Chapter 474 Li Jiacheng: You Can Offend Anyone, But Never Lin Haoran!
The night had quietly passed.
As for the rage brewing within Jardines Matheson, Lin Haoran couldn't care less.
They were the ones who had tried to provoke him first.
If they hadn't started this, Lin Haoran would not have been forced to retaliate so fiercely.
Today was the weekend, yet Lin Haoran rose early as usual.
Last night, Ma Shimin had informed him that their actions had already been leaked to the media in the afternoon.
Lin Haoran was eager to see how the newspapers would report it.
Downstairs, the servants had already prepared his breakfast and the day's newspapers.
Ignoring breakfast, Lin Haoran immediately picked up the newspapers.
As expected, every major newspaper's front page was dominated by the massive defection at Jardines Securities—a headline-grabbing event, described in language as dramatic as if a financial earthquake had struck Hong Kong.
Oriental Daily ran the bold headline:
"Jardines Securities Upheaval: 700 Elites Migrate Overnight to Jardines Property"
It described the spectacular scene with such exaggerated language that it felt like witnessing a battlefield without smoke and fire.
The article not only highlighted the massive number of employees who jumped ship but also predicted the "devastating impact" it would have on Jardines Securities and Jardines Matheson as a whole.
Ta Kung Pao adopted a more academic tone with:
"War for Talent: The Exodus from Jardines Securities and the Underlying Capital Market Currents"
It analyzed the business logic and strategic thinking behind the event, portraying it as a silent duel between two titans, filled with deep concern for Jardines Matheson's future.
Ming Pao focused on the human aspect, interviewing several employees who had already jumped ship.
Through their first-person narratives, it captured their inner struggles and emotions when faced with lucrative offers, humanizing the financial battle for readers.
Hong Kong Economic Daily went straight to the point with its striking title:
"Jardines Securities Faces 'Talent Winter'; Market Value May Plunge by Over One Billion"
Through data-driven analysis, it predicted enormous financial damages and a major trust crisis for Jardines Securities.
Hong Kong Securities Daily, a professional finance newspaper, dissected the impact of the defection on the broader market, suggesting in its headline:
"Jardines Securities Swayed by Turmoil; Jardines Property Poised to Rise; Hong Kong's Financial Map May Be Redrawn."
South China Morning Post, with its international perspective, ran the headline:
"Jardines Securities Talent Exodus Rocks Hong Kong Financial Sector, Grabs International Investors' Attention"
It considered how this event might damage Hong Kong's global image and undermine investor confidence across Asia.
Every paper, in its own style, painted the mass defection at Jardines Securities as a monumental event,
with Jardines Matheson portrayed as the "fallen aristocrat" at the center of the storm.
Sitting at the breakfast table, flipping through the papers, Lin Haoran couldn't help but smile.
His battle with Jardines Matheson had reached a climactic peak.
This mass defection was his resounding retaliation.
It was also a warning to everyone:
Lin Haoran was not someone to be trifled with.
Even against the mighty Jardines Matheson—so what?
Meanwhile, across Hong Kong's tea houses and streets, citizens were passionately discussing the incident.
And very few felt any sympathy for Jardines Matheson.
After all, their reckless actions had almost dragged Hong Kong's real estate market into disaster.
"They finally kicked a steel plate this time.
Serves them right!"
An old man muttered in a tea house corner, shaking his head with satisfaction.
"Yeah, I heard those who switched sides got hefty raises.
I'm so jealous!"
A young man chimed in, his eyes full of envy.
"This Lin Haoran is something else.
No wonder he became Hong Kong's richest man so young.
Even Bao Yugang might not have been able to pull off a move like this!"
Another middle-aged man said thoughtfully while sipping tea.
"Hmph, Jardines Matheson deserved this.
They've bullied Hong Kong locals for too long.
Now they finally met their match," said another elderly man with visible relief.
"No matter what, it's been exciting to watch.
For us common folk, it's a rare spectacle," chuckled another elder, drawing laughter from those around him.
"I had bought Jardines Securities stock too.
Luckily, I sold it off early when the rumors first started!"
A young man said, clearly relieved.
"You were smart.
I'm still stuck holding a bunch of their stock.
It was worth over thirty thousand dollars a few days ago.
Now it's probably worth less than ten thousand—and that's if I can even sell it!"
Another shareholder said miserably.
Across the city, tea houses and streets buzzed with discussion.
The public wasn't just following the business drama—they were also reveling in Jardines Matheson's downfall.
After years of feeling bullied by the British firms,
seeing a local Chinese businessman like Lin Haoran crush them evoked deep satisfaction.
Though most citizens had little direct stake in the matter,
they still felt immense pleasure.
Though some shareholders were hurt financially, they were a minority.
If today weren't a Saturday, Jardines Securities' stock would have likely plunged even further.
And it wasn't just about Jardines Matheson's desire to sell Jardines Securities anymore—the company's very core had been gutted.
Everyone could already imagine how miserable Jardines Securities' investors would be come Monday.
Meanwhile, at Bao Yugang's villa in Deep Water Bay—
Bao gently set down his newspaper, a rare approving smile playing on his lips.
He thought to himself,
"The younger generation truly is formidable. A true star of this new era."
He vividly recalled the fierce Wharf Holdings battle two years ago,
where he had seized control but at the cost of nearly HKD 2 billion in debt, severely weakening his family's fortune.
Since then, Bao had kept a low profile, focused on rebuilding.
In contrast, over the past two years, Lin Haoran's name had risen like a blazing star across Hong Kong's business scene.
Not only had he surpassed Bao to become the city's richest man,
but his bold methods and strategic genius had reshaped the entire Hong Kong business landscape.
Under Lin Haoran's leadership, Chinese conglomerates had finally overtaken British firms.
Bao felt no jealousy—only genuine pride.
Even though Bao had taken British citizenship,
in his heart, he had never forgotten his Chinese roots.
The rise of Chinese financial power was a cause for celebration,
a sign that Chinese entrepreneurs were taking their rightful place on the world stage.
Bao knew well that no matter how successful he became,
the entrenched British business elite would always see him as an outsider.
Even HSBC, despite its support, had primarily acted in its own interests.
Without Bao's victory over Jardines Matheson in the Wharf battle,
even HSBC would have remained a step behind Jardines.
At a nearby villa, Li Jiacheng had just woken up.
Reading the news, his face also showed shock.
Though he had received some intelligence yesterday, today's papers confirmed everything.
After fully absorbing Hutchison Whampoa,
Li Jiacheng had climbed to the top five among Hong Kong's tycoons, with ambitions to break into the top three.
Yet despite his rising power,
he still treated British giants like Jardines Matheson with caution.
But now, seeing Lin Haoran challenge them so boldly—
to the point of making them bleed—
Li Jiacheng was filled with both admiration and fear.
In Lin Haoran, he saw a spirit he lacked—the fearless, headlong charge forward.
He realized now that Lin Haoran's rapid rise was no accident.
His decisiveness, courage, and sheer audacity were unmatched.
Such a person was not to be underestimated.
At that moment, Li Jiacheng made a firm decision:
Lin Haoran must never be made an enemy.
Anyone else, maybe—but not Lin Haoran.
To cross him would invite disaster.
Lin Haoran would not hesitate to strike back mercilessly.
Li Jiacheng, a veteran of Hong Kong's business battles, knew well:
his survival depended not just on strength,
but on wisdom—on knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
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