The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Cheung Kong Group.

In the conference room, Lin Zhichao said: "Currently, our cash flow is only HK$170 million. The station roofs of Chater Station and Admiralty Station are expected to be tendered in the first half of next year. We need sufficient funding sources."

As early as the second half of this year, the news that the Hong Kong MTR Corporation would invite tenders for station building developers was aroused by the media.

The tenders for the two stations in Central and Admiralty will definitely have a lot of powerful real estate developers and construction companies bidding; there will be a life-and-death contest among the heroes competing to see who wins.

Central Station is right next to Landmark and not far from the Victoria Harbor Centre;

Admiralty Station is next door to Tower B of Far East Financial Center.

The Hong Kong government has indeed kept its promise to build the Admiralty MTR station near Raffles City, but they still granted the MTR Corporation a piece of commercial land (Harcourt Road, near Wan Chai). After all, the MTR Corporation is short of money, and the Hong Kong government is also short of money. At the beginning, the Hong Kong government also promised not to grant commercial land around the Yangtze River Plaza (which was not yet built), so it was not considered a breach of contract.

In any case, Lin Zhichao was relieved that the Admiralty MRT station was built near Raffles City. As for the addition of a commercial building in the surrounding area, he wouldn't care at all. After all, this area is already the 'Lin Kingdom'.

Zhou Fuzhao was the first to say: "By issuing new shares of HK$100 million and reaching a loan commitment with the bank, we can have strong funds."

More than 11 months have passed this year and it is coming to an end. With a profit of just over HK$200 million, Cheung Kong Holdings will stand out among many real estate companies. Last year, there was a cash flow of HK$170 million remaining, plus the non-recurring profit of HK$50 million from the sale of the Chinese Bank site to the joint venture, for a total of 420 million. However, spending money is also very powerful. The acquisition of Yonggao cost 130 million in cash (the remaining stock acquisition), the acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni cost 20 million, and the acquisition of land and properties cost 100 million. The debt of Changshi Group still remains at 260 million. The level of the Hong Kong dollar.

Zhou Fuzhao's suggestion is more realistic. Issuing new shares and borrowing from banks are the best means of raising funds.

Hu Zhaoxu said: "Chater Station and Admiralty Station are both ready-made sites. With only a small amount of construction costs, you can make profits by selling off-the-plan properties."

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "If you think so, I am afraid that we are no different from other real estate developers, and we may not have an advantage. Don't forget, Land is also eyeing these two properties."

Hu Zhaoxu didn't feel anything when he heard this. The boss criticized them, veterans, for being ruthless, but when he thought about it carefully, he made sense.

After thinking for a while, he said: "The Hong Kong government granted the land to the MTR Corporation at the original price. The unit price of the two pieces of land was almost HK$10,000 per square foot, and the total price of the two pieces of land was almost HK$400 million. In other words, the MTR Corporation needs to pay so much money from the Hong Kong government, which doubles the pressure and lacks cash flow!"

After everyone heard Hu Zhaoxu's analysis, they finally realized why the boss had prepared a large amount of cash. That was to solve the subway company's predicament and have the best chance of winning the bid.

After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao said: "Then issue new shares and raise 100 million Hong Kong dollars in cash. In terms of loans, my private company can lend 200 million Hong Kong dollars to the group at any time. In addition, I will also contact Chase Bank for loan commitments. . In short, this year is still very important, and we must continue to 'buy the dip' in Hong Kong property assets."

"yes"

After some planning, everyone was energetic and ready to go!

The reason why Lin Zhichao maintained sufficient ammunition was because in the following 1977, the Changshi Group had more plans. In the next year (1977), Changshi Group's profits would also increase significantly, but Lin Zhichao still kept the company with sufficient cash flow and was ready to show off its skills at any time.

Los Angeles.

In the villa, Lin Zhichao and Audrey were sitting on the sofa.

"Audrey, please do one thing for me!"

As soon as Lin Zhichao finished speaking, Audrey Hepburn became energetic.

"Don't say one thing, just ten things, I will do them all for you." Audrey said with affectionate eyes.

Being able to do something for this man is of course an honor and a blessing. It has always been this man who has shielded her from the wind and rain, made plans, and built the current 'Audrey Empire'.

Lin Zhichao nodded, hugged Audrey Hepburn and said, "How much wealth do you have now?"

Audrey Hepburn immediately calculated: "The market value of Audrey's company is now 3.6 billion US dollars, and I hold 50%, that is a net worth of 1.8 billion US dollars. Audrey's investment assets are almost 700 million US dollars. I have 2.5 billion US dollars." Where’s the wealth, husband!”

After saying that, Audrey Hepburn herself couldn't believe that she was already so rich.

Lin Zhichao smiled, this woman probably seldom calculated her wealth, so she had such a surprised expression.

At present, Audrey Company has many products: Barbie, Transformers, My Little Pony, Cabbage Patch Dolls, Atari 2600, etc. Its business also includes children's program production, animation, etc.

It is not only the world's largest toy company, but also the dominant player in the video game industry, and is highly favored by investors.

Lin Zhichao said: "I want to ask you to acquire a US bank for me, but it is only a temporary investment, so it will occupy your funds!"

Audrey Hepburn said without hesitation: "No problem! What's mine is yours. I will do whatever you ask me to do."

She is not a business novice and has learned a lot of business knowledge over the years, but in front of Lin Zhichao, she is willing to be a "business novice" and carry out Lin Zhichao's arrangements unconditionally.

Later, Lin Zhichao took out a piece of information and gave it to Audrey Hepburn, and said: "The acquisition target is SITC Bank, the sixth largest bank and the largest retail lending bank in New York State, and the 17th largest bank in the United States. Due to the 1974 incident -The 1975 recession brought bad loans into trouble, and the bank's profit levels fell from $44 million in 1973 to $20 million in 1975, and are expected to be even worse this year. I need you to contact the 'U.S. Salomon Brothers acted as an investment consultant and then took over 51% of SITC's shares. We can respect SITC's original culture and not interfere too much in the company. After all, we are only a temporary investment."

Audrey Hepburn looked at the information on the paper and said: "The stock is only 12 US dollars per share, the total share capital is 12.5 million shares, and the market value is only 150 million US dollars."

Lin Zhichao said: "You definitely can't acquire it like this, and I don't want you to make a hostile acquisition. I have investigated and found that the net asset value of this company is almost more than 500 million US dollars. So, if you go to Salomon Brothers, you can propose what I will give you. Suggestion - that is, first publicly acquire 25% of the equity at a 'premium of about 40%', which is about US$17 per share; after completing this step, the equivalent of the stock price has risen to US$17 per share, and then arrange to sell it at a price of US$25 per share. At a price close to the net asset value of US dollars per share (net assets of US$30 per share, the total equity is calculated based on the additional issuance, so the net assets are approximately US$500 million), 6.6 million new shares were acquired and issued. In this way, Audrey Investment has The price for 51% of the shares is almost US$220 million.”

Audrey Hepburn did not expect that Lin Zhichao valued SITC Bank so much, so she said: "Husband, do you plan to let Ruinan work in the banking industry?"

Lin Zhichao shook his head and said: "SITC Bank is a bargaining chip for me, and I have to hand it over eventually. What's more, Ruinan is only in college. We don't need to think about his future development so early. If he can manage Audrey well, Investment, and having high financial talent, there is no problem in acquiring better banks.”

Audrey said decisively: "It's no problem. I also know that it is not good to encourage growth! Okay, I will immediately raise funds and contact Salomon Brothers to initiate the acquisition of SITC Bank."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "It's a matter of funds."

Before she finished speaking, Audrey Hepburn said: "No problem! I don't have any debts. I just mortgage some stocks and withdraw some funds from Audrey's investment, and I can make it together. It's easy!"

As the most successful female entrepreneur in the United States, Audrey Hepburn has gained a lot of influence and reputation, and has almost no debt, so it is indeed easy to raise US$220 million.

However, Lin Zhichao still said: "Well, if you can't get the funds for a while, contact me at any time, I will definitely be able to get it. This time you invest in SITC Bank, you won't suffer a loss, you can always make some money."

SITC Bank is a bargaining chip for Lin Zhichao and a bargaining chip in negotiations with HSBC.

Lin Zhichao has thought about a problem. If he takes over the Wharf Group and then goes to HSBC to ask for Hutchison Whampoa, then HSBC should worry about the problem of the Lin family being too large, and may not be so happy.

His chips currently include:

In shipping, there is both prosperity and loss. After all, the value of World Shipping, which the two parties cooperate with, is hundreds of millions of dollars, and HSBC also has one to two billion dollars. HSBC needs Lin Zhichao at the helm to preserve this asset. So, this is where HSBC needs Lin Zhichao.

Favor, HSBC has always owed Lin Zhichao a favor, and Shen Bi also knew it. At that time, Lin Zhichao gave up Hang Seng Bank in order to form an alliance with HSBC (in fact, if Lin Zhichao had run Hang Seng Bank, there might not be today's Hang Seng Bank).

Suitable, Lin Zhichao is still the most suitable person to lead Hutchison Whampoa. Other businessmen in Hong Kong can only develop some development in real estate, but only Lin Zhichao has a comprehensive business vision. If Hutchison Whampoa wants to increase the value of the remaining stocks in its hands, it still can only turn to Lin Zhichao. As for Li Jiacheng, it is still a small real estate company, and its strength has not caught the eye of HSBC at all.

With so many chips, why does Lin Zhichao pay attention to SITC Bank?

This is because Lin Zhichao does not want to become a beggar. He wants to win Hutchison Whampoa with self-respect.

He only gave HSBC half of the shares of the Chinese Bank Building, and HSBC did not give him charity!

To be honest, it is easier for Audrey to acquire SITC than it is for HSBC to enter Bank of America. Because Audrey Hepburn is now an American, and her influence in the American business community is enough to successfully complete this acquisition.

Lin Zhichao came to the New York Harbor Investment Branch, and veteran Chris reported to him on the investment in U.S. stocks.

At present, Victoria Harbor Investment is divided into two major businesses: securities and real estate, and is divided into three major divisions: America, Europe, and Asia. Lin Zhichao takes the position of president, and the vice presidents are Chris and Li Zhonghe.

Although Chris is the vice president, he is actually responsible for the investment in European and American securities businesses. At the end of 1974, Victoria Harbor Investment invested US$720 million to buy the bottom of US stocks. Now it can be said to be a great success.

"This year our U.S. stock return rate will reach 45%, which is much higher than last year's 26%. The market value of our U.S. stock securities has reached 1.32 billion U.S. dollars." Chris reported with admiration in his eyes.

This boss is the real Wall Street stock god. Every time he sells high and buys low, he can do it just right.

Lin Zhichao sat in his office and said very relaxedly: "What is the current PE (price-to-earnings ratio) of Nifty 50?"

Chris immediately said: "It's almost never higher than 10, and many good stocks only have 3 to 6 times."

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "So, buying these PE stocks is only 3 to 6 times the Nifty 50 stocks, how come it is impossible to lose money?"

Chris said: "That's right! As far as I know, Buffett, who you asked me to pay attention to, also entered the bottom hunt at the end of 1974. It is estimated that the return rate in the past two years has also been very high."

Lin Zhichao thought about it, and then he said: "What proportion of oil stocks do we invest in?"

Chris immediately replied: "Very few, probably less than 5%."

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "It's not enough, we should invest heavily in oil stocks."

Chris said: "Want some inappropriate leverage?"

Lin Zhichao immediately objected. His personal investment company would never allow leveraged stock trading. It’s not about losing money, it’s about forming a habit. He greatly admires the approach of Hong Kong entrepreneurs in his previous life - not taking on too much debt is the best way to ensure wealth.

"In this way, I raised another US$200 million from Hong Kong and invested it in oil stocks."

It is not difficult to raise 200 million US dollars. After all, Victoria Harbor Investment has 1.2 billion Hong Kong dollars in its original account, leaving 200 million Hong Kong dollars to be lent to Cheung Kong Group to collect interest, and the remaining 1 billion Hong Kong dollars, plus the money withdrawn from the Yangtze River Industrial Group 200 million Hong Kong dollars is enough.

As a result, since 1977, the assets of Victoria Harbor Investment have changed:

1. US stock investment worth US$1.5 billion.

2. Spot gold worth US$1 billion.

3. Asian securities investment worth US$400 million (Hong Kong accounts for 80%, Japan accounts for 20%).

4. Victoria Harbor real estate worth US$600 million.

The total value is around US$3.5 billion.

Over the next five years, the annual return on these assets will be around 30%.

Lin Zhichao's investment in oil stocks was naturally based on the experience of Peter Lynch's previous life, as well as the impact of the second oil crisis.

As for investing in Buffett and Peter Rich, Lin Zhichao feels that there is no need at all. He is a 'stock god' himself. Even if he borrows money from Audrey Hepburn or his son, there is no need to invest through their funds. After all, their commissions are so high.

A New Year Comes (1977).

After spending New Year's Day in the United States, Lin Zhichao took his own private jet and embarked on his return to Hong Kong.

After more than two years, the Boeing 747 was finally delivered and modified at a cost of US$30 million. The decoration alone cost US$11 million. The aircraft was purchased at a discount, otherwise the value of the Boeing 747 would have been US$25 million.

Although the cost was huge, Lin Zhichao felt it was worth it when he stepped inside the Boeing 747.

The first floor is mainly a conference room, large living room, large dining room, entertainment room, and guest seating area. The entire first floor is actually a public area for entertaining guests. As for the second floor, it is a private space with one supreme bedroom, two luxury bedrooms, study room, living room, entertainment room, etc.

From the first floor to the second floor, there is a spiral staircase with precious wood as handrails, which is classic and noble.

"Husband, I didn't expect there to be so much space in here!" Xu Caiying said happily.

This time, Lin Zhichao returned to Hong Kong with Xu Caiying. The Lin family gathered in New York for Christmas and New Year's Day, and then returned to Hong Kong in batches.

Although five sons have now joined the family business, Lin Zhichao is still very cautious and lets everyone go home in batches.

"Boeing 747, nicknamed Big Fatty, has a lot of space inside." Lin Zhichao said leisurely while sitting on the sofa in the living room on the second floor.

After all, the two of them were well-informed. It was their first time flying on this private plane, so they were not surprised at all. At best, they were relatively happy.

Xu Caiying said: "You will not be alone when you go abroad in the future!" After saying that, she made a face.

This woman, still in a girlish state of mind, started teasing Lin Zhichao.

After making peace with his three wives last time, Lin Zhichao could safely and boldly have three lovers. After all, people will be punished for their own sake. If Lin Zhichao was allowed to keep his integrity, he might as well not have any business and just trade stocks and real estate.

"I'm really not alone. If I'm not going home on this flight, there's a beautiful lady who will warm my bed!"

Xu Caiying immediately came to Lin Zhichao happily and kissed him, obviously very encouraged.

"Just such a private plane returning to Hong Kong, will it have too much impact?" Xu Caiying worried.

Although there are many rich people in Hong Kong, their net worth is only about one billion Hong Kong dollars. Now that my husband's private jet is worth nearly 200 million Hong Kong dollars, I have to worry about the impact of public opinion.

"It doesn't matter. This aircraft is nominally owned by Hong Kong Airlines."

In fact, many people will know that it was Lin Zhichao who purchased it, because Boeing has publicized that a wealthy Asian man converted a Boeing 747 into a private jet.

With a little research, you will know that the real owner is Lin Zhichao, the richest Chinese man and the world's shipping king with a net worth of 1.5 to 2 billion US dollars.

"Um"

Lin Zhichao hugged Xu Caiying and said: "My children are older, and I am more relaxed now. Your family will acquire the Wharf Group later, and in the future it will be sea, land and air development. One of the two sons is in charge of shipping and aviation, and the other is in charge of real estate. No separation of families.”

Xu Caiying said: "Real estate? Will it conflict with Cheung Kong Group?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "No, the so-called real estate is only the commercial real estate owned by Wharf Group. In the future, it may also develop commercial projects overseas, and may also develop commercial real estate in the mainland."

In this way, the two sons are responsible for almost the same proportion of business. Reducing ships ashore does not mean quitting shipping. After all, no matter how much ships are reduced, there will still be a tonnage of seven to eight million.

"Well, you can just arrange it!" Xu Caiying quickly lost interest in this topic.

In her life, she was only responsible for beauty and charity, and was the incarnation of an angel. Over the years, she has served as the chairman of the board of directors of Oxfam, and Lin Zhichao also donates the family's charitable funds through Oxfam every year.

Of course, this is only temporary. Later, when the family office is established, Xu Caiying will resign from her position at Oxfam and focus on the family charity fund.