Chapter 2529 Perfect Timing

Because the Spitzer prostitution scandal that ignited the European and American media failed to save Bear Stearns's dire situation, Wall Street bosses who were traveling around the world were a little undecided at this time.

This morning, the mobile phone of Paulson, the Treasury Secretary from Wall Street, which only a few people knew about, kept ringing. Most of these people called him for the first time after Paulson took office as Treasury Secretary.

Among them was Fuld, the CEO of Lehman Brothers. He was on a business trip in India and called Paulson at an airport. Without too much greeting, he asked directly, "Hank, do you think the situation is serious enough that I need to return to the United States immediately?"

Paulson heard his anxiety or fear from his voice.

When seeing Bear Stearns sliding step by step into the abyss, Fuld was obviously worried that his company would follow in Bear Stearns' footsteps.

Paulson fully understood his concerns. At this time, he also hoped that these bigwigs would be nervous and put more thoughts on how to get out of trouble, rather than using some tricks at this time, such as using the scandals of well-known politicians to save the situation.

"If it were me, I would never stay abroad now," he said.

Fuld on the other end of the phone was silent for a long time. Paulson was about to hang up the phone when the other end spoke again, "Hank, can you let my plane fly directly over Russian airspace?"

Obviously, after hearing what Paulson said, Fuld became even more anxious.

Contacting Russia at this time and telling them that the CEO of Lehman, a well-known figure on Wall Street, was in a hurry to return to the United States? Paulson would not do such a thing.

Because that would be tantamount to telling the Russian side clearly that we are in trouble, or big trouble.

And Russia has been planning to sell off the securities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae it holds recently, and it is even said that it intends to pull China to do so together.

Paulson believed that if he had someone call the relevant Russian parties, the Russians would soon sell the relevant securities.

Is the current situation not difficult enough?

"No, Fuld, I don't have that right," Paulson clearly rejected him, "but I think you should come back as soon as possible,"

So, there was another person in the world who missed the grounded supersonic passenger plane.

…………

At this time, Xu Bin, the head of the Jiasheng Hotel Division, stood in front of the Empire State Building in New York with a few people.

His group included his three important deputies, Yang Huajie, Zhong Changsong, and Huang Yujin.

It can be said that he brought the core of the entire hotel division.

Wu Qian was already waiting in the lobby, but when she was talking to them, she didn't hang up the phone in her hand, "Mr. Feng said that you can adjust to the time difference in the hotel before coming back,"

"Knowing such news, who would have the mind to adjust to the time difference," Xu Bin and the others were all eager to fight, looking impatient.

Not to mention adjusting to the time difference, they didn't even go to the hotel, and their luggage was still in the car.

"Mr. Feng is in a meeting," Wu Qian explained.

"It's okay, we are all looking forward to joining the acquisition team as soon as possible," Xu Bin said.

"Sorry," Wu Qian spoke to the phone again, "Okay, I know, I'll tell Feng right away,"

Xu Bin and the others didn't say anything at this time, but they were all very excited.

This is to acquire Hilton!

You know, in order to go international, they have formulated a ten-year plan and a fifteen-year plan. Frankly speaking, they are not sure how far the internationalization of the hotel division can go when they are in the company.

And now it seems that they may be able to achieve internationalization soon, and it is real and thorough internationalization.

Is there anything more exciting than this?

As soon as he entered the office, Xu Bin immediately felt a very familiar atmosphere, with the ringing of telephones, the background sound of many people talking at the same time, the creaking sound of the printer that never stopped...

There were also those behind the desks, buried in the high pile of documents, with only the staff above their heads, and the employees who were answering the phone while jogging...

The scene in front of him looked as busy as when Yijia Express Hotel was preparing for its listing.

So much so that with so many people in the office, no one looked up at their team composed entirely of Chinese.

They were taken to a conference room, the only empty one, and sat down, but no one could sit still.

Soon, Xu Bin couldn't help running outside to chat with people, while Zhong Changsong and others, whose English, especially spoken English, was quite average, walked around the conference room with their hands folded. The invincible New York city skyline outside the window had no attraction to them at all.

But facing the unfamiliar teams outside, they didn't know what they could do.

Besides, they could see that there were indeed not many people who had the leisure time to chat with them at this time.

After walking around for a few times, Zhong Changsong couldn't help but make a joke, "It feels like the first time I wrote a love letter to a girl and waited for her reply."

Everyone laughed in agreement.

More than ten minutes later, Feng Yiping walked out of the office next door, "Haha, everyone is here, thank you for your hard work,"

"Mr. Feng," "Mr. Feng, we are not tired at all," everyone answered in unison.

"Mr. Feng," Xu Bin popped up from behind Feng Yiping and asked the question everyone wanted to ask the most, "Is this true?"

Feng Yiping pointed around, "What do you think?"

"Yes, I know it's true, but I always can't believe it," Xu Bin said with a smile, looking like he was too excited.

"I'm happy to help with this," Feng Yiping smiled, "Do you want Irving to practice with you?"

"No need, no need," Xu Bin said hurriedly.

That's asking for trouble.

Feng Yiping took the four of them into his office. "This is the situation. To put it simply, when Blackstone acquired Hilton last year, it received $20.5 billion in funding support from 26 banks."

"At present, Hilton's business situation is not optimistic due to subprime loans. Therefore, Blackstone intends to take this opportunity to discuss debt relief with the banks."

"But I believe everyone knows that the entire Wall Street, or the entire US financial industry, is having a very difficult time. What they need most at this time is cash, more cash."

"Banks are all facing liquidity problems," Xu Bin said.

"Yes," Feng Yiping nodded. "It can be said that as long as Blackstone can now take out cash to repay the loan in advance, many banks will be happy to discuss with Blackstone the amount that can be reduced."

Even Huang Yujin can understand this.

In their hometown area, there are already many companies that have been affected by the sharp decline in exports. At this time, they sell their products at cost price or slightly below cost.

Taking the initiative to do a business that loses money, which is impossible in other time periods, is normal at this time.

Because if you don't find a sales channel, the factory will stop production, and once the factory stops production, the raw material and parts suppliers and banks will definitely come to collect debts... In that case, many companies will collapse all of a sudden.

On the contrary, if you make a small loss at this time, but maintain the normal operation of the company, when the crisis is over and the situation returns to normal, then you can naturally find a way to make back the money you lost before.

This is the so-called "there is a green mountain, there is no fear of lack of firewood."

As long as you survive this difficult period, there is still a lot to look forward to in the future.

Currently, many American banks are also facing such a situation.

"But Blackstone is not doing well now, so they can't take out the cash reserves at this time,"

"And we are not short of money," Xu Bin interjected with interest.

"Yes," Feng Yiping nodded again, "Not only are we not short of money, but because of some investments, several of these 26 banks will pay us a very considerable reward,"

This naturally refers to the ones that signed credit default swap agreements with their funds.

"That is, Blackstone owes the banks money,"

The five investment banks on Wall Street were the main financing force when Blackstone acquired Hilton. For example, Bear Stearns, which is currently in a precarious situation, lent Blackstone a huge sum of $4 billion at that time.

Feng Yiping just held a telephone conference with Page, Brin, and Jobs on this issue.

"And the banks owe us money,"

Everyone quickly exchanged a pleasant look. Why does this sound so exciting?

"As for those banks that don't owe us money, they are extremely eager to get more cash at this time,"

"So, they unanimously agreed that if we can buy their debts with cash, they will not only give us a very good discount, but also help us to take Hilton from Blackstone,"

"This is the situation," Feng Yiping explained the whole reason to everyone in a few words.

"The reason why I called everyone here in such a hurry is that I hope everyone can understand the overall situation of Hilton from now on, so that they can get started in time,"

"Of course, I also hope that everyone can assist the M&A team to clarify Hilton's assets as soon as possible and make an accurate judgment on their current operating conditions,"

"I understand, Mr. Feng," Xu Bin couldn't help but stood up, "Then let's do it now,"

"I can't wait,"

"Haha, I understand everyone's feelings, but this matter can't be finished in a day or two. Let's go back to the hotel and rest for a few hours," Feng Yiping stood up to see everyone out, but patted Xu Bin on the shoulder, "Wait a minute,"

"The day after tomorrow, I will fly to the UK. Here, you help Cummins well. No matter what, we must get Hilton in our hands,"

"I understand, Mr. Feng. If you miss this village, you will never get this store," Xu Bin replied.

His words expressed Feng Yiping's thoughts.