The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

With the arrival of the new year (1968), although Hong Kong was still in a "nervous" mood, it also began to exude hope.

At a party after New Year's Day, Lin Zhichao, He Shanheng, He Tian, ​​Zheng Yutong, Li Shauji and others gathered together.

Lin Zhichao rarely puts on airs, so he has always been a polite corporal and has a very good relationship with the future Chinese tycoons; otherwise, with his status as the "World Shipping King" and "Sir", how many friends can he have in Hong Kong?

In fact, he has a lot of friends in Hong Kong, but he has very few enemies.

Logically speaking, he robbed too many people of opportunities, but he had very few enemies.

Why is this?

Of course, because he grabbed the opportunity one step ahead, so why should he offend others!

Everyone was eating snacks at Lu Yu Tea House and chatting about business matters, which was very pleasant; this is the happiness brought by friends. After all, being a businessman is very important to learn interpersonal relationships.

After taking a sip of tea, He Shanheng said: "Despite the great turmoil in Hong Kong last year, Hong Kong's economy still did not collapse completely and continued to grow at a high speed. Last year, Hong Kong's total import and export trade reached 19.95 billion Hong Kong dollars, which was 18.02 billion Hong Kong dollars higher than the year before (1966). The Hong Kong dollar has increased by nearly 2 billion. Last year’s GDP was HK$16.217 billion, while it was only HK$15.218 billion the year before. The export of Hong Kong products increased by 1 billion, from HK$6.2 billion to HK$7.2 billion last year.”

After he finished speaking, he didn't talk about anything else; he was a banker and told everyone the data.

Smart people will make their own judgments.

Seeing that all the smart people attending the party today, Lin Zhichao followed suit and said: "What Mr. Shan means is that the world economy maintains good economic growth, Hong Kong's economy is also growing, and the property market has not climbed to a peak that is unrealistic. The plunge is due to people's fear. The Chinese government has stated that it will maintain the status quo in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government has firmly controlled the situation, and the confidence of Hong Kong citizens will recover relatively quickly."

He Shanheng was stunned. Seeing Lin Zhichao supporting Zheng Yutong and Li Zhaoji so obviously, he was a little confused. Although they are all from Shunde, there is no need to be so obvious!

Then, he said with a smile: "Sir Lin's vision is unparalleled in the world! Everyone is saying that Cheung Kong Holdings has acquired a lot of properties last year, which is really admirable!"

Lin Zhichao said easily: "My idea at the time was very simple. If I lose the bet, I will sail the fleet to Singapore or London. It doesn't mean I have lost completely. It's not that I have good vision, but I dare to bet!"

Everyone immediately believed in Lin Zhichao's confession, and of course they also admired Lin Zhichao's strength.

In fact, Li Shauji and Zheng Yutong also tentatively purchased some bargains last year, but did not fully intervene in bargain hunting. However, based on He Shanheng's analysis today, I am afraid that they will have to gamble all their wealth and buy bargains.

The fear of this year (1968) still exists, and there are still a large number of wealthy people selling properties and preparing to immigrate, so there is no shortage of bargains in the market; of course, Lin Zhichao’s assets of nearly 200 million yuan have still brought the property price up a bit, but Still very cheap.

Lee Shau Kee always listened silently at gatherings, but sometimes he also made very smart remarks: "At its peak in 1966, 30,000 units were completed in Hong Kong, but the number of units completed from 1967 to 1969 is estimated to be very few; and the sales volume of residential buildings has always existed. And it’s more than completed, so when this wave of properties is fully digested, there should be an improvement.”

Although there were a surplus of tens of thousands of residential units back then, no one dared to open new projects since the bank run crisis. However, due to the sharp fall in housing prices, many people actually bought them, almost all of them in urgent need or bargain hunters.

Lin Zhichao also analyzed that at the turn of the spring and summer of 1969, the price of mid- and low-end housing should return to 55 to 70 yuan, which was the level of 1964.

"That makes sense!"

At this time, we are not very strong competitors. We usually discuss the real estate situation at gatherings, and everyone expresses their opinions. But there is a common view that real estate will return to normal sooner or later.

As for whether you are willing to buy the bottom, that is a personal matter!

Although Lee Shau Kee was a member of Sun Hung Kai at this time, he actually also had his own real estate company and could use his personal money to buy bargains. As for Zheng Yutong, he has relatively strong funds.

After the party.

On his way back, Zheng Yutong immediately decided to take action and acquire a large amount of cheap urban land.

Lee Shau Kee also made the decision to spend all his funds and buy a large amount of cheap land.

Huo Xingtang Enterprises.

Airship Tai came to the office and immediately called his executive Ling Hanwei.

"Awei, is there any progress in leasing the 'Kowloon Commercial Building'?"

Kowloon Commercial Building, later known as "Starlight", was a joint venture between the Airship Tai Group and three other groups to form the Kowloon Land Company. It began investment and construction in 1961. In addition to Airship Tai, its shareholders include He Gambling God, He Tian, ​​Guan Qiming, Zhong Minghui and others.

A total investment of HK$30 million was invested in the entire building, which was considered a very large real estate project at the time. Among them, Airship Tai personally bears 7.5 million, or a quarter of the total investment, and the other three consortiums each also account for a quarter. But among them, Kowloon Land Company borrowed NT$10 million from HSBC, and this loan was guaranteed in the name of Fok Ying-tung.

This building was completed in 1964. It is located on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui and has an excellent location. It was initially rented by many merchants, one of the larger tenants being Huayi Company. ‘Huayi’ mainly deals in Chinese handicrafts and has a Chinese investment background.

"Boss, the situation is not good. You have been banned by the British and American governments!"

Airship Tai stood up fiercely and said in confusion: "It doesn't make sense! I've been hiding abroad for more than half a year and I didn't participate in it. Why are they still chasing me!"

He knew from the beginning that it would be difficult for him to be caught between two sides (he did not approve of violence, as was the case on both sides), so he took a flight to England from the day after the accident to avoid trouble.

After that, he traveled to France, the United States, Canada, etc.; at this point, Flying Tai was very confident that it was very safe for him to go to these countries and he would not be targeted. After all, these countries respect the rule of law. If he is really wanted, Hong Kong will not be safe.

Ling Hanwei said: "It seems that because of the lease of the Kowloon Commercial Building to Huayi, you are still regarded as pro-domestic. And now that the Americans are holding on to the past, it is okay. The US Consul in Hong Kong has listed the Kowloon Commercial Building in The 'blacklist' clearly declares that all tenants of Kowloon commercial buildings are not allowed to buy or sell American goods, and even those cash registers made in the United States are banned. This will be extremely inconvenient for merchants renting Kowloon commercial buildings. The most affected ones are the bowling alley and Dinghao department store, including Chen Zefu’s bowling alley, which will need to use Australian equipment.”

Airship Ty suddenly paced back and forth in the office angrily. He thought the matter had been avoided, but he didn't expect it to become more serious. Now that Britain and the United States regard him as a close relative, the blow has been put on the table.

Especially when Zuo Lengchan was being liquidated outside and thousands of people were imprisoned, he was lucky to have left Hong Kong for more than half a year, otherwise he would not have been able to go in.

Ling Hanwei saw his boss's frown on his face, so he could only bite the bullet and report another piece of news: "Now the tenants are asking for price reductions, saying that it will cause them a lot of trouble. But the customers who were originally interested in renting have been deterred."

Airship Tai caught a keyword and immediately said: "Then rent it out at a reduced price. It only costs 9 cents per square foot. This price is very attractive."

He calculated that if he rented out the entire Kowloon commercial building at this price, he would be able to earn back all his investment in just eight or nine years.

Ling Hanwei nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do it right away!"

Airship Tai nodded, he thought that in this way, the matter should be solved.

The conference room of Cheung Kong Holdings.

Lin Zhichao is having a meeting with senior executives to summarize last year's work and formulate plans for this year.

"This year, we have two large-scale commercial projects to prepare! The first is the 'Raffles City' in Singapore. I decided to formally form a team and start planning. The second is the planning of the Navy Dockyard, and we need to finalize the rough plan. , especially communication with the government must be completed.”

Raffles City in Singapore will be built as a ‘shopping center’ brand of Cheung Kong Holdings in the future. The first Raffles City building in Singapore will start construction this year and is expected to be officially operational in 1971.

At this time, Orchard Road has been designated as a shopping street by the new government, but it has not been made public. At the same time, there are now two department stores on Orchard Road. The first one is the 'Damaru Department Store' of the Cheung Kong Industrial Group, and the second one is the 'Dong's Department Store' which was followed by a Chaoshan businessman named Dong Junjing. So in This road has begun to have the potential of a retail street.

As for the planning of the Naval Dockyard, it has been ongoing. However, due to the complexity of this project, the fact that it is a core area connecting Central and Wan Chai, and the impact of the events of the past year, the rough planning has not yet been completed.

Of course, the government has not specified when Cheung Kong will complete the naval dock project, so it is impossible to impose fines. Coupled with Lin Zhichao's current close relationship with the Hong Kong government, it is even more impossible to create difficulties.

Lin Zhichao's idea is to complete the plan this year and start construction of the two office towers on the coast next year - Towers A and B of the Far East Financial Center. As for the 'Shangri-La Hotel (Burj Al Arab)' on the coast, it is planned to start construction in 1970 and 1975. Just started business.

The above three buildings are the first phase of the project and were completed in the mid-1970s; as for the second phase of the project, the following two buildings and a shopping mall were completed in the late 1970s or early 1980s; The third phase of the project was 'Yangtze River Plaza (the former Pacific Place)', which was completed in 1985.

The entire project is planned to take 20 years.

After listening to Lin Zhichao's arrangements, Huang Changhong asked: "Are the real estate development projects arranged this year?"

Lin Zhichao said: "It needs to be arranged, but it is more reasonable to start the arrangement in the middle of the year! According to the current situation, considering factors such as the market's restored confidence and inventory consumption, it is expected that the situation will improve greatly in 1969."

Huang Changhong and others nodded one after another. The boss's analysis was very convincing. Market confidence and inventory consumption are crucial factors. If the site is developed in the middle of the year, off-plan properties can be sold next year.

Huang Changhong then suggested: "Boss, I suggest that Yangtze River Industrial Group can invest more in the development of 'high-end, luxury residential' projects in the future, which can enhance the influence of the brand."

Lin Zhichao thought for a while and said: "That's okay. Later, we can focus on sites suitable for construction and take photos or buy them. Mid-levels, Kowloon Tong, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, etc. are all very good high-end residential projects."

Hu Zhaoxu also echoed: "Opening up luxury housing will not only enhance the brand of Yangtze River Industrial, but also enhance the company's technical strength, and the rate of return will be higher."

It can be regarded as a sublimation of real estate companies. Being a real estate company is also equivalent to building a brand. In the future, it will help the public to recognize "Cheung Kong Industries".

Kowloon Commercial Building (Star House) released a monthly rent of HK$0.9 per square foot per square foot. Once the news was released, it attracted many merchants to visit and rent.

But the next scene made Tai, Tian, ​​He, Guan Qiming and others dumbfounded - the Hong Kong Telephone Company called everyone who was interested in renting a commercial building in Kowloon and 'advised' them not to rent a commercial building in Kowloon. It's big; if you rent it, you may not be able to get through the phone in a long time.

Anyone with a discerning eye will know at a glance that this is the government's directive to the Hong Kong Telephone Company.

So how can business people go against the government? How can they do business without a phone? As a result, people who want to rent commercial buildings in Kowloon, my brother, dare not rent because of the pressure from the government.

Some customers who had already rented even rented out the properties without asking for deposits.

The huge Kowloon commercial building was suddenly deserted and deserted.

Having been in the shopping mall for many years and accustomed to the ups and downs, Airship Tai has nothing to do in the face of the 'persecution' from Britain and the United States. So, Feipingtai called together his partners to discuss the plan at Lu Yu's teahouse.

He Gambling God, He Tian, ​​Guan Qiming, Zhong Minghui and others were sitting together, naturally in a bad mood. They did not expect that the matter would be so big.

Airship Tai was the first to speak: "The situation is irreversible. The British and American governments are very resolute. We have called everyone here today to see if we should sell this property?"

Guan Qiming said: "The real estate market is currently at a historical low, and the Kowloon commercial building is very large. We have invested 30 million for so many years, but we have to sell it for 40 million, otherwise we will not even be able to earn back the bank interest. It is so expensive, not There may be investors willing to buy it.”

It is impossible to lose money. Although real estate is at a low point now, the Kowloon Commercial Building is in a very advantageous location. If it were not for the opposition of the British Hong Kong government, there would be no problem in recovering the capital in seven years.

He Tian said: "It's hard to sell 40 million yuan. I should be able to dispose of it for about 38 million yuan. Don't think about making money. It's good if you can protect your capital."

He Gambling God said: "Yes, it will be good if someone buys it!"

Seeing that everyone decided to sell the Kowloon Commercial Building, but worried that no one would buy it, Airship Tai finally expressed his thoughts: "Since everyone has decided to sell, I happen to have sufficient funds and am willing to buy your shares. What do you think?"

The company that the four consortiums cooperated with was called Kowloon Real Estate; Kowloon Real Estate borrowed HK$10 million from HSBC to complete the project, but the guarantor was Airship Tai.

So if we sell our shares to Airship Tai, he doesn't need to pay too much money.

As soon as he finished speaking, Airship Tai, who thought things would go smoothly, found that everyone was silent and seemed reluctant.

He Tian said: "I see what everyone wants!"

Guan Qiming said: "I am just following the crowd!"

Everyone will look at He Gambling God, Zhong Minghui and others!

He Gambling God said: "This won't work!"

After that, he stopped talking and didn’t explain why it couldn’t work!

Zhong Minghui said: "This is really not good! The British and American officials force us to sell. If we don't obey, the consequences will be disastrous!"

Immediately, Tai did not sell airships, which dominated the mainstream opinion.

Airship Tai looked at He Gambling God and really couldn't understand why this man was like this.

But he soon understood: if everyone cooperates together, the shares are equal; if it is sold to others, regardless of profit or loss, everyone's interests are also equal. But if you sell it to him alone, it means that you don't have as much money as him; if he alone dominates, there will be a hierarchy among everyone.

He was a little disappointed. He thought that when he was doing business, he was not willing to consider his friends. Unexpectedly, these friends would always let me down.

Sure enough, one has to learn from Sir Lin, who rarely cooperates with others in doing business.

It’s not that he doesn’t have money, but he prefers to make friends, so they start a business together.

At this time, after he figured it out, he was not distressed, so he proposed: "In that case, I will lend you money and don't sell the Kowloon Commercial Building. After all, the value of this piece of land is here. What do you think?"

He has made a lot of money in real estate over the years, and every time there is a sharp decline, he does not lose much because he is not a very aggressive person. He can get 20 to 30 million in cash.

He thought he had good intentions, but he didn't expect that the plan would be rejected again.

He Gambling God means that since trouble has come to their door, they should decisively cut it off; if the British and American officials force them to sell their properties, then they should do it. This is called losing money and eliminating disaster.

Airship Ty suddenly felt that these people really had no feelings to talk about!

He thinks that he has always been very fair in doing business and has helped people make a lot of money. Many people partnered with him to do business, putting up a little capital or even no capital at all (debt). If there were difficulties later, he would even help them advance payment, or issue AB shares to protect the rights and interests of others. It's better now, these people have failed their feelings, from Dr. Tang Yuhan to today's He Gambling God

Everyone fell silent!

Airship Tai also began to think that if he purchased the Kowloon Commercial Building independently, Britain and the United States would never allow him to live a good life. Forget it, let’s prepare to sell it!

"Well, I'm the one who's causing trouble this time, so let's spread the word about this building and see if anyone buys it!"

Everyone no longer has any objections. As for being implicated or not, it doesn’t matter!

After all, the investment is not large, so just pretend that this project has not made any money.