章節 985: Chapter 985: A critical breakthrough
The chairman's office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Building in Central, Hong Kong Island.
Shen Bi instructed the secretary who shouted in: 'Lander, Norman Shih Yawei, the chairman of the Swire Group, will be here soon. You should change the fruit as soon as possible, and bring out the best coffee and tea.'
'Yes!'
The secretary, Lante, immediately replied, then picked up the fruit platter and quickly walked out the door.
Shen Bi sat in his chair, a guess coming to mind.
'Could it be about Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company's shareholding?'
Other than that, he couldn't think of anything else Norman Shiawei would have come to see him about recently.
If it really was about that, then he would have to get ready immediately.
...
About eight minutes later.
Norman Shiawai was led to Shen Bi's office by the receptionist, and Shen Bi got up to greet him.
'Norman, we meet again, come in!'
'Michael, good morning!'
After a brief handshake, Norman Shiawai was ushered into the office by Shen Bi, and the two sat down together on the soft, comfortable leather sofa.
After asking Norman Shiawai, Shen Bi's secretary, Rand, served different kinds of coffee to the two men before leaving the office, closing the door behind her.
For a moment, the office was only filled with the sounds of Shen Bi and Norman Shiawai.
Shen Bi smiled and asked, 'Norman, is there something you need? If I can do it, I will do my best.'
Norman Shiawai smiled and thanked him, 'Thank you!'
Then he said, 'Michael, I suddenly came to visit you today because I really have something urgent that needs your help.'
'I hope to buy some of the shares in Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company held by HSBC!'
'I hope to complete the transaction today if possible.'
Facing Norman Shih Ya-wei's piercing gaze, Shen Bi secretly thought, "So that's it," and looked hesitant.
Norman Shih Yawei's heart skipped a beat, his fists clenching unconsciously, his face changing instantly. He asked anxiously, 'Michael, is it that these shares are no longer in the hands of HSBC?'
Shen Bi was stunned, and said with a faint smile, 'Norman, don't be nervous, just let me finish.'
Norman Shih Ya-wei forced himself to calm down, looking directly at Shen Bi, waiting for his answer, but his clenched fists showed that he was very nervous inside.
Shen Bi also knew Norman Shih Ya-wei's mood at this time, so he didn't beat around the bush, and said according to the draft he had prepared in his mind before Norman Shih Ya-wei came, 'Norman, it is impossible to complete the transaction today.'
'Because the shares in Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company originally held by HSBC had already been transferred to the British parent company, HSBC Holdings, at the last bank asset audit, along with the shares in some other companies.'
'So if you want, I have to apply to the parent company first, and then the parent company will approve and find it and transfer it back to our Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation before I can talk to you about the transaction.'
Norman Shiawai let out a sigh of relief when he heard Shen Bi's explanation, and his clenched fist gradually loosened. Fortunately, it wasn't a situation he didn't want to see.
He didn't care about why the shares had been transferred to the parent company of HSBC. After all, from Shen Bi's words, he knew that it wasn't just the shares of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, but also the shares of other companies.
Given Shen Bi's relationship with him, he didn't suspect Shen Bi of lying to him here.
He then asked about something he was more concerned about.
'Michael, how long will this process take? Can you give me a rough estimate?'
Shen Bi frowned and thought for a moment, shaking his head under Norman Shiyawai's concerned gaze and apologetically saying, 'Norman, I really can't guarantee the time.'
'It's very simple for me to write the application and it won't take long to submit it, but the key is the decision-making process at the parent company. I can only do my best to push it through, but I can't guarantee how long it will take.'
Seeing Norman Shih Yawei's face turn a little ugly, Shen Bi immediately reassured him: 'But don't worry, if I get the shares back from the parent company, I will let you know as soon as possible, and I won't make you feel uncomfortable about the price.'
After Shen Bi had said all this, Norman Shih Yawei knew that there was no way he could buy the shares from HSBC today.
But he still had to confirm the first objective.
So he smiled and said, 'Michael, I'll leave it to you!'
'By the way, I believe the shares in Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company are still in the hands of HSBC Holdings, right?'
Instead of answering directly, Shen Biao gave a plausible answer: 'If they were sold, I would know about it, but I have not been notified of any sale, so they should still be in the hands of the parent company.'
Shen Biao was guilty in his heart, so he was afraid to be definitive and left himself a way out.
Of course, he was right. He had indeed not received any notification, and he had no idea whether it had been sold or not. HSBC Holdings had sold the shares, but it had also helped Bright Fund keep the matter confidential.
Norman Shiawei looked at Shen Bi for a few seconds, nodded slightly, and chose to believe what Shen Bi had said.
He said sincerely and solemnly, 'Okay, Michael, this matter is very important to me, so please help me as soon as possible.'
Shen Biao nodded with a smile, then looked at his watch and said to Norman Shiyawai, 'No problem. Judging by the time, it's still dark in London. I'll go ask as soon as they start work there.'
'Thank you!' Norman Shiyawai thanked him again.
Shen Biao pondered for a moment and asked, 'Norman, can I know why you suddenly want to buy back some of the shares of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company?'
After all, buying back the shares and then using them to replace the shares in Dongfeng Airlines would not benefit HSBC, and it would be embarrassing to talk about it, and he didn't want to let the cat out of the bag before he got what he wanted.
So Norman Shihyawei chose to conceal the truth for the time being.
He said with a smile, 'Michael, the main reason is to strengthen Cathay Pacific's control over Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, and in order to promote the development of Swire Pacific, it is indeed necessary to increase the shareholding ratio a bit.'
Shen Biao knew that Norman Shiawai had not told the truth.
He gave Norman Shiawai a deep look and sighed inwardly.
He was a little disappointed with Norman Shiawai, but at the same time, his heart gradually eased.
He was not the only one who had lied; Norman Shiawai had also lied to him, so he didn't need to feel any psychological burden.
If Norman Shiyahuai had told the truth, he would have been able to obtain more information and confirm that Norman Shiyahuai knew who was buying Cathay Pacific Airways. Then he could have revealed the truth to Norman Shiyahuai and not caused trouble for the parent company.
But since Norman Shiyahuai didn't tell him, he couldn't be sure. In order not to affect the parent company and for his own future, he could only choose to keep the secret to himself.
However, due to their many years of friendship, he still wanted to subtly remind Norman Sjöwall of this, and whether it would be effective or not was up to Norman Sjöwall himself.
He nodded thoughtfully and said, 'Norman, you're absolutely right. No matter how well a company develops, it's useless if you can't control it. I support you strengthening your control over the company, it's very important.'
Norman Sjöwall nodded with a smile and replied, 'Yes.'
Then there was no more.
Shen Bi frowned slightly, unable to determine whether Norman Shi Yahui had heard the deeper meaning in his words.
Just then, Norman Shi Yahui took a sip of coffee, put the quilt down, and said to Shen Bi, 'Michael, I still have some things to do, so I'll leave first. I won't disturb you anymore. I'll play golf with you if you have time this weekend.'
'I'll leave this matter in your hands. Let me know as soon as you have news.'
'Okay!' Shen Bi smiled and nodded in response.
'Then I'll go first!'
'I'll see you out.'
After personally seeing Norman Shiyahuai out the door of the headquarters, and watching his car start and leave, Shen Bi sighed and thought to himself, 'Norman, I hope you can remain as cautious as you say you are. With your original shareholding in the company, as long as you don't make any mistakes, no one can take your company away from you. The key is in your own hands...'
Thinking about this, Shen Bi felt a little disheartened, shook his head slightly, and stopped thinking about it, turning and walking towards the elevator.
...
Wade Schiaway had to go to the Song family to find someone, so it was better to go to Norman Schiaway's side quickly.
Therefore, when the morning shift ended, Wade Schiaway still hadn't managed to get it done.
But around 1:00 pm, Wade Schiaway hurried back to the family and met his uncle Norman Schiaway, who had no heart to sleep.
On seeing his nephew enter, Norman Schiaway immediately asked, 'Wade, what's the result?'
Wade Schiaway sat down with a thud, took two breaths to get his breathing under control, and then spoke.
'Uncle, I found Song Bo, the head of the Song family, and confirmed that the shares are still in the hands of the Song family, and that there has not been any loss. I have seen the share certificate.'
On hearing this, Norman Schiaway's face relaxed.
Then he heard what Wade Shiyahuai said next.
'But Song Bo didn't agree to my proposal to buy the shares. He said that he was optimistic about Cathay Pacific and that no matter what I said, he wasn't willing to transfer them.'
'And he also said that from beginning to end, he had always supported our management, so let us rest assured that he would always be on our side.'
'Knowing that there was no point in continuing the discussion, I didn't persuade him any further. I waited until I was fully prepared before going to talk to him again.'
Norman Shi Yawai thought for a moment and said, 'That's fine. Since Song Bo said that, he shouldn't be lying to us.'
Wade Shi Yawai agreed, saying, "Yes, I have also considered that the Song family has been cooperating with our family for decades, and the Song family also has a lot of interests within the consortium. For the sake of his entire family, there is no reason for him to betray us.'
Norman Shi Yawai nodded slightly.
Wade Shi Yawai asked in return, "Uncle, what about HSBC?'
Norman Shi Yahuai's face fell, and he recounted the situation.
Facing the situation described by his uncle, Wei De Shi Yahuai didn't know what to say. Continuing to pursue the matter would only embarrass his uncle, so he wisely refrained from asking any more questions and moved on to the most crucial topic.
'Uncle, it's already one o'clock, less than two hours until three o'clock in the afternoon. Should we make the deal with Bao Yugang?'
After asking, Wei De Shi Yahuai looked at his uncle Norman Shi Yahuai quietly, waiting for his approval.
Norman Shijiahuai pondered for a long time, his gaze becoming firm, and he said solemnly, 'Let's do the deal, lest there be problems if we drag on.'
'I will have the British side contact HSBC Holdings directly. We can proceed on both sides simultaneously. As long as we obtain a portion of the shares held by HSBC, it doesn't matter whether the Song family transfers them or not.'
'A few days should not have a significant impact.'
Wade Shijiahuai nodded in agreement, 'Okay, then I will have someone prepare the things we need to use in the afternoon.'
'Well, you've worked hard!'
'Not at all, for the glory of the family!'
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