The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Mid May.

Hongkong.

A groundbreaking ceremony is being held at the site of No. 10 Ice House Street in Central.

The building already has its own name, the ‘Crocodile Shirt Building’. The reason for this name is simple. One is that it will become the headquarters of Crocodile Shirts, and the other is to establish a brand and reputation for Crocodile Shirts.

Anyway, for Lin Zhichao, there will be many building orders in the future, and there will also be a ‘Uniqlo Building’.

At present, crocodile shirts have become synonymous with clothing in Hong Kong, and have become the first choice for mid-to-high-end people. In Hong Kong, crocodile shirts have a total of five stores, including one in Sing Tao, with an annual profit of about 1.2 million Hong Kong dollars, which can be regarded as a very profitable enterprise.

"Lin Sheng, congratulations!"

"Thank you, please come this way!"

At the groundbreaking ceremony, a red carpet was laid out and a simple red wine banquet was held. The guests were all Lin Zhichao’s friends and business partners.

The crocodile shirt building is 16 stories high, with a floor area of ​​6,800 square feet on each floor and a ground floor; the construction period is 18 months (including decoration), and it is expected to be put into use in early 1959. The building innovatively developed the lower three floors and ground floor into a shopping mall model. Once completed, it will become a shopping mecca in the Central District.

"Lin Sheng, once your building is completed, it will probably be the tallest building in Hong Kong!" Liao Baoshan said with a smile.

Currently, the tallest residential building in Hong Kong is 18 storeys, while the tallest building is the 17-storey Toad Palace Building (Causeway Bay). Because residential buildings stipulate that the minimum height of each floor is 3.2 meters, developers build according to this height; office buildings are different, and the height of each floor must be at least 3.5 meters.

The first floor of the Crocodile Shirt Building is 3.8 meters high, so it is taller than other buildings.

However, Lin Zhichao responded: "This is not true. Xu Sheng's China State Construction Engineering Corporation also built a Central building, which is a little taller than my building."

Although it is a little taller, the title of the tallest building in Hong Kong will probably remain with the Toad Palace Building until a significantly taller building appears.

Liao Baoshan said enviously: "The headquarters building is the credit guarantee of a company. It is really enviable that a clothing brand under Lin Sheng has a headquarters building."

He is also eager to give Liao Chong Hing Bank a headquarters building, but it is more profitable to invest the funds in residential buildings, so he can't think about it for the time being.

People around also agree with this point of view. If a bank has a headquarters building, it can make customers feel more at ease, and other companies are also adapting to this phenomenon.

Now Zhichao Lin has built all the headquarters buildings of Crocodile Shirts, which means that others will build better Yangtze River Building and Global Building.

This strength is far beyond what everyone can compare with!

Next, the groundbreaking ceremony officially began, and the process of offering sacrifices, filling soil, lion and dragon dances, etc. was held one by one.

Finally, there was a simple reception. The venue was set up in the open air, and everyone held a glass of red wine to communicate with each other, which can be regarded as an industry exchange in the real estate industry.

During the exchange, someone mentioned that the house could not be sold recently, but everyone didn't answer the topic at all, which immediately made the person who brought up the topic very embarrassed.

It turned out that everyone already knew about this problem, but obviously they all planned to pretend not to know. Now that a real estate is open, it can't sell a tenth of it in half a month, which is such a bad situation.

However, the calculation in the hearts of these real estate developers is that the situation may only be temporary, and it will improve after a while.

So even in such an obvious situation, there are still real estate developers who are not afraid of death to acquire land.

After drinking a glass of wine, everyone left one after another.

And Lin Zhichao also watched the machinery and equipment enter the field, and felt very comfortable. The construction cost of the Crocodile Building is about 6.5 million Hong Kong dollars, using first-class building materials, so although the floor area is small, it is still expensive.

For Lin Zhichao, these buildings will not be rebuilt in 70 or 80 years. The best building materials must be used, and the density of steel bars is extremely high.

In fact, if there is no opportunity to combine buildings and increase the "lot ratio", almost no buildings in Hong Kong will be demolished and rebuilt, which shows that the quality is still very good.

Back at Cheung Kong, Lin Zhichao happened to participate in the design meeting of the "Miramar Hotel" project.

Attending this meeting was a well-known architect, as well as the design department and senior management of Cheung Kong.

In this design project team, Lin Zhichao is the "Chief Designer". Based on the shopping malls of later generations and combined with the background of this era, he has a high theoretical knowledge of architectural design.

The second is the architects, who can also contribute a lot of design ideas, coupled with professional knowledge such as architectural structure.

The last is the design department of Cheung Kong. After all, they have only participated in the design of residential buildings, and this is also a learning opportunity.

"Designing a semicircular building for the real estate market at the main gate can not only increase the floor area, but also give people a sense of atmosphere. It can also publish advertising signs, so that customers can't help but walk into Miramar shopping at a glance. Center." Lin Zhichao expressed his opinion again on the details.

At this time, the overall structure of the Miramar Hotel (including the shopping center) has come out, which is very perfect.

British designer Joe John said: "If such a building is added, it is necessary to add supporting pillars to block the main gate. The advantage is that the atmosphere is seen from a distance, and the disadvantage is that it will be affected when entering."

While he was talking, Lin Zhichao had quickly sketched out this part by hand.

He handed it to everyone and said, "It seems acceptable!"

Everyone immediately circulated it one by one, and soon the plan was tentatively determined. After the drawings were released, it was finally finalized.

Next, Lin Zhichao discussed with everyone the design of a children's playground on the fifth floor of the shopping mall. This design is avant-garde, but definitely popular.

Customers can leave their children at the playground and go shopping with peace of mind. At the same time, with this entertainment venue, many parents will also come to Miramar Shopping Center.

Of course, the fourth and fifth floors of the shopping mall are actually much smaller than the first, second and third floors of the shopping mall. It is a rectangular building because the hotel is also built on it.

In the end, Lin Zhichao was very satisfied with the meeting and made great progress. It is expected that the entire design plan will be officially released in three months.

The entire building complex is owned by Miramar Hotel Company, which means that Miramar Shopping Center is a subsidiary property and is not separate. The purpose of Lin Zhichao's doing this is that Miramar Hotel will be listed for financing in the future (1972), and the money raised will be used to purchase surrounding land and invest in real estate and hotels.

Anyway, privatization was possible in the 1980s. Using investors' money to develop the company, and then taking advantage of the stock market's collapse to privatize it, is a complete 'empty wolf'. Not only can you get the maximum benefits, but you can also gain praise from investors.

The reason is simple. When the stock plummets, as long as you come up with a 35% premium, they will be very grateful to you for relieving them.

The Suez Canal began to reopen to navigation in April, and then global freight and ship prices plummeted, but they were still much higher than before July 1956.

Bao Yugang saw the business opportunities in this, and after two years of shipping operations, he was already a qualified ship owner.

On this day, he gathered his relatives and friends and decided to buy a second-hand boat.

Bao Yugang introduced enthusiastically: "After two years of operation, we have almost earned back 500,000 US dollars, which is almost the price of a boat. Now, the price of second-hand ships in Europe and the United States has plummeted, and it is a good time to officially attack. Therefore, I think Purchase three more ocean-going freighters and then lease them to Japanese shipping companies.”

If he had not leased the boat long-term, he would have earned at least $1.2 million in these two years. Not only that, the boat will also be rented at a high rent (long-term lease status).

Unfortunately, there is no if!

Bao Zhaolong immediately said worriedly: "For the three ocean-going cargo ships, the US$500,000 is probably less than one-third of the funds, and we will definitely not be able to get the remaining one million US dollars."

After Bao Yugang started shipping, his original trading company was still running and he could earn millions of dollars every year, but it was still a drop in the bucket.

"I know, so I hope everyone will work together to raise the largest amount of funds. For the rest, I will contact the bank." Bao Yugang said still confidently.

Later, everyone was infected with Bao Yugang's confidence. After all, shipping has become one of the most profitable industries, and everyone took it to heart. Even if there was no Suez Canal Crisis, the annual return on old ships would still be over 30%.

But Bao Yugang didn't mention one thing, that is, the price of a 10,000-ton second-hand cargo ship, aged 20 to 30, has now risen to nearly 700,000 US dollars. Even the second-hand ship of more than 8,000 tons in his hands now costs US$600,000, which has increased in value compared to when he bought it. After all, during the Suez Canal crisis, these ships were worth more than 1 million US dollars, which was more than half the price of new ships.

Now he wants to buy three ocean-going freighters, which will cost approximately US$2 million. The $500,000 the shipping company earned back was only a quarter of that.

Today's meeting was attended by not only Bao Yugang's father and younger brother, but also Bao Yugang's fellow countrymen and friends; he gave full play to his banker instinct to raise funds to develop his career.

He also learned from Lin Zhichao that every ship is a company, so a ship will also have other shareholders.

In the end, after raising funds, Bao Yugang received another US$500,000, which was almost everyone's limit.

Bao Yugang said with great satisfaction: "Don't worry, everyone, the Dong'an has been renewed for four years. It can earn about 300,000 US dollars per year. The market is very good."

Bao Yuxing immediately said excitedly: "It seems that shipping is really profitable! We bought the Dong'an for more than 500,000 U.S. dollars, and now we have almost made back our money. After signing a four-year contract, we can almost make back our money." Two second-hand freighters.”

Everyone agreed.

Make money indeed!

When Bao Yu just saw this, he naturally wanted to confuse people and get everyone to support the shipping industry, so he said: "The Dong'an ship is only 31 years old, and it can still be in operation for about eight years. I believe it can make more contributions. At the same time , we invest funds in shipping, just like the bank's interest compounding, the number of ships is increasing, just like the development of global shipping."

Everyone is encouraged!

Bao Yugang who got the money is equivalent to having 1 million US dollars, but he knows that the funds are still half of the funds before he can buy three ships and have operating funds.

Of course he knows how to find a bank. He has been trying to please Sandus for these years and is already making plans.

On the weekend, Lin Zhichao and Sandus were fishing on a yacht.

This is a specially built yacht, its level of luxury is no less than that of the Governor's yacht "Mulien". The hull is made of steel structure and made of Burmese wood. The hull is 22 meters long, powered by a modern diesel engine and equipped with sails.

The internal structure is luxurious, almost made of Burmese wood, and has several independent courtyards.

Compared with later generations of yachts, the disadvantage is that it only has one layer, and because the hull is light, it shakes a little more.

Lin Zhichao, as the 'World Ship King', built a yacht that was about the same level as the Governor's private yacht. Naturally, it was nothing, but it cost only two hundred thousand dollars.

Compared to Onassis's superyacht converted from an old warship, it is simply child's play.

"With the funds of Universal Shipping, wouldn't you consider ordering ships?" Sandus asked during fishing.

Lin Zhichao saved a lot of money in HSBC, which is almost equal to the rent in Europe and the United States, but he has never spent it.

This is obviously abnormal!

Lin Zhichao said: "All countries in the world are now researching and building larger ships, and the technology is not yet mature, so when Japan can build 100,000-ton oil tankers, we will build ships again. It will be almost the 1960s, and the demand for oil in Europe, America and Japan will increase. Soon. At the same time, the proportion of world oil tankers in the world’s merchant ships will also increase significantly.”

Sandus immediately understood that Lin Zhichao formulated the shipbuilding plan from an economic point of view. He also learned that oil tankers currently only account for 15% of the world's total merchant ships, but the potential for growth is huge.

In Lin Zhichao’s words, tankers accounting for 30% is a relatively reasonable figure.

"Are there any other reasons?" Sandus continued to ask.

Lin Zhichao turned around and asked curiously: "Why do you ask that?"

Sanders smiled, and then said in a very understanding tone: "As far as I know, you have grasped two industry cycles and suddenly stopped shipbuilding. You must think that there will be an off-season in the next few years. You say I guess Is that right?"

MD, someone actually saw through it!

Should I throw it into the sea and feed it to the fish?

Thoughts flashed through Lin Zhichao's mind, and then he said frankly: "There is indeed a little bit! Since the Suez Canal crisis broke out, shipowners have been encouraged, but I believe that there should be a small trough, maybe It will last for one or two years in the late 1950s. After all, global shipyards have received a large number of orders in the past year, and if these ships are launched, it will also have a short-term impact on the market.”

Sanders suddenly realized, and said: "So, you want to take advantage of the off-season in the late 1950s to build ships and prepare for the booming economy in the 1960s?"

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "It's almost like this! But I also built a batch of ships in Japan recently, but I didn't pay any money. It's probably like this. I don't need to worry about chartering these ships, so they are very safe."

After thinking about it for a while, Sandas said frankly: "Actually, Bao Yu just asked me for a shipping loan, and he asked for 1 million US dollars. You know, now I only trust you, so I am not very relieved about this loan."

Lin Zhichao was stunned, it turned out that he was willing!

But he didn't speak, after all, he couldn't get involved in this matter.

Sandus didn't say much about it, he already knew it.

In his view, the Japanese market has already been occupied by Lin Zhichao, and it is difficult for Bao Yugang to make great achievements; even if HSBC lends him a loan, he may not be able to find customers after buying a boat.

What's more, now that HSBC is tied to Global Shipping's ship, the companies cooperating with both parties are making huge profits. Therefore, at this time, there is no reason to support another person to affect the interests of the cooperative company.

The next day.

Bao Yu just came to Sandashi's office and asked about the results of the loan.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bao! This loan is too risky and I can't agree to it!"

Bao Yugang seemed to hear a thunderbolt from the blue sky, and then quickly stabilized his mind and said: "Why? Mr. Sanders, your HSBC Bank has not only provided loans to the shipping industry, but even participated in the shipping industry in person. Don't you think the shipping industry is regarded as A 'black book'?"

Sanders said: "We no longer regard shipping as a black book, but shipping is still a risky industry. Your strength is not enough to reassure us. I hope you will take it step by step and not expand too fast."

Afterwards, no matter what Bao Yugang said, Sang Da Shi refused to let go.

Until Bao Yugang said: "I have a boat, and I have renewed the contract with a Japanese client for four years, with an annual profit of nearly 300,000 US dollars. I am willing to go to Japan to open a letter of credit, and I hope you can lend us a loan."

It's this drama again, Sandus thought in his mind.

"Even if you get a letter of credit, it's impossible for me to lend you 1 million US dollars!"

As soon as Bao Yu heard it, his heart immediately became active, and he climbed along the pole; "It doesn't need 1 million US dollars, but 500,000 US dollars is fine. Our shareholders have already raised 1 million US dollars, and we can buy two more boats."

He took a step back, otherwise it would be difficult to buy two boats for $1 million. If we spend another 1.5 million US dollars, we can purchase two 10,000-ton cargo ships.

At this time, Sandus began to think about the pros and cons. With a letter of credit guaranteeing one of the contracts, HSBC's $500,000 was less risky.

Moreover, the current shipping situation is not bad, and the two ships can definitely be rented out.

"Okay, go get the letter of credit!"

Although Bao Yugang was a little disappointed, he still said quickly: "No problem!"