Chapter 75 - 75 071 Taking Advantage to Cut Prices

75: Chapter 071 Taking Advantage to Cut Prices 75: Chapter 071 Taking Advantage to Cut Prices After indirectly criticizing Gong Yongfu and Sun Yuan, Li Zhaojun formally began to take charge of the group’s self-rescue. The resolution to withdraw 100 million yuan from the group’s capital to repurchase shares passed smoothly, but the second step of having shareholders raise funds to repurchase shares encountered dissenting opinions. Apart from Li Zhaojun herself, all the shareholder directors claimed they didn’t have enough money or that time was too tight to raise funds, and they were only willing to contribute a portion. In truth, the directors no longer held a positive outlook on Emali Group’s prospects. With the second and third largest shareholders teaming up against the largest shareholder so severely, it was unlikely that other minor shareholders would view Emali Group’s prospects favorably. Emali Group could be described as facing internal troubles and external threats. Li Zhaojun was actively negotiating with Huachang Investment Fund, expecting an investment of 1.5 billion yuan to support Emali Group’s Biomedical project. This was exceptionally good news. However, she didn’t reveal a hint of it. After the difficulty with the Biomedical project, she had realized that she must employ strategy in internal management and could not continue to be as transparent as before. Additionally, apart from continually sidelining Gong Yongfu and Sun Yuan, who opposed her, she also had to further solidify her position as chairwoman. Now that the stock prices had plummeted, it was an excellent opportunity for her to increase her shareholding ratio. Thus, whether or not the other shareholders contributed, and how much they contributed, she merely emphasized a few points and then said no more. After the shareholders’ meeting ended with gloomy moods, Li Zhaojun returned to her office. She had just sat down to approve a report application when a knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” Li Zhaojun called without looking up. The door opened, and heavy footsteps entered. Li Zhaojun looked up involuntarily and showed a hint of surprise when she saw who it was. “Director Li, haha,” the visitor forced a laugh and said. Li Zhaojun stood up, walked away from her desk, and gestured towards the coffee table couch, “Mr. He, please have a seat.” “Mm,” the man responded. After they sat down, Li Zhaojun poured some tea, then made a welcoming gesture and said, “Please, have some tea.” “Thank you,” the man said awkwardly, but did not reach for the tea. Li Zhaojun didn’t insist and sat upright on the couch, looking at the visitor and said, “Mr. He, you must have something important to discuss, so let’s hear it.” “Ah, well…” the visitor hesitated for a while then said, “Previously, I was wrong to side with Gong Yongfu and Sun Yuan against you. Please forgive me, Director Li.” It turned out the visitor was none other than He Jie, an ordinary shareholder who often sided with Gong Yongfu and Sun Yuan against Li Zhaojun. However, he did not participate in managing the group. “No problem,” Li Zhaojun replied calmly, showing neither pleasure nor displeasure. He Jie forced another awkward laugh, then continued, “My family recently encountered a serious issue that requires a large amount of money, so I would like to transfer all my shares to you.” “Oh?” Li Zhaojun maintained her composure but responded sharply, “You give the impression you’re abandoning faith, perhaps contemplating an escape?” “No, no, I have faith in the group and even more in your abilities, Director Li,” He Jie wiped some sweat and said, “It’s just that my family urgently needs a considerable amount of money, please understand and help, Director Li.” He indeed wanted to escape; he had low expectations for Emali Group’s future and aimed to sell his shares before the stock plummeted further. According to corporate policy, he was entitled to transfer his shares, giving other shareholders the right of first refusal. However, from what was evident in the shareholders’ meeting, only Li Zhaojun was likely to purchase his shares. “He Jie, you are creating a sense of panic within the group!” Li Zhaojun sharply rebuked, “This is the time when we need to stand united and overcome difficulties together, and yet you!” “Director Li, I really had no other choice,” He Jie pleaded pitifully. “There was a major crisis at home that needed a lot of money to resolve.” Li Zhaojun just snorted coldly, ignoring He Jie’s performance, and started sipping her tea delicately. Seeing Li Zhaojun’s demeanor, He Jie gritted his teeth and said, “Director Li, I own 4.5 percent of the group’s stocks, originally worth over two hundred million. I’m willing to sell them to you for one hundred and fifty million.” Li Zhaojun didn’t even glance at He Jie, she simply set down her teacup and stood up, saying indifferently, “Please leave.” He Jie quickly stood up as well, calling out urgently, “Wait, one hundred and thirty million!” Li Zhaojun turned around with a cold smile and looked at He Jie, “Do you take me for a fool? As the chairman and president, do you think I don’t know the worth of the stocks you hold? Even under normal circumstances, you could only sell them for between one hundred thirty million to one hundred fifty million!” Although the stock has value, it is not cash after all. When shareholders truly need to convert their stocks to cash, the value almost always depreciates. If a major shareholder cashes out a substantial amount, the depreciation is even more severe. “Don’t insult my intelligence!” “One hundred million!” He Jie insisted through gritted teeth. “I can’t go any lower.” Li Zhaojun scoffed, “You might want to try Gong Yongfu or Sun Yuan, or you could even go to the secondary market, perhaps you could get a better price there.” Pausing a moment, she added, “Oh, and by the way, my funds are limited too, perhaps other shareholders will approach me.” “Director Li, then how much are you willing to offer?” He Jie asked. Li Zhaojun replied, “Eighty million, not a cent more. Take it or leave it. Searᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In another two hours, you might be selling them to me for sixty million, and I might not even want them then. Besides, I need my funds to stabilize the market, so the payment has to wait until two months later.” Her terms were strict, but she was utterly unyielding. “This condition is too, too…” He Jie frowned deeply. “Too harsh, right?” Li Zhaojun said. “You don’t have to sell.” With that, she left the coffee table and went back to sit at her desk. Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” Li Zhaojun called out, not letting the person in directly. “Director Li, it’s me, Zhang Bingkun,” a middle-aged man’s voice came from outside. He Jie’s expression changed upon hearing this voice. Li Zhaojun said, “I’m dealing with an urgent matter now, could you come back in ten minutes, please?” “Alright.” After Zhang Bingkun left, Li Zhaojun turned to He Jie and said, “You have ten minutes to think it over.” He Jie was in a great hurry, almost spinning in anxiety. That Zhang Bingkun was also a shareholder, a middle-tier one just like him. The fact that Zhang Bingkun was seeking Li Zhaojun at this time meant he could guess the purpose was the same as his. He was anxious to escape, but Li Zhaojun’s price slashing was too harsh for him to accept. “Payment in cash can be deferred to two months later, but the selling price must be one hundred million,” he bargained with Li Zhaojun. Li Zhaojun shook her head decisively, “Impossible! Either you accept my earlier terms, or find someone else. Of course, you could also choose not to sell and weather this crisis together with everyone. I would really prefer you make the third choice, joining hands and getting through this crisis.” “Let me think about it,” He Jie said as he sat back down on the sofa to contemplate. Li Zhaojun wasn’t idle either; she continued with her work.