The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 147 [Settling Accounts]

At 06:30 in the morning, Lin Zhichao came to Lu Yu Teahouse on Yongji Street. This time he did not take his family with him; although usually he would bring his family to a high-end teahouse for morning tea.

In this era, Hong Kong people popularized 'three teas and two meals', namely morning tea, afternoon tea, supper tea, lunch, and dinner.

Some teahouses open at four o’clock in the morning, because many fruit and vegetable stalls, fresh fish shops, etc. need to get up early; a little later, there are blue-collar, white-collar, gold and banking bosses and practitioners; at eight o’clock in the morning, it’s morning tea. During the peak period, all walks of life came to the door one after another.

Afternoon tea is mostly for entertainment, businessmen and brokers' business entertainment; supper tea is the most leisure, entertainment and real enjoyment time of the day.

There are different grades for entering teahouses. Nowadays, there is a saying that "the rich go upstairs, the poor squat down" or "the rice is expensive to go to the tall buildings".Because the teahouses at this time usually have two or three floors of business area, the price of tea upstairs is generally higher than that of downstairs, so as to distinguish the completely different realms of upstairs and downstairs; high-end teahouses are on the third floor, and even set up music circles , the price of tea is even higher.

As soon as Lin Zhichao stepped into Lu Yu's tea room, the teahouse at the door greeted him immediately, thinking that this was probably the most honored guest of Lu Yu's tea room.

"Lin Sheng, upstairs please!"

Lin Zhichao nodded, and led Xue Junshan towards the third floor alone.

There are already people singing ditties in the singing circle on the third floor, the voice is melodious and sweet, even in the early morning, they don't feel noisy, on the contrary, they can calm their minds.

When Lin Zhichao arrived, he was immediately greeted by another teahouse, an old acquaintance.The third floor naturally has a teahouse on the third floor, and the first floor belongs to the doorman.

"Lin Sheng, Li Sheng has arrived, this way please!"

Pushing through the door of a private room, Li Gaofu was sitting, then got up, and said very formally: "Lin Sheng, you are here!"

Lin Zhichao nodded, then sat down and said, "Have you ordered?"

Li Gaofu said politely: "Wait for you!"

Lin Zhichao then stopped talking nonsense and said skillfully: "Ah Jin, give us two servings of aged Pu'er, and for dim sum, let's make stuffed pork buns, pork buns, and lotus paste buns, that's all!"

Stuffed pigs and siu mai, paired with a cup of aged Pu'er, that's really great!
He ordered quite a lot, but as a regular customer of Lin Zhichao, Ah Jin was no longer surprised by his appetite; the important thing was that this eater was not fat at all.

"Okay, Lin Sheng, Li Sheng wait a moment!"

Later, Lin Zhichao chatted with Li Gaofu.Because of Li Gaofu's career, the two families naturally "do not communicate", only Lin Zhichao and Li Gaofu found a private tea room to gather together.

Lin Zhichao asked, "How is the situation of the Eastern Trader?"

He was quite concerned about that boat, after all, he had operated it before.The performance is good in all aspects, the only thing is that the load capacity is too small.

Li Gaofu said: "After finishing the dangerous journey, I settled the settlement. From the time you handed it over to us, there was a profit of 152 million Hong Kong dollars. Only two dangerous journeys made a profit of 110 million Hong Kong dollars."

Very profitable, just a year!

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "If you make so much money, why is it over?"

Li Gaofu said: "It's just too much money, and I feel very scared. I heard people say that a ship was hijacked to Taiwan Island; and a ship encountered a torpedo in the Taiwan Strait, and the insurance company didn't pay. They said it was a war zone."

This compensation is very reasonable!
To be honest, British insurance companies are really reputable. Even ships in the mainland are covered by their insurance, and British insurance companies actually pay for those detained due to Taiwan Island.It is said that a certain important person was very surprised to hear it.

Ships in the Far East are basically insured by British insurance companies.However, as far as Lin Zhichao knows, in the 60s, British insurance companies saw that Hong Kong shipowners and ship kings were buying second-hand ships, and each of them was older than the other.

As a result, Bao Yugang, Dong Haoyun and others started to build new ships one after another.

Lin Zhichao asked again: "If you don't take the risky journey, how do you plan to manage it? Have you considered entering the shipping industry?"

Li Gaofu smiled wryly and said: "The shipping industry is so easy to do, and only you, Zhichao, can do it well. The most important point is that we have to have a bank or a backer. We have self-knowledge; so, let's use Eastern traders to run one-way leases. Just keep making money."

Lin Zhichao said: "You will definitely be put on the banned list by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and you will not be able to do business with the U.S. for at least ten years. I can tell you this in advance."

Li Gaofu was surprised, and said: "Is there such a thing?"

Lin Zhichao nodded, and said, "Otherwise, what do you think that there are so many spies from the United States and Taiwan in Hong Kong? They can't do anything to you. They will threaten you at most, and then they will be blacklisted."

Indeed, these spies did not dare to act recklessly in Hong Kong, because the Hong Kong government has always been somewhat obedient and disobedient, and even the United Kingdom itself was forced to follow the United States under pressure.Once someone is really killed, the Hong Kong government will definitely pursue it, and the loss outweighs the gain.

What's more, there are so many people in Hong Kong engaged in this industry. If you dare to insist, the safety of your consulate personnel may not be guaranteed.

After thinking about it, Li Gaofu said: "It's okay! I don't think so long-term, as long as I can make money in Hong Kong."

Lin Zhichao nodded, these people have no choice, including all the people engaged in the 'smuggling' industry, they have no choice.

After making tea.

Lin Zhichao smelled the fragrance of tea and couldn't help feeling refreshed.

The tea leaves from high-end teahouses can be brewed 4-5 times on average and still have a strong tea taste, while the so-called high-end tea leaves from ordinary teahouses can be brewed 2-3 times at most without the tea taste.

Lin Zhichao tasted the tea and said, "Drinking too much Longjing tea in summer hurts the stomach. Only high-grade tea such as Lu'an tea and Pu'er tea are suitable for drinking more. Some people bring chrysanthemum and sugar to the teahouse and add Pu'er tea to drink. It is said that It has the function of relieving summer heat. The Pu-erh tea in each teahouse is different. The Pu-erh tea in Deyun Teahouse has a strong taste and a general bitterness; The highest Pu-erh tea has to be Lu Yu Tea House."

Li Gaofu usually has time to taste tea, and he racks his brains every day to transport goods, but hearing Lin Zhichao's explanation, he is naturally very useful. After all, when the smuggling business stops, he himself will be the big boss.

"It seems that I still know too little about the tea ceremony. I should find time to learn more in the future."

Lin Zhichao said: "Their family has tea for sale, which is specially prepared for regular customers. You can buy some later. When you are too busy, make a pot of tea to recharge your brain and refresh your thoughts."

Li Gaofu nodded.

Afterwards, Li Gaofu said: "This time, I have distributed more than 90 Hong Kong dollars in dividends, and I want to invest in properties. After all, I haven't thought about what to do with the money for a while."

Lin Zhichao immediately asked, "Do you want to be a developer or a rent collector?"

Li Gaofu is now considered to have a small net worth. Even if Fuhexing distributes the 150 million Hong Kong dollars, the asset value is still nearly 200 million (including ships).According to the 62.5% shareholding, Li Gaofu's net worth has reached more than 200 million, which is much richer than that of Taidu at this time.

Before he knew it, Lin Zhichao had cultivated a huge fortune.Of course, he will go on his own in the future, and Lin Zhichao will no longer help him as a consultant.

The reason why Li Gaofu was pointed out before was because Lin Zhichao could not do the "smuggling" business, so he supported Li Gaofu to do it.Anyway, they are relatives, not to mention Li Gaofu's ability is fair.

However, Li Gaofu seems to understand that investing in real estate is a very good choice, so he said: "I want to buy a piece of land or an old building, and invite Changjiang Real Estate to develop it together in the future. What do you think?"

It was a kind of repayment. After all, he knew that Lin Zhichao could cover the white wolf with nothing, but he also felt that he would not lose money either.

Lin Zhichao looked at the smart Li Gaofu and said, "Why don't you develop it yourself?"

Li Gaofu said with a smile: "Not everyone is suitable to be a developer, let alone my strength is not strong. If we can cooperate and win-win, it is of course the best choice." earned money.

Lin Zhichao nodded. There has always been a loss in real estate, and it cannot be said that it is a steady profit.

"In this way, you keep the money in your hands first, and I will ask someone to find an old building, and then I will introduce you to buy it and collect rent. When it needs to be rebuilt in the future, I will ask your opinion whether it is a cooperation or a sole proprietorship. Anyway, I'll find a good time for you."

Hearing about finding a good time, Li Gaofu understood that he had found the right person.Cousin was able to brake in time from 1948 to 1949 and not engage in real estate, which shows that the analysis of real estate prospects is very good.

"Okay! Thank you so much, otherwise I would have no connections!"

"You're being polite, I won't let you suffer anyway!"

In fact, Lin Zhichao already has a goal. He has long set his sights on the two properties owned by the He Dong family:
One of them is about 1.6 square feet of commercial land on Des Voeux Road in Central. He plans to build the "Global Tower" on this land. Of course, it is impossible to cooperate with this land.

Another piece of land is No. 16-20 Kimberley Road and No. 40-46 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. These properties occupy an area of ​​about 2.3 square feet. They are still old-fashioned residential buildings and are being leased.

金巴利道16至20号及加拿分道40至46号的地皮，也就是后世的香槟大厦，目前价值也就90~120万左右。

If Li Gaofu bought it, in the mid-50s, Lin Zhichao cooperated with him. He paid for the land and other expenses himself, and the developer lived in the integrated building.

But these things are not in a hurry. Lin Zhichao still can't get together the money to buy the land on Des Voeux Road, and the price will not increase anyway, so there is no rush.

A month later.

In early August, Lin Zhichao came to Global Shipping Company. He asked the accountant to take the statement to his office, and then he checked it carefully.

There are a total of 12 freighters in global shipping, that is, 12 companies (the name is the name of the ship), and the financial calculations are performed separately.Although Lin Zhichao was chartered to a Japanese shipping company, he signed a contract with a ship.

After a while, Lin Zhichao stretched his waist, and he already knew:

The combination of two Liberty ships and one Victory ship (3.6 tons) has obtained eight months of rent this year, with an average monthly profit of about 20 US dollars; and the monthly profits are used to repay the debts of HSBC Bank, about 18 months to repay, the principal plus interest is about 360 million US dollars; that is to say, there are still 10 months to repay, and the repayment will be completed in June next year.

The seven ships purchased later, with a total of about 7.5 tons, were subcontracted to two shipping companies, but the rent was similar; the monthly profit was about 40 US dollars, and the lessee had paid 7 months of rent, and the profit was about 280 million US dollars. .It needs to repay 18 US dollars in installments every month until it is fully paid off in February next year (2-month period). Currently, 12 million US dollars has been repaid for 6 months.Therefore, this part of the ship has a cash flow of 108 million US dollars.

Two bulk carriers with a capacity of 7000 to 9000 tons opened up fixed routes and made a total profit of 72 US dollars in the first seven months.

As a result, the cash flow of Global Shipping has reached 240 million US dollars (donation funds have been spent); in terms of debt, the total of interest is 308 million US dollars.

In other words, as soon as the rent in September is collected, the debt of Global Shipping is equivalent to being cleared.

"I'm going to buy a ship this month, but first I have to go to HSBC to seek a new loan."

Lin Zhichao is confident of getting the loan, because the cash flow of Global Shipping is all deposited in the HSBC account, and the money is visible.

At the same time, Lin Zhichao was also calculating an account.

As far as he knows, it was the Suez Canal that was closed in the second half of 1956, and the war broke out in October, so if this batch is signed for five years, even if it is cheaper, it is very suitable.After the five-year contract expires, a higher price can be signed.

Most of the matter of signing the contract period is in the hands of the shipowner. Once the Suez Canal crisis breaks out, the number of ships sailing in Europe will have to double the detour. This is equivalent to a huge reduction in the number of cargo ships and oil tankers in the entire world.

For example, the ships on this route account for 30% of the world, but now 30% of the ships are needed to run this route, which is equivalent to the urgent need for 30% of the ships in the world to replenish.In fact, shipbuilding is not so fast (about 2 years), so the shipping cost generally increases by more than three times.

At that time, Japanese shipping companies would probably take the initiative to lease for a five-year long-term lease. Bao Yugang happened to catch up with that wave of market prices in his previous life, and only then did he have the status of shipping king in his later generations.

Others need to travel around the world to understand the government and local conditions, and then decide the lease term of the contract based on this information.Fortunately, Lin Zhichao doesn't have to worry about those problems, he already has a plan in mind, although he can also collect information and understand current events.

The next day.

Lin Zhichao came to the office of Sanders, put forward his request, and went directly to Charlie, the project manager. It was difficult to communicate.Therefore, Sanders had to be persuaded first, and then the two went to the project department.

Sanders personally made good tea for Lin Zhichao. He knew about global shipping and felt that its prospects were limitless.And the development of this company is equivalent to one of his performance in HSBC, and it is the best performance.

Lin Zhichao thanked him, and then said: "This time, I want to use you to persuade the HSBC project department to borrow another 300 million US dollars for Global Shipping to expand the fleet. We can use the seven ships signed at the beginning of this year. Monthly rent, monthly loan and interest repayments.”

Sanders was not surprised. He had calculated that Lin Zhichao would come to talk about this matter either this month or next month.

"So, you want to buy seven large freighters of about [-] tons?"

According to Lin Zhichao's model of purchasing ships, Sanders guessed it.

"Not bad!"

Seeing that Lin Zhichao was full of confidence, Sundas said calmly: "After buying the boat, do you plan to lease it all for a long time? Has the lease object been finalized?"

This is very important. If Lin Zhichao has already found a customer, then the chances of success of this loan are greater and more stable.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "The intentional charter agreements for the four ships have been determined. As for the remaining three ships, I don't think there is a big problem. First of all, Japan's economy is in a period of development, and there are still a large number of goods waiting to be shipped; secondly, me and Japanese shipping companies and even the business community have reached a subconsciously friendly cooperative relationship, and no one can take my place for the time being; finally, the shipping industry in the Far East is still thriving, and I also want to open up a fixed line to Europe.”

This year and next year are the most intense years of war, and the shipping situation has not cooled down much.And Lin Zhichao is the first shipowner to charter long-term to Japanese customers, and he is also the most trusted shipowner, so chartering is not a problem.

This time, Lin Zhichao intends to take out a ship and open up a fixed route to Europe, which can be regarded as expanding his business.He can rent most of the boats for long-term, but he will also operate fixed routes, and even enter short-term rental services in the future.

Sandas asked again: "Let's go, today we will go to the project department to discuss, I believe the problem is not big."

Lin Zhichao was overjoyed. It seemed that HSBC really liked him.In fact, since Lin Zhichao bought old ships and the shipping price was high, HSBC felt that it could provide some loans, but there was still a certain distance from support.

To build an 8000-ton cargo ship in Europe will cost about US$180-200 million. If the bank lends to the shipowner, it will take three years to pay back the cost if the market is good (such as now), and it usually takes five years if the market is bad. Not only will it not make money, but On the contrary, it is possible to lose money (interest).

Therefore, the real need to test the relationship between Lin Zhichao and HSBC is when new ships are built in the future.

In the meeting room of Global Shipping, more than a dozen high-level executives gathered together.

At the beginning of the meeting, Lin Zhichao asked: "Why are the management personnel of the technical department paying for the maintenance of the ship?"

This is a problem he found when he checked the accounts.

Everyone trembled, they all knew that the boss didn't like his subordinates wasting every penny of his money, and extremely wanted to prevent the possibility of waste and corruption.

He Yunjin, the manager of the technical department, immediately said: "Boss, every time I pay the maintenance fee, I will personally review it."

Lin Zhichao waved his hand and interrupted: "That's not the reason! As technicians, you only understand technology, don't you know how to bargain? It can even be said bluntly that you don't have much money awareness."

He Yunjin could only acquiesce and heaved a sigh of relief, as long as the boss suspected that the technical department was corrupt.As for not knowing how to bargain, there is always some basis.

At this time, Fang Ping from the finance department said: "Boss, you mean that the expenses need to be negotiated and paid by our finance department in person?"

Lin Zhichao asked back: "Otherwise?" Then he said: "You must know that each of your departments is fully recruited and has enough talents in reserve. For things like this, the technical department is responsible for the docking, and your financial department communicates with the money and bank. If you don’t know the place, you can communicate with the technical department. In short, save me the maintenance fee every year. I would rather give employees benefits than waste my money. Give employees good treatment, everyone read my point Alright; give the repair shop a fortune, and they call me a fool behind my back. Tell me, do you want to change this point?"

"Change!"

All the managers immediately understood the boss's thoughts and echoed them one after another.It's not that the boss doesn't trust the people in the technical department, but he thinks that the people in the technical department don't know how to bargain and bargain, and that no one in the financial department understands money; therefore, the financial department should be responsible for this kind of expenditure.

Lin Zhichao's management is very strict. He also does not allow the captain to accept banquets and the like, and does not allow gambling on board.

In short, he is very concerned about the company's frugality, because he wants to develop a good company habit.Otherwise, if you let it go for a long time, it will become more and more difficult to manage.

"Okay, you guys solve this problem! Next, the company needs to make sufficient preparations to welcome the new cargo ship into operation. HSBC Bank has promised to lend 300 million US dollars to Global Shipping for the purchase of ships, plus more than 200 in our account. Wan, at least seven [-]-ton freighters can be bought this time. Of course, seven to eight thousand-ton freighters, I will also consider it."

Feng Yongfa immediately expressed his opinion and said: "Senior crew members have no problem. It is feasible to mix and match old crew members with new ones. Ordinary sailors are no problem at all. They can board the ship at any time."

Lin Zhichao said: "Well, but we can't take it lightly."

"Ok!"

Afterwards, various departments made arrangements, and Lin Zhichao was relieved.

Of course, he did many things himself.At present, Lin Zhichao's focus is still on shipping and zippers.

(End of this chapter)