The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Years ago, Lin Zhichao was naturally very busy, after all, it was time for summarizing and planning.

After the meeting with the senior executives of Global Shipping, everyone quickly returned to their posts, and Lin Zhichao also returned to the office in a good mood. Since the end of last year (1961), the freight rate of international shipping has begun to pick up, and shipping has ushered in spring, which is almost the same as Lin Zhichao expected.

From 1959 to 1961, world shipping fell into a small trough, and now it is very happy to get out of this small trough.

Sitting in the office, Lin Zhichao is also considering Global Shipping’s shipbuilding goals for this year.

Global Shipping's shipbuilding this year will have to wait until the second half of the year. The initial plan is to order five 130,000-ton oil tankers and about 150,000-ton cargo ships.

It only has a load capacity of 800,000 tons, but the price is about US$75 million.

Global Shipping currently has a basic balance of payments, with no debt and little cash flow; this year's estimated profit is only US$40 million, leaving a gap of US$35 million. Of course, shipbuilding does not need to be paid in full immediately, it can be paid in full before delivery.

Next year (1963), Global Shipping's profitability will increase greatly, because some three-year long-term contracts signed in 1959 will expire this year, and rents will increase by about 15 to 20% at that time; at the same time, the ships launched this year Up to one million tons.

Therefore, this year (1962), we will build about 800,000 tons of ships, which will reduce the financial pressure; after all, we will build more ships with more carrying capacity next year.

After all the ships are launched this year, Global Shipping will have a load capacity of 4.6 million tons. After the elimination of about 500,000 tons of ships, it is expected that the load capacity will still be about 4.1 million tons.

By the end of this year, Global Shipping will have a fleet of US$400 million, which is extremely large.

Lin Zhichao stretched and walked to the window overlooking Victoria Harbor and Kowloon, feeling proud in his heart.

In addition to the "difficulty" of getting the first pot of gold, after all, he worked as a newspaper seller for half a year and was "almost" killed by a plane. After that, Lin Zhichao's life was naturally like cheating. There is no need to question that a man who is familiar with the development history of Hong Kong has the first What can be achieved after a pot of gold.

The wish of the previous life - to be a tycoon, is now being realized step by step. The only difference is time.

"Boss, Chairman Sandus is here!"

"good"

Sandas then came to Lin Zhichao's office, Lin Zhichao invited him to sit on the sofa and drink tea with him.

"Congratulations, I heard that you will be the chairman of the board of directors of HSBC this year!"

After all, Lin Zhichao is also a director of HSBC Bank, so the news is naturally well-informed.

Sandus smiled and said: "Speaking of which, the reason why I have cooperated with you for many years is more or less as you Chinese say - you are my nobleman!"

Lin Zhichao immediately corrected him: "You said it wrong in Chinese language. We have cooperated for more than ten years, and it is right that you are my noble man. After all, without your hard work, Global Shipping would not have developed so fast. Of course, I I hope that one day, some people will say that we are mutual achievements, you and me, HSBC and Global Shipping."

Sandas immediately beamed with joy and said, "This is right, let's work together to achieve each other!"

At this time, HSBC is still just the local king of Hong Kong. It still has a long way to go before it can become a world-class bank like that of later generations; but there is no doubt that cooperation with Global Shipping will give them a lot of help.

Universal Shipping, which cooperates with both parties, currently has six 100,000-ton oil tankers and four 50,000-ton oil tankers in operation; it is still under construction: two 100,000-ton oil tankers and two 130,000-ton oil tankers.

The total tonnage is 1.3 million tons!

When the four oil tankers are launched this year, it is estimated that the debt at the end of the year will be just over US$20 million, which is not a lot.

Huanyu Shipping occupies nearly 40% of the new oil tankers of the "Universal Group", which shows the depth of cooperation between Lin Zhichao and HSBC. There are two reasons: first, to maximize the use of funds and expand the fleet. Lin Zhichao can even accept cooperation with Wheelock and the Bank of Japan to invest in shipping, and manage it himself anyway; second, to cooperate with HSBC There are many benefits, the main one is to avoid Lin Zhichao's early aggressive performance and reduce the defense of British capital.

We chatted about shipping for a while, Huanyu Shipping will not build ships for the time being this year, and will rebuild next year, after all, it built four oil tankers at one time last year.

Later, Lin Zhichao informed Sandas of the idea of ​​the Hung Hom Submarine Tunnel, hoping to get the cooperation of HSBC Bank and some loans.

He added: "Cooperation is a formality. It doesn't matter how many shares HSBC is willing to invest. As for the loan, if I make a guarantee mortgage, I believe HSBC, Universal Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank will not refuse."

This is a kind of self-confidence. Lin Zhichao's famous brand is definitely a favorite in the bank. As for the guarantee, as the promoter, he also knows that the subsea tunnel has a good rate of return, so there is no problem with the guarantee.

After pondering for a moment, Sandus said, "I'll go back and discuss it with my colleagues later. I don't think there's a big problem. Of course there's no problem with your credibility, not to mention that this infrastructure project is very promising."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Okay, I'll wait for your reply! Other shareholders include Hysan Land and Wheelock Group. Other shareholders can also be attracted. This project is currently being discussed by the Legislative Council."

When Sandas left, he naturally took the golden zodiac that Lin Zhichao gave him. The follow-up Golden Zodiac did not expand in size and weight, mainly because it was difficult for Sundas to move back to the UK in the future.

As a result, the value is naturally a bit small, so every year Sandus will receive a gift in the UK, which may be stocks of a certain company or property. In short, he can now receive more than one million yuan a year from Lin Zhichao. Favor fee in Hong Kong dollars.

Of course it can only be regarded as a small amount of money!

Lin Zhichao came to the Yangtze River Industrial Park. Currently, the industrial plant here has a total of 1.28 million square feet and more than 18,000 workers. Zipper, toys, and plastic flowers are three major employers, each with about 5,000 to 6,000 people. As for wigs and Midea appliances, there are only a few hundred people in the business, and they are small industries.

If we add the Zhongtian Steel Plant in Tseung Kwan O, the entire Cheung Kong Industrial Group has 20,000 workers, making it the largest employment group in Hong Kong.

Of course, this employment is not particularly exaggerated. After all, like Lin Zhichao’s father-in-law, Tang Zhongyuan’s Dongfang Group, there are nearly 10,000 workers, and there are only 6,000 to 7,000 garment workers.

These are not counting overseas employment situations. In recent years, Yangtze River Industries and Dongfang Group have sought to establish branch factories in Southeast Asia, mainly in Xingdao.

Deputy General Manager Wang Liang accompanied Lin Zhichao to inspect the park, and took the time to preach: "Boss, there have been a lot of people coming in from the border recently, and this year may reach the peak. Hong Kong suddenly has hundreds of thousands of cheap labor, and the factory can save a lot. Less labor cost."

Lin Zhichao said: "Skilled workers are required for zippers and toys, and we have almost reached the peak of the zipper, toy, and plastic flower industries. .”

Wang Liang nodded and said, "Although we don't hire workers on a large scale now, if the labor force suddenly increases by hundreds of thousands, it is naturally impossible for everyone's salary to increase, which can be regarded as a cost savings. They immediately lowered our OEM costs, and Yangtze Toys’ profits suddenly dropped by a quarter!”

It is becoming more and more like a "low value-added" factory. Although the added value of textiles and garments is still higher than that of Hong Kong, Lin Zhichao also knows that in these industries, Hong Kong's real advantage is only cheap labor.

If it were not for the technology and quality of Yangtze River Industrial Group, which can still be guaranteed, I am afraid that the zipper and toy industries would not be so brilliant.

Audrey Toys went public last year. As the president, Rich naturally knew the tricks of "Barbie OEM". He immediately inspected Changjiang Toys in Hong Kong and proposed to reduce the OEM fee.

This kind of request is natural, and Lin Zhichao directly reduced it by 25%, which can be regarded as a face for Rich; after all, Audrey Toys is now a listed company, and Rich has a different perspective on some things. Of course, it does not mean that Audrey Hepburn has left the power. After all, she owns 51% of the shares, and Lin Zhichao's 9% of the shares can completely remove Rich, the president, from the board of directors.

After cutting off 25% of the quotation, the profit of Yangtze Toy Factory this year is only 30 million Hong Kong dollars, including profits from other toys, which is about 5 million.

"What is the salary of our skilled workers now, and what is the salary of ordinary workers?"

"The monthly salary of skilled workers is 150 to 180 yuan, and the salary of ordinary workers is 100 to 130 yuan. There are also a small number of temporary workers whose salary is only 3 yuan a day."

Okay!

In the general environment, this salary level belongs to top students; what’s more, Cheung Kong Industry is famous for its many benefits, three holiday benefits, double salary at the end of the year, overtime pay, lunch, etc. are all very good benefits. It’s only a double salary for one year, but it’s actually a 10% salary increase every month.

In the previous life in 1966, the salary of skilled workers was 9 Hong Kong dollars a day, and the salary of ordinary workers was 4-5 Hong Kong dollars a day. There were also a lot of workers with a monthly salary of 100 yuan, and child labor accounted for about 7%.

In this era, Hong Kong is a paradise for ordinary people, but in fact Hong Kong’s GDP is 50% of Argentina’s and 35% of Venezuela’s. It has not yet developed yet!

What's more, the population has surged by 10 to 15% in the past two years, and Hong Kong can no longer bear it. It is already very good to be able to give everyone a bowl of rice, and it will always get better and better.

"Well, let's digest it for a year or two before considering the salary increase. However, we must pay close attention to the situation so as not to cause labor disturbances."

In fact, throughout the 1950s and 1960s, labor unrest abounded, perhaps more than a dozen times a year; however, because no one fanned the flames and the management compromised a little, they quickly subsided.

In the previous life, even Fairchild Semiconductor's 'transistor' factory in Hong Kong had a strike. As a result, it is natural to add some, anyway, it is acceptable cheap labor.

A normal factory strike is nothing to worry about. The two sides compromise with each other and can be resolved within a week.

So far, the Yangtze River Industries Group has never had a strike. After all, the salary plus benefits, the Yangtze River Industries Group is in a top position.

Lin Zhichao, who returned to the office, sat on his seat and flipped through the materials.

Last year, Yangtze River Industry Group made a profit of 117 million, including: 45 million yuan for zippers, 30 million yuan for toys, 2,500 yuan for plastic flowers, 12 million yuan for steel, and 5 million yuan for wigs and electrical appliances.

Not bad, if you lose something in the east, you can make up for it in the west.

The profits of steel and zippers have risen; the profits of plastic flowers have stabilized.

Excluding the amount of reinvestment, the Yangtze River Industries Group once again obtained a cash flow of 8,000, and the cash flow in Hong Kong reached 180 million Hong Kong dollars. Plus overseas funds, that is 500 million cash.

Who said that industrial products with low added value will not make money!

After all, Li Jiacheng made a plastic flower in his previous life and earned tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars, which can be described as very profitable.

Low value-added products, one is to use Hong Kong's cheap labor force, and the other is to have very little reinvestment funds, which results in a large amount of cash flow.

On the contrary, if it is a high-end industry, it is always necessary to increase investment, and the cash flow initiative will not be high.

The Spring Festival is coming.

Audrey Hepburn came to Hong Kong for the holiday with her two sons.

I had already been here once during the winter vacation; now that school has started in Europe and the United States, Lin Ruidong wanted to experience the Spring Festival. Audrey Hepburn directly asked him for leave, and the family came to Hong Kong to reunite.

The family is enjoying themselves at No. 79 Deep Water Bay.

"Why don't you let Rui Huan come to Los Angeles to study in high school, so that I can take care of him and the three brothers can have regular contact!" Audrey Hepburn complained while sitting on the sofa.

Since this man wants to unite the family, she will adhere to this concept, not to mention that everyone gets along really well, and the three women have carried guns and been on the battlefield together.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "What we want is to cultivate his independence. Naturally, he does not need an adult to watch him. What's more, I have already found a homestay family for him and let him experience boarding life for three years."

He was very proud of his arrangement, and of course he had consulted Lin Ruihuan for his opinion. The host family was just an ordinary family. They were neither Lin Zhichao's friends nor Lin Zhichao's subordinates, but a client of the Yangtze River Industrial Group.

However, Lin Zhichao had visited, so he felt there was no problem with this arrangement.

Audrey Hepburn said: "I will visit him occasionally and bring his two brothers with me!"

Tang Caiyun quickly expressed her gratitude. No matter how smart her son is, he is only thirteen years old this year. It is difficult for her to leave Hong Kong, so it is good to have Audrey Hepburn visit occasionally.

Lin Zhichao said: "Try to visit as little as possible and don't give money. The evaluation of his three years of high school life can only be reflected in the host family and school. Moreover, I visited this host family specifically. They are a very cultured and well-educated family." "

He has his own ideas!

Upon seeing this, Audrey Hepburn immediately said: "Okay, I understand what you are thinking. Then you can invite him to Los Angeles during the holidays."

She must understand how men think!

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "That's good! Try not to disturb the host family, so as not to cause trouble, just let Ruihuan contact you later."

As his eldest son, Lin Ruihuan devoted the most energy. He was only 20 years old after finishing college. Lin Zhichao hoped that he would choose to work in the United States for two years, or study a master's degree and return to Hong Kong.

In this way, when I returned to Hong Kong in 1971, I happened to witness the listing process of Cheung Kong Holdings.

Regarding the study of children, Lin Zhichao's plan was: in the year before 1967, the three brothers Lin Ruijiang, Lin Ruihai, and Lin Ruikai were all sent to study in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The youngest of the group, Lin Ruikai, was only 12 years old in 1966, equivalent to starting his study abroad career in middle school.

The first is that there are benefits to studying abroad in advance. The second is that Hong Kong was not at peace that year, so it would be better to diversify your ‘investment’.

It’s the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Lin Zhichao came to Tang Zhongyuan's house with his entire family, including Audrey Hepburn and her two sons.

Tang Zhongyuan's family has moved to No. 77 Deep Water Bay at the beginning of this year. The entire reconstruction project of No. 77 Deep Water Bay took only four years, which was much faster than the construction of No. 79 Deep Water Bay.

The main reason is to satisfy the urgent wish of her mother-in-law Song Qiaoling to move into a garden villa. In fact, the Tang family's garden house in Mid-Levels is also pretty good.

In the villa, Lin Zhichao, Tang Zhongyuan, Tang Xianqian, and Tang Youqian sat on the sofa in the living room, drinking tea, while Song Qiaoling led the women and children to visit and play in the villa.

Tang Xianqian has been working for three and a half years, Tang Youqian has been graduating for half a year, and Tang Zhongyuan is now nurturing two sons; the eldest son can stand on his own, and this year he is at the age of starting a family and starting a business, while the younger son will stay by his side to train.

Tang Zhongyuan's business is divided into two parts - textiles and garments. As for real estate, he does not count as his industry. He only owns a large factory in Tsuen Wan, and an industrial building in North Point and Chai Wan.

"How is Nigeria doing?" Lin Zhichao asked casually.

He supported the Tang family. Without him, the Tang family might have returned to Shanghai for reform. This is what Tang Zhongyuan was most grateful to Lin Zhichao for. At that time, he thought that the political situation would be stabilized, so he went back. It was Lin Zhichao who persuaded him.

The Tang family's textiles and ready-made garments are all inseparable from Lin Zhichao's support, especially the ready-made garment industry, which was the Yangtze River Garments back then. And now Nigeria's industry was proposed by Lin Zhichao, otherwise it would not be the Tang family's turn.

"The development is very good. At present, we have 6 textile factories, 2 dyeing factories, and 1 garment factory. The capital has reached more than 20 million Hong Kong dollars. The Nigerian government has given us good support and protection, and I hope very much We will continue to increase investment." Tang Xianqian respectfully reported to his brother-in-law.

Tang Zhongyuan added: "Although they want us to increase investment, we still increase investment a little bit. The first is to stimulate their appetite, and the second is to prevent political instability."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Three and a half years of development is already very fast. My father-in-law has considered it very carefully."

After chatting for a while, Tang Zhongyuan said with a smile: "Rui Huan is thirteen years old this year. He will be able to come back to help you in seven years. This child is smart and stable. He is ready for work at first sight."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It's still early. I hope he will come back when he is twenty-two, either to work in the United States for two years, or to study for a master's degree. As for helpers, with Caiyun and Caiying watching, I am no longer in a hurry. Think about something else."

Only then did Tang Zhongyuan and his son realize that the other two women in the Tang family were also powerful members of the Lin family. Lin Zhichao does not have the stubborn thinking of some veteran businessmen who let women take care of their children at home. Instead, he encourages his wife to work in the company.