novelhk Page 812
Page 812
They also assigned special personnel to collect all kinds of intelligence, including publicly available data on business activities and gossip from private gatherings.
During that period, they were like hunters lurking in the darkness, seizing every opportunity to uncover their opponent's true intentions.
Persistence pays off. After a period of arduous and extraordinary efforts, they finally obtained irrefutable information.
He Hongshen, with his substantial wealth accumulated over many years in the business world and his influential resource integration capabilities within the industry, has been preparing for a long time and has already prepared 100 million yuan, enough to turn the tide at a critical moment.
Huo Yingdong was equally impressive. He had a wide-ranging presence in multiple sectors, from real estate to shipping, from finance to trade. With his enormous wealth accumulated over the years, he quietly prepared 100 million yuan, which was like a hidden blade, ready to deliver a fatal blow to his opponents at any time.
Ye Han has been deeply involved in the gambling industry for many years and has a thorough understanding of the industry's development trends. Relying on his extensive experience in the gambling field, he is also able to come up with 50 yuan.
With his keen business acumen, Ye Deli managed numerous business assets. Although his business scope was not as extensive as the previous few, he still managed to raise 50 yuan.
In this way, the total amount of money that these four shareholders can invest together will not exceed 300 million Australian dollars.
In addition, He Yuzhu had to pay out 100 million yuan because the assassination attempt failed.
After careful calculation, the bid amount for Aocheng Entertainment Company was set at a staggering 400 million!
Faced with this set of data that had been repeatedly calculated and meticulously derived, Fu Yinzhao's doubts began to grow.
His brows furrowed, his eyes filled with caution, and he said in a deep voice, "Is this news really reliable? Our plan cannot afford the slightest mistake. If we are not careful, the company will be doomed."
His words were filled with concern about the situation and an unwavering commitment to the correctness of the decision.
Gao Kening, standing to the side, looked resolute, leaned forward slightly, patted his chest forcefully with his right hand, and said in a firm tone, "Boss, you can rest assured. This source has been screened layer by layer. We have repeatedly verified it through multiple lines of investigation, both overt and covert. Every detail has been confirmed again and again. There is absolutely no possibility of error!"
Having said that, his eyes shone brightly, his posture was upright, and he exuded a firm aura that seemed to penetrate the fog, as if he were declaring to Fu Yinzhao that this message was the reliable key to success.
Fu Yinzhao gently touched his chin with his right hand, his gaze slightly lowered, as he fell into a brief but careful thought.
After a moment, he raised his head, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes, and said calmly, "Given the current situation, why don't we raise the starting price a bit? Let's set it at 405 million. What do you think? This price will give us a significant advantage in this bidding process, ensuring our victory, without taking too big a step and getting into a risky situation. It's a relatively prudent decision."
Gao Kening, standing to the side, frowned slightly, her eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.
He mentally went through all the potential pros and cons like lightning, leaving no detail overlooked.
After a moment, he straightened his back, his tone carrying a hint of confidence and consideration, and said, "President Fu, I think 408.8 million would be more appropriate. Think about it, how auspicious that number is. In Chinese culture, '8' symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and it sounds pleasing. Moreover, from the perspective of business negotiation psychology, this number can subtly put pressure on competitors, making them wonder and speculate about our strength and capabilities, thus giving us a psychological advantage."
After listening, Fu Yinzhao was slightly taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up, and he nodded emphatically with an approving expression: "Hmm, your idea is interesting. Thinking about it carefully, it's just as you said, this number does have its ingenuity. Besides, 405 million and 408.8 million are only a few tens of thousands of yuan different, which has a negligible impact on our overall budget. Okay, let's do as you say and set the starting bid at 408.8 million."
After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled. Their smiles were full of confidence, as if they could already see the dawn of victory. The scene of winning the bid was slowly unfolding before their eyes.
Meanwhile, in the spacious yet cramped conference room of the international hotel, a heated debate concerning the fate of the company was in full swing.
Opinions differed on the crucial question of whether the bid price should be set at 400 million.
Around the solid wood conference table, people were either frowning in thought or speaking passionately, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere that filled the entire space with enthusiastic discussion.
One side firmly believes that 400 million has already reached the limit of the company's funds and risk tolerance. If any more is invested, and there are any changes in the subsequent project, the company may fall into an irreparable financial predicament. The risk is so great that it is like dancing on the edge of a cliff.
The other side, with unwavering determination, argued their case, advocating for an appropriate increase in the amount from the base of 400 million, firmly believing that only in this way could they stand out in this fiercely competitive bidding process and secure the contract.
The clock on the wall spun relentlessly, drawing ever closer to the final deadline, each passing second clearly audible.
The urgency of time was like a gleaming sword of Damocles hanging overhead, radiating a chilling and intimidating power that made everyone's already tense nerves even more fragile, and their moods even more anxious.
The meeting room was filled with a somber atmosphere, and everyone's face was etched with gravity.
Chapter 585
Everyone had doubts about whether the bid would be successful. The unknown outcome was like a fog, shrouding their hearts. It felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on everyone's heart, so heavy that it was hard to breathe. They could only try to find a bright path for the company in this debate without gunpowder.
Just as everyone was engrossed in the heated discussion, the hall door slowly swayed, and a figure quietly stepped in.
The visitor was none other than He Hongshen's first wife, Li Wanhua.
She wore an exquisitely tailored cheongsam made of superior fabric, which shimmered softly in the dim light, perfectly outlining her graceful figure.
Her steps were light yet steady, each step seemingly rhythmic. With every gesture, an innate air of nobility emanated naturally, like the most dazzling star in the night sky, impossible to ignore.
He Yuzhu, who was standing on the outside, was always paying attention to the surrounding movements. At this moment, his sharp eyes instantly caught sight of Li Wanhua.
Without the slightest hesitation, he quickly stood up from his seat, his movements as swift as a cheetah.
A bright smile immediately bloomed on his face, a smile full of sincerity and enthusiasm, as if it could turn into a beam of light, piercing through the slightly oppressive air and dispelling the tense atmosphere.
He strode forward and greeted her loudly, "Sister-in-law, you've come!" His voice was loud and clear, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present.
Li Wanhua's lips curled up slightly, a hint of gentleness flashing in her eyes, and she replied softly, "Mr. He, hello. I have come here today because I have something important to discuss with you."
When it comes to Lai Wan-wah, her background is quite extraordinary.
His family has long been rooted in Macau. As a leading legal family in the area, they enjoy high prestige in all sectors of Macau society thanks to their professional expertise and reputation for integrity accumulated over generations.
The family's network of connections is intricate and extensive, with everyone from high-ranking officials and nobles to ordinary people and celebrities having countless ties with them.
In 1924, Clementina Leitao was born and was cherished as a precious gem from a young age.
Nourished by her privileged family background, she received the best education. Whether it was traditional classics or Western academic courses, she was able to master them with ease, demonstrating intelligence far beyond that of ordinary people.
In her youth, Lai Wan-wah was a hot topic of conversation in the streets and alleys of Haojiang.
At that time, she possessed a stunningly beautiful face, with exquisite features and eyes like a clear spring, exuding charm with every glance.
With her gentle and graceful demeanor, she could handle any situation with elegance and ease, and was quickly hailed as the most beautiful and charming woman in Macau, becoming the object of pursuit for many wealthy young men.
Time flies, and she is now in her thirties, but time seems to have been exceptionally kind to her, leaving only a mature charm on her face, and her graceful figure remains as captivating as ever.
Her eldest daughter is now 15 years old and has grown into a graceful young woman, showing glimpses of her mother's former charm.
That is why, even though He Yuzhu is well-traveled and has seen countless people, he dared not be negligent in the face of Li Wanhua, who was of extraordinary background and had a graceful demeanor. He was very polite and courteous.
Lai Wan-wah, the virtuous wife who has accompanied Ho Hung-shin for many years, has always been a wise and righteous person. She knows that her husband is walking on thin ice in every step he takes in the business world. Faced with the complex business situation and the open and covert struggles of various forces, she has always stayed behind the scenes, silently managing all the affairs of the family, and never questioning her husband's work.
But this time was different from the past. The company faced an unprecedented crisis, a situation like a lone boat in a storm, which could be swallowed up by the waves at any moment, and its fate was hanging by a thread.
She tossed and turned in her boudoir, the bed covered with the marks of her anxious tossing and turning, unable to sleep all night.
As dawn broke, her worries surged like a tidal wave. Finally, after much deliberation, she made up her mind to speak to her husband.
Inside the study, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.
Li Wanhua walked in gracefully, her figure still elegant, though her brows were slightly furrowed.
She walked to He Hongshen's side and spoke softly, her voice gentle and melodious, with the soft, sweet tone characteristic of women from Jiangnan: "Ah Shen, I didn't sleep well last night. I had a strange dream. In the dream, Gao Kening's Taixing Company seemed to have returned to its former glory, with its businesses thriving and once again dominating the market. Meanwhile, our He family's business was hampered at every turn..."
As she spoke, her eyes were filled with worry, and her voice trembled slightly, as if the crisis in the dream was already upon her, bringing a great shock to her heart.
Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt quietly surfaced on He Hongshen's previously composed face.
It was nearly noon, and sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow inside the room.
When she woke up in the morning, the lady appeared perfectly normal and did not mention anything about the dream.
He subconsciously frowned, his thick eyebrows like gathered ink clouds, full of confusion and contemplation.
He asked, "Why would Madam suddenly have such a premonition? We analyzed Taixing Company extremely thoroughly before. From Taixing Company's industrial layout to its core business operation model, and even the intricate network of relationships behind it, our team has devoted countless efforts, studying it day and night. Although it is true that they are indeed a large and powerful family..."
His words were filled with incomprehension, yet every word seemed to carry an unwavering confidence in his team's professional analytical abilities—a confidence built up over many years of experience in the business world, one that could not be easily shaken.
Before he could finish speaking, He Hongshen's originally relaxed brows furrowed slightly, and a shallow furrow appeared between his brows.
His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the mahogany tabletop, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound, as if he were having an intense conversation with the depths of his heart, or as if he were weighing the pros and cons, trying to find a way out of the complicated situation, or even as if he were sorting out his tangled thoughts and making the chaos clear.
After a brief silence, his expression grew increasingly solemn, as if shrouded in an invisible gloom.
He slowly opened his lips and continued, "But as far as I know, even if they intend to compete with us, they'll probably only bet heavily. These people are always greedy and insatiable, like hungry wolves when it comes to profit. They only have eyes for the rich rewards and will never easily give up the fat meat they've already got, much less risk losing everything to fight us to the death. After all, anyone who's been in the business world for years knows how difficult it is to make a comeback once you've gone bankrupt. Besides, didn't we already agree on this? This casino business looks bustling and lively, with people coming and going every day, and bright lights and revelry, but when you calculate it carefully at the end of the year, after deducting the costs of venue rental, personnel expenses, equipment maintenance, and other expenses, the profit you can actually earn is limited. Every businessperson considers the profit prospect as the most important thing. Who would rashly bid a high reserve price because of a momentary impulse or a moment of impulsiveness? A slight misstep could lead to total loss and utter ruin."
Upon closer examination, such an offer carries considerable risk.
If the bidding for the gaming license is successful with such a bid, the huge capital investment required for subsequent operations, as well as various complex operating costs, could very likely plunge the entire project into a quagmire of losses from which it will be difficult to extricate itself.
In the complex game of business competition, this is clearly a risky move.
He Hong was well aware of the stakes involved. In order to gain the upper hand in this game, he went to great lengths, using his connections and resources to secretly bribe key personnel in the opposing camp.
After much trouble, we finally learned some shocking news from that person—the offer they gave was less than 400 million!
This number was like a bombshell, instantly creating a huge wave in everyone's hearts. It was like a heavy hammer that slammed into everyone's hearts, leaving everyone shocked and looking at each other in disbelief, realizing that the intensity of this competition far exceeded their expectations.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room was heavy and oppressive, with everyone talking at once and discussing it enthusiastically.
Li Wanting, who had been quietly listening to the discussion, straightened her back slightly and finally spoke slowly.
Her voice was soft and delicate, like a clear mountain spring, yet it carried an undeniable firmness: "I firmly believe that your judgment is accurate. Based on the intelligence we have gathered so far, this is undoubtedly a difficult business battle. However, if the amount they have bid is really only 400 million, and considering that they are the key advantage of holding a gambling license, our entertainment company's chances of winning this bid are undoubtedly quite slim."
She frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. After a brief pause, she continued, "To be on the safe side, I've thought long and hard and decided to contribute my own savings. I have some savings of about 5 yuan, which I've accumulated through frugal living. Although this amount is just a drop in the ocean compared to the overall investment plan, I'm willing to take it all out for investment, as a small contribution to this new group, hoping to add even the smallest bit of fuel to our business."
Just then, the door to the room was gently pushed open, and Li Wanhua appeared in the doorway.
The group, who were having a heated discussion and expressing their opinions, suddenly stopped talking as if an invisible hand had pressed the mute button, and all their eyes turned to her.
Li Wanhua, with a solemn expression, slowly walked in and recounted the situation she had gathered.
Upon hearing this, everyone felt as if they had been doused with cold water, instantly sobering up and realizing that the mere 400 million yuan target amount was simply a drop in the ocean in this brutal business competition. Participating in the competition with such meager funds was undoubtedly like throwing an egg against a rock.
He Hongshen, a man who has been navigating the business world for many years and is known for his shrewdness, couldn't help but frown at this moment.
He pondered to himself that he had been a successful businessman, weathering countless storms, yet he had never anticipated this crucial factor, and had indeed been somewhat careless.
Admittedly, the asking price of 400 million yuan is completely uncompetitive in the face of numerous powerful competitors. It's like a small boat on a turbulent sea, which could be swallowed up by giant waves at any moment.
However, seeing her husband's troubled expression, Li Wanhua felt heartbroken and immediately offered to use her own savings to help him participate in the bidding.
Her words were sincere, and her eyes were full of determination and support.