The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

In the garden of the bungalow on Conduit Road, Lin Zhichao was reading the newspaper and sipping tea, leisurely and contentedly.

Newspapers reported that Britain, France and Israel were at war with Egypt, fighting fiercely in the Suez Canal and the Sinai Peninsula; the United States and the Soviet Union rarely reached an agreement that Britain, France and Israel must withdraw their troops, and the Soviet Union even threatened to drop atomic bombs.

The pound plummeted in the international market, and the United States reversed its past practice and stood still, refusing to intervene to stabilize the market. At the same time, Eden was criticized in the House of Commons, could not find much support in the Commonwealth, and was criticized America's abandonment can only give up sadly. On the same day, he agreed to a ceasefire that would begin the next day, less than 48 hours before British and French troops landed in the canal zone.

France is not much better. The war caused a serious deficit in the national budget, and it is still implementing social reforms at this time. The countdown to the collapse of this government has entered.

Lin Zhichao also saw the news he wanted to see, that is, Egypt sank several ships in the Suez Canal, completely blocking the canal.

Looking at it like this, I'm afraid it won't be unclogged in half a year.

The 'Suez Canal Crisis' dealt a heavy blow to the two old empires of Britain and France. The follow-up was to accelerate the process of independence and autonomy of the Asian and African colonies. At the same time, after this crisis, it officially symbolized that the United States and the Soviet Union replaced Britain and France as the world's leading empires. overlord.

Although the United States and the Soviet Union were already de facto world hegemons after World War II, after all, Britain also performed very well during World War II, so it cannot be said that it has lost its hegemony; and through this war, the whole world has seen the differences between the United States and the Soviet Union. Strength is the country that has the right to speak.

"Husband, it's time for breakfast!" Tang Caiyun's voice came.

Lin Zhichao put down the newspaper in his hand, stood up and walked towards the room, and asked with concern: "How do you feel?"

It turns out that Tang Caiyun is already pregnant with her fourth child and is expected to give birth in June next year.

She has given birth to three sons for Lin Zhichao, namely Lin Ruihuan (1949), Lin Ruijiang (1951), and Lin Ruikai (1954).

Tang Caiyun took Lin Zhichao's arm and said happily: "It's normal! After all, we have given birth to three children naturally, so this will naturally go smoothly. However, I hope it will be a daughter this time."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It doesn't matter, men and women are the same. If we are a son again, Wanzhu will be your biological daughter!"

Tang Caiyun said naturally: "It makes sense!"

In fact, it was not Lin Zhichao who regarded women as fertility machines, but Tang Caiyun who was willing to have a fourth child.

First, her health is very good and she recovers quickly after giving birth;

Second, the Lin family is also short of people, so it is more reasonable to have four children.

Lin Zhichao's idea is that it is more reasonable for Tang Caiyun to have four children and Xu Caiying to have three or four children (to strive for two sons).

Walking into the restaurant, a large family was already seated, waiting for Lin Zhichao, the head of the family, to take his seat.

"Have a meal!"

In the morning, Lin Zhichao was invited to attend the sales opening ceremony of his favorite property developed by Liao Baoshan.

With the financial backing of Liu Chong Hing Bank, Liu Po ​​Shan has invested in six or seven buildings in Western District this year, all of which are 18-storey residential buildings. These buildings are very popular, so Liao Baoshan made a lot of money this year, estimated at 20 to 30 million.

Looking at the crowds that kept pouring in, Lin Zhichao sighed: "The properties in Sai Wan are more popular than those in Kowloon. Liao Sheng, your reputation as the land king of Sai Wan is about to be confirmed!"

Liao Baoshan was in a good mood when he heard Lin Zhichao's praise. Among many real estate companies, he was only worried that Cheung Kong Holdings would come to grab the land in Xihuan because Lin Zhichao's financial strength was unfathomable.

As for other real estate companies, their financial strength is not as much as that of a bank owner like myself.

"Lin Sheng has won the prize, we are not as smart as you, we just follow you!" Liao Baoshan said modestly. It was to coax Lin Zhichao so that he would be embarrassed to come to Xihuan to grab the land, he thought in his heart.

"Haha, then all the bankers should learn from you, Mr. Liao, and attract ordinary people to come to the bank to save money - a well-off life depends on frugality, and a great wealth depends on nature. You also pioneered the 'special service hours' from 8:30 to 5:30 p.m., you But he is still an outstanding banker!" Lin Zhichao 'raised' Liao Baoshan.

He and Liao Baoshan are indeed friends, friends who have known each other for many years.

However, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers. Liao Baoshan is a real real estate powerhouse. If there was no bank run time in his previous life, the four major families may not be able to defeat him.

Liao Baoshan was a tycoon in the early days of "Chen Qingsong" and "Qi Dezun". Although he was a junior in the banking industry, he has become a star in the banking industry in the past two years. He can open an account with only 100 yuan, attract customers with high interest rates, and strive to rise to the top. It is like a heron; it can be called a pioneer in the industry by improving the working hours of the bank and improving the service spirit.

He absorbed deposits at high interest rates and invested them in real estate, and the profits he earned were much higher than the interest payments. It grew bigger and bigger, and in four or five years, he jumped from a multimillionaire to a billionaire.

Of course, people always judge heroes by their success or failure. If it succeeds, it will be said that Liu Baoshan has a pioneering spirit; if it fails, it will be said that Liu Baoshan is too adventurous and likes to speculate.

Lin Zhichao knew that if Liao Baoshan suddenly didn't like taking risks and speculating, he might become his biggest rival in real estate. Therefore, it is better to follow history in everything. He will not enter the Western District, at least Liao Chongxing Bank will not be crowded ahead of schedule, so he will not enter here.

"Haha, don't dare to be, don't dare to be! Ma Sheng is still here, how dare I, a junior, be humble!"

Although Ma Jincan of Dasheng Bank said in his heart, although you, Liao Baoshan, have made the bank look like a Westerner, the essence is the style of an old bank. At home, Liao Baoshan, who has been educated for several years, frequently punishes his son corporally and practices feudal parenting. System, and so on.

How come you are the ‘leader in the banking industry’!

However, Ma Jincan still said: "Liao Sheng is worthy of my study in the fields of banking and real estate."

Lin Zhichao looked at Ma Jincan. He was also a real estate powerhouse and had built many buildings relying on Dasheng Bank, but he was just not as strong as Liao Baoshan.

These two Chaoshan businessmen can be said to be representatives of the new generation in Hong Kong. They are actually in their fifties.

After staying for a while, Lin Zhichao and everyone left. Everyone was here to join in the fun, so naturally they wouldn't stay long.

Back to Cheung Kong Holdings.

Based on the recent situation, Lin Zhichao found that the land in Hong Kong has reached the limit and there is no more motivation to rise; the residential land in Hong Kong and Kowloon is HK$150 per square foot, the land in the Tsim Sha Tsui commercial district in Kowloon is HK$250 per square foot, and the land in Central is HK$250 per square foot. Commercial land prices range from HK$800 to HK$1,200 per square foot.

Based on this information, Lin Zhichao began to make plans again.

A sharp drop of 70% is definitely possible next year or the year after that. Even commercial land in Central will also drop a lot. Because there is so much speculation right now, people simply cannot afford commercial land in Central.

For example, the Hong Kong Hotel on Pedder Street is currently valued at 30 million. In fact, by 1959, the valuation was probably only HK$15 million. The land in Des Voeux Road is even cheaper. It is expected that No. 77 Des Voeux Road (16,000 square feet) in the hands of Lin Zhichao will cost only 6 million by that time.

This is a good thing. After such a sharp decline, many owners no longer regard it as a treasure and will sell it at a reasonable price; then, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, they can continue to invest in commercial land and properties in Central, Hong Kong.

noon.

In a restaurant, Lin Zhichao, Li Gaofu, Li Shauji, and Zheng Yutong sat together, eating and talking.

The four of them are all from Shunde. They have known each other for a long time and occasionally get together for dinner.

Lin Zhichao intended to support his fellow villagers. After all, he could not take all the benefits by himself, so he had to share some of the cake with others. Lin Zhichao might be able to eat this cake, but Lin Zhichao still decided to share it.

Of course, it is better to give it to a fellow countryman and an ally.

However, Lin Zhichao did not kill all the four major families in his previous life, leaving only two from Shunde. He did not do anything to Guo Desheng, on the contrary, he supported Guo Desheng.

Guo Desheng now represents Yangtze River Industrial's zippers. Although he does not earn as much as in his previous life, he still earns a few hundred thousand a year. Together with his grocery store income, he is also qualified to enter the real estate industry in the late 1950s.

The Guo Desheng family poses little threat to Lin Zhichao, because in his previous life he was mainly a real estate developer, so the problem is not big; moreover, Lin Zhichao will control the proportion and share of his family's investment in real estate in Hong Kong.

If the Lin family develops commercial real estate and development real estate at the same time, they will not be overly wealthy.

During the meal, the topic quickly turned to real estate.

Lee Shau Kee said: "Right now, the most discussed topic among restaurants in Hong Kong is the real estate industry."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Maybe you are also tempted and plan to come in and have fun!"

Although Lee Shau Kee was moved, he was not rash and said bluntly: "I think the current land prices are a bit outrageous, somewhat similar to those in the late 1940s. What's more, I heard people in the real estate industry say that Mr. Lin, you even think the land prices are too expensive. , so it’s better not to come in and mess around with the funds I have.”

Having said that, after he finished speaking, he looked at Lin Zhichao, wanting to see what Lin Zhichao's attitude was.

Lin Zhichao said: "It's true that it's a bit expensive, but it's not because everyone is speculating. Zheng Sheng, what do you think? I heard that you are also developing a building recently?"

Zheng Yutong has just taken charge of Chow Tai Fook Gold Store this year, but he was involved in real estate in 1952.

"I am just tentatively investing in a building with everyone. We are a partnership. I don't dare to have high opinions on real estate. However, I also feel that the land price is a bit high and I have no intention of continuing to invest." After speaking, Zheng Yutong showed his signature Maitreya Buddha smile.

"With Hengsheng?" Lin Zhichao asked curiously.

He cares about the growth of these people.

To be honest, Lin Zhichao had previously thought of opening a gold shop and then entering the diamond business. In the end, I thought about it and let it go. I didn’t have much money, and it still felt like I could do any business.

So in this way, Zheng Yutong should develop in the original direction.

"Yes, they hold quite a lot of shares, otherwise my family wouldn't be able to invest in a building in Wan Chai."

A building in Wan Chai requires an investment of about six to seven million. It seems that Zheng Yutong, the son-in-law, is still rich.

When everyone talks about real estate, it is usually Lin Zhichao and Li Gaofu who talk, while Li Shauji and Zheng Yutong ask for advice.

Although Li Gaofu's current investment is not very aggressive, Lin Zhichao still doesn't know whether he can avoid 65-67 and what his future achievements will be.

After all, just like Ma Jincan of Dasheng Real Estate, he entered the industry so early and had banks as his backing; by the 1980s, even a country bumpkin like Qiu Degen could challenge twice.

Therefore, Li Gaofu may not become a first-rate rich man in Hong Kong, but may also become a second-rate rich man - ranking outside the top ten real estate companies. In any case, Lin Zhichao will not interfere.

However, Li Gaofu also has an advantage, that is, in Lin Zhichao's circle, if he can observe carefully and trust Lin Zhichao, he may also be among the top ten richest people in Hong Kong - the top ten real estate developers.

After they separated, Lee Shau Kee thought about what he heard at noon today, and he was determined not to enter the real estate industry; after all, his net worth is only three to four million, so entering rashly is still risky.

He prefers to partner with others, which is less risky. (End of chapter)