Chapter 880: The story of Lao Bei's rise to wealth
However, his first pot of gold did not come from these, but from the construction industry.
With the financing of his father's bank, he quickly gained a foothold.
After having a certain strength, it is natural to expand and become stronger and create more glory.
But how to grow is a test of the founder's wisdom.
Lao Bei is obviously a smart man.
He found that there are often many satellite cities around American metropolises.
Many wealthy families who desire a quiet and safe living environment will choose to live there, and he wants to move this American real estate model to Milan.
He acquired a large piece of vacant farmland near Milan Airport at a very low price.
Because it is too close to the airport, landing planes usually pass over this plot of land at a very low altitude.
So no builder would want to develop this land into a residential area.
But Lao Bei did it.
And it is very coincidental that after he bought this land, Milan Airport changed the way aircraft take off and land, and the biggest disadvantage of this land disappeared.
This "coincidence" is very spiritual.
There is no trick in it, and Xu Liang would not believe it even if he was beaten to death.
The "Milano Due" (Milan 2) residential area built here is famous for its greenness and self-sufficiency, and has been warmly welcomed by the middle class and the rich.
Berlusconi also made a fortune from this.
In addition to the real estate industry, Berlusconi has set his sights on the media industry.
He first founded his first TV channel in the Milano Due community center.
According to Italian law at the time, it was not illegal to establish a local TV station, but it was not allowed to establish a national TV station.
So Berlusconi and his companions set up local studios across the country, providing news programs and variety shows with sexy actresses as selling points.
This strategy of breaking the whole into parts is quite in line with the essence of our party's "surrounding the city with the countryside".
Berlusconi, whose pockets are getting fatter and fatter, is also becoming more and more ambitious.
He spent a lot of money to win over the political bigwig Craxi.
The latter returned the favor by lifting the ban on individuals creating national media, helping Berlusconi to establish Italy's first national private TV station Canale 5.
Italia1 and Rete4 channels that followed closely also achieved great commercial success.
Not satisfied, Berlusconi soon set his sights on the whole of Europe.
Through continuous mergers and acquisitions, in just a few years, he successively brought TV stations in France, Germany, Spain and other places, as well as Italy's largest publisher Mondadori under his command.
After his success in the media, Berlusconi's group further entered the financial insurance business and became bigger and bigger.
However, what really made Berlusconi a household name in business was his acquisition of AC Milan.
In 1986, after Berlusconi bought AC Milan, he made drastic changes to the club.
He appointed his friend Galliani as general manager.
Galliani introduced his "little partner" Braida, who became the sports director of Milan Club.
The most tacit iron triangle in AC Milan's history was born.
Management alone is not enough. If AC Milan wants to succeed, it must also have an excellent coach.
Berlusconi looked around and put the contract in front of Arrigo Sacchi.
It directly excited Arrigo Sacchi.
He bowed his head.
If you don't give up, I'd like to be your godfather...
Well, I went to the wrong set, but that's probably what it means.
At that time, Sacchi was not an orthodox coach. Before becoming a coach, he was just a shoe merchant, and his business was not successful.
It can be imagined that such an outsider would hardly get the trust of the team, let alone AC Milan, the top team in Serie A.
I can only say that Berlusconi really has vision.
As soon as Sacchi came to power, he advocated for signings.
With Berlusconi's support, he invited Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard from the Netherlands to form the Dutch "Three Musketeers".
There is also the loyal Baresi on the back line as a sweeper, ready to fill in at any time.
With excellent coaches and players, Berlusconi is firmly in the tent and strategizing.
Under the leadership of Sacchi, the Dutch "Three Musketeers" quickly formed a strong fighting force after a short run-in, and were invincible on the Apennine Peninsula.
The glorious era of AC Milan began.
In addition to its remarkable performance in domestic leagues, AC Milan is also very successful in international competitions.
In 1989, Berlusconi won the Serie A, Toyota Cup and European Cup trophies.
That year, he experienced the pleasure of making money.
However, after making enough money, Berlusconi gradually became dissatisfied with the business world.
He planned to play in the political arena.
Berlusconi is Berlusconi.
He is a master in the business world and also in the political arena.
He served as prime minister three times and dominated the Italian political arena for nearly 20 years.
After the Mexican boss was hammered to death by the Eagle Sauce during World War II, there has been no such a powerful figure in Italian politics.
Although Berlusconi turned to politics, the consortium he created is still developing.
At present, the Fining West Group, in addition to holding AC Milan Club and Milan Manzoni Theater, also holds 49% of the shares of TV media Mediaset, 53% of the shares of paper publishing company Mondadori, and 30% of the shares of Milan Bank.
“The Finingwest Group is of course very interested in the huge Chinese market, but it has not been able to find a good partner before, so it has never taken any action.
If Mr. Xu is willing to help, Feining West Group will be happy to cooperate. "Berlusconi smiled.
He is telling the truth. Who is not greedy for the huge Chinese market?
Xu Liang smiled and said: "China Guangdong Development Bank is currently undergoing joint-stock reform. It is a national bank with 26 branches, more than 480 business outlets, and total assets of US$41.7 billion.
At present, Citigroup of the United States and Societe Generale of France have each formed two consortiums to participate in the bidding for Guangdong Development Bank.
Standard Chartered Bank also intends to participate. If Feiningwest Group is also interested, we can give you 5% of the shares. "
Berlusconi pondered for a moment.
As a veteran of shopping malls, he knows very well that there is no such thing as pie in the sky. If there is, it will be a knife.
"With Mr. Xu's influence, Standard Chartered has many partners. Why did you choose Feiningwest Group?"
"I am an avid football fan and I like Kaka of AC Milan very much, so I want to use this 5% equity and a transfer fee of 30 million pounds to exchange Kaka for a transfer to Manchester United." Xu Liang said directly.
China's banking law stipulates that foreign capital cannot acquire more than 25% of domestic banks' equity.
A single institution cannot hold more than 20% of the shares.
Therefore, if Standard Chartered wants to acquire Guangdong Development Bank, its shareholding cannot exceed 20%.
The remaining 5% of the equity can be used to win over Feiningwest Group.
As for the Pacific Fund, this is the trump card.
Berlusconi was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that this was what the other party wanted.
Thinking of the recent rumors about Manchester United, he believed Xu Liang's words.
"Kaká is a great guy, he is an indispensable member of the club!"
Berlusconi considered.
"I believe everything has value, and so does Kaka." Xu Liang continued with a smile.
What he meant was clear.
You can increase the price.
Berlusconi smiled.
"Mr. Xu is an outstanding financial genius, and Hanhua has achieved world-class returns since its establishment. Feiningwest Group hopes to cooperate with Hanhua in this regard."
Xu Liang smiled and said: "How does Mr. Berlusconi want to cooperate?"
"Ferning West Group and Hanhua each contribute a portion of the money, which will be managed by you, and the share will be determined based on the profit.
If the profit exceeds 20%, Feiningwest Group accounts for 80% of the profit after tax.
The profit exceeds 40%, and the Feiningweest Group accounts for 70% of the profit after tax.
The profit exceeds 60%, and the Feiningweishang Group accounts for 60% of the profit after tax.
If the profit exceeds 100%, we will split it half and half. "
"A very good proposal. Although I like football and Kaká as a player, he wants me to give up such a huge benefit..."
Xu Liang smiled and shook his head.
"Mr. Berlusconi, I am not the one who was taken advantage of!"
“Mr. Xu, Manchester United Group’s development plan is very ambitious.
If clubs, restaurants, bars, shopping, media, finance, and hotels can develop, Manchester United will become a truly world-class conglomerate.
But the foundation of this consortium is the club.
Only when Manchester United develops well can the foundation of the Empire State Building you build be solid.
If Manchester United wants to succeed, it cannot do without good players.
Kaka is one of the best players in the world. If it weren't for the Premier League's labor certificate that year, Sir Alex Ferguson would have brought him to Old Trafford.
Take over from Scholes and become the core of Manchester United's frontcourt.
Therefore, Kaka is not just a player, he is also the foundation of the success of Manchester United Club and the cornerstone of your magnificent Manchester United empire.
His importance is unparalleled! "
Seeing Berlusconi waving his arms and looking excited, Xu Liang was speechless.
Do all Italians have this crazy gene?
Or do you think this kind of "baring your teeth and claws" speech can move people's hearts more?
However, through what he said just now, Xu Liang also knew that the other party was well prepared, and with keen eyesight, he accurately found the core of Manchester United's business plan.
"Mr. Berlusconi, what you say does make sense. Kaká is indeed the top player in the world, but there are many players as good as him.
For example, Barcelona's frontcourt core Ronaldinho, Sir Alex Ferguson hoped to introduce him back then, but he was overtaken by Barcelona due to negligence.
The reason why we contacted you first is simply because I prefer Kaka.
If we can't agree, we'll turn to Barcelona. "Xu Liang said directly.
Although Kaka has become famous in Serie A, Ronaldinho is currently the world's number one attacking midfielder.
Berlusconi said nothing, and looked at the man opposite him with deep eyes. Xu Liang greeted him unceremoniously with a smile on his face.
Currently, there are less than two palms in the world that can suppress him in terms of momentum.
Don't be afraid of the rest.
The two looked at each other, and after a while Berlusconi smiled slightly.
"We can give up the cooperation with Guangdong Development Bank mentioned by Mr. Xu."
"I can give Feining West Group and Pacific Phase II Fund a share of US$200 million. This is the final bottom line." Xu Liangye said.
Berlusconi's eyes flashed with light.
Of course he knows the name of Pacific Fund.
As the world's top rich man, he naturally knows that the Pacific Fund that expired last month has created a super high return rate of more than 300% in two years.
But because there is not a deep relationship between him and Xu Liang.
Although an investment application was submitted, only about US$5 million was allocated.
Not enough to fill the gaps between teeth.
“Isn’t the Pacific Phase II Fund closed?”
Because there was no shortage of investors, Pacific Phase II Fund completed the fundraising in just half a month and then closed.
Xu Liang smiled and said: "As the founder and CEO of Hanhua Group, I still have some privileges."
He didn't say so, but all Berlusconi needed to know was that he still had a chance.
"$200 million is too little, I want $1 billion."
Looking at the greedy old man, Xu Liang smiled and said: "Can you come up with so much working capital?
If Mr. Berlusconi wants to sell it out and earn an agency fee or favor, then I'm sorry.
no. "
His words directly destroyed Berlusconi's desire.
After calming down, he pondered for a while.
"Fifty million dollars, no more."
"make a deal!"
Xu Liang stretched out his hand.
"make a deal!"
Berlusconi also extended his hand.
The two looked at each other and smiled, reaching a tacit understanding.
The next conversation became more relaxed.
After the two had lunch together, Berlusconi saw him off in person.
Looking at the retreating figure and the happy silly son beside him, he couldn't help but sigh deeply.
I sighed in my heart, "It is not as good as Sun Zhongmou to have children."
"Luca, call and get 'Adriano'."
Adriano Galliani, one of the best managers in world football and the CEO of AC Milan, has managed this old club in an orderly manner with outstanding achievements for more than 20 years.
His negotiating skills on player transfers are among the best in the world. Youshan acquired key players at the best cost-effectiveness at the last moment, which is known as "Galiani time".
Not to mention the long-ago Dutch Three Musketeers.
Nesta, Pirlo, and Kaka are all his exquisite works.
But it was five years later that his abilities were truly demonstrated.
In the summer of 2010, he signed Ibrahimovic for Milan on a rent-and-buy basis and cut Barcelona's offer from 70 million euros to 24 million euros.
Later, Robinho was bought out for 18 million euros.
During the winter break of the 2012-2013 season, he signed Balotelli from Manchester City for 20 million euros.
There are 5 installments from 2013 to 2017.
He is the only one who can treat buying players like buying a house.
What’s even more bizarre is that in 2014, under his operation, AC Milan moved out a 4-3-3 ‘zero lineup’ including the goalkeeper.
There is no one left.
However, behind this series of transfers, you can see an old guy with white hair, trying his best to save the helplessness of the aging AC Milan.
Faced with the decline in Serie A's influence and the club's dilemma of insufficient transfer fees.
I have tried my best to think about it, but I can't hold back the sky with just one hand.
If given the choice, Galliani would definitely prefer to spend huge sums of money to buy the Dutch Three Musketeers like he did in the 1990s.
You can spend nearly 80 million euros to bring Rui Costa and Inzaghi.
Unfortunately, times have changed after all.