Chapter 341 Unprecedented
This time, the reporters could no longer contain themselves and all surged forward, trying to ask Lin Haoran questions.
Fortunately, the on-site security team did an excellent job restraining the nearly frenzied reporters.
"Mr. Niu Bijian, is all of this true?" a foreign reporter shouted loudly, trying to get confirmation from him.
Even now, many foreign journalists found it hard to believe.
The proud British-owned enterprises Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson had fallen into Chinese hands?
They didn't want to believe it was true.
"It must be fake!" one foreign reporter murmured to himself.
"Everyone, what Mr. Lin Haoran said is completely true!"
Although Niu Bijian wasn't holding a microphone, his voice was clear enough for everyone to hear.
His statement forced all the foreign journalists to accept the reality, no matter how unwillingly.
At the same time, a wave of cheers erupted from the Chinese reporters present.
It wasn't just celebration; it was a manifestation of national pride.
Although Lin Haoran's takeover of Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson seemed unrelated to them personally, Lin Haoran was Chinese, just like them.
That shared heritage made them feel deeply connected to this moment of glory.
In Hong Kong, Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson were deeply embedded in everyday life.
Almost every citizen's livelihood was intertwined with these two giants.
Now that they had become Chinese-controlled enterprises, an overwhelming sense of pride filled their hearts.
In Hong Kong, Chinese citizens had long been treated as second-class, fostering a deep-rooted inferiority complex.
Although it had become a habit, no one wished for it to continue forever.
Now, Lin Haoran had wrested two major enterprises from the British, securing a monumental victory for the Chinese people!
This was akin to Lin Haoran's acquisition of Hongkong Electric, Bao Yugang's takeover of Wharf Holdings, and Li Jiacheng's control of Hutchison Whampoa.
Each of these victories had been celebrated by ordinary citizens as milestones for the Chinese community.
But this time was different—
Lin Haoran had taken over Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson together, an even grander and unprecedented victory!
Some Chinese reporters were so moved that tears streamed down their faces uncontrollably.
No matter how much they wiped their faces, new tears kept falling.
In all their years under British colonial rule, when had the Chinese ever achieved such a dazzling victory?
"Now, if anyone has questions, you may direct them to Mr. Niu Bijian," Lin Haoran continued.
"He will remain as the head of Jardines Matheson and will temporarily serve as Executive Director and General Manager of Jardines Matheson under my leadership!"
Immediately, a barrage of questions erupted as reporters rushed to ask everything that was burning inside them.
…
Two hours later, it was already past 3 p.m.
Lin Haoran was sitting in an office on the 51st floor of Connaught Centre.
It had once been Bofuda's office.
Now that Bofuda had been ousted, the office naturally belonged to Lin Haoran.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, coating the spacious 100-square-meter office in a golden hue.
The decor was minimalist yet luxurious, with cream-colored walls contrasting sharply with dark wood flooring.
Several colorful abstract paintings hung on the walls, lending a touch of artistic flair to the commercial space.
The view outside was breathtaking—Central's skyline, the bustling city below, all visible from this vantage point.
Clearly, Bofuda had known how to enjoy luxury; his office was no less impressive than Niu Bijian's.
Lin Haoran had visited Niu Bijian's office twice, and it was even a bit smaller than this one.
"Everything here now belongs to me," Lin Haoran thought, extremely satisfied with both the office and the surrounding properties.
Compared to Connaught Centre, Wanqing Building (formerly Federal Building) seemed a little lackluster.
Yet both buildings had their moments of glory, each once dominating Hong Kong's skyline.
Connaught Centre had symbolized Hong Kong's prosperity through the 1970s.
Now, Lin Haoran unknowingly owned two iconic landmarks of Hong Kong.
And Connaught Centre wasn't just a single building—
Landmark, Alexandra House, Prince's Building, and others all belonged to Jardines Matheson, collectively forming Hong Kong's legendary skyline.
Without these properties, Hong Kong's skyline would lose much of its luster.
And now, Lin Haoran owned them all.
At that moment, Niu Bijian entered the office.
"Finished handing over with Mr. Bofuda?" Lin Haoran asked with a smile.
"Boss, the handover is essentially complete," Niu Bijian replied.
"Although I wasn't fully in charge before, as the head of Jardines Matheson, I had to sign off on all major decisions.
Thus, the transition was smooth.
As for Bofuda's severance, we followed the contract—half a year's salary."
Lin Haoran nodded, unconcerned about the payout.
At around HKD 100,000 a month, half a year's compensation barely touched HKD 1 million.
He didn't care about such a small sum.
"The senior management of Jardines Matheson is now fully under your control, Boss.
Whenever you find a suitable replacement, I will step aside," Niu Bijian added.
Loyalty: 62/100.
After Niu Bijian's submission, Lin Haoran could now see his loyalty score—barely passing.
But Lin Haoran didn't mind.
Even if Niu Bijian wasn't truly loyal, it didn't matter as long as he remained useful.
Truthfully, without Niu Bijian, Jardines Matheson and Jardines Matheson could easily spiral into chaos.
Most senior executives were still foreigners, and even the mid-level managers were mostly British.
Without someone like Niu Bijian to mediate, Lin Haoran would face endless covert resistance.
Thus, keeping Niu Bijian for now was the wisest move.
Later, when he had replaced enough of the middle and upper management with his own people, he could dispose of Niu Bijian at will.
"I don't know much about Jardines Matheson or Jardines Matheson beyond public reports.
Tell me everything," Lin Haoran said, smiling at Niu Bijian.
"Yes, Boss!" Niu Bijian replied immediately.
They began an in-depth conversation.
Niu Bijian described the two groups' internal workings while Lin Haoran listened carefully.
Previously, Lin Haoran had relied on intelligence services to gather information.
Now, he could hear it directly from the most authoritative insider.
Meanwhile, news of Lin Haoran's takeover spread at lightning speed across Hong Kong.
Even before newspapers and TV stations officially reported it, rumors flew through every street and alley.
Everyone heard the key points:
Lin Haoran had successfully acquired Jardines Matheson;
Jardines Matheson would now be Jardines Matheson's parent company;
Bofuda had been dismissed;
Niu Bijian would remain as head of Jardines Matheson.
At first, people were skeptical.
But as the news spread wider and more details emerged—especially after Hong Kong Radio broadcasted the news live—doubt faded.
People realized it was all true.
Word spread rapidly.
Chinese residents went from shock to delight.
Foreigners from shock to disbelief.
This was, without a doubt, the biggest event in Hong Kong's business history—
Unprecedented.
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