"What? Wheelock is also preparing a fixed route from Hong Kong to Yokohama?"
Lin Zhichao in the office, after hearing the words of business manager Gao Qiqiang, suddenly felt that Old Madden was a little unsatisfied.
That’s not to say that Wheelock can’t open up this fixed route, but it’s obvious that Madden Lao is here for Lin Zhichao.
This man is really arrogant and very stingy.
I'm already retired, so what's the point of fighting?
Seeing the boss's appearance, Gao Qiqiang felt that it was a bit exaggerated, so he immediately said confidently: "Don't worry, boss, we are already a little busy now. If this route joins competitors, we will not be affected much, because there More and more supplies are needed, and many one-way charter ships are also running. Moreover, we have many advantages, such as the interpersonal relationships established in Japan, and many Japanese merchants trust us for global shipping."
Since Lin Zhichao's shipping business was focused on the Japanese market, he simply established a branch in Tokyo; and Gao Qiqiang, the business manager, spent a lot of time in Japan on business.
Lin Zhichao himself has been to Japan four times, almost every month for inspection.
When Lin Zhichao's career did not break out of Asia, the Japanese market was second only to Hong Kong in importance; even if Lin Zhichao's career expanded beyond Asia and started in Europe and the United States, the Japanese market was still very important; he wanted to make money from the Japanese, and To avenge the country, I will play with Japanese women in the future.
When Lin Zhichao thought about it, he felt that he could not always be passively 'targeted'. With his power, there was no need to fear the little Wheelock.
Of course, in business, one should fight back in business.
"What type and tonnage of freighter did Wheelock send to take the fixed route between Hong Kong and Yokohama?"
"The medium-sized seagoing ship with a bulk capacity of 3,600 tons should be more than 20 years old. It seems that it was temporarily taken out and no good ships can be produced."
This is easy to handle!
Lin Zhichao then said: "This line from Hong Kong to Yokohama can be said to have been pioneered by us. We have a high reputation and many customers are willing to let us transport goods. Wheelock's rash entry is nothing more than jealousy of us. Make money. But don’t forget that our ability to collect goods on this line is not comparable to that of a novice. In this way, you can see if there are any Chinese shipowners who are willing to run this line and let us collect goods, or will Leave the ship to us to manage and run this route.”
Not all shipowners are willing to take the risk of breaking the embargo, not to mention that the business and prices on the Hong Kong to Yokohama line are not bad.
Gao Qiqiang's eyes lit up, and he immediately said: "What a brilliant move, boss! Wheelock's rash entry is nothing more than a time lag for us. After all, a round trip takes more than forty days. If we manage another ship, even if it is only about 2,000 tons The ship will definitely put tremendous pressure on the ship Wheelock."
Thousand-ton seagoing ships can travel to and from the north, and naturally they can also travel to and from Japan.
Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Besides, we are still competing fairly, leaving people speechless."
Last time, Lao Madeng actually used price reduction to attract goods, which made Huayang Shipowners dissatisfied.
In comparison, Lin Zhichao is many times more brilliant.
At present, Global Shipping is relatively well-known in Hong Kong, and it is expected that some ship owners will be willing to hand over their ships to Global Shipping for management.
Wheelock's "Mary" was about to carry out a fixed-route voyage from Hong Kong to Yokohama. Only then did Miller, the business leader, discover that the order was only half of the order, which was less than 1,800 tons.
"What's going on? Isn't this line very busy? Global Shipping's 'Venus' has just left with a full load. Could it be that there is insufficient business?" For a moment, Miller realized that something was wrong.
After all, this line was very busy during the investigation.
So Miller quickly went out to inquire about the situation.
As a result, he found that the shipping company of Global Shipping was still taking orders, which made him confused.
Does Global Shipping have two ships running this fixed route?
"Do you have a ship? Aren't you worried about not having a ship with so many goods being solicited?" Miller directly went to the shipping company of Global Shipping and asked in a questioning tone.
Gao Qiqiang happened to be inspecting his work, so he politely stepped forward and asked, "Who are you?"
Miller then said: "We are Wheelock, the owner of the Mary, and I am Miller, the business manager."
Gao Qiqiang quickly smiled and said: "I'm glad to meet you! To be honest, we haven't collected all the goods yet, so everyone is fair in collecting the goods. I believe everyone will sail with a full load."
It's full of P, it's leaving in two days, and it doesn't even have two thousand tons, so it's better to go for a one-way rental.
"I remember that your big ship just left. Could it be that you have two ships running this fixed route." No matter how anxious Miller was, he could only ask this question.
As the number of Chinese shipowners increases, their foreign shipowners also feel some pressure. Of course, fortunately, the market situation is very good in the second half of this year, especially since the mainland needs to lease a large number of ships, so British shipowners simply engage in the 'smuggling' business. Of course, more British shipowners are doing business in Europe. Asian routes.
"Yes, there is indeed a 3,500-ton cargo ship. It is not full yet. We are very communicating. Mr. Miller, this line will gradually get better. Don't be impatient."
Miller was shocked to find out that there were really two boats. His face suddenly became ugly and he could only leave angrily.
You can't, don't let others pick up the goods!
Gao Qiqiang looked at Miller's disappointed expression and suddenly felt happy; in fact, it was just a 2,000-ton ocean liner that was handed over to Global Shipping's shipping company to collect the cargo and manage it.
He just said that because he wanted Wheelock to stop opening this route. After all, Wheelock would not open this route in the first place. The reason was probably because the boss and Old Madden were not happy.
Why Gao Qiqiang could guess it was because of the Wheelock price reduction incident last time, so he had a guess. He is not worried about offending Wheelock or anything. Global Shipping is not a small company and can be manipulated by anyone, not to mention that the boss has hooked up with HSBC.
With the advantage of being the first to open this route, they have almost filled the 2,000-ton ship. Global Shipping was the first to open a route from Hong Kong to Yokohama, and already has many regular customers and a good reputation. Including Yamaguchi Steam Line, they helped introduce business to Global Shipping, because they did not have this route.
Japan's industrialization, like Hong Kong, relies heavily on overseas raw material markets, so Hong Kong, an entrepot, is also very important to Japan.
Wheelock.
When Old Madden heard Miller's work report, he was so angry that he blew his beard. Because Miller found out that another ship was handed over to Global Shipping by a Chinese shipowner for management.
Obviously, the hateful young man did it on purpose this time.
"What do you think we should do?" Old Madden calmed down. Business cannot be used as a source of grudge. After all, it is his own money that is being lost.
Miller said: "Although Yokohama is under reconstruction, the fixed line business is taken by Global Shipping, and their reputation in Japan is very good. If we continue to implement fixed lines, I am afraid it will take some time to stabilize. Therefore, I recommend this ship It’s better not to take a fixed route, it’s more cost-effective to take a one-way rental.”
Old Madden was a little reluctant, but still adopted Miller's opinion. He felt that Yokohama had just been rebuilt, so there would be little business, and it was far better to go to Europe.
"You are right! Smuggling is very strong in Hong Kong now, and the demand for European goods is very strong. And our British capital controls this part of the main transportation and trade. This ship should make this money."
The British colonial government in Hong Kong was quite contradictory. Although the British also sent troops, they mostly followed the United States. At the same time, British businessmen were keen to export goods to Hong Kong and make huge profits.
On the weekend, Lin Zhichao and Sandus made an appointment to play golf at the Fanling Golf Course. Under Sandus' recommendation, Lin Chichao also became a member of the Royal Golf Club and could enjoy membership services in Fanling and the golf course. Of course, Lin Zhichao's status as a Chinese business tycoon is also the key reason why he can become a member.
The two first had a cup of coffee in the restaurant and chatted for a while.
Sandus smiled and asked: "Now that trade is so hot, aren't you tempted?"
He was the deputy manager of the import department. Lin Zhichao did not talk to him about loans for imported goods. Instead, he only talked about shipping. This made him a little suspicious. Could it be that Lin Zhichao learned from some source that he was going to be promoted to project department manager.
Thinking about it, it seems impossible. Only a few senior executives of HSBC knew about this matter, and he himself knew about it. Moreover, HSBC's senior executives are all trained internally and promoted step by step. He will not work in the project department for a year or two.
Moreover, the current business of the import department is also very important and busy, even more important than the project department.
Lin Zhichao replied seriously: "I'm not tempted, I don't want to take risks. What's more, I feel that I would only choose that path if I was forced to do so. I have no reason to do that kind of thing. Moreover, if I am caught by the Americans, I may Facing a business blacklist for several years or even ten years. This is fatal for those who are engaged in shipping, especially in the future I want to buy oil tankers and do business for American oil companies."
HSBC is a profit-seeking British-owned bank. They can provide loans to Chinese businessmen who smuggle goods from the mainland. Of course, the direction of their loans is to import goods from Europe to Hong Kong. In later generations, they will even launder money for South American drug traffickers, so they were caught by the United States. When he got the handle, he escaped by betraying Hua Wei.
This style is very good for businessmen. It is precisely because of this style of HSBC that the future of HSBC was established. Under the influence of Sandus and Shen Bi, they supported a large number of Chinese factory owners and many wealthy Chinese businessmen, laying the foundation for HSBC's strong Foundation.
Sandus was immediately surprised. He did not expect Lin Zhichao to take such a long-term view. Faced with the high freight costs, other businessmen took risks one after another, even British capital was no exception. And this person also rented the ship to a Japanese customer, even on a long-term contract, which you have to admire.
“What if HSBC rejects your loan next year?”
Lin Zhichao thought for a while and said relaxedly: "Maybe I will open a bank and attract small depositors from Hong Kong with higher interest rates. You can open an account with 100 yuan. If you gather together, people will flock to it; and then extend the bank's working hours. , from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.”
He said this deliberately. Lin Zhichao had given up the idea of opening a bank, because once he opened a bank, it would be inconvenient to borrow money in the future.
What's more, when he opened a bank, he said goodbye to HSBC completely.
Sandus was stunned. This person's thoughts were very out of the ordinary, and then he said: "You will definitely not choose to open a bank, otherwise you will not tell me your tricks."
Although he thinks this trick is good, it won't work at HSBC. HSBC doesn't bother to attract small depositors with a few hundred deposits. What's more, Hong Kong banks currently have relatively large deposits, so there is no need for high interest rates. As for the rest, he is not a core executive, so there is no need to worry about it.
Lin Zhichao then said with a smile: "You guessed it right! If you really can't get a loan, then I'll wait for your promotion. What's more, I have already grasped the first big cycle of shipping. I have used the past few years to rely on my own development. Presumably it can also have a load capacity of hundreds of thousands of tons."
Seeing that Lin Zhichao was indeed doing things steadily, Sandashi said, "When your three ships are renewed, you can come to me first." Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Well, thank you very much for helping me!"
Sundarshi smiled and said: "I am also very grateful for your good words, thinking that I will be promoted."
The two of them laughed.
Just as the two got up to go to the golf course to play waves, they met the old Madden and his son Madden Jr. who walked in.
"Mr. Madden"
"Manager Sandus, Mr. Lin"
After some greetings, Old Madden said in surprise: "Mr. Lin actually knows Manager Sandus. It's really surprising."
Sundarshi said for Lin Zhichao: "He is also engaged in shipping, and I happened to know him."
Old Madden was suddenly a little suspicious, but he did not ask directly. Sandus was an import manager, and his understanding of the shipping industry was not too far out of bounds. But Lin Zhichao's sudden strength made Lao Madden suspect that he had relied on bank loans to expand his fleet.
Then Old Madden vetoed it in his heart. It was impossible for HSBC to provide shipping loans. That was the banker's 'black book'.
Lin Zhichao saw the old Madden's appearance and knew it well, so he smiled and said: "Mr. Madden, aren't I honored to meet you?"
Old Ma Deng was speechless. Lin Zhichao seemed to respect him, but in fact he was hiding his sword.
Because the two met through an unpleasant conversation.
Afterwards, everyone briefly chatted for a few words and then dispersed.
It didn't matter to Sandus how Lin Zhichao met Old Madden. This Chinese had a high social status, and it was normal for him to meet the boss of a British-owned foreign company.
Only old Madden felt a sense of defeat. He was thinking, could Lin Zhichao really get a loan from HSBC?
In this way, this young man's bold ambitions will have an extra chance of winning!
"Father, do you suspect that Global Shipping received a loan from HSBC?" Little Madden asked.
"Unlikely! How could HSBC lend money to a ship, let alone a Chinese second-hand ship owner? I just find it strange why Lin Zhichao can be together with Sandus." Old Madden shook his head and said casually.
When Maden saw that his father was worried, he advised: "Father, no matter what he does, with the scale of global shipping, he will not pose a threat to Wheelock." Compared with his father, he was more eager to achieve success.
Although Old Madden was arrogant and rude, he had some knowledge and said: "The ants have killed the elephant. Now the Chinese have entered the shipping industry one after another. They buy ships for smuggling. After making money, they buy ships for smuggling again. So, this The power cannot be underestimated.”
Little Madden still said: "Our Western fleet is the whale in the sea, and their Chinese fleet is just a small shrimp and a small fish. Father is worrying too much!"
Old Madden did not refute this time. He also had a slightly improved impression because of recent events.
Now that his son is so confident, he will naturally not attack him.
"Okay, as long as you have confidence! In two years, I plan to let you be based in the Far East and I will be based in London, so that we can bet on both ends and diversify our investments."
"OK"
Wheelock and Jardine Matheson are a virtue, making money in Asia and spending money in Europe and the United States. Old Madden, in particular, was very wary of the opponent. This will cause Wheelock to waste a lot of energy and miss big opportunities in the future.
Qiuyi Building, Global Shipping.
Gao Qiqiang came to Lin Zhichao's office and said: "Boss, Wheelock has withdrawn from the fixed line from Hong Kong to Yokohama!"
Lin Zhichao immediately became happy. He was not happy about Global Shipping's business. After all, joining a ship would have little impact. What he was really happy about was that Lin Zhichao fought back against Old Madden. The two secretly fought and he won another round.
Fights between big guys are sometimes just about face.
"Well, we manage another two-thousand-ton seagoing ship on this route. It can be said that no one can easily intervene in the fixed route for the time being. But we still need to take practical actions to stabilize this route. Even if there are competitors in the future, we will We can rely on our long-term customers to secure our position in Diaoyutai.”
Doing fixed routes and one-way short-term rentals means you need to face various chores. One-way short-term rental will also be involved in global shipping in the future. At that time, Lin Zhichao may have to personally participate in the business. Of course, Lin Zhichao prefers to train business managers.
Gao Qiqiang is good and has a certain level of education. The important thing is that he is willing to learn and make progress.
"Well, we will definitely pay attention." Then, Gao Qiqiang asked: "By the way, boss, we will expand the fleet early next year. Which line do you plan to do, or short-term or long-term rental? I want to see if it is necessary The business department needs to be expanded and prepared in advance.”
Lin Zhichao said: "It's a long-term lease, with a three- to five-year contract."
"I see!"
You have to sign a contract for at least three years, otherwise it is not very cost-effective. Of course, another purpose of Global Shipping leasing ships in this way is to gain the trust of the Japanese business community.
If a tacit trust is established, Global Shipping could build ships in Japan in the late 1950s and obtain a low-interest, 80% loan. Japan's shipbuilding industry developed at this time (Peninsula Campaign) and will officially enter the world stage in the mid-to-late 1950s.
In this way, Global Shipping has two funding channels for expansion.
(End of chapter)
