SWNOVELXO Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Mobilizing All Available Funds
Chapter 39 Mobilizing All Available Funds
In the current situation, to achieve a breakthrough in the stock market, especially in the battle for control over Green Island Cement, accelerating the rise of Wharf Holdings' stock price had become the most direct and effective strategy. Lin Haoran still had 16 million Hong Kong dollars at hand. This amount, while not massive, was not insignificant either. Even if he invested it all into buying Green Island Cement shares, the direct effect would be limited, adding at most a little over three million additional shares.
Of course, this would allow Lin Haoran's holdings to surpass the important 20% threshold.
However, when facing a potential competitor like Cheung Kong Holdings, if they were truly determined, Lin Haoran's little over 20% stake would seem precarious and would not grant him a decisive advantage.
In a prolonged battle, the opponent, with stronger capital and strategic resources, would undoubtedly dominate.
Thus, Lin Haoran's strategy had to shift towards a swift battle.
He needed to act quickly and strategically, leaving no time for Li Jiacheng to fully deploy his resources, forcing them to abandon their attempt to acquire Green Island Cement.
On the other hand, Lin Haoran was actively seeking ways to strengthen his own financial power.
Raising funds from the Wharf Holdings side was clearly a significant option.
He understood that directly selling shares at the current market price would bring in good profits, but not nearly enough to meet his ambitions.
With Bao Yugang and Jardine Matheson quietly entering the market and absorbing Wharf Holdings' shares, Lin Haoran keenly sensed an opportunity to drive the stock price higher.
Based on past market trends, Wharf Holdings' share price was expected to rise significantly over the next six months, potentially exceeding 60 HKD per share by March of next year and possibly reaching over 100 HKD by 1980.
However, Lin Haoran didn't intend to passively wait for this natural price movement.
He planned to act proactively, using the stealth moves of Bao Yugang and Jardine Matheson to bring the hidden battle into the open.
Though several tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars were but a drop in the ocean for Wharf Holdings, their influence on stock price sentiment could not be underestimated, enough to leverage a significant rise.
By doing so, Lin Haoran could accelerate the stock price increase, position himself advantageously at the negotiating table, and achieve a quicker fund turnover, rapidly boosting his financial strength.
Meanwhile, Lin Haoran was also well aware of Bao Yugang's deep relationship with Li Jiacheng,
seeing a potential opportunity to indirectly influence Li Jiacheng's decisions through Bao Yugang.
He pondered: perhaps by subtly leveraging this relationship, he could persuade Bao Yugang to dissuade Li Jiacheng from pursuing Green Island Cement.
After all, although Green Island Cement held a notable position in Hong Kong's business world, it was not among the top-tier British enterprises.
Li Jiacheng might, for various strategic reasons, be willing to do Bao Yugang a favor and abandon his pursuit.
However, for Bao Yugang to willingly intervene on his behalf, Lin Haoran needed to make him feel indebted—create a situation where Bao Yugang would owe him a favor.
In business, personal favors often determined seemingly impossible outcomes.
Thus, Lin Haoran needed to plan carefully, crafting an opportunity so compelling that Bao Yugang would have no reason to refuse him.
If successful, Bao Yugang could become a crucial ally in persuading Li Jiacheng to step back from Green Island Cement.
After much contemplation, Lin Haoran gradually calmed down.
Even when facing a powerful opponent like Li Jiacheng, he no longer felt nervous or uneasy.
On the contrary, a sense of excitement began to stir within him.
Putting the Green Island Cement stock certificates into his briefcase, Lin Haoran left the office,
intending to make another trip to Hang Seng Bank.
At that moment, Su Zhixue and Dai Shi were diligently working at their desks.
The spacious office — over 100 square meters — now felt quite empty with just the two of them inside, lending a sense of peaceful focus.
Meanwhile, Li Weiguo and Li Weidong sat side-by-side by the office entrance, each deeply engrossed in studying their bodyguard manuals,
carefully discussing techniques and responsibilities, fully committed to ensuring their boss's safety.
But this tranquility would soon end,
for starting next Monday, three new traders would be joining, injecting fresh energy into the team.
Additionally, Lin Haoran was planning to hire a receptionist to maintain the office's cleanliness, serve drinks, and handle general front desk tasks.
Although basic, such a role was crucial for daily company operations and relatively easy to fill.
Even though the stock market was closed for the day, Su Zhixue and Dai Shi's work didn't stop.
In the securities industry, technical trading skills alone weren't enough;
deep analytical ability and keen market insights were equally essential.
Thus, even on quiet days, they remained busy collecting market data and analyzing stock trends, preparing thoroughly for upcoming trading days.
Otherwise, Lin Haoran wouldn't have asked them to stay until 6 PM.
Just before leaving the office, Lin Haoran turned and said to them,
"Zhixue, Ah Shi, I'm heading out for a while. I'm not sure when I'll be back.
If I'm not here by six, just go ahead and leave."
"Understood, Boss," they both replied in unison.
Getting Bao Yugang to intervene with Li Jiacheng to abandon the Green Island Cement acquisition was just one piece of Lin Haoran's broader strategy.
He had no guarantee of success.
Thus, Lin Haoran decided to pursue a dual-track approach, simultaneously mobilizing all available funds to strengthen his position.
He understood that facing a titan like Li Jiacheng, every bit of advantage could prove critical.
Just as he had done successfully before, he planned to replicate that success now.
Despite his current limited number of Green Island Cement shares, he had already resolved to secure another loan of over ten million Hong Kong dollars to increase his leverage.
To Lin Haoran, in a fierce business competition, every additional dollar meant another step closer to victory.
He firmly believed that with these two strategies combined, he could gain the upper hand in the Green Island Cement acquisition battle and ultimately achieve his goals.
Watching Lin Haoran leave, Li Weiguo and Li Weidong quickly and neatly put away their manuals and followed behind him.
Heng Fung Building and Hang Seng Bank's headquarters were both located in Central, not far apart.
After a brisk ten-minute walk, Lin Haoran once again stood in the chairman's office of Hang Seng Bank.
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