The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

In the conference room of Cheung Kong Industries, Lin Zhichao was having a meeting with senior executives.

At this time, Cheung Kong Holdings has not been reorganized or reorganized its assets. It is still affiliated with Cheung Kong Real Estate and is not separated from each other. Land reserves, commercial buildings, etc. are all under the Cheung Kong Land Group, but all employees are affiliated with Cheung Kong Land and shopping malls. , construction companies, quarry companies, etc., are all under the name of Yangtze River Industries.

In the conference room, Lin Zhichao said: "A kind of convenience store has emerged in the United States. Although it is not large, it can basically meet the basic needs of citizens. I want to introduce it to Hong Kong. Manager Liang, please lead a team of senior staff from the retail department to inspect it. . And got in touch with American Southern Company and obtained the regional operating rights of their 7-11 convenience stores."

Originally, he was very familiar with convenience stores, but with the existing signboard, he didn't have to build a new one. After joining, you can add new business concepts and management to the original model, and you will be very successful.

Liang Guangchang nodded and said: "No problem! I have also learned that there are many new retail models in the West, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. This convenience store is the best breakthrough for our retail business. I will definitely talk about this seriously. cooperating."

He has been responsible for the commercial real estate projects of Cheung Kong Holdings from the beginning, so he is naturally no stranger to the retail business. Strictly speaking, department stores and shopping malls are a type of retail business.

Lin Zhichao said: "Supermarkets have indeed been developed in Europe and the United States for many years, but they have not yet been born in Hong Kong. However, supermarkets have very high requirements for retail management and channels. We at Cheung Kong Holdings can only start with simpler convenience stores. Don’t be too ambitious. Don’t underestimate the scale of convenience stores. Once a chain model is formed, Hong Kong will be able to accommodate hundreds of convenience stores, and it will be a huge retail business.”

Huang Changhong nodded: "Not only that, relying on our commercial real estate projects, opening this kind of small convenience store enjoys many advantages."

In Hong Kong, you cannot do anything without dealing with real estate developers. Real estate developers are the masters of any business.

After a discussion among the management, they unanimously decided to use "convenience stores" as an opportunity to enter the retail industry.

At present, the retail industry in Hong Kong is roughly divided into three types: department stores, specialty stores, and stores.

In the field of department stores, Hong Kong has brands such as Xianshi, Wing On, Lane Crawford, and Yingzhijie. There are more than 100 large and small department stores in Hong Kong. These department stores are actually shopping malls, but the models are different, but in fact the products It is also very rich. In addition to product sales, there are also catering services.

Specialty stores are stores that sell a certain variety or type of goods, such as electrical appliances, fashion, footwear, jewelry, watches, kitchen supplies, sports equipment, etc. The same type can be classified, such as clothing, which can be divided into men's clothing, women's clothing, and children's clothing.

Shiduo, the transliteration of English Store, is the retail store with the most shops in Hong Kong, which is called "small grocery store" in China; this is a kind of retail store in the streets, mostly mom-and-pop shops, father-son shops, small operations, and sales. Low-end haberdashery and food; store stalls are small and do not pay attention to decoration and decoration, but only seek practicality - based on the location and customer source, they sell products closely related to daily life.

Of course, there is another important form of Hong Kong's retail industry, that is - small vendors and itinerant vendors; most of these vendors are unlicensed vendors, so they are also bullied by associations and chased by JC. This form is also called by the citizens The best time to do "ghost walking" is before 8 o'clock in the morning and after 8 o'clock in the evening. There are few police officers on duty at that time, so there is a lot of opportunity.

After the meeting, Lin Zhichao and Huang Changhong went to the ‘Caile de Coral Flagship Store’ on Queen’s Road in Central to attend the opening ceremony.

The 'Cabar Le' fast food restaurant, which has been planned for seven or eight months, finally has its first store in Central. It is also opened according to the model of a flagship store, with two floors upstairs and downstairs. The model of paying first to get the ticket and then getting the food is implemented.

Café de Coral has a central food processing plant in North Point. After the dishes are prepared, they are cooked in the second-floor kitchen of the Queen’s Road store. This model can greatly reduce the kitchen area used in each store and give more area to the store. For business.

"Second uncle, what do you think?" Lin Zhichao said to Lin Yunchu with a smile after arriving at the scene.

Café de Coral is a joint venture between Cheung Kong Holdings and Lin Zhihao, with management rights handed over to Lin Zhihao.

Lin Yunchu sighed: "The investment is huge! I didn't expect that a fast food restaurant requires so much investment!"

It is a central food processing factory and a large store in Central. The investment is really huge.

Huang Changhong said with a smile at this time: "Don't worry, Lin Sheng. Many white-collar workers in office buildings in Central are worried about eating at noon every day. Either the speed is not fast enough and it is a waste of time; or the taste is simple and the meal is not very enjoyable. Like Café de Coral This model is just right for these white-collar workers!”

In fact, if the boss had not participated in the investment, he would have been somewhat skeptical of this model. After all, most people still have the traditional concept of being served, and this kind of self-service fast food has almost no service at all.

Lin Zhichao then asked: "Zhihao, have you carried out a lot of publicity in major office buildings?"

Lin Zhihao nodded and said: "Yes, we have promoted it almost everywhere around here, printed a lot of leaflets, and invited reporters from Oriental Daily to report. It's over there!"

Lin Zhichao said with satisfaction: "We must build a stable consumer group before others can imitate Café de Coral. In this way, no matter who follows suit, Café de Coral's position cannot be shaken. And this fixed consumer group must rely on word of mouth." It’s been passed down.”

"What Brother Zhichao said is true, I will definitely bear it in mind!" Lin Zhihao said respectfully.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lin Zhichao and Huang Changhong inspected the interior. The decoration was very tidy, but each table was relatively compact, maximizing space saving. This is originally the situation in Hong Kong restaurants. When eating in a small restaurant in Hong Kong, it is normal to share a table, and you even have to finish your meal quickly and give it to the next group of people. This is why later generations did not allow strollers to enter small stores, because placing strollers in the aisles directly affected the circulation of the entire store.

No matter how many inspections there are, it is better to experience it for yourself. Soon we arrived at the hotel, where Lin Zhichao and Huang Changhong happened to have a quick meal.

At this time, Café de Coral fast food, Chinese fast food, has large meat and small meat and vegetables. Customers buy a ticket first, and then give the ticket to the waiter. Customers can choose their own dishes, but the large meat, small meat and vegetables are all ordered according to the quantity on the ticket. .

This model will waste a little time when customers choose dishes, and individual customers may be very slow; but there is currently no better way, let alone if it has just opened.

In the future, it will be a fixed ordering category. Café de Coral can develop ‘barbecued pork rice’, ‘teppanyaki rice’, etc., which are all fixed set meals, instead of the current model.

After experiencing it, Lin Zhichao was still full of praise and said: "It is very convenient. This model is very practical for white-collar workers in office buildings and students in schools."

Huang Changhong also said: "Indeed, if we catch all the people who like to eat Chinese and Western food, I will choose this place!"

Lin Yunchu couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. His eldest son followed his cousin and finally developed. I heard from my eldest son that Café de Coral is a chain store, and its future goal is to spread across Hong Kong and Kowloon. Eventually, it will choose to go public and form a catering group.

Obviously, he never dreamed that this undertaking would be so huge.

When everyone left, the entire restaurant was almost full. After they finished eating, a waiter quickly took away the plates, and then someone occupied a seat.

Suddenly, a new dining model in Hong Kong was born!

Three months later.

Friday, November 8th.

Today is an auspicious day, and a big event is about to happen in Hong Kong, that is, the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel will be opened today.

At the opening ceremony, Chinese and foreign celebrities such as Dai Linzhi, Lin Zhichao, Sandashi, Xiao Maden, Qi Dezun, Li Mingze and so on gathered together, and the scene was filled with joy.

The Hung Hom Tunnel is 1.86 kilometers long and is constructed as an immersed tube tunnel with a speed limit of 70 kilometers per hour. It will be constructed and operated by Hong Kong Tunnel Co., Ltd. on a "build, operate, transfer" basis. The franchise will expire in 2004, which is a 40-year franchise.

The northern entrance and exit is located in the Hung Hom Bay Reclamation Area, and the toll plaza is located at the Hung Hom Bay exit, with a total of 16 toll booths; the southern entrance and exit is on Keli Island, Causeway Bay, located in the eastern district of Hong Kong Island.

The initial fares for the Hung Hom Tunnel are three levels: HKD 3 for a car, HKD 5 for a minibus, and HKD 8 for a bus/truck. The designed maximum daily throughput is 80,000 vehicles, but in practice it can naturally be overloaded. After all, 80,000 vehicles is only a theoretical number.

The vehicle charges are set based on the number of cars in Hong Kong and the debt situation of Hong Kong Tunnel Co., Ltd. (debt of HK$220 million with annual interest of 10%). In fact, the fees are already low. The first year's income may only be enough for the interest part, plus a small amount of principal repayment.

In short, investors roughly estimate that the capital will be paid back in 12 to 15 years (actually not necessary). This rate of return is completely charitable. In this era, the interest rates of Hong Kong banks are 5 to 6%, and bank loan interest rates are as high as about 15%. Of course, there are also low-interest loans, which depend on connections.

The largest shareholder of the operator 'Hong Kong Tunnel Co., Ltd.' is Cheung Kong Holdings, accounting for 50% of the shares; however, Hong Kong Tunnel Co., Ltd. is independently operated, with Cheung Kong Holdings as the largest shareholder and Qi Dezun as chairman (Lin Chi-chao does not like to hold public office, other part-time job in a company).

At the opening ceremony of the Hung Hom Tunnel, David Dai first delivered a speech: "Today is a big event for Hong Kong traffic. The Hung Hom Tunnel connecting Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is officially opened, ending more than 120 years of traffic inconvenience (during the British colonial years). Here, we have to thank The toll issue of the Hung Hom Tunnel is a matter of great concern to many of the consortium leaders who have invested in the Hung Hom Tunnel, including Sir Lam Chi-chiu, Sandus Taipan, and David C. Dezun. The Hong Kong government has deliberately negotiated with the investment consortium many times, and the final price is also Very reasonable.”

It is definitely reasonable. After all, it is impossible to charge too much at the beginning; and considering the increase in the number of subsequent trains, prices can also be raised in the 1970s. In short, under Lin Zhichao's suggestion, the initial charge is almost enough to cover interest, and then deduct Operating costs, etc., and only a small amount of profit in the end.

Next, Qi Dezun stepped forward to speak as the chairman of the board of directors!

Lin Zhichao did not choose to speak on stage. He has never been very fond of the limelight.

After the opening ceremony, the first car officially started passing through the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel. At Lin Zhichao's suggestion, Alex Shum was selected from TVB. The reason is simple. Fat women are a blessing. I hope it will bring blessings to the Hung Hom Cross Harbor Tunnel.

At this time, Shum Dianxia had hosted "Happy Tonight" for less than a year and was already somewhat famous, but not very famous, so she herself was very surprised.

The cocktail party that followed.

Dai Linzhi said happily: "Sir Lin, Hong Kong's economy is recovering. The opening of the Hung Hom Tunnel is a very important event, which will improve the entire Hong Kong economy. We all know that you were the Against all odds, build this undersea tunnel. Thank you for your contribution to Hong Kong’s economy!”

No one around him was dissatisfied with his words.

When it was proposed to build the undersea tunnel, almost no one was willing to invest, and even the Hong Kong government was not optimistic about it. It was Lin Zhichao who used his connections to lobby everywhere, and successively asked HSBC, Standard Chartered, IWC, etc. to provide low-interest loans of 10%. It would not have been possible without Lin Zhichao's personal guarantee. Later, when investors were found, the four main partners - HSBC, Wheelock, Hutchison, and Hysan - all invested in Lin Zhichao's favor.

Lin Zhichao said modestly: "Your Majesty, the Governor of Hong Kong, has given you the award! In fact, this is a good investment that can not only obtain stable income, but also contribute to the Hong Kong economy. Of course, the Governor of Hong Kong said that the economy is recovering, but in fact, it is a very good investment. I have a slightly different view. Hong Kong’s economy has never declined, so where is the recovery coming from?”

"Ha ha"

Everyone laughed.

What Lin Zhichao said makes sense. Although the stock market and real estate plummeted last year, Hong Kong's economy at this time mainly relied on trade, industry, etc., and the impact on real estate and the stock market was not great. Trade and industry both experienced good growth last year and were not affected by the Zuo Lengchan incident.

Later, Lin Zhichao also chatted with Qi Dezun for a few words. Hutchison Matheson was not very powerful at this time. It was only in 1966 that it annexed three long-established foreign companies, Watsons, Dehuibao, and Taihe. Its strength was instantly promoted from a small foreign company to a medium foreign company.

As for the promotion to Ocean Bank, there will be a series of actions later, such as the annexation of Huangpu Shipyard, Junyi warehouse, etc. In short, as long as the stock market is used well, the speed of expansion can be very fast.

The next day.

In the morning, Hong Kong newspapers published the grand opening of the Hung Hom Tunnel, with 80 to 90% positive reviews. However, some media also commented on the issue of excessive tolls.

Lin Zhichao had anticipated this situation. To be honest, even if it is operating at a loss, some people say the price is too expensive.

A car trip costs 3 yuan per person. Based on the five people in the car, the total cost per person is 60 cents. The first-class seat on the Star Ferry in Hong Kong is 35 cents. It seems a bit expensive, but in fact the cost of the car is still high. Didn’t count it!

The car ferry costs at least 6 yuan per trip, and the Hung Hom Tunnel is only half that. The important thing is that there is almost no waiting in the Hung Hom Tunnel.

"Husband, you have to let your subordinates purify the content of "Oriental Daily" and make it less dusty!" Tang Caiyun walked to the yard and said to Lin Zhichao who was reading the newspaper.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhichao immediately said: "No problem! It seems a bit excessive. I will ask Luo Wenhui and the others to purify the content later."

In the beginning, for the sake of sales, there was indeed some unscrupulousness.

Tang Caiyun brought it up today, and Lin Zhichao immediately decided to correct it. After all, it might affect his reputation or the family members.

"Well, I think there is nothing wrong with reporting timely news, but too many sensual things will always bring down our family's face." Tang Caiyun was seriously moved.

"You're right! It seems that I haven't managed for a long time and haven't seriously thought about this problem, so I am a little slow to react. The suggestions are very good!"

Tang Caiyun suddenly smiled. She thought she was going to have a little ideological conflict with her husband, but she didn't expect her husband to be so sensible.

Then, she continued: "Aren't you still planning to enter the film and theater industry? I haven't seen you in action in the past six months?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "No rush! I have asked people to investigate the details, so I am already preparing!"

He didn't want to worry too much, so he hoped to win over someone, and that was Zou Wenhuai, who was still at Shaw Brothers Pictures. His investment in movies is definitely not to make money, but to lay the foundation for a future media empire, especially the foundation of a TV station.

"Um"

As time goes by, Tang Caiyun is now more concerned about the family business. She is paying attention to these five group companies, including Yangtze River Industrial, Yangtze River Industries, Shangri-La Hotels, Uniqlo Enterprises, and Media Group.

In the morning, Lin Zhichao drove to the Cheung Kong Industrial Park in Tsuen Wan.

In recent years, Yangtze River Industry's profits have remained at 90 to 100 million Hong Kong dollars. Excluding reinvestment funds, it can reserve 50 to 60 million Hong Kong dollars every year.

All these funds were injected into Cheung Kong Holdings to invest in Singapore’s ‘Raffles City’ and Tower AB of the Far East Financial Center.

Lin Zhichao is still trying to avoid loans. After all, it is his own rental property and he does not want to increase costs.

If it is listed on the market, there is no need to consider this aspect.

The conference room of Yangtze River Industry.

The general managers of the four businesses of zippers, toys, steel, and electronics, plus the senior management of the group, held a meeting together.

Zippers are the highlight of investment every year. Currently, there are factories in Europe, America, and Southeast Asia, and almost all of them cooperate with local people. Of course, the production capacity of factories in these places is far from the ratio of Hong Kong boxes. They are more of the same A kind of preparedness; if a trade war occurs, Yangtze Zipper can localize production capacity as soon as possible.

"Hong Kong's toy exports must exceed those of Japan. At this point, Yangtze River Toys must set an example. Therefore, in addition to OEM products such as Barbie dolls and Rubik's cubes, we must strive for more European and American toy OEMs and strengthen our own R\u0026D creativity." "Strength" Lin Zhichao made an important decision, that is, to lead Hong Kong toys to surpass Japan's total toy exports.

Ke Yanping immediately sensed his boss's long-lost ambition and was immediately affected, saying, "Okay, I will definitely encourage everyone to start over and create glory again!"

Lin Zhichao said with satisfaction: "You are right about starting over. We have lived in comfort for long enough, and it is time to start a business for the second time. In this way, we will set up a creative research and development room for car toys to independently develop more products. We will Looking at the world, we have the best ally Audrey Company, so we don’t have to worry about channels and promotion strategies.”

"Yes, boss!"

Due to the relationship between Yangtze Toys and Audrey Toys, I also know some American toy manufacturers. If you really have a good idea, you can cooperate with American toy manufacturers and promote it in the Americas. Although most of the profits are taken away by others, it is originally an American market, and Yangtze River Toys can just make a part of it.

This kind of cooperation is normal. For example, when the toy king Cai Zhiming in his previous life was manufacturing Snoopy, he also made some innovations and designed new shapes and multiple toys for Snoopy, which were very popular in the market.

Of course, Lin Zhichao’s real intention is to delve deeper into the field of automotive toys; when the time comes, a toy war with ‘Yangtze River Toys’ providing ammunition and Audrey Company responsible for strategy will officially begin.

Yes, it's "Transformers"!

The two parties cooperated again, and after Barbie, Rubik's Cube, Cabbage Patch Dolls and other toys, they once again won the boy's favorite toy-Transformers.

At the end of the meeting, Lin Zhichao asked: "How many tons of steel production has been expanded to?"

Cheng Yuanxiong said: "The annual production capacity has reached 100,000 tons!"

"Well, real estate is about to recover, and the amount of steel used in Hong Kong will increase significantly. We don't want to miss it."

"OK"

Several major industries have been planned by Lin Zhichao one by one, and his subordinates only need to follow his goals. There are more than 13,000 workers in the Yangtze River Industrial Group, and Lin Zhichao can no longer micromanage everything.

He can only formulate excellent big plans for this company, provide some 'classic ideas', and build a network of relationships; as for the rest, a large number of excellent management and talents will take care of the rest for him.