The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Time flies and we arrive in 1953 in a blink of an eye.

In late January, Hong Kong will.

Chief executives of Hong Kong companies such as John Keswick, chief executive of Jardine Matheson, Yorke, chief executive of Swire Pacific, and George Madden, chief executive of Wheelock, gathered together to discuss a matter.

It turns out that with the development of global shipping, these shipping companies have felt tremendous pressure. For a long time, the foreign fleet has only regarded the Chinese fleet as the shrimp soldiers and generals in the sea.

Now, it is said that the ships registered by Global Shipping in Hong Kong this month alone are as high as 50,000 to 60,000 tons. At the same time, it was rumored that Global Shipping's fleet had surpassed the fleets of various foreign companies.

This forced all the former arrogant executives of the foreign trade companies to examine the development of the matter and gather together to discuss.

Madden Sr. is no longer as arrogant as he used to be. He also plans to return to the London headquarters and hand over the Hong Kong business to his son Madden Jr. But before leaving, he was still unconvinced by Lin Zhichao. Thinking of the bet he had made, he had lost completely, and he felt very unhappy.

"Everyone, according to reliable information, Global Shipping has more than 30 cargo ships of about 10,000 tons, and has achieved global real-time radio wave communication. At this point, I don't think any of us can achieve it!" Old Madden raised the topic.

John Keswick said: "It is indeed developing very fast! The most abominable thing is HSBC. They actually support a Chinese shipowner to compete with our British fleet. This is an act of treason."

HSBC has always regarded shipping as a "black book". It is impossible for foreigners to get loans for their fleets, but they just lend money to Chinese people. This obviously caused everyone's anger.

Shiyok said: "Then why did HSBC choose to lend to this Chinese? I think there must be a reason. HSBC is not a philanthropist. They are a bank and they only see profits."

Everyone looked at Old Madden, meaning that you have dealt with Lin Zhichao, so you should know better.

Old Madden said: "It is said that HSBC's Sandus appreciated that Global Shipping had a large number of long-term contracts in Japan and also obtained a letter of credit from the Bank of Japan, so HSBC felt that the risk was low."

Everyone started making calculations, but soon everyone frowned.

Renting to the Japanese for a long time means giving up 30% of the profits. This is undoubtedly a fool's errand.

Not a good deal!

Moreover, now that Global Shipping has established credibility in Japan, even if they continue to imitate, it will obviously not succeed.

John Keswick brought the topic to the point: "In the final analysis, we must limit the growth of Global Shipping, otherwise it will have an impact on our fleet. In this month alone, Global Shipping has opened three ocean routes, sailing on All over the world, and every one of them is a 10,000-ton ship, it has an impact on us.”

Several other senior managers of foreign companies nodded in agreement. They must not let the Chinese stand on everyone's head in shipping.

"Global Shipping is developing too fast. In just three years, it has surpassed the fleet we built in 30 years. If this continues, Global Shipping's fleet will only become larger and larger. By then, our fleet will be difficult to ”

"It makes sense! We should restrict global shipping and tell them that Hong Kong still belongs to us British."

For a moment, everyone was filled with indignation, but also a little helpless.

Because everyone couldn't think of a good way for a while.

Put pressure on the Hong Kong government, but everyone heard that Lin Zhichao had a close relationship with the Hong Kong governor, and their wives were even colleagues. It was obviously even more impossible to use a black gun because all the outlaws in Hong Kong were Chinese.

Still Keswick said: "We can use public opinion to put pressure on HSBC by holding simultaneous activities in London and the Hong Kong government, saying that they are 'rebellious' and support Chinese shipowners and do not support the British fleet. Once the world is cut off, The source of funding for shipping, so why should it develop?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone was pleasantly surprised. Obviously this was a good idea. After all, HSBC is a British bank. If it comes under dual pressure from the London and Hong Kong governments, it will definitely stop lending to global shipping.

Anyone who is involved in shipping knows that capital is the last word for development.

Seeing everyone pass, Keswick immediately said: "In view of the huge increase in the global shipping fleet, our Wharf also plans to adjust the warehouse rental price. Of course, we will treat everyone equally and the price will rise uniformly."

Old Madden's face turned green. Wheelock did not have its own wharf or large warehouse. He said in a loud voice: "The price of Wharf's warehouse is already a bit expensive!"

Keswick simply ignored it!

Shi York added: "We at Blue Chimney are also planning to slightly adjust our prices. Of course, we are definitely cheaper than Wharf, so why are we in a worse location?"

Keswick wants to draw a knife!

Among Hong Kong's deep-water terminals, Wharf is the largest and has the most warehouses, so 70% of Hong Kong's large cargo ships have to dock at Wharf. Moreover, the terminals managed by Wharf are not limited to Tsim Sha Tsui, but also terminals in many other places.

The gathering was completed in an atmosphere of unity and separation.

Lin Zhichao came to the wharf of Wharf and personally saw off one of his newly added ships to leave the port to complete the shipping mission. For a moment, he felt excited, heroic and other emotions welling up in his heart.

This time six 10,000-ton freighters were added, and three freighters still signed three-year long-term contracts, but the prices had dropped a lot. At the beginning of 1951, the rent for the three 10,000-ton freighters could reach US$2.8 to 3 million per year; but Today, Japanese shipping companies are only willing to pay US$2 million a year.

The price is neither high nor low, but the market is indeed good; if it comes to the second half of the year, the long-term annual rent will only be 1.5 to 1.8 million US dollars a year.

But no matter what, shipping still has the highest return rate, even far behind real estate. The premise is not to encounter a cold winter, otherwise, even if there is no debt, the ship may lose money; if it is in debt, the probability of bankruptcy will be greatly increased, and the important ship price will fall by the same amount.

Global Shipping has added three ocean routes this month, both in Europe and the Americas. For a while, it also has a considerable proportion of fixed routes and one-way short-term charter cargo ships, probably less than 30%. These ships still earn more than long-term charter ships with the same load capacity.

After the boat left the port, Lin Zhichao drove to the intersection of Nathan Road and Kimberley Road opposite Kowloon Park. This was the former Miramar Hotel, but now it is just a small hotel run by a Spanish priest, with only a few dozen rooms in total. .

In 1949, several Spanish priests founded this small hotel to mainly accept clergy who were expelled from the mainland. Later, those clergymen went to serve in dioceses in various countries, and the priest's hotel was gradually developed to the public, and the proceeds were used as funds for the church.

"Boss" Hu Zhaoxu came up and greeted.

Lin Zhichao got out of the car, called the Priest Hotel, and said, "Manager Hu, how much area does the Priest Hotel occupy?"

Hu Zhaoxu thought for a while and said, "It's less than 100,000 square feet. It's hard to see the details, but it can be estimated. It's about the same area as the Peninsula Hotel. It's just that the priest's hotel hasn't been well built, so it looks ordinary."

Lin Zhichao thought that if he won this piece of land, he would be able to build the first five-star hotel of the Lin family - the Shangri-La Hotel in the late 1950s. It would be able to open its doors to welcome guests in the early 1960s. The Mandarin Hotel is one of the three hotel giants.

But to be honest, the location of this land is still a little bit worse, mainly because it is not close to the sea and it is not in Central, Hong Kong. The Shangri-La Hotel will be the signature hotel of the Lin family, which seems a bit wasteful.

After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao decided not to think about the future first, but to get the land and properties first. Leave other things to consider later.

"I plan to buy the Father's Inn. What do you think I should do?"

Hu Zhaoxu said: "If they come directly to the door, the priest will definitely not agree. After all, they don't value money very much, and it's not convenient to talk about business directly. In my opinion, we still have to work hard on the Chinese church members. However, the priest may also Not for sale."

Lin Zhichao nodded. The Priest's Hotel is not the same as the 'former site of the Causeway Bay Church'. It can also generate a steady stream of wealth, which can be used to finance the church.

"You should think carefully about whether Christianity in Spain allows business. If it is inconsistent with the teachings, do you understand?"

Hu Zhaoxu nodded and said: "I understand."

Some simple tricks are not immoral, they can only be said to support justice.

Foreign firms in Hong Kong jointly complained to London that HSBC only helped Chinese shipowners and refused loans from British shipowners. This news was suddenly reported by the media.

For a time, there was a lot of commotion in Hong Kong, and the huge fleet of Global Shipping emerged again and was talked about by people.

After Lin Zhichao heard this kind of news, he asked Sanders to inquire about the news at the Deep Water Bay Golf Course. He could not allow this kind of news to spread. Sometimes public opinion is public opinion, but the consequences may not be 'public opinion'.

Before playing ball, Lin Zhichao invited Sandus to take a ride to visit the No. 79 Deep Water Bay construction site.

Looking at the busy construction site, Sandus sighed: "I didn't expect that you are going to open your own palace in Deep Water Bay. It must be expensive, right?"

Regardless of the relationship between the two, it was Lin Zhichao who asked for Sanders, but Sanders was only an executive of HSBC after all, with an annual salary of several thousand pounds at most; of course, such British executives and senior officials are very expensive If they are strong enough, they can afford to play golf and enjoy benefits such as Hong Kong clubs.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's just the budget of a 10,000-ton second-hand cargo ship!"

Sandus said with a "haha" smile: "That's true. After all, you now own 44 cargo ships of about 10,000 tons. This strength is even enviable by Wheelock, Jardine, and Swire."

These foreign companies still only have a carrying capacity of more than 200,000 tons, because even if they make money, they do not necessarily expand their fleets, but diversify their investments. Nowadays, the development of global shipping is not as good as that of global shipping, but it is time to use small measures.

Lin Zhichao did not rush to discuss this topic, but said: "What do you think of this position?"

Foreigners in Hong Kong also believe in Feng Shui. Even world-class architects from Europe and the United States must listen to the guidance of Chinese Feng Shui experts and ask Feng Shui experts to evaluate the pros and cons of plans. When a foreign company opens, it usually has to worship Chinese gods, set off firecrackers, perform lion dances and sing operas, etc.

The HSBC Bank was opened in the HSBC Building before the Anti-Japanese War, which was a lively place according to Chinese customs. On the birthday of Confucius, the HSBC Building is decorated with lights and colorful Cantonese opera stars are invited to sing for the public. The ‘Treasure of the Bank’ of HSBC is a pair of Chinese-style bronze lions, cast by Chinese craftsmen in Shanghai.

Later, when the third-generation HSBC Bank building was pushed for reconstruction, Chinese Feng Shui masters were specially invited to choose an auspicious day and a designated location so that the bronze lion could be moved - otherwise, they were worried that it would take away the wealth of HSBC Bank.

Sandas said with a smile: "Although I don't know much about Feng Shui, I think it should be a good location. The only regret may be that there are non-high-ranking officials and rich people living here. But if you come to live here now, I'm afraid it will bring trouble to Deep Water Bay. Residential value.”

Lin Zhichao was taken aback for a moment, but he didn't expect Sanders to be quite good at talking. Yes, after he retires, he will build him a gold HSBC third-generation building and give it to him as a gift.

"Haha. In fact, Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay are very suitable for living, and I believe this will become one of the most luxurious residential areas in Hong Kong in the future. Hong Kong will become more and more prosperous, and wealthy people will pursue 'exclusive' residential areas , such as the Peak, and Shouson Hill, Deep Water Bay, and Repulse Bay in the south of Hong Kong."

Sandas nodded, but he was not envious. The executive residence of HSBC Bank lived on the top of the mountain, and there were many garden villas for executives to live in.

Afterwards, the two returned to the Deep Water Bay Golf Club to play golf.

Along with Lin Zhichao's superb skills, Sanders was also secretly amazed at Lin Zhichao's learning ability. As far as he knew, Lin Zhichao had a busier job than him, but he practiced golf very well.

Sandas was the first to hold back the matter, and said, "You asked me to play golf, maybe you want to find out about the complaints of many foreign firms to the London government?"

Lin Zhichao said frankly: "Indeed, I would like to ask you how the senior management of HSBC handles this kind of thing?"

Sandas said with a smile: "I can only say that HSBC is a bank. Since it is a bank, not a charity or a government department, it is natural to consider the benefits. Even though the senior management of HSBC is a little distressed by this incident However, the strategy will not change too much. Of course, we at HSBC are still conservative about shipping loans.”

Lin Zhichao nodded. Although the answer was a bit vague, he still speculated that HSBC might have been affected a little bit.

He is not a person who sits still, so he said: "I want to build a 10,000-ton freighter in a British shipyard, and I want to ask HSBC for 80% of the loan. What do you think?"

Sandas's eyes lit up, and he quickly understood Lin Zhichao's thoughts.

Originally, Global Shipping had a certain reputation in the British business community, because many of its freighters were purchased in the UK; but now, if Global Shipping builds a 10,000-ton freighter in the UK, it will win the gratitude of the British government, minister or deputy Senior officials at the ministerial level will participate in the launching ceremony, because heavy industry is a very important part of the economy of a country.

At the same time, HSBC made a loan for the ship. The young man used a clever method to deal with the crowding out of those foreign firms.

sharp!

"I don't think this is a problem! After all, Global Shipping's total assets are more than 20 million US dollars, and it holds many long-term contracts. The strength has already reassured the bank. If you don't think about it, a new freighter is often three old second-hand ships. costs. And, as far as I know, the shipping business is not that strong anymore.”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Global Shipping can easily break through 500,000 tons of deadweight this year, and there will be no excessive debts, so I am also considering the matter of building new ships and entering the oil tanker field. In short, Global Shipping is not It would be too much debt.”

Of course, Sanders knew that Global Shipping's finances were healthy, so he didn't say anything.

The matter was decided in this way—Global Shipping went to the UK to build a 10,000-ton freighter, and the price in the UK was between US$1.8 million and US$2 million; Global Shipping only needed to pay 20% of the funds, and HSBC would loan the rest.

The funds for building a new ship are usually a deposit in advance, and then the final payment for the ship is paid off after the ship is built. It usually takes about a year and a half to build a ship.