? The money is in my hands; even if Shen Bi is dissatisfied, what can he do?

Niu Bijan saw that Bao Degang was impervious to persuasion, knowing he couldn't convince Bao Degang, he went straight to find Mai Lihao and Shen Bi.

Bao Degang knew that once HSBC started applying pressure, his situation would become difficult; he had no choice but to admit defeat.

So he turned around and had people spread the news that the Harmony Tai-pan from the shipping group had surrendered to Bao Degang.

Shareholders now have little benefit entanglement with Kowloon Warehouse, except for some diehards who believe it will definitely rise and refuse to let go.

Upon hearing this news, and seeing the number of shares Bao Degang holds, it has already shot straight toward 50%.

Too bad, Harmony lost.

They need to quickly sell off the Harmony faction's shares to secure their gains.

Yang Qing and Lin Cong have been keeping an eye on both sides' movements.

After receiving this news, Yang Qing immediately understood Bao Degang's intention.

This is tantamount to giving him a heads-up; Bao Degang is also quite interesting.