The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Since the birth of electronic game consoles, many "game console centers", commonly known as "machine shops", have appeared in Hong Kong. Arcade machine shops are everywhere in the 19 districts of Hong Kong.

The Rainbow Game Arcade Shop in Mong Kok is in full swing right now.

Lin Ruijiang, the president of Yangtze Industrial Group, walked in with someone at this time. He stamped his feet behind each arcade machine, followed by the president of Ninth City, Saburo Watanabe and other senior officials.

The Ninth City, currently a subsidiary of the Yangtze River Industrial Group, specializes in the development of software and hardware for electronic games; the department engaged in software development is called "The Ninth City", and the department engaged in the development of hardware electronic game consoles is called "Little Genius" '.

The9's electronic game software had a net profit of HK$200 million last year; as for the "Little Genius" game consoles, they are currently mainly arcade machines and copycat red and white consoles.

The early "Hong Kong Cube", "Little Bee", "Pac-Man", etc. are still the main sources of profits; in the second half of last year (1985), games such as "Contra" and "Street Fighter" were successively released.

Among them, "Contra" has achieved impressive results in half a year and has been well received by the market. As for "Street Fighter", the response has been good in North America, but it seems to be relatively mediocre in Asia.

Based on this, Lin Ruijiang went to a game console store in Hong Kong to conduct an on-site inspection to see why the game plan given by his father was not a great success.

"President Watanabe, what do you think are the shortcomings of this game?"

Saburo Watanabe was once a video game development executive in Japan. He was poached by Lin Ruijiang to Hong Kong to serve as the president of The Ninth City. His ability is naturally very high.

He immediately said: "Hong Kong Kung Fu movies are very influential in Asia, far exceeding the influence in Europe and the United States. However, the results of "Street Fighter" in Asia were not as expected. It is obviously not that our direction is wrong, but "Street Fighter" The game "Overlord" can only be regarded as an incomplete first-generation product. The next-generation product should be developed in the direction of battle, which increases the entertainment!"

Lin Ruijiang nodded and said: "Well, I think so too. In this way, I hope you can come up with a second-generation product in three years. After all, the current performance in Europe and the United States proves that the prospects of this game are still very good, and it has Very strong potential.”

"Okay, Mr. Lin."

The people in the machine shop were of all kinds, but when they looked at Lin Ruijiang and the others, they still showed frightened expressions. This group of people were dressed very formally, and there were tall and capable entourages behind them. At first glance, they looked like rich and powerful people who they could not afford to offend.

Lin Ruijiang asked a person who was playing "Street Fighter": "Is this game fun?"

The young man who was playing enthusiastically saw Lin Ruijiang and others and said, "It's a level-clearing kung fu game. It's fun, but playing with a machine is not exciting enough!"

Lin Ruijiang said 'thank you' and left immediately!

In the office, Lin Zhichao listened to Lin Ruijiang's work report.

The business of Yangtze River Industrial Group is still huge, and its profit has exceeded 1 billion Hong Kong dollars a year. It is a proper large-scale industrial group and technology company.

The overall business is divided into: zippers and machinery, toys and models, electrical appliances and electronics, electronic games, smelting, etc.

In terms of electrical appliances, Midea Electric Appliances has invested heavily in the mainland. Together with Hong Kong, it can now produce televisions, picture tubes and other products. Together with the original electric fans, radios, tape recorders, etc., it has begun to take shape.

In terms of electronics, Midea's Walkman is still a best-selling product. Although it is not as good as Sony, it has also carved up part of the international market. In addition, Midea Electronics has entered the semiconductor industry and invested in R\u0026D and production centers in the mainland. It also produces telephones and pagers. There are many kinds of products.

"You are right. "Street Fighter" is originally a fighting game, so that the essence of this game can be reflected. When designing characters, you can enrich the background of each character, such as the characters from China. We can create two, one is the 'Flying Dragon' based on Bruce Lee, and the other is the female character 'Chun Li' who wears a cheongsam but is full of physical strength. Japan can also create two, one a judo player and a sumo wrestler."

When planning "Street Fighter" for the first time, Lin Zhichao did not go into too much detail. He was also worried that the configuration would not be enough to reflect his ideas.

But now that "Street Fighter 2" is being developed, Lin Zhichao is firing on all cylinders, talking about some of the key points of development - for example, to maximize the pursuit of advanced movements, and to be able to attack in eight directions without spending too much energy on the beginning and the end. , or on the background.

Lin Ruijiang recorded it in detail. He was already very impressed with his father's power and was not surprised by his father's all-round performance.

"Okay, so our development goals are very clear. I believe that "Street Fighter 2" should be released in two years. Atari also asked us to develop a follow-up product to "Street Fighter", saying that this product Very promising.”

At present, Atari has become the software department, and Sega has become the hardware department.

Lin Zhichao said confidently: ""Contra" and "Street Fighter" will become classic games!"

Whether it is console games, or future computer web games, or computer online games, Lin Zhichao can provide many game design solutions. These alone can bring huge profits and huge IP to The9 City.

Then, Lin Zhichao said: "Currently, the Yangtze River Industrial Group has strong strength and sufficient cash flow, so it is inevitable to develop science and technology. We have the mainland market and talents as our backing, and Hong Kong has also cultivated many science talents in recent years. , so the time has come. To develop science and technology, as long as you grasp the direction well, you will always be able to gain something!"

He has been developing the technology industry, but he was accumulating experience in the early stage, and now he is ready to go big.

Lin Ruijiang said: "Well, I think so too. We have a lot of cash cows (cash reserves, zippers, toys, two buildings in Central, game software, etc.), which are enough for us to develop into a technology company step by step."

He is very confident, and as a science student at Stanford University, he has always been more interested in technology careers. In the past few years, he has been developing this business and has achieved some small results.

Lin Zhichao continued: "Next, you need several directions: first, try to enter the Little Genius game console into Eastern Europe, even if it is a cooperation, it doesn't matter, secondly, enter the mainland, which can bring a certain amount of cash flow; secondly, enter the mainland, which can bring a certain amount of cash flow; Second, setting up a Chinese pager R\u0026D department in the Mainland will provide a certain amount of cash flow if successful. These are products. As for semiconductor R\u0026D, it requires long-term R\u0026D to produce results. Take your time, we have plenty of money anyway! "

Lin Zhichao has not used the cash flow of Cheung Kong Industrial Group for a long time. It already has a cash reserve of HK$5 to 6 billion. This is where the group's confidence lies in developing real technology.

What's more, Lin Zhichao will always come up with product plans to bring more cash flow to the group.

Lin Ruijiang said: "Okay, I will definitely make some achievements on this path!"

Without saying too much, he already loved the technology industry, and his father wanted him to pursue this career.

Lin Ruicheng found Lin Ruikai and said, "Fourth brother, can I ask you a favor?"

Lin Ruikai smiled and said: "Lao Ba, we are all brothers, tell me what is troublesome or not!"

Lin Ruicheng then said: "Can you introduce Wang Zuxian to me?"

Lin Ruikai was stunned for a moment and then said: "Lao Ba, what are you doing? Your girlfriend Kuang Meiyun is pregnant with twins and is about to give birth. Even her father is very happy. At this time, you know a celebrity. Isn't it a little weird? good?"

Kuang Meiyun was the Asian sister champion in 1982. After Lin Ruicheng caught up with her, she quickly made others pregnant and gave birth to a son the following year. Lin Zhichao was also very happy about this and went to the hospital to visit her in person.

Now that Kuang Meiyun is pregnant with August again, and they are twins, Lin Zhichao is in a good mood after hearing about it.

Lin Ruicheng is his sixth son and eighth eldest. He was born in the same year as his ninth son, Lin Ruinan, and is also 28 years old this year. Now he has gradually gained the trust of Lin Zhichao and serves as the vice president of Universal Group, mainly managing the shipping business.

Although Universal Group has been withdrawing funds and reducing ships, its asset value is still high. Its assets include a fleet of more than 5 million tons, Amazon commercial real estate (9 Manhattan office buildings) worth US$2.5 billion, and half of the equity of No. 1 Kwai Chung Terminal. , 60% equity of Hong Kong Airlines, sufficient cash flow, etc.

Lin Ruicheng said: "Fourth brother, I don't even want to get married. Of course I can date whoever I want. What's more, doesn't my father know what I think? Didn't he say anything more? Instead, it's you, sister-in-law. She is your cousin's daughter and your childhood sweetheart, so even if you are the president of a media group, you can only take a look, and I feel pity for you!" In the end, he couldn't help but make a joke proudly.

Lin Ruikai immediately said: "My father asked me to participate in the content management of the media group, so that I can rest assured that I don't have those messy ideas. You think I do! To be honest, it's not impossible for you to ask me to introduce you. I can at most ask Shi Nansheng to provide an opportunity for you. You are not enough."

Lin Ruicheng asked curiously: "But what? This is not a troublesome matter. I just need to give you a chance to get to know each other. Even if I don't have the ability of my father to chase girls, I am still handsome and charming among the big families in Hong Kong." It’s in front!”

Lin Ruikai couldn't help but lectured: "Can you please stop talking about your father! Also, this Wang Zuxian was recruited to Hong Kong by my father's name. Only I know about this."

Lin Ruicheng was immediately shocked and said quickly: "Pretend I didn't tell you! Fourth brother, you must keep it a secret for me, please!"

If that was the case, after his father found out, he believed that his good days were over.

His five elder brothers and one younger brother are all married, but he is the only one who can be chic. The biggest reason is that the five elder brothers are very ambitious, get married early and have children, and obey their parents' opinions - to reproduce.

In this way, his father was actually not too harsh on him and his seventh brother Lin Ruinan. However, Lin Ruicheng also understands that if he does not have children, it will be detrimental to his future. After all, according to his father's arrangement, he will accept Universal Group in the future.

Therefore, Lin Ruicheng thought of a way, that is, to catch up with Sister Ya and let her give birth to a child. In this way, his goal was achieved. Of course, he would not choose to get married, because once he got married, it meant that his parents would not allow him to mess around.

Lin Ruikai smiled and said: "Don't think too much about it. Although my father introduced Wang Zuxian to join Jiahe Pictures, he actually just informed me and then I arranged for someone to do it. From the beginning to the end, my father probably never knew Wang Zuxian. If it's like you imagine, Like that, my father wouldn’t let Wang Zuxian film a kissing scene!”

Since New Year's Day, "A Chinese Ghost Story" has been released in Hong Kong, with a box office of 18 million Hong Kong dollars.

Because of this, Lin Ruicheng noticed the beautiful female ghost.

Lin Ruicheng said: "I would rather believe that it is something than something that is not there! I will not give up the entire forest for a tree."

Lin Ruikai nodded with a smile and advised: "That's right, Kuang Meiyun is going to give birth soon, so you should endure the loneliness first and pay more attention to other people's girls. I heard from my father that he admired Kuang Meiyun quite a lot and felt that this girl Although the child does not come from a good family, he has developed a tough character, and his appearance is still very good.”

In the end, he hoped that his brother would change his mind.

Unfortunately, Lin Ruicheng's idea has long been fixed, that is, he will not get married easily before he has had enough fun.

"Brother, please don't talk more about this. My second brother was very strict back then and had no chance. I finally have six brothers who can compete with me. My father and mother won't be angry if I am slightly unsatisfied in this aspect."

"Okay, I won't talk anymore!"

Enough is enough, after all, his father has relented, what else can he do!

As for the second brother Lin Ruijiang, although he was romantic back then, he was really controlled by his parents; but now the second sister-in-law was introduced to the second brother by his father, and the second brother would never dare to have any more ideas in his life.

When Lin Ruicheng left, there was no regret, only joy!

In the office of the media group, Lin Zhichao was sitting in the office and did not know what was going on between his sons.

At this time, he was planning and developing the media group.

Today's media groups, in the eyes of outsiders, can be said to have reached their peak——

The publishing business had a net profit of HK$210 million last year, making it the leader of the four major businesses of the media group. Almost all profits come from the animation industry, and overseas profits account for more than 70%. In fact, Hong Kong has become the world's "Animation Capital" and has also promoted the development of Hong Kong's tourism industry.

The print media business had a net profit of HK$65 million last year. "Oriental Daily" had a daily sales of 380,000 in Hong Kong and 220,000 overseas, with a total daily sales of 600,000 copies; magazines such as "FHM", "Capitalist" and "YES" also Hong Kong's best-selling magazine, FHM, even sold the rights.

For the TV business, last year’s net profit was HK$35 million, which was the second year of profit and more than doubled. Nowadays, ATV and Wireless have a stable 50-50 split, so large advertisers have also chosen ATV, and profits have naturally increased. However, because costs are still high, profits are only about 30% of wireless. Last year's "The Voice of Hong Kong" was a huge success, allowing ATV to make up for its last shortcoming - music.

The film business had a net profit of 120 million last year. Seven of the top ten local Hong Kong films were produced by Golden Harvest, and 12 of the top 15 films were produced by Golden Harvest. Mainly because Chow Yun-fat had six films in the top 15.

After a while.

"Father"

Lin Ruikai walked in and said respectfully.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Come here, I have something to tell you. There is a movie called "Inspector Lei Luo of 500 Million". You can let people see if it can be filmed. Andy Lau will play the leading role."

Andy Lau is currently blocked by TVB, but he can make movies. Golden Harvest approached him to shoot a movie last year; and everyone has already negotiated privately that he will switch to ATV once the contract is up this year.

After all, ATV now has greater prospects than TVB. What's more, he can still be appreciated by Jiahe.

Lin Ruikai said in surprise: "Is this a movie about the former Inspector Lu Le?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It belongs to him. The filming is not to praise him, but to tell the story of that era! Just let Zou Wenhuai prepare it, and don't worry about so much!"

Lin Ruikai nodded and said, "Yes, I remember it!"

Although he went abroad to study very early, he didn't know much about Lu Le. But although this kind of character sounds very powerful, he must have been just a minor role in his father's eyes back then.

He really guessed it right. Lu Le wanted to curry favor with Lin Zhichao and detained Long Yun's son overnight. Unfortunately, Lin Zhichao did not take this person seriously. Of course, for Lu Le, it didn't matter that Lin Zhichao didn't look down on him, but he must not have any objections to him, otherwise it would be a big trouble.

"How is the preparation for "Millionaire" going?"

"We are preparing intensively and it is expected to be officially broadcast in the second half of this year. We attach great importance to this program, so we are very serious about the details."

"Well, ATV still needs to cultivate more talents. If you ask ATV to prepare a 'Comedian' training class, you can create an exclusive 'Comedian' program in the future. In variety shows, in addition to on-the-spot performance, there are also generally There is a script, so in addition to the screenwriter, you can actually subdivide a 'writer' to design some plots, lines, etc."

His layout of "Hong Kong culture" is to develop from "variety shows" first, and then "Hong Kong music" and "Hong Kong dramas". "The Voice of Hong Kong" and "Millionaire" are considered to be the core elements of Hong Kong culture. bud. Of course, these two programs are focused on the development of global IP.

Lin Ruikai felt that every time he came in and listened to his father's talk, a huge cultural industry was gradually advancing. He liked this industry so much and it gave him a sense of pride.

"I've written it all down!"

"Okay, take your time! Many IPs are long-term assets. For example, "Millionaire" is suitable for hundreds of countries in the world as a local program. We can collect a lot of copyright fees in the future."

"Well, I understand that these are intellectual copyrights. Every movie, every program, and every series is a valuable asset. More importantly, this cultural industry can make Hong Kong more developed."