The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Time flies and September comes in a blink of an eye.

Lin Zhichao and Hu Zhaoxu came to the official land auction. There was a fiery atmosphere at the scene. It was obvious that many American, British and Japanese consortiums came to participate in the auction.

It turns out that there is a land auction at the intersection of Nathan Road and Salisbury Road in Kowloon today. This land is only separated from the Peninsula Hotel by Nathan Road. In a previous life, it was the address of the Sheraton Hotel.

Covering an area of ​​58,000 square feet, it is the coastal area of ​​Tsim Sha Tsui and one of the most popular tourist areas in Hong Kong; therefore, today is destined to be a great harvest day for the Hong Kong government.

As early as the beginning of this year, Hong Kong's real estate has become completely prosperous, returning to its peak in 1964; and in the past few months, real estate has become more and more prosperous.

The same is true for the stock market. The one-day transaction record has exceeded 30 million Hong Kong dollars. You must know that the annual transaction volume in the early 1960s was only 1.5 billion. At that time, the market was still the best.

Anyway.

Hong Kong's economy has completely exploded this year. It is like building a "foundation" that has been accumulated for 20 years, and now it is finally considered a world-class city.

Since there was only one land auction at the auction today, not many Chinese real estate developers participated, and they all came to watch the excitement. Lin Zhichao is more familiar with Chen Detai and Xu Shixun. For example, none of the people listed by Lin Zhichao as the "Six Real Estate Tigers" came.

Obviously, they still do not have the strength to get involved in commercial land, especially commercial land on government land. A commercial project takes up a huge amount of funds and will seriously affect the company's operations.

"Lin Sheng, I knew you would come back to show the glory of us Chinese!" Xu Shixun and Chen Detai came to Lin Zhichao and said with a smile.

He and Lin Zhichao are similar in age, but in fact Lin Zhichao has a better relationship with Xu Aizhou, the shipping king, but Xu Aizhou died in 1966.

Lin Zhichao has a relatively good relationship with many established wealthy people in Hong Kong.

In the future, it can be said that he was a man of the hour in Hong Kong in the 1940s and 1950s, and Kwok Desheng, Lee Shau Kee, and Cheng Yutong can only be regarded as his juniors in the shopping mall.

More importantly, it can be said that the influence of the Lam family in Hong Kong spans several eras.

"Xu Sheng, Chen Sheng, are you forming a consortium?" Lin Zhichao asked.

As far as he knew, Xu Shixun and Chen Detai had cooperated several times, and even cooperated with the Wharf Group to develop the Wharf Ocean Park. This kind of cooperation is meaningless. Others will find a reason to kick you out in the future, and at most you will make a small amount of money.

Xu Shixun said: "Look at the excitement! With the current popularity of the city, many overseas consortiums are sharpening their skills, but we are still weak. Only Lin Sheng can defeat them!"

The world's shipping king's financial resources are already at the level of a world consortium, so Xu Shixun's words are sincere.

Lin Zhichao said: "Not necessarily! This land is not necessary, and I am now burdened with debt, so I dare not act rashly. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city, and this land is good for a hotel, and it can build a first-class hotel." Construction is a blessing to Hong Kong’s economy!”

Xu Shixun said: "It makes sense!"

Chen Detai also said: "Lin Sheng's project at the Naval Dockyard is the real domination of Hong Kong and Kowloon. This place can only be regarded as ordinary!"

Lin Zhichao cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Chen. That project has become a headache for me. I won't talk about it anymore. Let's sit down together and watch the fun!"

"Yes, please!"

Not long after I sat down, I saw Henry Keswick leading Land's top executives into the venue. He ignored the US-funded consortium, Japanese-funded consortium, etc. Instead, thousands of people greeted Lin Zhichao.

"Sir Lin, you seem to be very confident today. If you win this piece of land again, both sides of Hong Kong and Kowloon will be your buildings!"

This sentence is a bit heartbreaking!

It's equivalent to putting Lin Zhichao on the fire!

At present, some British-funded consortiums are making snitches to the Hong Kong government. They are targeting Lin Zhichao's wanton land acquisition in Hong Kong and Kowloon, and his involvement in container terminals and the like. They are already on an equal footing with the British-funded consortiums.

Of course, the Hong Kong government implements a free economy and will not directly participate in these matters; what's more, Lin Zhichao's network can be blatantly run by British capital, and he has also joined forces with three British friends.

These are all small episodes, which can reflect the nervousness of some British-owned foreign companies towards the rise of Lin Zhichao.

Lin Zhichao said calmly: "When no one dared to invest, I stood up to invest, so naturally it was my turn to make money. I heard that the strategy of the Jardine Group is to make money in Hong Kong and invest overseas. I'm afraid if this continues Missed the position of the second largest financial group in Hong Kong!"

Henry Keswick immediately said: "It's impossible. We have always insisted on investing in Hong Kong. Sir Lin has heard the rumors."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "That's it!"

When Henry Keswick saw Lin Zhichao's smile, he remembered that Landmark had missed the Star Plaza Building, and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. He exchanged polite words with two acquaintances, Xu Shixun and Chen Detai, and stood up to leave.

If Starlight Bank had acquired it cheaply, it would only take five years to recover its capital.

The auction began soon, and major consortiums competed fiercely for the 58,000-square-foot site on Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Three American hotel groups alone are eyeing this land, along with two British companies and one Japanese company.

Lin Zhichao also made an enthusiastic offer at the beginning. Anyone can see that he is also very interested.

"120 million Hong Kong dollars!"

When the price exceeds HK$120 million, it means that the unit price has exceeded HK$2,000 per square foot. This price has exceeded the price in 1964.

But then, there are still six consortiums competing.

"150 million Hong Kong dollars!"

The crowd couldn't help but applaud. The price was already HK$2,500 per square foot. Those who applauded were all Chinese real estate developers, because it meant that Hong Kong real estate was officially booming.

This is an iconic event!

The price of HK$2,500 per square meter has broken the historical highest unit price of land in Central.

Still going on!

Lin Zhichao held up a sign and said: "160 million"

Everyone looked at Lin Zhichao's outstretched finger, so confident and calm.

At this time, only the US-funded consortium Sheraton Group was left, and their person in charge frowned. Of course they know that Lin Zhichao is not easy to mess with. It is said that he has a fleet of US$800 million (underestimated).

"Don't be afraid. This Chinese fleet is heavily in debt. It is said that there is still a large site on Hong Kong Island that has no funds to build."

"Yes, continue, we must build a five-star hotel in Hong Kong."

With the two sides fighting each other, prices set off again.

Lin Zhichao paid attention to the people at Sheraton and analyzed their expressions with his eyes.

But in fact, Lin Zhichao didn't have to win. In the end, he chose to give up.

"170 million. First time"

Lin Zhichao shook his head and signaled that he would not follow.

The unit price has reached more than 2,900 Hong Kong dollars per square foot (2,666 in the previous life), which has achieved Lin Zhichao's goal, which is to create a market.

To be honest, he was really worried that he would take a picture of it, because after all, it would be of no use. Only a hotel can be built on this land, and the Hong Kong government will agree to the planning. Lin Zhichao already has the Miramar Hotel in Kowloon and does not need to invest in another hotel in Kowloon for the time being.

Lin Zhichao is planning to build a Shangri-La Hotel in Central, Hong Kong. It is impossible to build a Shangri-La Hotel in Kowloon because there will only be one Shangri-La Hotel in a city to show its luxury and nobility.

"170 million. The third time, congratulations on the deal!"

The British auctioneer laughed. The price is now 20% better than expected.

People from the Sheraton Group also laughed. They defeated the world's shipping king; as for the price, they didn't feel it was too expensive.

The Hilton Hotel has been opened in Central, Hong Kong for several years, and they have long been enthusiastic about it. Now Hong Kong's economy is developing well and it has become a pearl in the Far East, so this time the Sheraton Group came with great confidence.

As for being more than 10 million yuan more expensive than in the previous life, they naturally wouldn't be dissatisfied. On the contrary, they took it for granted. After all, the world's shipping kings were competing.

After the meeting, the president of Sheraton personally talked to Lin Zhichao for a few words, and it seemed that nothing happened just now.

Seeing that his goal was achieved, Lin Zhichao's mood was naturally not affected. After chatting for a while, he learned that he was opening a hotel. He even praised Sheraton for its vision.

the next day.

"The unit price is HK$2,931 per square foot. The lot at No. 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon breaks the land unit price record in Hong Kong!"

Major media outlets in Hong Kong have published shocking news.

Stimulated by this news, Hong Kong's real estate industry is like adding fuel to the fire, and its prosperity is in a mess!

In the office of Cheung Kong Holdings, Lin Zhichao is also thinking about the development of Hong Kong's hotel industry.

Hong Kong's luxury hotel sector (4~5 stars) began to develop in 1928:

In 1928, the Kadoorie family, which had been established in Hong Kong for more than half a century, invested US$400,000 to open the Peninsula Hong Kong, the most luxurious hotel in Asia at the time. The reason why this Hong Kong Peninsula hotel can be called the 'Lady of the Far East' is because it has countless amazing innovations: when the hotel first opened, it established a fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms (incidentally, it created the Rolls-Royce Phantom Hotel at the time). Les largest order).

In 1961, the Miramar Hotel invested by Lin Zhichao was the second luxury hotel in Hong Kong. It was also a shock when it opened. The complex business model of shopping malls and hotels, the integration of Western modernization and Chinese classical concepts, and the sales price in Hong Kong exceeded 600 A large-scale hotel with 680 guest rooms, the first luxury hotel founded by a Chinese, and other innovations have left a strong mark on the history of Hong Kong hotels.

In 1963, the Mandarin Hotel in Central, Hong Kong was built on Connaught Road. This 26-storey building was the tallest hotel building in Hong Kong at the time. This hotel was also the first hotel in Hong Kong to have a direct dial telephone. The first hotel in Asia to have a bathtub in every room.

In 1963, the Hilton Hotel, which was born in the same year as the Mandarin Hotel, opened at 2 Queen's Road, Central. The building was designed by Japanese architect Kinoshita.

In 1969, Hyatt Hong Kong was born. It was the first branch of Hyatt Group outside the United States. Its predecessor was the President Hotel founded in 1964.

In 1969, this year's Wharf Group gave birth to a hotel called "Hong Kong Hotel", but this hotel was the product of a joint venture between Wharf, Hong Kong Land, Xu Shixun and Zhong Minghui. This is the first time that Wharf Group has touched the hotel field. However, Marco Polo's Wharf has not yet been founded at this time, so it invited a heavyweight manager for this hotel - Peninsula Hotels.

The above is the birth history of Hong Kong’s luxury hotel brands.

Of course, there are some three-star hotels, such as Chen Zefu's Guobin Hotel, which can also be classified as luxury hotels, but after all, they are still a level lower.

In the next seventies, Hong Kong's hotel industry will continue to develop.

But the most eye-catching one, of course, belongs to the Lin Zhichao family's Shangri-La Hotel, also known as the Burj Al Arab Hotel.

Lin Zhichao can imagine that once this hotel opens, all hotels in Hong Kong will be eclipsed.

Whether it is construction and decoration, service and quality, or hardware and software, this hotel will be called a seven-star hotel.

With a construction cost of only HK$300 million, it is a representative work of a world-class hotel.

No rich person in the world would build such a luxury hotel except in New York and London.

Obviously, this business is not a good deal!

But for Lin Zhichao, there is no such thing as a bargain.

A mere HK$300 million (excluding land fees) is very worthwhile to build a ‘family store’. What's more, this hotel can definitely make a lot of money, with a much higher return rate than bank interest.

Repulse Bay Villa No. 1.

Audrey Hepburn came to Hong Kong and finally had her own villa. She loves Hong Kong very much, so she goes on vacation several times a year.

There is no problem living in No. 79 Deep Water Bay, but after all, a garden-style villa is like a home. Audrey Hepburn is Lin Zhichao's third wife, so she must have a home in Hong Kong.

Repulse Bay Villa No. 1 is only two stories high and has no podium. It has the appearance of a European-style villa. It covers an area of ​​more than 20,000 square feet and has a private road, so safety and privacy can be guaranteed.

The property is directly under Audrey Hepburn's name, and is actually Lin Zhichao's property. He has a wine cellar, treasure house, etc. in the basement here. Of course, the wine cellar and treasure house were filled with things purchased by Audrey Hepburn, and the main person enjoying them was Lin Zhichao.

None of his three wives paid much attention to money. The main thing was that Lin Zhichao was rich enough. Therefore, they have no concept of assets. The only thing they value may be the company itself, and they all vaguely regard it as their own exclusive territory.

Lin Zhichao himself is also willing to support his son in the company as early as possible. This is not the kind of trust that he fully trusts his wife and son and has no reservations. In fact, for him as a time traveler, finance is his real method.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao only needs to truly and completely control the cash flow of family offices, private investment companies, and family trust funds in the future.

For family businesses, you can just be a chairman or a consultant in the future!

evening.

In the swimming pool, Lin Zhichao was playing with his concubines. They all looked very young. In particular, Lin Zhichao's body remains in a very healthy and youthful state. He usually needs to dress up in an old-fashioned way, otherwise he will attract the attention of interested people.

After all, a man who is forty-one years old, but really looks like he is only in his twenties, is somewhat surprised. Of course, this situation also happens, but it is definitely impossible to withstand detailed observation.

"Honey, I heard that Hong Kong has abolished the 'polygamy' system?" Audrey Hepburn said deliberately.

Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying immediately laughed and watched the fun!

Lin Zhichao said matter-of-factly: "The cancellation of this system does not mean that this trend can disappear in a short time. For the rich, it is just a different way."

Audrey Hepburn was speechless. This man was so confident, but she was used to it.

Later, Audrey Hepburn said: "How will the Atari video game company develop in the future?"

Lin Zhichao stood up, went to the lounge chair by the swimming pool, drank ice-cold red wine, and said with enjoyment: "Let's sell the arcade "PONG" for three years first. At most, we will spend a small amount of energy and financial resources to research simple games to be implanted in the arcade. Wait for three years After four years, I will have enough capital to carry out further research, and then I will have a good idea."

Don't be too far ahead, otherwise it will easily consume a lot of energy and financial resources, and ultimately give others an advantage. After three or four years, it will naturally be possible to recruit talents from Silicon Valley to develop home console games.

Audrey Hepburn slowly came out of the water, then elegantly came to Lin Zhichao in a bikini, squeezed into Lin Zhichao's arms, and hooked Lin Zhichao's thigh.

"That's great. We can sell tens of thousands of arcade machines in three or four years. Atari will have tens of millions of dollars in capital reserves by then."

She is now very concerned about her two businesses, because her eldest son has shown a talent for doing business. This is not about fighting for herself, but about making money for her son.

"How to develop in the 1970s without accumulating more funds? In short, try to expand the company stably and maintain the company's cash flow. There are still many projects that can be done in the future."

"Well, I think you are confident!"

"Of course I do that with every cause."

In the 1970s, Audrey Company first developed Transformers toys, then Cabbage Patch Dolls, and in the mid-term, it developed family console games. After so many stories, the company's market value was at least tens of billions of dollars by the 1980s.

After all, Atari, at its peak in its previous life, had sales of US$1 billion and US$2 billion in 1981 and 1982 respectively.

If it hadn't been for the influx of junk games in the early stages of opening up the software, Atari might not have had a chance to defeat Nintendo. With Lin Zhichao as the boss here, there will be no more problems with Nintendo in this life.

In the 1980s, the Audrey Group should be involved in newspapers, Disney, American television stations, etc., and in the future there will be production companies. In short, Lin Zhichao is not planting spies in the United States. He has been teaching Lin Ruidong and Lin Ruinan to love their country.

Therefore, he is purely a businessman and an additional branch of the family.

"Husband, eldest sister, Rui Huan seems to be in love!"

When Tang Caiyun heard this, she immediately blurted out: "Are you a Westerner or an Easterner?"

Audrey Hepburn immediately said: "What does this have to do with it?"

Tang Caiyun was immediately embarrassed. She still knew Lin Zhichao.

Lin Zhichao came to the rescue and said: "If he doesn't have enough charm and strength, I don't like him choosing a Western girl because his living habits are different. Don't you think that my sons can surpass me?"

Audrey Hepburn immediately smiled and said: "How is that possible! If they are half as capable as you, it is enough to make people proud."

After all these years, how could she not know how powerful Lin Zhichao is!

"So, I hope he looks for our Chinese girls. As for Ruidong and Ruinan, it doesn't matter if they look for the West or the East in the future."

It’s just a string anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

"That's it! I don't know if Rui Huan is really in love, but he sometimes goes to Boston on weekends, probably once or twice a month."

Lin Zhichao then directed Tang Caiyun and said, "Ask that kid what's going on!"

"Um"

The marriage of the eldest son is particularly important.

Later, Lin Zhichao signaled that Audrey Hepburn could start working!

"No way, do you want to be on the shore?" Audrey Hepburn said shyly.

Lin Zhichao said excitedly: "There are only maids and bodyguards in the villa, not to mention those who have promised not to come. Come on, let's extinguish our anger!"

For a moment, the battlefield changed from the shore, to the swimming pool, and finally to the bedroom.