Chapter 386 A New Giant in Global Business: Lin Haoran and His Commercial Empire
The privatization of the Land Group immediately became the most sensational news in all of Hong Kong. In contrast, the return of Jardines Matheson to British consortium control seemed far less significant. Everyone knew that nowadays, Jardines Matheson was essentially headquartered in Hong Kong in name only. Most of its assets were overseas.
Hong Kong's economic analysts pointed out that Jardines Matheson's local assets now accounted for less than 10% of its total. In other words, its core operations were no longer rooted in Hong Kong.
In the past, people used to say that daily life in Hong Kong couldn't escape the shadow of Jardines Matheson. Jardines had deeply influenced Hong Kong's retail, real estate, infrastructure, public services, and employment sectors.
But today, after losing key assets like Wharf Holdings, the Land Group, Dairy Farm International, the Kwai Chung container terminals, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and Oriental International Hotel, Jardines Matheson had few important local subsidiaries left.
Even the 20% stake in Gammon Construction, once held by Jardines, had now fallen into the Land Group's hands.
Currently, Jardine Fleming Securities was perhaps the only important local subsidiary Jardines Matheson still retained.
Despite Jardines Matheson's long history and deep influence in Hong Kong, the public now saw it as a hollow shell, no longer comparable to the newly strengthened Land Group.
After severing ties with Jardines, the Land Group had absorbed most of its key assets in Hong Kong, making the already powerful group even stronger.
Privatization couldn't happen overnight. Even with Hotholly's assistance, it would take months. Thus, Lin Haoran was in no hurry.
On the morning of November 28th, Lin Haoran appeared at Hong Kong's Kai Tak International Airport.
He wasn't leaving; he was there to send off his team.
Huanyu Investment's employees were finally ready to depart. At 10 a.m., they boarded a chartered flight to New York.
Two days earlier, Lin Haoran had secretly screened the personnel one final time, eliminating anyone with loyalty below 80. Ultimately, 198 employees would make the trip.
Since his future focus would be on the U.S., Japan, and Europe—far from his direct oversight—only the most loyal could be trusted to handle sensitive operations.
In New York, a week earlier, Lin Haoran had already arranged for Citibank's Vice President, John Reed, to purchase an entire floor of a skyscraper near Times Square—about 1,300 square meters—as Huanyu Investment's new U.S. headquarters.
The purchase cost around USD 4.8 million, equivalent to over HKD 20 million, just for a single floor.
At this time, New York's property prices were indeed much higher than Hong Kong's.
Commercial property prices in Manhattan core areas averaged USD 200–300 per square foot.
The Times Square location, being a prime area, was even pricier, and the deal Lin Haoran secured was already below market rate.
Once settled, his team could quickly start operations.
Huanyu Investment's accounts still held substantial funds untouched, ensuring the team would have all necessary resources.
Standing by the departure gate, Lin Haoran patted Su Zhixue on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"I've arranged for a guide in New York to meet you at the airport and help your team settle in. Call me if anything comes up. I'll be visiting next month, and I hope to see everything running smoothly when I arrive."
With less than twenty minutes to boarding, Lin Haoran reminded Su Zhixue once more of the importance of the mission.
"Yes, boss! I'll report in as soon as we land!" Su Zhixue answered, full of gratitude and determination.
He felt deeply honored to serve such a visionary boss.
Though nervous about leading nearly 200 people to a foreign land, he vowed to meet every expectation placed upon him.
Through the airport windows, Lin Haoran watched as the plane carrying his people soared into the sky until it disappeared from view.
Next month, Apple Inc. would be going public.
Lin Haoran had already promised Steve Jobs that he would join him at the Nasdaq for the bell-ringing ceremony.
Though Apple's initial market performance would not be stellar, Lin Haoran had great faith in its future.
Any time-traveling businessman would seize the chance to own Apple shares.
In the 21st century, Apple's dominance would become legendary, rivaled only by a few companies like Microsoft and Nvidia.
Being personally present at Apple's IPO would not just be historic; it would symbolize Lin Haoran's participation in shaping that history.
"Let's go back to the Concord Building," Lin Haoran said.
"Yes, boss!" Li Weidong replied respectfully.
Upon arriving at the Concord Building, Lin Haoran saw the lobby swarming with reporters eager to snatch exclusive interviews with Land Group executives.
The media industry was fiercely competitive. Though being a reporter seemed glamorous, in reality, they had to hustle relentlessly for valuable news.
Spotting Lin Haoran, the reporters' eyes lit up and they rushed toward him.
However, security quickly intervened, allowing Lin Haoran and his bodyguards to slip into an elevator headed for the 51st floor.
Left behind, the disappointed reporters could only watch him vanish from sight.
Arriving at the 51st floor, Lin Haoran knocked on Ma Shiming's office door.
"Come in," came the reply.
Opening the door, Lin Haoran saw Ma Shiming holding a document in one hand and a pen in the other, clearly busy.
"Boss, you're here," Ma Shiming said, rising to greet him.
"Yes, Mr. Ma. Thank you for all your hard work. How's the handover with Jardines Matheson going?" Lin Haoran asked casually, taking a seat.
"Everything is proceeding smoothly. Jardines hasn't caused any trouble. If things continue at this pace, we'll be done in three to four days. I'm planning to visit Kwai Chung Terminal No. 5 after wrapping up here," Ma Shiming said with a smile.
"Good, that puts my mind at ease," Lin Haoran nodded.
"Oh, and boss," Ma Shiming added, handing over a newspaper, "your influence is spreading. Even American media are reporting on you now. Here, take a look."
It was the Wall Street Journal, featuring Lin Haoran's photo on the front page with a headline that read, "A New Giant in Global Business: Lin Haoran and His Commercial Empire."
Lin Haoran smiled faintly. He knew international media often exaggerated but also recognized that growing influence naturally attracted more attention.
Reading the article, he saw it detailed his rapid rise from a wealthy heir to a heavyweight figure in Hong Kong and Asia's economy.
It discussed the Land Group privatization, Wanqing Group's overseas expansion, and Lin Haoran's strategic moves across real estate, finance, and infrastructure sectors, praising his keen insight into future economic trends.
While such recognition was flattering, Lin Haoran remained grounded.
His journey was just beginning.
With Hong Kong and Southeast Asia under his belt, his next target was the world's strongest economy—the United States.
And there, everything was still unknown.
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