The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 158 [Different Treatment]

World Shipping, Radio Communications Room.

Lin Zhichao and more than a dozen core executives and technical engineers are holding daily technical meetings with captains sailing around the world.

At the headquarters of Global Shipping, there is a direct circuit for telegraph users. Through this circuit, ships from all over the world can report various problems encountered in time, such as time delays caused by accidents, unfortunate accidents of sailors, machine failures, lack of berths and For other natural disasters and man-made disasters, Universal headquarters in Hong Kong can be notified of these situations at the first time.

The length of the meeting varies each day, but each ship only needs to report the problems encountered in the past 24 hours and the weather in the sailing sea area.Global Shipping already has 31 ships, and at the same time, it also has offices in Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Americas, realizing the global information instant communication strategy.Of course, occasionally a few ships do not receive the signal, but they may return to the channel every day or two.

What Lin Zhichao once thought was to use all 26 English letters once, and it has now been realized; therefore, the prefix 'Jin' has been used up, and the prefix 'Dong' is used instead, such as 'Dong'anhao' and 'Dongshanhao'.

The captains reported the situation one by one, while the management and technical engineers made records one after another, analyzed various problems encountered, and took timely remedial measures.

Seeing that the "technical meeting" is on the right track, Lin Zhichao is also very pleased. As the saying goes, "If you can't do it, you don't want money." He warned himself that there will never be pies falling from the sky. Work hard and do it yourself.

Of course, Lin Zhichao's first pot of gold is indeed a pie from the sky, but if he doesn't work hard, he will be a middle-class rich man. He can't even surpass Li Jiacheng and Bao Yugang in his previous life. How can he become the world's hidden richest family? .

After the technical meeting, Lin Zhichao returned to the office.

The rent for this month (July) has been received, and the loan and installment have also been allocated.

At present, there are only three debts left by Global Shipping:
The first was a loan from HSBC in August last year, and there are only two installments (months) left, totaling US$56 (including interest);

The second is the loan from HSBC Bank in March this year, and there are only eight installments (months) left, totaling US$224 million (including interest);

The third installment is the installment payment of the European shipping company. There are still eight installments (months) left, totaling US$132 million (including interest).

The total debt is 412 million US dollars.

However, Global Shipping not only supported Cheung Kong with US$220 million (this year's purchase of properties is all for this expenditure), but also has a cash flow of US$185 million in the account.

In fact, if it is not for the expenditure of funds to purchase, the global shipping is already "extremely low in debt", only tens of thousands of dollars.

In any case, it's time to consider buying a freighter and accomplish this year's goal of increasing the deadweight by 15 tons.At present, there is still a shortfall of 5 tons, which is about six or seven ships, and the cost needs to be about 350 million US dollars.

There is still a shortfall of 170 million US dollars, which is about 950 million Hong Kong dollars. Of course, it can be paid in installments.However, in order to be on the safe side, it is better to borrow 200 million US dollars from HSBC.

With the current strength of Global Shipping, HSBC will not be stingy with the loan of 200 million US dollars.There is only one situation where HSBC may be 'cowardly', that is, the shipping industry is in a low ebb, but obviously even in 1954-1955, the market price will not be too bad, at most it can only be said to be ordinary.

Lin Zhichao came to the headquarters building of HSBC Bank and walked unimpededly towards the Sanders office. Many of the staff here knew Lin Zhichao, because Lin Zhichao was the first person to get a loan from HSBC Bank to buy a ship.Everyone was very curious about how Lin Zhichao could get the senior management of HSBC to agree.

Of course, the senior management of HSBC Bank is not a chatterbox. Everyone says that Lin Zhichao's loan success is due to the signing of a long-term contract, letter of credit, and strong strength, that is, the risk is greatly reduced.

Lin Zhichao came to the office of the import department familiarly, and found a strange scene: I saw Sandas put his feet on the desk, with an expression like a rich man facing a beggar.

Of course, this beggar is not Lin Zhichao, but a Chinese about 30 years old.

"Manager Sanders, we have guests!" Lin Zhichao greeted.

Seeing Lin Zhichao's sudden visit, Sandas put his feet back and said to Lin Zhichao: "Sheng Lin, drink some tea first, and I'll be ready soon!" After speaking, he motioned for his assistant to entertain him.

Lin Zhichao nodded, and was taken to the sofa area by his assistant to make tea.

Bao Yu just looked at this scene in surprise, when he came, he was dismissed by this Sandas, but this Lin Shenglai was greeted by Sandas with a smile on his face.He knew that this Lin Sheng must be from eastern Guangdong.

The reason why he came directly to the door in a 'presumptuous' way was because HSBC now only does business with compradors, and these compradors are almost from eastern Guangdong.When he first came into contact with Cantonese, Bao Yugang felt that it was a hundred times more difficult than when he went to Hankou to study at the beginning. English.Bao Yugang decided to avoid these Cantonese people who were doing business in HSBC Bank, and found another way, that is, to go directly to the door and enter the office of Sanders by mistake.

"Mr. Sanders, I used to be a banker and now we run a trading company. The American manager who originally accepted the business returned to China and closed that branch, so I hope HSBC will accept our company's business." Bao Yugang Said neither humble nor overbearing.

Sandas didn't seem to have taken a fancy to Bao Yugang immediately, and said with a sneer: "The trade business of your bank is strictly prohibited by the British Hong Kong government, right?"

Bao Yugang was a little embarrassed for a while, but he quickly returned to normal. He couldn't back down. As a banker, he knew that with the help of the bank, it would be easier to stand firm.

"We don't directly trade with the mainland. The company I trade with is Omen's company, so we don't violate the laws of the Hong Kong government, and it is a very formal business." Bao Yugang said neither humble nor overbearing.

This is indeed true. It is indeed not illegal to trade goods from Hong Kong to Omen.

Even ships and goods are legal as long as they are in Hong Kong waters.The Hong Kong government departments have the right to investigate and deal with cargo ships departing from Hong Kong only when they go out of the high seas.

Although Sandas was arrogant, he was serious about understanding the situation, unlike old Madden, who was arrogant, refusing and cheating others.

"How big is your company's business?"

Bao Yugang showed a hint of joy, and then said: "The annual profit is just over 100 million Hong Kong dollars, and there are only four employees!"

Sandas nodded. He felt that the company of four people can achieve an annual profit of 100 million Hong Kong dollars, which is obviously remarkable.

"Okay, leave your contact information, I hope to inspect your company."

"it is good"

In this way, Bao Yugang also entered the eyes of Sanders, and Lin Zhichao thought so not far away.Of course, he knew that Bao Yugang would not enter shipping immediately, at least three years later.

After all, a 7500-ton ocean-going freighter costs more than 50 US dollars, and it is a second-hand ship.Bao Yu only had US$10 when he first came to Hong Kong, so if he doesn’t do business for five years, he definitely won’t be able to make it up.What's more, he can't think of doing shipping, which is the case at present.

When Bao Yu just left, he cast his eyes on Lin Zhichao, Lin Zhichao took the initiative to nod and sent a friendly smile.

When Bao Yugang saw this, he immediately responded, and left with fists in his arms.

In his opinion, if Lin Zhichao hadn't come, Sanders might have been talking to him with his legs crossed, and his attitude would not have changed.

But Lin Zhichao no longer regards Bao Yugang as an opponent. The reason is very simple. He has already snatched the opportunity; achieve.After all, it was impossible for HSBC to support the two at the beginning, and it was even more impossible for HSBC to go far and wide to support Bao Yugang.

Lin Zhichao's fight against competitors is not for the purpose of life and death, but for the purpose of weakening the opponent, including Li Jiacheng.

He himself also hopes that Hong Kong will become a "big star" in world shipping, and everyone will go to earn gringo money, as long as he earns the most.

"Where are you coming?" Sandas came to the sofa and accompanied Lin Zhichao.

It's like two faces!
Sure enough, it has to rely on strength!

Back then, when Lin Zhichao approached him, Sanders wanted to raise his legs, but when he heard that he was the boss of Cheung Kong Properties and Cheung Kong Industry, he stopped his arrogant behavior; although his tone was still a little arrogant, he was always The attitude is much better.

Lin Zhichao expressed his thoughts, that is, to borrow 200 million US dollars, and then buy six or seven ships.

"Why are you so eager to develop shipping?" Sanders asked.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's not that I'm in a hurry to develop shipping, but it's possible to sign a long-term contract with a good price this year. If next year, I believe that shipping prices will drop. Although it won't be as cold as winter, it will almost return to the 40s." The general market at the end of the year. So I thought, this year will complete the last expansion of shipowners. Wait until next year, I will no longer use loans, but buy ships with my own funds, and develop steadily for several years."

Sanders asked strangely: "How do you know that shipping prices will drop next year?"

Lin Zhichao said: "As a shipping company, we naturally need to analyze the international situation and the possible impact of regional conflicts. There is a high probability that the war in the north will stop next year. Even if it does not stop, Japan's shipping capacity will be sufficient for the time being, and the market will naturally fall. .Although these are just analysis, I think it will not be wrong to buy a small number of ships every year next year to stabilize the development.”

Sandas nodded and said: "You are amazing! As far as I know, you have escaped from developing real estate and avoided losses. Moreover, your fleet is already one of the largest fleets in Hong Kong, and may still be the leader. , should develop steadily.”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "If the market is still good next year, we will naturally need to borrow a little more. If it returns to normal, we will naturally develop steadily."

Sandas thought about it, and it was true.A good market means that Lin Zhichao has a way to rent the captain, and the risk is naturally low.What's more, almost all the ships of Global Shipping are on long-term charter, and the deterioration of the market will not reduce the profit too much.

"Okay, 200 million US dollars is not too much! According to the situation of global shipping, you don't actually have much debt, right?"

"Some funds have been withdrawn this year to acquire some properties and intend to diversify investment."

Sandas was taken aback. After all, he is not the project department of HSBC Bank, so he does not often audit the financial situation of Global Shipping; so he is still a little surprised about this matter.

"That's not bad, reduce the risk!"

Next, according to the old rules, HSBC will first audit the financial situation of Global Shipping, and then the project department will make a decision.In this process, Sandas has a great right to speak, and the senior management of HSBC will respect his ideas.

Of course, Lin Zhichao is now equivalent to a comprador of HSBC Bank. If he guarantees the loan, there is almost no problem.

However, HSBC's current loans to Chinese people still need guarantees from Chinese people. For example, Li Mingze provided the guarantee for the purchase of the embassy building in the previous life, and the loan was 150 million Hong Kong dollars.Airship Tai originally wanted to pay in full, but Li Zeming told him about the importance of the bank and guaranteed him.

In fact, although Li Hysan was born as an opium seller, Li Mingze and Li Xiaohe were "patriotic businessmen". When Li Mingze died later, the leaders sent condolences and condolences.There is at least one thing that many businessmen cannot do. In his previous life, Li Mingze sympathized with a group of people in [-] and angrily resigned from the government department of the Hong Kong government.Li Mingze is also the Asian mentor of the Freemasonry, and the guarantor is the current British Prime Minister Yau.

Worldwide shipping.

In the meeting room, Lin Zhichao said: "The goal this time is six or seven ships with a total weight of 5 tons. All departments must be fully prepared and not take it lightly. You may think that our global shipping has developed into a ship with a deadweight of 35 tons. Large shipping companies are complacent, which I think is very wrong. Everyone in the shipping industry knows that shipping is extremely cyclical. If shipping is at a low tide, it is normal to lose money, let alone make money. Therefore, an excellent management system, at least It can make us live better than our peers; at the same time, our global shipping is going to compete with European and American fleets, so you have to ask yourself from time to time, are we qualified? What advantages do we have?"

For a moment, everyone's expressions were serious and serious. The boss's words were warning everyone that Global Shipping is just a safe corner; as far as the second-hand ships of Global Shipping are concerned, they really don't have much competitiveness when they go to Europe and the United States.

The important thing is that global shipping has no reputation in Europe and the United States, so why should others entrust you with shipping.

Seeing that everyone listened to it, Lin Zhichao said enough, and then said: "This time, half of the captains may not be able to rent. What management methods do you have?"

It doesn’t necessarily mean that long-term rentals are not possible. The key is that Lin Zhichao doesn’t want all long-term rentals. He needs to enrich the company’s operating methods, including fixed lines and one-way short-term rentals. This is conducive to the healthy growth of the company.

There is even a leasing method, that is, only charter the ship for global shipping, and ignore everything else, including any expenses for the ship, seafarers, insurance premiums, etc.However, this leasing method is afraid that the return on capital will be very slow, and it is probably only suitable for a very small number of individual cases.

Gao Qiqiang said: "Two fixed routes can be added. If there are one or two ships, they can only be rented one-way short-term. Huaguang Shipping often undertakes one-way short-term charters from Japanese customers, so the profit seems to be quite high."

What is the high, once it comes to 1954~1955, as long as there is a short period of time, the profit will be greatly reduced.

However, Lin Zhichao asked: "How do Japanese customers find partners when they come to Hong Kong to charter ships?"

Gao Qiqiang said: "I took the initiative to seek it. Many Japanese customers have contacted us, but we are all fixed lines and short-term leases, otherwise we are quite popular. It is said that they all come here for the name, saying that our ship The team is very good."

Lin Zhichao didn't care about those flattery, but said: "I know, but if we have a one-way short-term rental business, of course we can't wait for the business to come."

Gao Qiqiang nodded immediately and said, "Our department must take the initiative!"

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "To take the initiative, I'm afraid you don't have a clear plan! Let me ask you, do Japanese merchants rent a ship in Hong Kong, do they want to take a plane?"

Gao Qiqiang knew that Lin Zhichao would not say this for no reason, so he had an idea and said, "The boss wants to go to the airport to promote?"

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "It's like the water source. It's best to stop it at the source. After the ship arrives in Hong Kong, if you really want to open a one-way short-term rental, I will personally take you to the airport to sell it."

The flights in Japan are fixed, and the Japanese can tell at a glance, so they can catch one at the airport.Of course, it may also be other businessmen, so a quick inquiry is naturally required.

"Ok"

Everyone knows that the boss has always claimed that he was a salesman, so in fact, Lin Zhichao has always been involved in the global shipping business, and Gao Qiqiang and others can only be assistants.

Lin Zhichao has always attached great importance to the relationship with customers. The three Japanese partners communicate directly. Where there is any dissatisfaction, Lin Zhichao will solve the problem as soon as possible.

In other respects, senior seafarers and sailors start preparing very early, so there is no problem.

In the evening, Lin Zhichao returned home for dinner.

"In the second half of this month, I will go on a business trip to buy a ship, and I have to inspect it, so in about 15 to 20 days, Caiyun will go to Changjiang Industrial and Changjiang Industrial to spend more time."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Caiying said, "It's been so long this time?"

In May, Lin Zhichao took Xu Caiying to talk about traveling in San Francisco, but they only stayed for three days before returning to Hong Kong.

"It will naturally take longer to investigate the shipping market." Lin Zhichao said with a smile.

In fact, this trip to Europe will only stay for four or five days. After that, he plans to go to the United States for a study tour, and also to visit Audrey Hepburn.Audrey Hepburn has already starred in a stage play in the United States, and it seems that she is not far away from taking over "Roman Holiday".

"Oh"

The whole family has become accustomed to it. Lin Zhichao has to go abroad four or five times a year, and each time lasts about 15 days.In fact, it is mainly time spent on the road, but Lin Zhichao regards it as study time every time, reading books on the plane.

This time when he goes to Europe, he will pay special attention to the model of the plane. If it is a comet, he will say nothing.

(End of this chapter)