Chapter 302 Invitation to Shen Bi and Bao Yugang
As for the shares of Jardines Matheson, before going to the United Kingdom, he had understood that they held 15.23%, and now it had reached 17.18%.
Of course, Lin Haoran's focus had always been solely on Land Development Corporation. Whether he could gain control of Jardines Matheson was not something he cared too much about.
If possible, he wouldn't mind taking it.
If it ultimately proved too difficult to seize control of Jardines Matheson, Lin Haoran still intended to make a good profit out of it.
"By the way, boss, the reason why we failed to reach over 29% in Land Development Corporation this past month is mainly because that unknown competitor has been continuously increasing their acquisitions. To avoid exposure, we correspondingly reduced our acquisition pace," Su Zhixue added from the side.
Lin Haoran nodded and asked curiously, "Roughly how much stock has this newly emerged competitor acquired this month? Can you give an estimate?"
If the opponent accumulated too much, it would greatly affect him.
After all, if the opponent continued acquiring shares and, when he was ready to move against Jardines Matheson to seize control of Land Development Corporation, the opponent chose to sell their shares to the British capital consortium, Lin Haoran's plan to control Land Development Corporation might fall apart.
"Based on our daily analysis of past transaction data, the opponent's holdings this month are roughly between 2% and 3%, not more," Su Zhixue answered directly.
"Increase the acquisition efforts appropriately. If the opponent holds too much, it won't be good for us. Although we know the opponent is a Chinese consortium, their exact identity isn't very clear, nor do we know their relationship with Jardines Matheson," Lin Haoran said decisively.
"Yes, boss, I'll make arrangements right away!" Su Zhixue replied.
"Good, go ahead!" Lin Haoran waved his hand, sending Su Zhixue off.
In the past, to avoid alerting Jardines Matheson that someone was eyeing Land Development Corporation, Lin Haoran would have chosen to slow down acquisitions to avoid alarming the enemy.
But now, the shares he held had already surpassed those of all British shareholders, meaning that every additional share strengthened his position and increased his chances of success.
Therefore, even though this unknown Chinese consortium had intervened, Lin Haoran wasn't overly worried but remained cautious. He would stay vigilant to prevent the other party from helping the British consortium for their own profit and strengthening their side.
With his current holdings, he could actually declare the intention to contest for control of Land Development Corporation at any time.
But Lin Haoran was not in a hurry. He planned to settle the listing of Aimeigao Company first before proceeding with the control of Land Development Corporation.
Additionally, to be more certain, Lin Haoran decided to find a powerful ally.
If it were just him, although his chances were high, he still feared unexpected variables.
After staying at Wanching Tower for two to three hours, around noon, Lin Haoran had lunch with Burton and Su Zhixue outside before leaving Central and heading to the headquarters building of Hong Kong Electric Group.
In the afternoon, Lin Haoran chatted again with Chen Shoulin at the Hong Kong Electric Group headquarters. After understanding the company's current situation and staying until nearly evening, he left.
For the next two days, Lin Haoran spent more time in Kwun Tong.
Aimeigao Company was now at the critical juncture of its IPO. Although he usually could afford to be hands-off with Aimeigao Company, at this time, he needed to invest some effort.
"Tomorrow the company goes public. You'll be the chairman of a publicly listed company. How do you feel?" Lin Haoran asked with a smile in the general manager's office of Aimeigao Company.
"My mood is naturally excellent. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Of course, I'm also a little nervous. I'm worried that the market might not accept the valuation we've set," Liu Luanzhong's excitement was almost impossible to conceal, though there was also some anxiety.
Earlier this month, with Lin Haoran's approval, Liu Luanzhong had once again distributed most of Aimeigao Company's profits as dividends.
After the dividends, Lin Haoran received another 70 million Hong Kong dollars.
Since they were about to go public, if they didn't distribute dividends now, those profits would have to be shared with public shareholders. Liu Luanzhong understood this point well.
Today, Aimeigao Company had already become a very well-known enterprise in Hong Kong. Although not yet listed, its reputation was comparable to that of the top ten listed companies.
Two months of vigorous publicity had made everyone aware of the existence of this outstanding company.
During this period, Liu Luanzhong had been in the limelight, often interviewed by journalists.
In front of Lin Haoran now was detailed documentation of Aimeigao Company's imminent listing, including the specific number of shares to be issued, the IPO price, and other important information.
After the IPO, Aimeigao Company would offer 20% of its shares through a public offering, totaling 20 million shares at an issue price of 10 Hong Kong dollars per share.
This meant that upon successful listing, Lin Haoran and Liu Luanzhong would each hold 40 million shares, with each stake worth 400 million Hong Kong dollars.
Based on the issue price, their estimated post-listing valuation for the company was about 1 billion Hong Kong dollars.
However, one critical issue remained unresolved: whether the shares offered would be fully subscribed by the market.
From current public opinion and market reactions, there was tremendous enthusiasm and high expectations for Aimeigao Company's listing.
This certainly boosted their confidence.
But markets were unpredictable, and the final subscription results still had to withstand market scrutiny.
Liu Luanzhong was well aware of this. Although he had enjoyed unprecedented popularity in Hong Kong over the past two months, he couldn't help but feel occasional anxiety and insecurity.
The number of shares issued in an IPO is typically determined by the company's fundraising needs.
If a company needs to raise more capital, it might issue more shares.
Conversely, if the need is not urgent, it might issue fewer shares.
For Aimeigao Company, funding was not really an issue.
Their real purpose for going public was not to raise funds.
Lin Haoran's goal was to take advantage of the company's strong profits to go public and later sell his shares at a good price to exit.
Meanwhile, Liu Luanzhong had a simpler motive; he had been persuaded by Lin Haoran to agree to the listing.
Therefore, issuing 20% of the shares was already quite substantial.
"Don't worry. Look at the stellar performance of our Aimeigao Company over the past two years. In Hong Kong's manufacturing sector, no one can surpass us. Plus, with our heavy publicity in the last two months, I believe the 1 billion valuation is actually conservative. Those 20 million shares will definitely be fully subscribed!" Lin Haoran said confidently.
With Lin Haoran, a giant in Hong Kong's business world, giving his endorsement, Liu Luanzhong's worries dissipated.
"Tomorrow, we will list simultaneously on four stock exchanges in Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as the main venue. We two will ring the bell together. For the other three exchanges, I have arranged for senior executives to handle it. However, there is one matter that may require your personal attention," Liu Luanzhong continued.
"Oh? What is it that you need my help with?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
"I want to invite some major business figures to support the event. It will give us more credibility and momentum. Although my reputation has improved recently, my connections with the major business figures are limited and not close. It would be better for you to handle this," Liu Luanzhong explained.
"No problem. I'll invite Mr. Shen Bi and Mr. Bao Yugang, two heavyweights. They should be enough to support the occasion, right?" Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"More than enough," Liu Luanzhong replied with visible joy upon hearing the names.
These two were truly top figures in Hong Kong's business community. Even though he himself was now worth billions, he knew that these top figures probably wouldn't give him much face if he went to invite them personally. But with Lin Haoran making the call, it was a different story.
With these two giants present, Aimeigao Company would surely become the brightest star on the stock market!
"I'll call them right now. It's a bit late to invite them only now, so if they happen to have other plans tomorrow, I'll have to find others," Lin Haoran said straightforwardly.
In Hong Kong's business community, Lin Haoran knew almost everyone, and he had good relationships with many. For him, this was a minor task.
Ten minutes later, Lin Haoran had successfully completed the calls.
Upon learning of Lin Haoran's invitation, both Bao Yugang and Shen Bi agreed without hesitation.
Especially Shen Bi, who even postponed other commitments to attend.
Bao Yugang, a prominent figure representing Chinese businessmen in Hong Kong, and Shen Bi, a heavyweight in British financial circles, their attendance would undoubtedly add tremendous weight to the listing ceremony.
Hearing this great news, Liu Luanzhong finally felt relieved.
At the same time, he couldn't help but look at Lin Haoran with admiration, thinking: even top-level tycoons are willing to give him face—how can I ever reach such heights?
Seeing his longing, Lin Haoran smiled and encouraged him, "After Aimeigao Company successfully goes public, your status in the business world will rise significantly. With a listed company valued at over a billion Hong Kong dollars and growing wealth, you will naturally enter the top circles."
"I have great confidence in your future. I believe you will one day surpass me in Hong Kong!" Lin Haoran said as he patted Liu Luanzhong on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
In fact, even without Lin Haoran's help, with his natural business talent, Liu Luanzhong would surely become one of Hong Kong's top ten richest people in the future.
After all, business acumen is often innate.
Now, with an even higher starting point, Liu Luanzhong's future would only be even brighter.
"Let's hope so!" Liu Luanzhong said, full of yearning.
He was truly filled with gratitude for Lin Haoran's support.
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