After returning to Hong Kong for a week, Lin Zhichao started his trip to Europe and the United States.
When he came to New York, he immediately met with Malcolm Maclean.
At the beginning, Lin Zhichao's guidance allowed the "Father of Containers" to win the bet that John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States. You know, at that time, Kennedy's chance of being elected was like 5%, or even lower; so Malcolm McLean got close to him at that time, and quickly gained Kennedy's trust and became a good friend.
"Lin, I will suggest to President Kennedy to receive you, so please stay in New York during this period." Malcolm McLean said seriously.
Although Lin Zhichao has been received by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Japan, he has not yet met the president of the United States. After all, it is still a bit difficult to meet the president of the United States, the world’s boss.
Of course, Lin Zhichao's fleet has always been a mystery. It has been rumored that it is less than two million tons, half of which are old ships. Otherwise, if Lin Zhichao shows his true strength, the President of the United States will take the initiative to meet him.
The reason why the shipping king is so influential is because 90% of the world's trade must be transported by sea. At the same time, it is natural that the shipbuilding industry is the economic backbone of many countries.
"No problem, thank you Mr. Malcolm McLean for the introduction!" Lin Zhichao said seriously.
Naturally, he also wanted to meet this excellent president, Kennedy, who he heard was very charming. When he was running for president, his appearance and good conversation were an important reason for his victory over Nixon, because many women in the United States were "brainless fans" of Kennedy.
Malcolm MacLean said mysteriously: "Lin, I have not forgotten your contribution, so I told President Kennedy from the beginning that you had supported him very early, but due to your status, you were inconvenient to join his campaign. Team. He has always been touched, but he didn’t expect that your blessing really made him successfully elected.”
When he contacted Kennedy, Kennedy had not yet announced his election, so he successfully joined the 18-person campaign team and became a close friend of the president. After the successful election, he could have been promoted to an official position, but he chose to continue doing business. But a friendship with the president developed, which led to his decision to promote container shipping from the United States and Europe.
Lin Zhichao was flattered and said: "That's really my honor!"
Subsequently, the two exchanged opinions on the development of containers. Now that Malcolm McLean has the president as a good friend, he can minimize the union interference behind container transportation; if the transatlantic 'European and American Container Transportation' succeeds, then the container The advantages of transportation will be immediately noticed by all countries, which will promote the development of containers.
At the same time, Lin Zhichao and Malcolm McLean will build a temporary container terminal in Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, to supply supplies for the United States to support Vietnam; in this way, container transportation between the Americas and Asia will be opened up.
If we advance step by step, Global Shipping, as the first to participate, will naturally have priority in obtaining the tender for the Kwai Chung Container Terminal.
If the Hong Kong government develops container terminals, it will inevitably set up a committee, and the first three terminals will definitely have political factors. As a Chinese, Lin Zhichao is at a disadvantage, so he must win over allies to get a share of the pie first.
There is no need to show too much aggression, otherwise it will arouse the resentment of the British capital and the British Hong Kong government, thus alerting the enemy; in Lin Zhichao's view, most of the Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong was tendered in the 1980s, and he had plenty of time. What's more, Wharf and Hutchison are in his pocket, and he will never lack the container terminal in Kwai Chung in the future.
"By the way, Lin, what do you think about container ships?" Malcolm McLean asked humbly.
Since getting along with Lin Zhichao, he knew that Lin Zhichao's shipping skills were very high.
Lin Zhichao said: "At present, container ships are all renovated, and there are no shipyards specially built. I personally think that the American Victory ship is more suitable for remodeling because of its large deck."
The deck of the Victory freighter was large because tanks and other military equipment needed to be placed on it during World War II.
Malcolm McLean nodded and said: "The Victory Wheel is indeed a better type of modification, but the bottom is too hollow and easily unstable. Therefore, the center of gravity at the bottom must be increased."
Lin Zhichao agreed: "Yes, the bottom gravity can be strengthened to stabilize the center of gravity. Moreover, the Victory-type ships are all from the early 1940s, and the modification cost is low, which is very cost-effective. As far as I know, the American Victory-type freighters There are also quite a few second-hand ones.”
Malcolm McLean's eyes lit up, and he immediately said: "That's right! By the way, do you need it? How many ships can I find for you?"
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "I have accumulated a few ships over the years, which should be enough."
Malcolm McLean said in surprise: "Did you think about container transportation a long time ago?"
Lin Zhichao said regretfully: "In 1953, I wanted to conduct container tests in Hong Kong and Japan, but you know, at that time, I was not strong enough and my influence was not enough. Because of this, I wrote that article in 1954 .”
Malcolm McLean smiled and said: "So, the title of 'Father of Containers' should belong to you."
"Haha, I'm so young, how can I take on this honor!"
"It makes sense, then I'll put it on!"
The two laughed and joked.
The two of them, now more like a pair of close friends allied for their ideals, often discussed the development of containers.
While waiting to be interviewed by Kennedy, Lin Zhichao was not idle. On this day, he came to the New York branch of Global Shipping, which is second only to the Hong Kong headquarters. Vice President Bobby Blair often works here.
In fact, the Japanese market is currently the most important in global shipping. Four of the eight 100,000-ton oil tankers that have been launched have been leased to Japanese customers. As for the eight 100,000-ton oil tankers that will be launched one after another, three of them were finalized by Lin Zhichao last month and were leased by Nippon Shipping and Sanko Shipping respectively.
The remaining five ships will naturally be marketed to European and American customers. Currently, there are three European and American customers of Global Shipping - Exxon, Tesco and Clairvoyance.
"boss"
"Well, Vice President Bobby, long time no see."
Bobby and several members of the management team greeted Lin Zhichao at the door, and then everyone inspected the branch together. There are about a dozen employees and a special information reception room.
"What's the progress on Exxon and Deshigu?" Lin Zhichao asked.
Since Bobby took office, Lin Zhichao has taken him to visit three customers in Europe and the United States, and will serve as everyone's liaison in the future. Lin Zhichao will still be personally involved in the leasing of large oil tankers, but Bobby can help him a lot.
Bobby said: "Including Clark Oil Company, three customers are interested in leasing, saying that they are very satisfied with the 100,000-ton oil tanker we built and the quality of the sailors, and are willing to strengthen cooperation. There is also a company called 'Incomparable Oil' in the United States, which also Expressed willingness to cooperate once and hopes to lease a 100,000-ton oil tanker for a three-year lease period.”
Lin Zhichao said: "There are still five ships. I have sold three in Japan, and all four companies are striving for cooperation; especially Wubi Petroleum. If we cooperate once this year, we can continue to cooperate next year."
He has now experienced the influence brought by fame and credibility, and many customers actively seek cooperation. Global Shipping has become famous because it has launched eight 100,000-ton oil tankers and has become the largest owner of the top ten largest oil tankers in the world.
At the same time, in order to control these oil tankers, Global Shipping has deployed a large number of experienced senior seamen on them, and even equipped them with senior foreign seamen as consultants.
Bobby said: "Those five ships are no longer a problem. Once the ship is in the water, it can be officially put into operation without delaying a day. By the way, boss, I suggest building a few oil tankers of 20,000 to 30,000 tons. This kind of oil tanker is fast. Occasionally, oil companies in Europe and the United States are in urgent need of oil, and small tankers can just make up for this problem. Second-hand sub-new ships are also good and a good choice. Shipping is still a bit sluggish this year, but it should get better next year."
Lin Zhichao said without hesitation: "You implement this plan, and leave it to me for review later, and then you will be responsible."
Delegate power!
Bobby immediately said: "Okay!"
After entering this company, he realized that the boss was the real world shipping king and definitely the largest independent ship owner in the world. The total assets of Global Shipping are approximately US$300 million (above). Who can compare?
At this time, Onassis could look up to his boss.
The important thing is that the boss not only has very good relationships in the Japanese shipping industry, but also has established certain cooperative relationships in Europe and the United States. After he joined the company, he intuitively felt how good these huge relationships were.
A few days later, Lin Zhichao came to the White House in Washington and was formally received by Kennedy. Malcolm MacLean accompanied him to the interview. The official explanation must be that the President of the United States is concerned about the development of container transportation. In fact, the three parties involved knew that they had been in contact a year and a half ago.
The meeting was held in the President's Office, and there were no reporters when the two parties met. Only staff from the President's Office were present.
"Hello, Mr. President!" Lin Zhichao did not appear to be groveling just because Kennedy was the president of the United States.
On the contrary, in keeping with his elegant temperament, he just bowed slightly, with a hearty smile on his face, and shook hands with Kennedy.
Kennedy looked at Lin Zhichao curiously, and then said seriously: "I am the youngest president of the United States, and you are also the youngest billionaire in the world. It seems that we are very destined."
Lin Zhichao said humbly: "You deserve the award!"
Afterwards, everyone stood and talked easily, as if there were not many rules in the office of the President of the United States.
Lin Zhichao looked at the president's desk, then curiously touched it with his hand, and asked: "Is this the desk that Queen Victoria gave to the President of the United States?"
Kennedy walked in with a smile, then patted it hard twice, and said: "Mr. Lin, feel the history of it hard, it is not that fragile."
Very interesting president!
Then a staff member from the President's Office formally introduced the history of this desk to Lin Zhichao.
This desk was from a period when relations between Britain and the United States were not good. A British expedition ship crashed, and more than a hundred sailors on board died. This expedition ship was an expedition ship sent by Britain in order to continue to maintain its world hegemony. , so important to Britain that they even sent two ships to follow the traces.
In the end, in order to ease relations with Britain, the United States sent a fleet to find it and tow it back to Britain. At this time, the United States had long been independent, and Queen Victoria also wanted to ease relations with the United States, so she divided the ship and built it into three desks, two of which were placed at Windsor Castle, and the other was given to U.S. President Franklin.
In fact, Lin Zhichao also knew that this desk had been used in the United States for more than 140 years and had served many presidents; the most famous one was, of course, the affair between Kennedy and Nixon, which caused this desk to be devastated. Of course, a lot of it was American gossip, fake Mostly news.
After chatting relaxedly for a while, the relationship between the three of them improved greatly.
Kennedy admired Lin Zhichao very much, especially when he had not yet run for president. He heard Malcolm Maclean say that the Chinese predicted that he would be elected president, which gave him some strength. Although Lin Zhichao was inconvenient to meet him because of his Chinese identity during his candidacy, he always remembered Lin Zhichao.
Later, Kennedy sat on the presidential throne, and Lin Zhichao and Malcolm MacLean stood directly in front of the desk, chatting casually to better hear Kennedy's conversation.
Although the party was official, there were no reporters or other attendees, and Kennedy left two office workers behind.
The whole conversation seemed like a private meeting, but Lin Zhichao would not take it lightly. How could a person who could become the president of the United States be pure in his intentions?
Therefore, he is able to position himself very well and is relatively formal.
Therefore, Kennedy asked: "Mr. Lin, I heard that you suggested building a container terminal in Hong Kong, which would facilitate the US's logistics support in Vietnam in the future. Can I understand that you think we are fighting for justice? Fight, fight for freedom?”
Lin Zhichao immediately explained: "Your Excellency, I am a businessman, nothing more. The reason why I say this is that I hope that container transportation can become a mainstream of world shipping, because it is really a great invention and such a good way of transportation. , I naturally hope it becomes popular.”
Upon seeing this, Kennedy stopped talking about politics and instead discussed shipping containers.
During this period, everyone also discussed the development of oil tanker shipping. Kennedy was also very willing to participate in these topics and was a very charming person.
"I am happy for Mr. Lin to participate in the economic construction of the United States and contribute to our American oil transportation."
"It's my pleasure!"
Kennedy then said: "I have a personal question. Did Mr. Lin's fleet really surpass Onassis?"
He also knew Onassis, so he asked this question.
Lin Zhichao said: "There should be as many as Mr. Niagos and Mr. Onassis combined soon!"
In recent years, Greek shipowners have been reducing their shipowners sharply, while Lin Zhichao has been increasing their numbers. As one goes, the strength of him and Onassis peaked last year.
Global Shipping has launched more than 900,000 tons of oil tankers and cargo ships this year, and will launch more than 1 million tons of ships next year.
Lin Zhichao was not exaggerating when he said this.
As for telling Kennedy this, it has no impact. Kennedy will not go to the media to publicize it. What's more, Lin Zhichao's fleet will continue to increase and will not stop. Just like China in the previous life, the weapons displayed were never the most advanced. If they could be displayed, there must be more advanced ones coming out soon.
Kennedy immediately exclaimed: "The real shipping king is in Hong Kong, not Greece!"
He had heard Malcolm Maclean say that Lin Zhichao's fleet was no longer defeated by Onassis. It turned out that it was still too underestimated.
The entire interview lasted about an hour, and then Lin Zhichao and Malcolm MacLean left. After all, as the president of the United States, Kennedy was still very busy.
In the last stop in the United States, Lin Zhichao came to Los Angeles and went on a date with Audrey Hepburn.
"Dear, IBM has been on a very strong rise this year, and its stock price is over 600 US dollars per share." Audrey Hepburn shared the joy of wealth as soon as they met.
Women are ultimately defeated by wealth.
Lin Zhichao put his arm around her waist and asked with a smile: "Miss Audrey, how much wealth do you have?"
Audrey Hepburn immediately put her arms around Lin Zhichao's neck and said, "There are already more than 35 million US dollars! Honey, should we sell some? I'm a little worried that it will fall!"
Lin Zhichao slapped Audrey Hepburn's waist fiercely, and then said: "Dare you doubt me?"
Audrey Hepburn's eyes suddenly filled with emotion, and she said eagerly: "I don't dare, you gave me all this wealth anyway!"
Lin Zhichao's hands still stayed on the two petals, rubbing them vigorously, and said: "Don't worry, I will sell it by the end of the year, and I am guaranteed to get more than 40 million. By then, everything will be cleared, and you can use the funds to buy some properties. Most of them Funds are reserved to wait for opportunities.”
"Well, I listen to you!"
"Ahem. Can you two pay attention to the heart of an old man like me!" Ella said seriously in the villa.
At this time, the Baroness was holding three-year-old Lin Ruinan and appeared next to them.
Lin Zhichao didn't care very much, but he also released his hands, hugged Audrey Hepburn's waist instead, and said: "Ella, prepare a big meal for us, we will be very hungry later!"
Immediately, he hugged Audrey Hepburn and went upstairs, not forgetting to squeeze his son's little face.
"Grandma, mom and dad went upstairs to fight again!"
In the past few years, Ella has been immersed in interacting with her grandchildren. She naturally doted on Lin Ruinan and said with a smile: "It's not a fight, if it's a slapstick!"
Sure enough, after a while, there was some movement upstairs, which became louder and louder. Ella could only take her children to play outside.
The long-awaited enthusiasm is playing out upstairs.
Lin Zhichao's current three wives are still young and beautiful, and their relationship is very good. They are the kind of people who can communicate at any time.
That evening, the eldest son Lin Ruidong also returned from school, and the family had dinner together.
Ella took the opportunity and said: "Lin, Audrey's toys are about to be launched, aren't you worried that Hepburn will completely lose her management rights?"
Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "This company is not important. Its only function is to make Audrey gain fame and fortune. But now that it has been achieved, it is not that important anymore. What's more, Audrey is still the owner of this company. The chairman and spiritual leader of the company, so you don’t have to worry, Ella.”
Audrey Hepburn has become the representative of Hollywood actresses. She has transformed from a star to a businessman, the most successful model, and has become a true upper class and aristocrat.
It can be said that with the addition of Audrey Toy Company, even American plutocrats dare not touch Audrey Hepburn, because the influence of Barbie doll is too great, causing Audrey Hepburn, the 'Mother of Barbie', to have a certain influence in the hearts of children. Great influence.
Ella nodded and said, "Yeah, but now that Audrey is investing in stocks, I think the risk is a bit high."
She now lives with her daughter and rarely has contact with her two sons. Lin Zhichao is not worried that she will defraud Audrey of her property and give it to her son, because Ella is not that kind of person.
Ella now regards herself as a member of the family. She no longer rejects Lin Zhichao, and she and Audrey take care of each other.
"No! Audrey can set up her own investment company next year, and she can invest in real estate, hotels, and stocks in the future. I won't treat her badly."
Audrey Hepburn immediately said: "Mom, don't worry about this, I will invest now!"
Only then did Ella stop the topic!
In fact, Lin Zhichao has already planned an investment company for Audrey Hepburn, with almost 45 million US dollars at the end of this year; and then set up a formal investment company next year to strengthen investment, purchase hotels and office buildings, and then mortgage them; until October next year, By buying IBM at the bottom, Audrey's net worth may reach US$200 million in 1967.
Easily, he became an important branch of the Lin Zhichao family.
As for whether Audrey Hepburn will betray him, Lin Zhichao is not worried: first, he has not paid much, and can even be said to be a free throw; after all, without Audrey Hepburn, he, a Chinese, would not be able to sell Barbie dolls. Detonating Europe and the United States; as for stocks, he just came up with an idea, which was a completely unprofitable transaction.
Secondly, Audrey Hepburn has already given birth to two sons for him. If nothing else happens, the property will still belong to his son.
Third, after so many years of training, Audrey Hepburn has become his loyal woman, and her mental and physical imprint will not be lost easily.
(End of chapter)
