The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 152 [Dragon in the Abyss]

In the private room of the teahouse, Lin Zhichao didn't take it seriously when he learned that Dafei of "Dongfuhe" was sunk in the bottom of the sea.

He is now a justice of the peace, before the 80s, there was a high probability that no one would dare to mess with him and his family.Even if the society wanted to kidnap rich people, they would not seek someone with great social prestige like Lin Zhichao, because the consequences would be serious.

When Po Leung Kuk and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Hong Kong were first established, their promoters may not have had this kind of thought. Through such social donations and public welfare, they gained social fame and further won the canonization of the Hong Kong government and the British court.

Of course, no matter what purpose everyone has, at least real money has been donated, and many people have actually benefited.

Moreover, the charity teams in Hong Kong are all legally registered, and their financial supervision is independent and very transparent, so there are no problems.

"By the way, do you know a colleague named Airship Tai who also does the same thing as you?" Lin Zhichao suddenly asked curiously.

Li Gaofu nodded and said: "Yes, this airship Tai is very powerful. There are almost a hundred people under him, and there are several scout boats, which are usually transported towards the opposite side. In terms of overall scale, it is almost on par with our Fuhexing. They Maybe a little bigger."

At this time, Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui also started to transport towards the opposite side, because they made more money.In fact, Airship Tai has many partners, and Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui give the partners more share. Of course, there is also a smuggling boat that is a partnership with Ge Mulian.

Lin Zhichao asked curiously: "Are there many teams like yours?"

Li Gaofu saw that Lin Zhichao was concerned about these things for the first time, so he said:

"There are indeed many, but large and small teams, in fact, everyone did not take the initiative to seek smuggling, but a company came to us and 'supported' us. Behind this company is the opposite person, and they have supported dozens of large and small Small smuggling team."

"Why do you support so much?"

"It's very simple. There are many teams that have been destroyed in this line of work. If they are hit by a warship, the ship is basically destroyed; if they are caught by the Hong Kong Marine Police and the Industrial and Commercial Administration, they can be sentenced to three years and fined 10 Hong Kong dollars. .So, not every team will be successful, and many small gangs have disappeared without making any money."

Lin Zhichao understood that in the final analysis, it depends on who has the strongest ability to resist risks and who is lucky.

For example, the descendants of Airship Tai said that he had encountered two major risks: Da Tian Er held a gun against him and robbed him of all the goods, this was one time; the Hong Kong government marine police ship rammed and sank his "Black Cat" , Two guys died, and the others were all arrested. This is the second time.

If these two risks are replaced by other small teams, any one of them can completely destroy the small team.

In addition, teams like Airship Tai and Li Gaofu have small scout boats and various intricate on-shore relationships, so they are much safer.

After chatting for a while, although there were thrills and huge profits, Lin Zhichao was not tempted at all, just pure curiosity.

Even the original idea—to pull a group of wives to support Li Gaofu, Lin Zhichao also went out accordingly, so as to avoid unnecessary troubles; no matter what, he survived the remaining two years, and it was bright, why bother to participate in these thing!
The governor's wife Ge Mulian participated in the matter on her own initiative, and neither of them had any reason in the world. Lin Zhichao also handed over the money to Li Gaofu without any written evidence; Li Gaofu also took a stack of cash every time, and then he handed over To Gomulin.

Wang Liang, general manager of Changjiang Zipper, and Bao Chunlai, deputy general manager, came to Lin Zhichao's office together.

After the two sat down, Bao Chunlai reported: "Boss, the United States supports Japan's economy, so Japan can obtain cheap raw materials from the United States, including aluminum alloy and copper. Affected by this reason, Japan's YKK zipper has recently developed momentum. Very good, even many American zipper merchants turned to them, probably with the instruction of the US government."

After Lin Zhichao heard the words, he sighed: "The Americans may not be doing this because they want to contain Hong Kong; after all, as an important place for smuggling, Americans have a bad impression of Hong Kong."

Things that seem to have nothing to do with each other actually have a lot to do with each other.The Americans learned that Hong Kong's zipper industry is actually superior to Japan's zipper industry, so they will naturally play tricks on it.

It is impossible for the U.S. Department of Commerce to directly ban the zippers produced by Xingdao. After all, this offends its ally, the United Kingdom.And London's reasons are also very good. If you paralyze the economy of my colony, it will be easy to grow a force, which is something no one wants to see.Therefore, the United States is currently at a minimum guaranteeing the necessities of life for Hong Kong citizens.

Since the peninsula war last year, the Americans have supported Japan to dump goods to the world, and light industries such as textiles and garments are the first to bear the brunt.Therefore, in the 50s, Japan developed rapidly by relying on light industry, which is the predecessor of Hong Kong.

It was not until the mid-50s that Japan's light industrial products accounted for a large share of the world, and Europe and the United States began to restrict Japanese products, and Hong Kong took the opportunity to develop.

The Japanese are also very smart. Since the mid-50s, they have also turned to the development of heavy industries, such as shipbuilding, car building, and electrical appliances, and once again achieved success that has amazed the world.

Wang Liang said: "Fortunately, the global zipper market is expanding, and our annual profit will still exceed 600 million Hong Kong dollars this year."

Lin Zhichao said: "Having said that, the zipper industry will retreat if it does not advance. Japan has a complete industrial base. They can produce equipment, aluminum alloy, copper, textiles, etc. by themselves. I am afraid that they will surpass us in two or three years. And we in the Yangtze River The raw materials for zippers are all imported from overseas, as is the equipment, so it will be difficult to compete in the later stage.”

At this moment, Lin Zhichao also recognized the reality that time travel is not a panacea.It doesn't matter if you occupy the market first, in the end it is still the industrial chain.

Wang Liang and Bao Chunlai looked at each other in blank dismay. It was the first time they saw that the boss lacked confidence, and of course they also recognized a reality.

"We still have a great chance!"

Later, Lin Zhichao regained his confidence and said: "In the short term, the Yangtze River zipper will not be opened very far by the YKK zipper. Over time, Japan's labor costs will rise rapidly, and within three years our cheap labor will play a role. Great advantage."

Wang Liang nodded quickly and said, "That's right! Not only that, but we have also invested heavily in technology research and development, and the zipper technology and quality will gradually improve. At the same time, we can also seek to smelt aluminum alloy and copper in the later stage."

These are the previous ideas of the boss, and they feel that they will definitely be realized in the future.

Later, Lin Zhichao ignored this crop. Although YKK has developed by leaps and bounds, the Yangtze River Zipper can also maintain stable development and will not be defeated.The main reason is that it is in the initial stage at present, and the competition is price and sales network, and the Yangtze River Zipper is not behind in these two points.

Japanese zippers have priority in the US market, while Hong Kong zippers also have the Commonwealth market. In the Southeast Asian market, everyone has tacitly agreed not to fight a price war because they are evenly matched.Of course, it can eventually evolve into the coexistence of Yangtze River zipper and YKK zipper, and both become the world's zipper giants.

Lin Zhichao has decided that after drawing 500 million Hong Kong dollars from Changjiang Zipper this year, starting next year, he will not use the entire Yangtze River Industry's funds and plans to continue investing.

Even, until 1953, it was necessary to invest through borrowing.

After Wang Liang and Bao Chunlai left, Lin Zhichao became deep in thought.

Before 1953, Changjiang Industry had better not act rashly. After all, affected by the embargo, it was impossible to develop.Therefore, Yangtze River Zipper and Yangtze River Plastics still need to develop steadily and do not rush to invest.

By the beginning of 1953, Cheung Kong Industry could make a big preparation, because Lin Zhichao remembered that in the second half of that year, the United States allowed Hong Kong products to enter the United States and reduced the prohibited materials exported to Hong Kong by 35%.

In fact, as soon as the war was over, Britain and Japan stopped 'ignoring' the trade measures of the United States towards the mainland, and traded with the mainland openly; in this way, other countries soon joined in, and finally the United States could only acquiesce, after all, they There is no reason to limit the trade practices of allies.

In addition, Lin Zhichao intends to incorporate 'Uniqlo Clothing Company' into 'Cheung Kong Industries'. After all, Cheung Kong Industries will be a one-stop group of 'clothing, food, housing and transportation'.

Cheung Kong Industries will have a hand in creating industries that can be developed in Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao visited He Dong in He Dong's office.

At the age of 89, Ho Tung still works diligently, and he still makes major decisions for the company.In his words to the reporter: "I am very busy from morning to night. I don't know when I can retire, and my life cannot be separated from work. As long as I can still see and think, I will work go down."

In fact, He Dong has no business successor, which is also the main reason why he is still working.He has three biological sons. The eldest son died early, the second son was disabled by the Japanese bombing, and the third son is still a high-ranking official on Taiwan Island.

Therefore, it is a reality that there is no successor. Otherwise, with He Dong's wealth and status, if his children have business acumen, it is estimated that only Lin Zhichao can catch up with the wealth of the He Dong family, and no one in future generations can be compared.

Lin Zhichao's current wealth is around 5000 million Hong Kong dollars, while the Ho Tung family's wealth is at least hundreds of millions. The wealth of these old families is distributed all over the world, not just in Hong Kong.

"Hello Sir Ho"

"Lin Sheng is here, please sit down!"

He Dong didn't put on a show, and accompanied Lin Zhichao to sit on the sofa very formally. He knew that if Lin Zhichao came to his office, there was a high probability that it was a business matter, so the business had to be done publicly.

The assistant made tea for the two of them and left the office.

"You don't go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, do you have any business cooperation projects?" He Dong asked proactively.

Lin Zhichao put down his teacup, and said briskly, "This time, I came to see Sir Ho Tung's two properties, so I wanted to ask you what you mean."

He Dong said unexpectedly: "Oh? Just tell me, I'll see if I can sell it!"

He has not yet reached the point where he must sell the property, not to mention that the property price cannot be sold now.But since Lin Zhichao took the initiative to ask, as long as the property is not a good rental property and the price is reasonable, it can also be sold.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "The first property is a commercial land of about 1.6 square meters on Des Voeux Road. My global shipping business has grown up, but I don't have a decent headquarters, so I want to build a building. "

This piece of land is very valuable, and the commercial land in Central has not fallen much.In 1947, a commercial land of 1.4 square feet in the Central District was finally won by the Bank of China at HK$251.44 per square foot, totaling more than HK$350 million.

Des Voeux Road is also a traditional banking district, and the location is also very good, so the land will not be less than 400 million Hong Kong dollars. (PS: In 1959, the previous life was acquired by Hang Seng Bank for 550 million Hong Kong dollars)

He Dong heard this, and immediately said: "This piece of land has been vacant, and the price is reasonable, so it can be considered for sale. I am old, and I don't want to build any more. And you have said that I hope to build a building for Global Shipping, Of course this will help you!"

He bought the land with the intention of speculation, including when he bid with the Bank of China in 1947, and he also had the same idea.

Lin Zhichao said happily: "Sir Xie He, let the lawyer and his subordinates negotiate the price later?"

Of course, you don't need to talk with two good friends about this kind of thing, so as not to hurt the peace.

He Dong nodded, and then asked, "What about the other place?"

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "Located at No. 16-20 Kimberley Road and No. 40-46 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. I want to buy these properties for my friend. He has some money, so I want to buy them for long-term rent collection. It will be used for reconstruction later."

He Dong heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, because the property in this place was already dilapidated, and there were all kinds of tenants, so it was not considered a good property in his hands.

"This one is also for sale!"

"In this case, then I will go back and prepare to let the staff and lawyers contact your company."

He Dong nodded, and then said with a rare joke: "After the sale of the property this time, don't pay attention to my property anymore. My family's wealth is so small. How can I stand up to the prying eyes of you, a ship tycoon? Save it for future generations to collect rent!"

Your descendants really only collect rent, none of them have a business mind!The son has no business acumen, and the grandson is the second generation ancestor who only knows how to sell his property.Fortunately, the wealth you left behind is huge enough that they can't spend it all.

Lin Zhichao thought of the above.

In fact, He Dong's descendants also have a business mind, and that is He Zuozhi, the illegitimate son of him and the nurse.But before He Dong died, only He Zuozhi was allowed to inherit 5 Hong Kong dollars of wealth.However, although He Zuozhi failed in the media, he was also very successful in other careers, and later became a millionaire.

"Don't worry! In fact, I'm short of a beautiful piece of land in Central this time. The Tsim Sha Tsui house is just a question to you. If you don't sell it, it's okay."

"Haha, I know. But since you mentioned it, let's talk about it together!"

"Ok"

After bidding farewell to He Dong, Lin Zhichao began to think on the road.

For the purchase of the land on Des Voeux Road, 300 million Hong Kong dollars can be collected from the Yangtze River Zipper, and the shortfall will be drawn from the global shipping.The commercial real estate in Hong Kong is naturally under the banner of Changjiang Properties, and will not be listed in the future.

Global Shipping will not be listed because it is not necessary, but it can take out some ships to form a company for listing, or go public through a back door.In short, in the future of global shipping, there are joint venture shipping companies (and HSBC), independent shipping companies (sole proprietorship, with a large proportion of ships), and listed shipping companies (a small number of ships).

However, Cheung Kong Industry is not listed, and there may be listed industrial stocks under its umbrella, but only for a part of the business.

Cheung Kong Properties (developing real estate as its core business) is going to be listed, but Changjiang Property (commercial real estate, that is, rental properties) is not.

Returning to Global Shipping, Lin Zhichao reviewed the company's financial statements.

All the rent in October has been credited to the account. According to the normal situation, the profit this month can reach 100 million to 110 million US dollars.If calculated based on the net debt of 520 million US dollars, this month's profit is repaid, which is equivalent to a net debt of only 410 million US dollars. By the end of February next year, the debt can be fully repaid (not including the interest of 30 US dollars).

Of course, these are theoretical calculations, and it is actually impossible to repay the debt in advance.The first wave of HSBC loans will be repaid in June next year, the second wave of shipping companies' installments will be paid off at the end of the year, and the third wave of HSBC loans will be repaid in September next year.

From this year to next year, Lin Zhichao will draw at least 100 million US dollars (560 million Hong Kong dollars) from Global Shipping for property hunting.This amount of money does not affect the development of global shipping.

Based on the current monthly profit of 100 million U.S. dollars (approximately), from March to the end of next year, it will be a profit of 1000 million U.S. dollars.Only this part of the funds can probably buy about 15 tons of second-hand ships.

This is roughly the same as Lin Zhichao's plan for global shipping next year.

Considering the capacity of the Japanese market and the estimation of risks, it is quite reasonable to increase the load capacity by 1952 tons in 15.After all, if the development is too fast, Lin Zhichao is also worried about changes that will fall short of success.

Of course, part of the funds may be borrowed in March next year to complete the purchase of part of the ships ahead of schedule.In this way, the ships purchased first can naturally generate a lot of profits that year.

And these profits can be used to invest in other industries, so that the distribution appears reasonable.

"dong dong"

"Come in"

Deputy General Manager Feng Yongfa walked into Lin Zhichao's office, and it was clear at a glance that he was in very good working condition.

Lin Zhichao was satisfied with the working conditions of the employees, and said: "We plan to recruit 80 senior seamen for a half-year training. Remember, all of them are Chinese."

Feng Yongfa nodded and said, "I understand, I must choose carefully."

What does it mean to be carefully selected? People with a community background are definitely not needed. Of course, if the other party doesn't speak out, it is possible to get in.But after the training of Global Maritime Academy and the corporate culture of Global Shipping, in fact, no one will work for the club in the end.

After the sailors of Global Shipping go ashore, they will occasionally hold some team building activities, and the company will organize them and provide a big meal.In short, under the management of the modern enterprise model, the seafarers' sense of belonging to the company has been greatly increased. What is important is that global shipping does not squeeze seafarers.

(End of this chapter)