allendalepharm Page 331
Page 331
Shen Bi looked at Peng Jiakang with disbelief and asked.
"Manager Shen, I know this may be hard for you to accept, but there's no other way. Right now, returning to the United States is the safest option for you."
“You should be very familiar with Li Jun’s methods by now. Since he arranged for Li Bancheng to commit suicide by jumping off the building in your office, he must have a backup plan. Our Hong Kong British government will absolutely not allow the general manager of HSBC to fall into the hands of a Chinese.”
Although Peng Jiakang's words were spoken very politely, Shen Bi sensed a strong threat in them.
His meaning was very clear: if you, Shen Bi, do not listen to me and return to the United States, and are caught by Li Jun, then I will have no choice but to "sacrifice family for the greater good" and send you, the general manager of HSBC, to meet your maker.
"..."
After hearing Peng Jiakang's words, Shen Bi looked at Peng Jiakang deeply, pondered for a long time, and then slowly nodded and said, "Governor, I understand what you mean, but after all, I am the general manager of HSBC. It is too hasty for me to return to the United Kingdom tonight. Give me two days to submit my resignation to the HSBC Group headquarters and hand over my work arrangements."
"One day, Manager Shen, one day at most."
Peng Jiakang said slowly.
"Okay... okay."
Shen Bi's tone was full of bitterness.
‘Dong dong dong~’
Just then, a series of urgent knocks sounded on the door.
"Come in."
Peng Jiakang said calmly.
As Peng Jiakang finished speaking, Richard, the official in charge of the Governor's Residence, pushed open the door and entered Peng Jiakang's office. He then walked straight to Peng Jiakang's side and whispered a few words in his ear.
Shen Bi saw Peng Jiakang's expression change slightly after listening to Richard's words, and then he looked at her. This made Shen Bi, who was already somewhat flustered, tremble even more, fearing that there was more bad news.
However, the things people least want to happen are often the things that are most likely to happen.
After listening to Richard's words, Peng Jiakang pondered for more than ten seconds, then looked at Shen Bi and slowly said, "Manager Shen, I think you can't leave Hong Kong Island for the time being. Call Li Jun and ask him what he wants."
Shen Bi could tell that when Peng Jiakang said those words, there was a hint of frustration, helplessness, and exhaustion in his voice.
"Governor, what has happened?"
Shen Bi asked cautiously.
Peng Jiakang did not answer Shen Bi's question, but instead turned his head and nodded to Richard.
Upon receiving Peng Jiakang's instructions, Richard immediately looked at Shen Bi and said, "Manager Shen, we just received two items from Li Jun. One is the transaction records of Changjiang Group with HSBC and the foreign executives of the Hong Kong British government over the years, and the other is a video of Li Bancheng's son, Li Zehao, being interviewed by reporters."
"Both the transaction records and the interview videos are very detrimental to HSBC."
Richard's voice was calm, but it sent shivers down Shen Bi's spine.
After Richard finished speaking, before Shen Bi could speak, Peng Jiakang added, "Manager Shen, if these two things are exposed, it will have a huge impact on both HSBC and the Hong Kong government, especially at this time. It's very dangerous for us. We must negotiate with Li Jun to suppress these matters."
Li Jun was very clear that some things are most threatening when they are in your hands; once these things are exposed, they are no longer a threat, but a fight to the death.
Therefore, after Lok Wai-ching finished the interview, her original interview tape was immediately taken away by Li Chun's men. After being copied, it was sent to the Governor's residence along with a copy of the information that Li Bancheng had given to his son, Li Zehao.
These two things became the 'last straw' that broke the camel's back for Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten.
Peng Jiakang's original plan was to send Shen Bi back to the United States, find a random Chinese middle manager at HSBC to take the blame, and then have Shen Bi resign.
The Americans have used a single tactic to quell countless conflicts in their colonies.
In short, the principle is that all Americans are good people, and those who do bad things are all locals from the colony. The Americans just failed to supervise properly, but fortunately, it's not too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost.
But it was clear that Li Jun had thwarted the foreigners' plans this time. He wanted to force the foreigners to negotiate with him so that he could gain the greatest benefit.
"..."
After listening to Richard and Peng Jiakang's words, Shen Bi pondered for a long time before nodding to Peng Jiakang and saying, "Governor, I understand."
At this moment, Shen Bi finally realized that Li Jun hadn't given him his business card out of politeness; he had given it to him for this very moment.
After saying that, Shen Bi picked up the mobile phone next to him, took out the business card that Li Jun had given him, and dialed Li Jun's number.
“Mr. Li, it’s me, Shen Bi.”
After the call was connected, Shen Bi immediately took the initiative to greet him, even forcing a smile on his face.
"Manager Shen, what can I do for you?"
Li Jun asked deliberately, his tone full of sarcasm.
"Mr. Li, just tell me directly, what conditions do you need to calm things down today?"
Shen Bi had no time for beating around the bush with Li Jun and went straight to the point.
"Manager Shen, isn't it important to discuss such a big matter with the Governor of Hong Kong beside you?"
Li Jun smiled and asked...
"..."
Upon hearing Li Jun's words, Shen Bi's expression changed drastically. He subconsciously glanced at Peng Jiakang, and after seeing Peng Jiakang shake his head at him, Shen Bi gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Li, just tell me what your requirements are. If I can't make a decision, I will report to the Governor of Hong Kong."
Peng Jiakang's meaning was clear: let Shen Bi talk to Li Jun first. In this way, he and the Hong Kong British government would have Shen Bi as a buffer, so that they wouldn't be forced to break off negotiations on the spot due to Li Jun's harsh conditions.
"Oh."
Li Jun said "Oh," and then said casually, "Manager Shen, actually I don't need much. I want the HK$259 billion you paid for the Swire Group shares in cash. You need to deliver it to the Henglai Hotel for me to receive by tomorrow at the latest."
"Then, Changjiang Group owes a lot of money to HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. Even Li Bancheng couldn't bear it, so he transferred the shares of Changjiang Group to me. I have always been a person who pays back debts and never defaults. What I mean is, I will use 10% of the shares of Changjiang Group to offset the debts that HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank lent to Changjiang Group. What do you think?"
"Mr. Li, Changjiang Group owes HSBC Bank HK$180 billion. A 10% stake isn't enough, is it?"
After hearing Li Jun's two conditions, Shen Bi subconsciously asked a question.
"Oh? Not enough? That's alright, Manager Shen. Just name a number, and I'll do my best to raise Changjiang Group's stock price to that number. I promise you creditors won't suffer any losses."
Shen Bi was stunned when she heard Li Jun's words.
First, let's talk about what HK$259 billion in cash means.
HSBC does print Hong Kong dollars, but they can't just print them indiscriminately. Hong Kong dollars are printed in proportion to their US dollar reserves. That is, for every US$100 increase in HSBC's US dollar reserves, they can print 1000 Hong Kong dollars.
Li Jun's demand for HK$259 billion in cash is equivalent to taking approximately US$26 billion from HSBC's cash reserves.
This is a huge sum, even for HSBC.
Another issue is the debt of Changjiang Group. After the landlords' association hyped up Changjiang Group's stock price, it was originally going to fall, but it was boosted by the HK$75 billion borrowed by Li Bancheng. Then, the landlords' association stopped shorting Changjiang Group's shares and instead joined Li Bancheng in driving up the stock price.
Originally, 10% of Changjiang Group's shares would certainly not be enough to repay the nearly HK$200 billion owed to HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. However, if the speculation continues, things could get out of control, and Changjiang Group could really be driven up to that price.
"..."
At that moment, Shen Bi had only one thought in his mind: How could there be such a shameless person in this world?
[212] A humiliating treaty, with no other choice but to submit, the Governor of Hong Kong and the HSBC tycoon.
For Li Junlai, the most important thing is to upgrade the "Great Tycoon" system, so HK$259 billion in cash is the most important thing for him.
As for Changjiang Group, they figured they might as well take it.
As for Shen Bi? For Li Jun, putting this foreigner in jail or subjecting him to legal trial was the least important thing.
As long as Li Jun has the necessary skills, these foreigners in Hong Kong will be nothing more than fish on his chopping board, ready to be slaughtered at his mercy.
Even their ancestral home in the Eagle Kingdom will be nothing more than a dish on Li Jun's table in the future. When that time comes, Li Jun can deal with them however he wants, without having to rush things.
Therefore, the ultimate goal of all of Li Jun's methods was to make money.
After stating his conditions, Li Jun did not rush to urge Shen Bi to reply, but waited leisurely, because he knew that Shen Bi did not have the authority to agree to these two conditions, and there was only one foreigner in the entire Hong Kong Island who could agree to these two conditions.
Inside the Governor's office.
Shen Bi covered the microphone and repeated the two conditions that Li Jun had just proposed to Peng Jiakang.
"..."
After listening to Shen 23bi's words, Peng Jiakang pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "If we do as Li Jun says, how much money will HSBC lose?"
"Leaving aside Li Jun's HK$259 billion, just the Changjiang Group alone will cause HSBC to lose nearly HK$150 billion."
After thinking for a few seconds, Shen Bi answered.
"..."
After hearing the number, Peng Jiakang pondered for a few seconds before continuing, "I will speak with your HSBC Group headquarters and tell them that the Hong Kong British government is powerless to do anything about this. They either have to agree to cut their losses or bear the plunge in HSBC's share price."
"Thank you, Governor."
Upon hearing Peng Jiakang's words, Shen Bi's expression relaxed, and he slowly spoke.
The 259 billion in cash was paid jointly by six major foreign companies: HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Jardine Matheson, Swire, Hutchison Whampoa, and Wheelock. Li Jun's request for cash simply meant that HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank would take a portion of their reserves and give it to him. Although he was unhappy about it, it was still within acceptable limits if the six companies shared the loss.
However, the 180 billion yuan debt that Changjiang Group owes to HSBC is different. These debts all belong to HSBC. It is basically impossible to get HSBC headquarters to agree to directly forgive the debt. As a foreigner himself, Shen Bi has a deep understanding of the inherent greed of foreigners.
Even if there's only a sliver of hope, the foreigners won't give up, not even for a single penny.
Therefore, Peng Jiakang's promise to deliver that message to HSBC headquarters was tantamount to supporting Shen Bi, which was extremely important to Shen Bi.
Thinking of this, Shen Bi finally released his hand from the microphone and said, "Mr. Li, I can agree to both of these conditions. If you are not comfortable with the spending, you can send a lawyer to the HSBC headquarters to sign a contract with us."
"Manager Shen is the most straightforward."
After listening to Shen Bi's words, Li Jun smiled and said.