Combining the previous four updates, insiders no longer need to disclose information for the onlookers to guess when it’s the handiwork of Lu Liang.

As the side playing the first move, once there’s a counterattack, Lu Liang’s offensive will become even more fierce.

Just like a certain war hero once said: The enemy not only refuses to surrender, but dares to fight back against me!

The enemy faces an even fiercer offensive.

Just as people anticipated HSBC or the Zheng Family to take countermeasures.

The sixth update arrived on time.

830.8 billion Hong Kong Dollars, although 20.6 billion more than five minutes ago, a discerning eye can see there are no major funds entering the market.

In this pre-battle warm-up exercise, it seems Lu Liang’s Tianxing has emerged victorious.

"Did the Zheng Family chicken out? Did HSBC chicken out?”

"Not necessarily. You should know that the Zheng Family is supported by HSBC, one of the three major settlement banks in Xiangjiang.”

"So? How many divisions does HSBC have?”

"They are preserving their strength. There are still more than five hours today; who would empty their chips in the first hour?”

"Fun fact, Tianxing Finance is currently holding a 300 billion US Dollar cash flow. The 800 billion Hong Kong Dollar subscription is just over 100 billion US Dollars.”

"Stop boasting about your British connections. It’s an indisputable fact that Tianxing has crushed the joint forces of HSBC and the Zheng Family.”

To some Xiangjiang residents, HSBC, as a British consortium, holds a status similar to that of the old Qing dynasty sentiment among some mainland remnants.

They cannot accept that HSBC, once invincible and dominating Xiangjiang’s capital market for years, even standing strong against the Bank of China,

Would be defeated in its most proficient field,

By the outsider, Lu Liang, by Tianxing.

It feels like seeing a school belle, who usually presents a pure image, one day getting into a Mercedes, being groped and manipulated by a sleazy old man.

At this moment, describing it as a shattering of the Dao heart couldn’t be more appropriate.

At 9:35, the seventh update showed that although subscription funds increased, the rise wasn’t significant, indicating no major funds entered the market.

The eighth and ninth updates followed suit over the next five hours, surpassing one trillion Hong Kong Dollars in the third hour.

At 3 PM, the six-hour subscription period ended with subscription funds reaching 1.38 trillion Hong Kong Dollars, 33.01 times the subscription amount.

With 100 shares per board lot, requiring an investment of 5575 Hong Kong Dollars per board lot, theoretically, you would need 184,000 just to draw one board lot.

"Mr. Lu, we subscribed for 390 billion Hong Kong Dollars, theoretically securing 212 million shares, accounting for 8.49% of the floating shares.”

At 3:10 PM, Wen Chao came to Lu Liang’s office to report work, noting too many retail investors were blindly participating.

Causing them to throw in 50 billion US Dollars in one go, almost capable of buying two New World Groups, but only securing 8.49% of the floating shares.

"Let’s wait until the subscription results are announced.” Lu Liang frowned. The 1.38 trillion subscription fund indeed exceeded expectations.

Rumors beforehand had circulated, saying the subscription fund was expected to be at least one trillion, with hopes for two trillion.

But anyone who could say that clearly doesn’t know how many zeros are in a trillion.

They need to know that this subscription is limited to Xiangjiang, and it’s a directed issuance, unlike an IPO with roadshows.

1.38 trillion clearly surpassed not only his expectations but far exceeded the Zheng Family’s expectations as well.

With their 390 billion Hong Kong Dollar input, securing 8.49% of the floating shares, the Zheng Family and HSBC would only have less.

Two hours passed in a flash,

As time approached 5 PM.

Countless people opened their securities software like flipping through cards, covering screens with one hand, slowly moving it away.

When they saw numbers, they were overjoyed,

When they saw grey fonts, they cursed aloud.

"Total subscription of 2.1 billion shares, accounting for 28% of this new issuance, totaling 8.4% of the floating shares.”

Wen Chao sighed, subscribing for 212 million shares was just theoretical; they were clearly below the average line.

Including the previous 31.108% held by Hengtai, as of now, they only have 39.508%, still 10.592% away from the absolute control of 50.1%.

"How about the Zheng Family?” Lu Liang inquired.

He feared HSBC signaling a false distraction, releasing fake news about the Zheng Family misusing Zhou Da Fu’s funds but secretly subscribing instead.

Though they subscribed a hefty 50 billion US Dollars in just half an hour this morning, their available funds are only 62.1 billion US Dollars.

For that moment of glory, they used up nearly 85% of their account, which is why they stayed quiet for the following five hours.

"The Zheng Family and HSBC jointly invested 41 billion US Dollars, securing 170 million shares, accounting for 22.7% of this new issuance, and 6.81% of the total floating shares.”

Wen Chao replied, noting the Zheng Family holds 41.194% of New World’s shares, while they hold 39.508%.

A mere 1.686% gap, something that can be easily bridged or even overtaken in the secondary market.

Lu Liang pondered, preferring not to initiate a buying battle, considering the number of opportunists present.

Suddenly, he turned his attention to Old Xu.

Lu Liang grinned mischievously: “Mr. Xu, weren’t there many people welcoming our arrival last night and saying we should feel free to speak up if we needed any help?”

"Indeed, that’s what happened.” Xu Jiayin nodded, looking puzzled: “Mr. Lu, do you want me to contact them?”

"Tianxing doesn’t mind, but I’m worried about the pressure Mr. Xu might face in the future.” Lu Liang squinted with a smile.

They still need about 290 million shares for Hengtai to reach the 50.1% absolute control line.

But now, a single share has been speculated up to 89.5 Hong Kong Dollars.

On Monday, prices will only climb higher when trading resumes.

If Hengtai is willing to accept such high prices, Lu Liang would not object; if Xu Jiayin wants to lower costs, Lu Liang wouldn’t object either.

Everything follows Boss Xu’s wishes.

"Okay, I’ll contact them.”

Old Xu reluctantly agreed.

This kind of face-saving task, Lu Liang was unwilling to do, leaving it to Xu; after all, he’s the one being the butcher, and Xu is the meat.

To think as the renowned First Rich of East Country, the mighty Emperor Xu, but lately in dealings with Lu Liang, he gradually felt worthless.

Forget it, the more he thought about it, the more upset he became. At least the acquisition of New World now only lacks the last little stroke.

Once Hengtai fully ventures into Xiangjiang’s real estate market, they can change the destiny of slow-sinking death.

5:30 PM,

The shareholding figures of both parties were also made public.

Zheng Family 41.194%, Hengtai 39.508%.

"Feeling good, the exciting part is about to come.”

"With a subscription of 2,000 shares, can someone knowledgeable tell how much can I earn?”

"Brother, you’re making a fortune, one share at 55.75 Hong Kong Dollars, should at least see a double profit.”

"Damn, seeing you guys make money is more painful than losing money myself.”

"Damn it, who’s getting the subscriptions? 300,000 didn’t even get a board lot?”

The balanced situation is what all the opportunists hope for.

If one side crushes the other, the second round of expected buying frenzy would also go unnoticed.

That night, all major newspapers in Hong Kong emblazoned a prominent headline “Super Week, Still Ongoing, See You Monday!”

As night fell, the 82nd floor of Phase 2 of the Plaza Building was brightly lit, like it was daylight.

Lu Liang sat there in his own world, sipping tea, scrolling through his phone.

Completely ignoring Xu Jiayin, who was making promise after promise right in front of him.

Until Old Xu put away his phone, Lu Liang smiled and offered him a cup of tea: “Mr. Xu, it’s been an afternoon, have a cup of tea to soothe your throat.”

Xu Jiayin sighed, showing vexation on his face: “Contacted seven parties, but all together only amount to 1.82%.”

Last night each and every one spoke more eloquently than singers, declaring that they’d go all out to assist Hengtai in the acquisition of New World.

As a result, it still depends on the person making the call.

If Lu Liang were to call them personally, they would undoubtedly hand over the shares, not even asking for a premium.

Comparatively, with Xu making the call, the situation was different, their most common rhetoric being: Ah Zheng is a friend they’ve known for over fifty years, a childhood playmate…

In summary, there’s an added price.

If money could solve it, Xu Jiayin might not be so vexed. The key was, money wouldn’t suffice.

Each explicitly or implicitly reminding him that New World hoarded many undeveloped plots. Even if Hengtai sneaks in later, the waters in Xiangjiang are too deep for him to handle.

Xu Jiayin, helplessly, could only pinch his nose and promise cooperative development in the future.

You could say, New World hasn’t been acquired yet, but future profits have already been divided clean.

"More friends, more paths, that’s also nice.”

Lu Liang smiled: “This way, Hengtai’s holdings would surpass the Zheng Family’s, becoming New World’s major shareholder?”

"Unless Ah Zheng takes other actions, that should be the case.” Xu Jiayin nodded, excitement flickering in his eyes.

Today, Hengtai Group’s stock price rose another 12%, with its market value reaching 565.1 billion Hong Kong Dollars.

If it weren’t for this visible gain, he wouldn’t persistently play the role of this easy target.