We're building a super chaebol in Hong Kong

"Governor, how about this? Why don't you have Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie come over, and we can lay everything out on the table. That way, we won't have to trouble you to relay messages," Su Cheng suggested with a smile, not directly stating his conditions.

"That would be perfect. I'll call Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie right now. I imagine he must be quite anxious," Governor MacLehose said, nodding.

Just as MacLehose suspected, Lawrence Kadoorie was indeed feeling very uneasy.

That morning, every newspaper was discussing Su Cheng's acquisition of China Light and Power.

No one believed the Kadoorie family could stop Su Cheng, given his incredibly strong cash flow.

MacLehose acted quickly, using the office phone to contact Lawrence Kadoorie directly. Less than two minutes later, he hung up and returned to the sofa in the reception room.

"Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie said he'll be here in about twenty minutes," MacLehose told Su Cheng.

"I'm sorry to trouble you with my affairs, Governor," Su Cheng said with a smile.

"The government isn't quite as busy towards the end of the year, so it's no trouble at all. Besides, hosting Hong Kong's business elites is part of my job," MacLehose replied.

"Governor, hello. Mr. Su, hello," Lawrence Kadoorie said modestly as he entered, proactively shaking hands with MacLehose and Su Cheng.

"Let's sit down and talk," MacLehose said, gesturing to the sofa.

Once Lawrence Kadoorie was seated, MacLehose said, "Mr. Su and I have spoken. He said he might be willing to halt the acquisition of China Light and Power, but he has some conditions that you need to agree to. Why don't you discuss them first?"

Lawrence Kadoorie looked at Su Cheng and asked, "I wonder what conditions Mr. Su has in mind. Let's discuss them."

Hearing MacLehose say that Su Cheng might actually stop the acquisition of China Light and Power, Lawrence Kadoorie breathed a sigh of relief.

As far as he was concerned, as long as Su Cheng agreed, China Light and Power would remain a Kadoorie family enterprise.

As for the conditions, there would definitely be some bleeding this time, but he didn't know what the other party would ask for.

"Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie, I won't beat around the bush. If you want me to stop acquiring China Light and Power, then I want China Light and Power to cede a portion of its territory to Hongkong Electric. Otherwise, I will continue my acquisition efforts. You should know that becoming the largest shareholder of China Light and Power wouldn't be too difficult for me," Su Cheng said slowly.

His meaning was clear: either he acquired China Light and Power, or China Light and Power ceded some of its sphere of influence.

Just like between countries, the fate of a defeated party was either annexation or territorial cession.

Lawrence Kadoorie took a deep breath and asked, "Please be direct, Mr. Su. Which areas do you want us to cede?"

MacLehose also looked at Su Cheng with curiosity, wondering what demands Su Cheng would make.

"My conditions are very simple. The power supply areas of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, the New Territories, Tai Po, Islands District, as well as Tseung Kwan O and Clear Water Bay Peninsula, will be the responsibility of Hongkong Electric. I believe these areas won't have a significant impact on China Light and Power's overall operations!" Su Cheng stated bluntly, asking for a high price.

The so-called Islands District refers to the 262 islands besides Hong Kong Island, including Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Tai O Island, Cheung Chau Island, and other islands.

Currently, apart from a few islands south of Hong Kong Island, such as Lamma Island, the rest are basically within the sphere of influence of China Light and Power.

Of course, the vast majority of the islands are uninhabited. The population within China Light and Power's Islands District sphere of influence is mainly concentrated on Lantau Island, Tai O Island, Cheung Chau Island, and a few other islands. Islands like Sai Kung are basically uninhabited.

Hearing Su Cheng's words, not only Lawrence Kadoorie but even Governor MacLehose was surprised.

This was simply asking for the moon!

Su Cheng was indeed asking for the moon. He knew that Lawrence Kadoorie would definitely not agree to this. Although they would still have the power supply in the core area of Kowloon, the area would be reduced by nearly ten times.

"Impossible, Mr. Su. Your appetite is too big. Apart from the Kowloon area, the rest is the foundation that China Light and Power has built over the years by gradually acquiring other power plants. If we give it all to you, then our China Light and Power would be reduced to its original form!" Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie said, standing up in agitation.

"Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie, please calm down. As far as I know, the power generation in the Kowloon area accounts for almost 90% of China Light and Power's total. Besides, I didn't ask you to cede Shatin and Tsuen Wan, which are relatively close to Kowloon. So, in reality, your losses aren't that great. Less than 10% of your business in exchange for the Kadoorie family continuing to control China Light and Power. What a worthwhile deal.

In addition, we will pay for the acquisition of power station equipment, land, etc. in other areas. We're not asking you to give them to us for free. I hope Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie can think clearly about the pros and cons. Is it better for me to continue competing with the Kadoorie family for China Light and Power, or to agree to my conditions?"

Su Cheng said calmly, looking at Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie, who was trembling with anger.

"No matter what, we cannot agree. If Mr. Su really wants to do this, then we can only settle things in the business world. The Kadoorie family has accumulated a lot of wealth over the years. If we are willing to spare no expense, the Kadoorie family will definitely reach 50% of the shares before Mr. Su. At that time, China Light and Power will still be led by the Kadoorie family," Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie said angrily.

Of course, everyone knew that Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie was just saying that out of anger. If they really spared no expense to compete with Su Cheng, the Kadoorie family would only end up battered and bruised.

"Mr. Su, Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie, how about this? Let's each take a step back. Mr. Su, don't ask for too much. Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie, you should also concede a little. Let's sit down and talk it over. There's an old Chinese saying, 'In the application of ritual, harmony is prized,' only then can we create wealth in harmony!" MacLehose stepped forward to mediate.

If this continued, he was really afraid that Su Cheng and Lawrence Kadoorie would start arguing in the office.