"Keep in touch, Mr. Zheng. I’ll think of something."

Upon learning of Lu Liang and Xu Jiayin’s ban order, Qi Yaonian had made a decision to leverage HSBC’s influence.

Whether through coercion or enticement, they must help the Zheng family acquire the final 1.05% equity.

Because a joint-stock company has three equity red lines: 33.4%, 50.1%, and 66.7%.

Holding 33.4% is called relative control, 50.1% is called absolute control, and 66.7% is called complete control.

Generally, if the founder of the enterprise is alive, or a lawful heir holds 33.4% of the shares, that’s usually sufficient.

But the current situation is different; Zheng Jiachun, although a legitimate heir of the Zheng family, is not the founder.

Unless Uncle Tong revives and trades on his old face, even holding 50% would not differ much from 33.4% for Zheng Jiachun.

However, they still held the initiative and had the upper hand to win support from other shareholders.

He didn’t believe everyone feared Lu Liang and Xu Jiayin.

As long as they offered a tempting incentive or necessary cost, there would always be exceptions.

"Mr. Qi, I entrust this matter to you. If the Zheng family can overcome this crisis, from now on, we will follow HSBC’s lead," Zheng Jiachun said sincerely, tightly grasping Qi Yaonian’s hand.

They didn’t want to completely align themselves with HSBC, considering Xiangjiang’s unique geographical position and historical legacy.

Being a fence-sitter was the best choice, but Lu Liang forced them to make a choice.

"Rest assured, this is not just the Zheng family’s issue," Qi Yaonian said solemnly, noting that if HSBC’s dominance in Xiangjiang continued to decline, the board would likely consider replacing someone.

Even though the Bank of China had been in the Xiangjiang market for many years, they remembered the fifty-year agreement and seldom intervened in commerce.

Lu Liang, on the other hand, surely cared not for agreements, as he planned to target HSBC earlier, only redirected by the Zheng family and others, altering the plan.

At four in the afternoon, the Hong Kong stock market closed, concluding the Super Tuesday that would go down in history.

At the close, Hengtai’s market value retreated to 445.5 billion, while New World’s market value breached the 200 billion mark.

The former saw a single-day increase of 34.75%,

While the latter soared by 118.2%.

Additionally, groups like Huaren Real Estate, Hengji Real Estate, and New Hongji accompanied the trend, with an average increase of 22%.

Several major groups quietly repurchased stocks, propelling the real estate sector forward, causing Hong Kong’s three major indexes to soar collectively, with the Hang Seng returning to 25,000 points.

Immediately post-close, Huaren Real Estate issued a public announcement.

It was expected that at five in the afternoon, a press conference would be held at the Central Hua Ren Real Estate Building.

At that time, several important matters would be announced, inviting media reporters from various fields.

Once the announcement was disclosed,

A source shared some inside information.

The current deputy chairman of Huazhi, Liu Mingwei, will host this press conference, and his stepmother, Chen Kaiyun, will step down from her position as executive CEO of the group.

This revelation caused those aware of the gossip in Xiangjiang to exhibit strange expressions.

The longstanding drama between the eldest son and the stepmother seemed to be heading toward resolution.

A group of onlookers prepared small stools, stocked up on beer and sunflower seeds, in anticipation of the press conference an hour later.

"Mr. Xu, go ahead and contact the Bank of China; I need to handle Huaren Real Estate’s matters first."

Lu Liang greeted Xu Jiayin, changed into a fitting suit, and prepared to head to Huaren Real Estate Building.

He disliked complexities and didn’t want to host yet another separate press conference on the acquisition of Huaren Real Estate.

Thus, he decided to announce all the information publicly at once, subsequently focusing on helping Hengtai acquire New World.

"Mr. Lu, attend to your matters first; I’ll handle the Bank of China issue," Xu Jiayin nodded slightly.

Hengtai needed to exert some effort; otherwise, others might think they relied solely on Lu Liang.

"Mingwei, any plans for the future?"

Leaving the office, Lu Liang greeted Liu Mingwei, and they carpooled to Huaren Real Estate Building.

Liu Mingwei had spent the whole afternoon at Plaza Building; although a deputy chairman at Huaren Real Estate, his stepmother served as executive CEO.

Even though Liu Cixin hadn’t passed away, his condition post-illness was such that it might as well have been, allowing his only son to be suppressed and sidelined by his stepmother at the company.

Moreover, Liu Mingwei also had his own career; apart from being Huazhi’s deputy chairman, he was also chairman of the board at Xiangjiang Ocean Park.

Possibly knowing he couldn’t win against his stepmother, he leaned more towards Ocean Park, even disregarding the change of ownership.

If not for Liu Cixin’s call, he might have waited until Huazhi changed hands before reaching out to Lu Liang.

Liu Mingwei softly said, "My children enjoy the Ocean Park; I wish to accompany them as they grow healthily."

"But is that settling? Given your talent, I believe you have a brighter future ahead," Lu Liang remarked.

Though Ocean Park had a board of directors, it was under Xiangjiang Government, and the chairman was merely a public position.

A public servant’s annual salary, despite being high, would never exceed the Chief Executive’s more than five million.

Lu Liang hoped Liu Mingwei would stay.

He had reviewed Liu Mingwei’s background: graduated with a law bachelor’s degree from King’s College London, and earned a law master’s from the London School of Economics and Political Science. At 27, he received a law doctorate from King’s College, making college history.

After returning to China, he had worked at Beijing University for several years and became the youngest honorary councilor in its history.

Liu Mingwei didn’t initially choose to slack off; his mother was Bao Yongqin, once a famous strong woman in Xiangjiang.

Liu Cixin’s current status and wealth were inseparable from his first wife.

Huazhi was his mother’s pride; Liu Mingwei couldn’t just let his stepmother mess around unchecked.

He had tried but failed.

Liu Cixin’s bias was blatant, ultimately placing his stepmother in the CEO’s position.

Even though deputy chairman was only one title different from chairman, the real power was inferior to that of an executive director, let alone an executive CEO.

Startled by Lu Liang’s remarks, Liu Mingwei paused.

Lu Liang chuckled, "No need to hurry your response; take your time and consider. We have plenty of time."

He truly had no interest in the real estate industry; once taking control of Huazhi, he intended to delist it for privatization, then split it into two.

Real estate would be one category, while financial securities would be another. If Liu Mingwei was willing to take responsibility, the former could be managed by him and Yang Qisheng.

The latter would be under Tianxing Financial Group, waiting for Wen Chao to wrap up affairs in Tokyo and come to Xiangjiang to take over.

"Mr. Lu, thank you for your trust. I’ll consider it carefully," Liu Mingwei said earnestly, nodding heavily.

Born in 1979, six years older than Lu Liang and soon approaching his fortieth birthday, he naturally wouldn’t let pride get in the way.

Just as Liu Cixin phoned him, authorizing the Liu family’s shareholding at Huazhi entirely to him, he didn’t refuse either.

So facing Lu Liang’s invitation, he would only seriously consider from his own perspective regarding future development.

"We’re about the same age; you can address me as Lu Liang in private."

Lu Liang laughed softly, gazing out the car window, and couldn’t help but smile "Quite a crowd here."

The entrance to Huazhi Building was surrounded by circles upon circles of media reporters, resembling a horde of zombies.

Upon seeing Lu Liang arrive, the security quickly formed a human wall and established a safe passage.

A human shield over six feet tall, Fang Shiyu served as the last line of defense, opening the car door to let Lu Liang and Liu Mingwei disembark.

Seeing Lu Liang get off, the reporters became enthusiastic, and upon spotting Liu Mingwei also present, they went utterly wild.

In an instant, imagining numerous scenarios came to mind.

Such as the legitimate son being oppressed by the stepmother for many years, silently enduring, finally conspiring with outsiders to seize the family business.

TVB drama clichs performed countless times.

Lu Liang smiled and shouted, "Friends, please calm down. I assure you, the details you want will be revealed shortly."

Given the previous Tianxing Financial Group settlement press conference, Hong Kong media reporters had a preliminary understanding of Lu Liang’s personality.

Upon hearing his assurance, they all willingly cleared a path leading to the group’s main entrance.

The two hurriedly reached the third floor, entering a five-hundred-seat auditorium specially constructed for the press conference.

Guo Bingsheng and Li Jiajie had arrived early, and behind the speech platform was a large screen.

Liu Junxiong and stepmother Chen Kaiyun would also connect remotely to announce some matters.

"We didn’t arrive late, right? Today’s reporters are indeed too many," Lu Liang joked with Guo and Li as Liu Mingwei proceeded backstage for preparation.

"Not late, we just got here,"

Guo Bingsheng shook his head, and Li Jiajie teased, "The ownership of Huazhi, the grand palace drama conclusion, is more eagerly awaited than tonight’s lottery results."

"I believe this ending will satisfy everyone," Lu Liang couldn’t help but chuckle.

The spiritual nourishment of Xiangjiang’s people was quite abundant because, with the passing of the old generation of group leaders,

Every few years, a thrilling palace drama from a wealthy family would unfold, far more intriguing than the domestic entertainment industry’s mere squabbles.