Chapter 321 Niu Bik Kin Tips Off
When Lin Haoran arrived at Jardines House, the internal meeting of the British consortium at Jardines had already ended.
Since they had rushed to Hong Kong straight from their flights without even stopping for lunch, after the meeting, the participants all left Jardines House together to rest at a nearby luxury hotel owned by Jardines Matheson.
"Lin Haoran is here again?"
Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Niu Bik Kin, sitting in his office, was a little surprised.
"Yes, Sir Taipan, Mr. Lin is currently being held at the ground floor," reported the head of security.
The security head actually felt quite awkward.
Everyone now knew that Lin Haoran was a major shareholder of Jardines Matheson, yet he had been blocking him repeatedly — essentially offending the big boss.
But he had no choice. Lin Haoran's current identity was too sensitive.
He had to follow Niu Bik Kin's orders.
"Let him up. I'll be waiting for him in my office,"
Niu Bik Kin answered without hesitation.
"Understood, Sir Taipan. Should I continue stopping him in the future?"
"No need. If he comes again, just bring him to my office directly.
There's no point blocking him anymore,"
Niu Bik Kin replied.
"Understood!"
The security head finally sighed in relief after receiving this instruction.
A few minutes later, Lin Haoran met with Niu Bik Kin again.
"Please, Mr. Lin, have a seat,"
Niu Bik Kin gestured to a chair outside his desk.
Lin Haoran smiled, pulled the chair into a good position, and sat down casually.
"What brings Mr. Lin to see me today?"
Niu Bik Kin asked directly.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, as the major shareholder of Jardines Matheson,
I have the right to participate in its management.
At the very least, it's not unreasonable for me to ask for a seat on the board of directors, is it?"
Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"Mr. Lin, with all due respect, you have not yet provided formal proof that you are indeed a major shareholder.
So far, your claims have been just that — your claims,"
Niu Bik Kin replied, shaking his head.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, you needn't worry.
I wouldn't speak lightly.
Today, I've brought proof —
stock certificates representing over 20% of Jardines Matheson's shares,"
Lin Haoran said as he pulled out the documents.
Looking at the stack of stock certificates, Niu Bik Kin could no longer deny the truth.
Previously, Lin Haoran had mentioned he held more than 20%,
but Niu Bik Kin had doubted him.
Now, faced with concrete evidence, he had to accept reality.
What did this mean?
It meant Lin Haoran's status as the largest shareholder was unshakable —
even surpassing Henry Keswick's stake.
Lin Haoran's holdings gave him real influence over Jardines.
"In my view,"
Niu Bik Kin thought,
"Lin Haoran doesn't seem too interested in managing the company directly.
If I let him into the boardroom to counterbalance Henry Keswick,
then nothing really changes.
Henry won't be able to easily remove me anymore."
Although Niu Bik Kin was a professional manager,
he had long resented Henry Keswick's attempts to oust him and replace him with Simon Keswick.
Over the years, Niu Bik Kin had built his own network at Jardines.
Over 80% of Jardines' mid-to-senior managers were his people.
Several shareholders openly supported him as well.
Thus, even now, Henry Keswick could not easily remove him.
Niu Bik Kin realized:
if he allied with Lin Haoran,
he could weaken Henry Keswick's grip and preserve his own position.
His heart raced with excitement.
If Lin Haoran and Henry Keswick ended up balancing each other,
that would be the perfect scenario for him!
Realizing this, Niu Bik Kin looked at Lin Haoran with a sudden, burning intensity.
The sudden fervor in his eyes made Lin Haoran uncomfortable, raising goosebumps.
After putting down the stock certificates, Niu Bik Kin suddenly said:
"Mr. Lin, although you are a major shareholder now,
your position won't last long.
Frankly, I don't think you need to join the board."
"Why not?
Why wouldn't my status last long?"
Lin Haoran asked curiously.
"This matter is confidential.
Will you promise not to reveal it?"
Niu Bik Kin asked solemnly.
"Of course. I promise,"
Lin Haoran nodded.
"Very well.
All major shareholders of Jardines Matheson have arrived in Hong Kong.
They plan to use the influence of Governor MacLehose and the Prime Minister's wife to pressure you.
Surely you wouldn't want to offend them?"
Niu Bik Kin revealed the British consortium's latest strategy.
Using MacLehose and even the Prime Minister's wife to intimidate him?
Lin Haoran frowned slightly but wasn't particularly shocked.
He had already mentally prepared for such tactics.
Taking over Jardines would never be simple.
Moreover, holding just 20% of the shares wasn't enough for a full takeover anyway.
Lin Haoran knew he wasn't planning to invest further to cross the threshold —
the cost would far outweigh the benefits.
Once Jardines lost Land Development Corporation,
its value would plummet.
Thus, he simply wanted to pressure the British group to offer him a favorable deal to exit.
His cost basis for Jardines shares was extremely low compared to their current market price.
If he could sell high,
he would not only secure Land Development but also make a tidy profit.
Thus, threats from MacLehose or anyone else didn't really matter to him.
Still, why was Niu Bik Kin sharing such sensitive information?
Did he have his own agenda?
Seeing that Lin Haoran didn't seem shocked,
Niu Bik Kin was a bit surprised.
Perhaps Lin Haoran was only pretending to be calm?
Niu Bik Kin continued:
"If Mr. Lin wishes to gain more influence in Jardines,
perhaps I can assist you.
Also, you should know:
your 20% stake is about to be diluted.
Jardines and Land Development are launching a cross-holding plan.
Both companies will issue new shares to each other.
When that happens, your ownership percentage will drop!"
Hearing this, Lin Haoran felt like he was hearing a joke.
Could it be that the same Niu Bik Kin he had humiliated before
was now actively offering to help him?
And revealing such a confidential plan?
Lin Haoran was naturally skeptical.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin,
if you have a purpose, just say it directly,"
Lin Haoran said.
"I can support you increasing your voice within Jardines.
But in return,
you must support me remaining as Jardines' taipan until I retire,"
Niu Bik Kin said frankly.
Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran understood everything.
He had long known about the rivalry between Niu Bik Kin and Henry Keswick,
but he hadn't expected Niu to go as far as tipping him off
just to protect his own position.
"I'll consider it,"
Lin Haoran said, smiling.
"But Mr. Niu, what specific methods do you propose for helping me increase my influence?"
Just gaining some influence wasn't enough for Lin Haoran.
If he truly considered acquiring Jardines,
he wanted outright control — not just partial say.
In truth, Lin Haoran hadn't seriously considered fully taking over Jardines before.
But now,
thanks to Niu Bik Kin's unexpected overture,
his interest was genuinely piqued.
Even if Jardines' value was somewhat lower than Land Development,
it was still a hundred-year-old financial titan.
If he could successfully take control,
he wouldn't mind at all.
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