Chapter 436 The media war without gunpowder
"That's all possible." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Business wars are like this, stabbing each other in the back and then taking the opportunity to acquire the other party."
If there is competition among peers, it is normal to add insult to injury; and for some large consortiums, if I want to acquire you and you don't agree, then just wait to be dealt with.
But this is not wrong. This is how business is done. If a weak person becomes stronger one day, he will bully other weak people. As long as he can operate without breaking the law, it will be fine.
When the right time comes in the future, he will also deal with some British capital. There is no other reason. He has taken a fancy to the high-quality assets in the hands of these British capital. It is as simple as that. If it weren't for ZZ that the time is not right now, then he would have I looked for an opportunity to take action.
But it’s coming soon. In a few years, the relationship between the mainland and the West will improve. In addition to other factors, the status of the Chinese in Hong Kong will become higher and higher. The time has come. Historically, Pao Yugang, Li Jiacheng, etc. were all It started targeting British capital in the 1970s.
He Shanheng said: "So Yang Sheng, how should we deal with it? If there are more rumors and there are more runs, we will be in trouble. Now we are also on the balance line."
"Don't worry, most of the media in Hong Kong are in my hands." Yang Wendong said confidently: "Leave this matter to me, and the next step will be a media war."
Finance and media are both weapons. If the media defends it, it can defend finance, but not vice versa. Once the run intensifies and Hang Seng Bank's capital turnover cannot be recovered, it will be over. The original outcome of the acquisition by HSBC in history is probably Still can't run away.
However, Yang Wendong can be regarded as sitting firmly in Diaoyutai. Even if HSBC acquires Hang Seng, he will be the major shareholder of the new joint venture company, plus at least one director seat. But if possible, he still hopes to keep Hang Seng Bank.
It’s just that now, whether it is HSBC and other British banks, as well as Yang Wendong and even the Chinese banks involved, everyone is tacitly fighting secretly and operating within the rules. Everyone understands many things, but cannot reveal them, even the Hong Kong government. , and cannot annex Chinese assets openly, so there is still a lot of room for maneuver.
He Shanheng nodded and said: "Okay, this is all Yang Sheng's hard work. I will definitely thank you again after this is over."
"You're welcome, I am also a shareholder, so naturally I should help." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
To deal with a run, the most important thing is to get through a week or so. Once that passes, that's about it. This is the summary of the experience of countless banks in previous lives.
After returning to Changxing Building, Yang Wendong immediately called Qi Ruifan from TVB and Qin Zhiye from Changxing Media, and said: "Now use all our strength, including some of our friends in the newspaper industry, to prevent Hang Seng Bank depositors from withdrawing money;
In addition, I have released news that if anyone from the Chinese media in the media industry sings the opposite, I will definitely deal with him after this incident. ”
Although the media has freedom, they are also free to deal with them themselves. Anyway, they are not breaking the law. There are many ways to kill some small newspapers or companies;
This banking war itself is a battlefield between Chinese capital and British capital. If you accept money from British ghosts at this time, then if you attack other British capital in the future, there is a high probability that they will also fight against you.
"Okay, no problem." Qin Zhiye replied.
Yang Wendong added: "Then you have worked hard for your brothers these past few days. If you work overtime, it won't last long;
When this is over, I will give everyone a big red envelope. ”
He is still willing to give up a small amount of money. Hang Seng Bank has unlimited potential in the future. If he becomes a shareholder, he can also help in other aspects. Compared with these, red envelopes and other things are child's play.
"Okay, thank you Yang Sheng. This is what we should do." Qin Zhiye agreed with a smile.
In the Peninsula Hotel in Central, Sanders sat on the balcony of the presidential suite, looking at the countless passers-by below, thinking about recent events in his mind.
"Sir." A young man with blond hair came over and said: "Currently, the Chinese media in Hong Kong have begun to publicize the safety of Chinese banks at the request of Yang Wendong. It seems that Yang Wendong wants to save Hang Seng."
"It's normal. He has already invested in Hang Seng. How can we not save him?" Sanders frowned and said, "Is there anyone in the media who can listen to us?"
"There are a few, but most Chinese media companies are not willing to go against Yang Wendong." The blond man said: "In the past few years, Changxing Media has participated in investing in other newspapers many times. Although it is not a controlling stake in them, it still has Strong influence;
Coupled with TVB and commercial radio stations, most of the channels for Hong Kong Chinese to receive news are controlled by Yang Wendong. Moreover, Yang Wendong secretly said that if any newspaper company dares to go against him, it will bear the consequences in the future. ”
"You're really overbearing." Sanders sighed.
The blond man said: "It is indeed very domineering. Yang Wendong has been known for being gentle and gentle in the business world for so many years. His words this time have also made many people afraid to take a gamble."
"The problem now is that he can stand up, but we can't. We are really passive." Sanders added.
Although Hang Seng's development in the past few years is still far behind HSBC, the development speed is so fast that HSBC feels threatened; but under normal circumstances, they have nothing to do. Now Hong Kong is not completely dominated by British capital. In order to maintain a balance, the government can only treat Chinese capital "fairly" in many areas.
After finally waiting for the opportunity, I was thinking about the next cruel move. There was a good chance originally, but now that Yang Wendong has come forward, it seems that there is really a chance to save Hengsheng.
The confrontation between British and Chinese capital is not a problem. In the free market, if you have the ability, no one can say anything if you win. But HSBC is considered a semi-official organization and stands up to interfere with the self-rescue of Chinese banks in Hong Kong. It will inevitably be criticized by public opinion. A critical hit, and then the Hong Kong government will not be able to take advantage of it.
The blond man also said: "Yes, Yang Wendong controls half of the media. Although we can influence the British newspapers, the British newspapers themselves are not for the customers of Hang Seng Bank. Most of the British money is also in HSBC and Standard Chartered. It doesn’t do much good in this matter.”
"I didn't expect that Chinese-owned newspapers, which we have always looked down on before, could play such a big role in this matter." Sanders also said.
The upper class in Hong Kong, even the Chinese, have to read English newspapers, because many major events are published first in English newspapers. Therefore, although Chinese newspapers have higher sales, they have not been paid attention to by British newspapers.
Now, many Chinese-owned banks have been run on. This was originally a battle for British-owned banks to control Hong Kong's financial industry, but unexpectedly, it failed here because the main force in the run was Chinese, and people did not read English newspapers.
"Actually, I have a way." The blond man said: "We can do the opposite. Let's say that Yang Wendong promises to take over all the deposits of Hang Seng Bank, and then we will arrange for some people with large deposits in Hang Seng Bank to withdraw money. ;
Although HK$50 million is a lot, it actually won't last long. If Yang Wendong comes out to clarify this matter and we spread some other bad news, it will inevitably trigger a run on Sprite. ”
"Your method is okay, but what if Yang Wendong doesn't come forward to explain?" Sanders asked.
The blond man said: "Then arrange for reporters to ask questions and force him to speak. According to my understanding, it is impossible for Yang Wendong to admit this. As long as he denies or even refuses to answer, we can be free to do whatever we want." "Okay, then that's it. Try it." Sanders nodded and said, "But if you do this, this media will die miserably."
The blond man smiled and said: "That's not a problem, just give them some money to let them leave Hong Kong."
"Well, that's it. I also want to see what happens next." Sanders replied.
Two days later, Qin Zhiye knocked on the door of Yang Wendong's office and said: "Yang Sheng, it is now spreading that you promise to protect the depositors of Hang Seng Bank."
"The whole story? I never said that." Yang Wendong frowned slightly and said, "Can you find out where the news came from?"
Qin Zhiye shook his head and said: "It has not been found yet. Many people are spreading it now; it is just a rumor. Should we clarify it?"
"No, clarifying it will cause confusion, and opponents may take the opportunity to attack." Yang Wendong immediately said: "As long as we don't publish this in our own newspapers, just let them spread the rumors. There are many true rumors. This kind of rumor is also good for us.”
As long as you don't sign an agreement or make a public commitment, you are not responsible for whatever rumors spread.
"Okay." Qin Zhiye agreed: "It's just that the news spread too fast. I think someone is pushing it behind the scenes."
"That means someone wants to force me to express my position." Yang Wendong also understood: "It seems that he is the person behind the bankruptcy of Hang Seng Bank;
If I clarify my position and they spread some news, the run will escalate immediately; and if I promise to tell the truth, the entire Changxing Group will be dragged down by this matter, and maybe someone can directly attack us from other directions. ”
Qin Zhiye replied: "Yes, it is very possible. Many of the assets held by Changxing Group are of very high quality. Under normal circumstances, our risk control is very good, and there is nothing we can do about it if others covet it;
But if we assume the deposits of Hang Seng Bank, I am worried that this commercial war may escalate. Many large consortiums and even overseas consortiums will find ways to kill Hang Seng Bank and drag us down. ”
"It seems that I have to hide for a while and not give other media opportunities to interview." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
Qin Zhiye reminded: "Yang Sheng, having said that, if the rumors are not controlled and the parties involved do not come forward to clarify, many people will think it is true, which will also be very troublesome;
And if I were the other party's person, I would try to force you to explain. No matter what you say, they will seize the opportunity. ”
"Well, you really have to be careful." Yang Wendong asked again: "Then what are your suggestions?"
Qin Zhiye said: "We also need to create rumors. The more true the better. As long as there are too many rumors and they are contradictory on both sides, ordinary people will not know who to believe;
It doesn’t matter whether we believe it or not, as long as we don’t all believe in our opponents. ”
"What kind of remarks are you making?" Yang Wendong asked.
Qin Zhiye said: "The core of all problems now is whether Hang Seng Bank can sustain it, so we have to spread some news that is good for Hang Seng, such as having capital as strong or even stronger than ours to invest in Hang Seng."
"More powerful capital? Overseas capital?" Yang Wendong asked.
In the whole of Hong Kong, there are only a few British companies that are better than him. This is still the perception of ordinary people. In fact, even Jardine and Changxing Group are not afraid at all.
But what is competing now is the cognition of ordinary people.
Qin Zhiye said: "Yang Sheng, our relationship with Citibank is not bad. With their reputation, as long as they publicize that they are prepared to invest in Hang Seng, then the matter will be safe.
But the core thing is, don't let Citigroup come out to explain, just let it acquiesce like us. ”
"This is a good idea." Yang Wendong nodded and said: "If Citigroup invests and injects capital, or even borrows money, Hang Seng's problems will be solved. At least many people in the upper class will think so when they know the news. ”
"Yes, we don't need Citi to really invest. We just need him to cooperate with us and not say anything." Qin Zhiye said: "Leave it to me later. If the publicity is in place and Hang Seng's depositors stop withdrawing money, then this matter will be over. It’s over.”
"Even if it is cooperation, the price is not low." Yang Wendong smiled and said, "Okay, leave this matter to me. I will make an appointment with Ross from Citigroup to discuss it with him."
Qin Zhiye smiled and said: 'Okay, but Yang Sheng, this is a public opinion war, so don't show up at will. As long as you don't say anything, I will do my best to build momentum and help Hang Seng Bank. ’
"Okay." Yang Wendong nodded.
Now is the media war. Although there is no smoke and large financial flows, whichever side wins will get rich rewards.
In the afternoon, Yang Wendong met with Rose, the Hong Kong head of Citibank, in the presidential suite of the Four Seasons Hotel. In his own territory, everything can be kept confidential. It is difficult for reporters to see him, let alone interview him;
After listening to Yang Wendong's appeal, Ross nodded and said: "Mr. Yang, I understand what you mean, but can we change our thinking? How about letting Citibank really acquire Hang Seng Bank?"
"Mr. Ross, Hang Seng is impossible. If you want to acquire a bank in Hong Kong, you may choose other options." Yang Wendong shook his head and said.
Many banks in the United States have actually been coveting Hong Kong's business for a long time, but the British capital developed too early. They have no way to compete with the British capital, and in terms of operations, they can't compare with the Chinese bank kings that emerged from the local market.
Therefore, acquisition has become the best method. For example, in the past, Chase Bank was the one competing with HSBC for Hang Seng Bank. Another Far East Bank was forced to sell most of its shares to Mapleton Bank due to the run crisis in 1965.
"If that's the case, why should I help Hang Seng Bank?" Ross said with a smile.
Yang Wendong said: "It's very simple. If your bank can help this time, then in the future, part of our Changxing Group's external business can be cooperated with Citibank. How about it?"
Now he wants to break HSBC's plan to acquire Hang Seng. Although HSBC can't bring this matter to the front, he also needs to find a backup bank. Standard Chartered is one of them. However, Standard Chartered's power is still too weak, and Citigroup is Much stronger.
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(End of chapter)