The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 244 [Exposing Minions]

After Lin Zhichao returned to Hong Kong from abroad, he was delighted to find that Hong Kong has entered spring.

Although the winter in Hong Kong is very short, the wet and cold weather is still unpleasant.

During this trip, he inspected Europe, the United States, and Japan, which took more than 20 days. According to the inspection situation, he found that the world shipping has changed.

For example: European, American and Japanese countries are vigorously supporting the shipbuilding industry, and some European and American shipping companies have taken the opportunity to eliminate second-hand ships; European and American shipping companies are having a hard time and are reducing their fleets.

Lin Zhichao was not worried about this situation.

Judging from the current situation: cargo ships are almost eliminated, and the proportion of oil tankers is rising; almost European and American shipowners are eliminated, and their high operating costs are the main reason.

In this way, even if a large number of Lin Zhichao's 68 "second-hand cargo ships" (72 tons deadweight) expire in the second half of next year, most of them can be leased out for a long time, but the price is only low.And these second-hand ships are expected to be eliminated in the mid-60s.

Currently, global shipping includes vessels under construction with a gross tonnage of 180 million tons.

include:

运营中的68艘二手货轮、1艘万吨新货轮、10艘新油轮（8艘5.6万吨、2艘3.6万吨）、6艘二手油轮（4艘1.5~1.6万吨，2艘2.2万吨）；
Two 2-ton oil tankers and four 4-ton freighters are under construction.

Last year, Global Shipping also built nearly 35 tons of new ships.

And this year, there will be no exception. We will still invest in the construction of several new ships, which are expected to be [-]-ton oil tankers.

Although next year will be a three-year shipping cold winter, Hong Kong shipowners have low operating costs and price advantages, making it easier to obtain business; although the price is a little lower, they are still making money; the demand for oil tankers is growing, so the situation is better than that of cargo ships. Much better.

Importantly, to keep customers well requires a steady stream of new ships to be launched.

this day.

Lin Zhichao brought Ruan Dazu, the founder of 'Ruan Tazu Office', to the site at No. 77 Des Voeux Road Central.

Des Voeux Road Central is a coastal street at this time, and the opposite is the 'bus terminal', but the land is leased to the bus company. In the future, the land opposite will naturally be a complex of buildings such as major business transactions and the International Financial Center.

Therefore, there are at least 20 more years of seaside time. The building built at No. 77 Des Voeux Road Central will be used as the "Global Building" and the headquarters of Global Shipping, so it is very ideal.

"Ruan Zeshi, my request is to build a first-class coastal Grade A office building here. The overall structure of the building adopts the construction technology of steel beam and steel column structure and curtain wall. Factors such as typhoon must be taken into consideration."

Ruan Dazu is a native of Xinhui in eastern Guangdong. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a major in architecture in his early years, and later obtained a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Liverpool in the UK.In the early 50s, Nguyen Tat Tzu Office was established, which is quite well-known in the field of architectural design.

After hearing Lin Zhichao's request, he was very excited at first, because such a building would bring great reputation and influence to the architect.

"Lin Sheng, if the overall steel structure and glass curtain wall are used, the materials need to be imported from the UK, and the structural mechanics needs to hire British experts and use computers to calculate."

Lin Zhichao said straightforwardly: "You will handle the matter. I just need to see the result. As for the design fee and construction fee, it is not a problem. The important thing is - this is the headquarters building of Global Shipping."

Ruan Dazu was shocked immediately, Global Shipping is a shipping giant in the world, so its headquarters building is naturally highly valued.If he designs a first-class office building, it is a matter of mutual benefit.

Then, Ruan Dazu asked again: "I heard that the first, second and third floors and the basement of Lin Sheng's Crocodile Shirt Building are designed shops. What requirements does Lin Sheng have for this building?"

Lin Zhichao said: "The first floor and the ground floor are designed as shops, connected by escalators, and the second and third floors are office buildings."

As a headquarters building, it naturally doesn't want too many shops.

What's more, Cheung Kong Properties also owns the site of "Hong Kong Hotel" on Pedder Street, and will consider setting up a shopping center on the lower floors.

Next, we talked a lot about ideas and ideas about Universal Tower.

Back to Cheung Kong Industries.

Lin Zhichao was thinking while reviewing the blueprint of the 'Yingzhi Building' at No. [-] Zhaolong Street in his office.

The building built at No. [-] Zhaolong Street was called "Yingzhi Building" by Lin Zhichao, which literally means, profitable real estate.

At present, the real estate companies in Hong Kong are all called real estate companies. This is because the real estate in Hong Kong in the early days was for "rental purposes", so everyone called it real estate - buying properties.

Construction of Yingzhi Building will start in May, and it will be put into use in early 1960.

As for the 'Global Building' at No. 77 Des Voeux Road Central, the design and construction is expected to take three years, and it is expected to be put into use in the second half of 1961.

The former site of the Hong Kong Hotel on Pedder Street has also entered the recovery stage and will be demolished in the second half of the year; it is expected to build a 22-storey building with an area of ​​about 1.5 square feet per floor. The name of the building is "Central World Trade Center', construction started at the end of the year, and it was put into use at the end of 1960 or early 1961.

Four Grade A office buildings in Central Hong Kong, a 'hotel+shopping center' building in Kowloon, and a department store in Sing Tao, a total of six commercial projects, started construction within two years.

If it weren't for Lin Zhichao's sufficient financial strength, other people would not have dared to think about it, including British capital.

Of course, there are still many commercial projects in Causeway Bay, and it is expected to start planning in early next year (1959).

In terms of residential land and real estate, Cheung Kong Properties has absorbed 8 real estate and land in the market in just half a year, covering an area of ​​about 20 square feet.

Everything developed according to Lin Zhichao's expectations.

Lin Zhichao attended the high-level meeting of Hong Kong Airlines. He did not hold a position in this company. He is currently only a shareholder, including HSBC.But HSBC simply did not ask, so Lin Zhichao was the only one left to attend the meeting.

It has been more than four months since the acquisition. Lin Zhichao attended every meeting, but he did not participate in the speeches. He listened more and watched more.

Invisibly, this made the executives of Hong Kong Airlines think that Lin Zhichao was compromising with them. Only the British can manage the airline well, and the Chinese cannot manage it well.

Perhaps because of taking care of the boss's face, President Hill suddenly said to Lin Zhichao during the meeting: "Mr. Lin, do you have any good suggestions?"

The rest of the senior executives showed relaxed smiles, probably because they thought Lin Zhichao was incompetent!
I saw Lin Zhichao put down the paper and pen in his hand, and suddenly said seriously: "I have been studying in Hong Kong Airlines for more than four months, and I always feel that everyone is a good management talent. Hong Kong Airlines' profit last year was only 70 US dollars, but at least There has been growth, maybe compared to other airlines, we are not far behind, but I have seen growth."

As soon as the words fell, everyone didn't react immediately, and there were still smiles on their faces, but they froze quickly. This co-author is trying to squeeze everyone!
Hill kept smiling and said: "Growth is a good thing, and it may soon bring higher profits to Huanyu Company."

The implication is that Lin Zhichao and HSBC are more or less regarded as shareholders, not as bosses.Probably, I feel that both of them are laymen.

Lin Zhichao also said seriously: "Hong Kong's economy is growing at a high speed, and the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong is also increasing."

For a while, everyone understood that Lin Zhichao was saying that the profit growth of Hong Kong Airlines could not keep up with the growth of the situation.

Hill could only respond: "Lin Sheng, do you have any good suggestions?"

Having said all this, he had no choice but to put down his posture and ask for advice; of course, he also had the idea of ​​letting Lin Zhichao retreat when he knew the difficulty.

After all, if you can't put forward good opinions, it means that your boss is just a layman, and everyone is a professional aviation person.

Lin Zhichao slowly opened a page of his notebook and said:

"I have been listening to the class for so long, and I do have two small suggestions. You can come and discuss it."

"Generally speaking, Hong Kong Airlines is at a disadvantage in the face of competition from overseas airlines. However, it is often at a disadvantage that we can humbly think about how to surpass our opponents."

"My idea is service, and service, and service again."

"First, take our flight to Tokyo, Japan. Many of our customers are Japanese customers. Why do they want to see our Hong Kong local stewardesses? For them, Japan Airlines chooses local stewardesses wearing long-sleeved kimonos. It is enough to attract them. It is also said that the flight attendants of Korean Airlines are the colorful North Korean costumes of Philippine Airlines. Therefore, in order to attract airlines from these countries, our flight attendants should not be all locals, but should be from South Korea, Japan and the Philippines select stewardesses, and in terms of language, living customs, etc., they also try their best to suit the preferences of tourists from various countries, so as to win universal praise.”

After finishing speaking, Lin Zhichao looked at everyone, meaning what is my first opinion?
After a long time, Hill finally took the lead in applauding, and then other high-level executives also began to applaud, expressing their affirmation of Lin Zhichao's proposal.

Later, Hill said: "Mr. Lin's opinion is very good. The routes flying to Seoul, Tokyo, and Manila are actually competing with local airlines. If flight attendants are selected in these places, the local airlines in the three places Customers are more friendly."

Seek truth from facts!These people have to come up with a reason if they want to refute, after all, Lin Zhichao is still the boss.

Lin Zhichao immediately added: "So, our airline should replace Hong Kong's special style with a common Asian style to show the difference from other airlines. They emphasize ethnic characteristics, but we must emphasize Asian style. For example, non-Tokyo airlines In the route, there are Japanese stewardesses, Hong Kong stewardesses, Korean and Filipino stewardesses, in short, the main focus is 'Asian style'. Come and vote with a show of hands, if you agree, you can't shirk."

After speaking, he raised his hand first, and then stared at Hill with his eyes.

Seeing this, Hill also knew that he had no reason not to raise his hand, so he raised his hand immediately.

As Lin Zhichao stared at every senior executive, everyone raised their hands one after another.

Everyone couldn't help sighing that every boss who can achieve such a huge business is really a fool.

Lin Zhichao didn't say a word for four months, but now he successfully made a cut in Hong Kong Airlines with a suggestion.

Although Hill was a little reluctant, he still said, "Mr. Lin, do you have any comments?"

Under the eyes of everyone, Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "This opinion is also related to service! Sometimes when I fly, I like to eat something, but I can only eat the bread and snacks that I bring. I am thinking, if the airline is A service company, why shouldn’t it provide meals? If it provides meals, it will make customers feel very caring and feel like a god. Maybe he will commemorate the food of our airline and is willing to fly with Hong Kong Airlines every time!”

Hill immediately said: "Meals are provided on the plane, Mr. Lin!"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Of course I know, but it's a promotion fee, and the food is cold sandwiches and dried fruits. Who are the people who can fly? Most of them are people with certain assets. Good treatment."

"You can't cook food on a plane, it's dangerous!" Hill said.

Everyone knew that Lin Zhichao would not make such a mistake, so they all looked at Lin Zhichao.

"I mean, set up an 'airline food company' to develop aviation food, such as pasta, rice, fried beef cubes, vegetables, salads, etc. After these meals are cooked at the airport, they are packaged for flights, airplanes We only need to keep the temperature, and then we can provide it to customers. Not only can we provide it to the airline company, but also those flights that take off and transit in Hong Kong will also need our aviation food. In this way, our airline will be more convenient One more subsidiary."

Everyone was full of surprises!
Compared with Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Airlines currently lacks a mechanical engineering company, because Jardine still has a mechanical engineering company.If you want to expand externally, the "airline food company" mentioned by the boss is simply the best expansion.

As the president, Hill immediately said: "I agree with Mr. Lin's point of view! There are tens of thousands of flights in and out of Hong Kong every year, and the prospect of aviation food among them is very promising."

Seeing that the president has compromised, everyone agreed.

In fact, Hill is from BOAC, but Lin Zhichao retained all the management during the acquisition, which is a condition.In order to stabilize these people, it was made clear at the time of the acquisition that after the acquisition, everyone's positions will remain the same and their salaries will be increased by 10%.

Otherwise, if the pilot and the management resign, Lin Zhichao, the boss, will really have a headache.

After the meeting, Lin Zhichao followed Hill to inspect Hong Kong Airlines, and communicated with the crew members waiting to fly.

At this point, Lin Zhichao has initially gained a firm foothold in Hong Kong Airlines.

Of course, if he wants to seize power in the later stage, he also has a magic weapon.After all, no matter how good these managers are, they can't control the finances. As long as Lin Zhichao grasps the finances immediately, these people can only slowly obey him.

All this is in Lin Zhichao's plan. When Hong Kong Airlines buys new aircraft, it is when he officially takes power.

The important thing is that judging from today's meeting, these high-ranking foreigners have already had a deep understanding of Lin Zhichao's abilities, and it is not difficult to subdue them.

During the period, Lin Zhichao said to Hill alone: ​​"President Hill, Hong Kong Airlines cannot have a prospect by virtue of its own development. Without the support of shareholders with strong financial strength, it will not be able to develop at all. BOAC and Jardine Matheson , Why can’t it develop, because their financial strength and support for Hong Kong Airlines are not enough, and they don’t plan to increase their development efforts at all.”

Hill immediately understood that Lin Zhichao's words were beyond words, and he could only say: "Is Mr. Lin still planning to invest in Hong Kong Airlines?"

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Of course! Maybe the next step is to buy the Boeing 707. I think it will be a milestone for jet aircraft and a milestone for civil aviation."

Hill said: "Mr. Lin, you must be cautious when buying an aircraft. The Comet airliner almost caused catastrophe for Cathay Pacific. It is said that Mr. Shiyock planned to buy it, but he listened to the expert friend and escaped the catastrophe. .”

Lin Zhichao laughed: "Of course, I am only optimistic about the Boeing 707! If Pan Am can fly it, it means that it is very reliable."

Pan American Airlines is the world's airline giant, but also the vane.

Hill nodded and said, "Yes. However, it's not cheap!"

Lin Zhichao smiled without saying a word, and Hill instantly understood Lin Zhichao's ambition to invest in the aviation industry.

An airplane is not as expensive as a large oil tanker, so why is there any pressure on Lin Zhichao.

After that, Lin Zhichao bid farewell to Hill and other management. In fact, he will not intervene in management soon.But starting today, he can be regarded as entering the management circle of Hong Kong Airlines.

Although he has always been the major shareholder, he doesn't want to have too much trouble with the management.And HSBC also means that Lin Zhichao should not fall out with the management and affect the normal operation of Hong Kong Airlines. After all, it is all money.

Now participating with strength, this is obviously the most ideal means.

(End of this chapter)