Time flies, and it’s New Year’s Day, 1961, in a blink of an eye.
In the morning, Lin Zhichao woke up from the presidential suite of Miramar Hotel, surrounded by his two lovely wives, and he showed a knowing smile.
The Miramar Hotel started its 'soft opening' on Christmas Eve. As the owner, Lin Zhichao also brought his family to spend New Year's Day and conduct experiential inspections.
This is his exclusive suite. The Miramar Hotel has a total of seventy-two suites, including twenty-four presidential suites.
After getting up, Lin Zhichao's naked body was exposed in the air. He didn't care about it at all. He came to the window of the 'Moon Cave Gate' and looked at Victoria Harbor and Central in the distance. He seemed to be in a good mood.
The 17-storey Miramar Hotel is already the tallest building in Kowloon because there is a height limit here (due to Kai Tak Airport); but although the Miramar Hotel is only 17 storeys high, its floor area is as high as over 500,000. Square feet, each floor has more than 30,000 square feet, which is very huge.
The beauty on the bed stretched out her cream-skinned arms and looked at the watch on the bedside table.
"Husband, it's only six o'clock in the morning. You got up so early, how can you still play golf?" Tang Caiyun said with a smile.
Lin Zhichao turned around and saw that the skin exposed in the air was so white and delicate. Although the slowly rising altitude was covered by the sheets, one could still see its majesty.
Women, following Lin Zhichao will only become more and more beautiful, younger and younger, and their skin will get better and better. This is the magical place.
Of course, although Tang Caiyun already has four children, she is only 32 years old this year.
"There's a gym! I'm going to release some energy, you know." After saying that, he didn't forget to show his strong body.
At this time, he did not look like a gentleman and businessman, but rather like a boy in a young lover.
At this time, Xu Caiying deliberately pulled down the bed sheet, instantly revealing her pure and pure upper body, and then deliberately pulled it up again.
"No, didn't you serve me well last night? I still have a lot of energy in the morning!"
Lin Zhichao came to her with a smile, then shook his hand and whispered: "Exercise your body to become stronger. Otherwise, how can I satisfy my two lovely wives!"
Xu Caiying said softly, "Hmm", this hand is a friend of magic.
She immediately exuded the innocence of a girl and the charm of a young woman, and said, "Isn't there a lovely wife far away in the United States? I will get my wish soon."
Audrey Hepburn has already taken her children and rushed towards Hong Kong.
Lin Zhichao suddenly showed a longing expression!
Immediately arousing dissatisfaction from the two women, Lin Zhichao laughed and went to get dressed. He had to experience the hotel gym.
In fact, if it were based on four-star standards, Miramar Hotel could have more than 800 rooms; but now, Miramar Hotel is built according to five-star hotel standards, with nearly 680 rooms (sets).
Gyms, indoor swimming pools and other facilities are all available; foreigners coming to Hong Kong have always liked sports, and the Miramar Hotel can satisfy them.
When I arrived at the gym, it was half past six, and there were already male and female staff waiting for guests at the front desk. He didn't even recognize Lin Zhichao, because he had never lectured anyone at all. He had only held management meetings at most.
Very standard service. Next, Lin Zhichao also started to exercise on the treadmill. After a simple inquiry, the male staff watched from a short distance away. If the customer has something that he doesn't understand or has a need, he can help immediately.
Thirty minutes later, Lin Zhichao finished his exercise and returned to his room to change his clothes. Other family members had also gotten up.
A large family came to the hotel restaurant to have breakfast.
"Lin Sheng, please come this way!" the restaurant manager greeted.
Although it is a trial opening, there are already many channels of passengers staying at the Miramar Hotel, so the occupancy rate is probably about 40%; when it is officially opened later, the passenger flow will increase immediately.
Last year, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong was already over 200,000. This figure will increase year by year. By 1971, it will exceed one million people every year.
The hotel industry in Hong Kong, except when some political events occur, can basically maintain above 95%; it is not a myth that a five-star hotel made an annual profit of 100 million in the 1980s. In its previous life, the Miramar Hotel was only a four-star hotel. In the early 1980s, its annual profit was already HK$60 million.
Because of this, Hong Kong's hotel industry has always been a high-quality asset, and investors are flocking to it.
For example, last year, Chen Zefu invested in the Capital Hotel on Nathan Road in Kowloon. Although it can only be regarded as a two- or three-star hotel, Chen Zefu is a hotel tycoon in later generations. Last year was his first investment in the hotel industry, and he has been out of control since then.
Breakfast is a 'buffet' model, with both Chinese and Western food. This is considered an innovative model. After all, the buffet only appeared in the U.S. military in 1939, and it only took 20 years to develop. The morning buffet in a five-star hotel is the first one in Asia at least.
The grade will not be lowered. On the contrary, Miramar Hotel's morning buffet can be called a gourmet collection in Hong Kong, including top-notch Chinese breakfasts such as Lu Yu Teahouse, as well as Western steaks, foie gras, etc.
With a table of delicious food, Lin Zhichao and his family enjoyed it.
"How do customers respond to this breakfast model?" Lin Zhichao asked casually when the restaurant manager came to help.
"It's surprisingly good. Whether it's foreign guests or local guests, they all give good reviews. They say it's more selective and more appetizing." The manager replied seriously.
"Yeah, I know!"
"Then Lin Sheng, please use it slowly!"
Later, while enjoying the delicious food, Lin Zhichao asked Lin Xiner with a smile: "When will you go to work? Do you want to take leave?"
Lin Xiner looked at her watch and said, "Boss, you are testing me! It's not time yet. I go to work at half past eight today!"
After all, they are administrative staff, so naturally they work from 9 to 5, maybe a little longer.
Lin Zhichao laughed and scolded: "It's not big or small! If it's too late to go to work in the future, I'll stay in a hotel. If there are no rooms in the hotel, I'll stay in my apartment. Anyway, I don't stay there often."
Lin Xiner made a funny expression and said, "Oh!"
Everyone knew that Lin Zhichao had always cared about Lin Xiner because he didn't want Lin Xiner to think of her as an outsider in this family. Lin Xiner and Lin Zhichao were both father and brother, so their relationship was very deep.
On that day, Lin Zhichao was not only experiencing the Miramar Hotel, but also giving guidance on work.
The management of the Miramar Hotel includes both the "American Western Hotel Group" as a consultant and the management of Jason, the foreign president. Overall, they are doing a very good job.
Although it is not as perfect as the Peninsula Hotel, there is something that the Peninsula Hotel cannot match, and that is the charm of a modern American-style fusion Chinese-style five-star hotel; on the contrary, the Peninsula Hotel is more like a British-style five-star hotel, sluggish, to put it nicely. A gentleman at first, or, to put it mildly, an old-fashioned British gentleman.
Miramar Hotel has many Chinese elements. Even the buildings borrowed from the "classical garden" moon cave door, and the interior decoration also has some Chinese style. Lin Zhichao developed the American style managed by the "American Western Hotel Group" into a "Hong Kong-style hotel". Later, Hong Kong's hotel industry also had a place in the world because everyone found their own style - integrating everything into one.
After New Year's Day.
Wheelock Chairman John Madden came to Lin Zhichao's office in Global Shipping and proposed to transfer 15% of Asia Shipping's shares again, which was almost 12 million Hong Kong dollars.
Leaning on the sofa, Lin Zhichao smiled and joked: "If Mr. Madden transfers another 15% of the shares to me, then the Asian Shipping Company's surname will be Lin."
With a full 30% stake, Madden probably still has more than 20% left in his hands, so the major shareholder has indeed gone to the Lin family.
Madden Jr. said nonchalantly: "If Mr. Lin wants to serve as the chairman of a listed company, I can make him available at the next board meeting. For me, I hope to achieve real cooperation with Mr. Lin, not competition."
He heard from his father that if he wanted to do business with Hong Kong Chinese, Lin Chi-chao would be his first choice. In fact, he himself admired Lin Zhichao's long-term leasing method and analysis of the shipping situation.
Lin Zhichao then said: "The chairmanship of Asia Shipping is still Mr. Madden, and I have no intention of taking a peek. Instead, I hope that after the share transfer is completed, Asia Shipping will issue new shares to raise funds to order oil tankers."
If new shares are issued, Madden will definitely not subscribe, so the shares will be diluted.
But just by transferring the shares, Asia Shipping did not obtain the funds. Even if it used the money in the account and loans, it did not develop much.
Therefore, the financing model of issuing new shares must be added.
For this shipping company, Lin Zhichao also hopes to develop it to more than 1 million tons.
After hearing this, Xiao Maden said happily: "Of course, I invited Mr. Lin to join this company because I hope to achieve better development."
Lin Zhichao knew that like his father, little Madden was "a big fan of success" and only liked the "skin" but not the "substance"; just like Wheelock in his previous life, the Zhang Yuliang family accounted for more than 40%, while the Madden family only 20%.
Lin Zhichao said seriously: "Okay, let's settle it. Since I joined Asia Shipping, I naturally don't want just these few ships. Asia Shipping uses its own funds (more than 7 million) and raises an additional 20 million, We can build a 100,000-ton tanker.”
Little Madden was shocked when he heard that a 100,000-ton oil tanker was worth about 50 million Hong Kong dollars, which was almost 70% of the market value of Asia's shipping industry.
However, he soon understood that with Lin Zhichao's connections in the shipping industry, the ship could be easily leased; using the rent to repay the loan would be a piece of cake.
"Okay, I'll just follow your arrangements and formally formulate the strategy at the board of directors later."
After seeing off Xiao Maden, Lin Zhichao sketched his "Asian Shipping" blueprint on his desk.
Last year, the trading volume of the Hong Kong stock market was more than 1.4 billion. The stock market will be more active this year. With a little speculation, the market value of Asia Shipping can exceed 100 million in the first half of the year.
At that time, we will take the opportunity to issue 20% of new shares and raise about 20 million yuan, which will cover half of the funds for the 100,000-ton oil tanker.
Lin Zhichao wants to slowly increase his shareholding to about 70% by issuing new shares. This is his goal.
As a result, Global Shipping already has three subsidiaries:
Global Shipping: A shipping company that cooperates with HSBC, Global Shipping holds 60% of the shares; currently this shipping company has four 100,000-ton oil tankers, four 56,000-ton oil tankers, and 100% equity of Hong Kong Airlines. There are still nearly 10 million US dollars in funds on the account, and two 100,000-ton oil tankers can be built this year. This company specializes in the development of oil tankers and does not participate in the development of cargo ships and containers.
Huaxing Shipping: It is a joint venture between Global Shipping and the Seamen's Pension System. Global Shipping holds 80% of the shares and mainly operates a dozen old second-hand cargo ships. In the later period, we will continue to operate bulk carriers and develop towards million-ton bulk carriers. In 1972, it will go public to raise funds, repay previous debts, and conduct subsequent development.
Asia Shipping: As a listed company, Lin Zhichao plans to develop the container ship business in the future. In recent years, it has made full use of the principle of fund-raising and developed rapidly.
Of course, as the parent company, the development of Global Shipping is the focus, which is to develop the business of tankers and containers. Later, the bulk carriers will be handed over to the subsidiary for development.
Half a month later, Miramar Hotel and Miramar Shopping Center were officially opened at the same time, and Hong Kong celebrities gathered at the scene. The Governor of Hong Kong, Robert Brown, personally cut the ribbon for this project. This is not only because of Lin Zhichao's reputation, but also because this project will contribute to the development of Hong Kong's economy.
The ribbon-cutting scene was set up on the central stage of the shopping mall, surrounded by a circular patio. The railings on the second and third floors were surrounded by a large number of police and tourists.
After Bai Liji cut the ribbon, Lin Zhichao took him and other guests to visit the entire shopping mall.
The bright environment, glass walls, and rows of shops are all refreshing. This is probably a modern shopping mall in the true sense, and shopping malls in the United States may not be so modern.
The products inside are basically mid-range. For tourists, it is definitely a shopping paradise.
"Mr. Lin, how many people can this shopping center receive per day?" Bai Liji asked curiously.
"Theoretically, there are 30,000 to 50,000 people! The shopping mall model uses the cluster effect to gather people from the surrounding areas and provide one-stop services for food, drink and entertainment. Coupled with the Miramar Hotel, it can provide customers with all the functions of food, clothing, housing and transportation. Lin Zhichao introduced.
At this time, many guests were walking around on their own, and there would be a grand reception for everyone later at the Miramar Hotel.
Bai Liji said with emotion: "This project seems to be able to bring together businesses in Kowloon and become a landmark building in Hong Kong. The only pity is that it is not a coastal location, otherwise it can make greater contributions to Hong Kong's tourism industry." A big contribution.”
Lin Zhichao responded: "Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon will become a tourist area. The development here will be rapid, so there will be no shortage of landmark buildings. I believe that in ten or twenty years, bustling businesses will be everywhere in this area."
Bai Liji has a feeling that among the Chinese and foreign people in Hong Kong he has come into contact with, Lin Zhichao is the most optimistic about the development of Hong Kong. When talking about the development of Hong Kong, he can always talk endlessly and is very confident.
Even he, the governor, does not know how well Hong Kong will develop in the future, but Lin Zhichao, a representative of Chinese businessmen, is very optimistic.
In fact, even the UK does not attach great importance to Hong Kong, at least for now.
Walking into a Chow Tai Fook jewelry store and looking at the sparkling diamond jewelry on the counter, Lin Zhichao asked Zheng Yutong who was waiting to explain to Bai Liji.
"Diamond products, does Hong Kong also have diamond jewelry?"
Zheng Yutong immediately introduced: "Yes, our Chow Tai Fook Jewelry has just obtained the De Beer diamond license and officially launched diamond jewelry."
It was Lin Zhichao who reminded Zheng Yutong that he should go to South Africa and acquire a diamond processing factory with a De Beer license. After more than a year of waiting, Zheng Yutong finally got what he wanted.
Therefore, Zheng Yutong also knows how to repay kindness. Chow Tai Fook leased a large store in Miramar Shopping Center and launched diamond jewelry here.
It can increase the popularity of this place!
Zheng Yutong obtained the De Beer license two years in advance, which will not have a great impact on his future development. In the short term, of course it will have an impact, so I am very grateful to Lin Zhichao for his guidance.
After enjoying the visit to the Miramar Shopping Center, Bai Liji finished his work for the rest of the day and continued to visit the Miramar Hotel.
Along the way, there was a lively lion and dragon dance here. Even though it was Wednesday, it still couldn't stop Hong Kong people from flocking here. Many tourists also checked into the Miramar Hotel directly after arriving in Hong Kong.
After all these signs appeared, some British people suddenly had some ideas.
First, the Peninsula Hotel, owned by the Kadoorie family, will be challenged by the Miramar Hotel. Both are on Nathan Road. Although the location of the Peninsula Hotel is better, the Miramar Hotel is newer and is a commercial complex, echoing the principle of foreign tourists. Dragon's choice.
Secondly, it is the envy of the Kowloon Group. They own a large amount of coastal land, but do not have the Miramar Hotel to make money. They will soon have new ideas; I just don’t know if the Ocean Terminal will be born in advance. After all, this pier is building a shopping mall. , even more advantageous because the cruise ship dock is right here.
On that day, Miramar Hotel and Miramar Shopping Center were a great success, attracting tourists from home and abroad. The occupancy rate of Miramar Hotel has reached 90%, and the passenger flow of Miramar Shopping Center has reached more than 20,000 people.
The media in Hong Kong went to follow up and report one after another. For a time, 'Miramar Hotel' and 'Miramar Shopping Center' became the hottest 'words' in the Hong Kong media.
As the boss, Lin Zhichao has naturally become more famous in the real estate industry.
(End of chapter)
