When Lin Baicheng returned to Hong Kong that night, he did not go home. Instead, he went straight to Baisheng Securities. The lights inside were still on, and An Yuan, his trusted financial manager, was waiting for him with a heavy expression.
"Lin," An Yuan said as soon as he entered, "we've got a situation. Someone else is secretly buying up Wharf Holdings' shares — and in large quantities."
Lin paused, his brows furrowing slightly. He had been quietly accumulating Wharf stock for months, planning a gradual takeover without drawing attention. Yet now, another player had entered the game.
An Yuan quickly laid out the details. "Yesterday, our traders noticed a sudden buyer scooping up Wharf shares. Following your instructions, we kept our moves discreet — no aggressive bidding, no price chasing. But that allowed this new party to take advantage. Today, they struck again, and judging by the volume, they've already invested over a million Hong Kong dollars. Definitely not a small investor."
The increase in trading volume was obvious. Wharf's normally quiet stock had suddenly become lively. If Lin joined the fray openly, it would only attract speculators and large funds, driving prices sky-high and making the takeover far more costly.
Lin leaned back, his tone calm but sharp. "Can we find out who's behind it?"
An Yuan shook his head. "Not easily. They're using intermediaries. We could try tracking brokers or asking around at the Exchange, but that's dangerous. It'll alert the market."
Lin thought for a long moment before replying quietly, "No need. I think I already know who it is."
A faint smile appeared on his face — one that carried both understanding and challenge.
If his instincts were right, the man behind the curtain was none other than Li Ka-shing.
Having lived through this era once before, Lin knew this part of history better than anyone. In 1978, Hong Kong's business world had been shaken by the Wharf Battle — when Li Ka-shing quietly bought shares in Wharf Holdings, only to later transfer part of them to shipping tycoon Pao Yue-kong. When Pao launched his formal takeover, the share price skyrocketed. Li made a fortune overnight, and the move earned him Pao's trust — which led to his introduction to Sir William Purves of HSBC. That connection eventually opened the door for Li to acquire Hutchison Whampoa, a moment that defined his empire.
And now, Lin realized with a quiet thrill, he was standing right at the start of that chain of events.
But he wasn't afraid. Whoever stood in his way — even someone like Li Ka-shing — was simply a rival to be outmaneuvered.
He turned to An Yuan. "How far have we gotten?"
An Yuan opened his folder. "Wharf's stock price is currently at HK$12.85. The company has ninety million shares in total, with a market value of about HK$1.15 billion. Baisheng currently holds seventeen million shares — roughly nineteen percent of the total. Our total cost is around two hundred and ten million."
Lin nodded with satisfaction. Despite acquiring nearly a fifth of the company, the price had barely moved. It was proof that An Yuan had executed the plan with precision — buying quietly without drawing the attention of the British conglomerate Jardine Matheson, Wharf's controlling shareholder.
"Excellent work," Lin said. His gaze sharpened. "Now tell me — what do you think we should do next?"
An Yuan hesitated. Instead of answering directly, he asked carefully, "Boss, before I say anything — are we planning to fully take over Wharf, or just ride the wave for profit?"
Lin smiled. "You've already guessed the answer. I want the company."
That was all An Yuan needed to hear. He nodded slowly. "In that case, there are two possible paths."
He raised one finger. "First, if our capital allows, we continue buying quietly in the market. At the same time, we approach major shareholders and institutional investors privately. Offer them a slight premium to sell their stakes. Even if someone else is competing, we can still accumulate shares before anyone realizes what's happening."
Then he raised another. "Second, if our funds run short, we switch tactics. We deliberately let the market know there's competition. Create the illusion of a bidding war. That will draw attention — and when the price surges, we offload our holdings at the top. With our current cost base, we'll profit no matter how high it goes. It's a safe win either way."
Lin listened without interruption, watching his trusted aide explain with the confidence of a seasoned trader. When An Yuan finished, Lin nodded.
"You've done well," he said quietly. "Very well."
The night outside was silent, but within Baisheng Securities, the air was charged with the tension of a coming storm.
The battle for Wharf Holdings had just begun.