"No, the information is very detailed. I'm referring to your methods: inflating the price to attract hot money from outside the market, shorting the stock to make a profit, driving down the share price, and then creating some rumors outside the market to acquire this listed company?" Jonathan Gore scratched his thinning hair. "Isn't this a child's game? Although I see that the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's system seems imperfect, your method is far too naive, and the success rate... to be frank, unless the other party is an idiot, I almost see no chance of success."
"Naive?" Luo Zhuankun's eyes widened. Based on Song Tianyao's trust, the entire plan to acquire Xizhen Properties could be said to have been personally designed by Luo Zhuankun. He had already meticulously planned it, and when he told Song Tianyao about it, Song Tianyao also felt that it was highly feasible. But now this old Britain guy was describing it as naive? And impossible to succeed?
Jonathan Gore rustled the documents in his hand. "Your primary target is the publicly traded shares in the stock market, which is a mistake from the start. If you want to acquire a listed company, your first consideration should be obtaining shares from the major shareholders. First target: the Lin Family; second target: Jardine. You shouldn't even consider the publicly traded shares first. Those are desserts, understand? You only consider eating them when the main course is finished."
"The Lin Family is unlikely to sell their shares. As for Jardine, the Lin Family has the right of first refusal to buy back the shares held by Jardine Matheson. That right alone can completely shut us out." Luo Zhuankun slowed his speech and said to Jonathan Gore in English, "It is only after considering that these two goals cannot be achieved that I have turned my attention to the stock market, initially accumulating shares of Xizhen Properties in the stock market."
Jonathan Gore looked down at the documents in his hand for a while, then looked up at Luo Zhuankun again. "Is my understanding of the right of first refusal different from yours? I don't understand what you mean by being shut out?"
"We made an offer, and the Lin Family made an offer. If the prices are the same, Jardine will sell the shares to the Lin Family." Luo Zhuankun glanced at Song Tianyao, who seemed to be flipping through a newspaper beside him, before answering Jonathan Gore.
"Are you really that stingy? Since you're so eager to get Xizhen Properties's stock, how could you possibly offer the same price as the Lin Family? Of course, you should offer a higher price to drive up the stock price. The higher the price, the greater the pressure on the Lin Family, while Mr. Song will have an easier time. I need to ask you, Mr. Song, are you absolutely determined to acquire Xizhen Properties?" Jonathan Gore knew that the middle-aged man in front of him was the one who had carried out the previous plan. Now, the man's series of questions seemed more like an interview.
Song Tianyao put down the newspaper and nodded. "Of course, we must have it."
"That's right. The first rule of acquisition is to scare the target company first, rather than directly starting a war. It's like two people facing off with daggers. The one who strikes first is the one who intends to kill. If the person who strikes second stabs and even kills the other, it's just excessive self-defense or legitimate self-defense."
"Mr. Gore, what do you mean by 'scary'?" Luo Zhuankun asked again when Song Tianyao didn't ask.
Jonathan Gore blinked his beautiful blue eyes, a sly smile on his face, "Go and openly contact Jardine. Ask them if they want to sell the shares. A 50% premium, a 100% premium, no problem. Even a 200% premium is acceptable. In short, let everyone, especially the Lin Family, know that Mr. Song is determined to acquire Xizhen Properties. Throw the pressure and the ball in the Lin Family, let them react first. If they make serious mistakes or misjudgments in their reaction, that's when we should step in."
Luo Zhuankun frowned. "But the Lin Family has close ties with Jardine, while we have no connection with Jardine. Jardine may not be willing to talk to us."
"Then tell Jardine that we have money, lots of money. Lying to big companies without batting an eye is a required course in this industry." Jonathan Gore sat behind his desk, comfortably leaning back in his chair, and put his hands behind his head in a relaxing gesture, as he spoke to Luo Zhuankun.
Song Tianyao stood up and walked out. Just before leaving the door, he turned around and looked at Jonathan Gore behind his desk. "Mr. Gore, from now on, you are the General Manager appointed by the board of directors of Zhaofeng Trading."
Chapter 366 John Keswick and His Jardine
Luo Zhuankun sat in his office and let out a heavy sigh. This old guy that Song Tianyao had brought from Britain seemed to be his natural enemy. This old guy was now telling Luo Zhuankun and his men to stop their actions against Xizhen Properties in the stock market and wait for his instructions.
Fortunately, even if Luo Zhuankun stops pushing up Xizhen Properties 'Xizhen Properties stock price, the stock is still on an upward trend. However, this situation won't last long. Without the large amount of funds that Luo Zhuankun holds to drive up the price, Xizhen Properties's popularity and price will quickly fall after a few days.
"Mr. Luo, have your traders buy up shares of Prosperity Rubber on the stock market."
Jonathan Gore didn't keep Luo Zhuankun waiting long; he arranged a new company for Luo Zhuankun on the second day after his arrival in Hong Kong.
"You mean, we're not only helping the Lin Family raise the stock price of Xizhen Properties, but now we're also helping them boost the stock price of Prosperity Rubber? You should know that there are no limits on stock price increases..." After receiving Jonathan Gore's call, Luo Zhuankun got up and went to the other party's office, pushed open the door, and asked Jonathan Gore, who was bent over his desk looking at documents.
"In Hong Kong, do you not need to knock before entering someone's office?" Jonathan Gore put down the documents in his hand, looked up at Luo Zhuankun, his expression seemingly cynical, yet also with a half-smile, his bright blue eyes gleaming.
Luo Zhuankun's voice was icy, his face expressionless. "Mr. Gore, I need to remind you that Prosperity Rubber is a tool Lin Family to raise money in the stock market. The money raised will be used to repurchase the shares held by Jardine Matheson."
"I know, is there a problem? When I have the authority to make decisions about something, you'd better do as I say, or I'll have that young Mr. Song find someone more obedient to do things for me," Jonathan Gore said with a yawn, looking somewhat dejected.