Chapter 841: Chapter 820: Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West The number of people who understand Lu Liang’s plan, like Ma Yun, is ultimately a minority. This is precisely why Tianxing Finance’s acquisition of thirteen Neon companies went very smoothly. The most update n0vels are published on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝙣𝙚𝙩 Moreover, financial institutions proactively contacted Xingheng Investment, expressing their willingness to sell their shares to help Tianxing Finance increase its stake as long as there is a reasonable premium. After all, the Nikkei Index has dropped nearly 4,000 points, and the entire market’s capital value evaporated by $1.28 trillion, so not every institution can retreat unscathed. Most institutions are stuck inside, suffering alongside retail investors. They urgently need to earn from other areas to hedge against losses from the Nikkei’s plunge, striving to deliver a satisfactory answer to investors next year. As the year draws to a close, with only one month left, 2018 has nearly passed, leaving them little time. No fund manager is willing to see the entire year’s efforts buried due to unexpected factors in the last quarter. “Agree, as long as the selling price is lower than before the big drop, we won’t turn anyone away.” Lu Liang received a call from Ishikawa Mayu, learned the situation, and gave him significant authority. Since Tianxing Finance announced the acquisition news, the stocks of the thirteen companies have soared, driving a rebound in the broader market, staging a dramatic counterattack. The same amount of stock, if purchased now, would cost at least twice the funding. The secondary market is only suitable for ignition; if they want more stocks, they still need to trade with holding institutions. “Mr. Ma, what have you been busy with lately? Find some time to have a meal?” After assigning tasks, Lu Liang called Ma Yun, intending to borrow his team to explore the Neon market. The world never lacks smart people, yet their intelligence is limited by the information they possess, making it impossible to deduce the full picture of events. Coincidentally, Jian Yiwei has recently been very unpopular, and Anshan has been avoiding the spotlight by claiming to be unwell and hiding in a sanatorium. Tianxing must seize this power vacuum, act swiftly and decisively, and implement the plan. If detected and some targeted new regulations are promulgated, then all previous efforts would be in vain. When it comes to expanding the online payment market, Ma Yun believes he is second to none. Although domestically, more users use WeChat Pay compared to Alipay. However, Alipay losing to WeChat is largely due to the characteristics of the applications. Alipay is finance-oriented, while WeChat leans towards entertainment; the former has more high-stakes savings users, whereas the latter mainly handles pocket money. Ma Yun laughed and said, “Teaching in your province’s mountainous areas, Mr. Lu, are you interested? A gift of roses brings a lingering fragrance to the hand.” “My aspirations aren’t that lofty; I’m still obsessed with making money,” Lu Liang chuckled and explained the reason for his call. Ma Yun said, “Mr. Lu, you flatter me too much. I’ve stopped meddling with Ant’s affairs. If Tianxing truly needs help, I can put you in touch with Mr. Zhao.” Zhao Zhe, 51 years old this year, has worked for many years at CICC and Citic, with rich financial management experience, and is the new chairman of Ant Group. Under his leadership, Ant Group managed to quell the negative impact of the failed listing and integrated the credit system, initiating intentional reductions in online lending business. Reportedly, they are reorganizing assets, aiming to fix the BUG of Ant previously issuing ABS without collateral. “Mr. Zhao can’t help me with this matter; only Mr. Ma can lend a hand — I owe you one,” Lu Liang said again. He had heard of Zhao Zhe. However, his identity wasn’t as notorious as rumored, like being a “red descendant.” It’s simply that his plans and execution style satisfy regulatory authorities, which is why he became the chairman of Ant. In simple terms, he’s obedient. Who becomes the new chairman doesn’t really matter to the regulatory authorities; they only care if Ant is controllable. Zhao Zhe has ability but cannot help Lu Liang. After all, Alipay is a product created by Old Ma, and developing the East Asian market was also his decision. So he alone knows who is suitable for the current Tianxing Finance. Ma Yun thought for a long time, then said in a low voice, “Triple the salary; I’ll recommend a team for you, covering all positions from system maintenance to market promotion.” The triple salary isn’t for him, but for the members of this team, as Ant’s inability to list turned their promised equity into bubbles. Old Ma feels guilty, and Lu Liang is short-handed. Selling a favor to Lu Liang while also delivering an explanation to them is a win-win approach. Lu Liang said, “Money is not an issue, but I want it fast. It’s best if they can be in Neon by next Monday to manage all of PayPal Group’s business.” “The acquisition of PayPal completed so quickly?” Ma Yun widened his eyes, too surprised to speak. “Not yet, but almost.” With a smile on his face, just when Tianxing announced the acquisition of Mitsui Sumitomo, an agency authorization contract was also sent to Ota Ling. Previously, Ota Ling was just a chairman without shares, only having an annual salary, like the current Zhao Zhe of Ant Group. But now, holding the 6.75% equity authorized by Tianxing is like an emperor with a hundred thousand troops. Although the secondary market acquisition is just ordinary shares without decision-making power, ordinary shares also depend on who holds them. If Tianxing Finance holds them, then they are ordinary shares. If Ota Ling holds them on behalf, then they are weight shares that can be converted into AB equity. Old Ma was silent for a long time and said softly, “I will inform Zhao Zhe to try their best to complete the work transition over the weekend.” While Lu Liang was on the phone with Ma Yun, Ota Ling convened the group’s board meeting in the name of the chairman. “Ota, what’s the matter? Don’t you know the Japanese stock market is rebounding, and the group is being tagged by Tianxing Finance, everyone is busy?” Sumitomo Group’s representative Tanabe Junta almost wore his displeasure on his face. After all, a chairman without equity is like a prime minister of Neon, who just says ‘Sumimasen’ every day, and when told to step down, he must step down. Only in recent years, Ota Ling has been continuously generating profits for the group through long-term cooperation with Lu Liang. Otherwise, they would have replaced him with someone recommended by the Sumitomo Group as chairman long ago. “Mr. Ota, if you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to wait for everyone; we’re all quite busy.” Mitsui Takahiro echoed. Offending Lu Liang caused Mitsui Sumitomo to get deeply embroiled in a public opinion crisis and had to hand over control of the PayPal Group. His divinely appointed mission turned into a bubble. He could only become a non-executive director of the group, honestly staying in position for observation for a few years. So now he looked at everyone with displeasure, even when facing Ota Ling, who had once helped him. “Mr. Tanabe, Mr. Mitsui, I’ll announce it when everyone is here to avoid having to repeat it again.” Ota Ling smiled with a hint of triumphant satisfaction as if he were about to exhale a long-held breath. Thirty years on one side, thirty years on the other, the years of enduring grievances, he is finally standing up today. After waiting for more than ten minutes, the group’s employee representative, several executive directors, and the secretary all arrived. Ota Ling glanced at the secretary, signaling him to start recording from this moment, capturing all the discussions to follow. “Today, the main reason for gathering everyone here is to announce three matters.” He smiled slightly, speaking neither quickly nor slowly. “The first matter is naturally concerning the equity of the PayPal Group. Although everyone has reached a consensus, it hasn’t been recorded, so we’ll discuss it again today and vote by a show of hands once more.” Upon hearing this, the few present looked dissatisfied. Tanabe Junta even said coldly, “Ota, if that’s the only matter, don’t blame me for not reminding you, our time is precious.” Surrendering territory and signing humiliating treaties is not something to flaunt or publicly discuss. Since everyone agreed on this decision, “collective understanding” allowed them to gloss over it, pretending it never happened. Ota Ling dared to mention it again, clearly rubbing their noses in it. “Mr. Tanabe, if you have urgent matters, you can leave first. Later, I’ll have the secretary send you a meeting summary.” Ota Ling smiled lightly, leisurely picking up the thermos in front of him, confidently sipping tea. Tanabe Junta frowned. He wasn’t stupid; formerly arrogant because he knew Ota Ling wouldn’t get angry. But now Ota Ling counterattacked, appearing calm and composed, abruptly flipping the power dynamics. “Then I’ll listen to what you have to say.” Tanabe Junta, expressionless, pulled back his right leg, which he had moved to leave, and sat back at the long round table. “No objections from anyone, let’s vote on the first matter.” Ota Ling took the lead in raising his hand, agreeing to transfer the management rights of the PayPal Group to Tianxing Finance. The nine-member board unanimously approved. They all looked at Ota Ling, waiting for what was next. If he didn’t have something particularly important, they wouldn’t spare his feelings. “I’m sure everyone knows about Tianxing Finance’s stake in our group’s stock market.” Ota Ling took an authorization proxy agreement from his briefcase, smiled lightly, and said, “Mr. Lu is busy managing myriad affairs and has no time to handle Mitsui Sumitomo’s matters, so he entrusted me to hold the shares and handle them independently.” At the sight of the authorization contract, everyone’s eyes turned fierce, glaring menacingly at Ota Ling. Because they all knew what it meant for Ota Ling to get hold of the equity held by Tianxing Finance. It signifies that from now on, Ota Ling is no longer just a high-level employee but the true owner of shares. And he’s still the chairman!!