Who would have thought that in the 1940s, there were still remnants of the 19th century!
North Borneo Company!
A company that owns a colony, on that land, the company is the king and everything.
And now the plight of the North Borneo Company has given George an opportunity. If he seizes this opportunity, he can make the company his own.
But... can this opportunity be seized?
For a moment, George frowned and his expression became a little solemn.
It would be a pity to miss such a godsend opportunity. Besides, it is easy to buy it, but it is difficult to keep it!
"Sir, your judgment on this company is undoubtedly correct. For now, selling the company is the best choice for the directors of the North Borneo Company. However, as your lawyer, my advice is that you should not acquire it. After all, God knows whether the British government will take back the company's land and other properties after the war."
As a royal barrister, Ian Thorpe really couldn't understand why there are still people who are eyeing this company.
"So, do they have the power?"
George asked back. The barrister in front of him was a royal barrister worth 1,000 pounds. If he wanted to buy the North Borneo Company, he would definitely need such a person and would need him to coordinate many matters.
"This..."
Ian Thorpe thought for a while, then shook his head and said.
"Legally speaking, the British government has no power to take back the land and property of North Borneo. After all, North Borneo was purchased by British businessman Dent and others in 1880. Even if it obtained a royal charter in 1881, it could not change the fact that it was a private company and Borneo was the company's territory. But it has the right to abolish the royal charter it holds. After abolishing the charter, Britain will not give it national defense and diplomatic protection, which means that it is not exposed to other countries."
There is such a good thing!
George almost wanted to laugh out loud. Originally, he was most worried that Britain had the right to take back the colonies. This was the biggest problem. Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected gain.
"Exposure? That's not a problem, as long as they don't have the power to take back the company. By the way, do they have the power to stop me from acquiring the company?"
Facing the customer's question, Ian Thorpe, who had received colonial customers more than once, said in a very arrogant tone.
"Sir, this is London, not a colony. Britain is a country that emphasizes the rule of law. No one has the right to stop you from acquiring any company, and the North Borneo Company is also a company, except for the company's owner, of course."
Then he looked through a report in front of him and added.
"The board of directors of North Borneo Company currently consists of five directors. According to the company law, a proposal can be passed as long as two of the five directors agree. In fact, the five members of the board of directors together only control 48% of the company's total shares. The other 52% of the shares are scattered in the hands of more than 5,300 shareholders of all sizes across the UK. A considerable number of these people seem to be married women or widows. After all, many of them bought and sold stocks before World War I, and most of them died in World War I. There is no doubt that after the Japanese occupied North Borneo, the company's stock securities were actually worthless, and even debt interest had to be paid."
As a royal barrister, Ian Thorpe, although he couldn't figure out why anyone would be interested in such a company that was destined to disappear in history, he still suggested as a lawyer.
"So, sir, I don't think it's the right time to buy now. If you are determined to buy this company, you can wait until next year, when they receive the bond interest collection notice again next year. I believe that by then, they will be eager to transfer the shares to you for free. After all, everyone knows..."
Putting the documents together, Ian Thorpe adjusted his black-framed glasses and said.
"The British colonies after the war will definitely move towards self-government, and the Colonial Company will definitely not be able to continue to operate. Of course, the stocks in their hands are worthless. Before the war, its stock price was 18 shillings per share, and now it is 1 shilling and 3 pence per share. By next year, the price will be even lower."
Leaning forward in the chair, resting his elbows on the desk, Ian Thorpe said.
"But we will definitely not buy it at this price. If you don't change your mind next year, I can help you realize your wish at a very cheap price."
...
Very cheap?
George didn't know how cheap it was, but he soon came to see White. He inherited 9% of the company's shares from his father. As a member of the board of directors, although he was not the company's largest shareholder, he was one of the five largest shareholders. He had worked in the company for many years. As one of the company's managers, White was very clear about the current situation of North Borneo Company.
The current situation is... North Borneo Company is over!
In the past few decades, White has been relying on dividends to maintain an extremely decent life, but after the outbreak of the war, not only does he need to pay 99.5% of personal income tax, but it is always late. After Japan occupied North Borneo Company, there was no clean, not only that, everyone needs to pay debt interest according to the law. It has to be said that as a shareholder, he is also very painful.
At this time, he was looking at the Chinese in front of him. When he was young, as the deputy manager of the company, he had lived in North Borneo and Singapore for more than 20 years. He was not unfamiliar with the Chinese.
"So, you are interested in the shares in my hand."
George said with a slight smile on his lips.
"Mr. White, I'm helping you solve your problem."
While speaking, he took out a lucky cigarette from the gold cigarette case, handed it to White, picked up the lighter to light the cigarette, took a puff, looked at her and said.
"Interest, how to say it? In this world, businessmen are always interested in profits, but no businessman is interested in losing money. As we all know, everyone, including the Colonial Secretary, admits that the colonies must at least be allowed to implement autonomy after the war, which also means that after the war, the North Borneo Company is likely to end its operations."
As soon as he finished speaking, White glanced at him casually, then took a puff of tobacco and said.
"Sir, all you said will not happen. How can the company end its operations? After the war is over, the company will take back everything."
"Take back everything? Take back what?"
George smiled coldly and said sarcastically.
"Take back a pile of ruins?"