Chapter 320 Niu Bik Kin's Unwillingness
After chatting with Su Zhixue in the office for half an hour, Lin Haoran finally left Wanching Tower.
He casually had lunch at a nearby restaurant before returning to the car.
After thinking for a while, Lin Haoran instructed Li Weidong to drive him to Jardines House again.
It was time to demand his rights!
After all, he was now a major shareholder of Jardines Matheson — it was only natural for him to claim his authority.
Inside his briefcase, Lin Haoran carried the stock certificates proving he held over 20% of Jardines Matheson's shares.
As for Land Development Corporation, unless something unexpected happened, Li Jiacheng would no longer increase his holdings — there was no point anymore.
Even if Li Jiacheng had acquired some additional shares during the last half-hour of trading that morning, based on the transaction volume, it wouldn't have been much.
Thus, even if Li Jiacheng's shares combined with the British consortium's holdings, they would only control about 35%, which posed no threat to Lin Haoran.
Meanwhile, Lin Haoran himself already controlled over 40.5% of Land Development Corporation.
If Li Jiacheng eventually agreed to sell him his shares, the British consortium wouldn't have any room left to fight back.
At Jardines House, in a large conference room on the 32nd floor,
more than twenty people were gathered.
Not only was Niu Bik Kin, the Jardines taipan, present, but so were the general manager of Land Development Corporation, the president of Jardines Securities, Henry Keswick, and key executives and shareholders from Jardines and its subsidiaries.
Jardines was facing an unprecedented crisis.
If handled poorly, they could lose control of the entire group — a terrifying prospect for the British elite.
At this moment, all internal rivalries were set aside.
They focused solely on strategizing how to counter Lin Haoran's acquisition challenge.
Henry Keswick, head of the Keswick family, had flown in from the UK the previous afternoon and arrived in Hong Kong that morning.
Without even resting or eating lunch, he rushed straight to Jardines House.
Accompanying him were more than ten major Jardines shareholders —
the true British financial consortium behind Jardines.
The threat from Chinese capital had forced them to treat this crisis seriously.
None of them were willing to lose control of Jardines.
Holding Jardines gave them access to far greater wealth than just stock dividends —
it was the control over assets and influence that truly mattered.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, do we know exactly how much of Jardines Matheson Lin Haoran controls?"
Henry Keswick asked.
"Mr. Henry, when Lin Haoran met with me, he didn't disclose the exact figure.
He only said he held over 20%.
But that's just his word — I'm not fully convinced,"
Niu Bik Kin replied, shaking his head.
Over the past two years, Niu Bik Kin and Henry Keswick had been locked in a quiet struggle for control.
Keswick wanted the family to regain dominance at Jardines,
while Niu Bik Kin fought to retain his position.
Now, however, they had no choice but to work together.
Because if Lin Haoran succeeded,
both of them would lose everything.
Niu Bik Kin would lose his position,
and the Keswick family would lose their historical control over Jardines.
This was a reality neither could accept.
Especially for the Keswick family —
they had always regarded Jardines as their personal fiefdom.
Meanwhile, the other British shareholders generally followed Henry Keswick's lead.
"Gentlemen,"
Henry Keswick said, standing up and addressing everyone,
"we must unite.
Even if Lin Haoran becomes a major shareholder,
we cannot allow him to gain control.
We must find a way to eliminate this threat entirely.
Jardines must remain our stronghold!"
While everyone pondered solutions,
the general manager of Land Development, Boffat, stood up.
"Mr. Boffat, you have something to share?" Henry asked.
"Mr. Henry, gentlemen," Boffat began,
"this isn't directly related to Jardines Matheson.
But I must report that we've observed unusual trading activity in Land Development Corporation's stock.
Its market value has been artificially raised to HKD 110 billion.
We suspect someone is manipulating the stock —
and it might be another Chinese businessman."
At these words, many executives frowned deeply.
After all, Land Development was Jardines' most valuable subsidiary.
If they lost it, the blow to Jardines would be devastating.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, at our last conference call, we discussed the mutual holding plan —
especially Jardines increasing its stake in Land Development.
What's the progress?" Henry pressed.
Several days ago, they had discussed how to defend against the growing threat.
Back then, they had mistakenly thought Lin Haoran was targeting Land Development, not Jardines itself.
Thus, they had agreed on a plan where Jardines would cross-hold shares to consolidate control.
"Since that call," Niu Bik Kin replied,
"I've been implementing the plan.
Although progress slowed, we should complete the operation by October 3rd.
At that point, we can publicly announce it."
He paused, then added,
"However, now that Lin Haoran is the largest shareholder of Jardines,
if we use Jardines to acquire more Land Development shares,
he would also benefit.
Thus, I suggest we reconsider."
The atmosphere turned even more serious.
It was already bad enough that someone was targeting Jardines —
now someone else was threatening Land Development as well.
In the past, they had been arrogant, believing no one could challenge them.
But Bao Yugang's successful takeover of Wharf Holdings had shattered their confidence.
"Mr. Niu Bik Kin, Mr. Henry,"
one executive spoke up,
"perhaps we should leverage our political connections —
even use subtle pressure to force Lin Haoran to withdraw."
"If necessary, we can approach Governor MacLehose,"
another suggested.
"And if that fails,
perhaps even reach out to the Prime Minister's Office in London,"
Henry Keswick said grimly.
Losing Jardines to Chinese capital would be a massive humiliation for the British elite.
Meanwhile, although Niu Bik Kin sat quietly,
inside he seethed.
Nominally, he was the Jardines taipan —
but this entire meeting was being led by Henry Keswick.
In reality, Niu Bik Kin was merely a professional manager,
while Henry Keswick remained the true power behind Jardines.
Watching Henry dominate the meeting,
Niu Bik Kin couldn't help but think darkly:
"Could I use Lin Haoran to get rid of Henry Keswick?"
If he could ally with Lin Haoran,
maybe he could finally eliminate the Keswick family's influence once and for all.
But after some thought, he had to abandon the idea.
Just yesterday, he had met with Shen Bi, the head of Huifeng Bank,
who had made it clear:
Huifeng Bank would not support Lin Haoran's bid for Jardines.
Without Huifeng Bank's backing,
Lin Haoran was unlikely to succeed.
Even if Niu Bik Kin helped him,
it would be futile.
Thus, Niu Bik Kin sighed internally.
He wasn't a Jardines shareholder himself —
just a manager.
But still, the thought of being ousted after years of service gnawed at him.
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