Chapter 94: is definitely a hot commodity!

"How much money will the Shen family use to buy the shares?"
"Hmm... Generally speaking, in these kinds of equity disputes, paying a 20% premium is standard practice."
Su Hao stroked his chin and said slowly, "Historically, there have even been precedents of acquisitions at a 50% premium to seize control."
"Wow! 50% of 2 billion, that's... a net profit of 1 billion without lifting a finger?"
"Amazing! Mr. Su, you're truly a genius, a master strategist!
You must have anticipated that Shen Zekai would pull this stunt, so you acquired these crucial shares through off-market transactions beforehand, right?"
The sycophants chimed in at the opportune moment.
Little did these people know that Su Hao's inexplicable intuition downstairs at the Changqing Building had triggered the first domino.
A chain reaction ensued, unwittingly drawing them into this high-society feud sweeping Hong Kong.
Of course, to be more precise, their current role is that of a "decisive force" holding crucial votes, waiting to be sold at a higher price.
"But...Mr. Su, so far, the Shen family doesn't seem to have made any moves. Isn't that a bit unusual?"
Someone raised a question.
“No rush,” Su Hao waved his hand calmly.
“The shareholding structure of Changqing Group is a complete mess.
They probably need to thoroughly understand their own and the other side's positions before scrambling to find bargaining chips.
Right now, they're probably still frantically verifying things.”
“What if… I mean, what if, Mr. Su,” someone asked cautiously,
“They bypassed our shares and reached a private agreement?”
“Well… it’s not entirely impossible.” Su Hao took a sip of tea, his eyes flickering.
“If they can decide the winner without considering our shares, then we’re really out of the picture.”
If that happens, they’ll have gained nothing, all their excitement for nothing.
And then try to sell those shares? No one would be willing to be a sucker.
"Let's wait and see. I believe they still desperately need these shares," Su Hao said confidently.
"Let's play the role of Jiang Taigong, sitting calmly and waiting for the fish to bite."
Besides, Su Hao's intuition strongly told him that these shares were definitely a hot commodity!
***
In the chairman's office of Fanghuan Investment.
"Su Hao, what's going on here?
Why are a bunch of high-profile 'distinguished guests' suddenly appearing, vying to meet with me?
When did my reputation become so valuable?"
Huang Fengwen, chairman of Fanghuan Investment, looked at the packed schedule of meetings handed to him by his secretary, his jaw nearly dropping.
Especially those visiting letters signed "Hong Kong Evergreen Group," which made his eyelids twitch!
Su Hao had a faint smile on his lips:
"Chairman Huang, have you been watching the financial news lately? Shen Zekai, the second young master of Changqing Group, has staged a modern-day 'Xuanwu Gate Incident,' and now the entire Changqing Group is almost turned upside down by him."
"Yes, I've been eating this melon for days. What's wrong?" Huang Fengwen nodded.
"Changqing Global Trust, the core holding company of Changqing Group, is a privately held company, so outsiders have no say in it.
According to the intelligence we've gathered, the two factions supporting Chairman Shen Chengjia and the second son, Shen Zekai, are evenly matched in terms of shareholding, locked in a fierce and evenly matched struggle! Neither side can gain the upper hand."
Huang Fengwen clicked his tongue: "Sigh, old man Shen Chengjia, with his illustrious reputation, has been forced into this situation by his own son in his later years. It's a disgrace to his honor, quite a pity."
"Indeed, but Shen Zekai's methods of winning people over are indeed brilliant.
But the more important reason is probably that everyone doesn't trust his older brother, Shen Zeju's, management abilities.
Those so-called 'ironclad shareholders' of the old chairman, no matter how deep their relationship, are decades old now; people's hearts are restless.
Moreover, a portion of Changqing Group's profits is transferred to Global Trust for dividends.
They're all just ordinary people; their opinions are dictated by their own interests."
"Who wouldn't want a bigger slice of the pie, a higher dividend?"
Su Hao's analysis of the entire situation was incisive and to the point.
"Hmm, and then?"
Huang Fengwen listened with rapt attention, as if he were watching a business power struggle drama.
"This Global Trust, in its early years, split some of its shares and gave them to some of the old chairman's closest confidants.
Some of these confidants then got involved in quite a few shady companies.
One of them is called Jinkun Holdings, an investment company mainly operating in Hong Kong.
Chairman Huang, can you guess which area this company mainly focused on investing in before?"
Su Hao deliberately kept him in suspense.
"How would I know? I'm not a fortune teller," Huang Fengwen rolled his eyes.
"The European car market, especially... Volkswagen."
"Holy crap!" Huang Fengwen's eyes widened suddenly.
"Doesn't that mean they lost so much in the previous 'dieselgate' scandal that they're practically unrecognizable?"
"More than just lost," Su Hao chuckled.
"They not only heavily invested in Volkswagen, but also shorted several other competing car companies.
When the 'dieselgate' scandal broke, they were hit from both sides, almost going bankrupt! Their cash flow dried up immediately!
They had no choice but to frantically sell off assets to survive, including their shares in... an industrial holding company."
"An industrial holding company... you mean..." Huang Fengwen's eyes narrowed.
"This industrial holding company holds a significant stake in Jinkun Holdings' equity structure.
If converted into shares within Changqing Global Trust's total portfolio, it's exactly 5%!"
A mere 5% stake.
Normally, it might be just a small, insignificant amount, unlikely to cause any significant trouble.
But what time is it now?
It's a critical moment when the Changqing Group is experiencing a father-son feud, brothers turning against each other, and both sides are locked in a bloody battle!
At this point, 5% is the straw that could break the camel's back, a super bargaining chip capable of moving mountains with a single ounce!
It possesses terrifying, decisive power!
"Furthermore, Chairman Huang, didn't I just say..."
"Right now, Chairman Shen and his second son, Shen Zekai, are evenly matched in their shareholdings, locked in a tug-of-war."
Su Hao's smile grew increasingly playful.
"Then...then this 5% stake, wouldn't it become...the crucial vote that decides the outcome?"
Huang Fengwen suddenly realized, his breathing quickening.
"That's right! Mr. Huang, that's not all!" Su Hao snapped his fingers, his smile radiant,
"And this crucial 5% is now in the hands of Fanghuan Investment!"
"...What?!!"
Huang Fengwen stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets!