From Inheriting a Small Factory to Becoming a Global Financial Tycoon

Chapter 24 Hang Seng Bank

Although Lin Haoran was the son of Lin Wanan, Lin Wanan's status in the business world might not yet be enough to directly attract the special attention of a heavyweight like Shen Bi, let alone Lin Haoran himself. Therefore, for Lin Haoran, attempting to meet Shen Bi directly would be challenging. If he took the initiative to seek a meeting, he might well face rejection. If he directly revealed that he held shares of Green Island Cement, he would definitely be granted an audience, but this would also indirectly expose his identity as a major shareholder of Green Island Cement to others. At this moment, Lin Haoran fully understood that in the business world, personal influence and status were equally crucial.

The name of Bao Yugang flashed through Lin Haoran's mind. He realized that perhaps through Bao Yugang, the shipping tycoon with extensive connections, he might have a chance to meet Shen Bi. After all, Bao Yugang had formed a favorable impression of him previously and had even warmly invited him to his home, suggesting a good rapport. However, after pondering the idea for a moment, Lin Haoran decisively rejected it. The reason was simple: he was currently closely monitoring Wharf Holdings to profit from it. In a way, he was "leeching" off Bao Yugang's interests. Under such circumstances, seeking Bao Yugang's help to meet Shen Bi would unnecessarily complicate personal ties.

Lin Haoran understood very well that in the business world, personal relationships often involved exchanges of benefits, and what he currently pursued was purer, more direct business cooperation. Thus, after careful consideration, he abandoned the idea of asking Bao Yugang for help and decided to find a more suitable path to achieve his goal.

After some deep thought, Lin Haoran quickly felt at ease. He realized that with his Green Island Cement stocks as collateral, obtaining a loan was not difficult; there was no need to rely solely on HSBC. If there were other avenues to achieve the same goal, why overcomplicate things? Establishing a good relationship with HSBC would indeed help him secure a foothold in Hong Kong and facilitate future mergers and acquisitions involving British companies, but this was not something that needed to be rushed immediately.

At this moment, Lin Haoran was filled with hope and confidence for the future. He believed that as long as he continued working hard in Hong Kong, constantly accumulating experience and strength, he would one day carve out his own place in the business world. By then, meetings with any major figure would be easily attainable, no longer distant dreams. Thus, Lin Haoran decided to set aside this concern and focus on the present matters at hand.

Since British banks were not suitable for this loan for now, Lin Haoran shifted his attention to Chinese banks. Soon, he had an idea. He decided to approach Hang Seng Bank, one of the strongest Chinese banks. Although Hang Seng Bank had faced serious challenges during the 1965 bank run and was eventually acquired by HSBC, its core management, especially its chairman, had always been firmly controlled by its founder Ho Sin Hang.

Although it might be difficult to meet Shen Bi directly, Lin Haoran guessed that through Ho Sin Hang, he might achieve his goal indirectly. The reason was that Lin Wanan's Wanan Group had always maintained good cooperative relations with Hang Seng Bank. Wanan Group's financial operations relied heavily on the solid financial platform provided by Hang Seng Bank. With his identity as the young master of Wanan Group, Lin Haoran believed that, no matter what, Ho Sin Hang would take into account the deep friendship with the Lin family and the importance of Wanan Group to Hang Seng Bank, and would grant him an audience.

After all, in the world of commerce, human relationships and interests were intertwined, pushing the wheels of cooperation and development forward. Having thought through his next steps, Lin Haoran grabbed the stock certificates of Green Island Cement and decisively left the office. It was only just after 4 PM, still early, the perfect time to visit Hang Seng Bank.

Once in the car, he sat in the front passenger seat and said to Li Weiguo, who had instinctively taken the driver's seat, "Weiguo, we're heading to 163–165 Queen's Road Central. I'll guide you; you drive."

Li Weiguo and Li Weidong had recently passed their driving tests. After just over a week, Lin Haoran had already witnessed Li Weiguo's driving skills and was quite satisfied. Therefore, he was comfortable handing over the steering wheel to Li Weiguo, confident in his ability to handle the task. As for Li Weidong, he always seemed a bit more naive and simple. In Lin Haoran's view, driving required high concentration and precise control, so until Li Weidong's skills became more polished, he wouldn't be allowed to drive. Safety came first.

"Yes, Young Master," Li Weiguo responded, starting the vehicle and focusing intently ahead.

He knew that even though he had been in Hong Kong for nearly a month, he was still not very familiar with the layout of the city. Young Master Lin Haoran, like a living GPS, would provide precise directions.

In his memories, Lin Haoran had been to Hang Seng Bank's headquarters many times, always accompanying his father Lin Wanan.

Under Lin Haoran's precise guidance, the vehicle smoothly navigated through the streets, and a few minutes later, they arrived steadily in front of the Hang Seng Bank headquarters.

Hang Seng Bank, as a well-known financial institution, had naturally chosen a prime location in Central for its headquarters, among many international financial institutions. Lin Haoran and Li Weiguo got out of the car. Before them stood a relatively modest five-story building.

In an area crowded with towering skyscrapers, its low profile made it almost inconspicuous, yet this was the famed headquarters of Hang Seng Bank.

Upon entering the lobby, Lin Haoran instructed Li Weiguo and Li Weidong to wait in the lounge while he proceeded directly to find the lobby manager.

Having visited many times before, Lin Haoran was familiar to many managers here.

"Manager Zhang, hello!" Lin Haoran's sharp eyes quickly spotted Manager Zhang, who was busy but looked up and recognized him immediately.

"Ah, Young Master Lin! It's been a while! How have you been? What brings you here today?" Manager Zhang asked with a warm smile, clearly surprised but delighted by Lin Haoran's arrival.

"I'm here to see Chairman Ho. May I ask if Chairman Ho is currently in the building?" Lin Haoran asked politely.

"Young Master Lin, you're here for important business, I assume? Allow me to check whether Chairman Ho is available," Manager Zhang replied courteously.

"Thank you, Manager Zhang," Lin Haoran said with a smile.

A few minutes later, Manager Zhang returned quickly, smiling.

"Young Master Lin, I've confirmed it. Chairman Ho is indeed in his office and has specifically instructed me to bring you to him. Please follow me."

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