Chapter 257 Does Anyone Intend to Take Over the Leadership of TVB?
For people at their level, while two billion Hong Kong dollars was indeed a vast sum, it wasn't an unbearable risk.
For instance, when Bao Yugang competed against Jardines Matheson for control of Wharf Holdings, it was Hongkong and Shanghai Bank that had suddenly provided him with a loan of 2.1 billion HKD, enabling his success.
Thus, a loan of this magnitude to Lin Haoran was entirely feasible.
"Collateral isn't a problem.
How about pledging my shares in Hongkong Electric?" Lin Haoran proposed after thinking it through.
Currently, Hongkong Electric's market value had risen to 3.8 billion HKD, and Lin Haoran held 49.9% of its shares.
Though even by today's valuation, his shares weren't worth 2 billion HKD, the point wasn't the valuation.
The key was: control.
Hongkong Electric's shares meant control over the company, and it was also the largest shareholder of China Gas, holding 20% ownership.
Nominally, China Gas was still a Hongkong Electric subsidiary.
Thus, if Lin Haoran was unwilling to sell, no matter how much capital others threw at it—30, 40, even 50 billion HKD—it would be impossible to snatch Hongkong Electric's control away from him.
In any acquisition attempt, the news would leak, Lin would notice, and he could simply increase his holdings to retain control.
Thus, although on paper his stake was less than 2 billion HKD, its strategic value far exceeded that.
Moreover, given Lin Haoran's current influence, he could easily get multi-million-dollar loans from any major Hong Kong bank without collateral if needed.
Therefore, offering Hongkong Electric shares as collateral wasn't excessive.
If Shen Bi refused, Lin Haoran could easily approach Citibank, Standard Chartered, or Bank of East Asia and secure the funds.
He had come to Hongkong and Shanghai Bank primarily to build a relationship with them—to lay groundwork for his coming takeover of Hongkong Land.
If both Citibank and Hongkong and Shanghai Bank supported him, and he also secured majority control of Hongkong Land, his takeover would proceed smoothly.
If Hongkong and Shanghai Bank could back Bao Yugang's acquisition of Wharf, then supporting him with Hongkong Land wasn't too much to ask.
Thus, even if Jardines wanted to pressure him politically, he would have strong local financial support.
Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Haoran's proposal, Shen Bi immediately agreed:
"Of course.
Mr. Lin, using Hongkong Electric's shares as collateral exceeds my expectations.
I can approve the loan personally, and the senior management shouldn't have any issues.
However, since you're taking such a large loan, I would still like you to proceed with becoming a shareholder of Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
You wouldn't mind using a small part of the loan to buy 1% of our shares, would you?"
Shen Bi simultaneously approved the loan and reminded Lin Haoran to fulfill the equity deal.
Borrowing from Hongkong and Shanghai Bank to buy shares of Hongkong and Shanghai Bank—it sounded strange but was quite practical.
Lin Haoran agreed without hesitation.
Buying 1% of the bank at half its market price was an absolute bargain.
It was a pity the stake was so small—only 1%.
If he could have bought more, he would have.
He knew that Hongkong and Shanghai Bank's stock price would only continue rising in the future.
Historically, the bank's market value soared from 160 billion HKD today to 2.2 trillion HKD by 1994.
That was an astronomical rise—multiplying over tenfold.
"Then it's settled.
Thank you, Mr. Shen.
I hope the funds can be disbursed as soon as possible.
As for pledging Hongkong Electric shares, it can be handled anytime," Lin Haoran said cheerfully.
"A loan of 2 billion HKD is a major matter.
I need to call a senior management meeting.
But there's no big problem.
I'll give you an answer tonight at the earliest or by noon tomorrow at the latest.
Once finalized, we'll sign the contract and immediately transfer the funds to your account," Shen Bi said seriously.
"Straightforward as always.
After the funds are disbursed, I'll proceed with investing in Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and joining the board.
It looks like we'll soon be colleagues, Mr. Shen!" Lin Haoran laughed.
In the future, he definitely planned to control a bank.
Of course, that bank wouldn't be Hongkong and Shanghai Bank—taking over that bank was impossible, a task a hundred times harder than taking Jardines.
Even with Jardines, Lin wasn't fully confident, so he knew better than to even dream of controlling Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
Still, there were countless banks worldwide.
Failing here didn't matter.
Right now, his priority was to solidify his position in Hong Kong—his main base.
He and Shen Bi continued to chat pleasantly for over an hour.
Hong Kong's elite business circle was small.
Thus, Lin Haoran valued strengthening this relationship.
Although he had a good working relationship with Citibank, Citibank was, after all, American—and its Hong Kong branch was much weaker than Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
Building ties with Hongkong and Shanghai Bank was far more critical for local influence.
They discussed everything in detail—from loan interest rates to term lengths—and also future collaboration possibilities.
The atmosphere was extremely positive.
At around 3 p.m., Lin Haoran finally said goodbye and left Hongkong and Shanghai Bank.
This loan was essentially secured.
Thus, Huanyu Investment's funding issue was solved.
And if the Lee family agreed to sell their TVB shares, Lin wouldn't have to worry about lacking capital.
After leaving, Lin Haoran returned to his villa at Shixun Road.
The Lee family's decision would probably come only in the evening—no need to rush.
Meanwhile, at an office inside the Lee Gardens International Hotel in Wan Chai, not far from Lin Haoran, key members of the Lee family were gathered.
Aside from these core members, Lee Luk Yin Kwan, widow of the recently deceased Lee Siu Ho, was also present.
Since her children were still young, she had temporarily inherited her husband's estate.
At this meeting were:
Lee Ming Chak (the eldest brother),Lee Ming Qia (the second brother),Lee Rong Sen (the fourth brother),Lee Rong Jie (the fifth brother).
All four brothers held shares in TVB.
At the time of founding TVB, these family members had invested personally, not through the family trust.
Thus, their ownership was considered private, not part of the Lee family's main assets.
Still, anything concerning the family name required collective discussion.
"Big Brother, what's the meeting about?" asked Lee Ming Qia once everyone was seated.
"Third Brother's passing was painful for all of us.
But we must now face a reality: TVB's future.
While I personally have no stake in TVB, as head of the family, I'm concerned.
Does anyone among you wish to take over TVB's leadership?" Lee Ming Chak asked directly.
Each of the four family members held an equal stake, collectively making them TVB's largest shareholder.
24% of TVB shares was a sizable block, especially given the company's fragmented ownership.
The question left everyone silent for a moment.
"Big Brother, I know my own abilities.
I don't have the capacity to run TVB.
If you're willing to become chairman, I'll fully support you," Lee Ming Qia said after thinking it over.
"You all know I've never been interested in television," Lee Ming Chak shook his head and declined.
He then looked at the others.
"Big Brother, I'm even less capable than Second Brother.
Let me remain just a shareholder—running a hotel is hard enough for me," said Lee Rong Sen, who currently managed the Lee family's International Hotel business.
"I feel the same," added Lee Rong Jie.
"Among us brothers, only you and Third Brother had the ability and prestige to manage TVB."
All eyes then turned to Lee Luk Yin Kwan.
"I'm just a housewife who has spent my life supporting my family.
Even if I wished to step up, I doubt anyone would accept it," she said, her grief still fresh.
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