"In the domestic entertainment sphere, I’ll introduce someone to you. His name is Wu Tianzheng, the general manager of Good Dream Production.”

As his horizons expanded, Lu Liang gradually enjoyed helping others, especially when there were no conflicts of interest.

Meng Changkun was his first friend he developed, now forming Kunpeng Quick Charge with Little Wang, gradually getting on track.

Wu Tianzheng is considered Lu Liang’s second friend, always making web dramas and producing bad movies under the banner of Tianxing, which isn’t ideal.

Coincidentally, Emperor’s main business is entertainment, and Tianxing holds some standing in domestic entertainment. Why not take this opportunity to slightly integrate the entertainment resources at hand?

A consortium is called a consortium because it involves profitable businesses, willing to get involved in any corner and infiltrate influence everywhere.

There are some industries that don’t necessarily require Lu Liang to personally manage; he can hand them over to others and simply hold shares or control stakes.

Yang Qisheng was stunned. He had previously speculated about what rewards the Yang Family would get by following Lu Liang, but never expected such a gift.

Everyone knows Lu Liang’s financial talents but overlooks that he’s also adept at investing in film and television projects.

Over the past few years, Tianxing Investment has been involved in almost every blockbuster film project.

For instance, previous hits like “Xia Luo’s Worry” and “War Wolf 2”, and just recently concluded “Medicine God”.

As well as upcoming releases, hailed as the toughest domestic sci-fi film “Wandering Earth”, and DC’s “Joker”.

Now, Lu Liang is even saying that he’s going to hand all of Tianxing Investment’s resources in entertainment over to Emperor.

It’s like a Ginsengfruit, which an ordinary person can smell to live for three hundred and sixty years, and eating one allows you to live for forty-seven thousand years.

Emperor isn’t an ordinary entity but a former hegemon of Hong Kong entertainment, able to better absorb the effects of the Ginsengfruit.

Once Tianxing’s resources are sorted out, it might not only live a second life but perhaps even compete with international groups like Disney and Warner.

"No confidence?” Lu Liang asked with a smile.

"I do, I won’t disappoint your expectations.” Yang Qisheng said earnestly, eyes shining.

He expressed his thoughts; Emperor’s market value is only about 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, and it has many shareholders who don’t deserve such good resources or to enjoy them effortlessly.

Yang Qisheng plans to delist Emperor, privatize it, and then take over the resources.

At that time, he will unconditionally hand over 51% of the shares to Tianxing, even if Lu Liang joins in with resources.

“30%. The rest, you can negotiate with Mr. Wu yourself.” Lu Liang did not refuse, but he didn’t want to hold a controlling stake.

Once holding a controlling stake, even if it’s a relative one, there are too many concerns to handle. It’s better to be a non-responsible shareholder.

Just like with Kunpeng Quick Charge formed by Little Wang and Old Meng, where Lu Liang only holds 30% of shares. When needed, he steps in to lend a helping hand, but otherwise doesn’t bother to inquire.

Yang Qisheng tried to persuade him but to no avail, so he had no choice but to comply.

Turning the discussion to recent queries from Hong Kong beauty pageant participants or socialites trying to get to know Lu Liang.

"We’ll talk about it later; I’m quite busy these days.” Lu Liang laughed softly.

In his view, liking women is just like enjoying playing tennis—it’s not a flaw, but a merit.

If he had no flaws at all, others would struggle to find a suitable excuse to get closer to him.

At that moment, Xu Jiayin called, saying he returned from Bank of China and is now at the Four Seasons Hotel.

"Let’s chat when we meet later.” Xu Jiayin sensed Lu Liang couldn’t speak conveniently, thus informing him of the location.

Lu Liang nodded and said to Yang Qisheng, “Qisheng, I have something to do, so I’ll get going first.”

"Alright, go busy with your matters.”

Farewelling Yang Qisheng, Lu Liang arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Also the renowned Wangbei Building, where the north is towards the mainland, implying distant merchants can gaze toward their northern homeland here.

Early on, it was due to frequent mainland visitors to Xiangjiang. Later, it acted as an observation point for some fugitive personnel to survey mainland dynamics, gradually forming an intelligence hub where various personnel shared resources, funds, and information.

From a metaphysical perspective, its feng shui layout facing water and backed by mountains, with a north-facing position, was deemed beneficial for those in distress to turn things around, hence some resided here hoping for fortune reversal.

Xu Jiayin, in suit and leather attire, reserved the best seat and upon seeing Lu Liang, joked, “Mr. Lu, shall we eat?”

"What stance does Bank of China have?” Lu Liang nodded slightly, unconcerned despite having eaten with Yang Qisheng.

"Willing to authorize; the executive director Zhou Simin will accompany us to the board meeting tomorrow.” Xu Jiayin smiled.

He thought it would be difficult, yet the process went smoothly as if Bank of China knew he was coming and prepared the documentation.

They own a 27.15% shareholding in New World, and combined with Bank of China’s 6.42%, they achieve relative holding of 33.57%.

The New World board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. If they wish to implement a poison pill strategy, they now have the qualification to block it.

"Afraid it’s Standard Chartered supporting the Zheng Family.”

Just after discussing with Yang Qisheng, he informed Lu Liang that Qi Yaonian had been at Yiyun Villa all day.

The worst-case scenario unfolded. Whether the Zheng Family contacted Standard Chartered or vice versa, they are now united.

"Have they achieved absolute control yet?” Xu Jiayin’s smile froze, showing deep concern.

With board chairman, a legacy of the Zheng Family, once holding over 50.1% shares, even their alliance could face acquisition failure.

"Probably still a little short.” Lu Liang said.

Their next targets should be Victoria Harbour Investment, Hui Dafeng, and Standard Chartered Bank.

According to public records, the three together hold 10.87% of New World’s shares. At the very least, with their support, they can stand a fighting chance against the Zheng family.

"Victoria Harbour Investment is Superman Li’s business, Hui Dafeng belongs to the Wu family. The first two can potentially be swayed. The key is Standard Chartered Bank.” Xu Jiayin had evidently investigated in advance, knowing that Standard Chartered would be the toughest nut to crack.

Though Standard Chartered and HSBC are competitors, they are both British consortiums and may not necessarily support HSBC, nor necessarily support them.

At this moment, Lu Liang’s phone rang. The caller was Li Zhikai. He answered the call with a smile, “Second brother, what a coincidence, I was just talking about you with Mr. Xu.”

"Well, isn’t that why I said it’s a coincidence? We’re at the Four Seasons Hotel. Will you come over, or shall I go to you?”

"Alright, we’ll wait for you then.”

After the call ended, Lu Liang smiled and said, “The shares of Victoria Harbour have been delivered to our doorstep.”

"That leaves Hui Dafeng and Standard Chartered.”

Xu Jiayin pondered and said, “I’ll contact the Wu family of Hui Dafeng. They should be interested in that piece of land near Taikoo City, leaving only Standard Chartered.”

The land at Taikoo City is the Xiangjiang ‘land king’ that Zheng Jiachun previously promised him. If Hengtai is willing to provide 50 billion in assistance, the two sides will jointly develop it in the future.

The Wu family of Hui Dafeng, once the ship king’s Bao family’s inheritors, not only hold Harbor City but also Jiulong Warehouse Real Estate, claimed to be the largest landlord in Xiangjiang.

As long as they help Hengtai acquire New World, they can jointly develop in the future, even letting the Wu family take the lead.

After all, as long as they successfully acquire Zheng’s New World, Hengtai will fully invade the Xiangjiang real estate market. Xu Jiayin is not particularly worried about one ‘land king’.

"Standard Chartered…” Lu Liang frowned, hoping that the British Group was not united. If they insist on siding with HSBC, it would become very tricky.

Because Standard Chartered holds 4.23% of New World’s shares, not much, but the Zheng family, with HSBC’s support, currently holds at least 48% of the shares.

As of now,

The situation is clear,

Everyone is showing their cards.

They hold shares of 33.57%, the Zheng family holds at least 48%, plus Victoria Harbour, Hui Dafeng, and Standard Chartered’s 10.87% for a total of 92.44%.

The remaining 7.56% of shares should be floating in the secondary market, or in the hands of individual investors.

At this point, Standard Chartered’s 4.23% becomes particularly important, and could very well be the deciding factor in this battle.

"Mr. Xu, please go contact the Wu family first. When Zhikai comes over, I’ll inquire about Standard Chartered’s stance.”

Lu Liang deliberately sent Old Xu away because he felt the Li family’s attitude was overly courteous, suggesting they need something from him.

"Then I’ll go contact the Wu family first. Let’s discuss further tomorrow morning.” Xu Jiayin sensed the unspoken implication but didn’t probe further.

Just like when he dealt with Bank of China, without mentioning the cost, although Bank of China is willing to support them, they still require their stance.

"Charming Xiangjiang.”

While waiting for Li Zhikai, Lu Liang gazed out at the city’s nightscape in a trance, with towering buildings and bright lights.

Although Modu’s cityscape is not inferior to Xiangjiang’s, it lacks a certain bloody aroma of capital.

If this happened inland, involving such a large acquisition, the Ministry of Commerce would have intervened early on.

Unlike now, where they are allowed to do as they please.

"Hey, where’s Mr. Xu?”

Li Zhikai’s voice came from behind Lu Liang, and he turned to look, “Mr. Xu went to contact Mr. Wu from Hui Dafeng.”

"Looks like it’s reached a boiling point. Did I come just in time?” Li Zhikai said with a bright smile, sitting across from Lu Liang.

"Otherwise, why would I have just said we were talking about you?” Lu Liang smiled warmly, beckoning a waiter and asking if Li Zhikai wanted anything to eat or drink.

"I just had a family dinner, so just a cup of warm water will do.” Hearing this from Li Zhikai, Lu Liang nonchalantly asked, “Did Mr. Li return to the port?”

"Just got back this morning, handling some matters.”

"Is there any way I can assist?”

Lu Liang got straight to the point, testing the waters, knowing there’s no love without reason, nor hatred without cause.

Though his earning ability was decent, the Li family’s exceedingly good attitude suggested they clearly wanted something from him.

"I’m not sure, but they’d let me know if there’s a need. Matters of Cheung Shing and He Huang, I rarely bother with.”

Li Zhikai, unfazed, instructed his assistant to pull out a share authorization contract from the briefcase, handing it over with a smile, “I knew you’d need it, so I brought it specially for you.”

"Thanks, a timely rain indeed.” Lu Liang expressed his gratitude repeatedly, but a flicker of gloom flashed in his eyes.

They still hadn’t spoken the truth, indicating the affair entrusted by the Li family was certainly not trivial.

But he couldn’t refuse, as the authorization contract brought by Li Zhikai was crucial.

"What’s the likelihood of Hengtai acquiring New World?” Li Zhikai inquired.

"Not even thirty percent yet.” Lu Liang sighed, conveniently asking about Standard Chartered Bank’s stance.

Though curious about the Li family’s endeavor, tackling one bite at a time was imperative—New World was the immediate priority.