The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 179 [Smoking half a cigarette]

Gordon came to the office of his boss, Lawrence Kadoorie, handed over a letter, and said, "Boss, this is a letter from Cheung Kong Industries."

Kadoorie said unexpectedly: "Is this Lin Zhichao determined to win that property?"

It turned out that a week ago, Lin Zhichao proposed to acquire the property rights of the Hong Kong Hotel in the name of Cheung Kong. The two parties communicated through letters.

Naturally, Kadoorie did not agree, and replied that he had no intention of selling the property.In Kadoorie's view, the Hong Kong Hotel can still generate profits, unlike the residential land that was sold to Cheung Kong before, which could only charge a little rent every year; .

Gordon said: "It should be very eager to get it! After all, Global Shipping has a lot of money, and Lin Zhichao, as the boss, naturally has a lot of money."

Kadoorie didn't comment, then tore open the letter and read it.

'Willing to buy at a high price', 'and can lease it to the Hong Kong Hotel for three years at a very low price to operate the hotel business'

After reading the letter, Kadoorie suddenly felt a little loose. He was not interested in real estate; and he also knew that the Hong Kong Hotel had lost its competitiveness in Central, and it was inevitable that it would go downhill because the hardware in all aspects was not good.

"They said they were willing to buy the property at a high price and lease it to us for three years at a very low price to continue operating the hotel. Do you want to consider it?" Kadoorie asked Gordon.

Gordon did not answer this question directly, but said: "Cheung Kong is so fond of this land, I am afraid that it wants to build a headquarters building as the headquarters of its subsidiaries. If it is rebuilt, it will be built like the 'Alexander Building' completed this year." 'The value of such a beautiful building has indeed increased a lot."

The 'second generation' Alexandra Building is a property rebuilt by Landmark this year. It is located at No. 16-20 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Island, No. 6 Ice House Street to the east, and No. 5-17 Des Voeux Road Central to the south. It is a triangular area Wangdi.

At present, in Hong Kong, it is allowed to build high-rise commercial buildings, but it needs to pass administrative approval; for example, the Bank of China Building (the former site of the Great Hall photographed in 50) completed in the early 1947s has 17 floors, 6.5 meters higher than HSBC Bank ( HSBC only has 12 floors plus basement).

Kadoorie nodded and said, "It makes sense, if it is built into a ten-story commercial building, the value will increase greatly."

Since the Hong Kong government has not yet encouraged the development of high-rise buildings, building too high may be restricted, so Kadoorie did not expect to be able to build even higher.In fact, no one in Hong Kong could have imagined at this time that the Hong Kong government would amend the building regulations to encourage high-rise buildings.

Seeing this, Gordon asked, "What does the boss mean?"

Obviously, he saw that the boss wanted to get in touch, and if he could sell at a high price, the boss would agree.After all, the core industries of the Kadoorie family are the electrical industry and the Peninsula Hotel. It is possible to sell this land at a high price to develop the electrical industry.

Sure enough, Kadoorie said: "Since that's the case, I'll reply to them and ask them to make an offer. Let's see their sincerity! The land in Central was very valuable even during the war; now that the war is over, it should naturally go up. "

"Well, then boss, you write back, and I'll pass it to them."

The unit price of commercial land in Central, even during the Peninsular War, was about 300 Hong Kong dollars per square foot, which was higher than the auction price in 1947.

Now, the Kadoorie family thinks that according to the market price, the unit price of land in Central is around 350-400 Hong Kong dollars per square meter; however, he has no intention of selling it at this price unless it can be offered higher.

At the same time, it is also a temptation to lease to the Hong Kong Hotel at a low price for three years, provided the price is low.

the other side.

Lin Zhichao was in the office, seeing Kadoorie's reply, and heaved a sigh of relief.

Interested in selling just fine!

To put it bluntly, just let Kadoorie "open the mouth of the lion", how much price can he charge?

There will be no imagination at all!
As for Lin Zhichao, he analyzed that the land of the Hong Kong Hotel will reach a price of more than 1957 million Hong Kong dollars in 3000, which is the cost of the Xu Aizhou family's purchase in the previous life.

Although it is impossible for him to agree to such a high price now, it also gives him a lot of room for quotation; after all, if he waits until then, Lin Zhichao may face bidding with Xu Aizhou, which is cheaper for the Kadoorie family.

Referring to the previous life at this time, the Kadoorie family sold the land to Airship Tai for a large residential land, which shows that Kadoorie did not know much about real estate and had no intention of investing in real estate.

After various psychological analysis, Lin Zhichao still decided to offer a "sky-high price" to defeat Kadoorie's psychological defense in one fell swoop.After all, given the market price, others will think that I run the hotel well, so why sell it!
The information on this land has been roughly introduced by Kadoorie. The total area is 2.6 square feet.

Lin Zhichao decided to quote 460 Hong Kong dollars per square foot, which is a total price of 1200 million Hong Kong dollars; at the same time, he agreed to lease it to the Hong Kong Hotel for three years, and only charge a rent of 50 Hong Kong dollars per year.

Generally speaking, 30% higher than the market price is like betting that this figure can be increased next year, and it also gives Kadoorie an impression that after the war, the real estate will probably increase by this figure.

And Lin Zhichao's limit in mind is within 1500 million Hong Kong dollars. If it is higher, he can only give up and use the funds to buy oil tankers. He can earn more than double in three years, and then participate in the bidding for the land at a high price.

Although the relationship between him and Xu Aizhou remained good, business was business, and only the highest bidder could get it.

In mid-December, Lin Zhichao and Kadoorie finally sat together. After a month of communication, the two parties finally reached an agreement and were ready to complete the signing.

The two are not familiar with each other, but a simple business relationship.Even this time, Kadoorie played Lin Zhichao together.

Why do you say so?
Seeing that Lin Zhichao is so rare about his property, Kadoorie is quite determined to get it, so he takes the opportunity to ask for the price.In the end, Lin Zhichao asked for 1200 million yuan, and Kadoorie asked for 1380 million yuan. After some confrontation, the price fell to 1320 million Hong Kong dollars.

For Lin Zhichao, Lin Zhichao actually felt that he had made a profit at this price. According to his analysis, the land price in Xiangjiang could rise by 1954% in 50 alone.Due to the influence of the government, hot money from Southeast Asia has flowed to Hong Kong one after another, coupled with the end of the war, the land in Hong Kong has increased at a rate of about 50% per year.Even in 1954, there was no news that the Hong Kong government intended to encourage 'buildings to develop towards high-rises'.

Therefore, the price of 1320 million Hong Kong dollars was almost the price at the end of 1954. Lin Zhichao did not feel that it was a loss. After all, he was the one who proposed the transaction.

However, if the transaction price is disclosed, Lin Zhichao may be crowned with indecent titles such as "taken advantage" and "powerful water guy" in a short time, and will be laughed at by his business colleagues.

So when we met, Lin Zhichao said: "Mr. Kadoorie, please don't disclose the details of this transaction." After speaking, he showed a wry smile.

Kadoorie was happy, thinking that young people, you also know that this is a disgraceful thing!
But he still said seriously: "Of course, the details of this transaction should be kept secret." The conversation changed, and he said obediently after getting a bargain: "But having said that, this property is the best location in Hong Kong, Mr. Lin bought it It’s very worth it! If Mr. Lin insisted on buying it, I would not have planned to sell it. I know that Mr. Lin wants to build a beautiful headquarters building as the headquarters of Global Shipping, so I think you should be fulfilled!"

When Lin Zhichao heard it, he thought to himself, how can this building be the headquarters building of Global Shipping, and it is not a coastal building.

Of course it is called 'Changjiang Group Center'!

"Then I would like to thank Mr. Kadoorie for making it happen! Indeed, I plan to build a first-class building here." Lin Zhichao said frankly.

Kadoorie said suspiciously: "Since Mr. Lin is planning to build a first-class building, why is he willing to rent it to us for three years at a low price?"

Although he felt that he had 'killed' Lin Zhichao, he was always a little uneasy. You must know that Lin Zhichao can build a huge fleet at a young age, so he is still a character!
Lin Zhichao smiled wryly and said, "It's not about the funds. Mr. Kadoorie doesn't know about it. Shipping companies have always been short of money. So slowing down will help fund allocation and avoid problems."

When he said this, Kadoorie, Gordon and the others immediately felt relieved.

Kadoorie said: "Indeed, I also know that shipping is a big investment. A single ship can buy a small and medium-sized building."

Afterwards, Kadoorie and others took the initiative to formally sign the contract.

The contract was signed twice, the first signing was the ownership transaction of the Hong Kong Hotel, and the second was the lease property transaction of the Hong Kong Hotel.

If the rent is based on 50 years for one year, Lin Zhichao will need more than 26 years to pay back the capital, so it is said to be rented to the Kadoorie family for three years at an extremely low price.

Of course, for Lin Zhichao, he could still earn some money by renting it to the Kadoorie family from 1954 to 1956; if he didn't rent it out, he would start building buildings in the late 50s.

Although it was in 1955 that the development of buildings to high-rise buildings was encouraged, it was impossible for Lin Zhichao to build commercial buildings too early. The first is the problem of construction technology, the second is the problem of tenants, and the third is that the real estate wants to do "development of real estate ( Residential)' let's talk about earning a wave of funds.

Especially for the issue of tenants, Hong Kong only attracted major companies from all over the world to set up branches and offices in Hong Kong in the late 50s, so office buildings in Central were relatively easy to rent at that time.

Witnessed by the lawyer, the two parties signed the contract, and Lin Zhichao handed over a check.

After deducting the rent for the first year, the total is 1270 million Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to less than 230 million US dollars.

The money is dispatched from the account of Global Shipping, and Global Shipping should be able to have a cash flow balance of about 450 million US dollars this year.

"Happy cooperation, Mr. Kadoorie!"

"Happy cooperation, Mr. Lin!"

In fact, how can it be a happy cooperation!

Lin Zhichao, who returned to the company, was thinking about his real estate strength in the office.

The land properties he owns include:

Causeway Bay (commercial and residential): Paterson Street "half a square (21.5 sq. Street 'Whole Street' (3.6 square feet), embassy building

中环（商厦）：毕打街的香港大酒店（2.6万）、昭隆街9号（1.4万）、德辅道中77号（1.6万）、雪厂街10号（0.9万）
Kowloon (commercial and residential): Yau Ma Tei Public Square Street (17.2), Miramar Hotel opposite Kowloon Park (8.8)
In addition to these large properties, Cheung Kong also owns a small number of small properties and land; including a land of more than 2 square feet in North Point, which together with the embassy building is owned by Uniqlo clothing company.

All the properties are added together, and the total value has reached about 4500 million.

Although it is still far behind Global Shipping's net assets of about [-] million Hong Kong dollars, it still makes Lin Zhichao feel at ease.

At this time, no one in Hong Kong knew the specific assets of Lin Zhichao, and now even HSBC Bank did not know how many ships he had, because when he bought more than a dozen ships later, HSBC had already paid off a lot of debts; The ship is registered in Panama and other overseas offshore places, mainly to facilitate business with the United States.

In fact, Hong Kong people do not think that Lin Zhichao's wealth has surpassed that of Ho Tung, including some of Lin Zhichao's friends.Everyone prefers to think that Lin Zhichao's wealth should be at the same level as that of Xu Aizhou and other established families.

"Boss, I'm busy!" Tang Caiyun walked into the office and said jokingly.

It can be seen that she is very happy because Cheung Kong has added another large property.

Lin Zhichao put a chair beside his seat and asked Tang Caiyun, who was six months pregnant, to sit down.As Lin Zhichao's career is expanding more and more, he himself has been very "preparing for a rainy day", which has led to Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying to go to work one after another.

What he is most afraid of is flying, which he can't survive even with a 'superhuman body', but he has to fly around for a year.

Lin Zhichao said with concern: "If you are tired from work, you can stay at home. I will tell you what's going on in the company!"

Tang Caiyun stroked her pregnant belly and said, "I don't want it! It's not like you don't know that I have a very easy job and I have an assistant, and Cheung Kong is still in the preparation stage."

Lin Zhichao nodded. Although Cheung Kong has huge assets, its work is relatively idle.At present, Cheung Kong has moved into the third floor of Qiuyi Building. It is in the same building as Global Shipping, and also occupies the first floor, including Uniqlo's clothing and hotel departments.

Tang Caiyun's job is really simple, she still belongs to the remuneration committee, in fact she is idle, at least for now.He also hung up Lin Zhichao's assistant, and he shared an office with him, which can be regarded as a sure status.

But there is one thing, the two have a very tacit understanding, that is, Tang Caiyun does not interfere with the company's work, only listens, looks and asks, but does not give pointers.

Later, Lin Zhichao popularized Cheung Kong's gameplay to Tang Caiyun: "The building purchased this time will probably be built in the late 50s. A first-class central grade-A office building will be built as the headquarters of Cheung Kong Group, including Cheung Kong Industries. .”

Tang Caiyun listened carefully, and then asked curiously: "Then how do you know when the Hong Kong government will allow high-rise residential buildings?"

She knew that Cheung Kong had to develop residential buildings first, and then develop the building after getting back the funds, so as to be financially healthy.

Lin Zhichao said: "The governor of Hong Kong once mentioned this to me. I don't know the exact time, but now so many people live on the mountain; at the same time, Hong Kong's industry began to develop, creating many wealthy people and forming market purchasing power. Therefore, it will be within three years. Changjiang Properties is also developing some redevelopment properties, and with the collection of rents, it will not be a problem to support the company's 30 people. Don't worry!"

Tang Caiyun nodded, determined in her heart.

According to Lin Zhichao's idea, before the first, second and third readings (passage) of the "Building Regulations" in 1955, he will plan and cooperate with Li Gaofu's Kimberley Road "Champagne Building", once the "Third Readings" of the Building Regulations are passed , Immediately report for review, and then sell uncompleted properties, taking the lead in igniting Hong Kong's property market.

Of course, it is unavoidable that "common sharing" will fall on Lin Zhichao's head. After all, there is no such problem in five-storey tenement buildings. When it comes to residential buildings with many units on the first floor, the issue of "common sharing" must be involved.Public stalls in Hong Kong will not become an annoyance to the citizens, not to mention that they were abolished in 2003.

After the sale of the Champagne Building, Hong Kong real estate has already been ignited, and other real estate projects will be planned at that time.

In terms of commercial buildings, the land at No. 10 Xuechang Street will be the first commercial building of Cheung Kong Industrial Co., Ltd. in 1956. It is expected to be 17 stories high and will serve as the temporary headquarters of Global Shipping and Cheung Kong Group.

Lin Zhichao told Tang Caiyun almost unreservedly what he thought, just let her keep it in his heart.

Shek Kip Mei, Pak Tin Upper Village.

In a wooden house in Bajiapo, the owner, Chen San, rummaged through the bed with a lighted 'fire and water lamp'.Inadvertently, a small spark splashed into the cotton tire, but it did not arouse people's vigilance.

"Master, what are you looking for, let the child sleep well!" the wife complained.

In a small wooden house, there are two beds. The beds are covered with messy quilts and old clothes, which is very messy; even the environment of the whole wooden house is dirty and messy, with a foul smell in the air.

But the hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong living in bureaucrats and wooden houses have become accustomed to it.Not only poor, but also lack of water, not to mention the tiredness of going to work, who wants to clean up.

"I'm looking for my cigarette, I want to smoke a cigarette!"

"Over there, what are you smoking at night, go to bed early, and you have to go to work tomorrow!"

"I know about going to work. If a man doesn't smoke, how can he have the energy to go to work? It's a lot of trouble!"

Women just shut up!
The man finally found a pack of cigarettes, and there was only half a cigarette left in it, which was the half he had already smoked.Although he is addicted to smoking, he doesn't earn much, so he can only smoke less.

After igniting it and taking a strong puff, the man inhaled the smell of smoke into his lungs and fully felt the taste.Repeated this twice, seeing that there were not many cigarette festivals, he gritted his teeth, extinguished it, and saved it to smoke again in the morning.

The two children smelled the smoke and dared not speak out. If they complained, their father would bring them here and beat them up again.

In the dead of night, everyone was asleep, but the sparks in the cotton wadding became more and more intense. Suddenly, an open flame met a combustible object, and a large flame burst out violently.The thick black smoke quickly suffocated the four people in the room.

In the end, it was the man who stood up.

"cough cough"

Chen San tried his best to open the door and ran out. He wanted to find water, but found that there was no water at all; when he looked at his wooden house again, it was already on fire.

"Wife, son, come out!"

"Wife and son, come out!"

For a moment, Chen San howled with all his strength, and the only response to him was the roaring fire.And the time, only less than 1 minute passed.

"It's on fire"

"It's on fire"

The fire spread quickly, and Chen San could only escape alone, feeling very sad in his heart, but he dared not speak out.Because he might have started the fire, he had to escape as soon as possible, because the fire had already filled dozens of wooden houses, and it was out of control.

People made a shrill cry for help, mixed with "fire candles! 'Scream, knock on the door.The residents woke up from their dreams, helped the old and the young, and fled desperately.

Less than 10 minutes after the fire started, the fire had already spread to Zhongyue. The weather was not perfect, and a violent northeast wind was blown. The tail of the fire was blown down by the wind from the middle of the upper village of Baitian, forming a sea of ​​fire. The sky was full of fire, and the flames were everywhere, and the whole sky was red with the light of the fire.

It was too late and then it was too late, the fire had spread to Baitian Zhongyue. Although the fire brigade personnel did their best to fight the fire, the fire had spread in all directions. The pungent flames and scorching sea of ​​fire could not withstand the northeast wind. , The fire rushed down the mountain like a flood of beasts, so that the fire brigade personnel had to retreat.

By ten o'clock, the entire Baitian Upper Village had been burned to ashes, and the fire continued to spread to Baitian Lower Village.Initially, the residents thought that the fire would be extinguished soon, so they did not move anything until the firefighters knocked on the door to call for evacuation.But in order to save their lives, the wooden houses that were closer to the fire ran to the narrow alleys before they even moved out the cotton tires.

After the entire Baitian Upper Village and Zhongyue were patronized by the Vulcan, the fire had spread to the Lower Village, and the fire started even more. In less than 10 minutes, the entire Baitian Lower Village had been burned to the ground.The homeless residents of Zhongyue fled to Baitian Village one after another. Because the width of these alleys was narrow enough to accommodate only five people, the people in front had already piled up like a sea of ​​people, making it difficult to escape, and the fire behind them chased them like wild beasts.The residents standing behind couldn't escape, so they had to climb up the wooden houses, jump from one wooden house to another, and use the roof of the wooden house as a way out.Due to the weak construction of the wooden house and the large number of people on the house, the whole wooden house often collapsed. Dozens of fleeing residents, including people and belongings, followed the wooden roof and collapsed. The cries of the residents shook the world.

Because there was no way out for their lives, the residents desperately jumped from one ditch to the other ditch, turned around the fire, and climbed to the top of Baitian Village to escape.

By [-] o'clock, the fire had spread to Wozai Village, and the villagers of Wozai Village, like the residents of Baitian Village, fled to the top of the mountain.Some residents climbed halfway up the mountain and suddenly rolled down, crying terribly: "I'm dead!"

At about [-]:[-], most of the wooden houses in Wozai Village had been burned down.Then another fire went to the wooden houses in Tai Po Road Village, and the residents here fled in chaos.

At [-]:[-], the Shek Kip Mei Fire Station issued an emergency fire alarm and firefighters asked the residents to evacuate.In an instant, the fire had spread to Shek Kip Mei Village.

The personnel of the fire station were scattered on the edge of the fire site, raised their axes, and hacked the door of the wooden house there. They opened the door with great difficulty, went in and moved a few things out, but the fire rushed like a flood, and the things moved out were destroyed again. Vulcan burns away.

(End of this chapter)