(Correction: The "French Integrated Media Group" mentioned above is incorrect and should be Lagardère Sca)
It was already past three o'clock in the morning when Jing Gao finished making the call. He took a nap in his clothes in the study room on the second floor. At about six o'clock in the morning, he received two unexpected and uninvited guests: Arthur. - Lagardère, and André Griffin, Bernard Arnault's confidant and spokesman.
Dong Youwei's eyes were bloodshot and he led the two of them to meet Jing Gao who had finished washing up in the living room on the first floor.
The living room is elegantly furnished and has a simple layout. Jing Gao sat on the single-backed sofa without getting up, with a cup of warm tea in his hand.
Jing Shufeng, the staff member who continued to act as translator, sat behind him.
Andre Griffin is a German, short and fat, with a square face. He bowed to Jing Gao and said: "Dear Mr. Jing, I am very sorry. Mr. Arnault cannot come due to physical reasons. I will be his guest." The plenipotentiary has come to make a request to you, hoping for your understanding.”
Arthur Lagardère couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Professional managers work hard. With such a low posture, he couldn't speak and could only bow to Jingao. It's like subjects meeting their king!
Jing Gao nodded and made a gesture for the two of them to sit down and talk.
Andre Griffin did not sit down, but stood and talked to Jing Gao, saying respectfully: "Mr. Jing, the assassination you encountered tonight was by the Minister of Territorial Integration and Local Liaison Affairs Louis- Froude started it. His attitude has always been tough. Mr. Arnault has always been a moderate."
Jing Gao smiled but said nothing.
Who are you coaxing? Bernard Arnault is known as the "wolf in a cashmere shirt". There are only wrong names, no nicknames. This shows his acting style.
Andre Griffin observed the situation and said sincerely: "Mr. Jing, to show our sincerity, Mr. Arnault and the Lagardère Consortium are willing to help you solve Louis Froude.
Of course, this requires some cooperation from you: ask your country's embassy to investigate your assassination, and continue to put pressure on the French cabinet and police. At the same time, we are willing to make amends. "
Jing Gao pondered slightly.
To be honest, even if it was found out that Louis Froude had taken action against him and he wanted to send someone to kill him, he would not be able to take action against a member of the French cabinet in the short term. We can only wait a few years to wait for Louis Froude to lose power and fade out of the public eye, and then send someone to kill him.
A car accident, a medical accident, or an accident can cover up all traces.
Since the two consortiums of Arnault and Lagardère are willing to take action on their behalf, they can quickly deal with Louis Froude and make him angry. This is an unexpected gain.
Idaka nodded, recognizing the "sincerity" of Bernard Arnault and the Lagardère Consortium.
Andre Griffin suddenly felt relieved and continued: "Mr. Arnault is willing to sell 70% of the equity of the luxury brand Bulgari to you for 5 billion euros. In order to allow Zhaoshi Group to make up for its shortcomings in the field of high-end watches. plate.
According to financial data in May this year, Bulgari’s total sales in watches, jewelry, perfumes, skin care products, hotels and other businesses last year were 2 billion euros. The accounting firm values Bulgari at 7.5 billion euros.
However, Mr. Arnault hopes to reach a gentleman's agreement with you. When you want to sell Bulgari's equity, lvmh Group has the first right to acquire it. "
Arthur Lagardère was also standing negotiating, and then said: "Mr. Jing, Lagardère is willing to pay a 30% premium to take over 10% of the shares of Lagardère Sca from you.
We are also willing to divest several of our non-core magazines and publishing houses and sell them to you to help you gain admission to the French public opinion field.
I want to explain that French print media has certain limitations. Because fewer and fewer young people read newspapers. But publishing houses still have huge influence.
However, Mr. Jing, you have no connections in French politics, so it is difficult for you to play the role of a publishing house. But you can use this to transform towards the Internet. We'd like to help. "
Idaka is certainly interested in entering France's media industry. The French media has become one of the "separation of powers". But the stakes are high. As long as some departments in France conduct an investigation on the grounds of security, his investment will be wasted.
As for transitioning to the Internet, don’t think about making social media or news clients. These are the territories of Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other software.
However, as a powerful person, are you still afraid that your investment will be in vain? What he wants is a channel through which capital can blend power.
This is a "conspiracy". It's not that he looks down on Arthur Lagardère. This is not a suggestion that this person can make.
First, the Lagardère consortium repurchased his shares, even at a 30% premium, resulting in a large amount of debt. But similarly, its shareholding in the French integrated media group will increase to about 20%, and its control will be further strengthened.
Second, it lures him to invest in the media industry, which may cause him huge losses in the future.
This shows that Bernard Arnault still has some thoughts about him. It's just that under the current situation, I have to bow my head.
Jinggao wanted to understand and said: "Arthur Lagardère, I think French publishing houses and magazines will not play a big role. They are just identity authentication. The transformation to the Internet will only be a content provider, and it will not be big." Is that all Gardel’s sincerity?”
Arthur Lagardère felt like sweating on his forehead and said tremblingly: "Mr. Jing, I am willing to sell the ancestral home of the Lagardère family to you. From now on, the glory of the Lagardère family belongs to Mr. Jing." Your stepping stone.”
Jing Gao smiled and stood up from the sofa. Even though he was trampling the enemy under his feet to seize the fruits of victory, even though he was tired all night, his mind was still very clear. Said: "What do I want your ancestral home for? What glory and stepping stone? I'm afraid that if I take over your ancestral home, I will cause a boycott by the entire French consortium."
Arthur Lagardère said quickly: "Don't dare, don't dare."
Idaka said: "Lagardère paid a premium of 100% to acquire the shares of the French integrated media group in my hands."
Arthur Lagardère defended in shock: "Mr. Jing, I don't have that much money in my hands."
Jing Gao interrupted him forcefully and said, "I can lend you money!"
What Igao said seems a bit nonsensical, but actually the secret lies in this: the equity of Lagardère Group is yours, but I am your creditor! Can maintain a certain influence.
And the Lagardère Consortium needs to repay its debt every year. You have worked hard for a year, and all the profits are mine.
Idaka did not mention that he would form a new bank, and said: "I will accept the magazine and publishing house. I don't want your ancestral home. Give me a larger piece of land in the suburbs of Paris. I'm going to build a new bank." A bigger manor.”
Arthur Lagardère made a mental calculation and discovered to his dismay that if he acquired the company at a 100% premium, he would owe Mr. Shimoi nearly 3 billion euros in debt. This doesn't include interest. Given the profitability of the Lagardère Group, it may be difficult for him to get rid of the impact of this debt within the next ten years.
As one of the world's three largest publishing groups, the annual net profit of Lagardère Group is not high. The estimated net profit for 2018 is only about 250 million euros.
It was originally acquired at a 30% premium, and part of the funds would be advanced by Bernard Arnault, who would then directly swap debt for equity. He will continue to be a supporter of the Lagardère family within the Lagardère Group.
Of course, the price Lagardère paid was that in this negotiation, he was dragged behind, in a weak position, and suffered the dissatisfaction of Mr. Jing.
This is a negotiation skill. Arnault and Lagardère offered conditions respectively. In comparison, it was obvious that Arnault was more sincere. Then, there is a high probability that Mr. Jing will agree to Arnault's conditions and then attack and question Lagardar's sincerity.
However, I didn’t expect Mr. Jing to be so aggressive and ask for such a cruel price!
Arthur Lagardère grimaced and agreed tangledly: "Okay, Mr. Well."
"Okay, Youwei, you entertain them and implement the agreement." Jing Gao ordered and went to the third floor to rest.
...
...
The news that Idaka had been shot last night swept through certain circles in Paris like a storm and spread rapidly. However, not a single word appeared on the Internet or in the news.
Dong Lingxi, Ouyang Wan, and Chen Qingshuang had breakfast in the embassy, and accompanied by Counselor Wu, returned to the villa at No. 12 Rotan Street, District 16.
The villa under the shadow of the plane trees was slightly quiet, and the summer wind blew slowly by. The vigilant bodyguards were doing their duty, but their faces looked tired. Obviously, after all the hard work last night, I was very tired.
There was no one in the hall on the first floor. Dong Youwei and others were negotiating in the living room. When Counselor Wu, Dong Lingxi and others arrived, they took a short break.
Counselor Wu wanted to come over to check on Jing Gao. When he learned that Jing Gao was sleeping soundly on the third floor, he smiled and said, "As long as everything is fine, Assistant Dong, you guys should be busy!"
Dong Youwei's eyes were red from the stress, and he smiled with exhaustion, sent Counselor Wu out, and whispered about the shooting, "Our boss, Mr. Jing, made several calls last night and basically confirmed that the person behind the scenes last night was a . I hope the embassy can put pressure on the French cabinet and police to demand an explanation."
Counselor Wu was a little surprised. He didn't even know who was behind the scenes last night. After thinking about it, he said frankly: "Assistant Dong, let me be honest. You just have some injured people. The French police will not investigate seriously at all. Check." If there is no result, the cabinet can naturally be fooled."
Dong Youwei smiled slightly and said, "Just apply pressure."
Counselor Wu understood a little bit. There should be exchanges and compromises behind the scenes. He said with a smile: "Okay. Our citizens and entrepreneurs were shot in France. It is our duty to notify the French government and put pressure on them."
He went to inform Jing Gao last night, and what happened next was also clear. The general view among him and his colleagues is that the shooting incident was most likely directed and staged by Igao to solve last night's fatal situation.
I guess Mr. Jing gained a lot from this! What a smart, powerful person, and very courageous!
Not to mention that Dong Youwei went to see Counselor Wu off. Dong Lingxi, Ouyang Wan, and Chen Qingshuang went to the third floor to see Jing Gao, but they saw that the windows in the master bedroom were closed, the air conditioner was on, and Jing Gao was lying on the bed wearing a soft gray nightgown, sleeping soundly. Breathing sounds even. I must have been exhausted last night.
The three of them didn't know where to start talking about their worries and feelings, but they felt that their hearts softened in the quiet bedroom.
