"Let's go back first."

Tang Bao's face was heavy, and he turned to leave. Nick and the others also knew that Tang Bao was in an unhappy mood at this time, so they didn't dare to speak, and silently followed.

……

Inside the hotel.

"Huh? The delivery was completed so quickly. Li Zhen said in surprise, Tang Bao went to sign today, and everything that should be talked about was finished, and she didn't follow, just waited in the hotel.

"Whew...... Got into trouble. Tang Bao smiled bitterly.

Then.

Tang Bao turned to Nick and instructed, "Go investigate the situation and see which Japanese company is interested in the American Southern Company." ”

In the 80s, it was a time when Japanese capital was crazy overseas, and all the companies they fancied would compete for it at any cost, and they didn't care about money. They are the biggest bunch of lunatics of our time! This group of madmen frightened the Americans and exclaimed, "Japan wants to buy the whole of America."

Therefore.

When Angela told him that the spoiler was a Japanese company, Tang Bao realized that the price he would pay to take down the American Southern Company was much greater than he had previously anticipated. Opponents don't mind spending much for the sake of holding the company, they care about the result.

The fact that the offer was raised to $500 million as soon as it was made shows the Japanese company's determination to win the American Southern Company.

"Boss, based on the information hinted at by Angela, I think I know the origin of this Japanese company. The American Southern Company does not have many partners in Japan, but the one with which it has the closest relationship is the Ito-Yokado Group. The Ito-Yokado Group introduced 7-Eleven convenience stores to Japan more than 10 years ago and obtained the authorization of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan, thus forming 7-Eleven Japan, which has been a phenomenal success. It is the most important partner of the American Southern Company in Japan! Nick said.

Ito-Yokado Group?

Tang Bao's brows furrowed slightly, as if searching for memories of this company. He knew that the "7-Eleven" brand was eventually acquired by a Japanese company, could it be this? He carefully recalled the information of Ito-Yokado in his mind, and it really reminded him of something.

Founded in 1920, Ito-Yokado, formerly known as Yokado Western-style store, is the largest retail enterprise in Japan, the fifth largest retailer in the world, and one of the world's top 500 companies. Its main fields include convenience stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, department stores, discount stores, and specialty stores.

Then.

Tang Bao also suddenly remembered that the American Southern Company was acquired by Ito-Yokado. However, the acquisition took place in 1991, when the Southern Company was running out of money and was about to go out of business. Now Tang Bao acquired it in advance, but he didn't expect it to cause Ito-Yokado's intervention.

But.

It is impossible for the shrewd and vigilant Japanese businessmen not to pay attention to the operation of the American Southern Company, and perhaps they have long planned to acquire the American Southern Company, but it is not willing to pay too high a price, and is still waiting for the best opportunity to acquire it. When they learned that Tang Bao suddenly killed halfway, they made a thunderous move.

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store is to be authorized by the Southern Company, and if the Southern Company changes hands, it may threaten their authorization, and Ito-Yokado cannot remain indifferent to this.

"Isn't it perpetual for Ito-Yokado to license the '7-Eleven' convenience store?"

"It should be a twenty-year license! The Southern Company once wanted to carry out direct expansion, but it was not ideal, so it authorized the brand to local enterprises, however, the company will choose the authorization period according to the shares it has obtained in the new company, and the authorization period will be shorter if it gets fewer shares, and vice versa. Maybe even a perpetual license! If memory serves, Southern owns only 24% of Japan's 7-Eleven, which has been trying to increase its stake in Japan's 7-Eleven, but has not been able to do so. Ito-Yokado is also trying to obtain a permanent license for the 7-Eleven brand in Japan, and Nanbu did not easily agree. Negotiations have been ongoing in recent years on the demands of both sides. "During his tenure at Southern Corporation, Nick also served as the company's legal counsel and knew everything about the company.

"Hmm."

Tang Bao nodded slightly, and it is not difficult to understand why Ito-Yokado would intervene in this transaction.

"Aren't you buying the Southern Company, why do you suddenly care about a Japanese company, is your trouble related to it?" Li Zhen said curiously.

"Well, you can't pay attention to it. Japan's Ito-Yokado Group stepped in on the deal, offering $600 million to the Southern Company at a critical moment, while Angela put the deal on hold with us. Tang Bao said slightly depressed.

"Six hundred million dollars?" Li Zhen was surprised and covered her mouth with her little hand.

"Yes."

According to the valuation of the appraisal company's Southern Company, this purchase price has been at least 70% to 80% premium, and this is only the first offer of Ito-Yokado, Tang Bao wants to fight back, I am afraid that the opponent will increase the offer, and he does not know how crazy the Japanese will be if they take money properly.

"And what are you going to do?"

"It's a bit unexpected to kill an Ito-Yokado halfway, but for the American Southern Company, I won't let go easily." Tang Bao said with a smile.

He seemed to be speaking lightly, but in fact, Tang Bao was not optimistic at all. In this acquisition battle, I am afraid that even if he can win it, it will be a miserable victory.

The Ito-Yokado Group is not simple at all, its shareholding structure is complex, and many of its shareholders have strong backgrounds and financial resources. These include Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Mitsui Life Insurance, Ito Kogyo Co., Ltd., Asahi Bank, and Sakura Bank, among others.

There are two bank backdrops behind it, and Ito-Yokado is very confident, and it will not be surprising that he quotes any sky-high price.

Other than that.

Ito-Yokado also has a very obvious advantage, it has more than 20 years of cooperative relations with the American Southern Company, and is a shareholder of Ito-Yokado's Japanese 7-Eleven Company.

Moreover, Tang Bao is a pure capital acquisition, and he has not come up with any plan to improve the American Southern Company so far. Ito-Yokado is different in that it has a wealth of successful business experience, and it is easier to get started with the company when it becomes the owner of the American Southern Company. This is very attractive to shareholders who want the company to continue to be successful, including Roger, and they will inevitably be inclined to choose Ito-Yokado as an insider.

Now.

Tang Bao fell into extreme passivity.

In order to plan for the future, in addition to increasing the acquisition offer, he also has to work hard to win the support of Roger, the major shareholder. Tang Bao planned to visit Roger in the manor again......