Monday, March 29!
After a two-day market closure, the Hong Kong stock market welcomed a new trading day.
After a week of speculation, the entire Hong Kong stock market was now aware of the battle for Huifeng’s shares between Star Investment and the British Capital Group. In recent days, economic experts, top traders, and analysts from all corners had been weighing in on the matter, dissecting the causes and predicting the ultimate outcome of this shareholder battle.
According to the analyses of these “experts and professors,” Star Investment’s frenzied battle with the British Capital Group over Huifeng’s shares was by no means solely the decision of Li Yi or Star Investment; rather, it reflected the collective will of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Their pursuit of Huifeng’s shares isn’t driven by the bank’s own assets, valued at tens of billions, but rather by its status and influence within Hong Kong Island’s financial sector—and, more importantly, by its currency issuance rights.
By taking control of Huifeng, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce would effectively break the white community’s stranglehold on Hong Kong Island’s financial sector, completely overturn the British-owned firms’ monopoly, and bring an end to their era of easy profits.
Therefore, this battle for control can be viewed as a full-scale counterattack by Chinese capital against British capital…
As for the outcome of this battle, these experts and professors have roughly three predictions. The first is that Starry Sky will secure a narrow victory: after investing 25 billion Hong Kong dollars, they will gain controlling interest in Huifeng Bank. However, the struggle between the two sides will not end there; it will shift to internal strife within Huifeng.
The second scenario is that the British-funded group wins the battle for Huifeng Bank but suffers crushing defeats on other fronts. Although they retain control of Huifeng Bank, Star Company will take the opportunity to sell its shares at a high price, cash out, and walk away with a huge profit—yet they will have failed to achieve their strategic objectives.
The third outcome is a lose-lose situation for both sides, with speculative capital reaping the benefits!
Similar commentary and reports have dominated the headlines in major Hong Kong newspapers over the past few days, and most people agree with these analyses.
Consequently, the vast majority of investors are watching Star Company’s moves today. If Star Company opens at a high price to acquire Huifeng shares, it clearly indicates that neither side intends to back down.
Conversely, if their buying shows signs of fatigue, this game will soon come to an end.
While brokerage firms, speculative capital, and retail investors all wait for Star Investment’s next move, the company’s traders are also awaiting instructions from Li Yi.
Hong Kong Stock Exchange, VIP Room No. 1!
The trading team affiliated with Star Investment Corporation has gathered here, and all eyes are fixed on Li Yi.
Despite being watched by so many, Li Yi remained composed.
After a long pause, he said calmly, “So far, we’ve acquired 15% of Huifeng’s publicly traded shares. Combined with the shares purchased from other shareholders, we now control 34% of Huifeng’s stock—slightly more than those foreigners. Therefore, today’s mission remains the same: snap up Huifeng shares, expand our lead, and secure controlling interest in Huifeng within this week!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Pang Feiyan stood up and asked, “Boss, Huifeng’s stock price has already reached 62 Hong Kong dollars per share. Should we keep buying?”
“Yes. Once the market opens, drive the price up to HK$63. Don’t worry about the cost—HK$5 billion will be injected into the company’s account shortly for your operations!” Li Yi declared with unyielding authority.
“Yes, sir!”
Pang Feiyan then spoke again: “Boss, institutional investors and hot money have been aggressively buying up shares recently. Retail investors don’t have many shares left. I don’t think a small price increase will allow us to acquire many more floating shares!”
“So what do you suggest we do?” Li Yi asked.
“We can continue buying shares at high prices on the open market while simultaneously reaching out to those institutions and speculative funds to directly acquire all the shares they hold. That would be faster, more convenient, and more efficient!” Pang Feiyan said.
“Good. Let’s proceed with your plan!”
Li Yi then added, “Wang Wenlong, Lin Luo, and Zhang Wenbin, the three of you will form a separate team. Immediately contact those brokerage firms and speculative capital groups and find a way to buy the Huifeng shares they hold. As long as the price doesn’t exceed 65 Hong Kong dollars per share, you may sign the contracts directly after reporting to Manager Pang!”
“Yes, boss!”
“Liang He, Huang Zhonglie, and Liu Yu, the three of you are in charge of continuing to buy shares on the stock market. The rest of you stand by!”
“Yes…”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the opening bell rang out from outside: “Ding,” “ding,” “ding.”
Li Yi immediately said, “The bell has rung. Let’s get moving!”
“Yes…”
At Li Yi’s command, all the traders in the VIP room stood up and headed toward the exit.
However, after the VIP room door closed, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on Li Yi’s lips.
Seeing this expression on Li Yi’s face, Zhang Ziqiang, Zhou Wen, and the others standing beside him couldn’t help but shudder.
Based on the patterns they’d observed from their long association with Li Yi, someone was about to be in for a world of trouble.
In the trading floor outside the VIP room, when Pang Feiyan and the others emerged, they instantly drew everyone’s attention.
With a trading team managing 60 billion Hong Kong dollars, their every move influenced the direction of the stock market.
The moment Pang Feiyan and her group placed a buy order for Huifeng shares at 63 HKD per share, the trading floor erupted.
Soon, after two orders of 5,000 lots each were snapped up by Star Company, buy orders at HK$64 appeared on the exchange, and prices quickly surged to HK$65 per share.
Huifeng’s stock once again entered a frenzied rally…
In VIP Room 9, after hearing his subordinate’s report, Dolsen immediately issued instructions to continue buying Huifeng shares at a high price.
Shortly after the order was issued, Dolsen received a mysterious phone call.
After hanging up, Dolsen was visibly shaken.
Witnessing this, Henry, Chairman of Huifeng’s Board of Directors and General Manager of the bank, immediately asked, “Dawson, what’s wrong? What happened? Why do you look so pale?”
“Henry, I just received word that Li Yi has already acquired 34% of Huifeng’s shares. He only needs another 17% to reach a controlling stake!” Dolsen said in a grim tone.
“What… that’s impossible. How could that yellow-skinned monkey have acquired so many Huifeng shares? I’ve already spoken to nearly all the shareholders—if they’re willing to sell, they’ll give us first dibs. He…”
“Henry, don’t forget—it was Li Fuzhao and He Dongying who were buying up those shares on his behalf. They carry a lot of clout around here, and plenty of people are willing to give them face. So it’s entirely possible those shareholders have already sold their stakes to Starry Sky Corporation without telling us!”
“Shit… those bastards are completely unreliable… What are we going to do?” Henry said, sounding somewhat agitated.
Dorson understood Henry’s frustration. Over the past week, in their battle with Li Yi for control of Huifeng Bank, they had poured over 5 billion Hong Kong dollars into the stock market alone, yet had managed to secure less than 10% of the shares.
At the same time, they had to scramble to buy up or court the shares held by small shareholders. They’d spent a fortune, yet their total stake was only around 33%.
They had thought the results were already quite good, but they hadn’t expected to still fall slightly short of that bastard from Starry Company.
If things continue this way, we’re in for a real headache.
“Henry, don’t panic…”
“Dawson, how can I not be anxious? Once that bastard secures controlling interest, he’ll kick me out of Huifeng the very first chance he gets. Those old fossils in the family will devour me!”
Then, as if a thought had just occurred to him, Henry said urgently, “Dawson, didn’t you say you had a last resort? What are we waiting for? Use it!”
“Henry, now is not the time. From what I understand, that guy at Starry Sky has already set his sights on brokerage firms and speculative capital. We must ensure those shares end up in Li Yi’s hands—otherwise, we’re completely finished!” Dolsen said gravely.
“What do you plan to do?”
Dawson replied immediately, “You stay here and keep an eye on things. Keep buying up the scattered shares on the market—you can raise the offer price a bit. I’ll personally contact those brokerage firms and speculative investors and secure the shares they hold at any cost.”
“Alright…”
However, what Dolsen and the others didn’t know was that Li Yi had been waiting for this very moment…
………