Chapter 387 If One Place Doesn't Want Me, Another Surely Will!
In the following days, Lin Haoran rarely appeared at the company. Most of the time, he either stayed at his villa on Shixun Road or visited his parents at the villa in Deep Water Bay, living a very comfortable life.
The reason he chose to avoid the company was that he knew he had become the prime target of paparazzi, who seemed to track his every move with hawk-like precision.
Although Lin Haoran wasn't a celebrity, his popularity during this period was no less than that of the hottest stars.
A few interviews were fine, but being followed every day by reporters was something no one could tolerate.
On December 2nd, at Cui Zilong's suggestion, Lin Haoran agreed to an exclusive interview with the Oriental Daily.
Since the Oriental Daily was now one of his own media companies, he had no qualms about accepting the interview.
During the interview, Lin Haoran revealed many details about the negotiations with the British consortium—details that the public was desperate to know.
He avoided discussing any information that was contractually restricted but otherwise gave the Oriental Daily as much as he could.
As a result, the next day—December 3rd—the Oriental Daily's sales exploded.
Throughout the day, the Oriental Daily not only broke its own sales record but also set a new record for Hong Kong's newspaper industry, reaching a single-day sales figure of 486,000 copies—just shy of the 500,000 mark.
Although they fell just short of that symbolic number, the achievement was nonetheless astonishing.
Previously, selling over 300,000 copies a day was considered outstanding.
Now, the near-500,000 sales figure established a new benchmark unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.
With this exposure, Lin Haoran's influence in Hong Kong grew even stronger.
Meanwhile, Jardines Matheson, although officially back in British hands, became the laughingstock of Hong Kong.
The British consortium had paid an exorbitant price to recover Jardines Matheson—only to find themselves controlling a much-weakened shell of its former self.
The public sentiment was clear: without its numerous strong subsidiaries, Jardines Matheson's importance had greatly diminished.
At a private room in Atlantic Café near Jardine House, Henry Keswick, Amos Rothschild, Shen Bi, and Baofu Da were gathered for an important discussion.
They had deliberately excluded Niu Bijian from this meeting.
The key item on their agenda was to remove Niu Bijian as Taipan and elect a new leader for Jardines Matheson.
Henry Keswick had wanted to sack Niu Bijian ever since Jardines lost Wharf Holdings.
Now, under Niu Bijian's leadership, Jardines had not only lost Wharf Holdings but also the Land Group, Dairy Farm, Kwai Chung Terminal, Mandarin Oriental, and Oriental International Hotel.
Someone had to take the fall—and Niu Bijian was the perfect scapegoat.
Previously, they lacked the voting power to remove him.
But now, with the reorganized shareholding structure, they had enough control to push him out.
Henry Keswick had stayed in Hong Kong precisely to settle these matters before returning to Britain.
Reading the Oriental Daily's scathing reports, all present wore grim expressions.
They hadn't intended for the public to know so much—these details were humiliating.
Now, Lin Haoran had exposed everything, and there was nothing they could do about it.
Henry Keswick, in particular, looked livid.
He remembered the glory days when, as Jardines' Taipan, he had overseen a powerful empire.
Since retreating to Britain and handing the reins to Niu Bijian, everything had fallen apart.
Had he not acted swiftly, even Jardines Matheson itself might have been lost.
Thus, he now hated Niu Bijian bitterly.
"Everyone, this is my brother, Simon Keswick. He joined Jardines in 1962 as a trainee executive and has worked extensively across Hong Kong, North America, Japan, Singapore, and Australia.
In 1972, he became Managing Director of Jardines Australia; in 1977, he was appointed Chairman of Jardine Insurance.
With his rich international business experience, I sincerely recommend Simon to replace Niu Bijian as Jardines' new Taipan. I hope all of you will support him," Henry Keswick said, formally introducing his brother.
"Hello, gentlemen. I am Simon Keswick, and I have full confidence in leading Jardines out of its current difficulties and back to the top," Simon said confidently.
Given that the Keswick family now controlled the largest shareholding in Jardines, they had significant power.
Still, Henry Keswick wanted the support of the other major shareholders to avoid internal divisions.
"Henry, I said before that I wouldn't interfere much in Jardines' affairs. As long as company interests aren't harmed, I support your decision," Amos Rothschild said first.
"We at HSBC have no objections either," Shen Bi added.
Knowing that HSBC's current stake in Jardines was insufficient to oppose anything, Shen Bi saw no point in resisting.
Moreover, Jardines Matheson was no longer strong enough to pose a threat to HSBC.
Hearing their support, Henry Keswick breathed a sigh of relief.
Simon Keswick's appointment as Taipan was now secure.
In another world, Simon would not have become Taipan until 1983.
But in this world, even before 1981, he was already stepping into the role.
However, the Jardines Matheson he inherited was a shadow of its former self—missing most of its prime subsidiaries.
Bringing it back to its former glory would be a monumental challenge.
Thus, while Niu Bijian was still working diligently at Jardine House, unaware, his fate was being sealed elsewhere.
He still fantasized about serving consecutive terms as Taipan, trusting Henry Keswick's verbal promises.
Little did he know, in the world of business, verbal promises meant nothing when faced with family interests.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning, we will convene a board meeting to formalize these changes," Henry Keswick announced solemnly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
And just like that, Niu Bijian's fate was decided.
The next morning, Jardines Matheson held its first board meeting under full British consortium control.
Niu Bijian, unaware of the impending ambush, prepared diligently for the meeting.
By the end of the session, he was voted out as Taipan.
Even as the meeting ended, Niu Bijian could hardly believe it—he had been removed, just like that.
"Henry! This can't be real! You personally promised me two consecutive terms!" he shouted desperately, grabbing Henry Keswick's arm.
"Mr. Niu, we are rational businessmen. Under your leadership, Jardines suffered massive losses. If not for your policies, we would not be in this predicament.
The losses of Wharf Holdings, the Land Group—these are your responsibilities.
Under such circumstances, do you still believe you're fit to remain Taipan?
Of course, your contributions will not be forgotten. You will receive generous severance. Please prepare for a smooth transition to Mr. Simon," Henry Keswick said calmly, shaking him off.
After Henry left, Niu Bijian stood there, utterly dejected.
He knew his career at Jardines Matheson was over.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: perhaps he could approach Lin Haoran.
The Land Group was now stronger than Jardines.
In terms of influence and management ability, Niu Bijian believed he was superior to Ma Shiming.
If he could persuade Lin Haoran, maybe he could become the Land Group's new Taipan.
If so, who needed Jardines?
"There's a saying in China: if one place doesn't want you, another surely will.
Since Jardines Matheson doesn't want me, I'll try my luck at the Land Group!" Niu Bijian thought, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1