Chapter 160: The Relentless Jardine Land
After giving his instructions to Su Zhixue, Lin Haoran did not linger long at the Wan'an Group building.
There were no major matters at Wan'an Group recently, so there was no need for him to spend much energy there.
Currently, the most important matter was Hongkong Electric Holdings.
He was eager to take full control of it as soon as possible.
After leaving Wan'an Group, Lin Haoran, along with his two bodyguards, drove straight to Hongkong Electric's headquarters.
Upon arrival, he headed directly to the chairman's office.
At that moment, Chen Shoulin was not busy working but was sitting in his chair frowning in thought.
When he saw Lin Haoran enter, he immediately stood up.
"Mr. Lin, did you really acquire all of Mr. Caesar Bridges' shares?" Chen Shoulin still found it hard to believe.
Last night, he had received a phone call from Caesar Bridges himself.
Bridges told him that he had sold his shares to Lin Haoran.
The news was so sudden that it left Chen Shoulin stunned.
Although it was confirmed directly by Bridges, and there was no reason for him to lie, it still felt unbelievable.
Lin Haoran had acquired the shares of both the first and second largest shareholders of Hongkong Electric — clearly indicating his intention to take over the company.
Once Lin Haoran controlled Hongkong Electric, Chen Shoulin's career would become highly uncertain.
His fate would no longer be decided by the board but by Lin Haoran himself.
Knowing this, Chen Shoulin spent the entire night worrying about his future.
He was only in his fifties, at the peak of his career.
Although he wouldn't have trouble finding another job if forced to leave, he was deeply attached to Hongkong Electric after dedicating so much of his life to it.
"Mr. Chen, that's right. Let's be straightforward.
Not only have I acquired Mr. Caesar Bridges' shares, but I've also absorbed a significant amount from the market.
Now, I control more than 34% of Hongkong Electric's total shares.
I came here today to inform you that I now have the strength to enter and become the true leader of Hongkong Electric Holdings," Lin Haoran said with a smile as he sat down.
As he spoke, Lin Haoran took out the stock certificates from his briefcase and laid them on the table.
He genuinely respected Chairman Chen Shoulin.
After all, Chen had led Hongkong Electric to continuously break through development bottlenecks, achieving steady growth in both revenue and profits year after year.
He was an outstanding professional manager — no small feat in a British-dominated corporate environment.
At this point, Chen Shoulin finally understood everything.
No wonder Lin Haoran had requested shareholder information yesterday afternoon — it had been with a clear purpose.
With over 34% ownership, Lin Haoran already possessed veto power over "major events" at the company.
Although not yet a majority shareholder, since no other group of shareholders held more shares than he did, Lin Haoran effectively held the greatest authority.
He could now call a board meeting to dismiss the current chairman and install himself if he wished.
In many listed companies in Hong Kong, the major shareholder often controlled management with just a 10–20% stake.
Thus, Lin Haoran's position was extremely solid.
Looking at the stock certificates on the desk, Chen Shoulin smiled bitterly and asked:
"Mr. Lin, what are your plans for me? Are you going to remove me from Hongkong Electric?"
"No, no, Mr. Chen, you've misunderstood.
Although I intend to take over Hongkong Electric, I have no intention of removing you.
Your contributions to the company are clear for all to see.
Even after I become the new leader, I hope you will continue working at Hongkong Electric and help the company thrive," Lin Haoran said warmly.
How could he possibly drive away such an excellent professional manager?
Currently, Huo Jianning hadn't yet matured, and if Chen Shoulin left now, Lin Haoran would struggle to find a suitable replacement.
Managing the company himself?
That was out of the question — Lin Haoran was well aware of his own limitations in management.
Thus, keeping Chen Shoulin was the best choice.
Huo Jianning would need a few more years to grow into a capable leader.
By then, Chen would be in his sixties and could retire naturally.
And even if he remained vigorous and willing to stay, Lin Haoran wouldn't be relying on just one company — by then, he would have an empire of enterprises under his control.
Therefore, Lin Haoran wasn't worried at all about future arrangements.
What he worried about was having too few capable managers, not too many.
"Mr. Lin, could you be more specific about what role you envision for me?" Chen Shoulin asked.
Hearing that he would not be removed was a relief, but he still wanted to understand the details.
He had laid down many strategic plans at Hongkong Electric, and leaving now would make him feel deeply regretful.
"Of course.
Mr. Chen, once I formally enter Hongkong Electric, I will become chairman of the board.
You, Mr. Chen, will serve as executive director and general manager.
Although your position will technically drop one level, you'll still be managing the company day-to-day.
In general, I will not interfere with daily operations.
You know I own two other companies, Wan'an Group and Qingzhou Cement Company.
Both are managed by their respective general managers without much interference from me.
I only oversee and make decisions on major strategic matters.
Unlike some other local bosses, I won't cling to every small detail.
After all, I'm still young, and you have much more experience in corporate management than I do.
With so many companies under my name, it would be impossible for me to micromanage them all," Lin Haoran explained in detail.
Thanks to his "loyalty" system, Lin Haoran could confidently entrust companies to capable managers.
If any corruption or betrayal occurred, he would detect it immediately.
Thus, there was no need for him to worry excessively.
"I understand," Chen Shoulin said, nodding seriously.
"Then, Mr. Chen, after I officially take control of Hongkong Electric,
are you willing to accept my invitation to continue serving as executive director and general manager?" Lin Haoran asked earnestly.
"I am willing!" Chen Shoulin replied without hesitation.
Although losing the chairman title was a blow, his actual authority would remain almost unchanged — only now he would report to Lin Haoran instead of the board collectively.
Originally, he had always been subject to the board's oversight.
Now, it was just a change in structure.
He believed Lin Haoran was being sincere — after all, Lin had no reason to deceive him at this stage.
"Good.
Then, Mr. Chen, I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation!" Lin Haoran said, extending his hand.
"Pleasure to work with you, Boss!" Chen Shoulin said seriously, shaking hands.
In his heart, Chen Shoulin now regarded Lin Haoran not just as a shareholder — but as the true owner who could determine his future.
"Next, Mr. Chen,
please organize a board meeting.
We need to go through the proper procedures.
Afterward, let's also prepare for a press conference," Lin Haoran added.
"Understood, Mr. Lin.
I know what needs to be done," Chen Shoulin nodded.
He had already accepted the new reality.
Just as he was about to call the board members to arrange the meeting,
the phone suddenly rang.
"Hello, this is Chen Shoulin," he answered.
Lin Haoran sat quietly nearby, listening.
To his surprise, Chen's second sentence was:
"Mr. Percy Niblett? What can I do for you?"
Percy Niblett? Jardine Matheson's top boss?
Hearing this, Lin Haoran immediately understood —
they were calling to confirm whether Lin Haoran's claims to Bowers last night were true.
Unexpectedly, Percy Niblett himself had called —
clearly, Jardine and Land Holdings still hadn't given up on Hongkong Electric.
"Yes, Mr. Niblett.
Mr. Lin is now Hongkong Electric's major shareholder, controlling over 34% of the shares.
I can confirm that," Chen Shoulin said into the phone.
There was no need to hide anything anymore.
Once Lin Haoran took formal control, it would all become public anyway.
After hanging up, Chen Shoulin muttered to himself:
"Why would Mr. Niblett call to ask about something like this?"
Lin Haoran laughed lightly and explained:
"Land Holdings' General Manager, Mr. Bowers, called me last night.
They wanted to buy my shares, trying to quietly acquire Hongkong Electric.
But I refused.
I told them there was no need — it's already too late."
Chen Shoulin now understood everything.
No wonder.
"It's funny...
Hongkong Electric used to be so overlooked.
Now, everyone is fighting over it!" Chen Shoulin said, sighing.
Lin Haoran just smiled.
Aside from himself and Land Holdings,
others like Li Ka-shing and the Carrian Group had also been eyeing Hongkong Electric.
Fortunately, thanks to his preparation and strong funding,
Lin Haoran had struck first —
otherwise, even with ample capital, it would have been almost impossible to wrest control from Land Holdings.
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