Since Tianyu Automobile Group successfully found a capable person in charge, Zhang Qizheng's work pressure has been significantly reduced, freeing up valuable time and energy for him, allowing him to focus more on handling key affairs inside and outside Tianyuan Investment Company.
Therefore, when Su City issued an emergency call to him, Zhang Qizheng was able to quickly adjust his state, suspend the work at hand without hesitation, and devote himself wholeheartedly to the tasks assigned to him by Su City.
Soon, Zhang Qizheng led his elite team to quickly arrive at the transaction site and successfully met with the teams of Su Cheng and Li Ka-shing who were already waiting there.
After in-depth and efficient negotiations, the two parties quickly reached consensus on many key issues and successfully signed a share transfer contract.
The signing of this contract marks that the two parties have officially taken a new step in cooperation.
After the contract came into effect, Suzhou City showed a high degree of integrity and efficiency and immediately arranged to pay all the funds required for the share transfer, ensuring the smooth progress of the transaction.
Although Li Ka-shing's current strength is no longer what it used to be, Su Cheng did not take it lightly, but maintained a high degree of vigilance and respect for him.
He knows very well that Li Ka-shing's keen insight in the business field and his past brilliant achievements make him not to be underestimated even in adversity.
What particularly surprised Sioux City was that Li Ka-shing turned his attention to Wheelock Group this time. This move undoubtedly intensified the competition in the market and made Sioux City more determined that he must act cautiously. , Determination to work step by step.
Now, as Li Ka-shing transfers his shares to Suzhou City, this move clearly shows that he has completely given up his plan to acquire Wheelock Group.
This change relaxed the vigilance in Su Cheng's heart, and he no longer needed to worry too much about the potential threat from Li Ka-shing.
After successfully acquiring this 9.7% stake, Su Cheng’s shareholding ratio in Wheelock Group reached 21.5%, which is enough to make him the largest shareholder in most listed companies. , and have the ability to challenge the control of the group.
However, in the particular case of Wheelock Group, the situation is different.
In the early years, Wheelock Group, under the management of John Madden, adopted a parallel listing strategy of A shares and B shares in order to maintain its unique governance structure.
Among them, the market value of B shares is only one-tenth of that of A shares, but they enjoy the same status in terms of voting rights.
What Sioux City purchased from Li Ka-shing and Jardine Matheson were all A-shares. Although this gave him an advantage in market value, it did not form an overwhelming force in terms of voting rights.
In contrast, although the market value of John Madden, chairman of Wheelock Group, is no longer as high as that of Sioux City at this stage, he holds B shares with voting rights of A Ten times as many shares.
This unique shareholding structure ensures John Madden’s absolute controlling position in Wheelock Group, making any fight for control without his consent particularly difficult.
Therefore, although Sioux City has made significant progress in its shareholding ratio, there are still many obstacles to overcome in order to truly shake up John Madden's leadership position in Wheelock Group.
However, Su Cheng did not rush for success. He understood the importance of patience and strategy.
He knew that over time, John Madden's enthusiasm for Wheelock might fade, and the idea of selling his shares might resurface. Su Cheng waited patiently for this opportunity to arrive, preparing to take action at the right time.
At the same time, Suzhou City also realized that Wheelock Shipping Company, as an important part of the group, its operating conditions will directly affect the stability and development of the entire group.
Once Wheelock Shipping Company falls into serious losses, as the largest shareholder, he will have enough confidence and voice to make more powerful demands to John Madden, and may even pass " The method of "forcing the mother to marry" prompted the group to carry out necessary reforms and adjustments.
According to the information obtained from Xiao Ai, John Madden's development strategy will indeed bring a sharp decline in profits to Wheelock Group in the next two to three years. This is an unavoidable fact.
He planned to take advantage of this and have a frank dialogue with John Madden at the right time, so that John Madden would voluntarily give up his controlling stake in Wheelock Group.
After settling this matter, Sioux City was ready to tell John Madden about it.
Because he knows that even if he insists on not announcing this matter now, the public statements of Yangtze River Industrial Group in the future will make all this public.
As a listed company, Cheung Kong Group bears the legal obligation to fully disclose its financial status and profit sources to the public.
This requirement for transparency prompted Sioux City to realize that rather than letting the information naturally leak and cause unnecessary suspicion and misunderstanding, especially causing John Madden to have unnecessary doubts about him, it is better to take a proactive approach. communication strategy.
Therefore, at the critical moment when Zhang Qizheng and others were dealing with transactions related to Yangtze River Industrial Group, Su Cheng decided to make a direct call to John Madden.
On the other end of the phone, there was a hint of surprise and curiosity in John Madden's voice: "Hello, Mr. Su, are you looking for me at this time? Do you have anything important to discuss?"< br>
His tone revealed that he was a little puzzled by Su Cheng's sudden contact. After all, the two had just met at the board meeting, less than two hours ago.
"Mr. John, there is something I need to tell you frankly. Not long after I returned to Su Group, Mr. Li from Yangtze River Industrial Group took the initiative to contact me. He expressed the hope that I could take over the business in his hands.
Through further understanding, I learned that Mr. Li had been seeking to increase his stake in Wheelock Group for a long time, and since I unexpectedly became a new shareholder of the group, he turned Decided to abandon the plan of direct acquisition and instead transfer the shares to me in a friendly manner
Considering Wheelock Group's current stable profitability, I thought it was a very attractive investment, so after careful consideration, I agreed to the deal with him.
Not long ago, we officially completed the transaction and I now hold 21.5% of Wheelock Group.
However, Mr. John Madden, please allow me to emphasize that I have absolutely no intention of interfering with or challenging your position as the helmsman of the Wheelock Group.
I am very aware of your excellent leadership and management capabilities for the company. Therefore, I promise to continue to be a responsible shareholder and only hold shares without participating in daily management and decision-making. I firmly believe that under your leadership Under his leadership, Wheelock Group can continue to prosper and develop. ”
While on the phone with John Madden, Sioux City poured him a bowl of Ecstasy. (End of this chapter)