"Over at Standard Chartered, I’ll think of a way. They’ll definitely realize the importance of holding onto their shares, and without seeing our sincerity, they won’t easily pick sides."

Lu Liang conveyed the content of last night’s conversation with Li Zhikai, indicating that there was a possibility of drawing Standard Chartered in. The key was whether the conditions offered could entice them.

"We’re counting on you, Mr. Lu," Xu Jiayin said.

He couldn’t present the incentives to win over Standard Chartered, but Lu Liang could. Persuading Standard Chartered was a task only Lu Liang could undertake.

"Don’t worry. Although it will be challenging, I am confident that I can win them over," Lu Liang said with a smile.

At nine in the morning, the pre-market trading of the Hong Kong stock market began.

Zheng Jiachun and Qi Yaonian, along with Lu Liang and Xu Jiayin.

Both parties gradually gathered at the New World Building.

"A clash of the kings, a showdown at the summit!"

"The ultimate ownership of a two-trillion-dollar group!"

The three major financial columns from TVB, ATV, and Phoenix each opened sub-channels to commence a 24-hour live broadcast tracking the event.

"According to reliable sources, the Zheng Family holds 49.12% of shares, Hengtai holds 40.21%, and only Standard Chartered has yet to make its choice."

"If Standard Chartered sides with the Zheng Family, then Lu Liang’s assistance with Hengtai’s acquisition of New World will likely end in failure."

"If Standard Chartered chooses to support Hengtai, then this acquisition and counter-acquisition battle will enter a climax stage."

The entire Hong Kong was watching, and there were even betting odds set up: the Zheng Family would successfully guard New World at 1.85 to 1, while Hengtai’s successful acquisition was at 1.58 to 1.

Numbers don’t lie. Although Lu Liang arrived in Xiangjiang with an air of invincibility, the odds clearly showed the Zheng Family’s greater chance of success.

After all, the Zheng Family is the local powerhouse of Xiangjiang. Furthermore, they have the backing of Zhou Da Fu and HSBC, and New World hasn’t made any decisively wrong moves.

There’s a rumor that Zheng Jiachun offended Lu Liang by blocking his entry into HSBC’s shares, which led to New World facing a forced acquisition.

But a rumor is still just a rumor; there’s no solid reason for Lu Liang to suddenly attack the Zheng Family.

Moreover, he is assisting Xu Jiayin. Without the Zheng Family’s support, there would be no Hengtai today.

Morally, it doesn’t hold up either.

"This move is called ’seizing the initiative.’" Qi Yaonian smirked, glancing at Lu Liang’s side.

Although Standard Chartered ignored their overtures, probably hoping to raise the stakes, he still had backup plans.

For Xiangjiang, whether Lu Liang or Xu Jiayin, both are outsiders. By capturing the op-ed high ground, regardless of whether their subsequent plans are successful or not, they can still garner some sympathy points.

Zheng Jiachun smiled, but a trace of worry flickered in his eyes. If their winning chances were so great, needing to earn sympathy points actually put them at a disadvantage.

On the other side, Xu Jiayin introduced the middle-aged woman beside him to Lu Liang: "Mr. Lu, this is Ms. Zhou Simin from Bank of China."

"Mr. Lu, I’ve heard much about you."

Zhou Simin smiled slightly; her neat short hair and thin lips suggested she was not someone to be trifled with.

She was appointed by Bank of China to join the New World board. Before she came, her superiors instructed her that in today’s meetings, Bank of China would not express any opinions or ideas. Everything was to be led by Lu Liang and Xu Jiayin.

In simple terms, Bank of China supported Hengtai, but the decisions and subsequent actions of Hengtai had nothing to do with them.

Although this approach seemed redundant, the attitude was more important than the actual actions.

Lu Liang nodded with a smile, "Understood, we definitely won’t put you in a difficult position."

"Everyone’s here, shall we go over and say hello?" Xu Jiayin suggested, looking towards Zheng Jiachun’s direction.

Although they all entered through the same door, today’s atmosphere was so tense that old acquaintances pretended to be strangers.

Now that both parties were assembled, it was only polite for them, as outsiders, to take the initiative to greet, even if it was merely a nod and a smile.

Lu Liang nodded and walked alongside Xu Jiayin.

Qi Yaonian noticed this and paused his conversation with Zheng Jiachun, turning to Lu Liang with a smile.

"Mr. Lu, I’ve heard much about you. I’m Qi Yaonian, HSBC’s Executive Director." He smiled warmly, as if meeting an old friend he hadn’t seen in years.

"Mr. Qi, I’ve heard Jun Wei mention you before. He’s always been grateful for your past care." Lu Liang observed Qi Yaonian.

The HSBC boss, if it were colonial times, would be among the three most powerful people in Xiangjiang, with a status comparable to the Hong Kong Governor.

In his early fifties, although possessing a typical Western face, his skin tone indicated he probably had some Jewish ancestry.

Lu Liang always believed that except for the undisputed definition of black people, the so-called white and yellow people were more of a political orientation.

Taking himself as an example, when he worked as an agent back then, constantly under the sun, his skin was quite dark. Over the past few years, living in comfort, he got fairer again.

Though not cold white-skinned, his complexion was whiter than most white people.

On the contrary, the self-proclaimed white people of Europe and America aren’t purely white, especially the Squid Clan, whose skin tone leans towards pink.

Qi Yaonian looked at Li Junwei, smiling as he asked, "Jun Wei, how are you adjusting under Mr. Lu’s leadership?"

"Very well, Mr. Lu treats me kindly. I’ve learned a lot of new things from him," Li Junwei immediately responded.

"If someday you’re not happy working under Mr. Lu, know that HSBC will always be your home," Qi Yaonian said with a smile.

Without even giving a heads-up, he poached their youngest vice president, so he had quite an opinion about Lu Liang.

Li Junwei was taken aback and hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Mr. Qi, for your kind offer, but there won’t be such an opportunity."

"Mr. Qi, you’ve been in Xiangjiang for so many years, you should have heard that water flows to a lower place, while people strive for higher goals."

Lu Liang smiled and said, "Employees switching jobs is nothing more than seeking better career prospects and a bigger stage. If one day you feel you can’t pursue your ambitions at HSBC, Tianxing will always welcome you."

There’s no point in a verbal dispute, especially since he can fully represent Tianxing, whereas Qi Yaonian cannot fully represent HSBC.

There is a fundamental difference in their identities, so Lu Liang wasn’t angry, rather he returned good for ill.

Qi Yaonian was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "Hopefully that day won’t come."

"Everyone, this way please."

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Zheng Jiachun quickly stepped forward to mediate, with a deeper concern in his eyes.

Warm-up before the battle,

Lu Liang VS Qi Yaonian,

Round one, Lu Liang wins.

There is a fundamental difference between a founder and a professional manager, at least Lu Liang doesn’t need to consult the board to make major decisions autonomously.

In contrast, Qi Yaonian can’t do that.

When faced with major decisions, Lu Liang can make the call, but he has to inform headquarters, convene meetings to discuss, which weakens his momentum slightly.

At nine thirty in the morning, the Hong Kong stock market opened.

Huazhi’s stock price plummeted, dropping by 11.5%, because trading would be suspended for restructuring the next day. If one doesn’t want to seek high premium buybacks, today is the last chance to cash out.

New World’s stock price continued to soar, surging by 7.55% at the opening, with market value skyrocketing by another HKD 15 billion, the scramble was still ongoing, but the market had no more chips available.

Meanwhile, everyone arrived at the conference room on the 18th floor of the New World Building to begin the meeting.

"New World is already at the brink of life and death; my suggestion is to repurchase the shares at a 100% premium."

Zheng Jiachun was straightforward, regardless of Lu Liang and Xu Jiayin’s presence, and proposed the poison pill strategy’s trigger plan.

By repurchasing issued stock options at a high premium, it aims to dilute the acquirer’s equity in the target company.

"I represent Ms. Zhou in expressing disapproval!"

Xu Jiayin, with a stern face, spoke up to deny: "Currently, New World’s stock price is as high as HKD 64.53 per share, with a market value of over HKD 220 billion."

"At this time, repurchasing at a 100% premium, has Chairman Zheng not considered the cost issue?"

"Not to mention whether there’s so much capital available, even if there is, ask which director present thinks our New World is worth HKD 440 billion in market value?"

"Chairman Zheng, you should not sacrifice the interests of all our shareholders for your own selfish desires."

Perhaps due to frequent dealings with officials, Old Xu’s rhetoric was very polished, as if he harbored no personal interests, thinking only of New World shareholders.

"Ms. Zhou, is this the opinion of the Bank of China?"

Zheng Jiachun ignored Xu Jiayin, gazing sharply at Zhou Simin.

It’s not because Old Xu said he can represent, that he can automatically represent Zhou Simin of the Bank of China.

Even though Zheng Jiachun knows that Xu Jiayin and Lu Liang coming into the board had already received the Bank of China’s authorization.

But he still needed to ask for confirmation.

On one hand, it’s due to procedural requirements, and on the other, it’s to give Old Xu a wake-up call; he’s just a shareholder, not a board member.

Even if he becomes a board member, the current chairman is still him, Zheng Jiachun.

"Chairman Zheng, this is the authorization document." Zhou Simin was sparing with words, handing over a document to Zheng Jiachun.

Zheng Jiachun was surprised, pretending to browse through the document nonchalantly, leaving Old Xu aside.

Old Xu had a dark face but said nothing.

After a long while, Zheng Jiachun asked, "My suggestion is still to repurchase the shares at a high premium, does anyone else disagree?"

He turned his gaze to He Jiafan, who represented Standard Chartered at the board meeting; Standard Chartered’s stance was crucial.

If they remained silent, despite his autocratic tendencies, he would still proceed with the poison pill plan.

If Standard Chartered opposed, Zheng Jiachun would have to halt, otherwise, it might drive Standard Chartered to the opposite side.

Seeing all the eyes on him, He Jiafan glanced at Lu Liang and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Xu speaks reasonably, I hope Chairman Zheng will reconsider."

He looked at Lu Liang; in fact, what he and Standard Chartered cared about the most was Lu Liang’s attitude.

However, Lu Liang’s demeanor of detachment and daydreaming left him quite confused.

One should know they hold the decisive shares.

Zheng Jiachun frowned; Standard Chartered’s attitude made him feel a crisis looming, the worst-case scenario had happened.

Qi Yaonian sighed; he could understand Standard Chartered’s position, in short, it was about holding out for a better offer, waiting for Lu Liang’s terms, and then comparing both sides to choose the one that maximizes benefits.

Old Xu smiled, sweeping away the gloom and decisively launched a new round of offensive: "Hengtai holds 40.21% of shares, I suggest immediately convening a shareholders’ meeting to introduce them into the board."

"The urgent task is still to consider the group’s potential compulsory acquisition problem." Zheng Jiachun’s face turned colder, decisively using his power of veto.