Chapter 89 "Keep the good stuff in the family"
From the moment Su Hao stepped into the glittering sales office and listened to the enthusiastic and eloquent introductions from the saleswomen, a faint but persistent feeling began to stir within him.
But the signal was so weak, almost imperceptible, and elusive.
He couldn't understand at all what this intuition was trying to remind him of.
Could it be... that there's something wrong with the ' Evergreen Heaven Seal ' project itself?
'Holy crap! Could this be a shoddy construction project?' Su Hao's heart skipped a beat.
But then I thought about it again and realized it was unlikely.
This is Changqing Group's flagship project in Shanghai. If they dare to cut corners on such a project, wouldn't that be like a grandfather hanging himself—wanting to die?
So, if it's not a problem with the building itself, is it something that Changqing Group is up to?
"..."
While her family was still enthusiastically touring the model apartment, Su Hao quietly took out her phone and quickly searched for the latest information about Changqing Group on the screen.
Changqing Group Chairman The succession plan for Shen Chengjia has been finalized, with his eldest son, Shen Zeju, set to take full control of the business empire.
[ Is Shen Zeju the likely successor to the Changqing Group? Will the second son, Shen Zekai, focus on his personal business, ensuring a smooth transition for the family business?]
Currently, Changqing Group is at a critical juncture in the power transition.
Old Chairman Although Shen Chengjia announced his retirement a few years ago and handed over the position of Director- General to his eldest son, Shen Zeju, his influence remains, and the outside world generally believes that the handover has been successfully completed.
This is standard practice within Hong Kong's wealthy families: the eldest son inherits the family business, while the second son seeks other opportunities; there's nothing unusual about it.
But the next few pieces of "old news being rehashed" made Su Hao frown slightly.
These reports, while emphasizing a smooth transition of power, often inadvertently mention the second son, Shen Zekai's, consideration for the bigger picture.
He casually clicked on a post about the former Chairman of the Changqing Group. This is an interview with Shen Zekai, the second son of Shen Chengjia, who has publicly stated that he has "no intention of fighting for power" and is "focused on emerging businesses."
However, the moment he clicked on that interview—
"!?"
Buzz—!!!
An indescribable, intense tremor, like an electric current, suddenly surged through his entire body!
Su Hao was jolted violently, as if struck by lightning. He almost dropped his phone onto the gleaming Italian marble floor!
" A-Hao, what's wrong? You look terrible." His mother was the first to notice that something was wrong with her son and asked with concern.
"It's nothing, Mom. I was probably just seeing things."
Su Hao forced a smile, but the turmoil in his heart was hard to calm.
That tremor was no accident; it must have been his intuition reminding him of something!
Changqing Group... Shen Zekai... There must be a major problem here!
He lost interest in continuing to tour the showroom and told his family, "Dad, Mom, I have an urgent meeting at my company, so I have to go back first."
Although his family was somewhat puzzled, they didn't ask him any further questions because of his unusually serious expression.
He had only one thought in his mind right now—to find out exactly what Changqing Group was hiding!
***
In Fang Huan Investment's director's office, Su Hao was looking through the information about Changqing Group that the R&D department had specially prepared for him.
Hundreds of billions of Hong Kong dollars...
This is only what Changqing Group's listed company accounts; its underwater assets are even more immeasurable.
Changqing Group is a business behemoth that rose from the small island of Hong Kong and has businesses spanning multiple countries around the world, covering almost every conceivable money-making industry, including real estate, ports, retail, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
Its listed companies are numerous, and its port real estate business is particularly lucrative.
" After the major restructuring of Changqing Group, the successor has long been decided, with the eldest son, Shen Zeju, sitting firmly in the position."
Although the second son, Shen Zekai, is also highly capable, the old man seems to prefer having him develop new businesses rather than getting involved in the core real estate and infrastructure projects.
So far, it seems everyone has gotten what they wanted, and nothing untoward has happened.
Liang Haiyuan reported to Su Hao.
"So, things are calm and peaceful at Changqing Group right now, with no potential problems?"
"Yes, Mr. Su. The succession arrangements are basically settled, and their landmark 'Evergreen' residential project will be completed next year."
Rumor has it that they faced a cash flow problem when building this building, but it was probably resolved through internal lending.
Su Hao flipped through the publicly available information about Changqing Group and the in-depth report compiled by the team. The intricate equity structure diagram made his eyes twitch.
Fortunately, the R&D department worked overnight to create a detailed mind map, which made it barely understandable:
This is a typical strategy employed by Hong Kong's wealthy families—circular shareholding.
To put it bluntly, it involves a bunch of subsidiaries, sub-subsidiaries, and great-grandchildren holding shares in each other, weaving a vast equity network that is a hundred times more complex than the Spider Cave.
The ultimate goal is to use a tiny share to gain control of the entire business empire.
The ability to master such an exquisite, or rather, insane, structure is probably extremely rare even within the entire Changqing Group.
However, as Su Hao continued to dig deeper, he discovered something amiss:
" Changqing Group currently operates its global business through its two flagship listed companies, 'CK Hutchison Holdings' and 'CK Asset Holdings,' right?"
But above these two major platforms, there's still a 'retired emperor' weighing on them.
Su Hao lightly tapped a spot on the document with his fingertip.
"You mean... this... registered in the Cayman Islands, ' Changqing Global Trust '?"
Liang Haiyuan leaned closer and looked in the direction Su Hao was pointing.
"Yes." Su Hao's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
" The real lifeline of Changqing Group is actually in the hands of this family trust and several key private holding companies controlled by it."
To be frank, the real decision-makers regarding the Group's fate don't come from the Directors ' meetings at the publicly listed company, but from those family meetings that aren't open to the public.
"This family trust plus multiple offshore companies, and the way they hold shares in a circular manner, is really getting more and more interesting..."
How do these top billionaires think? It's so convoluted, more complicated than the Kowloon Walled City!
Liang Haiyuan rubbed his temples, feeling like his CPU was about to burn out.
A well-designed legal framework can provide firm control over a vast business empire.
This operation, which I don't know which top lawyers and trust experts came up with, is simply an art form of modern capital operation, enough to confuse any outsider trying to figure out the truth.
Among family businesses in Hong Kong and even globally that play this "Russian doll" game of equity, Changqing Group is definitely the one with the most layers, the most complex structure, and the most breathtaking, truly deserving the title of "King of Matryoshka Dolls"!
"But then again, Mr. Su,"
Liang Haiyuan asked tentatively,
Why are you suddenly so interested in Changqing Group...? Could it be that you've spotted some great opportunity?
"Oh, it's nothing, just browsing."
Su Hao glossed over it with a few words.
"I just saw the news that their family's succession issue had been settled for several years, but it's been brought up again. I'm just a little curious."
He would never reveal why he had suddenly developed a strong interest in Changqing Group.
It was because that day, in Changqing Group's opulent and futuristic sales showroom, that he was gathering information about Changqing Group online...
A seemingly ordinary report triggered a long-dormant intuitive radar in his mind to beep incessantly, a feeling so intense it gave him goosebumps!
That's Changqing Group Chairman Shen Chengjia's second son, Shen Zekai, who has always presented himself as "humble and low-key" and "focused on innovation"...
In an interview, he solemnly and sincerely expressed in front of the camera that he would "fully support his elder brother Shen Zeju and work together to carry forward Changqing Group and create new glories in the field of emerging technology."
At that moment, Su Hao felt an inexplicable "electric current" rushing from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, giving him a jolt!
'This is weird...' he rubbed his chin.
'Of all the news articles about Changqing Group, why is it this one that feels so off to me?'
Other reports, whether about Shen Zeju's leadership style or Changqing Group's global business expansion, have been relatively quiet.
The only exception was this seemingly harmonious and perfect report about "deep brotherly affection" and "willingness to play a supporting role"...
It made him feel like there were turbulent undercurrents beneath the calm surface of Victoria Harbour, and that a colossal wave could erupt at any moment, potentially upending the entire group!
A thought, like a will-o'-the-wisp, flickered in his mind, growing clearer and clearer:
'Could it be... that this Shen Zekai has been lying all along? Or rather, that he's been acting!'