"I can't help it. I'm not worried about people like Media Asia or Yongsheng. The key is that the second young master next door is disrupting the situation because he has the backing of the richest man's father. If I don't raise the price, how can I compete with them?"
Talking about the experience of acquiring shares of New Art City Film Library and New Art Treasure, Tao Yushu was happy but also a little depressed.
The "second son next door" she calls is of course Li Zekai. If Li Zekai, a rich second generation, hadn't interfered, she would have spent at least 30 million Hong Kong dollars less.
"They have a big business, how come they are interested in a 'small business' like movies?" Tao Yumo asked puzzledly.
"It's true that the family is big and the business is big, but they all belong to the boss. He can't get involved in these companies in Changshi. At most, he can get some cash in the future.
So of course he wants to make more investments while his old father can support him now.
The acquisition of New Art City's film library was just a casual move for him. In addition to being able to resell it, the most important function was to expand the film source for STARTV, which could save at least two to three million in expenses every year.
In 1990, Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Whampoa established Satellite Television Co., Ltd.
Li Ka-shing contacted Jin Yong twice and tried to acquire the Ming Pao Group, but was declined both times. Therefore, it is not a secret in Hong Kong that he has an interest in the media industry.
Therefore, he established Satellite TV Co., Ltd., and the first reaction from the outside world was that Li Ka-shing was going to enter the television industry in a big way.
Unexpectedly, satellite TV did not take action for more than half a year after its establishment, and the outside world forgot about it.
It was not until January this year that the Hong Kong government suddenly announced that it would issue satellite TV licenses. In less than half a month, this satellite TV camera was successfully acquired by Satellite TV Co., Ltd.
Only then did the outside world understand Li Ka-shing’s scheming.
As we all know, Li Ka-shing has always had a good relationship with the Hong Kong government.
He must have learned about the satellite TV license early on, so he could make arrangements and obtain the license without any effort.
Before satellite TV, there were four TV stations in Hong Kong: Television Enterprise, Asia Television, Hong Kong Cable TV and Wireless Pay TV.
TV Enterprise is the parent company of TVB. It and Asia Television are both free TV stations.
It is also the TV station with the largest audience, and it is free after all.
In addition, Xiangjiang Cable TV and Wireless Pay TV are pay TV stations, and their user scale is only one-sixth of the first two.
However, whether these TV stations are paid or free, they can only reach Xiangjiang TV users.
At most, there are audiences from the Guangdong generation.
The great thing about satellite TV is that it has obtained the first satellite TV license in Hong Kong, which can cover the entire Asia-Pacific region with program signals through Asia-Pacific satellites.
As long as it is managed properly, it will be a television media with intercontinental influence.
In January, we obtained a satellite TV license.
In March, with the support of his father Li Ka-shing, STAR Satellite TV hosted by Li Zekai was officially launched, including four channels: Satellite TV Chinese Channel, Satellite TV Sports Channel, Satellite TV Family Fun Channel and Satellite TV Movie Channel.
Li Zekai purchased the New Art City film library just to expand the film source of the satellite movie channel, and resold it at the same time, eating both fish and fish, which is in line with the Li family's style of doing things.
"I really don't know what kind of pie this old Li has painted for the Hong Kong government, and he can actually get this license?"
From the acquisition of the film library to the establishment of Satellite, Tao Yushu was full of regrets and at the same time a little jealous, and couldn't help but think about it.
She could afford the license fee of NT$500 million, but she didn't have that kind of relationship with the Hong Kong government, so she could only do nothing.
She is now deeply involved in the media industry. As the most mainstream media in the media industry today, TV stations are naturally interested in participating in it.
Lin Chaoyang saw that she was a little depressed while talking, so he comforted her and said, "If you really want to enter the TV industry,
You can go talk to Li Zekai."
Tao Yushu looked at him with some doubts, and Lin Chaoyang explained: "You took the lead in acquiring the film library of New Art City, plus our film library of Lin's Pictures. Isn't such a large film library more attractive than before?
Li Zekai will be willing to talk to you."
"What can we do if we talk? He just spent hundreds of millions on the TV license he just got. He can't give it to me, right?" Tao Yushu said.
"It's definitely impossible to hand it over to you, but as long as the price is right, it shouldn't be difficult to negotiate."
Listening to Lin Chaoyang's words, Tao Yushu thought it was a fantasy.
You have just obtained a TV license that was only half a year old. You have invested at least one billion in capital and put in so much effort. Are you willing to sell it just because the price is right?
Seeing that Tao Yushu's mind had not turned around, Lin Chaoyang smiled and said:
"You still don't understand the Li family, especially the second son of the Li family. Don't compare them with yourself. You are doing business to run a business, and they are doing business just to make money.
Just like the Jews, as long as the money is available, Jesus cannot be sold."
The reason why Lin Chaoyang is so sure is because Li Zekai has done this kind of thing countless times in the future.
Satellite TV, Cyberport, Tencent·——·
Any investment, as long as he manages it carefully, is likely to create business results that are not inferior to his father's.
It's a pity that he inherited his father Li Ka-shing's shrewdness, but also inherited his father's petty calculations, without any pattern.
Tao Yushu thought for a moment and asked Lin Chaoyang: "Then what price do you think can impress him?"
"No matter what, we should double the profit." Lin Chaoyang thought for a while and said.
Tao Yushu was shocked, "He spent 500 million to get a license, and the maximum investment after that was 500 million. After half a year of getting it, I have to spend 200 to 300 million to buy it?"
"You can't think like that. The satellite TV license is currently limited to this one, and it has its scarcity. Do you think you can get this license based on your relationship with the Hong Kong government?"
Tao Yushu pursed his lips, knowing in his heart that this was absolutely impossible.
You must know that when the Hong Kong government issued satellite TV licenses, several TV stations in Hong Kong did not fight for them, but in the end, didn't they fall into the hands of Li Ka-shing?
In this world, not only Chinese people rely on relationships to do business, foreigners do the same, but in different ways.
Thinking of this, Tao Yushu felt a little better, but she still couldn't help but feel pain when she thought of paying such a high price.
Although her usual style of doing things is to focus on the overall situation and not care about temporary gains and losses, this is after all a billion-level expense.
Tao Yumo listened for a long time and then said: "Sister, I think what you have to worry about is not how much it will cost to do this business, but how much money you can make after completing this business!"
When Lin Chaoyang heard his sister-in-law's words, he chuckled and praised: "You are really born to be a capitalist!"
Tao Yumo rolled his eyes at his brother-in-law, "What kind of capitalist? He is an entrepreneur. A dog's mouth can't spit out ivory."
When the two were gagging, Tao Yushu's mind became clear, and his sister's words awakened the dreamer.
It doesn’t matter if you spend money, as long as you can earn it back.
STARTV is the first satellite TV station in Hong Kong. It has huge business potential. Even if you spend more money to buy it, as long as you can run it well, you will always make money.
No matter what happens, you can still go public. Two of his companies have gone public. Tao Yushu is now very familiar with the tricks of making money by going public.
The key is that with the TV station, the most important part of their media empire has been completed, and they will benefit a lot in the future.
If you are not afraid of doing anything, you are afraid of not thinking about it.
Inspired by Lin Chaoyang, Tao Yushu was eager to try STARTV and kept deducing its feasibility in his mind.
In the past few years, the three companies under her management have been operating very well and have healthy cash flow.
In particular, Ming Pao Enterprises and Lam Pictures, which were listed last year and this year respectively, had no shortage of money in their accounts and raised a large amount of funds.
So far, she has only spent a small part of it, and she has been criticized by some investors for this.
In the capital market, cash can only create value when it flows. It is all sitting on the company's account, unable to expand the company's business and revenue, and it does not pay dividends to institutions and retail investors. Investors naturally do not want to see this situation.
.
In fact, it's not that Tao Yushu doesn't want to spend the money, it's just that the scale of funds is too large, there are no good investment targets, and she doesn't want to expand her business rashly.
Tao Yushu doesn't think highly of Li Ka-shing, but she feels that Li Ka-shing has an advantage worth learning from, that is, he is cautious.
This caution is not only reflected in his management style, but also in his obsession with the company's cash flow reserves.
It is precisely because he has accumulated a large amount of cash that Li Ka-shing has the confidence to move freely in the shopping mall and respond to various changes in the market at any time.
Tao Yushu carefully calculated that without affecting the company's normal operations, the scale of funds that Lin's Pictures can use is as high as 1.8 billion Hong Kong dollars.
If Mingpao Enterprises and Yulang Institution are included, this number will reach 3.3 billion.
It is more than enough to acquire STARTV. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility of Li Zekai opening his mouth.
If that happens, she won't force it.
Yesterday morning, Tao Yushu contacted Li Zekai and said that he wanted to discuss a business with him.
Previously, the two competed for the New Art City film library. Mai Jia and others notified Li Zekai before signing the contract with Tao Yushu. On the one hand, they fulfilled their cooperation obligations. If the transaction failed, they would always inform Li Zekai.
On the one hand, I was cautious, just in case Li Zekai was determined to win the film library.
He competes with Tao Yushu Ceng, and Mai Jia and others can profit from it.
It's a pity that although Li Zekai was new to the business, he was as shrewd as his father.
Tao Yushu raised the price to 120 million. He was no longer profitable, so naturally he was unwilling to increase the price.
He just got the film library two days ago, and now he came to say that he had business to discuss. Li Zekai was wondering, could Tao Yushu still want to sell him the film library of Xinyi City?
Then he shook his head and smiled very confidently. He believed that Tao Yushu would not be stupid enough to do this.
Thinking of this, he became more curious about the purpose of Tao Yushu's initiative to contact him.
Just when Li Zekai was full of doubts, Hutchison Whampoa Center welcomed a lady with outstanding temperament.
Before she even entered the building, she attracted the attention of many employees.
Many people recognized at a glance that this was Mrs. Lin, the richest woman in Hong Kong, and people's curiosity was immediately aroused.
The Lin family represented by Mrs. Lin has no business relationship with Hutchison Whampoa, so why does she appear here?
Everyone thought she was here to pay a visit to Li Ka-shing, the owner of the building, but under the spotlight, it was Li Zekai who greeted her.
"Mrs. Lin, welcome! Welcome!"
"Thank you, Li Sheng."
Tao Yushu's "Li Sheng" made Li Zekai feel happy, but he still said: "Mrs. Lin, please call me Richard."
In this building, "Li Sheng" can be his father or his eldest brother, but it is not him.
Li Zekai came to the front desk to greet Tao Yushu. This was a sign of respect for the richest woman in Hong Kong. The two came to the office chatting and laughing. The female secretary brought drinks and then closed the door and left.
After sitting down and chatting for a while, Tao Yushu was calm and calm, but did not get to the main topic for a long time.
Although he knew in his heart that this was a negotiation technique, Li Zekai still did not calm down and took the initiative to ask: "Mrs. Lin said that she has a business to discuss. I don't know what the business is?"
Li Zekai is different from his eldest brother Li Zeju, who was identified as the heir early on. He has a bohemian nature.
In his early years, he studied at Stanford University in the United States and later joined Gordon Investment Bank in Canada.
It was not until the death of his mother Zhuang Mingyue last year that he was ordered by his father to return to Hong Kong and was arranged by Li Ka-shing to be the managing director of Hutchison Whampoa.
Li Ka-shing also asked Hutchison Whampoa CEO Ma Shimin to help him develop his skills, but Li Zekai was not a stickler for rules. He knew that Hutchison Whampoa would belong to his eldest brother in the future, and no matter how hard he tried, he would just work for his eldest brother. Last year, Satellite TV Co., Ltd. was established. He learned from his father.
Borrow money to invest in shares.
Satellite TV has two major shareholders. The major shareholder is Hutchison Whampoa, which holds 53% of the shares, and the minority shareholder is Li Zekai.
Accounting for 47% of the shares.
He serves as vice chairman and is the de facto manager.
Seeing that Li Zekai acted informally, Tao Yushu felt relaxed and had a smile on his face.
"It's fate. If we hadn't competed for the New Art City film library before, we wouldn't be sitting here drinking coffee."
Li Zekai felt slightly uncomfortable when he mentioned New Art City's film library. Of course, he knew that Tao Yushu would not come here to deliberately pick on others.
"It's indeed fate. Mrs. Lin is a woman who doesn't give in to men, and she acts decisively, which is admirable."
"Richard, you are joking. It's just because it involves the company's business, so we have to spend a lot of money to buy it."
Tao Yushu's tone was very sincere, Li Zekai nodded slightly, it was indeed true.
"I'm here to visit this time. Actually, you want to talk about satellite TV."
Satellite TV?
His mind was spinning rapidly. Is he looking for copyright cooperation? Or is he planning to develop TV programs? Or is it advertising cooperation?
"Mrs. Lin wants to cooperate with Satellite TV?"
"That's right. Although STARTV has been on the air for less than half a year, you are running it well and soundly, Richard. It's really admirable."
Tao Yushu's compliment made Li Zekai feel happy, but then he became wary, "Mrs. Lin, if you have any ideas, why don't you just say it?"
"That's fine." Tao Yushu nodded slightly, his face became serious, and his temperament suddenly changed, "I want to buy satellite TV."
Hearing this, Li Zekai couldn't help but look surprised. It wasn't that he didn't have a city, it was because Tao Yushu's intention was beyond his expectation.
Buying satellite TV?
The two of them had only had one or two interactions at cocktail parties in the business world before, not even a nod of acquaintance.
She has never had any business dealings before, so why does she think she can sell it?
After a moment of surprise, Li Zekai suppressed his emotions and said with a smile: "Mrs. Lin is joking. Satellite TV is an important layout for Hutchison Whampoa to enter the media field. It is not for sale."
"Richard, of course I understand how much you and Hutchison value satellite TV. But in the final analysis, doing business is about making money, don't you think so?"
After listening to Tao Yushu's words, Li Zekai nodded imperceptibly.
Tao Yushu continued: "Although you personally hold a lot of shares in Satellite TV, the real major shareholder of Satellite TV is Hutchison Whampoa."
As soon as these words came out, it could be described as murderous and heart-wrenching, and Li Zekai couldn't help but a sharp look flashed in his eyes.
If the Li family's business empire is compared to a feudal dynasty, then Li Zekai's eldest brother Li Zeju is undoubtedly the legitimate eldest son.
It has been established early on that he will inherit the throne in the future. This is hardly a secret in Xiangjiang.
"What I said was not to sow discord, but just to discuss business.
I have always believed that people must have three powers to control wealth: ownership, control, and
Beneficial rights.
Therefore, corporate assets are not equal to personal assets. Only what you hold in your hands truly belongs to you.
I don’t know if you agree with Richard?”
Li Zekai was silent, his eyes looking at Tao Yushu through the round lenses, with unclear meaning, like firelight in the wind, constantly flickering.
"Richard, you come from a wealthy family and have the example of your father and brother. I don't think your ambition is just to work for Hutchison Whampoa and run a TV station like Satellite TV.
In the future, your stage will be all of Asia and even the world, and satellite TV is destined to be just your stepping stone.
Now there is such an opportunity. You can not only prove yourself in front of your father and brother, but also reap the first pot of gold on the road to entrepreneurship, proving to all people in Xiangjiang:
Your talents are no weaker than anyone else!"
Tao Yushu's voice was not loud, but it was sonorous and powerful, which made Li Zekai excited.
He felt that every word Tao Yushu said hit his heart, but he couldn't show it, so he could only try his best to control his performance.
"Mrs. Lin was joking, our Li family is the same as each other, there is no such thing as one working for the other.'
Compared with Tao Yushu's momentum, Li Zekai's response seemed dry. This was not because he was inferior to others, but because he had been moved by Tao Yushu's words and his momentum was weakened.
"Of course I understand. Richard, you should also know that I have no intention of inflaming your father-son brotherhood.
And I also believe that the relationship between father and son and brotherhood cannot be destroyed by a few idle words.
But I think you need a chance to prove yourself to everyone."
Li Zekai felt very uncomfortable at the moment. He knew that he was moved by Tao Yushu's remarks, so he was being restrained from the beginning to the end. He wanted to gain the initiative.
"Mrs. Lin, Satellite TV and Huang have only been in possession of it for half a year, and the business has just started to improve. It is impossible to sell it easily. I am afraid I will disappoint you."
After saying this, Li Zekai felt that he had finally regained a victory.
Tao Yushu asked: "Richard, aren't you going to listen to my quotation first?"
Their eyes crossed, and Li Zekai felt as if dozens of cat claws were scratching his heart. He didn't want to hear Tao Yushu's quotation, but he knew that once he opened his mouth, he would prove that he was not as indifferent as he appeared.
The atmosphere was silent for a moment, and Tao Yushu expressed regret.
"I understand, it seems that satellite TV is indeed not for sale by Hutchison Whampoa."
Hearing this, Li Zekai felt a stab in his heart.
Hutchison, after all, is not his Hutchison.
"That's alright. You can't force things like business. Since Hutchison is so optimistic about satellite TV, I can only take a step back."
Every time Tao Yushu mentioned Hutchison, it was like cutting a knife into Li Zekai's heart, making him confused and shaken in his will.
At this moment, Tao Yushu stood up calmly.
"Then just pretend I haven't been here today. We will have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future."
Li Zekai sat behind his desk and looked at Tao Yushu's hand stretched out to him, his eyes confirming it.
Hutchison Whampoa Centre, top floor.
As soon as Li Ka-shing arrived at the company, his confidant Bao Qiyun, manager of the office of the chairman of the board of directors of Cheung Kong, came to him and whispered a few words.
Listening to Bao Qiyun's words, his eyebrows twitched and he was thoughtful. Then he just said "I know" and started reading newspapers as usual.
He gets up before six o'clock every day, sets out from his home on Deep Water Bay Road, and goes down the mountain to a nearby nine-hole golf course, making sure to hit the first shot before seven o'clock.
He is usually accompanied by someone when he plays, sometimes it is a billionaire who lives near Xiangjiang Golf Club, sometimes it is an executive in the company, sometimes it is a new business partner he is inspecting.
Then I arrive at the office on time at 10 o'clock. The first thing I do is read newspapers and periodicals. I get a massage at noon, have lunch at 1 pm, continue working for two hours, and get off work on time at 4 pm.
Day after day, year after year, such a regular and rigid schedule will not be easily disrupted.
It was not until 11:30 noon that he took a break and during the massage break, he instructed Bao Qiyun to call Liang Botao of Peregrine.
Li Ka-shing is Liang Botao's boss. After Liang Botao and Du Lianhui established Peregrine, Li Ka-shing also attracted many shareholders for him. The company has been in business for more than three years, and last year's revenue exceeded HK$1 billion.
Tao Yushu is also a loyal customer of Peregrine. The acquisition of Yulang Institution, the listing of Ming Pao Enterprises and Lam Pictures have all brought considerable income to Peregrine.
"Li Sheng!" Liang Botao's voice came from the speakerphone.
Li Ka-shing was lying on the massage chair with his eyes closed and his expression relaxed, "A Tao, did Mrs. Lin call you in the past two days?"
Liang Botao on the other end of the phone hesitated for a moment. He is a brain-eater, and Tao Yushu is his big client. Li Ka-shing's question made him a little embarrassed. Revealing client secrets is a taboo in this industry.
But sometimes, no answer is the best answer. The reason why Li Ka-shing called was just to confirm his thoughts, not to deliberately embarrass Liang Botao. Now he has got the answer he wanted.
"Okay, it's okay."
After hanging up the phone, Li Ka-shing continued to enjoy the massage and relax his body.
It was approaching 1 o'clock, and Bao Qiyun had arranged lunch. As soon as Li Ka-shing moved his chopsticks, the door of the office was pushed open, and the person who came was none other than Li Zekai.
Bao Qiyun, who was accompanying him, showed no surprise on his face. In the entire Hutchison Whampoa Centre, only this bohemian second young master had the courage to do this.
"How many times have I told you to knock on the door!"
There was no hint of anger in Li Ka-shing's voice, but a sense of majesty.
But for Li Zekai, the youngest son, it has no deterrent effect at all.
After Li Zekai entered the door, he sat next to him. Bao Qiyun wisely left the office and closed the door.
"Dad, I want to sell satellite TV!"
Li Ka-shing's face was calm, as if he had expected it, "Why sell?"
"It's impossible for you not to know that Mrs. Lin from the Lin family came to see me today."
"It seems that the price she gave you is very attractive?"
Li Zekai's face showed a bit of excitement, "2 billion!"
Hearing this number, Li Ka-shing's calmness was finally broken, and he looked at his son in surprise.
A satellite TV license, plus later investment, the total investment for the launch of satellite TV has not reached 10
100 million.
Now in less than half a year, Mrs. Lin has made 2 billion in one move.
The courage cannot be described as heroic!
When Li Zekai saw his father's expression, he thought he was pleasantly surprised by his success. He just felt relaxed and in a good mood.
I think we can talk some more!" He looked proud and his tone was unprecedentedly sure.
After a brief moment of surprise, Li Ka-shing asked: "Are you sure you want to sell? Satellite TV currently holds the only satellite TV license in Hong Kong. It doesn't need to be much. Its value may double in five years."
Li Zekai disagreed.
"It's one license now, but that doesn't mean there will always be one license in the future. How can the Hong Kong government only issue one license?
Between 2 billion now and 4 billion five years from now, I would rather choose the 2 billion now.
You said it, I'll be safe.
Besides, five years are enough for me to turn this 2 billion into 4 billion or even more."
At this time, Li Zekai's expression was full of unruly and full of ambition.
He and his brother Li Zeju have been brought into contact with business by their father since they were young, and they have been influenced by them for many years.
I was used to seeing my father do all kinds of amazing things in shopping malls, turning things from decay into magic.
The great success of making huge profits has long been taken for granted.
Coupled with the price quoted by Tao Yushu today, the net profit is 1 billion Hong Kong dollars in half a year. Looking at the whole of Hong Kong, how many rich people can do this?
What reason does he have not to believe that the world revolves around him?
Looking at his high-spirited son, Li Ka-shing couldn't help but sigh.
"Are you here to discuss with me, or are you here to inform me?"
Hearing this, Li Zekai calmed down the arrogant look on his face, "Of course I will discuss it with you. Dad, you won't disagree, right?"
"If I don't agree, will you not sell it?" Li Ka-shing asked tentatively.
Chapter completed!