In the original time and space, in the process of the return of Xiangjiang, the commercial force that could stir up the wind and rain the most and drag it back the most was none other than Jardine Matheson, a veteran British-funded foreign firm that claimed to be "the Xiangjiang that has always represented the colonial era".

First of all, on 28 March 1984, at a critical stage in the negotiations on the future of Hong Kong, Jardine Matheson moved its registered place from Hong Kong to Bermuda, the British Autonomous Region, which brought a violent shock to the economic environment of Hong Kong.

On March 27, 1987, Jardine Matheson began to play the number game of stocks again, announcing that 1 share would give 4 B shares, and the par value of B shares was 2 jiao, which was only equivalent to one-tenth of the par value of Jardine A shares, but had the same voting rights as A shares.

Jardine Matheson's plan to issue B shares immediately caused an uproar in Hong Kong. Four days later, Li Bancheng's Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa also followed suit and announced the issuance of B shares.

The actions of these large consortia were understood as the intention of "reducing A-shares, increasing B-shares, and withdrawing funds", which immediately caused some small and medium-sized listed companies to follow suit, triggering a wave of shareholders selling stocks.

Amid strong opposition, Cheung Kong and Hutchison held a press conference on April 7 to announce their plan to voluntarily cancel the issuance of B shares.

The next day, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the China Securities Regulatory Commission issued a joint statement prohibiting the listing of new B shares.

As a result, Jardine Matheson's B-share plan was stillborn, but the adverse effects that could be caused were difficult to recover.

But the cunning Jardine Matheson did not give up the plan of capital flight, but just divided the whole plan into several steps to make the outside world look less dazzling.

Then. The entire Jardine Matheson shares are listed on the first stage of the Heung Kong Stock Exchange and are subject to the supervision of the Heung Kong Securities Regulations, in other words. Heung Kong is the main regulatory centre of Jardine Matheson.

In order to exempt Hong Kong from the supervision of the securities regulations, Jardine Matheson and the securities regulatory authorities of Hong Kong launched a fierce struggle that lasted for five years.

The first step was in May 1990, when Jardine Matheson announced that it would make a secondary listing in London, and that it would switch to international accounting standards for the preparation of corporate accounts and the use of US dollars as the unit of calculation. It was then listed in Sydney, Australia and Singapore.

The second step was in March 1991, when Jardine Matheson prepared to move its primary listing status from Hong Kong to London. and applied for a listing exemption in Hong Kong.

To this end, Jardine Matheson advised Heung Kong to tailor a type of listed company called a "pure trading company", which would only be subject to overseas listing rules. However, it is not subject to the Listing Rules, the Takeovers and Mergers Code and the Code on Buybacks of Shares by the Company.

At the same time, Jardine Matheson threatened to cancel its listing in Hong Kong if the proposal was rejected.

Remove all kinds of tricks that hide people's ears. The core logic of Jardine Matheson is actually very simple. That is to say, while doing business in Xiangjiang and making money from Xiangjiang people, it does not accept the supervision of Xiangjiang.

Jardine's request immediately aroused a strong reaction from public opinion in Hong Kong.

No one is stupid, once this precedent is set, it will inevitably attract more listed companies to follow suit, just like the previous plan to issue B shares, and seriously undermine the integrity of the Hong Kong market. and cause injustice to minority shareholders.

When the time comes, Xiangjiang will really become an empty shell.

In order to ease the pressure of public opinion. Jardine Matheson undertakes to continue to comply with the Takeovers and Mergers Code for a period of three years following the withdrawal of Hong Kong's primary listing status.

On September 7, 1992, Jardine Matheson's primary listing in London came into effect. The following day, Heung Kong became the second listed area of Jardine Matheson Holdings.

Because secondary listed companies mainly rely on the local regulators of the primary listing, the regulators in Hong Kong have taken a back seat.

On the surface, it seems that Jardine Matheson can take a break, and the whole incident is about to come to an end for the time being.

However, on March 24, 1994, Jardine Matheson took the final step, and on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the re-domiciliation of Bermuda, Jardine Matheson Holdings issued the most shocking statement in its more than a century and a half in Hong Kong: it decided to terminate the secondary listing status of Jardine Matheson shares in Hong Kong and withdraw from the Hong Kong stock market from December 31, 1994.

Jardine Matheson's statement once again had an impact on the Hong Kong stock market, and the Hang Seng Index, which was originally rising, fell sharply by 400 points at one point.

In this way, Yihe, who has been fishing for gold in China for more than 100 years, ran away from the Xiangjiang River gorgeously, leaving behind all kinds of panicked chicken feathers, but the relevant parties had nothing to do but watch.

Compared with Jardine's behavior and moral integrity, the deep-seated meaning of "the responsibility of the first Xiangjiang consortium" emphasized by Tang Huan is self-evident.

Under his control, it is naturally impossible for Jardine Matheson to make any more waves, adding fuel to the already extremely complicated situation in Xiangjiang, and even ordinary people can't think about celebrating their birthdays.

How did You De know that Tang Huan still had these twists and turns in his heart. In his view, since the British government is promoting the privatization of British state-owned assets, it is not unacceptable for Jardine Matheson, which has been defeated by Jinyu, to change to a well-capitalized owner, as long as it continues to ensure its British attributes and the rights and interests of British shareholders, it will be considered a successful remedy.

As for Simon. Keswick's running around, jumping up and down, his motivation is nothing more than that he has always regarded Jardine as the ancestral business of his family, and he is not allowed to be touched by outsiders, and his vision and pattern are too small.

It has to be said that this is the difference between politicians and businessmen in terms of starting point. Keswick may not understand that the more he goes to Youde to exert pressure, the more he shows the depreciation of the role he can play in Xiangjiang.

Since the atmosphere was good and the speculation was discussed, the time in the car was obviously not enough, so Youde, who knew that Tang Huan had spent less than two hours flying from Baodao to Xiangjiang, unceremoniously followed the other party to the office, sipping tea and discussing, in order to set up a set of friendships while the iron was hot.

Regarding the situation of Jardine Matheson, Tang Huan, in addition to the general principles, avoided talking about it on the grounds that "the specific situation has not had time to listen to the report".

Youde didn't care, because he had other topics and wanted to communicate with Tang Huan.

"As far as I know, Mr. Tang has been investing in Xiangjiang for about three or four years, and I don't know what you think about the future development of Xiangjiang. What hope is there? Youde put down his teacup and asked.

"When Sir Youde asked, I really had an idea." Tang Huan replied slowly with a deep groan. "That's about high-quality talent, and the high-tech nature of my company determines how sensitive it is, and there's always been a feeling of unfulfilled desire to hire."

"It must be admitted that higher education in Hong Kong is still at a very backward stage." Youde nodded, "At present, there are only two recognized universities in Xiangjiang - Xiangjiang University and Xiangjiang Chinese University, and as for the junior colleges, there are only Polytechnic, Lingnan College, Shue Yan College and Heung Kong Baptist College. As a result of very few of the graduates of Heung Kong secondary schools, only 2 per cent of Hong Kong secondary school graduates have access to higher education in Hong Kong. ”

Speaking of which. Youde suddenly remembered something, "I heard that you have been actively running the project of the Xiangjiang Academy of Performing Arts?" ”

"Yes, I have an entertainment company in Xiangjiang. Naturally, they will be more enthusiastic. I found Hong Kong to be in nurturing talent in the performing arts. It has always been the Shaw Brothers artist training class, TVB artist training class, Qianli's artist training class, etc., these commercial institutions spontaneously undertake tasks, which can be regarded as self-production and self-use for the company, but for artists, they often lack a formally recognized qualification, resulting in the inconvenience of talent flow and the lack of an international pattern. ”

After Tang Huan carefully explained his original intention, he smiled bitterly. "But it's a pity that a higher education institution was established. It is not just funding that can be used to get the project off the ground, and the official response seems to have been inefficient. ”

"Questions before taking office. I don't know, but I promise that I will start to promote the establishment of the Heung Kong Academy of Performing Arts when I go back. Youde decided on the spot that there was no reason for him to let go of the ready-made political achievements in front of him.

"That's good, of course." Tang Huan snorted a haha, and said in his heart that if the Xiangjiang Academy of Performing Arts could be established two years earlier than the original time and space, it would really have a lot of benefits, at least it would make it not so easy for TVB to cultivate retainers and control artist resources through TVB artist training classes.

"Since the 1970s, Heung Kong's electronic components, clocks and watches, electrical appliances and other electronic industries have developed rapidly, becoming the second largest pillar industry after the textile industry, accounting for more than 16% of the total export value this year."

Youde, who had done his homework well, looked at Tang Huan with a smile after counting Xiangjiang's advantages in the field of electronics industry, "Moreover, it has recently attracted many American video game console companies to build factories and put them into production, which should also be Mr. Tang's best industry, but it seems that you are here in Xiangjiang, this kind of action is not very big." ”

"Among these video game console companies, there is Atari, the second largest video game company in the United States after my EA." Tang Huan smiled playfully, and said in his heart You wait to be pitted, it won't take a year for Atari to retreat from here.

"It turns out that Mr. Tang also knows these situations, so why did he fall behind them?" Youde asked eagerly.

"Actually, I had set up a factory in Heung Kong to cope with the sudden shortage of products in the global supply chain, but I quickly relocated to the opposite special zone." Tang Huan took a sip of the teacup, "I'm over there, and I can enjoy more preferential policies." ”

After hearing this, Youde was slightly stunned, slightly embarrassed, Tang Huan refused in disguise.

However, it is normal to encounter these differences in the conversation, otherwise it would be abnormal, because Tang Huan is currently powerful in Xiangjiang and has his own interests, and it is impossible to be submissive in front of the Hong Kong governor and sell well all the time.

Seeing that the big things were almost in place, Youde, who has studied Chinese literature a lot, began to have a lot of ups and downs.

After this link, Youde, who got up to say goodbye, said: "I know that Mr. Tang is very good in the mainland, so after Jardine Matheson is acquired by you, it is not an opportunity, and I hope that Mr. Tang can help more in the business exchanges between the mainland and Xiangjiang." ”

"It's a matter of duty." Tang Huan nodded happily and gave a gift, "I heard that Sir Youde loves music, and this is the latest high-tech product of my company - CD player, record, and home stereo. Compared with traditional dense records, digital music will bring a completely different HIFI experience to listeners, I hope you will enjoy it. ”

A big man like Tang Huan can still put his heart into his favor, Youde is very happy, accepts it gladly, and after thanking him, he got in the car and left.

Looking at the Hong Kong governor's car that was gradually moving away, Tang Huan rubbed his nose and muttered, "This British old man who can be called a master of China, can really say it!" ”

"But on the surface, the other side is not hostile, and it seems that it is relatively easy to get along with." Zhou Mi added with a smile.

"That's because we have the strength that the other side has to respect." After Tang Huan snorted, he continued: "Overall, from now on, the Hong Kong Governor should be able to recognize the situation. Of course, there may be exceptions. ”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan remembered the last Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten in the original time and space, a veteran politician who caused a lot of trouble.

"When New Bijian heard that you arrived in Xiangjiang, he rushed over immediately, do you want to see him?" After returning to the office, Zhou Mi asked.

Tang Huan frowned, "I didn't move the position of Chairman Jardine of New Bijian, what did he want to do when he came over to see me in such a hurry?" ”

Zhou Mi smiled, "Newbi wants you to cash in before he and Simon. Keswick reached an agreement in which the board of directors of Jardine Matheson paid 1 million pounds, and New Bijian stepped down from the chairmanship of Jardine Matheson ahead of schedule and returned to England. ”

"That agreement is Simon. Why should I pay for Keswick's offer to kick out New Walls so that he can get on top of the throne? ”

Tang Huan had a wicked smile on his face, "Besides, New Bijian is still very useful, and the idea of letting the British deal with the British depends largely on him to realize it, especially that Simon. Keswick is really a big problem, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of his old rival Nebijian. ”

Hearing that Tang Huan had this plan, Zhou Mi opened his mouth wide in surprise, "Everyone thinks that it is necessary and feasible to use razing to defeat us, but it is unlikely that New Bijian, a leader-type important person who fought with us to the death before, will be of use to us." ”

"How do you know the result if you don't try? Anyway, let me pay this £1 million pension, I won't do it! Tang Huan shrugged.

As soon as Zhou Mi was about to speak, he knocked on the door and walked in, forcing him to shut up and walk out of the office to make room for him to negotiate.

Sure enough, after New Bijian sat down, he directly explained his intention.

"That's you and Simon. The terms of the deal after the political struggle between the Keswicks, I think, have no reason to be held responsible. Tang Huan replied more simply and more bluntly.

"That's not a trading condition, you can go and look up the board's papers." Newbi said loudly in a huff.

"This kind of fig leaf, tearing it off is all kinds of embarrassment, do you think I look like a wronged person?" Tang Huan had a smile on his face, but the words that came out of his mouth were cold.

Seeing that there was no room for maneuver, New Bijian no longer swallowed his anger, snapped the ground, slapped the table, and stood up, "Then I'll wait for you to send a notice of dismissal." (To be continued......)