The Tyrant Billionaire

"Secondly, Hardy Group will appoint a chairman’s assistant. I’m not sure if you know Victor, but he will serve as the assistant. At the same time, Wells Fargo and Manhattan Bank will each send a supervisory director to join the management team."

"Thirdly, the management team must be mentally prepared. HSBC’s business in China will likely have to cease completely. Branches in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other cities still operating need to be pulled back to Hong Kong as soon as possible to avoid further losses. We will completely abandon the Chinese market."

"Fourth, regarding Hong Kong companies selling off assets, Mr. David and I agree that we should seize this opportunity and buy high quality assets in Hong Kong at low prices. We should acquire land, companies, mansions, docks, warehouses, and buildings at depressed prices."

"Every financial crisis presents an opportunity for wealth and recovery. If we seize this opportunity, we will earn far more than through normal investments. Normally, an annual investment growth of 5% to 10% is considered excellent, with 20% growth being fantastic. But during a financial crisis, if we invest in future rising projects, the returns could be a hundred or even a thousand times greater."

"Lastly, regarding your positions, I don’t plan to make any changes to the current management for the time being. However, there will be evaluations, and I hope everyone can pass the Hardy Group’s assessment and continue working for HSBC."

The HSBC management team assured Hardy they would work diligently.

The meeting with the management team ended.

David’s impression of Hardy was that he was both stern and kind, a hardliner in management, handling matters decisively and efficiently. However, David was curious about one thing: when had he agreed to loan money to HSBC from Manhattan Bank? He asked Hardy immediately.

Hardy looked at David and said, "You’re a major shareholder in HSBC. If you don’t provide the money, who will? Besides, it’s just a loan, with interest. HSBC’s financial situation isn’t as bad as it seems. They’re just facing a liquidity crisis because of the run on the bank. If each of us provides $20 million, putting the money in the vault, the situation will calm down immediately."

"Once HSBC recovers, they’ll pay the money back quickly."

David thought it over and agreed. "Alright, I’ll send a telegram for Manhattan to loan $20 million to HSBC."

After David left, Hardy secretly smiled. Once the money was in the account, the promissory notes and savings bonds he had collected would become valuable. Those amounted to more than $26 million. Once he got his hands on that money, he would have recouped more than half of what he had spent on HSBC shares.

Moreover, from what Mr. Xu in the North had said, they had found this much in a hurry, and there might be another batch to find.

If they found another similar amount, and Hardy exchanged them all for cash, he would have recovered all the money spent on HSBC shares. It would be like getting HSBC for 1/100th of its price.

This would count as another successful empty-handed acquisition.

With HSBC in his hands, it would be very easy to manipulate the stocks in Hong Kong, and by doing so, even influence the stock markets in Southeast Asian countries as well.

HSBC controlled so many assets in Hong Kong, and once the Hong Kong crisis passed, those assets, with some stock manipulation, would inevitably soar in value. At that point, just the assets in Hong Kong and South Asia would be enough to make Hardy the richest man in the Commonwealth.

As for becoming the world’s richest man—well, there are a lot of rich Americans in this era, so it’s not yet his turn to claim that title.

...

After returning to Hong Kong, HSBC President Sanders immediately contacted Victor. By now, Victor was a well known figure in the U.K, Sanders had already met him at a high society cocktail party, but their relationship was fairly casual.

This time, HSBC had been acquired by Wells Fargo Bank, and Mr. Hardy, the chairman, appointed Victor as his assistant. Victor was now effectively the second most powerful person at HSBC, right behind Sanders, with the backing of the chairman. He was close to the top brass, and it might even be interpreted as him having more power than Sanders.

Victor had already received a telegram from Hardy, and upon learning that he had been appointed as the chairman’s assistant, his face lit up with a smile.

HSBC was a note issuing bank in Hong Kong, wielding considerable power. With this position, Victor’s status in Hong Kong would rise even higher.

After receiving a call from HSBC President Sanders, Victor, along with Wells Fargo’s Hong Kong Branch President Sandy Will, went to Sanders’ estate in Hong Kong.

They should have gone to HSBC’s offices, but due to the circumstances, they couldn’t. HSBC was still closed, and a large crowd had gathered at the entrance. So they had to meet at Sanders’ estate.

Sanders, not wanting to seem too proud, personally greeted them at the villa’s entrance along with HSBC’s management team. As Victor and Sandy Will stepped out of the car, Sanders approached with a smile to shake their hands. Victor said:

"President Sanders, I’m delighted to join HSBC and to work with all of you. This is Mr. Sandy Will, the president of Wells Fargo’s Hong Kong branch and a board member of HSBC, representing Wells Fargo. From now on, we’ll all work together to ensure the bank’s growth."

The others shook hands with Sandy Will, getting acquainted.

After some pleasantries, they moved into the living room. Once seated, Sanders spoke, "I’ve met with Chairman Hardy. He mentioned that Wells Fargo and Manhattan Bank will provide HSBC with a $40 million loan to help us through this crisis. He also said that Mr. Victor would handle the bank run."

Victor nodded. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I’ve already received instructions from the boss. He’s given me detailed guidance on how to handle this situation. I’ll take charge from here."