Time flies, and a month passes in the blink of an eye.
Mid-July, weekend.
At the Royal Golf Course in Fanling, Lin Zhichao and Sandus were playing waves. He had been maintaining his relationship with Sandus because he knew that Sandus could aspire to the chairmanship of HSBC Bank.
After all, Sandus is working. No matter how high the HSBC salary is, can he become a rich man?
Obviously it can't be done, but Lin Zhichao can make him a rich man. This is the secret deal between the two.
During the fight, Sandus asked with concern: "I heard that your oil tanker business in Europe is not going very smoothly. Is there any impact?"
Lin Zhichao looked relaxed and asked curiously: "Where did you hear this news?"
Sandus shrugged and said: "I heard some rumors that you seemed to have rejected the cooperation proposal of the Clark Oil Company, thus offending the European oil companies. There are also some rumors that because you are a Hong Kong Chinese, you are not allowed to work in Europe because you are a Hong Kong Chinese. Discriminated against."
Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It can't be so serious! I did reject the cooperation agreement with Clark Oil because the conditions were too bad and not in the interests of global shipping. Moreover, I just went to Clark Oil to promote it, so I didn't Offend the entire European oil companies!"
Sandus thought for a moment and then said: "Maybe some of these rumors are exaggerated! But now that you have become a large ship owner with a carrying capacity of one million tons, you can actually consider becoming a British citizen. In this way, many troubles will disappear. And with your strength, naturalization is very easy.”
Lin Zhichao also had some thoughts when he heard about naturalization. If you want to become a world-class businessman, it is very convenient to have a Western nationality. Moreover, Hong Kong defaults to dual citizenship. If you become a foreign national, as long as you do not voluntarily withdraw from Hong Kong, your Hong Kong citizenship will not be revoked, even in 2023.
On the other hand, Lin Zhichao will not cling to one party's thighs. When he invests in one party, he must be aiming to make money; if you need me, I will come, and if you don't, I will leave.
As long as the business environment is good, he will invest.
However, in Lin Zhichao's mind, he still wants to be a pure Chinese; but he also wants to do business in the West, even around the world.
After thinking for a short time, Lin Zhichao insisted: "I think Hong Kong citizenship is quite good. Being a Hong Konger is something I am very proud of!"
Even if he wants to be naturalized, it will be naturalized by his sons. His mind has been fixed and it will be difficult to pass the test in his heart. But his sons, by the 1970s, were able to share the burden for him.
By then, it will be the time for large-scale overseas development, and it is still possible for them to have dual citizenship.
Young people, what’s wrong with pursuing fashion!
Sandus had no choice but to say: "Then your business in Europe may be a little difficult to make progress for the time being!"
Of course he hoped that Lin Zhichao would choose to become a naturalized citizen, which would save him some trouble.
Lin Zhichao smiled and said, "How about we make a bet!"
Sundarshi asked: "What are you betting on?"
Lin Zhichao said: "How about I bet on whether CMC can reach a cooperation with me this year? Moreover, they must have taken the initiative to invite me to cooperate?"
When Sandus heard this, he found it unbelievable that the Salt Lake Oil Company was bullying customers, so there was no reason to compromise with a Hong Kong shipowner.
"Okay. If you do it, I'll give you a treat!"
"A word is settled"
Afterwards, the two continued to play golf.
Although Sandus was curious about why Lin Zhichao was so confident, he didn't ask any more questions, otherwise the bet would be meaningless.
Of course, the two of them were just making a small bet, and it was impossible to bet on anything.
The next day.
At the beginning of the new week, Lin Zhichao and the senior executives of Global Shipping held a morning meeting in the conference room because there would be a technical meeting later.
Lin Zhichao was the first to say: "The telegraph liaison office in Suez must be kept open recently to deliver the canal information from there in a timely manner. Although the British and French troops have withdrawn from Egypt in June, they still control the Suez Canal. I think this is a Issues that are easy to dispute, so we keep the information flowing.”
In the first half of this year, Global Shipping recruited Egyptians in the city of Suez and set up an information branch to investigate the busy situation at the port and then send it to Global Shipping's global information network via radio.
In this way, you can avoid some troubles and get first-hand information first.
Liao Changgui, director of the Communications Department, immediately said: "Okay. Our ships will contact this liaison office before entering the Suez Canal. There should be no problems."
At this time, core executives such as Feng Yongfa and Gao Qiqiang suddenly understood why the boss had driven three large oil tankers into the Gulf of Aden port. It had been more than ten days (it took some time to register at the Hong Kong port).
In fact, Lin Zhichao couldn't hold it for long. If he waited another month, he would have to be suspicious and then go find charterers for the three oil tankers.
Of course, it’s still just a one-way short-term rental.
It's not that the European market cannot be opened, but Lin Zhichao has not negotiated with other oil companies other than Salk Oil. He believes that the power of Salk Oil cannot affect other European oil companies. After all, there are real advantages. .
However, the more uncooperative the Oil Company was, the more he insisted on seeking cooperation from the Oil Company.
At this time, there was no oil production in Europe. If the Suez Canal was closed and it took a detour to the Cape of Good Hope, it would take an extra 16 to 17 days. This is just one way, and the round trip would take an extra 32 days.
As a result, there are simply not enough oil tankers in the world, and they are far from enough, because oil transported from the Middle East to Europe and the Americas must pass through the Suez Canal. In the same way, trade between the Americas, Europe and Asia also uses the Suez Canal.
Next, Lin Zhichao asked: "How is the maintenance situation of the entire fleet?"
Starting from July, all ships that have completed one-way short-term charters will go into the dock for maintenance, which will take about 7 to 14 days. This is to prepare for the next big job.
Technical department manager He Yunjin said: "Everything is being arranged in an orderly manner, and 60% of the ships have been maintained so far."
Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Where are the customers?"
Gao Qiqiang immediately said: "There is no problem. Everyone knows that it is a second-hand ship. They are very satisfied that we are willing to spend money to maintain it."
Global Shipping has more than 70 ships, especially more than 60 cargo ships, so if customers are in a hurry, they can dispatch them.
In today's meeting, everyone has already felt the atmosphere of "preparation before war". The boss has been particularly strict with his work recently, and everyone knows that it is unusual. Analyze the situation carefully - the British and French troops have withdrawn from Egypt, but they control the Suez Canal. Everyone speculates that there will still be a war?
OK! Everyone can only make a casual guess.
In the hot summer, Lin Zhichao took his family to Villa No. 79 in Deep Water Bay.
As soon as they entered the gate, both women and children were amazed, and the surprise in their eyes was undisguised.
It turns out that Villa No. 79 in Deep Water Bay has been renovated and cleaned.
Of course, it will take half a year to move in. The first is to get some fresh air, and the second is to arrange the details.
The family first visited the podium, and then came to the core area of the villa above the podium. Not to mention how happy they were.
Lin Zhichao told everyone: "From now on, mom and we will live on the third floor, and Xin'er and the children will live on the second floor. The first floor is the living room, dining room, kitchen, and ancestral hall area."
Wu Wenying said with a smile: "It would be better for me to live on the second floor. There are many rooms on this floor!"
Lin Zhichan refused and said, "If you don't live on the third floor, how can we dare to live there? There are six bedrooms, three living rooms, and three bathrooms on the second and third floors."
In any case, Wu Wenying is the symbolic authority in the family. Although Lin Zhichao is the one who calls the shots at home, Lin Zhichao and his two wives must respect etiquette. Just like eating, although Lin Zhichao sits at the top, Wu Wenying also has to sit opposite Lin Zhichao, instead of sitting on the left and right sides.
Wu Wenying saw that Lin Zhichao had made all the arrangements, so she did not refuse. Now her two grandsons can sleep in a separate room without a nanny. She has also gradually withdrawn from the tedious matters between her grandsons and done some activities of her own. This is Her son encouraged her, such as going out to play mahjong with people in her circle, relatives and friends, and making appointments to go shopping together.
"Okay, I'll live on the third floor and occasionally stay with my grandson!"
Lin Xiner said at this time: "I already have five nieces and nephews. If my sister-in-law has one more, I will have to live on the first floor!" After saying that, she did not forget to hold Xu Caiying's arm and do some fun.
Xu Caiying said: "If you feel aggrieved, then live on the third floor!"
Lin Xiner looked at Lin Zhichao strangely, and then said, "I don't want it!"
It was quite embarrassing to see my brother and sister-in-law doing that, even though it happened during an intimate moment.
Lin Zhichao is very thick-skinned. He believes that food is also a nature, which means that after eating at night, it is time to do that.
"Don't worry! The children are still young and will be crowded into two or three rooms. When they can live alone, it's time for you to get married!"
Lin Xiner muttered, "If you drive me away, you might as well live on the first floor!"
Everyone laughed. In fact, everyone understood that it was impossible for Lin Zhichao to force Lin Xiner to marry.
After a visit, everyone put on their swimsuits and enjoyed the swimming pool. The villa has two swimming pools - indoor and outdoor. It is probably the most fashionable design of this era, because the rich people in this era who can afford to live in garden villas are all antiques. They either learn European palace design or Chinese style.
Lin Zhichao's villa design is a combination of American style, European style, and Chinese style. The independent courtyard has a Chinese pavilion and a small bridge with flowing water. The overall planning of the podium is Hawaiian style. The three-story villa is European style, and the interior is It is a modern style.
I believe that in a few years, many people in Hong Kong will follow the style of Deep Water Bay No. 79. After all, Lin Zhichao's effect is still very large.
In the outdoor swimming pool, Tang Caiyun, Xu Caiying, and Lin Xiner, who had put on sunscreen, came out one after another, making Lin Zhichao's eyes light up. It can be said that three beauties gathered together to blind Lin Zhichao's eyes.
"Where's Mom?" No matter how old you are, you also have a catchphrase.
Tang Caiyun said with a smile: "Mom wants to play with the children in the indoor swimming pool!"
Lin Zhichao's children naturally started learning swimsuits at the age of three or four. This is just a basic skill; with female bodyguards watching, there will be no problems.
"Xin'er suffered a lot in the early years!" Lin Zhichao suddenly sighed.
The three girls didn't understand why. Lin Xiner said slightly sadly, "It's okay. Just three years after my dad died, life has been a little worse."
When Lin Yunjie was alive, although his family was poor, he could earn some income from teaching. After his death, the Lin family had no choice but to dig the land. Lin Zhichao farmed for two years before traveling to Hong Kong.
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Whoever talks to you about those things is all from the past! I mean, you were a little malnourished when you were a child. There is still a difference between you and them." After saying that, his eyes stopped somewhere on Lin Xiner.
"Ah! Brother!"
Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying laughed out loud, Lin Xiner suddenly refused, the three girls had a water fight, and the spring scenery in the swimming pool was infinitely beautiful.
Lin Zhichan naturally appreciated it. The swimsuits of this era were naturally quite conservative, but even so, they fully reflected a woman's figure. Therefore, Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying have never been to a public swimming pool. They occasionally go to beaches with few people to play, or drive speedboats to the sea.
At this time, Tang Caiyun, although she had given birth to three children, was still charming, with a bit more charm as a young woman, and her every frown and every smile was charming;
Although Xu Caiying also has two children, she still looks like a girl. Time has not taken away her innocence. She still looks like she is eighteen or nineteen years old, so beautiful that it is difficult to take her eyes away;
As for Lin Xiner, she has an intellectual beauty, a little lively in her quietness, and I don’t know who will benefit from it in the future. She is a princess trained by Lin Zhichao. In terms of family background, the Lin family is a scholarly family. Her grandfather is a judge and her father is a teacher. Lin Xiner is now also a top student studying abroad; in terms of her current family, the Lin family is a wealthy family. In this three-acre land of Hong Kong, they are definitely a wealthy family. So, I can only say that this guy is cheap.
"What beautiful things are you thinking about!" Just when Lin Zhichao was in a state of trance, a sweet shout came, followed by splashes of water from the three women.
Lin Zhichao dived decisively, and the three women suddenly panicked. They were familiar with Lin Zhichao, but they knew that Lin Zhichao was a sea king, a conqueror in the sea, and proficient in swimming and diving.
A pair of white, well-proportioned legs appeared in front of Lin Zhichao's eyes under the water. He saw that these thighs were panicking. Unfortunately, in Lin Zhichao's eyes, she was too slow.
"Ah" Tang Caiyun panicked, and then fell into the water softly.
Then, Lin Zhichao lifted him up from the water and held him in his arms.
The other two were triumphant not far away.
Even more proud was Tang Caiyun. After the panic, she lay happily in Lin Zhichao's arms.
After everyone played for a while, they packed up and prepared to go back to their home on Qiande Road. After all, there was no 'stove' here yet.
A new week has begun, it’s already late July.
Lin Zhichao felt a little uneasy. Will history repeat itself?
After all, more than 90% of Global Shipping's long-term contracts have expired, and it is currently executing one-way short-term charter contracts and fixed routes for old customers; and those vessels with one-way short-term charter are all staying in the port.
To be honest, this step somewhat surprised and even dissatisfied the old Japanese customers. Because they used to give you long-term leases during peak times, but now when shipping conditions are normal, Global Shipping is reluctant to give you long-term leases, which makes them think Lin Zhichao is a bit shrewd.
Of course, Japanese customers have no choice, because overall, the price given by Lin Zhichao is the most suitable (discount), and another company will not rent it to you for a long time; what's more, everyone is already used to cooperation, and they are very interested in Global Shipping's fleet. The quality is very satisfactory and it has the nature to rely on global shipping.
In fact, Lin Zhichao still has a magic weapon. Once the Suez Canal crisis breaks out, he will rent out the cargo ship for a three-year lease or even a five-year lease. The important thing is that he can collect all the Japanese yen. This is to properly take care of Japanese leasing customers. .
Lin Zhichao was not at a loss either. He originally planned to build a large number of ships in Japan, and he did not need to consider converting the Japanese yen into US dollars. Moreover, the Japanese yen not only maintains its value, but will also appreciate in the future.
Time passed day by day, and Lin Zhichao was waiting eagerly every day.
Finally, on July 26, Egyptian President Nasser announced that the Egyptian government announced that the Suez Canal Company would be nationalized and all the company's properties would be transferred to Egypt. At the same time, fleets from non-friendly countries are not allowed to pass through the Suez Canal.
World shipping is in an uproar!
Fleets from non-friendly countries are not allowed to pass through the Suez Canal. This means that the fleets of the United Kingdom, France, and the United States cannot pass, and naturally the Japanese fleet cannot pass, and ships from Hong Kong, which is still a British colony, cannot pass.
This means that more than 80% of the world's ships can only go around the Cape of Good Hope.
Suddenly, shipping prices began to soar.
Samuel Oil.
Wei Long of the chartering department was frustrated because many shipowners began to shirk the chartering matter. He knew that these people would rather dock the ship in the port and wait for the price to rise.
"Manager, Onassis said that after completing the mission, his ship may go to the dock for maintenance for a week or two, and the contract will not be renewed for the time being." A subordinate came to report.
Weilong immediately slapped the desk and said angrily: "Damn it! These Greek guys are raising prices, how much increase do they have to make before they are willing to renew the lease?"
The subordinate said: "Greek oil tankers occupy a large share of the market. Now they have joined forces to raise prices. It is expected that freight rates will increase by more than three or four times."
It is impossible to double the price, because the distance itself is twice as far. The original 45-day voyage (round trip plus port time) now takes about 75 days; in this way, the single shipping fee must be doubled.
Another calculation is that because we need to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, the world's shipping capacity is in chaos, almost 30 to 50% of the shipping capacity is missing. As a result, shipowners will naturally have to raise prices, so they have to double again, so the freight rate rises to 4 times is more reasonable.
However, things are often unreasonable, so 5 times the shipping fee is normal.
Weilong had a big headache because Europe did not produce oil, especially the oil that Britain and France needed had to be transported back from the Middle East, so they must have enough transportation.
Otherwise, this will have a huge impact on the European economy.
"We take the initiative to increase prices for them. We must rent ships as soon as possible. Once there is a shortage of oil, it will be a really bad thing."
At this time, the subordinate said: "We take the initiative to increase the price, but we can't satisfy their appetite at all. We might as well test their intentions. By the way, manager, have you forgotten who owns the largest oil tankers in the world? Big oil tankers can not only go smoothly Through the Cape of Good Hope, and the amount of oil transported at one time is huge, the corresponding price can be reasonably reduced."
Weilong was shocked and said: "Yes, it is the Asian shipping king. He owns eight large oil tankers of 56,000 tons. I almost forgot about him. Yes, I will contact Global Shipping immediately. I believe they must not be like Greece. The owner is so arrogant."
He had forgotten who treated Global Shipping with arrogance, and it was like grasping at a life-saving straw.
The subordinate said: "Yes! The important thing is that the advantages of large oil tankers are too great. Now many oil tankers of 10,000 to 20,000 tons may not dare to cross the Cape of Good Hope. The large oil tankers owned by Global Shipping will become the backbone of transportation in the world. "
It’s not that a ship of 10,000 to 20,000 tons cannot cross the Cape of Good Hope, but the risk will increase in strong winds and waves.
Weilong was not arrogant at this time. He could not wait to contact Global Shipping immediately, hoping to lease several 56,000-ton ships to relieve his difficulties.
At the same time, many oil companies in the world are thinking about global shipping. They may have been laughing at it a while ago that it was a sign of rashness for an Asian shipowner to build so many large oil tankers.
But these days, global shipping is king!
There are only 15 oil tankers with over 45,000 tons in the world, but Global Shipping accounts for half of them!
Larger ships not only mean that they can pass through the Cape of Good Hope smoothly, but also mean increased shipping capacity, reduced costs, etc.
Because of this incident, major shipbuilding countries in the world are considering building larger ships. (End of chapter)
