Chapter 39: Mobilizing Every Available Source of Capital
Given the current situation, if he wanted to gain a breakthrough in the stock market—especially in the battle for control of Qingzhou Yingni—the most direct and effective strategy was to accelerate the rise of Wharf Holdings' share price.
At present, Lin Haoran still had HK$16 million in available capital.
It was neither an enormous sum nor an insignificant one.
Even if he invested every dollar into purchasing Qingzhou Yingni shares, the effect would still be limited.
At best, he would be able to acquire a little over three million additional shares.
Admittedly, that would raise his ownership stake to over 20%, an important threshold.
However, against a potential rival like Cheung Kong Holdings, if they were truly determined to acquire the company, his slightly-more-than-20% stake would still be insufficient to establish a decisive advantage.
In a prolonged battle, the other side's superior capital and strategic resources would inevitably give them the upper hand.
Therefore, Lin Haoran needed to change his strategy.
Instead of fighting a war of attrition, he had to win quickly.
He had to execute a precise and decisive campaign that would deny Li Ka-shing enough time to complete his own arrangements, ultimately forcing him to voluntarily abandon his acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni.
At the same time, Lin Haoran was actively seeking ways to strengthen his own financial position.
Raising funds through Wharf Holdings would undoubtedly provide tremendous assistance.
He understood that selling his shares immediately at the current market price would already generate a respectable profit.
But it was still far below what he hoped to achieve.
Since Pao Yue-kong and the Jardine Group had quietly entered the market and begun accumulating low-priced Wharf Holdings shares, Lin Haoran had already sensed an opportunity to push the stock price higher.
According to the historical trend he remembered, Wharf Holdings' share price was expected to rise dramatically over the next six months.
By March of next year, it should break through HK$60 per share, and by 1980, it could even exceed HK$100 per share.
However, Lin Haoran had no intention of waiting passively for history to unfold.
Instead, he intended to seize the initiative.
By taking advantage of Pao Yue-kong's and Jardine's secret accumulation, he planned to cleverly force them into the spotlight, transforming the acquisition battle from a hidden struggle into an open confrontation.
Compared with the enormous size of Wharf Holdings, a few tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars represented only a tiny fraction of the company's value.
Nevertheless, that amount was sufficient to serve as a lever capable of pushing the entire stock price upward.
Once that happened, Lin Haoran would gain the upper hand at the negotiating table.
He could liquidate his holdings under far more favorable conditions, rapidly replenish his cash reserves, and greatly strengthen his financial position.
At the same time, Lin Haoran was well aware of the close friendship between Pao Yue-kong and Li Ka-shing.
That relationship presented another opportunity.
Perhaps Pao Yue-kong could persuade Li Ka-shing to abandon his pursuit of Qingzhou Yingni.
After all, while Green Island Cement occupied an important place within Hong Kong's business community, it was hardly among the elite British-owned corporations.
Given the circumstances, Li Ka-shing might be willing to do Pao Yue-kong another favor and give up his interest in Qingzhou Yingni.
However...
If Lin Haoran wanted Pao Yue-kong to willingly help him, then Pao Yue-kong first had to feel that he owed Lin Haoran a favor.
In the business world, personal obligations often influenced decisions that would otherwise seem impossible.
Therefore, Lin Haoran needed to carefully arrange events so that Pao Yue-kong would receive assistance from him in a way that could not easily be ignored.
Only then would Pao Yue-kong be willing to repay that favor in the future by convincing Li Ka-shing to abandon Qingzhou Yingni.
After carefully thinking everything through, Lin Haoran gradually calmed down.
Even when facing an opponent as formidable as Li Ka-shing, he no longer felt overwhelming anxiety.
Instead...
He found himself growing excited.
He placed the share certificates for Qingzhou Yingni into his briefcase and walked out of the office.
He intended to make another trip to Hang Seng Bank.
Inside the office, Su Zhixue and Dai Shi remained completely absorbed in their work.
The spacious office of more than 100 square meters was occupied only by the two of them, making it feel exceptionally open and unusually quiet.
Nearby, Li Weiguo and Li Weidong sat side by side beside the office entrance.
Each held a copy of the bodyguard training manual, reading it with complete concentration as though studying every detail of their profession.
From time to time, the brothers quietly exchanged opinions.
It was obvious they took their responsibility of protecting their employer extremely seriously.
However, that peaceful atmosphere would soon change.
Starting next Monday, three additional traders would officially join the team, bringing fresh energy into the company.
In addition, Lin Haoran planned to hire a receptionist responsible for maintaining the office, cleaning the premises, serving tea, greeting visitors, and handling other routine administrative tasks.
Although the position was basic, it remained an indispensable part of the company's daily operations and should not be difficult to fill.
Although the stock market had already closed for the day, Su Zhixue and Dai Shi were far from finished with their work.
In the securities industry, trading skills alone were never enough.
One also needed strong analytical ability and sharp market insight.
Even when the market was closed, they still had to gather information, study market trends, and prepare thoroughly for future trading sessions.
Otherwise, there would have been no reason for Lin Haoran to require them to remain in the office until six o'clock every evening.
Before leaving, Lin Haoran turned toward the two men.
"Zhixue, Ah Shi, I have something to take care of outside. I'm not sure when I'll be back."
"If I'm still not here by six, don't wait for me. Just go home."
"Understood, Boss."
Su Zhixue and Dai Shi answered almost simultaneously.
Having Pao Yue-kong persuade Li Ka-shing to abandon Qingzhou Yingni was merely one part of Lin Haoran's preparations.
Truthfully, he wasn't entirely confident that the plan would succeed.
Therefore, he decided to proceed on two fronts simultaneously.
He would mobilize every available financial resource he could access.
He understood that against an opponent as powerful as Li Ka-shing, every additional advantage mattered.
Just as he had successfully done before, he intended to repeat the same strategy.
Although the Qingzhou Yingni shares currently in his possession were limited, he had already decided to obtain another loan of more than HK$10 million, giving himself additional capital to strengthen his position.
In Lin Haoran's eyes, when facing such fierce business competition, every extra dollar represented another chance at victory.
He firmly believed that, with these two strategies working together, he would ultimately secure a favorable position in the battle for Qingzhou Yingni and accomplish his objective.
As they watched Lin Haoran leave the office, Li Weiguo and Li Weidong quietly put away their bodyguard manuals before immediately following their employer.
Hengfeng Building and the headquarters of Hang Seng Bank were both located in Central.
The distance between them wasn't particularly far.
About ten minutes later...
Lin Haoran once again appeared inside the chairman's office at Hang Seng Bank headquarters.
Author's Note:
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(End of Chapter)
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