Chapter 333 Bao Yugang's Phone Call
The response from SFC Chairman Max quickly reached Lin Haoran's ears.
As expected, just as he had predicted, Max gave no answer that would be favorable to him.
After leaving Max's office, the reporters didn't even return to their companies but instead headed directly to the Governor's House, hoping for a different reply from there.
At that moment, Governor Murray MacLehose was in his office reading the reports handed to him.
He was naturally well aware of everything happening with Jardines Matheson.
The collective exclusion of Lin Haoran by the British consortiums didn't surprise him at all; as a Briton himself, how could he not know the character of these consortiums?
However, he had no intention of intervening too much in this matter. Perhaps Lin Haoran's removal from the board of Jardines Matheson was the best outcome.
"Governor, there are many reporters outside requesting an interview with you!" a staff member came in to report.
"Many reporters? How many exactly?" MacLehose asked with slight surprise.
Why would so many reporters suddenly come to interview him?
"About more than fifty, and they are all from Hong Kong's mainstream media," the staff member replied.
"Alright, I understand. I'll go out and see them," MacLehose said after thinking for a moment, and walked straight outside.
As one of the most beloved governors in Hong Kong's history, MacLehose had always been seen as a very approachable official, enjoying a good reputation among Hong Kong citizens.
He also valued public opinion greatly.
So at this moment, he was curious as to why all these people had come.
Soon, MacLehose arrived outside the gates of the Governor's House.
There were guards present, so the reporters naturally didn't dare to barge in and were patiently waiting for a reply.
Unexpectedly, they saw Governor MacLehose walk out personally, which surprised and delighted them.
Governor MacLehose actually agreed to give them an interview.
"So many of you coming together, I assume it must be for the same purpose, right? That reporter from the South China Morning Post, please tell me why you are all here," MacLehose said, pointing to a journalist.
"Governor, it's like this," the foreign reporter from the South China Morning Post began explaining, recounting Lin Haoran's hope that the Governor's House would uphold justice for him, and even mentioning the response from SFC Chairman Max.
After hearing the explanation, MacLehose fell into deep thought, his brows furrowing.
Why hadn't Lin Haoran approached him privately?
Given Lin Haoran's current status, had he sought a private meeting, MacLehose would have readily received him.
Yet, Lin Haoran had chosen to use the media as a bridge to convey his message, which puzzled MacLehose somewhat.
Still, that wasn't the key point.
The key was how he should respond to the journalists.
After careful consideration, MacLehose slowly said, "In the field of securities, I am not an expert; SFC Chairman Max is the authority in that area. Since he has deemed the matter legal and compliant, I cannot make any biased decision. Therefore, Chairman Max's statement represents the government's stance, and I have no further comment."
After the reporters dispersed, MacLehose returned to his office and called Max.
…
On the morning of October 26, all newspapers reported on the conflict between the British consortiums of Jardines Matheson and Lin Haoran.
Whether it was Lin Haoran's press conference, SFC Chairman Max's interview, or Governor MacLehose's remarks, everything had been processed and turned into sensational articles.
"These British consortiums are going too far!"
"Exactly! Holding 19% of Jardines Matheson's shares and still having no say in the company's affairs? How is that fair?"
"British people always protect each other!"
"I used to think Governor MacLehose was a good governor, but when it comes to matters involving British interests, he still sides with the British!"
"I always believed Hong Kong was for Hongkongers, but now it seems it still belongs to the British."
"I used to respect Governor MacLehose, but now I see he doesn't deserve my respect!"
Public discontent in Hong Kong began to swell.
Even though this issue had nothing directly to do with them, Lin Haoran, as a symbol of Chinese pride, had become a hero to many Chinese citizens.
Seeing him treated so unfairly naturally stirred their indignation.
In many listed companies, holding 19% of the shares would often qualify one to be chairman.
But not only was Lin Haoran unable to lead Jardines Matheson, he was even expelled from the board, stripped of any influence.
If this wasn't unfair, what was?
At the Lin family villa in Shixun Road, Lin Haoran was eating breakfast while reading the news.
Regarding MacLehose and Max's responses, he had already predicted them when he held the press conference.
After reading through all the newspapers, Lin Haoran set down the last one, feeling satisfied with the coverage and not at all upset by the Governor's favoritism.
After all, this was still a colonial era; favoritism was to be expected until the handover.
All he sought was an attitude from the Governor's House—a commitment not to intervene in his competition with the British consortiums.
Even though he was now fully confident that he could control Jardines Matheson through Jardines Matheson, the Governor's stance was crucial.
Even if he controlled 100% of the shares, if the Governor disapproved, he might still have to abandon Jardines Matheson.
This was the reality under the colonial system.
Fortunately, MacLehose was relatively reasonable.
As long as everything was done within the rules, MacLehose generally preferred fairness and justice.
If it had been any other previous governors, the situation might have been different.
"Bzz bzz bzz—" the pager vibrated.
Lin Haoran picked it up and checked the number—it wasn't one he recognized.
Still, he walked over to the phone and called back.
"Hello, this is Lin Haoran," he said when the line connected.
"Haoran, it's Uncle Bao," came the unexpected voice of Bao Yugang.
The number was from the Bao family's home in Deep Water Bay, which explained why Lin Haoran hadn't recognized it.
"Uncle Bao, what can I do for you?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
"Haoran, I've heard all about your removal from Jardines Matheson's board, and I am deeply outraged. I'm calling to understand your next steps. If you need any help, don't hesitate to tell me. I will do everything I can.
We Chinese consortiums already face enough challenges. The British consortiums don't want us to grow stronger. That's why we must unite and support each other!" Bao Yugang said over the phone.
"Uncle Bao, I sincerely appreciate your kindness. If I truly need help, I will definitely reach out to you. But for now, I can still manage. There's no need to trouble you personally," Lin Haoran replied with a smile.
He hadn't expected Bao Yugang to call specifically for this.
It truly showed who cared about him in difficult times.
Clearly, Bao Yugang saw him as a junior he genuinely cared for and supported.
"Given the mutual control now between Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson, you won't be able to continue acquiring Jardines Matheson. I advise you to temporarily abandon that idea.
They've mutually locked themselves together, which indeed surprised me. It has made it impossible for us to covet either company for now.
However, Haoran, though there's no chance at the moment, I believe opportunities will come again in the future.
I've studied their mutual control arrangement and found it isn't without flaws. I suggest you hold onto your shares and bide your time. You're still young, and the future holds endless possibilities.
I still hope to see Jardines Matheson eventually fall into Chinese hands," Bao Yugang continued.
"Oh? What flaws does their mutual control have?" Lin Haoran asked with curiosity, even though he wasn't entirely convinced.
He wanted to hear Bao Yugang's insights.
"After a deep study, I believe that while the mutual control seems to completely block outside acquisitions, this 'linked boat' strategy has an obvious weakness.
Haoran, you should know the story of the Battle of Red Cliffs during the Three Kingdoms period, right?
Cao Cao's navy linked all their ships together, which led to their entire fleet being burned by a single fire.
Similarly, though Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson seem stronger after their alliance, if one suffers a severe financial crisis, it will inevitably drag down the other, causing massive losses for both," Bao Yugang explained.
Hearing this, Lin Haoran couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration.
No wonder Bao Yugang was recognized as a leading figure among Hong Kong's Chinese businessmen and had successfully seized control of Wharf Holdings from Jardines Matheson itself—his insight was truly extraordinary.
Lin Haoran already knew the weaknesses of the mutual control plan.
In another timeline, it had failed within three years.
The cause was precisely because each held about 40% of the other's shares.
When Jardines Matheson became mired in a real estate crisis, with frozen funds and mounting debt, Jardines Matheson was inevitably dragged down as well.
In the end, the Keswick family took advantage of the opportunity to oust Niu Bijian from Jardines Matheson.
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