Sioux City's acquisition of land and secret purchases of large quantities of land and properties have not improved the real estate market in Xiangjiang.
Many British-funded forces have completely lost confidence in Xiangjiang because of someone's fall, and they are afraid that they will lose their pants if they run too late.
Therefore, many British people who own many properties and land are constantly selling off their fixed assets in Xiangjiang and trying their best to escape from Xiangjiang as soon as possible.
Not only the British, but also foreigners from other countries in Hong Kong, as well as some locals in Hong Kong, all have this idea.
So, from 1983 to 1984, Xiangjiang experienced a wave of immigration. Many people sold their assets at low prices and immigrated to the United Kingdom, Singapore, Beautiful Country, Maple Leaf Country and other places.
How could Su City miss such a good opportunity?
He is well aware of the future development of Xiangjiang. This real estate crisis will only last until December next year.
After the agreement is signed, the real estate market in Xiangjiang will gradually pick up, and may even enter a new round of surge soon.
In the Wheelock Group headquarters building, John Madden faced the current predicament with a frown and a solemn expression.
In the past few years, he has defied public opinion and shifted the group's strategic focus to the shipping industry. The core of his strategy is to release the land resources held by the group, that is, to demolish and rebuild the properties on its land. When the real estate market was booming, they were sold at high prices to recover huge amounts of funds, and they were fully invested in the expansion of the shipping business. They purchased a large number of bulk carriers with the intention of rapidly expanding the size of the fleet.
Admittedly, this strategy effectively helped Wheelock Group avoid the direct impact of the industry crisis before the real estate market bubble emerged, because it had successfully sold off a large number of properties at market highs, ensuring relative financial stability.
However, behind the seemingly wise transformation, the challenges of the shipping business turned out to be far greater than expected, which dealt a heavy blow to the group.
The volatility and uncertainty in the freight market, coupled with the complex and ever-changing global economic environment, have caused Wheelock Group to encounter unprecedented difficulties in this new battlefield.
The heavily invested bulk cargo ships failed to bring stable income as expected. Instead, they fell into operating difficulties due to the imbalance of market supply and demand and the plummeting freight rates. The group had to bear huge operating costs and financial losses. .
The root of this strategic deployment stems from John Madden's careful consideration and lack of confidence in the future development prospects of Xiangjiang, which then promoted the strategic transfer of assets, aiming to make the core assets of Wheelock Group "Sail afar" rests on a broader ocean.
In this process, Wheelock Group unexpectedly played an important role in the asset restructuring of Global Shipping Group. It took over a large number of ships of Global Shipping Group. It not only rapidly expanded its fleet size through mergers and acquisitions, but also actively ordered new ships to Accelerate expansion.
However, this series of radical operations also quietly planted hidden dangers, resulting in Wheelock Shipping's increasingly heavy debt burden and sharp decline in profitability.
In the 1980s, with the adjustment of the global economic structure and changes in the international trade pattern, the world shipping industry gradually entered a recession cycle. This industry-wide dilemma inevitably affected the Wheelock Group.
In this context, Wheelock Group has suffered greatly and is facing unprecedented challenges and pressure.
In contrast, the charter king showed extraordinary wisdom and foresight. He took a completely opposite development path to John Madden and steadily transferred the Bao family's assets from the rough sea to On solid land.
This strategic adjustment not only allowed him to successfully seize the controlling stake of Wharf, a commercial giant, but also gradually reduced the fleet size and load capacity of Global Shipping Group, thus effectively avoiding risks that the shipping industry may encounter in the future.
Looking back now, the decision-making made by the chartering king back then was undoubtedly a highlight of his career. This far-sighted layout enabled him to skillfully avoid the financial crisis that plunged many shipping companies into financial quagmire. A big storm in the shipping industry.
Relying on the solid platform of Wharf, Baojia has rapidly emerged as a pivotal force in the real estate, hotel and warehouse industries.
Although the real estate industry has also encountered fluctuations and challenges, Wharf's unique operating model - focusing on developing its own land, avoiding blindly following the trend and speculating on properties when prices are high, has effectively reduced its losses. .
It is particularly worth mentioning that Wharf’s real estate business has always adhered to rent collection as its core profit model. The sustained and stable income of high-quality properties such as Harbor City has brought a steady stream of income to the Bao family. Cash flow and great returns.
This stable and long-lasting income model is undoubtedly the best footnote to Charter King's investment wisdom and strategic vision.
In comparison, the effectiveness of John Madden's decision-making is obviously much inferior.
Going back to 1981, not long after Lin Haoran first took charge of the Wheelock Group, that year, with its strong profitability, the Wheelock Group’s pre-tax profit reached HK$1.431 billion, which was enough It ranks among the top 20 companies in Xiangjiang's business community, including many well-known companies under Suzhou City.
If it were not for such a fierce competitive environment, Wheelock Group would even be expected to advance into the top ten.
However, the good times did not last long. As the global shipping industry entered the abyss of recession, Wheelock Group's profitability took a sharp turn.
Last year, its pre-tax profit shrank to less than one billion Hong Kong dollars, and this year it is expected to further shrink to a dismal level of three to four hundred million Hong Kong dollars.
Although it is still profitable, this year-by-year decreasing trend has clearly revealed the reality that the group has suffered heavy losses in recent years.
If this trend continues, Wheelock Group may face a more serious financial crisis next year, with heavy debts, and may even trigger a liquidation alarm.
At that time, Wheelock Shipping will have to reluctantly part ways and sell off the fleet assets that it has worked so hard to accumulate in order to obtain cash flow. This scene is undoubtedly a direct consequence of John Madden's strategic mistakes.
Therefore, it can be said that John Madden is not to blame for the current difficulties of Wheelock Group.
On the morning of July 3, 1983, Sioux City received a call from John Madden. John Madden's tone on the phone sounded exhausted.
"Mr. Su, our Wheelock Group will hold a board meeting at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Please attend on time." John Madden said with a wry smile.
"Okay, Mr. John, I will attend on time. What is the purpose of this board meeting?" Su Cheng asked.
"This board meeting was not initiated by me, but by Mr. Zhang Yulong. I am only responsible for the notification." John Madden replied.
"Yes, I understand, Mr. John, see you tomorrow." Su Cheng replied.
"See you tomorrow!"
After hanging up the phone, Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a little surprised. He never expected that the convener of this board meeting was Zhang Yuliang.
Before Su City officially became the largest shareholder of Wheelock Group, Zhang Yulong had been the group's major shareholder behind the scenes. However, he always maintained a detached attitude and never got involved in the group's specific management affairs.
John Madden, with a large number of B shares in his hands, even though his share ratio is not as high as that of Zhang Yulong, because the Zhang family has no intention of competing for rights in Wheelock, this is why he can firmly sit on the board of directors of Wheelock Group The key to the chairmanship of the bureau.
When Su Cheng later gradually increased his shareholding and became an important shareholder of Wheelock, he mainly held A shares, which also limited his direct influence on the controlling stake and made him The existing power structure cannot be easily shaken.
It is undeniable that although the B-share system is not completely transparent, it does demonstrate its unique value in maintaining the stability of controlling shares.
This may be an important reason why Wheelock Group has remained relatively calm despite frequent acquisition wars in recent years and has not become the target of public criticism.
However, Sioux City is an exception.
He understands the historical context of Wheelock, and he also knows that John Madden will eventually fade out of the group stage.
It is based on this forward-looking judgment that Sioux City made arrangements in advance and carefully planned to take control of this behemoth one day.
As for Zhang Yulong, he actually has some fate with Su Cheng.
At the beginning, the two commercial buildings acquired by Suzhou City, the International Building and the Federal Building, were actually developed by Zhang Yulong.
In 1971, Zhang Yulong controlled a federal real estate company, which was eventually acquired by Wheelock, but Zhang Yulong also became the majority shareholder of Wheelock Group.
Although Zhang Yulong is indifferent, he holds a large number of Wheelock shares after all, and he must be concerned about the company's operating conditions. Now that Wheelock's profits have plummeted, this involves the interests of the Zhang family.
Su Cheng quickly figured out the cause and effect. Although Zhang Yulong is no longer the major shareholder of Wheelock Group and has become the major shareholder of Suzhou City, he is also the second largest shareholder and has the right to convene board of directors meetings.
Obviously, Zhang Yulong planned to criticize John Madden at the board meeting.
Su Cheng doesn't care about losing a little bit of dividends every year, but the Zhang family obviously doesn't want to.
There is only one super rich man like Su Cheng who is rich and powerful in Hong Kong.
This Jade Dragon is said to have gone to Australia to start a business because of internal conflicts within the Zhang family. Obviously, due to the current operating conditions of Wheelock Group, it had to come back from Australia.
The Zhang family has always kept a low profile in Xiangjiang. Due to the sharp drop in profits of Wheelock Group and investment failures, they even thought of withdrawing from the business community in Xiangjiang and developing overseas businesses.
Su Cheng suddenly felt that he might be able to take advantage of this opportunity to win Zhang Yulong's shares.
Previously, Sioux City had always wanted to acquire John Madden’s shares.
However, by acquiring the Zhang family’s shares now, it may be possible to take control of Wheelock Group in advance.
In this way, he naturally does not need to care too much about John Madden's shares.
After hanging up the phone, Su Cheng no longer thought about Wheelock Group.
For him, Wheelock Group is basically inescapable.
Whether he bought John Madden's shares or the Zhang family's shares, he could easily control the Wheelock Group.
As for in another parallel world, Wheelock was finally won by Bao Yugang. Obviously, this world is impossible.
Who can win over Sioux City?
At least here in Xiangjiang, no one can compare with him.
Go out of the study and look at the blue sky outside.
Hong Kong is very hot in July, and a wave of heat envelopes the entire land.
However, it is very cool inside the villa.
The house is equipped with the highest technology products of this era.
In the swimming pool of the villa, several women were playing in the water. There was a shade canopy above the swimming pool.
Gillian, A Mei, Zhong Chuhong and Guan Jiahui are all here.
It's summer vacation, and Guan Jiahui doesn't have to go to school.
Moreover, after September, Guan Jiahui will officially enter her senior year. In one more year, she will be able to graduate from Xiangjiang University.
It is worth mentioning that in 1981, when real estate was at its peak, Su Cheng asked Guan Jiahui, Zhong Chuhong, Gillian, Ami and others to sell the shops and houses they had previously invested in.
Several people were also obedient and chose to sell these properties without hesitation, thus earning a lot of money.
After all, for these women, Su Cheng is their god!
As for these business matters, just follow Su Cheng's advice. They don't need to think too much about it.
Relying on their own investment, the assets of Guan Jiahui and Zhong Chuhong have even reached tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars.
Then, after Xiangjiang fell into a real estate crisis, when it reached almost its lowest point, Su Cheng asked them to buy shops and houses on a large scale.
Not surprisingly, the properties they hold have almost doubled compared to what they held before the real estate crisis~
With every move in and out, they naturally make a lot of money, even if they don’t rely on Sioux City. , they can also live a good life.
"Be careful, don't hurt the fetus." Su Cheng walked to the swimming pool with a smile and warned worriedly.
One of Zhong Chuhong and Gillian are in the second trimester of pregnancy and the other is in the third trimester of pregnancy, and their bellies are both getting bigger.
Especially Gillian, she should be able to give birth in another month.
"I know!" Zhong Chuhong covered her mouth and smiled.
The two were actually not swimming, but sitting on an inflatable swimming boat, splashing water with each other and having fun. There was no danger at all.
Guan Jiahui and A Mei are not pregnant, but they are half-length submerged in the swimming pool.
On a hot summer day, swimming is really comfortable.
At this time, Guan Jiahui playfully poured water on Su Cheng.
Suddenly, the casual clothes Su Cheng was wearing became wet.
Su Cheng was not angry, but joined in to play with them.
For a family, the most important thing is harmony and happiness!
In fact, Su Cheng also knew that Guan Jiahui was particularly envious of Gillian, A Mei, Zhong Chuhong and others because they all had children with Su Cheng.
However, Guan Jiahui does not have a child yet, so she naturally hopes to become a mother soon.
However, now she also knows that it is not the time yet.
Otherwise, going to school with a big belly will have a bad impact.
Although in her current situation, a college diploma seems useless, Su Cheng could even get her to graduate early.
But Guan Jiahui insisted on finishing her studies. She didn't want to go to college and just go through the motions.
In this regard, Su Cheng was naturally left to her own devices.
In the blink of an eye, the day passed.
Today is the time for Wheelock Group to hold a board meeting.
So, in the morning, accompanied by the girls, he read the newspaper and ate breakfast.
I didn’t go out until nine o’clock in the morning.
It takes one hour to reach the Wheelock Group headquarters, which is enough. (End of chapter)