The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 167 [New Year]

Time flies, and it is 1953 in a blink of an eye.

In late January, Hong Kong will be held.

Jardine Taipan John Keswick, Taikoo Taipan Shiyock, Wheelock Taipan George Marden and other Hong Kong foreign firm executives gathered together and were discussing a matter.

It turns out that with the development of global shipping, these foreign companies that do shipping feel tremendous pressure.For a long time, the foreign fleet only thought that the Chinese fleet was the shrimp soldiers and shrimp generals in the sea.

But now, the number of ships registered in the port of Global Shipping this month alone is said to be as high as [-] to [-] tons.At the same time, it is rumored that the fleet of Global Shipping has surpassed the fleet of various foreign companies.

This made the former proud foreign executives have to examine the development of the matter and gather together to discuss.

The old Madden is no longer as arrogant as before, and he also plans to return to the London headquarters to sit in charge and hand over the Hong Kong business to his son, the young Madden.But before he left, he was still unconvinced by Lin Zhichao. Thinking of the previous bet, he had already lost all his money, and he felt very upset.

"Everyone, according to reliable information, Global Shipping has more than 30 cargo ships of about [-] tons, and has realized real-time global radio wave communication. At this point, I don't think any of us can achieve it!" Old Madden raised the topic.

John Keswick said: "It is indeed developing very fast! The most abominable thing is HSBC. They actually support a Chinese ship owner to compete with our British fleet. This is an act of treason."

HSBC Bank has always regarded shipping as a "black book". It is impossible for foreign fleets to get loans, but they just lend to Chinese.This obviously caused everyone's anger.

Shiyock said: "Then why did HSBC choose to lend to this Chinese? I think there must be a reason. HSBC is not a philanthropist. They are a bank and only have interests in their eyes."

Everyone looked at Old Ma Deng, which means that you have dealt with Lin Zhichao, so you should be clearer.

Old Madden said: "It is said that Sanders of HSBC appreciates that Global Shipping holds a large number of long-term contracts in Japan and has also obtained a letter of credit from the Bank of Japan, so HSBC thinks the risk is relatively low."

Everyone was thinking about it, but soon everyone frowned.

Wouldn't it be foolish to give up 30% of the profits for a long-term lease to the Japanese?

Not worth it!
Moreover, now that Global Shipping has established a reputation in Japan, it is obvious that they will not succeed even if they imitate it.

John Keswick brought the topic back to the point: "In the final analysis, we want to limit the growth of global shipping, otherwise it will affect our fleet. In just this month, global shipping has opened three ocean routes. All over the world, and each one is a [-]-ton ship, it affects us."

The executives of several other foreign firms nodded one after another, saying that the Chinese must not be allowed to completely stand on everyone's head in terms of shipping.

"Global shipping is developing too fast. In just three years, it has surpassed the fleet we built in 30 years. If this continues, the fleet of global shipping will only get bigger and bigger. At that time, our fleet will be difficult. .”

"It makes sense! Global shipping should be restricted, and they should be told that Hong Kong still belongs to us British."

For a while, everyone was filled with righteous indignation, but a little helpless.

Because everyone couldn't think of a good way for a while.

To put pressure on the Hong Kong government, but everyone heard that Lin Zhichao and the governor of Hong Kong have a very close relationship, and their wives are even colleagues; it is obviously even more impossible to shoot black guns, and the desperadoes in Hong Kong are all Chinese.

Or Keswick said: "We can use public opinion to put pressure on HSBC through simultaneous activities in London and Hong Kong, saying that they 'rebelled', supporting Chinese ship owners, and not supporting the British fleet. Once the global The source of funding for shipping, so why should he develop?"

As soon as the words fell, everyone was pleasantly surprised, obviously this was a good idea.After all, HSBC is a British bank. If it is under pressure from London and Hong Kong, it will definitely stop lending to global shipping.

Anyone who does shipping knows that capital is the last word in development.

Seeing everyone passing by, Keswick immediately said: "In view of the large increase in the fleet of Global Shipping, we, Wharf, also plan to adjust the rental price of warehouses. Of course, we will treat them equally and increase the price uniformly."

Old Ma Deng's face turned green. Wheelock didn't have its own wharf or large warehouse, so he said in a low voice, "The price of the warehouse in Nine Dragons is already a bit expensive!"

Keswick ignored it!
Shiyock added: "Our Blue Chimney also plans to adjust the price a little bit. Of course, we are definitely cheaper than Wharf. Who told us that the location is a little worse!"

Keswick wants to draw a knife!

Hong Kong's deep-water terminal is the largest in Wharf and has the most warehouses, so 70% of large cargo ships in Hong Kong have to call at Wharf.Moreover, the terminals managed by Wharf are not limited to Tsim Sha Tsui, and there are many terminals in other places.

The meeting was completed in an atmosphere that was both united and centrifugal.

Lin Zhichao came to the wharf of Wharf and personally sent off a newly joined ship under his banner to leave the port to complete the shipping task;

The six 1951-ton freighters joined this time, and three freighters still signed three-year long-term contracts, but the price dropped a lot; at the beginning of 280, the rent of three 300-ton freighters could reach US$200-[-] million a year; Today, Japanese shipping companies are only willing to pay [-] million US dollars a year.

The price is neither high nor low, but it is indeed a good market; if it comes to the second half of the year, I am afraid that there will only be a long-term annual rent of US$150-180 million a year.

But in any case, shipping is still the highest rate of return, even real estate is far behind.The premise is not to encounter a cold winter, otherwise, even if there is no debt, the ship may lose money; if it is in debt, the probability of bankruptcy will be greatly increased, and the important ship price will fall by the same amount.

Global Shipping has added three ocean routes this month, both in Europe and the Americas. For a while, it also has a considerable proportion of fixed routes and one-way short-term charter cargo ships, probably less than 30%.These ships still earn more than long-term chartered ships of the same load.

After the boat left the port, Lin Zhichao drove to the intersection of Nathan Road and Kimberley Road opposite Kowloon Park. This was the former Miramar Hotel, but now it is just a small hotel run by a Spanish priest, with only a few dozen rooms in total. .

In 1949, several priests in Spain founded this small hotel to mainly accept priests expelled from the mainland.Later, those clergymen went to work in the dioceses of various countries, and the priest's hotel was gradually developed to the public, and the proceeds were used as funds for the church.

"Boss" Hu Zhaoxu greeted him and greeted him.

Lin Zhichao got out of the car, walked towards the Priest Hotel, and said, "Manager Hu, what is the approximate area of ​​the Priest Hotel?"

Hu Zhaoxu thought for a while and said, "It's less than [-] square feet. It's hard to see the details, but it can be estimated. It's about the same area as the Peninsula Hotel. It's just that the priest's hotel hasn't been well built, so it looks ordinary."

Lin Zhichao thought that if he won this piece of land, he would be able to build the Lin family's first five-star hotel, the Shangri-La Hotel, in the late 50s, and open its doors to welcome guests in the early 60s. Tied for the Big Three of hotels.

But to be honest, the geographical location of this piece of land is still a little bit worse, mainly because it is not close to the sea, and it is not the Central District of Hong Kong.And the Shangri-La Hotel will be the signature hotel of the Lin family, which seems a bit wasteful.

After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao decided not to think about the future, but to take down the land and property first.Save other things for later consideration.

"I'm planning to buy the Priest's Hotel, what method do you think should be used?"

Hu Zhaoxu said: "If they come directly to the door, the priest will definitely not agree. After all, they don't value money very much, and it's not convenient to talk about business directly. In my opinion, we still have to work hard on the Chinese church members. However, the priest may also Not for sale."

Lin Zhichao nodded. The priest's hotel is not the same as the "Causeway Bay Church Site", it can also generate a steady stream of wealth, which can be used for the church's funds.

"You think about it carefully and see if this Spanish Christianity allows business. If it is consistent with the teachings, you... understand?"

Hu Zhaoxu nodded and said, "Understood."

Some simple tricks are not considered immoral, they can only be said to be helping justice.

Foreign firms in Hong Kong jointly complained to London that HSBC only helped Chinese shipowners and refused loans from British shipowners. This news was suddenly reported by the media.

For a time, there was a lot of trouble in Hong Kong, and the huge fleet of global shipping emerged again, which was talked about by people.

After Lin Zhichao heard about this kind of news, he asked Sanders to inquire about the news at the Deep Water Bay Golf Course. He could not allow this kind of news to spread. Sometimes public opinion is public opinion, but the consequences may not be 'public opinion'.

Before playing, Lin Zhichao invited Sanders to visit the No. 79 construction site in Deep Water Bay.

Looking at the construction site in full swing, Sandas sighed: "I never thought that you are planning to build your own palace in Deep Water Bay, and the construction cost must be very expensive, right?"

Regardless of the relationship between the two, it was Lin Zhichao who asked for Sanders, but Sanders was only an executive of HSBC after all, with an annual salary of several thousand pounds at most; of course, such British executives and senior officials are very expensive They can afford to play golf and enjoy benefits such as the Hong Kong clubhouse.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's only the budget of a [-]-ton second-hand freighter!"

Sanders said with a 'haha' smile: "That's true, after all, you now have 44 freighters with a capacity of about [-] tons. Even Wheelock, Jardine, and Swire are envious of this strength."

These foreign companies still only have a deadweight of more than 20 tons, because even if they make money, they don't necessarily expand their fleet, but diversify their investment.Nowadays, the development is not as good as that of global shipping, but instead, small means are used.

Lin Zhichao did not rush to discuss this topic, but said: "What do you think of this position?"

Foreigners in Hong Kong also believe in Fengshui. Even world-class architects from Europe and the United States must follow the advice of Chinese geologists and ask them to evaluate the quality of the plans.When a foreigner's company opens, they usually have to worship the Chinese gods first, set off firecrackers, perform lion dances and sing operas, etc.

The HSBC Bank opened in the HSBC Building before the Anti-Japanese War, and it was full of excitement for a whole day in accordance with Chinese customs.On Confucius' birthday, the HSBC Building is decorated with lanterns and festoons, and famous Cantonese opera actors are invited to sing for the public.The "Zhenxing Zhibao" of HSBC is a pair of Chinese-style copper lions, cast by Chinese craftsmen in Shanghai.

The third-generation building of HSBC Bank was pushed to be rebuilt in later generations, and a Chinese Feng Shui master was specially invited to choose an auspicious day and a designated location, so that the copper lion could be moved - otherwise, the wealth of HSBC Bank would be taken away.

Sandas said with a smile: "Although I don't know much about Feng Shui, I think it should be a good location. The only regret may be that there are non-high-ranking officials and rich people living here. But if you come to live here now, I'm afraid it will bring trouble to Deep Water Bay. residential value."

Lin Zhichao was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't expect Sanders to be quite good at talking. Yes, after he retires, he will build him a gold HSBC third-generation building and give it to him as a gift.

"Haha. In fact, Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay are very suitable for living, and I believe this side will become one of the most luxurious residential areas in Hong Kong in the future. Hong Kong will become more and more prosperous, and wealthy people will pursue 'exclusive' residential areas , such as the Peak, and Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, and Repulse Bay in the south of Hong Kong."

Sandas nodded, but he was not envious. The executive residence of HSBC Bank lived on the top of the mountain, and there were many garden villas for executives to live in.

Afterwards, the two returned to the Deep Water Bay Golf Club to play golf.

Along with Lin Zhichao's superb skills, Sanders was also secretly amazed at Lin Zhichao's learning ability. As far as he knew, Lin Zhichao had a busier job than him, but he practiced golf very well.

Sandas was the first to hold back the matter, and said: "You invited me to play golf, maybe you want to find out about the complaints of many foreign firms to the London government?"

Lin Zhichao said frankly: "Indeed, I would like to ask you how the senior management of HSBC handles this kind of thing?"

Sandas said with a smile: "I can only say that HSBC is a bank. Since it is a bank, not a charity or a government department, it is natural to consider the benefits. Even though the senior management of HSBC is a little distressed by this incident However, the strategy will not change too much. Of course, we at HSBC are still conservative about shipping loans.”

Lin Zhichao nodded. Although the answer was a bit vague, he still speculated that HSBC might have been affected a little bit.

He is not a person who sits still, so he said: "I want to build a [-]-ton freighter in a British shipyard, and I want to ask HSBC for [-]% of the loan. What do you think?"

Sandas's eyes lit up, and he quickly understood Lin Zhichao's thoughts.

Originally, Global Shipping had a certain reputation in the British business community, because many of its freighters were purchased in the UK; but now, if Global Shipping builds a [-]-ton freighter in the UK, it will win the gratitude of the British government, minister or deputy Senior officials at the ministerial level will participate in the launching ceremony, because heavy industry is a very important part of the economy of a country.

At the same time, HSBC made a loan for the ship. The young man used a clever method to deal with the crowding out of those foreign firms.

Great!

"I don't think this is a problem! After all, Global Shipping's total assets are more than 2000 million US dollars, and it holds many long-term contracts. The strength has already reassured the bank. If you don't think about it, a new freighter is often three old second-hand ships. Cost. And, as far as I know, the shipping business is not that strong anymore."

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Global Shipping can easily break through 50 tons of deadweight this year, and there will be no excessive debts, so I am also considering the matter of building new ships and entering the oil tanker field. In short, Global Shipping is not would be excessively indebted."

Of course, Sanders knew that Global Shipping's finances were healthy, so he didn't say anything.

The matter was decided in this way—Global Shipping went to the UK to build a 180-ton freighter, and the price in the UK was between US$200 million and US$2 million; Global Shipping only needed to pay [-]% of the funds, and HSBC would loan the rest.

The funds for building a new ship are usually a deposit in advance, and then the final payment for the ship is paid off after the ship is built.It usually takes about a year and a half to build a ship.

(End of this chapter)