How can I justify myself as a Magnate if I don't indulge myself?-Chapter 543 - 249: Arrogant Confidence_2

In reality, the Hushang Financial Center was a highly profitable building. Even the minor shareholders holding only 1% of the shares earned an astronomical income each year.

They had already earned back their initial investments over the years.

Why would they want to part with such a coveted asset? How was this different from killing the goose that laid the golden eggs?

Capital always seeks profit, especially for capitalists like them who are deeply rooted in the soil of capital. They knew this principle all too well.

But there was no choice...

Now, given the circumstances, they had to sell, whether they wanted to or not.

The only possibility that could force these multinational capitalists into such a predicament was national intervention...

Formerly, Hua Country’s economy was weak, so it fiercely attracted foreign investment, offering countless benefits. Although the nation benefited significantly, it indeed made substantial concessions, allowing these foreign capitalists to make a killing in Hua Country.

But times had changed...

The domestic economy had steadily improved, and there was less dependency on foreign investment, so it was time to dispose of the used assets.

It was admittedly a bit shameless, but who would dare to challenge it as long as you have the power?

Besides, these foreigners had already made enough money, like the building underfoot. Since its completion in 2008, those holding shares had made an unknown fortune. Though they wouldn’t be forced to give their earnings back, they would certainly not be allowed to keep earning indefinitely...

Unfortunately, large real estate properties like this building were difficult for ordinary people to take on, even for super companies. Dealing in the billions in cash could strain resources, so the matter had been shelved.

Now, with Gu Heng appearing out of the blue, wanting to acquire the Hushang Financial Center, the Hushang Government naturally needed to lend a hand...

Why let foreigners like the Japanese and Americans make money when you could let your own people profit?

Secretary Luo Hongren sat in his seat, seemingly napping with his eyes slightly closed. But he observed every facial expression of the foreigners present, harboring a hint of disdain.

These guys made their money, but they paid pitifully little in taxes every year, using various offshore company structures and tax avoidance strategies. If it weren’t for international considerations, Mr. Chu would have long found a way to give them a taste of hardship. How could he let them thrive for so long?

In an ordinary city, a mayor might not have the power to contend with these foreign capitalists...

But where was this?

Even being a bureau chief here secured a high-ranking official status, let alone being second-in-command...

At that moment, Gu Heng arrived late, stepping into the meeting room...

...

"Secretary Gao, hello.

Thank you for the strong support from the Hushang Government for our IDE Capital!"

Upon entering, Gu Heng greeted the middle-aged man with a smile and a handshake.

In the large meeting room, the presence of dozens of people mattered little to Gu Heng except for Secretary Gao. Although just a secretary, being transferred to an ordinary city might well have placed him in the mayor’s seat, so naturally, he showed some deference...

As for the others...

It didn’t matter...

They were just a bunch of foreign capitalists scrounging off the land in the country. Even if he slighted them, it wouldn’t matter as there probably would be no further dealings with them after this acquisition...

Secretary Gao also smiled and shook Gu Heng’s hand, saying, "Mr. Gu, you’re too polite! Supporting local companies is our consistent policy. Especially for IDE Capital, Mr. Gu, which Mr. Chu specifically recommended as a high-quality enterprise, we should certainly offer more support. We’re all working hard for the great rejuvenation of Hua Country."

Everyone present had lived in Hua Country for many years and could understand Mandarin...

Listening to the official tone between the two, their faces darkened further...

What nonsense about ’strong support’? What rubbish about ’assistance’? What utter crap about ’high-quality enterprises’?

The happiness displayed by these two was built on the misfortunes of others...

It was sheer robbery...

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Thinking of Hushang Financial Center’s annual earnings, these people’s hearts were bleeding...

After exchanging pleasantries with Secretary Gao, Gu Heng saw their faces looking as if they had eaten shit, but he didn’t care at all...

He was well aware that what he had done this time with the Hushang Government was indeed unethical and even shameful, but he felt no guilt whatsoever...

Previously, when Hua Country was weak, these people developed on this land as if they were robbing money. Now that the situation had reversed, it was only right that they bear some bitter fruits, wasn’t it?

Compared to the unfair treatment Huawei and the new energy automotive industry had suffered in their countries, what he and the Hushang Government had done was trivial...

To use Gu Heng’s words...

This was called "paying back debts"...

Thinking about this, Gu Heng felt more confident and took his place confidently, declaring out loud, "Regarding the acquisition of Hushang Financial Building, our IDE Capital has already held four discussions with various companies, today is the fifth and final one."

After Gu Heng finished speaking, the Japanese interpreter and English interpreter by his side quickly translated what he had said to the crowd.

However, after hearing Gu Heng’s words, the group still looked grim, and Takamura Zaiming, representative of Mori Building Corporation, responded seriously, "We are aiming for a fair trade and mutual benefits in our negotiations, even repeatedly bargaining to reduce the price from 50 billion RMB to 40 billion.

But...

Your IDE Capital’s offer lacks sincerity, sticking to the baseline price of 30 billion, how can we negotiate?"

After hearing Takamura Zaiming’s words, Gu Heng contemptuously curled his lips, "As far as I know, the publicly announced construction cost of Hushang Financial Building was initially 1 billion US dollars, but the actual investment was around 825 million US dollars, which is less than 7 billion RMB according to the exchange rate at that time.

Over the past 16 years, all of your companies have already recouped the cost, and have even started making continuous profits. Now, I’m offering to acquire it at more than four times the construction cost, and you call this insincere?"

Takamura Zaiming’s face turned completely black upon hearing this...

How much money they make is their investment acumen, what does it have to do with IDE Capital’s offer?

Just as he was about to retort, he heard Gu Heng’s voice again.

"In the previous negotiations, I wasn’t present, and it was Ms. Shu Yan, our investment director, leading them.

But today, I came specially from Jingcheng, representing my sincerity.

So here’s the deal, the acquisition price will be increased from 30 billion to 35 billion, but there is one additional condition.

The funds will be paid in three installments: 10 billion for the first installment, 12.5 billion for the second, 12.5 billion for the third, each payment cycle being 1 year, starting this year, with all remaining payments completed by 2026.

If you can’t accept this condition, then I’m sorry, 35 billion is our company’s bottom line. If it exceeds this, we’d rather have the Hushang Government grant us land to build it ourselves.

I can get a piece of land to build on my own, but it seems you don’t have many good options left? Relatively speaking, IDE Capital is still more reasonable. If you were dealing with companies like Tencent or Alibaba, not to speak of 30 billion, even at 20 billion, do you think you could get it?"

After saying this, Gu Heng glanced at Secretary Gao, who was sitting calmly by the side.

That was the source of Gu Heng’s arrogance...

According to the information revealed by Shu Yan, the Hushang Government had already started applying pressure from various aspects, from major tax inspections and business redeployments to minor utilities and population control, all aimed at forcing them out...

In the first half of 2024, more than ten large multinational corporations had already moved out of Hushang Financial Center, and twenty to thirty small companies did the same, with income declines exceeding 30%. It was precisely because of the strong targeting by the Hushang Government that these people were willing to negotiate with him...

What if it had been a few years earlier?

The moment he mentioned 30 billion, these people would probably have told him to get lost...

Not to mention 30 billion, even doubling it would probably have been hard for them to accept...

Seeing the frustrated look on their faces, Gu Heng couldn’t help but smile. Lao Wang’s saying, "Keep close to the government, stay away from politics," was indeed a profound maxim for businessmen...

If it weren’t for the Hushang Government, where else could he pick up such a bargain?