Reborn in Hong Kong: The Tycoon Grows Up

Taikoo \u0026 Co., Ltd. is an old British-owned foreign company that was engaged in trade with China during the Qing Dynasty. Today, Swire is a multinational company with roots in Asia. Its business in Greater China mostly uses the name Swire. Swire Pacific Limited, a subsidiary of Swire \u0026 Co., Ltd., is a conglomerate listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Swire \u0026 Co. is the most influential commercial and trading institution in modern China, second only to Jardine Matheson \u0026 Co. Its predecessor was John Swale \u0026 Co., which was founded in 1816. Swire \u0026 Co. is mainly engaged in the shipping industry. In 1867, it organized the China Shipping Company with a rated capital of one million pounds. In 1872, Taikoo Steamship Company was established, becoming one of the three major shipping companies along with Jardine Steamship Company and Qichang Steamship Company. The Shanghai-Hong Kong route was opened, and the Yangtze River route was added in 1875. Later, it gradually expanded China's coastal routes and overseas routes. In addition to the shipping industry, Swire \u0026 Co. is also involved in other fields. In 1881, several large pieces of land in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island were acquired to build the Taikoo Sugar Refinery, which was officially put into operation in 1883.

In the market outlook, no matter how Chinese capital rises in Hong Kong, the Swire family will always control Taikoo Matheson among the four oceans in Hong Kong. Many people say that wealth can last only three generations, but the Schweizer family has been rich for six generations in the market outlook.

Although it is weaker than Jardine in terms of strength, it still controls the company. The Schweizer family has always been stronger than the Keswick family in terms of business control. This is why no one in Swire \u0026 Co. has been able to make decisions, because the controlling family's control of the business is too stable.

But with the passage of time and the diversification of corporate operations, Swire itself is a listed company. Even the Schweizer family's holdings in the company are only a little over three levels. This is determined by the Hong Kong Listed Company Law, and it is also an opportunity for Bao Zixuan. If the Schweizer family's shareholding reaches 49%, there will really be no chance.

Looking at the turbulent stock market at this time, John Schweizer finally understood Shen Bi's reminder. Although HSBC's executive officer has a transcendent status in Xiangjiang, he is still a migrant worker after all, and these veteran British rich people may not necessarily listen to you in everything.

After Shen Bi retires, he can only receive a pension, but there is no such thing as retirement for York-Shwaya. Even if he retires, his son will take over, and everyone should still respect him.

Things are a bit tricky this time, and Etaiko's cash reserves are simply not able to withstand the black clouds. The most important thing is that the company's people are disorganized. They all hope that Heiyun will buy shares, and some even start to plan their treatment after Bao Zixuan arrives. This is a dangerous signal. It is no longer the time to care about face. If you want to get through the difficulties, you still have to find Shen Bi and HSBC behind him.

At present, it is not only Heiyun that is making acquisitions, but other small and medium-sized retail investors are also absorbing a large number of shares of Taikoo Matheson. At this time, everyone in Xiangjiang understood that they could definitely make money by following Bao Shaofu. Looking at Swire's stock price rising, it appears that the Swire family's assets are increasing, but once the stock price is artificially high, it is definitely not a good thing for the stable development of the controlling family and the company.

A small fluctuation can make the Shihuai Ya family suffer for a long time. However, in recent years, the overseas expansion has been too rapid and there is not much funds for emergencies.

In fact, not only Swire \u0026 Co., but other British-funded enterprises in Hong Kong are also vigorously developing overseas business. Although there is no consensus on the return of Xiangjiang at this time, as the top British family has been in Xiangjiang for so long, no one is optimistic that Britain can continue to manage Xiangjiang in 1997. It is impossible for China to let such a thing happen, otherwise it will become a laughing stock internationally, and who else will take you seriously?

Although he was reluctant, Yorke-Shihuaya still dialed Shen Bi's phone number. He understands that if he wants to stabilize the stock price, HSBC must take action, and no one else can have this strength. Moreover, it is impossible for Chinese capital to help him. Bao Zixuan is a flag of the Chinese people in Hong Kong.

Shen Bi was very happy when he received the call from York-Shihuaya. On the surface, these established families who considered themselves aristocrats respected him; but the inner monologue was probably only known to the person involved. Now that they are asking for it on themselves, they should feel uncomfortable.

After York-Shihuaya arrived at the HSBC executive office, he felt a little uncomfortable when he saw Shen Bi sitting there. After all, he didn't go down to greet him, which made him feel unappreciated. But now the situation is weaker than others, and there are still demands from the other party, so we can only endure it for a while.

After seeing York Shuaiya come in, Shen Bi stood up and said, "Welcome, Mr. Shuaiya. I just had something to do and didn't go down to greet you. I hope you won't be offended."

Although Shen Bi knew that the other party wanted something from him, he still had to give him the face he deserved. After this incident, Bao Zixuan will definitely be offended. If York-Shihuaiya is made to hate him, then he will really lose his wife and lose his troops, which is not worth the loss.

York-Shihuaya: "Master Shen Bi has a lot of things to do every day, so don't worry too much. We are all citizens of the British Empire, so there is no need for red tape! I came here this time because I have something to ask for help from Master Shen Bi. Given the years of friendship between HSBC and Swire, , please give me some face, Mr. Shen."

In fact, Shen Bi doesn't really want to pay attention to Yorke-Shihuaya. If there are two people in Xiangjiang who don't give Shen Bi face. One is Simon Keswick; the other is definitely York Swire. At their peak, Jardine Matheson and Swire Matheson were no less powerful than HSBC, and Potian Shen Bi was just a high-level wage earner.

Shen Bi: "Swire Pacific is strong, so why does it need HSBC's help?"

York-Shihuaya: "Don't laugh at me, Mr. Shen Bi. I didn't pay attention to your previous reminder. I would like to apologize to you. I think Cathay Pacific is not a listed company, and Bao Zixuan just has money, but has no ability in the country." There is a way. But who would have thought that he would dare to take action against Taikoo Yang."

"The previous acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa was not enough. I really thought that our Swire family was easy to bully. But then again, the overseas expansion has been too fast in recent years, which has made the headquarters' funds a little tight. Therefore, this time I want to dismantle part of it from HSBC. Also, you have had contact with Bao Zixuan and understand his character and temperament; I would like to ask you for advice on how to deal with this crisis."

After Bao Zixuan acquired Hutchison Whampoa and Yukang Pao acquired Wharf, there were some changes in Hong Kong's listed company law. The shareholding ratio has changed from the original 49% to 33.4%. The purpose is to protect established British-owned enterprises. After all, the controlling proportion of established British-owned enterprise holding families is not high due to their age. It would be nice to have a guarantee if there was any trouble, but who would have thought that Bao Zixuan was completely throwing money away just to tear off a piece of flesh from Taikoo Yanghang.

Shen Bi: "Bao Zixuan fought against Swire \u0026 Co. Ltd. just to get Cathay Pacific. I guess he had made similar acquisition intentions to Swire \u0026 Co. Ltd. before."

In fact, after Bao Zixuan failed to acquire HSBC's shares in China Thai Airways, he actually made an acquisition application to Swire Pacific. But despite Shen Bi's reminder at the time, Yorke Shuaiya still treated him as a joke. After all, Cathay Pacific is one of Swire's most important assets and cannot be sold easily.

Jingren directly rejected Heiyun's acquisition intention, and his attitude was very tough, even a little harsh. This strengthened Bao Zixuan's determination to make Taikoo Yangxing suffer.

Yorke Swire: "I really don't care, but the top priority now is how to solve the problem of Taikoo Matheson. If Taikoo changes hands, all the family's efforts for so many years will be wasted. So I would like to ask for your help to see how to deal with this problem." crisis. We don’t want the Chinese to control Hong Kong’s economy, so on this point we still have the same opinion!”

Shen Bi; "There are two ways to solve this dilemma now. One is to give up Cathay Pacific. Let Bao Zixuan complete the acquisition. Only in this way can he eliminate his anger."

York-Shihuaya's nose was almost crooked when he heard it. If I did this, I would still ask you; I would come over to beg you. It's so natural. So he said with a little anger: "Master Shen Bi should suggest the second way!"