Chapter 338 Announcing the Takeover, Henry Keswick's Bitterness
Lin Haoran and Niu Bijian discussed matters inside the car. Although the reporters outside couldn't hear what they were talking about, they were certain it had to do with Jardines Matheson.
At that moment, the group of reporters was blocked about ten meters away from the Rolls-Royce by Connaught Centre's security, unable to approach any closer. After all, sitting inside the car was the head of Jardines Matheson, Niu Bijian, and the head of security knew his responsibilities well.
After a dozen minutes of conversation, the two finally stepped out of the car, signaling that their meeting had concluded.
"Mr. Lin, could you tell us what you discussed in the car? Could you reveal a little?" a reporter asked loudly.
Lin Haoran stopped, smiled politely, and shook his head.
"Gentlemen, please go and have lunch first. What I'm going to announce still needs a little time. Someone will inform you later. In any case, it definitely won't disappoint you!" he said.
Next, Niu Bijian needed to gather the board members of Jardines Matheson for an emergency meeting, which might take a while.
Niu Bijian had already hurried toward the elevator to organize the meeting.
As the head of both Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson, he was well-versed in handling such matters.
Meanwhile, Lin Haoran stepped into the lobby and noticed that most reporters were still hanging around, refusing to leave.
He even heard some of them discussing whether to order takeout so they wouldn't miss the big news.
Lin Haoran wasn't familiar with Connaught Centre, but under the guidance of staff, he soon reached Bofuda's office.
"Mr. Lin, I have notified all the board members. Most of them are senior executives, and except for two who are inspecting projects outside, the rest are here at Connaught Centre. I have also contacted the five shareholder directors individually!" Niu Bijian said with a smile upon seeing Lin Haoran.
"Good, thank you for your trouble," Lin Haoran nodded.
At the side, Bofuda remained silent.
He had already learned the purpose of Lin Haoran's visit from Niu Bijian.
Hearing that Lin Haoran held over 47% of Jardines Matheson's shares struck him like a bolt of lightning.
Just yesterday, he had voted in favor of expelling Lin Haoran from the board at Jardines Matheson's board meeting.
What did that mean?
Bofuda naturally understood.
With 47% of the shares, Lin Haoran held the majority.
While the Jardines Matheson board had been plotting to oust Lin Haoran, he had already silently acquired the controlling stake.
Such a dramatic reversal left Bofuda dazed.
Having voted against Lin Haoran, how could he expect to stay on as an executive once Lin Haoran took control?
Anyone with a brain could see it was impossible.
Thus, Bofuda stood lost in thought, deeply regretting his misjudgment.
He realized that life's critical factor wasn't speed but choosing the right direction.
Now, he had to bear the consequences of his poor choice.
Lin Haoran, seeing Bofuda's gloomy expression, smiled and greeted him, "Good afternoon, Mr. Bofuda!"
Just then, a middle-aged man entered the room—none other than the famous Henry Keswick, the real controller behind the Jardines Matheson British consortium.
He had served as the head of Jardines Matheson from 1972 to 1975 before handing over to Niu Bijian.
Seeing Lin Haoran in Bofuda's office, Henry Keswick paused for a moment but then walked in.
"Mr. Niu Bijian, can you explain what's going on?" Henry Keswick asked, sweeping his eyes across the three of them before focusing on Niu Bijian.
"Mr. Henry Keswick, Mr. Lin Haoran is about to take control of Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson. Please be mentally prepared," Niu Bijian sighed as he spoke.
Regarding Henry Keswick, Niu Bijian had complex feelings—gratitude for past promotion, resentment for recent attempts to oust him.
"That's impossible, Mr. Niu Bijian. Are you joking?" Henry Keswick immediately retorted.
How could Lin Haoran possibly control Jardines Matheson, let alone Jardines Matheson?
It was laughable to him.
Jardines Matheson had always been firmly under the control of the Keswick family.
Even when Lin Haoran previously held nearly 20% of the shares, far exceeding the Keswick family's holdings, Henry Keswick had easily removed him.
Now that Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson had a cross-holding structure, Henry Keswick thought it even harder for Lin Haoran to gain control.
Thus, he dismissed Niu Bijian's words outright.
Niu Bijian wanted to explain further, but Lin Haoran interrupted with a smile,
"Mr. Henry Keswick, Jardines Matheson is about to hold an emergency board meeting. Please attend. Whether you can retain control will soon be clear."
"Fine, I'll see what tricks you have up your sleeve!" Henry Keswick said coldly.
Though he appeared calm, he was deeply uneasy inside.
From a young age, Henry Keswick had been groomed within Jardines Matheson and had risen to lead the firm to greatness.
Even after stepping down, he still regarded Jardines Matheson as the Keswick family's territory.
Despite his outward calm, Niu Bijian's words had shaken him.
Could Lin Haoran really have achieved it?
He couldn't understand how.
Since no one had eaten yet, Niu Bijian arranged a hearty lunch at a restaurant downstairs in Connaught Centre.
As time ticked by, the board meeting was set for 1 PM, and even the two executives who had been inspecting projects outside were contacted and summoned back.
At 12:50 PM, Lin Haoran, led by Niu Bijian, arrived at the 47th floor of Connaught Centre.
Henry Keswick and Bofuda followed closely behind.
Henry Keswick still doubted Lin Haoran's ability, but Bofuda, who had heard Niu Bijian's confirmation, believed it completely.
The meeting room was large, over 100 square meters.
Jardines Matheson's board had fewer members than Jardines Matheson's, mainly because Jardines Matheson had long been controlled indirectly through Jardines Matheson.
Within minutes, about a dozen board members arrived.
Most were still bewildered, not knowing why this emergency meeting had been called.
They were even more puzzled seeing Lin Haoran present.
What connection did he have to Jardines Matheson?
"Everyone, please be quiet. Since everyone is here, let's officially start the meeting!" Niu Bijian announced.
The room quickly quieted down.
"Mr. Lin, the floor is yours," Niu Bijian said, looking at Lin Haoran.
"Zhixue, you announce it," Lin Haoran smiled, turning to Su Zhixue.
Su Zhixue, although a little nervous, quickly composed himself.
He had risen from an ordinary trader to the general manager of Huanyu Investment Company, but experience still needed time to accumulate.
Standing up, Su Zhixue, carrying a briefcase, drew everyone's attention.
Among the sixteen attendees, only Lin Haoran, Su Zhixue, and Chen Shoulin were Chinese—all the others were foreigners.
Thus, the three of them stood out.
Jardines Matheson was a very traditional British firm, with a nearly hundred-year history of uninterrupted British control.
But they didn't yet realize that this would soon change.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Su Zhixue announced fluently in English:
"On behalf of Huanyu Investment Company and Mr. Lin Haoran, I hereby inform you of an important matter.
Huanyu Investment currently holds 41.3% of Jardines Matheson's shares, granting us controlling rights.
Thus, today's meeting is to formally declare that Jardines Matheson will become a listed subsidiary of Huanyu Investment.
Here are copies of our share certificates for your review; the originals are available as well."
He handed a copy to Niu Bijian, who glanced through it before passing it along.
Su Zhixue's words were like a thunderclap.
The directors were stunned.
What?
Huanyu Investment was taking control of Jardines Matheson?
How was that possible?
Henry Keswick, holding the copy, was in disbelief.
But the evidence was right before him.
"No, no, this can't be true. Even if you hold 41.3%, adding Jardines Matheson and other shareholders, we still collectively hold 42%, more than you. You haven't achieved a true majority!" Henry Keswick blurted out rapidly, his face flushed.
"Mr. Henry Keswick, please don't forget that Hongkong Electric also holds 6% of Jardines Matheson's shares, and Hongkong Electric is also under Mr. Lin Haoran's leadership," said Chen Shoulin, president of Hongkong Electric, standing up and smiling calmly.
Everyone immediately understood:
In reality, Lin Haoran now controlled 47.3% of Jardines Matheson's shares.
Highly concentrated ownership, unlike the scattered British consortium shares.
In this situation, how could they hope to fight Lin Haoran?
Chen Shoulin's words crushed Henry Keswick's last shred of hope.
47.3%—he understood very well what that meant.
Even if they tried to buy more shares in the secondary market, it was impossible to surpass Lin Haoran.
There simply weren't enough shares left to buy.
Even if they could, Lin Haoran could buy more too.
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