Time flies and we arrive in 1953 in a blink of an eye.
In late January, Hong Kong will.
Chief executives of Hong Kong companies such as John Keswick, the chief executive of Jardine Matheson, Schyock, the chief executive of Swire Pacific, and George Madden, the chief executive of Wheelock, gathered together to discuss a matter.
It turns out that with the development of global shipping, these shipping companies have felt tremendous pressure. For a long time, the foreign fleet has only regarded the Chinese fleet as the shrimp soldiers and generals in the sea.
Now, it is said that the ships registered by Global Shipping in Hong Kong this month alone are as high as 50,000 to 60,000 tons. At the same time, it was rumored that Global Shipping's fleet had surpassed the fleets of various foreign companies.
This forced all the former arrogant executives of the foreign trade companies to examine the development of the matter and gather together to discuss.
Madden Sr. is no longer as arrogant as he used to be. He also plans to return to the London headquarters and hand over the Hong Kong business to his son Madden Jr. But before leaving, he was still unconvinced by Lin Zhichao. Thinking of the bet he had made, he had lost completely, and he felt very unhappy.
"Everyone, according to reliable information, Global Shipping has more than 30 cargo ships of about 10,000 tons, and has achieved global real-time radio wave communication. At this point, I don't think any of us can achieve it!" Old Madden raised the topic.
John Keswick said: "It is indeed developing very fast! The most abominable thing is HSBC. They actually support a Chinese shipowner to compete with our British fleet. This is an act of treason."
HSBC has always regarded shipping as a "black book". It is impossible for foreigners to get loans for their fleets, but they just lend money to Chinese people. This obviously aroused everyone's anger.
Shiyok said: "Then why did HSBC choose to lend to this Chinese? I think there must be a reason. HSBC is not a philanthropist. They are a bank and they only see profits."
Everyone looked at Old Madden, meaning that you have dealt with Lin Zhichao, so you should know better.
Old Madden said: "It is said that HSBC's Sandus appreciated that Global Shipping had a large number of long-term contracts in Japan and also obtained a letter of credit from the Bank of Japan, so HSBC felt that the risk was low."
Everyone started making calculations, but soon everyone frowned.
Renting to the Japanese for a long time means giving up 30% of the profits. This is undoubtedly a fool's errand.
Not a good deal!
Moreover, now that Global Shipping has established credibility in Japan, even if they continue to imitate, it will obviously not succeed.
John Keswick brought the topic to the point: "In the final analysis, we must limit the growth of Global Shipping, otherwise it will have an impact on our fleet. In this month alone, Global Shipping has opened three ocean routes, sailing on All over the world, and every one of them is a 10,000-ton ship, which has an impact on us.”
Several other senior managers of foreign companies nodded in agreement. They must not allow the Chinese to completely stand on everyone's head in shipping.
"Global Shipping is developing too fast. In just three years, it has surpassed the fleet we built in 30 years. If this continues, Global Shipping's fleet will only become larger and larger. By then, our fleet will be difficult to build. ”
"It makes sense! We should restrict global shipping and tell them that Hong Kong still belongs to us British."
For a moment, everyone was filled with indignation, but also a little helpless.
Because everyone couldn't think of a good way for a while.
Put pressure on the Hong Kong government, but everyone heard that Lin Zhichao had a close relationship with the Hong Kong governor, and their wives were even colleagues. It was obviously even more impossible to use a black gun because all the outlaws in Hong Kong were Chinese.
Still Keswick said: "We can use public opinion to put pressure on HSBC by holding simultaneous activities in London and the Hong Kong government, saying that they are 'rebellious' and support Chinese shipowners and do not support the British fleet. Once the world is cut off, The source of funding for shipping, so why should it develop?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was pleasantly surprised. Obviously this was a good idea. After all, HSBC is a British bank. If it comes under dual pressure from the London and Hong Kong governments, it will definitely stop lending to global shipping.
Anyone who is involved in shipping knows that capital is the last word for development.
Seeing everyone pass, Keswick immediately said: "In view of the huge increase in the global shipping fleet, our Wharf also plans to adjust the warehouse rental price. Of course, we will treat everyone equally and the price will rise uniformly."
Old Madden's face turned green. Wheelock did not have its own wharf or large warehouse. He said in a loud voice: "The price of Wharf's warehouse is already a bit expensive!"
Keswick simply ignored it!
Shi York added: "We at Blue Chimney are also planning to slightly adjust our prices. Of course, we are definitely cheaper than Wharf, so why are we in a worse location?"
Keswick wants to draw a knife!
Among Hong Kong's deep-water terminals, Wharf is the largest and has the most warehouses, so 70% of Hong Kong's large cargo ships have to dock at Wharf. Moreover, the terminals managed by Wharf are not limited to Tsim Sha Tsui, but also terminals in many other places.
The gathering was completed in an atmosphere of unity and separation.
Lin Zhichao came to the wharf of Wharf and personally saw off one of his newly added ships to leave the port to complete the shipping mission. For a moment, he felt excited, heroic and other emotions welling up in his heart.
This time six 10,000-ton freighters were added, and three freighters still signed three-year long-term contracts, but the prices had dropped a lot. At the beginning of 1951, the rent for the three 10,000-ton freighters could reach US$2.8 to 3 million per year; but Today, Japanese shipping companies are only willing to pay US$2 million a year.
The price is neither high nor low, but the market is indeed good; if it comes to the second half of the year, the long-term annual rent will only be 1.5 to 1.8 million US dollars a year.
But no matter what, shipping still has the highest return rate, even far behind real estate. The premise is that you don't encounter a cold winter, otherwise even if you are not in debt, you may lose money on the boat maintenance; if you are in debt, the probability of bankruptcy will be greatly increased, and the important boat price will still drop as much as 10%.
Global Shipping has added three more ocean routes this month, covering Europe and the Americas. At one time, it also had a considerable proportion of cargo ships with fixed routes and one-way short-term charters, probably less than 30%. These ships still earn more than long-term charter ships with the same load capacity.
After the ship left the port, Lin Zhichao drove to the intersection of Nathan Road and Kimberly Road opposite Kowloon Park. This was the Miramar Hotel in its previous life, but now it is just a small hotel run by a Spanish priest with only a few dozen rooms in total. .
In 1949, several Spanish priests founded this small hotel to mainly accept clergy who were expelled from the mainland. Later, those clergymen went to serve in dioceses in various countries, and the priest's hotel was gradually developed to the public, and the proceeds were used as funds for the church.
"Boss" Hu Zhaoxu came up and greeted.
Lin Zhichao got out of the car, called the Priest Hotel, and said, "Manager Hu, how much area does the Priest Hotel occupy?"
Hu Zhaoxu thought for a while and said: "It's less than 100,000 square feet. It's difficult to visually estimate the specific area, but it can be estimated that it covers an area similar to that of the Peninsula Hotel. It's just that the Father's Inn was not properly built, so it looks average."
Lin Zhichao thought that if he acquired this piece of land, he could build the Lin family's first five-star hotel, the Shangri-La Hotel, in the late 1950s. It would be able to open its doors in the early 1960s and become one of the most popular hotels in the world. The Mandarin Hotel is one of the three hotel giants.
But to be honest, the location of this land is still a little bit worse, mainly because it is not close to the sea and it is not in Central, Hong Kong. The Shangri-La Hotel will be the signature hotel of the Lin family, which seems a bit wasteful.
After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao decided not to think about the future first, but to get the land and properties first. Leave other things to be considered later.
"I plan to buy the Father's Inn. What do you think I should do?"
Hu Zhaoxu said: "If we come directly to the door, the priest will definitely not agree. After all, they are not very interested in money, and it is not convenient to discuss business directly. In my opinion, we still have to work on the Chinese church members. However, it is also possible that the priest Not for sale.”
Lin Zhichao nodded. The Priest's Hotel is not the same as the 'former site of the Causeway Bay Church'. It can also generate a steady stream of wealth, which can be used to finance the church.
"You should think carefully about whether Christianity in Spain allows business. If it is inconsistent with the teachings, do you understand?"
Hu Zhaoxu nodded and said: "I understand."
Some simple tricks are not immoral, they can only be said to support justice.
Hong Kong's foreign banks jointly complained to London - HSBC only helped Chinese shipowners and refused loans from British shipowners. This news was suddenly reported by the media.
For a time, there was a lot of commotion in Hong Kong, and the huge fleet of Global Shipping emerged again and was talked about by people.
After Lin Zhichao heard this kind of news, he made an appointment with Sandus to inquire about the news at Deep Water Bay Golf Course. He could not let this kind of news spread. Sometimes, although public opinion is public opinion, the consequences may not be 'public opinion'.
Before playing ball, Lin Zhichao invited Sandus to take a ride to visit the No. 79 Deep Water Bay construction site.
Looking at the busy construction site, Sandus sighed: "I didn't expect that you are going to open your own palace in Deep Water Bay. It must be expensive, right?"
Regardless of the relationship between the two, it was Lin Zhichao who wanted Sandus, but Sandus was only an HSBC executive after all, with an annual salary of only a few thousand pounds at most; of course, British executives and high-ranking officials like these are very expensive. If they are strong enough, they can afford to play golf and enjoy benefits such as Hong Kong clubs.
Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's just the budget of a 10,000-ton second-hand cargo ship!"
Sandus laughed and said: "That's true. After all, you now own 44 cargo ships of about 10,000 tons. This strength is even enviable by Wheelock, Jardine, and Swire."
These foreign companies still only have a carrying capacity of more than 200,000 tons, because even if they make money, they do not necessarily expand their fleets, but diversify their investments. Nowadays, the development of global shipping is not as good as that of global shipping, but it is time to use small measures.
Lin Zhichao did not rush to discuss this topic, but said: "What do you think of this position?"
Foreigners in Hong Kong also believe in Feng Shui. Even world-class architectural masters from Europe and the United States must listen to the guidance of Chinese Feng Shui experts and ask Feng Shui experts to evaluate the pros and cons of plans. When a foreign company opens, it usually has to worship Chinese gods, set off firecrackers, perform lion dances and sing operas, etc.
The HSBC Bank was opened in the HSBC Building before the Anti-Japanese War, and it was a lively place according to Chinese customs. On the birthday of Confucius, the HSBC Building is decorated with lights and colorful Cantonese opera stars are invited to sing for the public. The "Treasure of the Bank" of HSBC is a pair of Chinese-style bronze lions, cast by Chinese craftsmen in Shanghai.
Later, when the third-generation HSBC Building was pushed for reconstruction, Chinese Feng Shui masters were specially invited to choose an auspicious day and a designated location so that the bronze lion could be moved - otherwise, they were worried that the wealth of HSBC would be taken away.
Sandus smiled and said: "Although I don't know much about Feng Shui, I think it should be a good location. The only regret may be that there are people who are not high-ranking officials and rich people living here. But now that you come to live here, I'm afraid it will bring down the people in Deep Water Bay." Residential value.”
Lin Zhichao was stunned. He didn't expect Sandus to be quite good at talking. Yes, when he retires, he will build him a third-generation HSBC Building made of gold and give it to him as a gift.
"Haha. In fact, Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay are very suitable for living. I believe this area will become one of the most luxurious residential areas in Hong Kong in the future. Hong Kong will become more and more prosperous, and wealthy people will pursue 'exclusive' residential areas , such as the Peak, and Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, etc. in the south of Hong Kong."
Sandus nodded, but he was not envious. The executives of HSBC lived on the top of the mountain, and there were many garden villas for the executives to live.
Afterwards, the two returned to Deep Water Bay Golf Club and started playing golf.
With Lin Zhichao's superb skills, Sandus was also secretly surprised by Lin Zhichao's learning ability. As far as he knew, Lin Zhichao was busier than him at work, but he practiced golf very well.
Sandus was the first to hold back the matter and said, "You asked me to play golf because you were probably asking about the complaints made by many foreign companies to the London government, right?"
Lin Zhichao said calmly: "Indeed, I would like to ask you how the top management of HSBC handles this kind of thing?"
Sandus smiled and said: "I can only say that HSBC is a bank. Since it is a bank, not a charity or a government department, it is natural to consider the benefits. Even though the top management of HSBC is somewhat distressed about the consequences of this incident, It will have an impact, but it will basically not change the strategy too much. Of course, we at HSBC are still conservative when it comes to shipping loans."
Lin Zhichao nodded. Although the answer was a bit vague, he still speculated that HSBC may have been slightly affected.
He was not one to sit still, so he said: "I want to build a 10,000-ton cargo ship in a British shipyard, and I would like to ask HSBC Bank to provide an 80% loan. What do you think?"
Sandus's eyes lit up and he quickly understood Lin Zhichao's thoughts.
Originally, Global Shipping had a certain reputation in the British business community because many of its cargo ships were purchased in the UK; but now if Global Shipping builds a 10,000-ton cargo ship in the UK, it will win the gratitude of the British political K, the minister or the deputy Senior officials at the ministerial level will participate in the launching ceremony, because heavy industry is a very important part of a country's economy.
At the same time, HSBC provided loans for the ship. The young man used an ingenious method to deal with the squeeze from those foreign banks.
sharp!
"I don't think this is a problem! After all, Global Shipping's total assets are more than 20 million US dollars, and it holds many long-term contracts. Its strength has reassured banks. Even if you don't think about it, a new cargo ship is often three old second-hand ships. cost. And, as far as I know, shipping conditions are not that strong anymore.”
Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Global Shipping can easily exceed 500,000 tons of load capacity this year, and there will be no excessive debt, so I am also considering building new ships and entering the tanker field. In short, Global Shipping is not It would be too much debt.”
Of course, Sandus knew that TCL's finances were in good health, so he said nothing.
The matter was decided like this - Global Shipping went to the UK to build a 10,000-ton cargo ship, and the price in the UK was US$1.8 million to US$2 million; Global Shipping only needed to provide 20% of the capital, and HSBC would provide a loan for the rest.
The funds for building a new boat usually come from a down payment, and then the final payment is paid after the boat is built. Generally, it takes about a year and a half to build a ship.
(End of chapter)
