The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Lin Zhichao came to the former site of the Hong Kong Hotel on Pedder Street, accompanied by Huang Changhong, Paul Li and other senior executives.

The demolition of this 26,000-square-foot site has been completed, and even the design drawings have been almost finalized. It is expected to be moved early next year. What is planned and designed is a 24-story commercial building with a total area of ​​more than 280,000 square feet.

The floor area and height of each floor are different. For example, the floor area of ​​the bottom four floors reaches 14,700 square feet and the floor height is 3.6 meters. Because this is a "shopping center", of course this is not the case. A real shopping mall

Starting from the fifth floor, each floor is only 11,000 square feet, and there is a balcony between the fourth and fifth floors. Such a design, in addition to a more beautiful appearance, can also prevent hidden dangers caused by falling exterior walls, and of course separate the ‘shopping mall’ and ‘office building’.

Lin Zhichao sighed: "The higher the floor, the higher the cost!"

After the construction of this building, it was called ‘Poly Building’, named after its subsidiary Poly Building. The cost is as high as 15 million Hong Kong dollars, twice the price of the Crocodile T-shirt Building.

Of course, Crocodile Shirt is only 16 stories high and has a floor area of ​​only 108,000 square feet.

Paul Li said with a smile: "The boss was reluctant to use materials, so the construction cost increased by at least 20%. Li Sheng's (Li Gaofu) building on Yongle Street cost only 7 million, and the floor area was 180,000 square feet."

Lin Zhichao nodded and did not continue. He knew in his heart that there was no chance of merging these four buildings, such as Crocodile Shirt Building, Poly Building, Yingchi Building, and Global Building.

In this case, these four buildings must remain rented out at least until 2023. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that Lin Zhichao will sell some buildings in advance.

After more than sixty years, what if the quality is not good!

"Okay, this project is ready to start!" Lin Zhichao said.

Due to the high technical difficulty of the Global Tower, it is still in the design drawings. The mechanics inside have to be finalized by experts, and because it is a glass curtain wall, it must withstand typhoons.

In 1951, the Lever Building in New York first showed people a brand-new glass square box. This glass curtain wall building composed of glass and metal was considered an architectural symbol of modern high-tech development and was deeply loved by architects. of favor.

However, the glass curtain wall has some major shortcomings, that is, it is easy to fall off, so all aspects of the design must be done; Hong Kong is also a typhoon zone, so mechanics must be analyzed more carefully.

Of course, technology is not a problem. Lin Zhichao believes in the technology of this era.

"Okay, if it's quick, we expect to be able to enter the market by the end of the year or early next year!" Huang Changhong said.

This speed is enough, and Lin Zhichao is not in a hurry anyway.

Poly Building and Global Building are expected to open in late 1960 or mid-1961. The Ying Chi Building (No. 9, Chiu Lung Street) will be completed in early 1960.

Afterwards, everyone did not go back to the company, but took a bus to Paterson Street in Causeway Bay.

In one place, Lin Zhichao asked his assistant to spread out a map of Hong Kong Island, and then a meeting began on the spot.

"You see, Central is the commercial center. When Hong Kong's economy develops enough, the commercial center will move eastward, and then Wan Chai will take over the commercial part of Central. This is called prosperity moving eastward. But what is the positioning of Causeway Bay? I think it will be Ideal area for shopping.”

"Therefore, we need to make good use of the land in Causeway Bay to create a concept of 'using residences to cultivate commerce' and 'using commerce to drive prosperity'."

"The Paterson Street site and this triangular site (Patrick, Jardine, and George Street, Kende) can be jointly developed. In this triangular area, I plan to build a high-rise building, with at least five floors below being a shopping mall, and above It is an office building. On the west half of Paterson Street, there are almost eight I-shaped buildings, or semi-I-shaped buildings. There is a building near the Triangle Building. It is necessary to design a first-class department store building. The upstairs is also Office buildings or residences, and the rest of the buildings are almost all the layout of shops on the ground floor, office buildings on the second and third floors, and residential buildings above."

Everyone recorded that the boss was very professional and the general layout of the design not only considered simple issues, but also took into account deeper issues - Hong Kong's economic prospects, regional positioning, creating a business environment, etc.

In short, everyone admires Lin Zhichao's general plan.

Even the first time they heard about "prosperity will move eastward", they firmly believe in it, and they will not think that "prosperity will move westward" and run towards Sheung Wan and Western Wan.

After a long time, Huang Changhong said: "Boss, this project is very large and requires high funds. I'm afraid we will have to sell off-the-plan properties or get a loan to complete it."

After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao said: "There is no need to consider funds, but it is not in the interest to sell off-the-plan properties too early, so I hope to get the drawings out in the first half of next year, start construction in the second half of the year, and sell off-the-plan properties in installments after 1960. If there are funds during this period, The problem is just a loan.”

After all, he is not short of money. If he sells the uncompleted property when the price is low, it will be more or less incompatible with his interests. Although it is emphasized that "goods are like rotating", this is because the financial strength is weak and the most important thing is that "the market analysis is not sure". The model of "goods is like rotating" and "doing real estate is like opening a factory", that is, the land is only as long as And a certain profit, no matter whether the market is good or bad, they will be sold.

Huang Changhong immediately felt relieved and said, "Well, we understand."

The boss is very confident about the future of real estate, so to find the right time to develop the site, it is all about calculations and careful calculations.

Lin Zhichao nodded, and continued: "We still have Xiwan Street, the Embassy Building, and Jardine's Warehouse in Causeway Bay. Let's talk about it in the 1960s!"

Unknowingly, Lin Zhichao also cultivated deeply in Causeway Bay.

The Jardine's Warehouse should be the Capital Center in the previous life. It can be used as a first-class building site in Causeway Bay, so it was reserved for development in the 1970s.

Lin Zhichao, Zheng Yutong, Li Zhaoji, and Li Gaofu, four Shunde natives from the Yacht Club in Yibozhou, are gathering in the private room to play cards.

Lin Zhichao was not very interested in playing cards, but when several grown men sat together, there had to be some entertainment; everyone just played cards and had some leisure time. The card game is 'Hoe Big D', also known as 'Big Two'.

Card games are not necessarily gambling, they can also be intellectual games, after all, there are big people who like to play bridge.

But the four Shunde businessmen are all wealthy, so the money is counted in hundred-dollar Hong Kong dollar bills, and the winning or losing is also calculated in thousands of dollars.

The same is entertainment!

Li Zhaoji played a card and said casually: "The recent real estate shows signs of warming up. Have you noticed this problem?"

Lin Zhichao then generously shared his experience: "Well, that's true! Generally speaking, this plunge is an 'imbalance of supply and demand'. It has been digested for so long, and it is time to turn around. Brother Siu Kee, your Yongye Company is correct in buying the bottom. I'm afraid it will fall next year." Now that you can stand on your feet, you have a good career and family. When you have a wedding, you have to let me know in advance!"

Zheng Yutong and Li Gaofu teased Li Zhaoji one after another. After all, he only got married at the age of 30, and the woman is the champion of Miss Hong Kong, so it is naturally topical.

Although Lee Shau-kee is usually not good at talking, he is an old friend today, so he is naturally honest. He said generously: "Cheng Lin has auspicious words, I will definitely be the first to inform you."

What he said is not a lie, Lin Zhichao has always supported him, and he has always been very grateful.

Lin Zhichao laughed "haha" and said, "Then I'll just wait for this glass of wedding wine!"

For Lin Zhichao, Lee Shau Kee was promoted, but it didn't change too much.

In the previous life, Sun Hung Kai was more like a 'partnership company' at the beginning. When the three of them were running Sun Hung Kai, many projects were based on current share allocations (according to investment quotas). Lee Shau Kee also had his own real estate company, and Feng Jingxi also had his own securities. business.

And this life will also develop like this, the difference is that Lee Shau Kee has more funds to invest in real estate projects. As far as Lin Zhichao knows, he has recently personally purchased an industrial site, and it is estimated that he intends to invest in an industrial building.

In fact, it is impossible for Lin Zhichao to snatch everyone's opportunities, and those who have a good relationship with him will generally not move. Although Lee Shau Kee has lost the opportunity of the Miramar Hotel, Lin Zhichao will not focus on the China Gas project, even though it is a monopoly.

After all, two tycoons-Li Jiacheng and Bao Yugang have been taken down, and the other three of the four major families cannot be taken down.

Lin Zhichao has always believed in the 'big friend', just like the dinosaurs, going to perish. Therefore, he cannot have too much monopoly in Hong Kong, and at least he must have a few decent 'foils'.

Because of this, Lin Zhichao also gave up the 'gold shop business'. He will not do it now and will not do it in the future.

Lin Zhichao joked to Zheng Yutong: "My friends are in the market, but you are just a friend. Are you still waiting for the opportunity?"

He is not encouraging Zheng Yutong to enter the market, but it is a kind of teasing between friends. After all, no one is easily fooled.

Zheng Yutong smiled like a Maitreya Buddha and said calmly: "When a friend asks me to play, I will just play for a while. On the contrary, this Li Kangjie and Chen Detai incident just confirmed my consistent thinking - don't try to win everything. It’s not advisable to overdo it, because once real estate collapses, everything will be a disaster!”

Li Gaofu responded: "Chen Detai is okay. I heard that he has picked up his mood recently and continues to invest in real estate."

Every time Lin Zhichao talks about real estate, he is always enthusiastic. He knows the prospects of real estate, so he is full of confidence.

In fact, I experienced several plummets and bank runs in my previous life, which knocked all real estate seniors to the ground. Those desperate and gambling speculators were almost all trapped, and their entire army was exhausted. Many of these billionaires retired with nothing and have since disappeared from the Hong Kong business community.

If there had not been a sudden banking crisis or political crisis, the real estate giants in the future would have been these people, not the likes of Zheng Yutong, Guo Desheng, Li Shauji, and Li Jiacheng who were unknown in the real estate industry at this time.

During the chat, Lin Zhichao also talked about one thing: "Hong Kong's economy is taking off. Many overseas companies have opened branches in Hong Kong this year for various reasons, so it is normal for the real estate industry to pick up. By the way, Brother Tong, I think you should do Diamond business!"

Zheng Yutong was shocked and quickly asked for advice: "Lin Sheng, will the sales of this diamond be good in Hong Kong?" Lin Zhichao said: "The number of tourists visiting Hong Kong this year will definitely exceed 100,000, and the purchasing power of those foreign tourists is comparable to that of locals. There is no tax in Hong Kong. Do you think tourists who come to Hong Kong will not like diamonds because they are so rare?"

Zheng Yutong nodded and said, "What Lin Sheng said makes sense!"

After all, Lin Zhichao is the best business person in Hong Kong. He naturally believes in it. What's more, he has been paying attention to 'diamonds'. However, there is only one company in Hong Kong that sells diamonds, and that is the 'Diamond King' Liao Guichang, who owns the only one in Hong Kong. A De Beers license.

Liu's father was in the watch and diamond business, and since the 1950s, Liu has inherited his father's business. The family owns a diamond processing factory in Wong Chuk Hang. The factory is heavily guarded and no outsiders are allowed inside. People only know that Liao's watch shop has diamond watches on display. Tiny diamonds are worth tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Hong Kong is the world's largest production base of cheap watches, and the high value-added watches inlaid by the Liao family must have made a lot of money.

Lin Zhichao stopped talking too much, and a few words of advice from Zheng Yutong were enough. If he intends to, he will take action soon and do everything possible to obtain a De Beers license. If it is difficult, there will be no future generations of 'shark guts'.

And Lin Zhichao not only instructs Zheng Yutong, but he is afraid that Blue Chimney (New World Center) will not rob it in the future. After all, he can get Wharf, so why bother to grab another site that has been used frequently!

The four of them played cards until evening, and had dinner in the clubhouse before going back to their homes.

Lin Zhichao came to the Yangtze River Industrial Park. There are five factories here, namely one-story, three-story, five-story, five-story, and eight-story industrial buildings, with a total area of ​​22 floors and a factory of 720,000 square feet.

now:

Changjiang Zipper uses two industrial buildings, five floors and three floors, with a total floor area of ​​260,000 square feet and 4,000 employees;

Changjiang Toys uses a five-story building with a total floor area of ​​160,000 square feet and employs 3,500 people;

Changjiang Plastics has used four floors of the 'eight-storey' building, employing 4,000 people;

The wig factory is on the fifth floor of the 'eight-story industrial building', the crocodile shirts and traveler's suitcases are on the sixth and seventh floors; as for the doll noodles, they are on the eighth floor.

As for the factory on the first floor, a warehouse is used; the employee canteen is the factory building from the 1930s, the original Changjiang Plastics Factory, after renovation.

As for the Global Maritime Academy, it has moved to another location in Tsuen Wan and is a three-storey building.

"We need to build two more three-story industrial buildings. This time, the first floor area will be larger, and we will strive to have a first floor of 60,000 to 70,000 square feet." Lin Zhichao said to Deputy General Manager Wang Liang.

Wang Liang nodded and said: "Indeed! The growth of the toy factory is gratifying. If you want to be more relaxed, you can build two industrial buildings as backup."

Lin Zhichao said: "Later, the 'Traveler' luggage will be incorporated into the 'Uniqlo Clothing Company' under Cheung Kong Industries. The factories of the two companies will also be moved to Kwun Tong and will be managed by my comprehensive group in the future."

Uniqlo clothing company may also form a group in the future and will not be affiliated with the listed company-Cheung Kong Industrial Group. After all, this listed company is too big and it is ridiculous.

If my two daughters become talented, I'm afraid they will have to prepare a decent company to show their talents.

When Wang Liang heard Lin Zhichao's separation plan, he had no objection and asked tentatively: "What about the doll noodles?"

Lin Zhichao said: "It will also be integrated into the system of Cheung Kong Holdings! The factory will also be moved to the factory in Kwun Tong."

Cheung Kong Holdings has two factory buildings in Kwun Tong, which will be main production plants for clothing and food. If they want to be rented out, the clothing factory buildings are rented to garment factories, and the food factory buildings are also sold to similar food and beverage factories.

"Okay, I understand the boss's plan!"

As an old man of the Yangtze River Industrial Group, Wang Liang is almost Lin Zhichao's agent. When the boss is away, he is the 'acting general manager' who leads the overall situation.

He is very clear about many of Lin Zhichao's ideas. For example, wigs and plastic flowers are industries with no long-term prospects. In a few years, production capacity will be gradually reduced, and agency factory production will be the main focus. Zippers and toys are long-term industries, and the group's strength will be concentrated. Go for long-term development; there are also the 'Zhongtian Shipbreaking Plant' and 'Zhongtian Steel' established this year, which are emerging industries and need attention.

Of course, Yangtze River Industries also has many subsidiary companies, and these subsidiary companies serve more subsidiaries.

After communicating with Wang Liang for a while, Lin Zhichao got up from the office and went to inspect the factory.

"boss"

Tao Derong, the general manager of Changjiang Plastics, happened to be at the factory and accompanied Lin Zhichao on the inspection immediately, mainly so that he could report on the work.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said with satisfaction: "The development of plastic flowers this year is very good. It is a bumper year!"

Although there is still one month left before the full year is over, the financial reports are already showing signs of it.

Tao Derong immediately said: "Production capacity is expected to increase by 30%, but profits are only expected to increase by 15%! The main reason is that competition is fierce now, and everyone is setting prices lower and lower."

There is no way around this. Hong Kong's industries are all low-value-added. For example, the "textile giant" Nanlian Group in the previous life had more than 40,000 workers, but the profit was only more than 30 million Hong Kong dollars, which is already scary.

Tang Zhongyuan's current factory employs about 7,000 people, and its annual profit is only about 10 million Hong Kong dollars. This is still a high value-added industry in the garment industry, at least much higher than that of textiles.

In Hong Kong's industrial sector, profits are only about 10%.

Although the profits of Japanese companies such as Sony and Panasonic are only about 8 to 10%, the wages of Japanese people are rising rapidly, so it is already very good to have such profits.

In Hong Kong, workers are paid low wages and profits are still so low, which shows that what they are doing is a "low-end industry." For example, slightly higher-end industries will not be able to reach Hong Kong.

For example, in the previous life, the OEM of Barbie dolls was taken over by Japanese factories.

Fortunately, in this life, Lin Zhichao invested a lot in the production process of Barbie dolls, so the quality is no worse than the plastic toys produced in Japan.

"The threshold is too low. Soon there will be 1,000 or 2,000 plastic flower factories in Hong Kong. There are too many family factories!"

Hearing Lin Zhichao's words, Tao Derong was convinced, and he immediately suggested: "Boss, I suggest that we consider implementing three shifts next year, so that we can invest less in equipment and increase production capacity. As for workers, we can Go to those places in Tiujingling to recruit some 'temporary workers', if there is work, they will work, and if there is no work, they will be fired."

Lin Zhichao quickly agreed to this plan!

Three shifts are inevitable, increasing production capacity and reducing equipment investment.

As for recruiting 'temporary workers', there is no pressure. In this day and age, dismissing workers is a matter of one word, and there is no need to pay compensation. After all, the factory itself is an assembly line operation, so it is normal.

This year (1958), the profit of Plastic Flower may exceed 23 million Hong Kong dollars, which is already very good. It is estimated that 1959~1963 will be the peak period of profitability.