Chapter 119 - Taking the Opportunity to Ruthlessly Reap This Wave of Investors
Recently, due to global oil price fluctuations causing market turmoil, stock market trading volumes had dropped significantly.
Investors generally adopted a cautious stance, reluctant to make any moves.
However, when an opportunity advertised as "guaranteed profit" quietly emerged, people's vigilance instantly collapsed, and they rushed in without hesitation.
Unexpectedly, what seemed like a sure thing turned out to be a massive pitfall.
After obtaining the necessary materials, the TVB and Oriental Daily reporters left the Securities and Futures Commission building in high spirits.
That evening, TVB quickly rode the wave of public interest and aired an edited news segment.
Although short, it was concise and covered all the key points — including the detailed interview with Lin Haoran and the interview with Chairman Mike Smith of the Securities and Futures Commission.
At that moment, everyone finally understood who had caused this entire fiasco.
The names of the five British shareholders were immediately thrust into the spotlight, becoming the targets of public anger and outrage.
Their actions sparked widespread fury and resentment.
"Eat shit, you bloody foreign devils!"
"Helping those foreigners? May your whole family be ruined!"
"Foreign devils, curse your lungs, and your mouths too!"
"Dead bastards, if I ever see them, I'll break their legs!"
...
Curses and insults echoed through every corner of Hong Kong.
The next morning, with the publication of the Oriental Daily, investors were able to get the most detailed explanation of the incident.
Compared to the fleeting nature of television broadcasts, newspapers had the advantage of detailed content and vivid illustrations that could be reviewed repeatedly.
Lin Haoran's share transfer contract was clearly presented, revealing the high costs behind his acquisitions and the necessity of selling, complete with documents and explanations — highly convincing.
Simultaneously, the complaint letter disclosed by the Securities and Futures Commission Chairman was published, fully exposing the true culprits behind the storm and providing the public with a clear understanding of the entire sequence of events.
Everyone now realized that Lin Haoran had been wrongly blamed — none of it was his fault.
It was all the doing of those damned British shareholders.
In Hong Kong's streets and alleys, heated discussions erupted everywhere.
Especially at the stock exchange, where many investors trapped in this disaster voiced their opinions angrily.
However, no amount of discussion could change anything —
and it wasn't like they could easily retaliate against the foreigners without facing severe consequences.
At this moment, both Lin Haoran and Chairman Mike Smith breathed a sigh of relief.
Neither of them wanted to become the target of public outrage.
Moreover, Lin Haoran's move to voluntarily reduce his holdings left the Securities and Futures Commission with no grounds to pressure him further.
After the stock market opened, the number of sell orders for Qingzhou Cement Company not only didn't decrease — it kept rising.
As for actual trading volume, it was almost nonexistent.
Capital groups and large investors had no interest in a company already under firm control —
with no chance of wrestling away control, why bother participating?
Furthermore, this was still the early stage of the oil crisis; most people expected a coming bear market and were even less willing to invest heavily.
Small-scale investors, already nervous due to rampant rumors, were even more hesitant.
Most rumors painted a pessimistic outlook for Qingzhou Cement Company.
Buying in such an environment was practically suicidal.
Thus, Qingzhou Cement's stock entered a very awkward situation.
Lin Haoran had already instructed Su Zhixue to monitor Qingzhou Cement's trading closely —
if there were any large purchases, he was to be notified immediately.
At least holding 49.9% of the shares meant he wasn't worried about losing control.
Still, if someone tried to quietly accumulate shares, he needed to be aware.
At 10 a.m., Lin Haoran appeared in Qingzhou Cement Company's conference room.
Besides him, there were five British shareholders and three Chinese shareholders present.
All their gazes were focused on Lin Haoran.
"Mr. Henry, I'm quite curious," Lin Haoran began coldly, "why did you report me?
I was holding these shares properly, yet your report forced me to reduce my holdings and subjected me to public abuse.
If I hadn't happened to see the interview with Chairman Mike Smith in the Oriental Daily, I'd still be in the dark about who betrayed me.
I have never wronged any of you. Your actions are truly incomprehensible."
As he spoke, Lin Haoran raised the Oriental Daily, showing the photo of the complaint letter —
clearly displaying the five British shareholders' signatures.
The five British shareholders exchanged glances, seemingly searching for a plausible explanation.
But honestly — there was no good explanation.
As Lin Haoran said, he had never offended them, making their behavior entirely unjustified.
Most damningly, they hadn't even discussed it with him beforehand.
Meanwhile, the three Chinese shareholders secretly breathed a sigh of relief —
thankfully, they hadn't participated.
They only learned of the British shareholders' scheme afterward.
"Mr. Lin, please allow us to express our apologies," Henry finally stood up, trying to explain.
"Our original intention was merely to promote the privatization of Qingzhou Cement Company.
Given your large shareholding, we mistakenly assumed you shared this goal.
We hoped that through our action, you would consider acquiring our shares and achieving mutual benefits."
But such an excuse sounded weak and hollow.
However, Lin Haoran had no intention of dwelling on it.
He only raised the issue to give them a little warning.
"Alright, I won't mention it further," Lin Haoran said casually.
"Mr. Henry, and everyone present — what's the real reason for calling me to this meeting?"
"Mr. Lin, according to your statements in the newspaper about your future intention to privatize Qingzhou Cement,
if you're willing, we would like to sell you all our shares," one Chinese shareholder said.
"Mr. Lin, if you succeed, you'll make history — becoming the first Chinese businessman to privatize a British-owned listed company in Hong Kong.
Your reputation will be unmatched," another Chinese shareholder said with a smile.
Henry quickly added his support:
"We've discussed it thoroughly.
If you're willing, we will fully support you.
Everyone present will be your solid backing."
"Exactly — with the stock price so low, this is the best possible time for privatization.
Miss this chance, and the future cost will be much higher," a British shareholder chimed in.
"Owning 100% of the shares means you'll enjoy all the company's profits alone.
With Qingzhou Cement's potential, this will be an immensely profitable investment," a Chinese shareholder added enticingly.
...
All eight shareholders took turns trying to persuade Lin Haoran, practically showering him with flattery and temptation.
Wave after wave of persuasion finally made Lin Haoran realize:
this meeting wasn't to discuss the company's future —
they simply wanted to dump their shares onto him.
Exactly as he had hoped.
He had been calculating how to acquire their shares at a lower price —
and now they were practically offering themselves up.
"Truly heaven-sent!" Lin Haoran thought to himself.
"These shareholders are desperate to escape.
Since that's the case, why not take advantage and ruthlessly reap this wave of investors?"
"Gentlemen," Lin Haoran said with a helpless smile, "you've all seen the news.
I've already told reporters —
I don't currently have the capital to privatize Qingzhou Cement.
Such a move would require over 100 million Hong Kong dollars."
"I'm better off continuing as a controlling shareholder, steadily growing the company.
Once I accumulate enough profit, I can consider privatization then."
He certainly wasn't going to agree easily.
"But if Qingzhou Cement becomes highly profitable," Henry continued to persuade,
"the stock price will soar.
It will be much harder for you to privatize later."
"You already have enough funds from your recent share sales.
Buying out our shares now would make later privatization much easier.
Plus, you could use the company's profits to repay any additional loans."
Henry's words were enticing.
"It does sound reasonable," Lin Haoran nodded slightly, pretending to be moved.
He looked around the room —
everyone wore faint smiles, clearly pleased with his reaction.
"So, what price are you asking for your shares?" Lin Haoran asked, throwing the ball back to them while already calculating in his mind.
Everyone exchanged glances, smiling.
Henry spoke for them:
"Mr. Lin, after careful discussion, we believe 5 Hong Kong dollars per share is a fair and reasonable price.
Together, the shareholders present control 24.1% of Qingzhou Cement's shares, and we are all willing to sell at that price."
In truth, they had dreamed of getting 6 Hong Kong dollars or even higher —
but reality forced them to lower their expectations.
At 5 Hong Kong dollars per share, they could still realize considerable profits based on their original purchase costs.
However, Lin Haoran had no intention of being so generous.
This wave of investors —
he was absolutely going to ruthlessly harvest.
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