The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Des Voeux Road, Central.

Jin Bingwen of Xinxing Books and Newsstand is over seventy years old. He is sitting on the newsstand with presbyopia, looking at Ah Cai next to him, and can't help but shake his head.

The same two people who worked for him twenty-one years ago, one is as high as the ninth level of heaven, and the other is as low as the eighteenth level of hell.

When people in Hong Kong talk about "Lin Chi-chao", they first show their admiration and respect, and they also call him "Sir Lam" behind his back. It just so happens that such a big man was just a newspaper seller at his newsstand, and he also had an honest and timid person. Colleague Ah Cai.

Of course, it's not that Ah Cai has no future at all. At least he has been able to work for him steadily for twenty-one years, and now has a monthly salary of HK$250, making him his right-hand man for many years.

"Ah Cai, my son has immigrated to Canada, and my wife and I want to follow him to enjoy the blessings. If you can raise 20,000 Hong Kong paper, I will hand over this newsstand to you. You need to know, is there a newsstand now? "There are so many people who want my bookstall, but if I hadn't seen that you have worked hard for so many years without any merit, I would give you a cheap price!" Jin Bingwen said earnestly.

It seems to be a reward for Ah Cai, but in fact, the current market price in Hong Kong is this.

HKD 20,000 is not expensive, but it is not cheap either. It can only be said to be moderate.

Ah Cai's face suddenly turned red. He really wanted this newsstand. After all, he knew the profit of this newsstand. He could make it back in five years at most, or even four years.

If Hong Kong were not in the "immigration wave" at this time, we might not even be able to get this price.

However, 20,000 Hong Kong paper is simply a big number!

His salary has only increased in the past few years, and besides supporting his wife and children, his life is not rich.

"Boss, how can I get 20,000 Hong Kong dollars!"

Jin Bingwen simply hated it and said, "Go ahead and borrow it! They borrow it one by one. If you don't work hard for it, how do you know it won't work? When Sir Lin worked here for half a year, he at least made a lot of money as an intermediary. Three to five thousand Hong Kong dollars. It’s been twenty years, and you actually said you couldn’t even borrow 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, and you didn’t even mention it?”

Ah Cai blushed. Once upon a time, he also thought about becoming someone like Sir Lin every day. In fact, he couldn't even bear to lose his job. He didn't dare to take risks to support his wife and children.

"Then I'll go back and think of a solution?"

"That's right! You know the profit of my book and newsstand, and you won't suffer any loss. Friends and relatives are borrowing it, but if it doesn't work, be thick-skinned and go to Sir Lin's company to talk. I heard that Sir Lin is very nostalgic. , this favor might really help you!"

Ah Cai's face suddenly turned red. How dare he see Sir Lin? If Sir Lin stood in front of him, he couldn't help but tremble.

"oh"

"I'll give you a week, or I'll give it to someone else! If you lose your job by then, don't blame me for being unkind."

"Okay, thank you boss!"

Three days later.

Ah Cai took advantage of his lunch break to come to the Universal Building. Although he was wearing trousers and a shirt, he felt very embarrassed.

However, during these three days, he also suffered a lot of grievances and torture. When his wife heard that the 'Xinxing Newsstand' was about to be transferred, she took out the 3,000 Hong Kong dollars saved at home and went back to her parents' home to borrow another 2,000 Hong Kong dollars. This was a strong support. However, when he went to borrow money, few relatives and friends were willing to help. In the end, only two thousand were borrowed.

There was still a big number of 12,000, and he was about to lose the opportunity. He mustered up the courage to come to Global Tower and give it a try!

"Sir, do you have an appointment?"

At the first level of the building, I was stopped by the front desk, which was really suspicious.

"Ah, no appointment!"

Ah Cai's courage was half gone. He didn't expect that it would be so difficult to see Sir Lin, and he couldn't even get through the gate.

"Then what's the purpose of your coming?"

The front desk is still very qualified. After all, they are not employees of the building, but may also be customers of a certain company.

"I'm here to see Sir Lin, I'm his former colleague!"

"colleague?"

The front desk was very doubtful whether Ah Cai was an idiot or not. Sir Lin had colleagues and said they were all pretty good. Of course, it is also possible that Ah Cai was a former subordinate and therefore became a colleague.

Seeing the suspicion at the front desk, Ah Cai finally had the courage to say: "I worked with Sir Lin for half a year, and finally he started a business! Can you call him and tell him that it was Ah Cai from Xinxing Books and Newsstand who was looking for him."

The front desk's eyes jumped out in surprise, and colleagues also pricked up their ears.

What the hell is Xinxing Books and Newsstand?

If it is true, Sir Lin used to be a newsboy!

Completely starting from scratch!

"Okay, I'll help you connect the phone at their front desk. As for whether I can get in touch with you, I can't guarantee you!"

"Thanks"

About five minutes later.

Lin Zhichao walked quickly downstairs, followed by bodyguards. From a distance, he saw Ah Cai, his colleague of 21 years, as if it was yesterday - when he first came to Hong Kong.

Over the years, it's not that he didn't want to help Ah Cai, he just felt that a person should have courage to be worth helping! If you don't even have the courage to speak, then why live a normal life?

"Brother Cai" Lin Zhichao shouted happily from a distance.

Later, Lin Zhichao came to Huang Youcai and extended his hand happily.

Ah Cai suddenly felt that his body was light and he shouted numbly: "Sir Lin"

"Haha, if you're a stranger, just call me Ah Chao or Lin Sheng. This is not a place for chatting. Come on, let's have lunch together!"

"Okay, I'll treat you!"

"Okay, let's go!"

Lin Zhichao enthusiastically grabbed Huang Youcai's shoulders and walked towards the outside of the building, leaving a look of surprise.

"Sir Sir Lin is so nostalgic!"

"That's right. Sir Lin has always been warm and gentle to people."

"That colleague just now was really Sir Lin's colleague, but why did he look like he hadn't seen him for a long time?"

"You don't understand this! With Sir Lin's identity, he can't take the initiative to come to you. But if he is like the person just now, even if he hasn't seen you for a long time, as long as he comes to Sir Lin, Sir Lin will be very happy and even call others 'cai' elder brother'."

"It makes sense! A person like Sir Lin has met many people, and it is impossible for everyone to take the initiative to contact him; but if he takes the initiative to contact Sir Lin, then Sir Lin will not forget others."

"Yes, the talented guy just now probably hasn't contacted Sir Lin for more than 20 years. But Sir Lin recognized him at a glance, which shows that he has always been remembered in his heart. That talented guy is honest and loyal, and he never thought of visiting Sir Lin before. , now I am afraid that difficulties have come to my door, so I had no choice but to find Sir Lin."

"Sir Lin will help him!"

Suddenly, a beautiful story was born.

In an ordinary restaurant, Lin Zhichao and Huang Youcai gather together, which has a sense of history.

He has never forgotten everything he had just come to Hong Kong, the scenes of difficult life, and naturally he will not forget Jin Bingwen, Huang Youcai, etc.

"Let's have some drinks at noon today. I usually don't drink at noon, but when I saw Brother Cai today, I thought I must have some wine!"

"Lin Sheng still remembers me!"

Huang Youcai felt that this was the highlight of his life. He wanted to show off to his wife, boss, relatives and friends, so he had lunch with Sir Lin.

"Remember! Always remember! I have been waiting for you to come to me!"

"You are the big boss, how dare I trouble you!"

Lin Zhichao personally poured a glass of wine for Huang Youcai. Huang Youcai held the glass carefully and said: "Thank you, thank you."

"Haha, didn't you come to see me today! Opportunities are always there, it just depends on whether one can seize them!"

Huang Youcai blushed immediately and said immediately, "Lin Sheng, I came to you to borrow money!"

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "I know, you must have difficulties. First tell me how you have lived these years, and then why you borrowed money."

The two drank and chatted.

Huang Youcai's experience was told in just a few words, which made Lin Zhichao unable to help but sigh!

Be a newsboy!

I would like to take stock of Xinxing Books and Newsstand, which has been working for more than 20 years.

It's that simple.

After listening to this, Lin Zhichao became thoughtful.

This made Huang Youcai couldn't help but feel anxious. He thought Lin Zhichao was unwilling to help, so he couldn't help but retreat.

"In this way, if you think that starting a business is a good thing, I will support you and lend you 12,000 Hong Kong dollars. It just so happens that my company is also preparing to publish "Oriental Daily" and the comic strip "Manga World" recently. I will ask the company to find you again , would you like to be a regional publisher?”

Huang Youcai was overjoyed. The so-called regional publisher is to distribute newspapers in a certain region. He has been doing this for more than 20 years and is still very familiar with this business. This business is very profitable.

"Thank you Sir Lin, thank you!"

"Thank you for something, eat, eat!"

after one day.

"Boss, this is 20,000 yuan, I'm ready!"

Ah Cai proudly took out 20,000 yuan and prepared to sign a contract with Jin Bingwen.

Jin Bingwen was shocked. A few days ago, this Ah Cai was submissive, but now he seemed to be a different person, very proud.

"Ah Cai, you have met Sir Lin!"

"Yes, Sir Lin lent me money and gave me a job - let me be the regional publisher of Oriental Daily this month, so I can earn an extra income!"

Someone can guard the newsstand, and he can take care of both sides. He can make a lot of money in a year!

Jin Bingwen lamented that Ah Cai was so lucky that Sir Lin still remembered him. He asked Ah Cai to find Sir Lin, and he just said it casually. Unexpectedly, he succeeded. Not only did he get money for the newsstand, but he also got a good job.

"Oriental Daily is very powerful. It hasn't even been published yet, but the ads have been placed on TV stations. It is said that all the reporters in the city have been networked by them, and the investment is very large!"

"Well, I know. And I also know that it is said that the founding fee of "Oriental Daily" is as high as millions of Hong Kong dollars, which shocked the entire Hong Kong media industry."

"You boy, you really come late to wealth!"

"Thank you boss for pointing me out!"

"Okay, it's good that you have this heart!"

Early April, Friday.

"Manke World" was the first to discover the first issue, which was 6 cents per copy, three times the price of the 2 cents on the market, shocking the industry.

At this time, in the market in Hong Kong, the general comic magazines were 2 cents (2 cents a piece), and six to eight issues might be published a month; more comics daily newspapers were published, with one newspaper published every day, which was low-cost but had high image quality. Rough.

It is a very big challenge for Oriental Publishing House to publish the 6-millimeter version:

First, Hong Kong’s economy is not very good at this time. It might have been better in 1969;

Second, at 6 cents each, it is almost a worker’s lunch, so it is relatively expensive.

However, Oriental Publishing House is also more confident:

First, the picture quality and content of "Manke World" are Asian-level and worthy of being pursued;

Second, although it is worth 6 cents, it actually has better printing quality and larger layout than the three 2 cents packages on the market.

"Boss, how much does this "Manke World" cost? The "Fist of the North Star" above looks very exciting!"

"Manke World" is displayed in conspicuous places at major newsstands in Hong Kong. This is because of joint promotion with "Oriental Daily" and arrangements with various newsstands.

"A 60-cent book, the first issue just came out. The picture quality is very good, and the content is very exciting!"

"So expensive! Aren't comic books 2 cents?"

"It's different, handsome! This is a 6-millimeter package, and the content is naturally three times that of the 2-millimeter package, or even more. You won't suffer any loss if you buy it! And you have already said that Fist of the North Star looks good, so of course you should watch it more Look, it’s really beautiful!”

"Then buy a book and give it a try. Don't lie to me. This is my meal money!"

Both "Manke World" and "Oriental Daily" have done a lot of publicity.

Of course, "Oriental Daily" even promoted it on TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers, which "Manke World" cannot compare with.

"Manke World" makes almost no money. Even if it sells a record-breaking 12,000 copies and reaches the highest sales volume in Hong Kong, it still makes no money. But Lin Zhichao doesn't care at all. What he cares about is IP investment.

At this time, a middle school student was flipping through "The World of Manke" and couldn't help but said in surprise: "Fuck, the quality of this comic is so good, "Fist of the North Star" is so exciting!"

"Show me the new comic book?"

"I haven't finished watching it yet! But I can show you the picture quality."

"It's awesome. It's a bit like a Japanese comic?"

"I don't know, it was published by a Hong Kong publishing house."

"Manke World" is widely circulated among young people, which also increases its popularity and sales in a disguised manner.

A week later.

Li Ziduo reported to Lin Zhichao: "Boss, although the sales volume of "Manke World" is very good, it has only reached 8,000 copies. Every time we publish an issue, we will incur losses."

He was a little less confident!

It's not that he's worried about losing his job. He's also the general manager of a printing factory, and Oriental Daily will always succeed if it launches such a big campaign.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "The first issue of 8,000 copies should be the only one in Hong Kong! What's more, we still sell it for 6 cents!"

On the other hand, selling 8,000 copies at such an expensive price is a good start.

Li Ziduo said: "Yes! The price of six cents is indeed relatively expensive, and some students simply cannot afford it."

Lin Zhichao said nonchalantly: "Very good results! As for whether you will lose money or not, you don't have to think about it. What you have to consider is ensuring quality, increasing sales and influence. What I look at is the future, not the present."

The monthly salary of the 15 main painters is nearly 12,000 to 13,000 Hong Kong dollars, so losses are normal.

But Lin Zhichao feels that within two years, he will no longer lose money.

He flipped through "Mangako World" and found that "Fist of the North Star" in it was well drawn and could compete with the Japanese comics of this era.

As for "Football Players", it is still in the research stage and involves a lot of professional knowledge.

"Okay, I will definitely work hard!"

"Well, especially pay attention to morale. Let me tell you that we have set a record for Hong Kong comic strips!"

"OK!"

Lin Zhichao is very satisfied with the result of 8,000 copies, which shows that the consumption power is still there. If it reaches more than 10,000 copies in a short period of time, it will be able to hit the first place in sales.

It is not a 2-millimeter package, nor is it a daily comic book, so the best sales volume is the best proof of its strength.

After a while, Luo Wenhui, the president of Oriental Daily, came in to report on his work.

"Boss, everything is ready. The official first issue will be next Monday."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Then let's publish it! We have invited famous experts for the Dog Book and Horse Book columns, right?"

Since it is a popular newspaper, or a secular newspaper, it is natural to write the dog's book and the horse's book. First, increase the sales volume, and then purify the page.

"Please! But the column is not big, we mainly cover Hong Kong social news!"

"That's right! In short, we should pay more attention to market feedback. We can arrange some reporters to interview on the street, and let some people who have read "Oriental Daily" comment on it as a reference. We can do this in the future!"

"Well, we also have mail delivery, and readers can write to us with feedback."

Generally speaking, Lin Zhichao believes that the problem is not big.

For the founding of "Oriental Daily", he spent more than 1.8 million Hong Kong dollars, mainly advertising on TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers.

As soon as he makes a move, you can see how wealthy Lin Zhichao is.

These investments do not consider immediate interests. Lin Zhichao is different from others in this regard because he has this strength.

New week.

As soon as the first issue of "Oriental Daily" came out, sales increased by leaps and bounds, with sales reaching a record of 80,000 on the first day.

What is the concept of 80,000? It is only a little lower than "Ming Pao" and two or three points lower than "Sing Tao Daily"; and reaching this number is the result of Jin Daxia's painstaking efforts for four to five years, and it is also based on sharp political commentary. Obtained from Z event.

The sales of the first issue of "Oriental Daily" were so great that congratulations came from this newspaper very quickly on the second day.

Looking at the sales data of 80,000 copies, Daxia Jin fell silent!

Later, he said to himself: "The advertisement has been running for more than half a month. It is understandable that the sales on the first day are like this. But the quality is hard to say!"

I wanted to say that the quality was not good, but he couldn’t even lie to himself!

"Oriental Daily" pays attention to the timeliness of news. There are 100 reporters in Hong Kong and Kowloon. Whenever there is any trouble, a reporter from "Oriental Daily" will go to cover it.

Of course, it does feel a bit tacky to the literati! Bloody, violent and pornographic incidents were frequently reported, and columns on dogs and horses were published in major newspapers.

After reading the newspaper, Hu Xian muttered: "Ming Pao is a literary newspaper, and Sing Tao Daily is an industrial and commercial newspaper. Could it be that Oriental Daily is preparing to take the route of a popular newspaper and a secular newspaper? Sir Lin, the dignified Sir, actually did this Something?"

For a time, people in the newspaper industry began to express different opinions.