The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

In the conference room of Hotung Properties, Lin Zhichao and Hotung each signed their names under the witness of their lawyers, which was regarded as a formal deal - Cheung Kong Properties acquired Des Voeux Road Central from Hotung Properties for HK$4.16 million. Land No. 77 has an area of ​​16,500 square feet.

Regarding the planning of this land, Lin Zhichao had decided to keep it secret until the late 1950s before considering building it into the most beautiful building in Hong Kong.

"Thanks to Sir Robert Ho Tung for his help, this land is very suitable for building a headquarters building. It has Victoria Harbor in front of it, which is very suitable for my global shipping." Lin Zhichao said with a smile.

This piece of land is just south of the Central Pier. Just to the north is the newly reclaimed land in Central - the future Exchange Building and International Financial Center. If Lin Zhichao builds a modern building with more than 20 floors (the tallest building in Hong Kong for a while), it will You can overlook Victoria Harbor and have an overview of the commercial bustle of Hong Kong and Kowloon, which is full of artistic conception.

Ho Tung said: "It's a pity that the land is a bit small, otherwise you could build a beautiful building like HSBC Bank."

There were many jokes in the words, which shows that the relationship between the two is still good.

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "How dare you compare with my God of Wealth? I am already satisfied to be able to build a new building."

Ho Tung added: "You can build such a foundation in five or six years. I believe that even if your company is not as big as HSBC in the future, it will not lose too much to it. When I was young, I was like you. , I am full of thoughts of making money; when I see you, I think of when I was young. Unfortunately, now that I am old, I can only guard my own one-third of an acre of land and have no intention of making progress." After saying that, I couldn't help but express my feelings for you. The old man is moved by the scene.

How could it be possible to lose to HSBC, Lin Zhichao thought in his heart.

"Thank you Sir He! But this junior is really similar to you when you were young, because my first pot of gold was also to introduce a house to Boss Li of Po Chai Wan. From then on, I developed a strong interest in making money. I am interested in making money all the time.”

Ho Tung was immediately delighted, because Lin Zhichao mentioned one of the most important things in his life, and one that he considered the most critical - when he was 26 years old, he got involved in the real estate brokerage industry (part-time, he was a Yi and comprador), he heard that Duan Na Mao Company was selling a piece of land located between Des Voeux Road and Queen's Road in Central, so he took the initiative to ask for an intermediary. The chief executive of Duanna Yang Company knew his character and ability, so he entrusted him with full authority and set a minimum price of 300,000 Hong Kong dollars. In the end, Ho Tung lived up to expectations and sold it for HK$435,000, breaking the record for the highest unit price of land since the opening of Hong Kong. Ho Tung takes a 1% commission from both the buyer and seller, totaling HK$8,700.

The two had a great time chatting, and of course it was because Lin Zhichao was good at communication.

Another group of old residential buildings - located at Nos. 16-20 Kimberley Road and Nos. 40-46 Canada Point Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, was signed by Li Gaofu himself and Robert Ho Tung Properties, and the price was negotiated, with a total price of HK$1.02 million. . This old residential building complex covers an area of ​​23,350 square feet. Because there are residential buildings above that can be rented, the rent cannot be paid according to the land price. Moreover, such residential buildings can have commercial area planned downstairs.

Overall, it’s less than HK$50 per square foot, which is really cheap. If the development preparations in 1955 were kept, a 10-story high-rise building could be built with more than 20 residential units on each floor, that is, more than 200 units, each selling for 30,000 to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is also an incredible profit.

Returning to the office of Cheung Kong Holdings, Hu Zhaoxu came to Lin Zhichao's office and reported another good news.

"Boss, the owner of No. 79 Deep Water Bay has agreed to sell it, and the price has been set at HK$480,000! After all, this owner is just an officer stationed in Hong Kong. He knows that one day he will be sent to the peninsula battlefield or return to China, so he might as well cash out. .”

Lin Zhichao nodded. In the final analysis, he was still defeated by his ability. Although the transaction was originally very unexpected, it was Lin Zhichao who took the initiative to seek the deal because he thought the feng shui was good. Naturally, the British officer took the opportunity to raise the price by 20%.

For Lin Zhichao, buying 20% ​​more expensive is not a problem. Who told him to be determined to get No. 79 Deep Water Bay?

This land is only 12,000 square feet, but it has excellent Feng Shui. There is an encircling mountain behind it, and Repulse Bay is in front of it. The mountains are surrounded by water; Nie Gaochen Mountain and Shoushen Mountain form a "double gold accumulation treasure bureau". This place There is no flat land, it is dug out, so a mountain lip is formed, allowing the dragon's energy to gather and not disperse.

"Then arrange the signing!"

"Okay, this Friday is a good day to sign the contract. I will communicate with the owner."

"feasible"

After Hu Zhaoxu left, Lin Zhichao stretched himself and thought happily about this year's property progress. To be honest, although shipping is profitable and can bring him great prestige, Lin Zhichao feels that there is no real estate to make him feel at ease.

After all, there is some truth to the old saying that sailing is three times dangerous. Real estate is an everlasting "hegemony". You may think that the landlords have disappeared, but in fact it is just a different group of people and a different method.

Cheung Kong Holdings is currently relatively successful. The properties it owns include: Paterson Street (an area of ​​more than 210,000 square feet), Sing Tao Orchard Road (an area of ​​more than 200,000 square feet), and No. 77 Des Voeux Road. (16,500 square feet of commercial land), as well as a number of scattered properties.

The Lam family owns: Conduit Road Garden House (covering an area of ​​more than 3,000 square feet) and No. 79 Deep Water Bay (more than 12,000 square feet).

Lin Zhichao's heart felt much more at ease. Next year (1952) he will continue to look for land. Every year he will buy a certain amount of land and reserve it.

In early December, global shipping.

Lin Zhichao was reviewing the accounts in the office. Global Shipping had good cost control in October and November, with profits exceeding one million US dollars. And December's rent was arriving one after another, and Lin Zhichao felt like he couldn't spend it all. Of course, this was just a 'comfort'.

In fact, shipping companies have never had enough money to spend, at least before the 1970s, this was the case.

"Dong dong"

"Come in"

Business manager Gao Qiqiang came in and reported a message: "Boss, a new ship owner has recently joined the fixed route from Yokohama to Hong Kong."

Lin Zhichao asked: "How strong is it? How many ships does it have and how many tons of carrying capacity do it have?"

It’s not that the shipping volume from Yokohama to Hong Kong is small, on the contrary it’s pretty good. Although Yokohama is only a port city in Tokyo Bay, more supplies are needed due to reconstruction.

However, fixed routes are only part of the capacity of this route, and much of the capacity is one-way short-term rental mode, or transported by Japan's own fleet.

Gu, if one more ship joins, it will still have an impact!

Gao Qiqiang said: "It's from the Ningbo Gang, called Zhao Congyan. It seems that he made a lot of money in the Peninsula Campaign and then stopped in time. It is said that there is only one ship with a tonnage of 3,500 tons, and the ship is very old."

Lin Zhichao suddenly realized, "It's him!"

Gao Qiqiang said: "Does the boss know him?"

Lin Zhichao nodded and told the story about how Zhao Congyan offended people by soliciting goods.

"It's quite the rules this time. The price and other things are similar to ours. The shipping capacity of this line is still there. If there is an extra ship, the impact will not be particularly big, but it is still there. Fortunately, we have established credibility with many merchants , it can still be dealt with.”

Although Global Shipping only has four ships on fixed routes, each of them is a large ship of 7,500 to 8,600 tons, which is still much superior to its peers.

"If this is the case, we only need to do our own thing well. The main thing is that we must ensure strong enough competitiveness to compete with other opponents." Soon, Lin Zhichao said.

"Well, let's observe and observe first to see what the specific impact is, and then we can take targeted measures." Gao Qiqiang said seriously. In his opinion, since they are competitors, they naturally have to use some tricks, which are of course allowed within the rules.

"Fixed routes are mainly for business, so it's up to you to keep an eye on this matter."

"OK"

There are four shipping kings in the Shanghai faction, Bao Yugang, Dong Haoyun, Zhao Congyan, and Cao Wenjin. Lin Zhichao wants to 'restrict' their growth, but the method must be 'above and aboveboard' and 'business talks'. Theoretically speaking, he will not do anything. of small means.

In dealing with Bao Yugang, Global Shipping has taken the lead in gaining the credibility and trust of HSBC and Japan Shipping Company. Therefore, Bao Yugang will never have half the achievements of his previous life. It is already incredible to have a fleet of several million tons.

To deal with Dong Haoyun, Global Shipping must take the lead in developing "container transportation" and even become a pioneer in container transportation.

Because the main force of Bao Yugang's fleet in the previous life was oil tankers, the main force of Dong Haoyun's fleet was container ships, the main force of Zhao Congyan's fleet was bulk carriers, and many of Cao Wenjin's fleets were in Southeast Asia, cooperating with shipping companies of Southeast Asian national teams.

In short, Global Shipping has to fight against three - Bao Yugang, Dong Haoyun and Zhao Congyan. The focus is on one against two - Bao Yugang and Zhao Congyan; because the bulk carrier business is the smallest, its development may gradually decrease in the mid-1950s.

The other side.

Zhao Congyan was sitting in the Central office building he had just rented, feeling very excited and feeling lucky to survive the disaster.

It turned out that he had been on a dangerous journey for more than a year, and he lived in fear every day, because the National Star was his most valuable property.

Fortunately, in the early part of this year, he earned a full 1.2 million US dollars, enough to buy three or four "National Star Wheels".

When the NationStar returned to Hong Kong this month, he immediately chose to stop taking dangerous trips. After all, he heard that many people had been tricked and lost their entire fortune.

"I will buy another second-hand cargo ship of seven to eight thousand tons, and use the remaining funds to buy two cargo ships of 3,000 to 5,000 tons. My fleet will grow immediately."

"Although I didn't make money by taking dangerous routes, the current shipping situation is still very good, and I can make a safe profit."

Zhao Congyan thought of the giant Global Shipping Company again. It was rumored that it had a fleet of about 100,000 tons, which was larger than Xu's fleet.

"In less than three years, Lin Zhichao has grown so fast in the fleet! I think he was just a person who didn't even have a boat when we met at the dock. Now, it is five or six times the size of my fleet. Stranger!"

"No! It is said that Lin Zhichao has made a lot of money in real estate and gold, so if he invests this part of the money in shipping, I am afraid that he will start with a load capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 tons, and then rely on the support of HSBC Bank to grow to the present day. It’s quite understandable.”

"But the price of long-term rental is much cheaper. He actually agreed to rent most of it long-term. Isn't it a bit silly?"

In the end, Zhao Congyan felt that Lin Zhichao was a bit stupid for renting most of the ship for a long time. Wouldn't it be a lot less money?

As everyone knows, the shipping market will only be good for one year, and may begin to decline slowly before 1953.

"Dong dong"

"Come in"

Zhao Congyan's confidant Zhou Yi came to his office.

"What was the reaction from Global Shipping?" Zhao Congyan asked.

To be honest, he felt a little uneasy. After all, the two sides were going to compete, and he wanted to snatch food from the tiger's mouth.

Zhou Yi said with a smile: "The boss is overthinking. This fixed route is not a patent of a certain company. Naturally, it is reasonable for us to run. Therefore, Global Shipping also knows this and has not taken any action."

Zhao Congyan nodded and said, "It's just that I heard that Lin Zhichao is very domineering, so I have to be careful."

Zhou Yi said: "Boss, are you talking about Lin Zhichao cheating on Wang Tongyuan?"

Zhao Congyan said: "Although I don't know whether it is true or not, Wang Tongyuan did lose millions, and the textile industry was also affected. Now he has fallen behind brothers Tang Bingyuan and Tang Zhongyuan."

A loss of one million Hong Kong dollars in this era is already an astronomical figure.

In addition, in the past few years, people in Guangdong Province were speculating in gold, and they wiped out all gold merchants, financiers, and speculators in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. How many businessmen in the Shanghai Stock Exchange vividly remembered this and warned their children and family members not to speculate in stocks or gold, or anything like that? It is safest to do business safely and steadily.

Zhou Yi said: "After all, shipping is different. There are too many people doing shipping in Hong Kong, so it is normal for them to compete with each other."

Zhao Congyan thought for a while and said, "How is our business?"

Zhou Yi said: "The business has just begun to develop, and we can't tell whether it is good or bad, but what is certain is that the market is really good. Japan has become a rear base for the US military, and the Japanese industry has received a large number of special wartime orders. And Japan's industrialization The route is the same as in Hong Kong, and we must rely on overseas raw material markets - cotton, rice, ores, metals, plastics, etc. There is probably no need to worry about the supply of supplies, and although the profit is not as good as the dangerous route, it must be very generous."

Zhao Congyan was relieved, but his old habit relapsed, and he said: "I think Global Shipping is deeply rooted in this route and has a very good reputation. In order to stabilize the business as soon as possible, we should still offer a discount. The price should not be too favorable, and we should not compete with Global Shipping. It is the same as shipping, but with a little concealment, it will definitely develop more quickly.”

Zhou Yi thought for a while, agreed with the boss's idea, and said, "No problem, I will arrange it."

Zhao Congyan breathed a sigh of relief and said: "I will buy another batch of ships soon, so we have to get the business done as soon as possible. Now, we are no longer fleeing in panic like in 1949, but have truly established a firm foothold in Hong Kong It’s time for shipping to flex its muscles.”

At this time, Zhao Congyan was in high spirits. After all, he had earned an extra 1.2 million US dollars a year, which was already a lot of money. In fact, he was not considered a shipping expert, but a shipping person who became a monk on the way, so he planned to train his son to become a professional shipping expert, and he had to major in navigation in college.

This morning, Feng Yongfa approached Lin Zhichao with a serious face.

"Boss, a ship had a problem on its way to Nagasaki, Japan this morning. According to the description of the ship's chief engineer, there is a high probability that there is a problem with the ship's main machine. I have arranged for the technical department manager He Yunjin to take people to Japan immediately. , personally supervise the repairs and reduce losses as much as possible.”

Lin Zhichao also sighed. If the ship breaks down and remains at sea for too long, the charterer will deduct money. If the goods are refrigerated, it will be more complicated. If it is not handled in time, even the goods will have to lose money.

If the money was deducted once, Lin Zhichao would be heartbroken for a long time, because it would be more than tens of thousands of dollars.

"Book a flight for me, and we'll go together when we can."

Lin Zhichao decisively decided to board the ship personally and take the lead.

For the maintenance of such a major accident, it is necessary to hire an outside professional maintenance team. In Japanese waters, it is natural to invite engineers from Japanese shipyards. Any equipment that is missing can be provided as soon as possible. As for the technical department of Global Shipping, it is usually a small maintenance team. Question, it is used to maintain the machine.

"OK"

At 9:30 a.m., Lin Zhichao boarded a Hong Kong Airlines flight to Japan.

Hong Kong Airlines is one of the two airlines in Hong Kong. It is responsible for the northern routes. The major shareholders are Jardine Matheson and British Aerospace. The so-called northern routes include Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and mainland China in the past, but now naturally The biggest market is missing.

The plane arrived in Nagasaki, but the ship was parked in the sea. Lin Zhichao and others had to take a barge to board the ship. It was the middle of winter, the sea wind was biting, and the icy waves splashed on Lin Zhichao and others as sharp as a knife.

Lin Zhichao was in good health, but he also felt a strange cold, but he did not flinch or complain; on the contrary, he smiled and joked to everyone: "Today's weather makes me think about winter swimming, so as not to fall into the water that winter." Sorry, I can't react."

He Yunjin said with a trembling tone: "The boss is in good health, winter swimming is not a problem."

Lin Zhichao looked at everyone, including some Japanese engineers, who were frozen like dogs. He lamented the bad weather, but did not complain.

After more than an hour of sailing, we finally arrived on the 10,000-ton ship of Global Shipping. The ship was one of seven large ships purchased in January last year. I didn't expect something to go wrong, which was really bad.

After boarding the boat, everyone drank some hot water and couldn't wait to learn about the situation.

In the next three days, Lin Zhichao learned the truth of the three-point risk in sailing. During the time the ship was being repaired, the weather at sea was bad, with biting winds and huge waves rolling by mercilessly. The ship was like a rootless leaf, floating on the sea.

Fortunately, Lin Zhichao didn't get seasick, otherwise half of his life would have been lost. Even so, even a 10,000-ton ship looks so small in the sea and in bad weather.

Of course, what makes people very happy is that the ship was repaired within three days and arrived at the port smoothly. The fine of tens of thousands of dollars was saved, because it was within a reasonable time.

The cause of the accident was not the responsibility of the seafarers, it was an accident of the second-hand ship itself. Lin Zhichao did not have any dissatisfaction, and instead invited everyone to have a dinner together to celebrate.

This incident also served as a reminder to Lin Zhichao that all of his ships are old, and as time goes by, the frequency of accidents may increase. This major accident was the first in more than two years, so Lin Zhichao felt a little emotional.

But there is no way around it. Second-hand ships are cheap and the time to pay back the money is quick. Global Shipping may not be able to eliminate all its second-hand ships within fifteen years.

Update time changed: Chapter 1 from 12:00 to 3:00 every day, Chapter 2 from 8 to 12:00 every night.

If the manuscript is saved, it will be fixed at 12 noon and 8 pm.