Chapter 666: Takeover Offer

"Sir Carter, given the current international situation, with Iran acting recklessly and the Middle East remaining unstable, the price of oil is expected to rise even higher in the future. If the UK wants to revive its economy, it must break away from its dependence on Middle Eastern oil. The UK's energy industry must rise again. Congratulations!'

Xia Yu suddenly exclaimed after chatting with Carter Howard Duke about Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for a while.

The reason for congratulating him was that the Howard family was involved in the oil industry and held a large number of shares in a major oil company in the North Sea.

It can be said that the Howard family is also part of the oil interest group, and he will support the Conservative Party, in addition to his personal relationship with Margaret Thatcher, there is also this factor.

Carter Howard glanced at Xia Yu. He could hear the hidden meaning in Xia Yu's words.

It seemed that Xia Yu had learned from somewhere that the Conservative government was about to take action against BP.

The purpose of Xia Yu's invitation tonight was already obvious.

He coveted BP's stake and wanted to achieve his goal through him.

With this in mind, Duke Carter Howard was in no hurry. He said lightly and continued to sip his tea.

'It's hard to say. Most of the profits go to BP, and even if the oil market expands, my income will not increase much.'

If you want something, you have to be willing to beg for it. Xia Yu therefore cut straight to the chase: 'Sir Carter, at most, BP will only have an advantage for another month or so. Once it loses the special treatment it receives from the government, it will definitely not be able to compete with the established oil companies.'

'I know that the Margaret Thatcher government is preparing to privatise BP and will sell off a large number of shares at once. Perhaps someone like you, who already owns an oil company, is not necessarily interested.'

'After listening to the conditions Minister Geoffrey Howe mentioned today, I am interested in BP's shares. I have always invested heavily in the UK and am eligible to compete.'

'However, I am not a pure Briton after all, and I will inevitably encounter special targeting during the competition process, so I would like to ask you to do me a favour.'

After saying this, Xia Yu looked at Duke Carter Howard quietly.

He saw him put down his teacup and stare fixedly at Xia Yu, as if trying to read something in his eyes.

After a long while, it seemed that he believed Xia Yu's words came from the heart. Instead of directly rejecting him, Duke Carter Howard smiled faintly and said, 'You know very well the situation you may face. I can tell you unequivocally that if you participate in the competition, you will definitely be deliberately targeted and eliminated. Skin colour is not the point. The point is that you are neither a pure Englishman nor do you have the strength of Mobil and Exxon at this level.'

'I understand, so I just need a relatively fair playing field. This is in the best interests of the British people, isn't it?'

'And I only need a very small amount of equity, which will not affect anyone much.'

Xia Yu smiled at the corner of his mouth and spoke.

Duke Carter Howard fell silent, as if he was weighing whether or not to help Xia Yu.

Xia Yu also waited quietly for his reply and any conditions he might propose.

However, the result surprised Xia Yu. After a minute of thinking, Duke Carter Howard did not make any conditions and even agreed to help him: 'You are good friends with Henry and Elena, so I will help you.'

'However, it has to be done in a more subtle way. Our two families will set up an investment company, which will compete in the name of the Howard family. At that time, the number of shares acquired will be split according to the proportion of the investment company, and the proportion of the investment company's shares will be discussed later.'

'I suggest you go to Prime Minister Margaret first. She has a good impression of you, so let her know that I have your competitive advantage. This will be more helpful to us.'

Xia Yu said gratefully, 'I understand, thank you for your help!'

'I said, you are a friend of the Howard family!'

Duke Carter Howard said with a faint smile.

Xia Yu laughed and agreed, 'That's right, it's my honour!'

Although he said so, Xia Yu knew in his heart that this was still because his strength had already been able to gain the attention of Duke Carter Howard, otherwise even if he wanted to help, he couldn't.

Moreover, this favour was indeed a breeze for Duke Carter Howard. He could have done nothing at all, and just using the Howard family's face was enough to get Xia Yu in.

No one would do anything to tarnish the Howard family's reputation for such a trivial matter. It would not be worth the trouble!

The next day, Xia Yu immediately asked George Berkeley to arrange for someone to work on a cooperation plan and gather information on BP at the same time.

After giving these instructions, Xia Yu sent an application to the British Cabinet, asking to meet with Prime Minister Margaret. He believed that Margaret would arrange a time to meet with him after receiving the report.

This is the difference between capitalist countries. Capital is closely linked to government and society. It is not difficult for a capitalist to meet the head of a country, provided that the capitalist knows what he is doing and whether he is qualified.

There is no doubt that Xia Yu is definitely qualified!

At 3:30 pm the next day, Xia Yu went to 10 Downing Street and stayed there for about ten minutes. He looked calm when he came out, obviously in a good mood.

He had previously promised Margaret a £500 million investment in the UK, and had now fulfilled a large part of it. The capital inflow that could be traced amounted to more than £300 million, which proved that Xia Yu kept his word.

Therefore, Margaret was very friendly towards Xia Yu and welcomed Xia Yu's intention to invest in the UK oil industry.

With the obstacles from the government removed and the competitive advantage allowed to be transferred to the Howard family, Xia Yu finally felt relieved.

All that remained was to reach a cooperation agreement with the Duke of Carter Howard as soon as possible.

And a few days later, Guangming Fund acquired more shares in two companies.

Guangming Fund now held a cumulative 58.7% of Sotheby's, an increase of 9.5% from a few days ago. Apart from 1.2% acquired from the market, the rest were bought from minority shareholders.

The only major obstacle now was the former largest shareholder of Sotheby's, the chairman of the board with a 23.7% stake.

However, this person has no room for resistance in the face of Bright Fund's absolute equity, let alone the other minority shareholders.

In addition, he also owns 33.5% of Eskenazi Co., Ltd., an increase of 2.9% in a few days, and it will be difficult to acquire it in the future.

Facing this situation, Xia Yu knows that there is no need to wait any longer, it is time to take action!

'George, send someone to find the largest shareholder of Sotheby's Auction House and buy his shares. First use diplomacy, then use military force. If he refuses to sell, directly threaten him with a shareholding dispute. If that doesn't work, convene a board meeting and remove him from office, diluting his shareholding.'

'The shares of Eskenazi Limited will be concentrated in the company's hands and announced to the public, and an offer to buy them will be made!'

After checking the situation, Xia Yu immediately gave George Berkeley orders in the studio.

The two companies used two methods.

Sotheby's is to be acquired, and if a peaceful solution can be reached, it would be best, to avoid a forced takeover that would cause the stock price to rise and cost more money.

Unless there is no other choice, it will be forced.

As for Eskenazi Co., Ltd., Xia Yu doesn't think much of it, and it will be used as a bargaining chip. Of course, the stock price cannot fall any further, and it must rise as high as possible. Therefore, a grand offensive must be launched, the more imposing the better, in order to gain more initiative.

'Okay, I'll get right on it!'

George Berkeley took the order and immediately got to work.

An hour later, the shareholding information of Ayskenazi Co., Ltd. was updated: Bright Fund, with a 33.5% stake, had become the second largest shareholder, second only to the Ayskenazi family's 53.8%.

And immediately after the disclosure of the shareholding information, an offer to buy was made to Eskenzai Co., Ltd.

Eskenzai Co., Ltd., whose popularity had gradually waned, once again attracted the attention of many media.