The Birth of the Hong Kong Island Family.

Chapter 291 [The loss in the east and the compensation in the west]

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 the shipbuilding goals of Global Shipping this year.

Global shipping shipbuilding this year will have to wait until the second half of the year. The initial plan is to order 5 lots of 13-ton oil tankers and about 15-ton cargo ships.

It is only 80 tons of load, but the cost is almost 7500 million US dollars.

At present, Global Shipping is basically in balance, with neither debt nor much cash flow; and this year's estimated profit is only 4000 million US dollars, with a gap of 3500 million US dollars.Of course, shipbuilding does not need to be paid in full immediately, it can be paid in full before delivery.

Next year (1963), the profitability of global shipping will increase greatly, because some three-year long-term contracts signed in 1959 will expire this year, and the rent will increase by about 15-20% at that time; at the same time, the ships launched this year up to million tons.

Therefore, this year (1962) the shipbuilding will be about 80 tons, so that the financial pressure will be less; after all, next year, more ships will be built.

After all the ships are launched this year, the global shipping will have a load capacity of 460 million tons, and if about 50 tons of ships are eliminated, it is expected to have a load capacity of about 410 million tons.

By the end of this year, global shipping will be a 'US$4 million fleet', which can be described as huge.

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

In addition to the "difficulty" of the first pot of gold, after all, he had been selling newspapers for half a year, and he was "almost" killed by an airplane; after that, Lin Zhichao's life was naturally like cheating. After the bucket of gold, what can be achieved.

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

"Boss, Chairman Sanders is here!"

"it is 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.

Sandas said with a smile: "Speaking of which, it is more or less due to the merits of working with you for many years, just like what you Chinese say-you are my nobleman!"

Lin Zhichao immediately corrected: "You are wrong in the Chinese language. We have cooperated for more than ten years. You are my noble person. After all, global shipping would not have developed so fast without your efforts. 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 a toubur in Hong Kong, and there is still a long way to go to become a world-class bank like the future generations; but there is no doubt that the cooperation with Global Shipping will give them a lot of help.

双方合作的寰宇航运，目前拥有运营的船只是：6艘十万吨油船、4艘五万吨油船；尚在建造的是：2艘十万吨油船、2艘13万吨油船。

The total tonnage is 130 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$2000 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 Bank of Japan to invest in shipping, anyway, he manages it himself; second, 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 form. 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, Citicorp, 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 while, Sandas said, "I'll go back later and discuss it with my colleagues. I don't think it's a big problem. Of course there is no problem with your reputation, 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, and other shareholders can also be recruited. 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.

In this way, the value is naturally a bit small, so every year Sandas will receive a gift in the UK, which may be the stock of a certain company, or property. In short, he can get more than 100 million Hong Kong dollars from Lin Zhichao a year now. benefit fee.

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 128 million square feet and more than 1.8 workers. Zipper, toys, and plastic flowers are three major employers, each with about 5000 to 6000 people.As for wigs and Midea appliances, there are only a few hundred people in the area, and they are small industries.

If the Zhongtian Iron and Steel Plant in Tseung Kwan O is added, the entire Cheung Kong Industrial Group has 20000 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 1 workers, and there are 7000 garment workers alone.

These are not counted as the overseas employment situation. In recent years, Cheung Kong Industries and Oriental 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. Immediately reduce the cost of our OEM, and the profit of Changjiang Toys has been reduced 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 weren't for the technology and quality of the Yangtze River Industry Group, it could 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.

Cutting off 25% of the quotation, the profit of Changjiang Toys Factory this year is only 3000 million Hong Kong dollars, and there are profits from other toys, which are about 500 million or so.

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

"The monthly salary of skilled workers is 150-180, and the salary of ordinary workers is 100-130. 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.Double salary for only one year, but actually a monthly salary increase of 10%.

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 7 yuan, and child labor accounted for about [-]%.

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 of Hong Kong has exploded by 10-15% 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, labor strikes abounded throughout the 60s and [-]s, maybe a dozen times a year; but because no one fanned the flames, and the management made a little compromise, it 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.

去年，长江工业集团盈利1.17亿，分别是：拉链4500万、玩具3000万、塑胶花2500、钢铁1200万、假发和电器等盈利500万。

It's not bad, the east loses and the west makes up.

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 8000, and the cash flow in Hong Kong reached 1.8 million Hong Kong dollars.Plus overseas funds, that is 5 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 and her two sons came to Hong Kong for the holidays.

Originally, I came here once during the winter vacation; now that Europe and the United States have started school, but Lin Ruidong wanted to experience the Spring Festival, Audrey Hepburn directly asked him for leave, and the family came to Hong Kong for reunion.

The whole family lived happily at No. 79 Deep Water Bay.

"Why don't you let Ruihuan come to Los Angeles to study in high school, so that I can take care of it, and the three brothers can also have frequent contact!" Sitting on the sofa, Audrey Hepburn complained.

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

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "What we want is to cultivate his independence. Naturally, there is no need for adults to watch over him, not to mention that I have already found a host family for him to 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 is just an ordinary family, neither Lin Zhichao's friend nor Lin Zhichao's subordinates, but a customer of the Yangtze River Industry Group.

But 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 younger brothers!"

Tang Caiyun quickly expressed her gratitude. No matter how smart her son is, he is only 13 years old this year. It is difficult for her to leave Hong Kong, so it is good to have Audrey Hepburn to visit occasionally.

Lin Zhichao said: "Try to visit as little as possible, and don't give money. His three-year high school life, the evaluation can only be reflected in the host family and the school. Moreover, I visited this host family specially, and it is a very cultured and well-educated family. "

He has his ideas!

Seeing this, Audrey Hepburn immediately said: "Okay, I understand what you think, then you can invite him to Los Angeles, during the holidays."

She must understand what a man thinks!

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 has devoted the most energy. He is only 20 years old after finishing college. Lin Zhichao hopes that he can choose to work in the United States for two years, or study a master's degree and return to Hong Kong.

In this way, returning to Hong Kong in 1971 happened to witness the listing process of Cheung Kong.

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.Lin Ruikai, the youngest among them, was only 1966 years old in 12, which is equivalent to starting his study abroad career in middle school.

The first is that there are benefits to studying abroad in advance, and 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 new year.

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

And Tang Zhongyuan's family has already moved to No. 77 Deep Water Bay, which was moved in at the beginning of this year.The entire reconstruction project of Deep Water Bay No. 77 took only 4 years, much faster than the construction of Deep Water Bay No. 79.

The main reason is to satisfy the urgent desire of mother-in-law Song Qiaoling and move into the garden villa.In fact, the Tang family's garden house in Mid-Levels is not bad either.

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 gone back to the Shanghai stock market for reform. This is where Tang Zhongyuan is most grateful to Lin Zhichao.At that time, he still wanted to stabilize the political situation, so he went back. It was Lin Zhichao who persuaded him.

The textile and garments of the Tang family are inseparable from the support of Lin Zhichao, especially the garment industry, which was the Yangtze River Garments in those days.And now the industry in Nigeria 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 2000 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, and my father-in-law is very thoughtful."

After chatting for a while, Tang Zhongyuan said with a smile: "Rui Huan is 13 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 22 years old, he will either work in the United States for two years, or study for a master's degree. If it is a helper, Caiyun and Caiying are watching, I am not in a hurry to think about other things. gone."

It was only then that Tang Zhongyuan, father and son understood that the other two women of the Tang family were also the real power faction of the Lin family.Lin Zhichao did not have the stubborn thinking of some old-fashioned businessmen who let women take care of their children at home, but encouraged his wife to work in the company.

(End of this chapter)