Siheyuan: My wife is Xu Huizhen

Chapter 684

Every morning, before the first ray of sunshine completely dispels the chill of the night, the Star Ferry has already started its busy day. The ferry slowly sails out of the pier, cutting through the calm sea surface and creating layers of white splashes.

Until the night falls and the city lights come on, it still stands firm, traveling back and forth between the two places.

The passengers coming and going are of all kinds. There are professionals wearing neat suits, carrying briefcases, and rushing to work; there are also citizens and tourists wearing casual clothes, with a relaxed and happy look, ready to start a day of leisure and entertainment.

They are so numerous that the daily passenger flow on this route is extremely large, and the Star Ferry has become an indispensable part of Hong Kong's urban transportation system.

In addition to this famous main route, the Star Ferry has carefully planned a number of branch routes.

These branches are like capillaries in the city's veins, cleverly extending to every corner of Hong Kong, closely connecting the Kowloon Peninsula with the relatively niche areas around Hong Kong Island.

Although branch routes are not like main routes, which are always surrounded by crowds of people and the hustle and bustle of traffic, presenting a busy scene, they have steadily brought the company a considerable amount of income with their stable and continuous passenger flow.

This income may seem insignificant, but it actually occupies an indispensable position in the company's overall revenue system, and has become an important cornerstone supporting the continued expansion and stable operation of the Star Ferry's business territory.

The company that owns the Star Ferry is called Star Ferry, and its total share capital is set at 2000 million.

However, the company's equity structure is extremely complicated, like a maze shrouded in fog, which discourages many people who try to get a glimpse of it.

Among them, the business operated by Yu Renshuiting occupies a relatively marginal position in the company's huge business map.

He controls more than 10 ferries, which are generally small in tonnage. In the rough sea, they are like a small boat drifting, appearing extremely small and fragile.

Moreover, the routes they operate are quite remote, mostly connecting some little-known niche areas with sparse populations and infrequent commercial activities.

This results in its profitability being vastly different from that of the company's main routes, greatly reduced, and its economic benefits being relatively poor, so it can only barely occupy a corner in the company's profit system.

Among the shareholders of Star Ferry, Williams is considered one of the major shareholders, firmly holding more than 30% of the company's shares and having considerable say in the company's decision-making.

In addition, two major business giants, Wheelock and Swire, are also important shareholders of the company, influencing the company's development direction behind the scenes.

Due to the company's poor overall profitability and the different interests of shareholders, the shares are distributed rather scattered, like a pile of loose sand.

The combined effect of this series of factors directly leads to the company's relatively low market value and lack of sufficient attractiveness in the capital market.

In the current Hong Kong commercial capital market, the pattern is clearly divided.

Several companies with outstanding strength, relying on their profound foundation and excellent operations, have seen their market value soar like a rocket, breaking through the 100 million yuan mark early on and leaving their competitors far behind in the industry.

Among them, Heungkong Land is the leader, with its total market value standing firmly above 3 million, like a towering mountain reaching into the sky. Its every move attracts the attention of the market and influences the changes in the industry.

But the market has always been realistic and cruel. Wherever there are giants standing at the top of the pyramid, there must be companies struggling to climb in the mud at the bottom.

In this capital jungle, there are quite a few companies with a market value of less than 500 million. A rough estimate shows that there are as many as seven or eight of them.

Take Yu Ren Water Boat as an example. In the vast and complex commercial market value landscape, it is as small as a drop in the ocean, with a total market value of only 200 million.

Such a low market value means that once a capital tycoon with a keen sense of smell and ambition sets his sights on it, he only needs to wave a check in the market and pay 100 million yuan in real money to buy up shares. He can easily acquire 50% of the company's shares as easily as taking candy from a sack, successfully complete the identity transformation, and become the controlling shareholder, firmly controlling the company's future destiny.

Broaden your horizons and target other companies with similarly low market capitalizations. If you want to achieve your acquisition goals, you can spend no more than two or three million to acquire the other party without bloodshed and expand your capital map.

Among the numerous listed companies, Audley Pictures stands out. As a company mainly engaged in film production, its market value is shockingly low, only 150 million.

In the turbulent and ever-changing capital market, it is like a dilapidated and rickety sampan, which may be swallowed up by the ruthless waves at any time and disappear without a trace.

After hearing this information, He Yuzhu frowned, his eyes became deep, and he fell into a brief contemplation.

Various plans flashed through his mind like a kaleidoscope, and after a moment, a bold and adventurous plan gradually took shape in his mind.

His eyes suddenly lit up, his teeth clenched, and he said firmly, "Since the road to a direct listing is so fraught with difficulties and obstacles, and every step forward is like climbing a cliff, why not take a different approach? Consider buying an existing listed company and using this roundabout way to complete our capital layout. What do you think?"

"Will this work?" A middle-aged man in a neat suit leaned forward slightly with a frown on his face. After hearing this bold idea, he couldn't help but take a breath, his face full of suspicion, and asked the question eagerly.

In the business environment at that time, the traditional business model was deeply rooted, the forces of various parties were intertwined, and every decision could trigger a chain reaction.

This idea breaks the convention and takes a different approach, a path that no one has ever taken. It is indeed too bold and beyond everyone's imagination, making it difficult to believe.

"There is no written rule in the capital market that prohibits Chinese people from buying stocks." He Yuzhu straightened his back, his eyes like a torch in the cold night, firm and fervent, and responded in a resounding voice. His words were filled with the confidence and decisiveness accumulated from years of business experience, like the ringing of a huge bell, leaving no room for doubt.

Things are different now. After experiencing countless ups and downs in the business world, He Yuzhu has been reborn in the business field and has become a remarkable giant.

In Hong Kong, a prosperous land where every inch of land is valuable, he owns more than 20 industrial buildings, each built according to top architectural standards. The solid reinforced concrete structure is matched with modern logistics facilities. Looking down from the sky, they are like closely arranged commercial fortresses, firmly rooted in the land of Hong Kong, injecting endless industrial vitality into this land.

Not only that, there are two office buildings rising from the ground, towering into the clouds. The facade adopts the most advanced glass curtain wall design, which shines brightly under the sunlight and is particularly eye-catching in the city skyline, as if silently announcing to the world the owner's strong strength.

Just these real properties, after being calculated by a professional appraisal team using a sophisticated appraisal model and comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as location, supporting facilities, market supply and demand, are worth more than 4000 million. This figure is undoubtedly a staggering astronomical fortune at present.

Not to mention the expensive machine tools and equipment inside the factory that were imported from top industrial powers in Europe and the United States. Each one is a crystallization of cutting-edge technology and exquisite craftsmanship. They stand quietly in the production workshop, emitting a cold metallic luster. Their value is as high as hundreds of millions. Like a solid cornerstone, they support the company's solid production foundation and continuously produce high-quality radio products that are sold all over the world.

The radio foreign trade business that He Yuzhu is engaged in is complicated and the import and export procedures are cumbersome. From raw material procurement, customs declaration and clearance to cost accounting, multiple factors such as manpower, transportation, and exchange rate fluctuations need to be considered. In addition, the international market is volatile. Today a European country raises tariffs, and tomorrow demand in a certain place in Asia drops sharply. The profit margin is as if covered by a thick veil of mystery. It is difficult for outsiders to get a glimpse of it. I am afraid that only He Yuzhu himself has a clear account in his mind. That is the core secret of the business empire he has carefully built, and he will never allow any leakage.

With the financial resources and abundant business resources that He Yuzhu has accumulated in the business world, it is as easy as taking candy from a bag for him to easily spend millions to buy a listed company with a lower market value.

To him, this was just a small, insignificant branch pulled out from the vast wealth map, just a routine and uneventful operation.

Faced with the current complex business situation, He Yuzhu is well aware that opportunities are fleeting and that he must act decisively and swiftly.

He immediately summoned Huang Zhirou, his words filled with unquestionable decisiveness: "Zhirou, go and collect all the information about Williams, no matter how big or small. Don't miss any details. Make sure it is thorough."

Then, he scanned the industry reports stacked on his desk and added, "Don't overlook even those companies with small market capitalizations or scale. Have your team compile and gather all the necessary information, from their founding backgrounds and development histories to their equity structures, core businesses, market share, and profit models. We must thoroughly investigate and gain a comprehensive understanding so we can prepare for subsequent actions."

Huang Zhirou understood what he meant and quickly turned around to arrange the tasks.

Time passed quietly in the busyness, and before I knew it, it was already afternoon.

The warm sunlight shines through the large windows, gently falling on the desk like a veil, giving the entire office a golden glow.

He Yuzhu sat at his desk, his fingers crossed under his chin, thinking for a long time, sorting out information from all sides in his mind.

After a moment, he reached out and picked up the phone, and his slender fingers skillfully dialed Huo Yingdong's number.

A familiar voice soon came from the other end of the phone. He Yuzhu didn't exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Mr. Huo, it's been a while since we've met. Are you free this afternoon? Let's have afternoon tea together and chat about the latest happenings in the business world."

In a tea restaurant in Central known for its classical Chinese style, the carved wooden windows are half-closed, blocking out the hustle and bustle of the street market.

Inside the store, soft warm yellow lights pour down, interweaving with the soothing and melodious guzheng music, outlining a quiet world.

He Yuzhu and Ho Ying-tung sat opposite each other in a private seat by the window. Classic Cantonese shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns and other exquisite dim sum were scattered on the table. Steaming Pu'er tea was rising from the blue and white porcelain teapot, quietly casting a veil of mystery over the meeting.

He Yuzhu, dressed in a neat suit, leisurely picked up the teacup and took a sip, letting the warm tea slowly glide down his throat. Then, with a steady gaze across from him, he slowly spoke, "Old Huo, you've heard about the clash between the staff of our two ferry companies at the dock, and a brawl ensued."

Huo Yingdong's originally relaxed brows were suddenly tightened as if by an invisible big hand, and instantly twisted into a deep "chuan" character.

A subtle flash of worry crossed his eyes. He nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice, "Yes, I heard. This situation is extremely difficult, like a tangled mess. No matter how you try to sort it out, it's impossible to be clear. The prospects are really not optimistic. If this matter is not handled properly, judging by the current situation, I'm afraid it will cause a huge storm in this seemingly calm business world, disturbing the peace of Hong Kong and causing considerable turmoil."

He Yuzhu sighed helplessly, his brows twisted into the shape of a "川" character, his face full of worry, as if shrouded in a layer of haze.

"Yes, the situation is even more serious than I expected. They had planned this long ago and were extremely well prepared. It's obvious they were trying to intimidate us. One of our captains was severely beaten by them. The scene was simply unbearable to watch. They broke the captain's thigh, dislocating the bones. His right hand was also severely fractured at the wrist, with severe muscle and nerve damage. The doctor asserted that it would be difficult for him to regain his former flexibility. This is no ordinary conflict; it's clearly a brutal attack, intended to completely crush our morale!"

"This is too much!" When Huo Yingdong heard this, his originally calm face was instantly covered with anger. He stood up suddenly and slammed the table heavily with his right hand. The teacup on the table was shaken violently and almost fell over.

His eyes were filled with disbelief and anger, and he shouted angrily, "How could they be so harsh? Business battles are often fierce, but this time they have completely crossed the line. This is not just an ordinary business conflict, it's clearly a violent crime, with no business ethics or legal bottom line!"

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly, the bitterness on his face becoming more and more intense, as if shrouded in a layer of haze.