In fact, Lijiaopo is a city disguised as a country because it is too small. Its land area is only more than 700 square kilometers, which is 1/25 of the size of Hangzhou, China.
At the same time, it is also the country with the highest proportion of Chinese in the world besides China, with Chinese accounting for nearly 75%.
You know, Kolo's land area is nearly 57,000 square kilometers, and its total population is less than 7 million at this time.
The total population of Lijiaopo has exceeded 4 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
After Barron arrived here, he checked into the Goodwood Garden Hotel, which was owned by the family of Qiu Debao, the richest man in Lijiaopo, and he often liked to dine in this hotel.
It is also worth mentioning that the total 13.5% shares of Standard Chartered Bank currently held by Kuok Teck Puat are held by three of his companies, including the Goodwood Park Hotel.
Kuok Teck Puat has a total of 14 children. These three companies are now run by three of his children, who are also members of the board of directors of Standard Chartered Bank.
The Goodwood Hotel is now run by Khoo Teck Puat's daughter, Elizabeth Khoo, who is the tenth among Khoo Teck Puat's children.
"Your Highness, my father is waiting for you in the restaurant downstairs. I'll take you there."
Elizabeth Qiu came to Barron's room in person and said to him.
Barron knew that given Qiu Deba's current physical condition, it was impossible for him to come to greet him in person. It would not be rude for Elizabeth Qiu to come on behalf of her father.
"Thank you, Ms. Qiu. I am looking forward to meeting Sir Qiu."
Because of his previous experience in helping Standard Chartered Bank resist the takeover by Lloyds Bank, Qiu Depu was awarded an honor by the Queen of England and became a knight.
When Barron met Qiu Debuluo, the richest man in Lijiaopo at that time, he saw that he looked well. Although he could not hide his old age, there was no sign that he would pass away suddenly in half a month.
"Your Highness, I know you came to see me this time for the shares of Standard Chartered Bank."
After a round of greetings, Kuo Teck Puat was also surprised by Baron's fluency in Chinese. In Southeast Asia, he had met many Westerners who spoke fluent Chinese, but this was the first time he had seen someone like Baron who had no accent and spoke very standard Mandarin.
He also got straight to the point:
"But I may disappoint you. Frankly speaking, over the years, there have been too many people who wanted to buy Standard Chartered Bank shares from me, but I have never agreed. This is because Standard Chartered Bank has been my partner for many years and I don't want to change its business."
The three people who served as "white knights" to help Standard Chartered Bank resist the takeover by Lloyds Bank had different reasons.
For example, Khoo Teck Puat and Australian businessman Robert Holmes were both long-term customers of Standard Chartered Bank. Khoo Teck Puat had a history of cooperation with Standard Chartered Bank of more than 20 years, while Robert Holmes had received financing from Standard Chartered Bank during the process of starting his own business, which was like "a timely help in times of trouble". Therefore, he helped Standard Chartered Bank to resist the acquisition by Lloyds Bank.
As for Mr. Bao, the "shipping king" of Hong Kong, he was not a client of Standard Chartered Bank before, and the two parties had no connection. When the stock price of Standard Chartered Bank was high due to the acquisition, he bought a large number of shares of this bank. Many people speculated that it was because he received financial support from HSBC. HSBC did not want the powerful Lloyds Bank to intervene in Asia, Africa and Latin America due to the acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank, resulting in intensified competition with it.
Nearly twenty years later, of the three, only Khoo Teck Puat continued to hold on to those Standard Chartered shares, becoming the bank's largest individual shareholder.
If it weren't for the scandal that happened after Tan Sri Kuang acquired National Bank of Brunei and his eldest son was accused of transferring funds to his own use through the bank acquired through this acquisition, he would have intervened in the management of Standard Chartered Bank.
"You can rest assured, Sir Qiu. Even if I can control Standard Chartered Bank, I will not interfere too much in its management. This bank will still focus on emerging markets. Instead, I will help it to expand into larger markets."
Baron understood that as a businessman, what Kuo Teck Puat valued most was still profit, and the so-called sentiments were just a gesture to gain more benefits.
Just like those banks he opened in the beginning, didn't they also take advantage of the time when supervision was not strict to absorb deposits for their own investment?
The only difference is that Qiu Deba's investment was ultimately successful, allowing him to earn a huge amount of wealth and become the richest man in Lijiaopo.
"Given my current health condition, I don't really care about the company's affairs anymore. I have handed them over to my children."
Qiu Deba said lightly:
"I also know that they may not have as deep feelings for Standard Chartered Bank as I do. We cannot hold those shares forever. There will always be a day to sell them, but it should not be now. So, Your Highness, I am afraid that you will be disappointed."
Seeing that Qiu Depu had not agreed to sell the shares, even though Barron offered a certain premium and was willing to use US$1 billion to buy the Standard Chartered Bank shares with a market value of about US$900 million in their hands, Barron did not force it, but said:
"No matter what, I am very happy to have this conversation with you this year. There is a saying in China that 'a wise man is a teacher', and 'an old man in the family is like a treasure'. Even if there is no opportunity for cooperation this time, I am lucky to be able to ask you for more experience, whether it is life experience or business experience."
…
"Your Highness, according to the news from Mr. Sheen of DS Holdings and Goldman Sachs, in addition to the Standard Chartered Bank shares we have already purchased in the secondary market, they have already reached an agreement with three institutions and are willing to sell their Standard Chartered Bank shares at a 20% premium, accounting for about 11% of the total capital of Standard Chartered Bank."
Although there was no achievement here at Qiu Debao today, there was some good news.
Currently, Khoo Teck Puat is the largest individual shareholder of Standard Chartered Bank, and Standard Chartered Group holds approximately 10% of Standard Chartered Bank's shares. Most of the remaining shares are dispersed in the hands of some investment institutions.
This time, Goldman Sachs will also help them contact some investment institutions such as "pension funds" that hold shares of Standard Chartered Bank and purchase their shares at a corresponding premium.
Now it seems that there is light in the west when the east is dark, which makes Barron feel a little better.
"In addition, Mr. Ma from Alibaba also asked about the specific time you will arrive in Hangzhou..."
"Tell him that we will fly directly from Lijiapo to Hangzhou tomorrow."
Last year, Baron invested $20 million in Alibaba and acquired 20% of its shares. At that time, Baron had an agreement with Mr. Ma that he would have priority in Alibaba's future financing.
Now, nearly a year has passed, and Alibaba is preparing for the next round of financing.
Originally, this kind of thing only required Amber to negotiate, but Barron happened to come to Lijiaopo this time and was also planning to go to China, so he happened to meet with Boss Ma.