Qi Zheng, who was in Saudi Arabia, had a stomach problem, but before he could contact China, Wang Yuye, the general manager of the group, called to report.

“...... Yes, our company was named 'World's Most Admired Company' by Fortune magazine, which is also the first company in China to receive this honor......"

Qi Zheng pinched his phone: "How did we evaluate it?"

The World's Most Admired Companies poll is a selection of high-revenue companies in the U.S. and around the world by Fortune magazine, followed by industry executives who rate the candidates, and finally, about 3,750 executives, analysts, directors and experts vote for the 10 companies they admire.

Not to mention the top of the list, it is the top ten, and domestic companies have not entered before. And speaking of the top of the list, now Apple is in full swing, and in Qi Zheng's memory, it has been at the top of the list for more than ten consecutive years, does this count as breaking Apple's monopoly?

Wang Yuye's voice came with a smile: "...... In the expert ratings, a total of nine indicators are included in the assessment scope: innovation, management quality, social responsibility, use of corporate assets, financial soundness, product/service quality, and global competitiveness. It is understood that our company has received the highest score in the categories of social responsibility, product/service quality, etc. ”

And the biggest reason is that Jiagu Dairy has promoted the "Student Drinking Milk Program" in China!

For more than two years, Jiagu Dairy has continued to increase its investment in student drinking milk.

You must know that now ordinary Jiagu pure milk is nearly five yuan a carton, but the price of school milk is still only about one dollar; and the "China Milk Love Fund" established by Jiagu Dairy will invest 15% of the annual profits into the fund, almost free to donate school milk to children in poor areas.

So far, Jiagu Dairy has donated a total of 34 million boxes of school milk, covering more than 1,300 schools across the country, and more than 300,000 students have been helped.

As the implementer of the "School Milk Program" in China, which covers the widest area and benefits the largest number of students, parents have a clear attitude towards Jiagu's move - they are eager for their children's schools to be included in the coverage of Jiagu School Milk, and many parents are even willing to pay more.

This is widely praised in China as a popular project for the benefit of the country and the people for the benefit of future generations, and in the eyes of Americans, it is a large-scale charity activity, which has become the biggest plus point of Jiagu.

Of course, no move will ever be gratuitous, there will always be an underlying motive behind it. Just as the biggest purpose of charity by the wealthy in Europe and the United States is to avoid taxes. The reason why the selection representatives of the "Most Respected Company" activity praised Jiagu Dairy, which is equivalent to a "foolish behavior" that harms the interests of the company, is actually not without the meaning of setting up Jiagu.

Look at the comment to Jiagu - "create excellent value for human health through improved food", but I didn't say it clearly, dear, we put such a high hat on you, why don't we hurry up and open Jiagu milk to "benefit" more people in the world?

After Qi Zheng knew the cause and effect, he was speechless, paused, and asked: "Then what is the statement of Washington in the United States?"

Wang Yuye said in a relaxed tone: "I have to say that Pierre's alliance of pharmaceutical companies has an amazing influence on Washington......

The pharmaceutical sector is the most tightly regulated and justified by all governments, but conversely, it is also the most rent-seeking field, and the big pharmaceutical companies in the United States have almost certainly demonstrated their unfathomable influence over Washington.

“...... In addition, Zhang Zehong's public relations team has also been effective in lobbying in the United States, strengthening its influence on policymakers through roundabout propaganda and public opinion. Washington has publicly stated that it will not set up any obstacles to Jiagu's acquisition of Gaohong......"

"Well done. "Qi Zheng is already very satisfied with a relatively level playing field.

Wang Yuye finally said: "The M&A team in the United States has officially issued a tender offer to Gaohong's management......

......

In the U.S., the M&A landscape for Gao Hong is becoming clearer.

ADM and Cargill, two of the larger U.S. peers, are unlikely to be buyers of Gao Hong, because they would run into antitrust problems if they bought the company in full, and Gao Hong's assets are also chicken ribs for them, and Glencore, a giant dealer that had previously shown interest in Gao Hong, is interested in Gao Hong after buying Viterra, Canada's largest grain processor, for $6.2 billion.

As a result, almost all of the people who are interested in mergers and acquisitions of Gao Hong are large companies from Asia.

The island nation's Marubeni, Mitsui and Mitsubishi conglomerates all participated in the first round of bidding, but the latter two eventually decided that the valuation that Gao Hung hoped for was too high and gave up the second round of bidding.

After the first round of bidding, Zhang Zehong, executive director and head of public relations department of Jiagu Group, and Tetsu Wakabayashi, executive director and head of grain department of Marubeni, who arrived in the United States, met head-on.

Marubeni Trading Company was particularly active in evaluating bids, and Wakabayashi personally led a team to apply for a move to the headquarters in Takahong to conduct a detailed investigation.

When Ruolin Zhe smiled, he was also arrogant, and he did not hide it, and said: "Mr. Zhang Zehong, I heard that in order to complete this major merger and acquisition case that may set a record for acquisitions in China, Jiagu Group is seeking multi-party financing. ”

Zhang Zehong, who was shown a handful of Chinese, ridiculed him: "Isn't Marubeni Trading Company the same? I heard that Marubeni wants to sell some low-profitability businesses in order to raise huge M&A funds? Alas, take it easy." ”

Wakabayashi Zhe's eyes froze.

In the trading company industry in the island nation, the amount of investment is expected to be the largest in history, excluding in the fields of resources and energy. In order to raise huge sums of money, Marubeni Group may also accept financial institutions and funds to participate in Gaohong.

The most important thing is that Jiagu's news is so well-informed, so he can't help but increase the weight of Jiagu in his heart.

Ruolin Zhe smiled and said, "You are really an interesting Chinese, maybe we can cooperate." ”

"Nope. Zhang Zehong replied quickly and resolutely.

Ruolin Zhe was surprised and said: "You don't even listen to the content of the cooperation, I believe that it must be the condition you like." ”

He did speak with some sincerity.

In large-scale acquisition wars, speed is everything. If a competitor emerges, prolonged competition will raise the price of the acquired company, which means that the acquirer will need to borrow more money to buy the company, and the debt will be heavier.

Now, forced by the situation, Marubeni and Kaya are basically openly bidding, and the acquisition war has evolved into a hand-to-hand battle. In this case, it is undoubtedly the buyer who suffers the most. But if the two join forces, the situation is completely different.

Another reason is that Marubeni has already regarded China as one of the most important markets, and Kaya, as the head of the land, is willing to cooperate and cede some of its benefits.

But Zhang Zehong shook his head and said, "It's nothing more than funds, relationships and talents...... None of us need to. ”

He said it rightly. Needless to say, the biggest financial problem, he has already gotten Qi Zheng's permission, and the Saudi tyrant will contract a huge amount of merger and acquisition funds. As for talent, he doesn't believe in the people of the island country.

"It seems that Kaya is very confident. Ruolin Zhe glanced at Zhang Zehong deeply, and said lightly: "Coincidentally, we are also very confident." Then it depends on whose hand the deer dies?"

"Well, if Jiagu has the intention of cooperating, he can come to me again. Leaving this sentence, Ruolin Zhe left with a smile.

Looking at his figure, Gore, the representative of the lobbying agency next to Zhang Zehong, asked tentatively: "You really don't consider cooperation? In fact, if you cooperate with Marubeni, the price of acquiring Gao Hong may be lower." ”

Zhang Zehong said disapprerovitically: "You don't understand." ”

He remembered Qi Zheng's encouragement before going to the United States: "In the 70s of the last century, Mitsui acquired barges, trains, and large granaries and other grain trade infrastructure through the acquisition of Cook Industries in the United States, which was hailed as a historic event in realizing the international grain trade between Japan and the United States, and was a key step in stepping out of the 'Japanese grain manufacturer' (that is, the grain merchant of the Yamato nation). I hope that Jiagu's acquisition of Gao Hong will be a historic step for our country to start international trade in grain. ”

This gives Zhang Zehong another sense of mission: to avoid commercial operations, even if it is for the sake of national interests, he hopes to have the initiative in grain import trade.

This requires Jiagu to fully control Gao Hong - even if the Saudis participate in the shares, they are not capable of playing with a large grain trading company, but what is the point of letting the island people intervene?

American Gore really doesn't understand. However, he also reminded him that the failed board would not hit him.

"Gore, help me make an appointment with Gao Hong's major shareholders, it's time to cut through the mess. Zhang Zehong thought about it, turned his head and said to Gore.

Mr. Gore's law firm, Ai Jin Gangbo, had previously helped Jiagu coordinate the entire lobbying process, including conveying the message that Mr. Zhang wanted to disseminate to the other side's management. Now, it's Zhang Zehong's turn to go into battle in person.

Although it is ostensibly to negotiate with Gao Hong's board of directors, no one will honestly negotiate only with management. Jiagu is not a state-owned enterprise, and Zhang Zehong's authority is high enough. If stuffing money solves the problem, he can write a check at any time within his authority.

Of course, negotiations with major shareholders cannot be solved simply by stuffing money.

In particular, the main shareholders of Gao Hong have a somewhat special identity.

For example, Gao Hong's largest shareholder is a hedge fund manager and shareholder, Dwyd Anderson. In addition, there are Soros and other investors on the shareholder list, yes, it is the Soros of the quantum hedge fund.

What will these Wall Street financial predators be, think about it.

Dehuai Anderson faced Zhang Zehong, who was sent to the door, smiled and showed sharp teeth, and said aggressively: "Jiagu's offer is not satisfactory to shareholders." I ask for a price increase, otherwise I won't accept the takeover offer. ”

These Wall Street predators, who won Gao Hong's shares, hoped to enjoy the IPO feast, but unfortunately, Gao Hong always seemed to lack a little luck, not only failed to hit the IPO, but also owed a lot of debt.

Naturally, Wall Street's top players are not willing to quit, they have an insatiable appetite. In their eyes, both Marubeni Trading Company and Kaya Group are prey from the East.

In the face of prey, the lion naturally opened his mouth.

Dehuai Anderson even took the initiative to reveal the offer of the islanders: "The islanders offered an overall purchase price of 3.6 billion US dollars, but we did not agree to sell, your 3.55 billion US dollars, there is not much sincerity." ”

Zhang Zehong was unmoved. After so many years of training, he is completely capable of taking charge on his own.

It's not hard to know what the islanders are offering. Similarly, it is easy for the islanders to want to know the price of Jiagu.

But Zhang Zehong believes that the islanders are not stupid.

Grain trading is a very low-profit business, but the cost of acquiring Gao Hong is high. The purchase price of more than $3 billion is only the purchase price of Gao Hong's equity, but it also has nearly $1.7 billion in debt. As long as they don't lose their minds, no investor will raise prices significantly.

Therefore, no matter how you negotiate, in the end, the offers of Kaya and Marubeni will probably be quite close.

That's when you have to find another way.

For example, raising money from Wall Street.

Mergers and acquisitions have always been the magic weapon of Wall Street's profitability, because whether it succeeds or fails, Wall Street can earn fees, leveraged buyout companies charge management fees, investment banks charge advisory fees, brokerages charge fees for high-yield bond issuance, and so on.

Investment banks, private equity firms, and brokerages, the relationship between them is intricate, and many of them have maintained decades of friendship.

If you raise money from Wall Street, under the same offer, I believe that you can get the inclination of Dwye Anderson, Soros and other predators, so as to obtain the final bid.

Of course, this also means that the acquisition cost will increase a lot.

Fortunately, Kagaya has its own hand.

I saw Zhang Zehong say unhurriedly: "We, Jiagu, are also willing to raise the price to $3.6 billion and acquire all the shares of Gao Hong." ”

"Moreover, in addition to this, we in Jiagu can also provide Mr. Anderson with a place to buy Xianming rice on a long-term basis. ”

Dehuai Anderson's face changed: "That immortal rice that is rich in 'high-energy growth factors'?"

"Yes, it's that rice. Zhang Zehong said with a calm expression: "You may say, aren't we planning to invest in the production of Jiagu milk in the United States? Isn't drinking Jiagu milk also supplementing 'high-energy growth factors'? Well, theoretically correct, but you must know that the main shareholders we invest in the United States are pharmaceutical companies, and it is difficult to say whether the output can meet their research." ”

Glancing at the thoughtful Dehuai Anderson, Zhang Zehong said softly: "What's more, the effect of Xianming rice is much stronger than that of Jiagu milk. ”

The planting area of Xianming rice in Jiagu is basically stable at about 3 million mu. However, half of the annual production is procured by the state for research or for special populations, such as astronauts. Most of the rest of the rice is supplied locally by Jiagu, and only a small part is supplied overseas, so it is difficult to get Xianming rice in the United States.

Even if you're a billionaire, you're not in a shortage of goods. The most important thing is that whether it is Xianming rice or Jiagu milk, once or twice eaten is actually ineffective. Only long-term consumption can improve physical fitness.

Zhang Zehong handed a copy of the information to Dehuai Anderson: "This is a follow-up study report of the Hong Kong Island United Hospital for long-term eaters of Xianming rice. As long as you insist on eating for one year, you can adjust the acidic constitution that is susceptible to disease to a healthy weak alkaline constitution, which has obvious effects on enhancing physical strength and eliminating fatigue; eating for two years can supplement comprehensive and balanced nutrients, improve the oxygen function of the heart and lungs, maintain vitality and anti-aging; for patients after tumor surgery, long-term consumption of Xianming rice is even more effective, which can greatly enhance the role of white blood cells and inhibit the recurrence and metastasis of tumors......"

This completely hit Dwye Anderson's heart. His father-in-law was suffering from chemotherapy for tumors.

For the sake of money, Wall Street predators, investors in multinational corporations, can let someone starve to death, someone be poisoned, someone be beaten to death, someone will be ruined, someone will have their future ruined, they can provoke wars, incite strife, plot subversion, and even finance a rebellion in order to sell one more flag.

But if you have money, you also have to spend it. And Xianming rice, which is rich in "high-energy growth factors", is an exaggeration, and can give you an extra life.

This condition offered by Jiagu, even if it is just a place, it is conceivable that no one can refuse. Not to mention anything else, the old man of Soros is afraid that he will give up the Gaohong shares in his hand.

At this point, Dehuai Anderson's tone had completely loosened, and he suppressed the urge to take a breath and said solemnly: "I will think about it." ”

Zhang Zehong smiled slightly: "Of course." It's just that the number of places is limited, and I hope to get your good news soon. ”

“......”

Until he returned to the car, Gore, who was traveling with him, was stunned by Zhang Zehong's move.

This is too treacherous, isn't this just "asking for money or death"? What's even more treacherous is that Jiagu just paid an extra fluttering quota.

Well, although he is also coveted by this spot.

Seeing his stunned expression, Zhang Zehong shrugged his shoulders and said, "Heh, you know, capitalists are afraid of death." ”

Gore pondered the question of "fear of death" for a long time.

Are Chinese not afraid of death if they are not capitalists?

......