The Industrial Giant Reborn

Yanjing, Central Hong Kong and Macao Group Headquarters:

Since the reform in 1978, China has needed to communicate with foreign governments, companies, and organizations in large quantities. In addition to requiring a large number of foreign language talents, it also requires a large number of people who understand foreign rules.

In the mainland at that time, being able to speak English was already a very special existence. If you were very young, you could definitely be sent to study abroad. If you were older, you could also get a good position in the government department. It was just a matter of learning how to speak English in the mainland. English speakers always make various mistakes in the actual work of communicating with foreign parties, which is unavoidable. Therefore, as Hong Kong and Macao have a history of Western exchanges, they have become a key link between the mainland and foreign parties. Excellent bridge.

Therefore, in 1979, the mainland specially set up a Hong Kong and Macau team to deal with matters related to Hong Kong and Macau, including uniting efforts to win over celebrities in the political, business and cultural circles of Hong Kong and Macau. Xinhua News Agency is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council and is one of the main mouthpieces of the mainland government. First, if it is just the Xinhua News Agency in Hong Kong, it still needs to cooperate with the Hong Kong and Macao groups on many things.

"Chen Zhiwen is really good at building Disneyland in Hong Kong. It's just that such a big project relies on hundreds of millions of people from a developed country to make a profit. If he wants to build it in Hong Kong, can it be successful?" Lu Ping, leader of the Hong Kong and Macau team asked somewhat puzzled.

Although he is not in Hong Kong, he naturally has his own channels for what happens there. When Oriental Daily broke the news that Disney might build a park in Hong Kong, he knew about it half an hour later. In the afternoon, he received a call from Xinhua News Agency President Shen It was only confirmed after the phone call.

"This is also very strange, but it involves an investment that may exceed more than 1 billion US dollars. It is not convenient for me to ask more, but I think Chen Zhiwen has always been optimistic about the mainland's economy and has invested a lot of money in the mainland before. Maybe, he is It is concluded that the economy of the mainland will be very good in the future, so if Disneyland is built in Hong Kong, will the main target be our mainland?" President Shen said on the other end of the phone. This was the only reason he could think of.

"Tourists from the Mainland? Does Chen Zhiwen have such strong confidence in the future of our Mainland?" Lu Ping was a little surprised. Even they, who hope that the country will become rich and powerful and the people will become rich, do not dare to hope that the domestic economy can reach the level of The level of the United States and Japan.

"It's still a population of 1 billion. If the economy really gets better, we might be able to support a Disney." President Shen said with a smile.

"Well, no matter what, we need to treat this matter carefully." Lu Ping didn't care too much about how the other party would repay the money. They were not professionals, so there was no need to pursue this issue too much.

"I will take the evening flight back to Yanjing. Let's discuss this matter first and then report it to the superiors together. How about it?" President Shen said again.

"Okay, you should also prepare some relevant information, especially those in Hong Kong. I will also send people to check the situation of Disney Japan Park." Lu Ping agreed.

This report to the superior cannot be just like talking about this matter directly on the phone. Leaders have many things to deal with every day. Although Hong Kong is important, it is only one of all things. Although it is not yet clear what Chen Zhiwen is planning to do in Hong Kong. Investment situation, but at least be prepared for the impact, benefits, employment situation, economic data, etc. that Disneyland will bring once it is invested, so that leaders can understand the situation, and Japan Disneyland is a very good one. Reference object.

"Okay, I have always had Hong Kong data." President Shen also said.

Afterwards, the two hung up the phone. President Shen also quickly prepared to take a plane back to Hong Kong. He was not Chen Zhiwen. He did not have his own private jet. Even if he had a high position, he could only fly like ordinary people, even to save foreign exchange. , and you have to travel in economy class. Anyway, the journey from Yanjing to Yanjing is only three hours.

Chen Zhiwen was not clear about the feedback from the mainland. On the second day after meeting with President Shen and others, Chen Zhiwen also met with Hong Kong Governor Youde. For the first time, the two sides explored where to build the project more appropriately.

Youde's meaning is naturally different from that of Chen Zhiwen. What he wants is to use Disney's opportunity to build a new town to alleviate the population density problem in the coastal areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Chen Zhiwen is on the contrary. He has no interest at all in building a new town. For one thing, new towns are basically underdeveloped. It’s not that they can’t be built, but that their popularity simply cannot meet the initial needs of the Hong Kong government. This is The logic is very simple. Population flow is like capital. Everyone goes to a good place. If a place is really good, a bunch of people would have settled in it over the past hundred years, not the Hong Kong government today. Want to push hard.

Human beings' instinct is to live in contact with water, especially after entering the era of ocean transportation. Most of the most developed places in the world are by the sea. It is not impossible to force changes, but this requires massive investment from the government. Chen Zhiwen does not have this Interest, using Disney's huge investment as a tool, put it in a place like this, not to mention it will be troublesome for overseas tourists, but also for locals.

For Chen Zhiwen, the most important thing is to place it in a place with a large number of people nearby and well-developed transportation lines.

Externally, neither Chen Zhiwen nor Land's top executives gave any feedback in the face of overwhelming interviews from reporters, neither admitting nor denying.

This attitude has actually convinced many people. After all, if it was false, they would have denied it long ago. But until it is confirmed, we cannot use this matter to speculate. The direct impact on the Hong Kong real estate market will not be great.

However, not only Hong Kong is interested in such a big project, but also the Gulf Province, South Korea, some Southeast Asian countries and even Australia have sent people to inquire. They should also want to introduce Disneyland. Chen Zhiwen pushed the matter back to the United States. He does not disagree that he needs to use invitations from these countries to negotiate terms with the mainland and Hong Kong governments.

At present, not much has been done, just waiting for the preliminary permission from the mainland government. Eisner did not stay in Hong Kong for a long time. He returned to the United States after a week. Even Disneyland is only owned by the Disney Company. It's just a part of the business. Moreover, Hong Kong is still Chen Zhiwen's territory, and the future joint venture partner will also be Land, so there is no need for the United States to worry too much.

After the media had been hyping it for a week, there was no feedback from the relevant parties and they could not interact with each other, so they left it alone. After all, even ordinary people would not pay attention to this kind of topic all the time.

By late March, the media gradually quieted down, but Land's senior management and a team sent by Disney USA also went to Yanjing and started formal communication with the senior management.

Chen Zhiwen is also in Hong Kong and can conduct remote control. This initial contact is only a rough understanding. The specific place has not been determined yet, and it is impossible to talk about some practical matters.

On March 22, a Boeing 737 private jet landed at Kai Tak Airport, and Chen Zhiwen also came here in person.

"The modification of your private jet is quite good." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

"Haha, I bought it in the name of NBC anyway. The modification fee is also tax-avoiding. It's very convenient. Now I fly around the world and refuel once in the middle. Basically, I can cover most parts of the world." Henry Morgan said : "But compared to your 747, it's still a bit far behind."

"The 747 has a long range and a large space, but there are too many restrictions on landing, which is also inconvenient." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said.

At present, there is no perfect airplane. In fact, Chen Zhiwen does not have to buy a 747. However, among the current aircraft in the world, the 747 can fly across states. If he also buys a 737, each journey may take half a day. Based on Chen Zhiwen’s The value, the waste of time, the loss is also huge, and flying is very tiring, and the more time goes by, the more tiring it becomes, even if it is a private plane.

It will be much better in the 21st century. Airbus and Boeing compete, and many aircraft with low weight and long range have appeared, such as the Boeing 787.

"Anyway, you generally don't need to go to a small airport." Henry smiled and said: "I came to Hong Kong to bring you good news. Morgan Stanley has already negotiated with Huberlain, and they are willing to sell KFC. Their offer is $630 million, what do you think?"

"$630 million? Isn't this price too expensive? KFC's profit last year seemed to be only $25 million, right?" Chen Zhiwen said.

Huberline is a listed company, and KFC is its core profit business. Naturally, the relevant financial reports are also included, and any ordinary shareholder can check them.

"Yes, but Huberlain believes that KFC just didn't develop very well in their hands. If it were in the hands of others, the value would definitely be higher." Henry said with a smile.

"They are quite honest." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said: "Since they are willing to quote, it is also an improvement. At least, the transaction is a matter of price, but the price is too expensive. McDonald's current market value is also It’s less than 1.5 billion US dollars, but it’s at least 3-4 times the size of KFC, and its development rate is much faster.”

"What's the price in your mind?" Henry asked.

"For $500 million, let's talk again. If they refuse to give in, then I will buy it from another company. There are many fast food restaurants in the United States." Chen Zhiwen said calmly.

If you really acquire other brands, such as Burger King, you can also enter the country. As long as it is the first to enter the country, it will become popular. As for overseas, you can just invest money in development. However, these are also well-known brands, and the acquisition costs are not low.

"Okay, then I understand. Hyperion itself has quoted a high price. I will let Morgan Stanley talk to them again." Henry said.

"Okay, thank you very much." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

"You're welcome, I'll go back then. I'll probably take off in a few hours," Henry said.

"So fast? Aren't you going to have fun in Hong Kong?" Chen Zhiwen asked.

"I also think about it. After acquiring NBC, not only the TV station, but also a lot of things within the family are waiting for me. If I didn't have something to go to Japan this time, I probably wouldn't have time to come to Hong Kong." Henry said with a smile.

"There is no other way. If you have money and power, the price you pay is that it cannot be so easy." Chen Zhiwen shrugged and said, this is the life of a normal super rich man. The reason why he is a special case is because he knows the future. Many You can make the right decisions about things without worrying about risks. Otherwise, a normal company will consume a lot of energy from the boss.

After Henry left, Chen Zhiwen's life entered a dull state, waiting for corresponding good news from all parties.

Hutchison Whampoa Headquarters:

Chen Zhiwen came here to attend an internal meeting. After downplaying Hong Kong real estate, Hutchison Whampoa's role was mainly as a vanguard of capital internationalization.

Before the meeting, Chen Zhiwen also read the newspaper for a while. Suddenly, he saw a familiar name.

"What does this Aimeigao do?" Chen Zhiwen asked Zhou Jiayang beside him.

"Aimei Gao? I heard that there is a company that just went public recently. It makes fans. The boss's surname is Liu. His company is quite small." Zhou Jiayang replied.

"Fan?" Chen Zhiwen was very surprised. He didn't expect that he had almost monopolized the global fan market on a small scale. This beauty-loving person in history could still appear. This Liu's ability is really strong.

Aimeigao was also the first start-up company of Liu, one of the top ten families in Hong Kong. He was an industrialist. As the only super-rich man to rise after 80 years, his life can be said to be legendary. His ability is so strong. Probably still above Li Jiacheng.