In the private room of the teahouse, Lin Zhichao learned that Dongfuhe's Dafei had been sunk to the bottom of the sea, but he didn't take it to heart.
He is now a Justice of the Peace. Before the 1980s, most likely no one would have dared to mess with him or his family. Even if the association wants to kidnap a rich person, it will not find someone with great social reputation like Lin Zhichao, because the consequences will be very serious.
When Hong Kong's Po Leung Kuk and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals were first established, their founders may not have had this intention. Through such social donations and charity, they gained social fame and further received canonization from the Hong Kong government and the British court.
Of course, no matter what purpose everyone had, at least real money was donated, and many people actually benefited.
Moreover, Hong Kong's charity teams are all legally registered, have independent financial supervision, are very transparent, and do not have any problems.
"By the way, do you know a colleague named Airship Tai who does the same thing as you?" Lin Zhichao suddenly asked out of curiosity.
Li Gaofu nodded and said: "I know, this airship Tai is very powerful. He has nearly a hundred people under his command, as well as several reconnaissance boats. They usually transport towards the opposite side. In terms of overall size, they are almost on par with our Fuhe Bank. They Maybe a little bigger.”
At this time, Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui also began to transport to the opposite side because they made more money. In fact, Airship Tai has many partners, and Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui give more to the partners. Of course, there is also a smuggling boat in partnership with Ge Mulian.
Lin Zhichao asked curiously: "Are there many teams like yours?"
Li Gaofu saw that it was the first time that Lin Zhichao cared about these things, so he said:
"There are indeed many, but teams of all sizes, in fact, we are not actively seeking smuggling, but a company comes to us and 'supports' us. Behind this company are the people opposite, and they have supported dozens of large and small companies. Small smuggling team.”
"Why is there so much support?"
"It's very simple. Many teams in this industry have been destroyed. If they are hit by a warship, the ship will basically be destroyed and people will die; if they are caught by the Hong Kong Marine Police or the Industrial and Commercial Department, they can be sentenced to three years and fined 100,000 Hong Kong dollars. . Therefore, not every team will succeed, and many small groups have disappeared before they have made any money."
Lin Zhichao understood that in the final analysis, it depends on who has strong risk resistance and who has good luck.
For example, the airship Tai later said that he encountered two major risks: Datian Er held him at gunpoint and robbed all the goods; this was the time; the Hong Kong government marine police ship rammed and sank his "Black Cat" , two guys died, and all the others were arrested. This was the second time.
If these two risks are replaced by other small teams, either one can completely destroy the small team.
In addition, teams like Airship Tai and Li Gaofu have reconnaissance boats and various intricate relationships on shore, and their own safety is much greater.
After chatting for a while, Lin Zhichao was not tempted at all, even though it was thrilling and profitable. He was just purely curious.
Even Lin Zhichao's original idea of recruiting a group of wives to support Li Gaofu was extinguished so as not to cause unnecessary trouble; no matter what, if he survives the remaining two years, there will be a bright future, so why bother to participate in these things? What's going on!
It was her initiative to get involved in the Hong Kong Governor's wife, Karen Goh, and neither of them had any handle in the world. Lin Zhichao also handed over the money to Li Gaofu without any receipt; Li Gaofu also took a wad of cash each time, and then he handed over the money. To Ge Mulian.
Wang Liang, general manager of Yangtze River Zipper, and Bao Chunlai, deputy general manager, came to Lin Zhichao’s office together.
After the two sat down, Bao Chunlai reported: "Boss, the United States supports Japan's economy, so Japan can obtain cheap raw materials from the United States, including aluminum alloys and copper. Affected by this reason, Japan's YKK zippers have recently developed momentum It’s so good that many American zipper merchants have turned to them, probably with the instruction of the U.S. government.”
After hearing this, Lin Zhichao sighed: "The Americans may not be doing this because they want to contain Hong Kong; after all, as a smuggling center, Americans have a very bad impression of Hong Kong."
Things that seem to have no relationship actually contain a great relationship. When Americans learn that Hong Kong's zipper industry actually outperforms Japan's zipper industry, they will naturally cause trouble.
It is impossible for the U.S. Department of Commerce to directly ban zippers produced by Sing Tao. After all, this would offend our ally Britain. Even though I support you like this, you still want to invade my colony. And London's reasons are also very good. If you paralyze my colonial economy, it will easily become a force. This is what no one wants to see. Therefore, the United States is currently providing the minimum necessary supplies for Hong Kong citizens.
Since last year's Peninsular War, the Americans have supported Japan in dumping goods around the world, with textiles, garments and other light industries bearing the brunt. Therefore, Japan developed rapidly through light industry in the 1950s, which was Hong Kong's predecessor.
It was not until the mid-1950s that Japan's light industrial products accounted for a large share of the world. Europe and the United States began to restrict Japanese products, and Hong Kong took the opportunity to develop.
The Japanese are also very smart. Since the mid-1950s, they have also begun to develop heavy industry, including shipbuilding, cars, electrical appliances, etc., and have once again achieved success that astonishes the world.
Wang Liang said: "Fortunately, the global zipper market is expanding, and our annual profit will still exceed HK$6 million this year."
Lin Zhichao said: "Having said that, the zipper industry will retreat if it does not advance. Japan has a complete industrial base. They can produce their own equipment, aluminum alloys, copper, textiles, etc. I am afraid they will surpass us in two or three years. And our Yangtze River The raw materials for zippers are all imported from overseas, as are the equipment, so it will be difficult to compete in the future.”
At this moment, Lin Zhichao also recognized the reality that time travel is not a panacea. It doesn't matter if you capture the market first, in the end it's the industrial chain that matters.
Wang Liang and Bao Chunlai looked at each other. This was the first time they saw their boss's lack of confidence, and of course they recognized the reality.
"We still have a great chance!"
Later, Lin Zhichao regained his confidence and said: "In the short term, the Yangtze zipper will not be stretched very far by the YKK zipper. As time goes by, Japan's labor costs will rise rapidly. Within three years, our cheap labor will play a role A big advantage.”
Wang Liang nodded quickly and said: "That's right! Not only that, we have also invested heavily in technology research and development, and the zipper technology and quality will gradually improve. At the same time, we can also seek to smelt aluminum alloy and copper in the later stage."
These are the boss’s previous ideas, and they feel they can definitely be realized in the future.
Later, Lin Zhichao ignored this problem. Although YKK developed by leaps and bounds, Yangtze Zipper could maintain stable development and would not collapse. The main reason is that it is still in the early stages, and the competition is on price and sales network. Yangtze River Zipper is not lagging behind in these two points.
Japanese zippers have priority in the US market, while Hong Kong zippers also have a market in the Commonwealth. In the Southeast Asian market, everyone has a tacit understanding not to engage in a price war because they are evenly matched. Of course, it can eventually evolve into a situation where Yangtze Zipper and YKK Zipper coexist, and both become the world's zipper giants.
Lin Zhichao has decided that after withdrawing HKD 5 million from Yangtze Zipper this year, starting next year, he will not use the entire Yangtze River Industrial funds and plans to continue investing.
Even, in 1953, they still had to borrow money to invest.
After Wang Liang and Bao Chunlai left, Lin Zhichao began to think deeply.
Before 1953, Yangtze Industries had better not act rashly. After all, it was impossible to develop due to the embargo. Therefore, Yangtze Zipper and Yangtze Plastic still need to develop steadily and do not rush to invest.
By the beginning of 1953, Yangtze River Industry was able to make large-scale preparations, because Lin Zhichao remembered that in the second half of that year, the United States allowed Hong Kong products to enter the United States and reduced the items prohibited from being exported to Hong Kong by 35%, which immediately relaxed the situation.
In fact, as soon as the war ended, the United Kingdom and Japan no longer 'ignored' the United States' trade measures against the mainland, and openly traded with the mainland. As a result, other countries soon joined in, and in the end the United States had no choice but to acquiesce. After all, they There is no reason to restrict allies' trade practices.
In addition, Lin Zhichao plans to incorporate "Uniqlo Clothing Company" into "Cheung Kong Holdings". After all, Cheung Kong Holdings will be a one-stop group of "food, clothing, housing and transportation" in the future.
Cheung Kong Industries will have a hand in creating industries that can be developed in Hong Kong.
Lin Zhichao visited Ho Tung in Ho Tung's office.
At the age of 89, Ho Tung is still working diligently, and he still decides on major issues in the company. In his words to reporters: "I am very busy from morning to night. I don't know when I can retire. My life is inseparable from my work. As long as I can see and think, I will also work." Go down."
In fact, Ho Tung has no business successor, which is the main reason why he is still working. He had a total of three biological sons. The eldest son died young, the second son was disabled by the Japanese bombing, and the third son is still a high-ranking official in Taiwan.
Therefore, it is a reality that there will be no successors. Otherwise, given Ho Tung's wealth and status, if his children have business acumen, it is estimated that only Lin Zhichao can catch up with the wealth of the Ho Tung family, and no one in future generations can compare with it.
Lin Zhichao's current wealth is only about 50 million Hong Kong dollars, while the Ho Tung family's wealth is at least hundreds of millions. The wealth of these established families is distributed around the world, not just in Hong Kong.
"How is Sir Ho?"
"Lin Sheng is here, please sit down!"
He Dong did not show off and formally accompanied Lin Zhichao to sit down on the sofa. He knew that if Lin Zhichao came to his office, it would most likely be business, so business must be done openly.
The assistant made tea for the two of them and then left the office.
"You don't go to the Three Treasures Palace for anything. Do you have any business cooperation projects?" He Dong asked proactively.
Lin Zhichao put down his tea cup and said cheerfully: "I came here this time to take a fancy to two properties owned by Sir Robert Ho Tung, so I wanted to ask what you mean."
He Dong said unexpectedly: "Oh? Just say it, let me see if I can sell it!"
He has not yet reached the point where he must sell the property, not to mention that the current price of the property cannot be sold at the price. But since Lin Zhichao took the initiative to ask, as long as the property is not a good rental property and the price is reasonable, it can be sold.
Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "The first property is a commercial land of about 16,000 square meters on Des Voeux Road. My global shipping company has grown now, but I don't have a decent headquarters, so I want to build a building. "
This land is very valuable, and commercial land in Central has not fallen much. In 1947, a 14,000-square-foot commercial land in Central District was finally acquired by the Bank of China at a price of HK$251.44 per square foot, totaling more than HK$3.5 million.
Des Voeux Road is also a traditional banking district, and the location is also very good, so the price of this land will not be less than HK$4 million. (PS: In its previous life, in 1959, it was acquired by Hang Seng Bank for HK$5.5 million)
Hearing this, Ho Tung immediately said: "This piece of land has been vacant and the price is reasonable, so we can consider selling it. I am old and don't want to build anymore. And you have already said that you hope to build a building for Global Shipping Lines. Of course this can help you!"
He bought the land with the intention of flipping it, and this was the same idea even when bidding against the Bank of China in 1947.
Lin Zhichao said happily: "Thank you Sir He, will you let the lawyer negotiate the price with your subordinates later?"
Of course, there is no need to talk about this kind of thing between two friends who have a good relationship, so as not to hurt the harmony.
He Dong nodded, and then asked: "Where is the other place?"
Lin Zhichao immediately said: "I want to buy these properties for my friend at 16 to 20 Kimberley Road and 40 to 46 Carnarvon Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. He has some money, so he wants to buy them for long-term rent collection. Later it will be used for reconstruction.”
When He Dong heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief, because the properties in this place were all dilapidated and had all kinds of tenants, so they were not considered good properties in his hands.
“This is for sale too!”
"In that case, I will go back and prepare for the staff and lawyers to contact your company."
He Dong nodded, and then said in a rare joke: "After selling the property this time, don't look at my property anymore. My family's wealth is so small. How can I withstand the prying eyes of a shipping king like you? I still want to I’ll keep it for future generations to collect rent from!”
Your descendants are indeed only good at collecting rent, and none of them have business acumen! The son has no business acumen, while the grandson is the second generation ancestor and only knows how to sell off his property. Fortunately, the wealth you left behind is huge enough that they can't even spend it all.
Lin Zhichao thought as above.
In fact, one of Ho Tung's descendants also has business acumen, and that is Ho Tung's illegitimate son with a nurse. But before Ho Tung died, He Zuozhi was only allowed to inherit the wealth of HK$50,000. Although He Zuozhi failed in the media, he was very successful in other careers and later became a millionaire.
"Don't worry! In fact, I just need a beautiful piece of land in Central this time. I just asked you about the Tsim Sha Tsui house. If you don't want to sell it, it doesn't matter."
"Haha, I know. But since you mentioned it, let's talk about it together!"
"OK"
After bidding farewell to Ho Tung, Lin Zhichao began to think on the road.
To purchase the land on Des Voeux Road, one can raise HK$3 million from the Yangtze River Zipper, and the remainder will be drawn from Global Shipping Lines. Commercial real estate in Hong Kong is naturally owned by Changjiang Real Estate and will not be listed in the future.
Global Shipping will not be listed because there is no need, but it can take out some ships to form a company for listing, or it can be listed on the backdoor. In short, the future of global shipping includes joint venture shipping companies (with HSBC), independent shipping companies (wholly owned, with a larger proportion of ships), and listed shipping companies (with a small number of ships).
Yangtze River Industrial is not listed on the market. It may have listed industrial stocks, but only for some businesses.
Cheung Kong Holdings (developing real estate as its core business) is going to be listed, but Cheung Kong Properties (commercial real estate, that is, rent-collecting properties) is not.
Returning to Global Shipping, Lin Zhichao reviewed the company's financial statements.
All the rent for October has been paid. If normal conditions are followed, the profit this month could reach 1 million to 1.1 million US dollars. If calculated based on a net debt of US$5.2 million, repaying this month's profits would be equivalent to a net debt of only US$4.1 million. By the end of February next year, all debt can be repaid (not counting the US$300,000 interest).
Of course, these are theoretical calculations, and it is actually impossible to repay debts in advance. The first wave of HSBC loans will be repaid in June next year, the second wave of shipping company installments will be paid off at the end of the year, and the third wave of HSBC loans will be repaid in September next year.
From this year to next year, Lin Zhichao will withdraw at least US$1 million (HK$5.6 million) from Global Shipping to buy low-priced properties. This little money will not affect the development of global shipping.
Based on the current monthly profit of US$1 million (approximately), from March to the end of next year, the profit will be US$10 million. With this amount of funds alone, it is possible to purchase second-hand ships of about 150,000 tons.
This is roughly similar to Lin Zhichao’s plan for global shipping next year.
Considering the capacity of the Japanese market and the risk estimates, it is quite reasonable to increase the load capacity by 150,000 tons in 1952. After all, if the development is too rapid, Lin Zhichao is also worried that changes will fall short of success.
Of course, we may borrow some funds in March next year to complete the purchase of some ships in advance. In this way, the ships purchased first can naturally create a lot of profits that year.
And these profits can be used to invest in other industries, so that the distribution appears reasonable.
"Dong dong"
"Come in"
Deputy General Manager Feng Yongfa walked into Lin Zhichao's office. It was obvious at a glance that his working condition was very good.
Lin Zhichao was deeply satisfied with the working conditions of the employees and said: "We are going to recruit 80 senior seamen for a half-year training. Remember, they must all be Chinese."
Feng Yongfa nodded and said: "I understand, I must choose carefully."
What does it mean to be carefully selected? Those with a social background are definitely not allowed. Of course, if the other party doesn't tell them, they may sneak in. But after the training from Global Maritime Academy and the corporate culture of Global Shipping, in fact, no one will do anything for the society anymore.
After Global Shipping's sailors come ashore, they occasionally hold some team-building activities, which are organized by the company and provide a feast. In short, under the management of the modern enterprise model, seafarers' sense of belonging to the company has been greatly increased. What is important is that Global Shipping does not exploit seafarers.
(End of chapter)
