I'm back in 1990

Chapter 532: Plotting Against Cyberport

A week later, on March 13th, it was another Monday.

In Western culture, 13 is considered an unlucky number.

This concept comes from a Christian legend that during Jesus' last supper with his twelve disciples, the thirteenth person was Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Therefore, in the minds of Westerners, 13 is regarded as a symbol of betrayal and misfortune.

Another reason is that, according to Norse mythology, Loki, the god of fire, was the 13th attendee, and he caused the death of Baldur, the god of light. Therefore, people believed that it was Loki's participation, which was ranked 13th, that brought misfortune, and thus 13 was regarded as an unlucky number.

March 13th was a day of misfortune and dread for many investors.

The Nasdaq index had been declining for the past week, but the decline slowed down on Friday, and the candlestick chart showed a rebound signal. This gave a glimmer of hope to investors who were deeply trapped but still clinging to wishful thinking. They fantasized that the Nasdaq index would end this phase of decline next week (according to some irresponsible stock commentators).

Unfortunately, reality dealt a heavy blow to investors who still harbored illusions, as the Nasdaq fell by more than 100 points by the close of trading that day.

Investors were in despair, regretting that they should have sold their stocks earlier. At that time, they might not have made much profit or suffered much loss, but now they had missed the window of opportunity and were certain to suffer heavy losses, unless they could grit their teeth and cut their losses now, even if it meant losing 30 to 40%.

However, most people cannot make this decision. These investors are considered to be in a better position. More tragic investors, seeing the boom in internet technology stocks and being misled by investment advisors, are eager to get rich as soon as possible and have used a lot of leverage. Now that the stock market has plummeted, they have been forced to liquidate by institutions and have lost so much money that they are in debt that they can never repay in several lifetimes.

In recent days, many such investors have turned to suicide in famous suicide hotspots in various cities.

In April, the sell-off in tech stocks intensified, with the Nasdaq falling below the 4000-point mark, a monthly drop of over 19%.

The global economy is interconnected; if the US stock market sneezes, it will cause stock markets in other countries to sneeze as well. Soon, stock markets around the world will fall, especially technology stocks related to the Internet.

In mid-April, Ding Yi suddenly brought Zhang Gaolei to find Huang Xiaochuan.

Having not seen Ding Yi for a while, Huang Xiaochuan brewed tea for the two of them while teasing his friend, "Hey Director Ding? What brings you here?"

Ding Yi completely ignored Huang Xiaochuan's teasing. He looked around Huang Xiaochuan's new office, which was his first time here since Huang Xiaochuan moved offices.

"Wow, you're something else! Even your dean's office probably doesn't have this much, right?"

Huang Xiaochuan placed a cup of tea in front of Ding Yi: "I knew you had a sharp tongue. Luckily, our dean wasn't here. If he had heard this, I'd be in for a world of trouble."

As Zhang Gaolei took the teacup from Huang Xiaochuan, he said, "Xiaochuan, could you perhaps help me decorate my office sometime? I've tried to copy your office's style, but I just can't capture the same ambiance."

Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "Sure! It's not complicated at all. Just spend the money properly and the feeling will come out."

Ding Yi interjected, "Old Zhang asked you to help him spend money."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Gaolei quickly waved his hand and said, "That's not what I meant. Don't you know my situation right now? I'm trying to stretch every penny. I just want Xiaochuan to help me arrange things based on what I already have."

After sitting back down in his chair, Huang Xiaochuan laughed and said, "Alright, stop complaining about being poor. I'll give you a few things later. You've gotten more shrewd, Old Zhang."

Zhang Gaolei protested, "I'm not exaggerating at all! You guys have no idea how expensive wafer fabrication is; money just flows out like water!"

"It hurts to spend money like this."

Huang Xiaochuan knew that Zhang Gaolei's words were not an exaggeration at all. Although he had never worked in this industry, he knew that it was an industry that required money to be spent.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ding Yi explained his purpose to Huang Xiaochuan.

Ding Yi had his eye on Hong Kong's Cyberport project long ago, but he gave up the idea of ​​investing after being persuaded by Huang Xiaochuan. However, he always kept this in mind and arranged for people to keep a close eye on the actions of the eldest son of the Li family.

And so, with the bursting of the Nasdaq tech bubble, the opportunity arose.

The whole thing started with a case where Young Master Li made a huge, unconventional acquisition.

Hong Kong Telecom is the largest telecommunications operator in Hong Kong and holds a monopoly position in the region's telecommunications industry.

After Hong Kong's return to China, Hong Kong Telecom's parent company, Great Eastern, had doubts about the long-term prospects of the Hong Kong market. In addition, it had a plan to sell non-core assets in the early 1990s. By the end of the 1990s, the company's own debt pressure had increased, so it decided to cash out and withdraw from the Hong Kong market.

Upon hearing this, Young Master Li immediately had an idea. At that time, his company, Yingke, had used the internet and technology concepts (in reality, it was using the semiconductor business as a pretext to engage in real estate development), and its market value soared rapidly during the internet bubble.

However, Young Master Li doesn't have that much money, and his competitors are not to be underestimated.

To this end, Young Master Li went around lobbying for financing. He approached Huaxing Bank and HSBC Bank, proposing to raise tens of billions of US dollars. Naturally, Ding Yi found out about this.

Ding Yi used his past and present identities to deliver a message to Huaxing, a company with state-owned assets, and also used his former reputation as the "Demon God of the Hong Kong Stock Market" to meet with the president of HSBC and have morning tea, ultimately causing Young Master Li's financing plan to go down the drain.

But seeing the meat that was almost in his mouth but he couldn't get his hands on it, Young Master Li was extremely anxious!

Ding Yi came today to ask Huang Xiaochuan for help.

He knew that Huang Xiaochuan had many investments in Hong Kong and had capable people there, so he wanted to use Huang Xiaochuan to help him acquire the Cyberport project from Young Master Li.

Once this project is secured, it will greatly benefit China's semiconductor industry.

It is important to understand that the West has always maintained a technological blockade against China, but it has not yet imposed a technological blockade on Hong Kong, which has already returned to China. In other words, as long as the money is right, many semiconductor technologies can be implemented in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is separated from the mainland by only a river. Given time, not only will mainland scientists and technologists master advanced semiconductor technology, but China will also cultivate its own semiconductor talent.

So Ding Yi pulled Zhang Gaolei aside to discuss this matter with Huang Xiaochuan.

Upon hearing Ding Yi's purpose, Huang Xiaochuan agreed without hesitation.

Ding Yi has a very good grasp of timing. Young Master Li was borrowing money everywhere and had some hope, but Ding Yi ruined it all.

Ding Yi and Huang Xiaochuan have plenty of money, but they need Young Master Li to offer the Cyberport project in exchange.

The Li family is not yet as large as it will be in later generations. There are many families in Hong Kong that are comparable to the Li family. Even Ding Yi and Huang Xiaochuan's assets in Hong Kong are several times that of the Li family.

After hearing Ding Yi's idea, Huang Xiaochuan immediately summoned Cao Charlie and Zhang Sui from Hong Kong to Shanghai. The group discussed their general ideas and entrusted Cao Charlie and Zhang Sui with the acquisition of Cyberport.

Charlie Cho used his status as a newly minted Hong Kong tycoon to reach an agreement with other tycoons to cut off Li's financing channels, while Zhang Sui took advantage of the bursting of the internet bubble to suppress PCCW's stock price, ultimately forcing Li to sell Cyberport.

However, we can't just use the big stick; we also need to offer some incentives. As long as Young Master Li agrees to transfer the Cyberport project, then Charlie Cho and Zhang Sui will help Young Master Li achieve his wish to acquire Hong Kong Telecom.

After all, it's better for Hong Kong Telecom to remain in the hands of Hong Kong people.