Giant of the times

The decline of Wang An Computer Company is actually strengthening Li Zetian's company. There is nothing easier than poaching people from here, and the talents are still so outstanding!

"Mr. Li, Starbucks Marketing and Retail Manager Howard Schultz wants to see you. I wonder if you have time."

Dongfang Yuqin paused and then said, "He suggested that Starbucks open its own coffee shop, but the current Starbucks CEO did not accept his suggestion. So, he tried to find a way to contact me. I thought about it and felt that his suggestion It’s feasible, so…”

"Okay, I understand, let him come over now." Li Zetian nodded and said lightly.

"yes!"

Dongfang Yuqin immediately took out her "Big Brother" phone and dialed Howard Schultz's number.

"Hello, Howard, Mr. Li plans to see you, please leave as soon as possible!"

"Okay, Miss Dongfang, I'll leave right away. Thank you very much for your introduction!"

After saying that, Howard Schultz hung up the phone excitedly.

Two hours later, Howard Schultz arrived at Li Zetian's villa.

"Hello Mr. Li!"

"Well, hello, Howard, please sit down!"

Li Zetian said, "I already know part of your suggestion from my secretary. However, I also want to listen to you carefully about why Starbucks Company wants to build its own coffee shop."

Although Li Zetian knew that Howard Schultz created Starbucks in his previous life, Li Zetian still wanted to test him. Times have changed, there are many butterfly effects, and I don’t know whether Howard Schultz can lead Starbucks to glory.

Howard Schultz then told what he had experienced while on a business trip in France, expressed his love for coffee shops and analyzed the market prospects of coffee shops.

Li Zetian nodded frequently.

"Mr. Li, Starbucks originally operated top-quality coffee beans and high-end coffee equipment, and the brand is very high! If we open a coffee shop, it will be easier to connect and let people know that this is a high-end coffee shop!!!"

"After listening to what you said, I quite agree. Well, let's do it. From now on, Howard, you will be the new CEO of Starbucks, and you will be fully responsible for managing the company!"

As soon as Li Zetian finished speaking, Howard Schultz was stunned for a while. He could not believe that he had risen to the top so easily and suddenly became the top executive of Starbucks.

Li Zetian smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Why are you dazed? In my company, only elites can stay. As long as they are talents, I will not treat them badly. If Starbucks can be listed in the future, I promise to give you 5% of the shares!”

When Howard Schultz heard this, he became even more excited and vowed: "Mr. Li, don't worry, I will definitely live up to your expectations and work hard to develop Starbucks into a listed company!"

Li Zetian smiled and nodded, and immediately said, "It's already five o'clock in the afternoon, so you can stay and have dinner with us. Dongfang Yuqin, ask the chef to prepare more dishes."

"Okay, Mr. Li." Dongfang Yuqin responded, then turned and left.

Howard Schultz excitedly said to Li Zetian: "Mr. Li, thank you very much for your warm hospitality. It is a great honor to have dinner with you!"

Li Zetian smiled and said, "It's no big deal to have dinner."

At this time, Li Zetian couldn't help but think of Buffett's lunch. Buffett's lunch can be called a sky-high price lunch. Starting in 2000, a Buffett lunch auction has been held every year. The highest bidder can have lunch with the stock god Buffett. Over the years, the highest price in the auction is 3.45 million US dollars, which is simply scary!

"If I buy a Cronos lunch, how high will the price be?" Li Zetian thought curiously, "It must be more valuable than Buffett's lunch..."

Dinner was quickly prepared, and Howard Schultz finished his dinner and took his leave. He could swear that this was the most delicious dinner he had ever eaten in his life, and it was also the most unforgettable dinner.

Li Zetian is very satisfied with Howard Schultz. With him, Starbucks will take off. This is a Fortune 500 company that may have more than 90 billion US dollars in the future!

…

Two days later, Li Zetian and Dongfang Yuqin took a plane to Hong Kong. That day was September 23rd, when the Hong Kong dollar crisis broke out. The floating price of the Hong Kong dollar fell to 9.6 Hong Kong dollars for 1 U.S. dollar. Li Zetian still clearly remembers that when he first traveled to Hong Kong, 5 Hong Kong dollars could be exchanged for 1 U.S. dollar!

Yu Jingqiu's due date was in mid-November, so Li Zetian decided to get things done in Hong Kong in advance, and then go back to stay with her.

At this moment, Hong Kong’s future is uncertain and the situation is uncertain.

Li Zetian's arrival caused a huge sensation in Hong Kong.

Some people believe that Li Zetian came to Hong Kong this time to help China gain an advantage in negotiations with the United Kingdom. However, Li Zetian didn't want to get involved. His main purpose was to take advantage of the plummeting stock market to acquire companies in Hong Kong!

First, he plans to achieve absolute control of Hutchison Whampoa.

After getting off the plane, Li Zetian and Dongfang Yuqin went to Hutchison Whampoa Company to attend the board meeting.

Hutchison Whampoa Company is one of the four major foreign banks in Hong Kong. Since the negotiations between China and Britain, many foreign banks have moved their registration places or actual business focus out of Hong Kong. They have no confidence in Hong Kong. Li Zetian increased capital at this time, which was just the right time.

After the meeting began, Li Zetian made his request: "Right now, the situation in Hong Kong is complicated. Many foreign investors have withdrawn from Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's economy has been greatly affected. I know some of you also have such plans. Here, I am willing to invest in buying your shares in hand."

As soon as the words fell, everyone was shocked and looked at each other.

Li Zetian said calmly: "You can think about it for a few days, and you don't have to answer immediately. No matter what the outcome of the Sino-British negotiations is, Hutchison Whampoa will work hard in Hong Kong, invest in development, and even develop against the trend, spending huge sums of money to take pictures of Hong Kong's newer cities." So much land!!!”

Bucking the trend? !

Many shareholders on the spot muttered to themselves, if Hong Kong's economic situation deteriorates, wouldn't Hutchison Whampoa be in serious trouble? You Chronos Li have money and don't care about this loss, but what about us? How can we withstand such a blow?

"Mr. Li, I am willing to sell my shares!"

"I'm also willing to sell my shares!"

"..."

For a time, some people were afraid of being implicated and decided to sell their shares.

Li Zetian then said: "Okay, if you are willing to sell me the shares now, I can give you a 2% premium based on the current stock price."

Right now, the stock market is falling again and again, with no tendency to rise again. Hutchison Whampoa's stock will definitely fall sharply, and if it is sold later, its value will be seriously reduced.

Many shareholders have expressed their willingness to sell their shares.

After the meeting, Li Zetian signed an equity transfer agreement with them and spent US$270 million to obtain 25.5% of the shares. Adding the 22.5% of the shares he originally held, it was almost 48% of the shares. Some shareholders are still hesitant and say they need to think about it for a few more days.

Hutchison Whampoa is a listed company, and Li Zetian can hold 48% of the shares, which is enough to fully control it.

After a busy afternoon, Li Zetian and Dongfang Yuqin returned home.

As soon as he got home, Li Zetian was scolded by Xiao Zhixuan: "Tell me about you. When you came to Hong Kong, you didn't go home to visit your parents as soon as possible. Instead, you went to discuss business. Is it important for business to have parents? And you even treated Jingqiu. She stayed in the United States, and now she has a big belly and needs someone to keep her company."

Li Zetian made a sad face and said, "Okay, Mom, it's all my fault. However, the stock market crisis in Hong Kong is a rare opportunity. After I finish the matter, I will return to the United States immediately to be with Jing." Autumn."

"That's about it!"

Xiao Zhixuan thought for a moment and said, "If you can't go back to the United States now, then I will go to the United States tomorrow. I can't leave Jingqiu at home alone."

"Thank you, Mom!" Li Zetian smiled.

Zhou Qiqi was very happy when she saw Li Zetian coming back. She walked up to him and shouted: "Brother Zetian!"

"Oh, Qiqi, you are getting more and more beautiful as you grow! I remember, you should be in high school this year, right?"

When Zhou Qiqi heard Li Zetian compliment her on her beauty, she couldn't help but blush slightly, "Yes, I have just entered the first year of high school."

Now, in the blink of an eye, Zhou Qiqi is already 15 years old and has a slim appearance.

"High school is a very important learning stage in life. You must not delay your studies because of puppy love, you know!" Li Zetian reminded.

Zhou Qiqi pouted and murmured: "Who is falling in love prematurely? I don't like those little brats! They are not mature at all!"

Li Zetian shook his head and smiled, "You still call other people brats, how old are you yourself!"

"They are already 15 years old, and many 15-year-old children in mainland China are getting married and having children!"

Let me tell you where the little girl heard this news.

A black line appeared on Li Zetian's forehead.

Indeed, in this era, men and women in mainland China get married very early, especially girls in the countryside. There are actually 15-year-old girls!

"By the way, Mom, why isn't Dad at home?" Li Zetian turned to look at Xiao Zhixuan and asked.

"It's not because of the Sino-British negotiations. Your dad is very busy now and will only have time to go back home in three to five days." Xiao Zhixuan replied.

Li Chengzhi is the boss of Hong Kong Daily, the president of Umbrella University, and the father of Li Zetian. His multiple identities have made him a target of attraction from both China and Britain. He himself also actively participated in this negotiation and strived for the smooth conclusion of the negotiation.

"Okay, leave him alone, let's have dinner first. Yuqin, don't stand still, come and sit down!"

"Okay, Auntie!"

Everyone was eating a sumptuous dinner and chatting happily.

After dinner, Dongfang Yuqin helped Xiao Zhixuan wash the dishes.

Li Zetian and Zhou Qiqi were sitting on the sofa watching TV.

Zhou Qiqi suddenly said: "Brother Zetian, do you think it would be okay for me to go to Stanford University in the United States after I graduate from high school?"

"Don't want to go to Umbrella University?" Li Zetian asked.

"Dad is the president of Umbrella University. He is very strict. I won't go to Umbrella University!"

When Li Zetian heard this, he couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, then go to Stanford University to study. Umbrella University has only developed in a short time, and it cannot compare with Stanford University in many aspects. You can get a good education at Stanford University!"

"Yes!!!" Zhou Qiqi danced happily and said excitedly, "Brother Zetian, that's what we have decided. When the time comes, you have to help me convince my parents!"

"Ok, no problem!"