Chapter 251 A Public Apology, Unprecedented!
"I can apologize to you right now in front of the Governor, as long as Mr. Lin is willing to settle this dispute and ensure that Oriental Daily stops relentlessly attacking Jardines Matheson.
Jardines is also willing to compensate Hongkong Electric with one million Hong Kong dollars to show our sincerity," Noel Croucher finally mustered his courage to say the words that were incredibly hard for him to utter.
This indeed required a tremendous decision from him.
In the past, who could ever imagine making a figure like Jardines' mighty taipan bow and apologize in Hong Kong?
"Apologizing in front of me is meaningless. I demand that Mr. Croucher publicly apologize to Hongkong Electric on television—not just to me personally.
And one million Hong Kong dollars? Are you trying to brush me off like a beggar?" Lin Haoran said disdainfully.
Even a clay statue of a god retains three parts of its dignity, not to mention a living man.
Since they had attempted to use the media to slander and destroy his company, how could Lin Haoran let Jardines off so easily?
An apology required real sincerity.
"Absolutely not!" Noel Croucher abruptly stood up, his face filled with rage.
To apologize publicly to all of Hong Kong?
He couldn't stomach such humiliation!
"Mr. Lin, your demands seem a bit excessive. Maybe we can find another way?" MacLehose tried to mediate.
"Excessive? Governor, if I hadn't secretly acquired Oriental Daily, I wouldn't even have had a platform to defend myself.
If, by sheer luck, I hadn't found that officer and obtained solid evidence to prove my innocence, my Fortress Electrical—a chain generating over one hundred million Hong Kong dollars annually—might already be ruined.
If I didn't have some abilities, the losses would be unimaginable!
Can you really understand that, Governor?
Jardines thought I was young and bullied me recklessly. Should I have just accepted it?
When you make mistakes, you must have the courage to bear the consequences.
If Mr. Croucher can't even meet these basic conditions, then continuing this discussion is just a waste of everyone's time," Lin Haoran said firmly.
At this point, there was no retreat. Since he had crossed swords with Jardines, offending even the Governor no longer mattered.
Worst case scenario, he would shift his investments overseas.
With billions of Hong Kong dollars in cash, he could dominate any business community he chose—why tolerate humiliation in this small place?
Even companies like Hongkong Electric, Yingzhou Cement, and Kowloon Bus under his control could be sold off at a premium if he wished.
Many buyers were eager for a piece of them.
Lin Haoran's declaration left MacLehose momentarily speechless.
He hadn't wanted to get involved in this fight at all.
He had only stepped in to save face for Jardines and because of the broader influence of British financial interests.
After all, Jardines wasn't directly tied to him.
Meanwhile, Noel Croucher fell into a long silence, clearly struggling internally.
But he understood well that if this negotiation failed, Jardines' losses would only grow.
The only way out was to get Lin Haoran to agree to peace and let the scandal gradually fade from the public eye over time.
Simply put: they needed a cooling-off period.
No storm could last forever.
After a fierce internal struggle, Noel Croucher finally chose to compromise. He looked up and asked,
"I can publicly apologize. As for compensation, what exactly are you asking for, Mr. Lin?
As long as it's not too outrageous, I'm willing to accept."
Given Croucher's usual arrogance, this was a huge concession.
Especially considering that he was speaking to a Chinese businessman he once utterly looked down upon.
"Ten million Hong Kong dollars," Lin Haoran stated bluntly.
"If Jardines can pay that amount, I'll agree not to pursue further action. What do you think?"
Ten million dollars was a small sum for Lin Haoran.
And for Jardines, it wasn't a large amount either.
But it would still sting—and that was precisely the point.
The compensation wasn't just to punish Jardines; it was a message to the entire Hong Kong business world.
Anyone who crossed Lin Haoran would pay dearly.
Jardines would serve as a vivid example.
"Ten million is just a drop in the bucket for Jardines. Mr. Croucher, let's settle it like this.
Dragging this out will only cause more losses.
This isn't just about Jardine Electrical City anymore—it concerns the entire Jardines group's reputation and interests," MacLehose urged.
For the Governor, it didn't cost him anything to push for a settlement.
He just wanted peace restored in Hong Kong's business community.
The government had been under immense pressure from the public, receiving numerous complaints about their inaction.
MacLehose desperately wanted this matter resolved.
After all, he couldn't seriously investigate Jardines' shady past—every big British company had skeletons in their closets.
Finally, after a long pause, Croucher said,
"Mr. Lin, I have a proposal.
Jardines is willing to transfer full ownership of Jardine Electrical City to Hongkong Electric.
Currently, Jardine Electrical City operates eight prime-location stores, each over 300 square meters, all under freehold ownership.
Based on current valuations, these properties are worth about twenty million Hong Kong dollars.
If Hongkong Electric can pay ten million dollars, 100% ownership will be yours.
However, after the transfer, you must discontinue the 'Jardine' brand name."
From a business standpoint, it made sense.
Jardine Electrical City was a sinking ship.
Continuing to operate it would only cause more losses.
Moreover, Jardine had originally purchased these stores at much lower prices.
This way, they could unload the failing business and avoid paying the full ten million directly.
More importantly, Croucher saw it as a way to frame the transaction as a "business deal" rather than an outright defeat—saving some face for Jardines.
Even though their reputation was already battered.
"Agreed," Lin Haoran said calmly.
"But before finalizing, we must conduct a thorough audit to ensure everything matches what Mr. Croucher has described."
Lin Haoran had personally visited three of the eight stores before. Their locations were undeniably excellent.
Owning these shops would greatly strengthen Fortress Electrical's dominance.
Once integrated, Fortress would be unbeatable in Hong Kong's appliance retail sector.
As for forcing Jardines to surrender, Croucher's televised apology would be more than enough to show everyone who had won.
Everyone would understand the real meaning behind the "business transaction."
Thus, the deterrent effect was fully achieved.
"No problem. Hong Kong's business world is small—you're all leaders in the industry.
There's no need to keep such bad blood.
Let's shake hands and move on," MacLehose said with a relieved smile.
He had been worried they wouldn't reach an agreement.
Being Governor was indeed a hard job!
Thus, under MacLehose's mediation, Lin Haoran and Croucher shook hands.
The matter was officially resolved.
After leaving Government House, Lin Haoran immediately ordered Chen Shoulin to begin auditing Jardine Electrical City.
The results came in quickly.
The stores were indeed worth about twenty million dollars.
Moreover, Jardines fully cooperated—there were no debts or hidden liabilities, and all staff wages were cleared.
Even seasoned businessmen like Chen Shoulin were shocked.
He hadn't expected Lin Haoran to not only force Jardines to bow but also acquire Jardine Electrical City at a 50% discount!
Who would dare mess with Hongkong Electric now?
Chen Shoulin's confidence soared.
That evening, Noel Croucher appeared live on Rediffusion Television.
Wearing a suit, standing solemnly in front of the camera, he said:
"I am Noel Croucher, taipan of Jardines Matheson.
Regarding the incident where Jardine Electrical City wrongfully accused Fortress Electrical,
I hereby, on behalf of Jardines Matheson, sincerely apologize to Hongkong Electric and Mr. Lin Haoran.
In the future, Jardines will uphold fair and honest business practices and refrain from any improper competition..."
The broadcast shook Hong Kong to its core.
It became one of the most sensational events since the city's founding.
British companies had always stood arrogantly above the locals.
Yet here was the taipan of the "King of the Hongs," publicly apologizing to a Chinese businessman.
It was a historic moment—truly unprecedented.
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