Since his inauguration on 20 May, the new Governor of Hong Kong, Youde, has been preoccupied by the fall of Jardine Matheson.

MacLehose, his predecessor, who had achieved outstanding political achievements, put a lot of pressure on his successor, and as a result, he had to be clamored by his country's businessmen who were making money in the Far East, which was really miserable.

Now Youde's most frightening person is probably Simon. Keswick, but he had no way to avoid it, after all, the Keswick family represented by this person owned about 10% of the shares of Jardine Matheson, and Jardine Matheson was the largest British consortium in the Far East, which was of great significance.

But the matter has come to this point, there is no way back, Youde has no way to face the current chicken feathers, and can only blame you Yihe for not knowing the depths, to provoke Tang Huan, a nouveau riche in Silicon Valley, and losing the financial resources, what do you want to do if you don't admit it?

Simon. When Keswick pestered Youde all day, he had no choice but to deal with a business war in the Far East caused by personal feuds when the British government was in the grip of the Falklands War, a war that they could not afford to lose.

As for Simon. Keswick's proposal aimed at Tang Huan to freeze his commercial interests in game consoles, computers, movies and other aspects in the UK, and the British official shook his head again and again.

Just kidding, don't you know that Tang Huan, the richest man in the United States created by Wall Street, has become a typical representative of the interests of the high-tech industry in the United States? There are more than 10,000 high-quality employees in the United States alone, and it is very likely that the unreasonable manipulation is a hornet's nest.

Moreover, Tang Huan's relationship network is extremely complicated, such as his relationship with the female ship king Christina and the Kuwait Investment Authority, taking advantage of the British government's push of some BP shares to the public trading market. Really inhaled a lot of share.

All in all. It's a question of "okay?" Is it worth it? Do you dare? "The game of strength. Britain, whose economic situation is already sluggish, does not want to tear up its face with Tang Huan for the sake of a Jardine at this time.

Simon. Naturally, Keswick was not willing to stop there, and continued to actively campaign and lobby.

Not to mention, he really got some help, and the attempt of the Xiangjiang official to intervene and the appearance of the "White Knight" are one of the results.

But all this effort. After all of them went on a trip to Tanghuan Island and returned injured, they became a bubble.

Tang Huan rescued hundreds of Argentine soldiers and actively campaigned for the wartime rights and interests of the British living in the Falklands, fully demonstrating the presence of the United Nations and brilliantly completing the tasks of United Nations Secretary-General Perez. The task of the special envoy of humanitarian observation given by de Cuellar has become an international good man of concern from all sides, and it can be said that the bull fork shines brightly, illuminating the earth, and Jardine wants to secretly stumble at this juncture. It's a self-inflicted humiliation.

When the news came from Xiangjiang that Qinhe had obtained a controlling stake in Jardine Matheson, the West Gate jumped up and down. Keswick. got a clear reply from Downing Street, "Don't make trouble yet, we will take the opportunity to negotiate this matter with Tang Huan in person." ”

"What kind of fuss, I'm doing this for the strategic interests of the British Empire in the Far East." Simon. Keswick's nose was almost crooked, and he felt that this answer might as well not have it, because when he lobbied further, the attitude of the various forces was obviously not as enthusiastic as before.

In life, you must know the trade-offs, surfing in the business sea, and you need a quality of knowing the current affairs, otherwise you can't even do the most basic stop loss.

Simon. Seeing that even the British authorities were about to recognize Tang Huan's successful acquisition of Jardine Matheson, Keswick had no choice but to retreat and shift the scope of the struggle from the external capital market to the internal enterprise group, striving for as much power as possible in all aspects.

It just so happened that Qinhe was going to hold a general meeting of shareholders, Simon. Keswick finally had a place to use again, and began to unite with the British shareholders in preparation for a protracted corporate civil war.

Jardine Matheson's UK shareholders were slow to respond, and they contacted Simon. Keswick's fanning of the flames is related.

Thinking he was almost ready, Simon. Keswick left for London, England to come to Xiangjiang, and found that he had not been away for too long, but the public opinion atmosphere here to discuss Jardine had changed so much that he was too uncomfortable.

The superficial cause of this capital war was the struggle for a controlling stake in Xiangjiang Telephone, so when Tang Huan successfully took all of Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson, he naturally had to show how much he favored and planned for Xiangjiang Telephone, and the first big operation was about this public service company.

Heung Kong Telephone announced that tariff adjustments will be made from the second half of the year, and the average reduction rate is expected to be no less than 10 percent, so that the daily life of the people of Hong Kong can more easily benefit from the development of the modern communications industry.

At the same time, Heung Kong Phone will introduce the latest telecommunications technology and equipment from Silicon Valley in the United States, provide caller ID, and even the latest applications such as telephone banking self-service. At that time, consumers in Hong Kong will enjoy the world-class convenience brought by high technology.

In addition to the textual description, Heung Kong Telephone also demonstrated a variety of devices that fully support dual-tone multi-frequency to prove that these promises are not false.

Consumers are the most sensitive to price, and Xiangjiang Phone has long held the franchise, and this time it took the initiative to reduce the tariff, which is simply a grace from God, and all this happened after Tang Huan mastered Xiangjiang Phone. In stark contrast, Jardine Matheson did not think so much about others when he became the owner of Xiangjiang Phone.

So, many people scolded Jardine for this greedy guy while holding the preferential promotional materials of Xiangjiang Phone, just not cleaning up, if it wasn't for it inserting a lever from it, Mr. Tang would definitely let everyone get these benefits at the beginning of this year.

Now it's okay, Jardine Matheson, who was completely defeated, not only handed back the Xiangjiang phone to Mr. Tang, but also put himself in, which is really self-inflicted.

Unlike the applause of consumers, the Dadong Telegraph Office was uneasy.

Previously, Xiangjiang Telephone was in charge of the local local telephone in Xiangjiang, and the Dadong Telegraph Bureau was responsible for Xiangjiang's external communications.

The Great Eastern Telegraph Office did not expect the proprietor, Swire & Co., to plan ahead. Guy is now in Hong Kong's four major British-owned foreign firms, and only Swire & Co. remains. Facing the fangs that Tang Huan had just closed. Swire & Co. did not dare to act rashly.

Tang Huan's ferocity at all costs for the sake of personal grievances really shocked everyone.

You must know that Tang Huan's recklessness at all costs means crazy money, regardless of profit and loss. Because everyone began to think that the Jardine Matheson that Tang Huan bought with his fighting spirit was a mess. And his subordinates have made a public statement.

When Jardine Matheson's British shareholders were engaged in tandem in London and preparing for infighting, Xiangjiang's meticulousness was thunderous in front of the media, because after preliminary statistics, he found that Jardine Matheson was heavily in debt and owed more than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Zhou Mi bluntly questioned, "Jardine Matheson series of companies have issued additional shares on the stock market to raise funds, where is the money now?" ”

Immediately, Qinhe invited the financial team. A larger-scale audit was launched.

There are even many rumours that British merchants have been using all sorts of shady methods. Put the wealth of Xiangjiang into his own pocket, and then take it to the United Kingdom to have a leisure, anyway, the Hong Kong government takes care of it, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption has also investigated the British before, but it is often in vain, and even no one can be found.

There is no doubt that this kind of public opinion is not only a blow to Jardine Matheson, but also affects the public image of other British-funded enterprises in Hong Kong.

Among the various social strata that have been discussing this, enthusiastic college students are undoubtedly the most special group, affected by the current Hong Kong stock market and real estate bubble, their employment, and the subsequent work and life pressure are very great, so it is natural that they are extremely dissatisfied with those greedy businessmen.

Among them, a history college student discussed the development of Jardine Matheson in his paper, and as a result, the article went directly out of the school and was widely quoted by the media.

……

On July 1, 1832, two Britons of Scots-born William Jardine were born in William Jardine. Jardinen and James Matheson – James. Ma Dichen founded the Jardine's foreign company in Guangzhou, China, mainly engaged in the trading of opium.

In 1833, the British Parliament ended the British East India Company's monopoly on Sino-British trade. As a result, Jardine's foreign company seized the opportunity to fill the vacuum left by the East India Company, and changed from the main agent of the East India Company to the largest British foreign company in Asia.

According to the description of the biography written by the Englishman, William. Jardine's is a brilliant planner, a tough negotiator and strategist, with a tough and serious personality, known as a workaholic, but "compassionate", constantly sending money to his less fortunate family in Scotland and his nephews who work in the company.

At the same time, William. Jardine is also known for its imperiousness and arrogance, and has been nicknamed the "Iron-headed Mouse".

In his office in the 13th line of Guangzhou, "CreekHong", "Yihe Xing", there is only one chair, only he can sit, and the guests can only stand forever.

William. Jardine's shrewdness, even during the period of coastal opium smuggling, was able to gain more converts, convincing the Prussian missionary Rev. Guo Shili.

In 1839, Lin Zexu imposed a ban on smoking. Jardine's personal trip to London lobbied the British government to go to war with the Manchus, and advocated the acquisition of the Xiangjiang River from the Qing Dynasty as a trading base.

In 1840, as Wilhelm. As Jardine wished, the Opium War broke out.

In 1841, when Hong Kong was occupied by the British, Jardine's & Co. purchased the first land for sale in Hong Kong for £565.

In the same year, William. Jardine's long-awaited election as a member of the British Parliament.

British Foreign Minister Henry. John. Temple complimented him: "Mr. Jardine's detailed guidance, assistance and information in the naval, military and foreign affairs provided to us in China has brought us satisfactory results. ”

In 1842, Jardine's moved its head office from Guangzhou to Xiangjiang and renamed it Jardine's Matheson.

In 1843, Shanghai Horizons & Co. was established.

In 1844, the first auction of land in Shanghai was also purchased by Jardine Matheson.

In 1872, Jardine Matheson began to abandon the opium trade in China, laundered it, and gradually diversified its investment business.

History has always been written by the victors, and to this day, the place names of many places in Xiangjiang, such as Jardine's Street, Jardine's Place, and Jardine's Hill, are related to these British, and their various glamorous and beautiful are all based on the bloody primitive accumulation of not treating the Chinese as human beings, exchanging opium for silver, and bloody.

Now that Jardine Matheson has been revealed, it owes more than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars in foreign debt, and if it were not for the various privileges it has had for a long time, I am afraid that it would have wanted to borrow so much money, and there would be no chance.

……

After all, history has been a long time ago, and the people of Hong Kong, who have long been taught a sense of belonging to Hong Kong by the former Governor MacLehose, may not be able to react much, but this figure of more than 10 billion is too eye-catching.

You must know that many Xiangjiang people are still struggling to the point of despair for a residence of dozens of square meters.

Jardine's old background was so thoroughly exposed that it immediately became the target of dissatisfaction for all people whose interests and demands could not be met in reality.

Zhou Mi even said, "If the British shareholders are still playing big names in London and don't hurry to Xiangjiang to hold a shareholders' meeting to discuss countermeasures, I will suggest that Mr. Tang let Jardine Matheson enter bankruptcy proceedings." As for the loss of this investment, we admit it. ”

Seeing that Zhou Mi is so ferocious, Simon. Keswick was so angry that he slammed the glass, but he didn't care about the shareholders who couldn't sit still, but worried about his ancestor's crumbling reputation in the midst of the uproar of public opinion.

There has been a petition to change the names of places like Jardine's Street, Jardine's Place and Jardine's Hill, which is a very bad sign.

William. Jardine had no children of his own, and his vast inheritance was inherited by the nephews of the Jardine family, and finally passed on to the Keswick family.

From 1970 to 1975, Henry Matheson, who was in charge of Jardine Matheson. Keswick, is Simon. Keswick's own elder brother belongs to the fourth generation of Keswick and the sixth Keswick.

Simon. Keswick originally wanted to follow his brother's example and kick out New Bijian and become the seventh Caesar of Jardine.

From this, it is not difficult to see that Simon. How much Keswick values his family's legacy. Naturally, he could not tolerate the founder of the family, William. Jardine's evaluation behind him, falling from the clouds to the dust.

This time I met the Governor of Hong Kong, Youde, Simon. Keswick directly demanded that the other side take measures to strictly control these public opinions.

Youde, who had some discomfort in his heart for the past two days, did not speak after listening.

However, he snorted dissatisfiedly in his heart, "You idiots, after you messed things up, you knew to come to put pressure on me." I don't want to think that my position in Jardine is almost gone, and I still waste energy on these insignificant things. ”

Obviously, from the perspective of the Governor of Hong Kong, Youde only wants to stabilize the situation in Xiangjiang as soon as possible. Keswick is still trying in vain to regain what he sees as his ancestral business, Jardine, and these two people can't pee in a pot at all.

See Simon. The impatience on Keswick's face became more and more obvious, and Youde slowly spoke without asking, "Tang Huan is coming to Xiangjiang." ”

"It's better for him to come." Simon. Keswick snorted.

"I'm going to meet him at the airport in person, in a private capacity." Youde glanced at Simon, who was already strong on the outside. Keswick, "Do you want to go with you?" (To be continued......)