Chapter 345: Smoke Screen and Blitz Attack
Upon returning to the closed building, Xia Yu went straight to the area where the two teams responsible for secretly purchasing Yi He Machinery Group's stocks were stationed. The first thing that caught his eye was a large chart displayed on the wall.
**Top Ten Shareholders of Yi He Machinery Group**
1. Yi He Holdings Co., Ltd., holding 14.84 million shares, accounting for 37.1% of the total shares, change type (unchanged), change in shares (10,000 shares) 0.
2. Taichang Industrial Development Group, holding 2.548 million shares, accounting for 6.37% of the total shares, change type (reduced), change in shares (10,000 shares) -423.5 thousand shares.
3. Li Yunxing Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd., holding 2.096 million shares, accounting for 5.24% of the total shares, change type (reduced), change in shares (10,000 shares) -256.9 thousand shares.
4. ...
10. Xiangjiang Chuyuan Investment Development Co., Ltd., holding 996,000 shares, accounting for 2.49% of the total shares, change type (unchanged), change in shares (10,000 shares) 0.
As of July 21, 1978, five shareholders had reduced their holdings, totaling 3.348 million shares, which is 8.37% of the total shares.
The data on this chart was updated in real-time, with dedicated personnel monitoring Yi He Machinery Group's stock price fluctuations and trading conditions, and adjusting the chart accordingly to keep track of the latest developments.
Stock market transactions could reveal which company sold the shares and who the buyers were, but whether those buyers were fronts for Xia Yu was harder to determine. Each account had a different name, but behind these shell companies were Xia Yu.
Moreover, the accounts behind these fake names were also anonymous, making it nearly impossible for anyone to trace Xia Yu.
Although the chart listed the top ten shareholders, it did not include Xia Yu's own holdings. Otherwise, the Xiangjiang Chuyuan Investment Development Co., Ltd., ranked tenth, would have been displaced.
Turning his attention from the chart, Xia Yu asked Wang Gang, the leader of the third team who was standing by, "Have we acquired the 8.37% of shares that the top ten shareholders reduced?"
Wang Gang, who appeared ordinary, answered respectfully, "Yes, boss, we've acquired all the shares from the top ten shareholders."
Xia Yu nodded slightly and continued, "How many shares have we acquired from other minor shareholders and retail investors?"
Wang Gang, familiar with the data, immediately responded, "As of this morning before the market closed, we have acquired a total of 4.112 million shares from other minor shareholders and retail investors, which accounts for 10.28% of the total shares."
"Adding the shares acquired from the top ten shareholders, we now hold a total of 7.46 million shares, which is 18.65% of the total shares."
"We've spent a total of 20,748,000 Hong Kong dollars!"
After reporting, Wang Gang quietly waited for Xia Yu's instructions.
"18.65%... 37.1%..." Xia Yu muttered these two figures, deep in thought.
The former was the percentage of shares he held, and the latter was the shareholding ratio of Yi He Holdings. The gap between the two seemed significant.
"With this amount of equity, it could indeed intimidate the Yi He Consortium. However, the gap is still quite large, so the effect might not be as significant. Ideally, we should increase it to over 25%."
Xia Yu thought to himself.
Moreover, he was certain that the more shares acquired now, the more profit they would ultimately make.
Although Wang Gang did not mention it, Xia Yu knew that acquiring more shares from the stock market would be increasingly difficult.
According to the chart, including Yi He Holdings, the top ten shareholders already accounted for 63.54% of the total shares. Adding Xia Yu's 18.65%, the total accounted for 82.19%.
This meant that outside these eleven shareholders, only 17.81% of the shares were left with minor shareholders and retail investors. It was unlikely that all of them would be willing to sell, and only about 2%-3% might be willing.
Thus, stock prices would become very sensitive, making it extremely difficult to quietly absorb more shares from the market.
Time was critical. The longer they delayed, the more likely the Keswick family would notice, potentially affecting the actual target of acquisition—Kowloon Warehouse.
"It looks like it's almost time to launch a decisive strike. But before that, we need another lightning blitz to quickly increase our shareholding ratio to over 25%!"
Xia Yu's eyes, previously narrowed in thought, suddenly widened. Wang Gang seemed to catch a fleeting, sharp glint in his boss's eyes.
He and the other team leaders immediately sharpened their focus.
"Continue your covert acquisition. Be careful over the next few days and avoid being discovered!"
"Understood!"
The two responded solemnly in unison.
"Go!"
After sending them off, Xia Yu summoned the leaders of the first, second, fifth, and sixth teams—Ma Kai, Song Yang, Li De, and Liu Xiao, who had just completed their tasks.
Looking at the four standing quietly in a row, Xia Yu scanned their faces, nodded slightly, and said in a deep voice, "I know your tasks are completed, and you've been free to invest. But now the free investment period is over, and I have a new task for you."
"Each of you is to select one listed company from those under Yi He Consortium with less than 30% equity and create some disturbances. See who can create the most significant disturbance while also making the most money!"
At this point, Xia Yu suddenly paused, locking eyes with the four and then revealing a meaningful smile, "This is a test! As for what kind of test, you'll have to figure that out for yourselves!"
The four's eyes brightened, their calm minds stirred by Xia Yu's final words, creating waves of anticipation.
A test?
So they were all competitors, with one at the top and others at the bottom. Not to mention the face issue, no one wanted to be outdone by others. More importantly, a test meant there would be rewards from the boss!
Reputation? Wealth? Power?
What exactly was it?
Although they couldn't decipher their boss's intentions, the more intriguing it was, the higher their expectations became.
"Go! Act quickly!"
Xia Yu waved his hand, sending the four off with changing expressions.
Watching the four leave with a competitive stride, Xia Yu's lips curved into a smile.
Liu Xiao and the other team leaders were seasoned elites with capable subordinates. With ample financial support from Xia Yu, they could exert significant power.
It was foreseeable that four disruptive forces would soon enter the stock market, stirring up the waters and attracting more attention.
"With no hidden orders suppressing them, they will surely unleash their full potential and draw the Keswick family's attention."
"With Liu Xiao's team providing a smoke screen, it's time for Wang Qi to dispatch people to contact the nine major shareholders besides Yi He Holdings. With a combination of soft and hard tactics, we should be able to secure two or three shareholders in a short time, raising our shareholding ratio to over 25%."
"By then, the news will likely reach the Keswick family, just as we need them to know!"
Afterward, Xia Yu immediately assigned the blitz acquisition operation to Wang Qi, who promptly devised a plan to ensure every move was successful.
Watching his busy employees, Xia Yu stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the bright fireball overhead, his lips curling into an expectant smile.