At the pier in Sai Wan, some of the family members of the clerks and crew members of Fu Wo Bank would wait eagerly at the pier every day to pray for the safe return of Oriental traders. In recent days, even Li Gaofu could not help but visit the pier, because according to the time, Oriental traders It’s time for traders to return to Hong Kong.
"Is that a ship?"
"seems like it!"
For a moment, everyone couldn't help but cheer.
Li Gaofu quickly scolded in a low voice: "Keep your voice down, you'll attract bad people!"
He has felt that he is being targeted by the secret agents, so he has been very careful recently and stayed in the hotel instead of going home.
Even if he went home occasionally, he would put on a disguise and then leave quietly.
The guy’s family immediately booed, and everyone knew that many people in Hong Kong were doing this kind of thing. Their men and sons are also doing this. Although it is risky, one trip costs 1,200 Hong Kong dollars per person (ordinary crew members and staff), which is two months to earn a year's salary. The boss also promised to provide 5,000 yuan per person for settling-in expenses if something happened, so their relatives rushed to help.
In this era when life is not very valuable, there are too many people taking desperate risks, and you may not even get your turn.
"Tell the finance officer on board to take the bill of exchange and return to the company immediately!"
"Okay, boss!"
After admonishing a staff member, Li Gaofu happily left the scene.
This trip has already earned 500,000 yuan, and he plans to take another trip because the freight has risen to 150 US dollars per ton. If completed successfully, you can earn HK$700,000 in just one trip.
This money is really good!
Soon, Li Gaofu calmed down again. He was well aware of the risks involved.
The next day.
Li Gaofu completed the settlement from the joint company and came to the company carrying a large bundle of banknotes.
The crew members, captain, first mate and second mate were already waiting. When they saw the big boss coming back, they suddenly showed flattering smiles on their faces.
"Everyone, please wait and be anxious. I have already brought the money. Don't worry, it will be yours!"
"Boss, look at what you said, why don't we trust the company?"
"Yes, Fu He Xing is a big company."
For a time, everyone was flattering him one after another.
Huang Tinggui laughed and scolded: "You guys rushed to the street, you were not like this just now, you almost overturned the company. Okay, okay, hurry up and line up to get the rewards. Brother Gao Fu, the financial expenditure details are ready." For this Although he is taking risks for the company, he has a very good attitude.
Li Gaofu is in charge of the 'Oriental Traders' business, and Huang Tinggui is in charge of the trade 'smuggling' business. The two have a clear division of labor. Of course, Li Gaofu is also responsible for contacting trade business. In general, Li Gaofu controls the overall situation, while Huang Tinggui implements the specifics. The difference between a chairman and a general manager.
Afterwards, Li Gaofu paid the salary one by one and asked everyone: "Are you going to go on the next trip?"
"Go, of course I want to go, boss Qian will definitely arrange for me." The crew member always replied excitedly.
Only fools would not go. Although it was risky, there was no way a warship could catch their boat in the vast sea.
Moreover, Eastern traders remove the radio waves and there will be no radar display.
What's more, people die for money and birds die for food. One trip is worth a year's reward!
If you run a dangerous journey for one year, wouldn't it be enough to earn six years' salary? Everyone thinks so.
"Okay, I will contact you."
When it was captain Liu Hu's turn to receive his reward, everyone's eyes were green, which was almost 5,000.
"Captain Liu, thank you for your hard work, can you please click on it?" Li Gaofu said seriously.
"What did the boss say? I still don't believe you!" Liu Hu said happily. In fact, I am already weighing the money in my hands.
After some distribution, everyone left the company with smiles, waiting for the company to assign tasks again.
Later, Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui came to the office to discuss secretly.
"I have accepted another order and will start loading next week. The shipping fee is US$150 per ton!"
Huang Tinggui nodded and said: "Although this money is risky, it is really easy to make!"
Can you not be jealous? Huang Tinggui knows that it used to take two years to earn back an old boat. If the market conditions were worse, it would be possible in three years. Since last year, shipping prices have skyrocketed, and the annual profit for an old ship is about the same.
And the dangerous journey they took was such that they could earn back a boat in two trips.
"After the last trip, we will no longer run dangerous routes. At that time, we will only rent it to people traveling in Southeast Asia, or running fixed routes there." Li Gaofu said seriously.
After all, in an accident, not only does the ship have to be compensated, but the cargo also has to be lost. The insurance company doesn’t know how much it will pay (it doesn’t know yet – it won’t accompany it).
"It's really not profitable?"
"No profit!"
Huang Tinggui could only agree, after all, Li Gaofu was the decision-maker.
"Then shall we develop shipping in the future?"
"With our strength, how can we develop shipping? With just one ship, we can make whatever we can. After the next settlement is completed, we will first divide all the profits of the Eastern traders."
Li Gaofu had already planned to diversify his investments, so after the 'Oriental Trader' made another trip, the total profit was almost 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars, including the normal profit of less than 400,000 in the early stage. According to the dividend ratio, he can receive more than 900,000 Hong Kong dollars.
With this money, Li Gaofu has planned to purchase some shops or properties for rent collection.
Eggs are not put in one basket, he always remembered this sentence.
"Okay, you make the decision."
Huang Tinggui has no regrets. After all, traders in the East can normally earn 7.8 million Hong Kong dollars a year. It depends on how long this good market lasts. On the other hand, their two smuggling boats can make millions in a year, but of course it depends on how long the market lasts.
Overall, Fu He Xing is already a money-making tool.
Of course, it was very hard for the two of them. They had to go home and couldn't go back, so they stayed up late and worked every day.
"By the way, what's wrong with your face?" Li Gaofu saw some redness and swelling on Huang Tinggui's face.
Huang Tinggui sighed and said: "The marine police fan, the CTM people, even if they give you money, they feed the unfamiliar wolves!"
Li Gaofu remained silent. In this business, others don't think of you as the God of Wealth, but as a wealthy person.
Huang Tinggui then said with a smile: "I don't care. How much money can these bastards make in a year? They are just brats. From now on, they will bow their heads in front of me."
Li Gaofu patted him on the shoulder and said: "I have also been kicked, but for money, we can bend and stretch."
The two people's hands were tightly held together.
Li Gaofu recently wanted to send money and bills to Ge Mulian, but he didn't know that others didn't want to come forward at all. Only then did he feel that Ge Mulian only trusted his cousin and disdained direct contact with him.
Therefore, it can be imagined that even if the group of ladies invests in the future, they will at most get some information, and it is impossible to get involved with those foreigners. Only cousins and cousins-in-law can break into that circle, and the Governor's wife treats them completely as equals.
Just make your own money, why bother with so much, Li Gaofu said to himself in his heart.
Lin Zhichao and Xu Caiying came to the backyard of the Hong Kong Governor's House, where the Hong Kong Governor lived. Ge Lianghong and Ge Mulian received the two.
Xu Caiying is now the face of the Lin family. Lin Zhichao will take her with him to some events when he attends them. As for Tang Caiyun, she has begun to work behind the scenes to serve as the foundation of the Lin family.
This was the result of discussions at a family meeting. Naturally, Tang Caiyun would not be jealous of her sister. She took care of everything in the family, and started to contact the Yangtze River Clan, becoming the woman behind Lin Zhichao.
Xu Caiying attended some activities of the Lin family and was the woman on the stage.
At Ge Lianghong's house, Ge Mulian took Xu Caiying to another room to talk, but she actually saw that Xu Caiying was here to give her money.
"Mr. Lin, haven't you ever thought about doing business in that area? As far as I know, many of your Chinese businessmen and even British businessmen are involved in it." Ge Lianghong said with a smile.
He is a very realistic Hong Kong governor. In his view, if the Hong Kong government is too strict, a large number of people will lose their livelihoods, and will there be a series of consequences in Hong Kong?
What's more, some British businessmen also joined in, so he didn't mean anything about it, he just did it for Americans to see.
So he doesn't care at all about his wife's investment.
Lin Zhichao responded: "I am different! If I do that, it will be short-sighted. If I cannot get a loan from HSBC, I will not be able to do business in the United States for a long time in the future."
Ge Lianghong immediately agreed with Lin Zhichao's words and sighed in his heart that this young man really had a long-term perspective.
"How many boats do you own now?"
"Of the 12 cargo ships, 10 are leased to Japan on a long-term basis. Of course, my liabilities are also very high. HSBC and the British Shipping Company are both my creditors."
Ge Lianghong was immediately surprised that this young man was already so powerful.
"I'm surprised. I didn't expect you to be so powerful! This is a good thing. You have solved a lot of people's work."
The two chatted briefly, and Ge Mulian and Xu Caiying walked out happily.
Especially Ge Mulian, she was very happy to invest 200,000 and get back 210,000 Hong Kong dollars after two months. If this situation continues, there will be one million dividends a year.
Lin Zhichao happened to say goodbye and left with Xu Caiying.
"My dear, this business is indeed very profitable!" Ge Mulian approached Ge Lianghong and said with a smile.
The two have no children, but Ge Mulian likes to enjoy, so Ge Lianghong also tried his best to satisfy his wife, and even used some funds to build a super yacht, which will be put into use next year. Of course, it is nominally in the name of the Governor of Hong Kong, and is mainly used for the Governor's offshore activities, vacations, and reception of distinguished guests.
The owner of the yacht is the Hong Kong government, but it is the Hong Kong Governor and his wife who enjoy it. Since the colonial governors were emperors, they could have many privileges.
"As long as you can make money!"
"It won't cause you any trouble, will it?"
"Of course not. You gave the money to Mr. Lin for investment, and Mr. Lin is doing normal business, so there is no problem. What's more, I am the biggest in Hong Kong. Why is there a problem?"
"Yeah, of course you're the biggest!"
The couple still loves money and enjoyment. Although they have no children, they still find money very useful.
One morning in mid-May, Lin Zhichao was sitting on the sofa at home, reading the morning newspaper.
A piece of news suddenly came into view: the US imperialism controlled the passage of the UN embargo plan. This time it can be said to be several times more severe than before.
Traditionally, Hong Kong's commercial activities have been mainly oriented to the opposite side. Due to the impact of the inability to sell goods domestically, many business houses have closed down or contracted. The embargo has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong's fledgling industry. Many factories have to suspend production or shift work, and workers live a half-starved life.
During this period, large numbers of unemployed and jobless people often gathered outside Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai, waiting for various construction sites to recruit temporary workers. Every time the foreman came to draw lots, there would be crowd commotion and pushing and fighting.
"Brother Zhichao, my sister is complaining that she has a stomachache!" Xu Caiying walked out of the bedroom and shouted anxiously from Lin Zhichao.
Lin Zhichao immediately put down the newspaper. He had experience and said calmly: "Don't be anxious, your sister gave birth once and it was very smooth!"
Afterwards, he came to the bedroom and determined that Tang Caiyun had a stomachache, and immediately arranged to send her to the hospital.
The journey to Queen Mary Hospital was uneventful, and Tang Caiyun was immediately sent to the VIP delivery room.
Outside the delivery room.
"Husband, do you think it's a boy or a girl?" Xu Caiying said nervously and excitedly.
Because she will also pass this level next year, she feels the same way.
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Boy!"
Xu Caiying immediately said: "You like boys, right? You don't like girls!"
Lin Zhichao said calmly: "No! But if your sister's third child is a girl, wouldn't it confirm the title of 'little princess'!"
It would be ideal for Tang Caiyun to give birth to two boys and one girl. No matter what, you need at least two sons, otherwise the business will not be passed on.
Although according to Lin Zhichao's current physical performance, it is possible that he can train his grandchildren, and he may also train his great-grandchildren.
"No, no, you didn't count my future children!"
"Haha, that makes sense!"
At ten o'clock in the morning, the door of the delivery room was opened, and the doctor walked out of the delivery room with a smile on his face and congratulated Lin Zhichao.
"Mr. Lin, congratulations on your son."
"Thank you, Dr. Li."
Lin Zhichao also breathed a sigh of relief. Good things were developing according to his expectations.
After a while, Tang Zhongyuan and his wife also hurried over and breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the birth was successful.
"This girl Caiyun is so lucky!" Song Qiaoling said with a smile.
Xu Caiying suddenly became jealous and said: "Mom, will you be so nervous about me in the future?"
Song Qiaoling quickly comforted her: "What are you talking about? I've loved you more than your sister since I was a child."
"Hehe, that's pretty much it. Of course, onee-sama will not be angry with me."
Later, Tang Caiyun and her son entered the VIP room, and Lin Zhichao arranged for a nanny to take care of everything.
The current Lin family is not short of manpower. There are four nannies, some who specialize in cooking and some who specialize in taking care of children, and they have all been reviewed and trained.
Lin Zhichao's second son was called 'Lin Ruijiang'. His birth stabilized Lin Zhichao's rear once again, and also made Lin Zhichao more ambitious, like a driving force.
But in fact, due to the impact of the Peninsular War in recent years, Lin Zhichao's career has only been developing steadily except for the shipping industry. The only thing he can do is to 'build walls high and accumulate grain widely'. When the time comes, he will soar into the sky.
The next day, Lin Zhichao came to Global Shipping in Qiuyi Building and held a high-level meeting.
Currently, Global Shipping has 67 employees, 431 seamen, and 60 senior trainees, making it a large shipping company. The so-called senior staff are those who will take important positions on ships after completing their studies, including captain, first mate, second mate, third mate, chief engineer and other positions.
"Have arrangements been made for the senior staff's on-board study?" Lin Zhichao asked.
Global Maritime Academy focuses on practice, not just words.
Feng Yongfa said: "It has been arranged. There will be a total of practical learning on four ships."
Lin Zhichao asked again: "We must make arrangements with the important positions on the ship. There will be bonuses for taking apprentices, and these people will be assigned to the new ship."
Feng Yongfa nodded and said, "Everyone has communicated well and there is no problem for everyone!"
In fact, senior foreign seamen do not have a high sense of belonging to Global Shipping. They will naturally be enthusiastic when they hear that they can get bonuses; there is no such thing as "teaching apprentices to starve their masters to death" because they have signed contracts for three years and will probably leave when the contracts expire. , because they are here to make quick money.
Lin Zhichao continued: "The scope of the embargo has recently been expanded, and Hong Kong people's lives have become unsustainable. In addition, I intend to expand shipowners in the second half of the year, so I have recruited 180 seafarers for three to five months of training, which can be considered to alleviate the current situation." bad situation.”
This is probably the corporate culture of Lin Zhichao's company, which adopts both Western modern management and Confucian culture to manage people.
Feng Yongfa immediately said: "Okay, I will make sure the arrangements are made."
When the management heard about the boss's "great kindness", they all expressed their admiration.
You know, seafarers from other shipowners in Hong Kong are not trained in this way.
At this time, the organization that recruited seafarers was called the "Ship Recommendation Hall", but the hiring power of seafarers was in the hands of the personnel manager of the shipping company. Therefore, the personnel manager often colludes with the "recommendation office", both internally and externally, and uses their authority to enrich their own pockets. They stipulate that whether new employees or old employees want to be hired, they must submit the first three months' salary as recommendation. Only by paying a fee can you sign a one-year or even half-year contract.
These crew members were severely exploited by the "recommended ship shop" on the shore, and their work on the ship was menial. Therefore, their morale was extremely low. They usually either drank to relieve their worries or gambled to survive.
Lin Zhichao had long realized that such "old, weak and disabled soldiers" would not be able to shoulder his major responsibility of developing the shipping industry, so he would rather spend huge sums of money to train seamen from the beginning. He did not allow his crew to go through the ship recommendation hall, but used large-scale selection to recruit suitable talents. The human resources department of Global Shipping Lines is also someone he has been keeping an eye on. If he dares to reach out, he will send him in.
Although as a result, Global Shipping has to incur a lot of expenses (mainly training fees), and Global Shipping's seafarers' salaries are among the highest, which also increases the company's costs in disguise.
Lin Zhichao also pays great attention to costs, but attaches great importance to the virtue of thrift in other places. For example, he emphasized the care and maintenance of ships, maintenance of items on ships, cherishing food, saving office supplies, and work efficiency.
He gave people the impression that sometimes when clerks wasted a piece of paper, he would pick it up and educate them on the spot. At night, if clerks forgot to turn off the lights, he would even call them to the office to educate them.
On the other hand, Lin Zhichao is recognized as a good boss. He is good at employee welfare and cares about his employees. If an employee is injured at work, Lin Zhichao must personally come to express condolences and provide compensation, and arrange follow-up work for the injured seafarer.
This is a team that Lin Zhichao created by combining Confucian knowledge and Western modern management.
Next, Lin Zhichao discussed many issues with the management. In fact, many issues were prepared for a rainy day. He always emphasized the management system.
After all, shipping is classified as a risky industry, so as a company, it is natural to reduce this risk. Before leaving the port, you must know the weather in the area, and solve problems as soon as possible.
Although Lin Zhichao has mastered the shipping cycle and is already a sure winner, he is more like an excellent entrepreneur. Otherwise, he would not have insisted on learning all aspects of shipping, clarifying the subtle relationship between speed, route, kerosene consumption, and freight rate (suitable for short-term rental and fixed routes). He also understood the flag language.
In short, he is now a qualified navigator.
(End of chapter)
