The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Friday, Nov. 5 is good for moving, or moving into a new house.

The private housing estate "Lam Tin Nga Yuen" in Happy Valley has ushered in the day of handover, and the entire housing estate is filled with joy.

"The security at the door is very energetic! At first glance, I thought they were uniformed police!"

"Yes! Those cleaners also wear uniforms, but I don't know if they can clean the room for us."

"You think so, others are only responsible for the public environment outside."

Immediately, residents moved in one after another, and these wealthy people in Hong Kong could not help but lament the superiority of "private housing estates".

In addition to the security guards and cleaners, there are also property management staff who are very warm and considerate.

In this comparison, even the arcades and western-style buildings in the middle of the mountain are not necessarily as comfortable as those in "private housing estates".

As everyone knows, there is no free lunch in the world. After everyone enjoys it for three months, the property management company will charge.

Of course, for these people with money and status, the property fee of only 200 yuan a year is not very expensive.

And I believe everyone can understand, how can anyone sell a house and be your nanny for the rest of your life?

"There is a restaurant and shop at the door, so life is very convenient!"

"I heard that the second floor of the restaurant is a property management company, which also provides some fitness and leisure club activities. Housing owners can experience it for free."

"This is so thoughtful. Changjiang Real Estate is really amazing."

The entire private housing estate was discussing the superiority of the new home, and it received rave reviews. As for the second floor of the restaurant, it is indeed the first floor purchased by Yangtze River Real Estate, with an area of ​​980 square feet.

Except for a 180-square-foot room that is used as a property office, the rest has been developed into a clubhouse style.

According to Lin Zhichao, the annual operating expenses of the property management company are at most 15,000 Hong Kong dollars, but they can collect property fees of 26,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is very profitable. What's more, the two stores are also managed by the property management company, and the annual rent collection is also very high.

Overall, real estate is a very profitable business. He is not worried about the owner not paying. Owners of Lantian Yayuan generally do not do that. After all, once the property management company is removed, the value of the entire Lantian Yayuan will immediately depreciate.

In the evening, Lin Zhichao came to Tang Zhongyuan's house after get off work and visited it under the guidance of Tang Caiyun.

Both houses purchased 980 square feet, or 108 square meters, and were designed with three bedrooms, two living rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a worker's room.

The so-called worker's room is the servant's room, which is only 38 square feet.

"You two sisters can't just buy a bunk bed, why do you have to squeeze in together?" Lin Zhichao said deliberately when visiting the Tang sisters' boudoir.

Tang Caiying immediately took Tang Caiyun's arm and said: "We have slept together since childhood, why do we have to change the bed. Brother-in-law, you haven't married my sister yet, so you are starting to get jealous!" After that, she deliberately got close to her. On Tang Caiyun, it seems to be a demonstration against Lin Zhichao.

Lin Zhichao's heart suddenly felt ripples. He had slept together since childhood, wouldn't it be easier to sleep together in the future? Just think about it!

Tang Caiyun had already 'rebelled' at this time, so she naturally felt more for Lin Zhichao and teased her sister with a smile.

"She looks very brave. In fact, she was afraid of the dark when she was a child. She always sneaked into my room."

"elder sister!"

The two sisters started fighting.

Back in the living room, everyone gathered together to discuss the new home.

Song Qiaoling sighed: "I finally got rid of the dilemma of renting a house. Although this house is a bit small, it is still my own, so I feel more at ease."

Her exclamation was recognized by everyone.

Lin Zhichao smiled and comforted his mother-in-law and said, "It's okay. We will move back to Mid-Levels later and then the family will buy a building."

It's not that he can't afford it at this time, but he feels that money must be spent wisely. In addition, after the war in Guangdong Province and the Peninsular War, house prices in the mid-levels will naturally fall. I don’t say how much the price has dropped, but at least it’s not as tight as it is now. If you want to buy, the landlord won’t sell.

From Lin Zhichao's words, everyone in the room understood that Lin Zhichao was not just talking big words, but that he had the strength. At the same time, these words also revealed that Tang's Oriental Textiles would also develop together with Yangtze River Industries. .

Tang Zhongyuan had taken out a lot of loans recently and was under great pressure, so he said, "After Oriental Textile's second factory is built, do I still want to move to Tsuen Wan?"

In the past, Song Qiaoling would have been sensible, but now that she has the support of her son-in-law, she said unreasonably: "The area in Tsuen Wan is very desolate, we don't want to live there!"

Tang Zhongyuan immediately looked at his wife unhappily.

It was Lin Zhichao who smoothed things over and said, "It's mainly because it's not convenient for my younger siblings to go to school!"

As soon as Tang Zhongyuan heard this, he got off the stairs and said, "I said I usually live in Tsuen Wan Factory, and the conditions there will be very good."

Indeed, many textile bosses from Shanghai usually live with their families in the Tsuen Wan factory. After all, they are still in the entrepreneurial stage.

Lin Zhichao did not interfere with the parents-in-law's decision, but only reconciled it.

Afterwards, the two families became happy. Today is the day to move into a new house.

At the pier in Sai Wan, Lin Chichao came to visit the loading and shipping of "Fu Wo Hong Trading".

Li Gaofu introduced Lin Zhichao's partners and shipowners and said: "Lin Sheng, these three are my partners Huang Tinggui, Li Fubing, and Yang Zhiqiang. This is the shipowner of our chartered ship, Mr. Chen Zexi." His tone was very respectful, but not respectful. Call the boss again.

Everyone took the initiative to greet Lin Zhichao, but no one expected that Lin Zhichao would come in person; they thought that Li Gaofu and Lin Zhichao must not have a simple relationship.

Lin Zhichao talked to everyone humbly, and his words revealed that he had a close relationship with Li Gaofu. After all, being able to come and visit in person has already explained.

At this time, the wharf is busy loading goods, which are the goods that Li Gaofu and others founded "Fuhehang" - tires, gasoline, cement, chemicals, etc. This batch of goods will be shipped to Weihai Weishi Island in Lu Province.

At the beginning of this month (November), news came over there that a commercial port was specially opened in JF District.

Here comes the opportunity!

Of course it was Li Gaofu's chance!

And it can be said that Li Gaofu is almost the first person to eat crabs.

Taking an opportunity, Lin Zhichao said to Chen Zexi favorably: "How many boats does Mr. Chen have?"

Chen Zexi immediately said humbly: "Lin Sheng is very impressed. I have several ships there, but this is an old 1,200-ton ship."

A 1,200-ton old ship (30-40 years old) sells for about 700,000-800,000 Hong Kong dollars; if the peninsula war begins, there will be a shortage of ships in the Far East, and the price of the same ship may be 1 million.

Lin Zhichao then asked: "Then Chen Sheng must be an old ship owner. I think your crew members are of better quality, so they must be well managed."

In fact, he was just 'flattering', and he couldn't see anything at all.

At this time, Chen Zexi showed a smug expression, and said: "If you talk about strength, I am sure I am not a big shipowner in Hong Kong. But if you talk about rich experience, I don't think I will admit defeat. I have been sailing since I was 15 years old. The highest I had two boats at that time, but when the RB people came, I lost everything. After the war, I finally got back on my feet, so I naturally worked harder."

At this time, Lin Zhichao listened very carefully and looked humble.

When the time was right, he took out his name card and handed it over, and said, "Chen Sheng, I'm a little interested in this shipping, or I'll be the host tomorrow, let's sit down and chat."

Chen Zexi suddenly realized that this rich man was eyeing shipping. He immediately took the name card and handed over his own name card.

"Lin Sheng, sailing is dangerous!" Chen Zexi sighed.

"I am mentally prepared. I just want to think more about Chen Sheng and ask for advice to see if I am the material."

"I don't dare to take it seriously. Since Lin Sheng wants to understand, I won't be stingy either."

"Okay, I will have a banquet at Datong Restaurant tomorrow. I wonder if Chen Sheng has time?"

"Must be there"

Seeing Lin Zhichao staring at the ship owner and chatting, Li Gaofu and others naturally understood the situation and did not interrupt.

One day later, Li Gaofu stood on the bow of the boat, looking at the sea.

Both excited and nervous!

He deeply felt that opportunities did not come easily, especially opportunities that were prepared, so while being grateful to Lin Zhichao, he vowed to do a good job.

At the same time, he also understands that Lin Zhichao will also enter the shipping industry, and he is a vanguard; so he must do it himself, and then accumulate some experience to repay Lin Zhichao's support.

"Brother Gao Fu, why do you think of following the boat yourself? Find a few relatives and trusted friends, and you don't need to go through this danger yourself!" Huang Tinggui's voice came from behind.

Li Gaofu turned his head and said seriously: "I'm not a young master like you and a son of a rich family. I only have this one chance. If I don't cherish it, I'm hopeless. But you, why did you agree to go with the boat?" After finishing speaking, he became curious.

Huang Tinggui said as a matter of course: "Since I have left the family business, I naturally don't want my elders and brothers to look down on me and laugh at me one day. So, even if it's my life, I have to do it well."

Every family has scriptures that are difficult to recite!

The competition in the big family is also very fierce.

For a time, Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui became like-minded.

In this era, if you want to make money, you have to take risks. Li Gaofu knows that his cousin's fortune was definitely a risk, and he got the first pot of gold in starting a business. But now, he directly has the first pot of gold. Although it is borrowed, it is still much better.

Unknowingly, Li Gaofu has regarded Lin Zhichao as his idol. He always thinks about how to imitate Lin Zhichao and seize opportunities step by step.

After chatting for a few words, Li Gaofu approached the captain excitedly. He now felt that he came with a mission - to learn shipping and get to know his network.

Once the cousin enters shipping, he can also give some advice or help in return for the promotion.

"Captain Liu, you must have been to the north many times, right?" Li Gaofu took the initiative to chat.

Captain Liu is a Cantonese captain. When he heard this, he said boldly: "Boss Li has rented the right ship this time. I started traveling north ten years ago and there are many people from Shandong Province on our ship!"

The Lu police in Hong Kong are quite famous.

Seeing how generous the captain was, Li Gaofu continued to chat.

At Datong Restaurant, Lin Zhichao invited Chen Zexi to dinner, and both of them were in high spirits.

For Chen Zexi, it is also beneficial to make friends with Lin Zhichao, and he will have a deep network;

For Lin Zhichao, although Chen Zexi is just a small ship owner, he is still an entry-level teacher.

"Sheng Chen, I have a rather presumptuous question, that is, what are the global prices for freight charges?" Lin Zhichao poured a full bottle of wine for Chen Zexi and asked humbly.

Chen Zexi opened up his chatterbox and spoke out everything without Lin Zhichao asking him one by one.

"Lin Sheng, there are actually many factors involved in this fee. New and old ships are affected, and the market is also affected. Of course, most shipowners in Hong Kong are picking up second-hand ships. Now they go to Japan. The cargo is charged by ton, which also depends on Depending on the cargo, the price per ton is around US$10.”

"This time I took the order from Boss Li, and it was based on three voyages. It was about US$28 per ton of cargo, and it was expected to be US$30,000."

After hearing this, Lin Zhichao immediately said: "So, you can earn back a second-hand boat in just a year?"

One trip costs US$30,000, and eight trips a year is US$240,000. After excluding maintenance costs, labor costs, port fees, etc., if you earn US$150,000 a year, it will be enough for 80% of the ship’s price.

However, Chen Zexi smiled and said: "How can such a good thing happen! The maintenance cost of old ships is huge, and it takes time to maintain; even the inspection at the port is stipulated to be inspected once a year, which takes half a month and insurance premiums .However, according to the current market, an old boat can definitely be earned back in two years, even in one and a half years. If it encounters 'the market is good', it is a big profit."

He did not mention a problem. Because this route is more risky, the charges are higher.

Lin Zhichao is very familiar with "the market is good"!

If the market is really good, Lin Zhichao estimates that he can earn back a new ship in two years, and it will be a new ship with 80% loan (an extra interest payment).

For example, "The Battle of the Peninsula led to a ship shortage in the Far East", "Egypt closed the Suez River in 1956", and "The Third Middle East War in 1967" are all profitable shipping markets, and they lasted for several years.

From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, shipping was slightly depressed, but it was not really a cold winter.

To sum up, in the nearly forty years after World War II, shipping was still good.

When they met for the first time, Lin Zhichao didn't ask too many detailed questions. He only asked a few layman's questions so as not to arouse Chen Zexi's dissatisfaction.

On the contrary, Chen Zexi seemed to be very happy to talk, and sometimes took the initiative to pour out some information, for fear that Lin Zhichao would underestimate him. After all, he can pretend to be in front of such a big boss, and he can be satisfied in his heart.

A week later, the ship of Li Gaofu and others had already approached Weihaiwei. To be on the safe side, Li Gaofu decided to go to Shidao with a small boat to confirm the details of the transaction. Anyway, it would not take much time.

Li Gaofu and Huang Tinggui made an appointment, and took a staff member to Shidao by boat.

"Comrade, I'm a trader in Hong Kong. I heard that you have opened a trade here. Come and ask!" Li Gaofu was caught by soldiers as soon as he landed, and he quickly explained.

The soldier looked at the sea and said, "Where is your big ship? Why is it only a small boat!"

He was very vigilant, his tone was more serious, and the faint murderous look on his face was obviously a heroic soldier.

Fortunately, at this time, a person who looked like a cadre came to several people and asked, "What's going on?"

"Officer Wang, these two said they were businessmen from Hong Kong, but they arrived in Hong Kong on a small boat."

Director Wang immediately understood the situation. These Hong Kong businessmen did not trust them, so they parked the boat on the sea and sent people to contact them first. Once they have a problem, the ship will sail back to Hong Kong, and then no one will dare to come to trade.

"This is our guest! Please hurry up and come to our office for a meeting."

You must know that Li Gaofu and the others were the first wave of businessmen to come to Shidao to trade. If they cannot provide a satisfactory transaction method, then other traders in Hong Kong may retreat in spite of difficulties.

In the case of the economy being blocked by the United States and the Republic of China, it is obvious that doing so will delay major events.

In fact, Li Gaofu also knew this, so he seized this point and took the initiative in the negotiation.

Merchants are all profit-seeking, and the risk of this trip is much higher than that of the general industry. Naturally, the price cannot be low, otherwise who will risk being bombarded by G warships to trade in the JF area.

Risk and profit are directly proportional!