Worldwide shipping.

In the conference room, Lin Zhichao and a group of high-level executives were having a meeting.

"Deputy General Manager Feng, you go to Europe and the United States to inspect and see if there are any suitable second-hand oil tankers!"

Feng Yongfa nodded and said, "Okay, I'll arrange the work as soon as possible." ”

At this time, Lin Zhichao had already handed over the purchase of second-hand ships and the supervision of the construction of new ships to Feng Yongfa and other high-level executives; In fact, he is also going to Europe and the United States to investigate, but more to inspect the shipping market and meet with some politicians and customers.

Although Lin Zhichao has the help of the memories of his previous life, he still can't be a 'frog at the bottom of the well'; in a year, he will go abroad at least four or five times, for half a month at a time.

Next, Lin Zhichao said again: "Manager Gao, you go to Japan, get in touch with Yamaguchi steamer, Japanese steamship, and Sanguang steamship, and see if they are willing to lease second-hand freighters, the lease can be about 3~7 years, and the rent can be very low."

Gao Qiqiang immediately said: "No problem, I will definitely have a good talk with them." ”

He understood what the boss meant, and thought that the boss wanted to compensate the three companies, because the lease period and rent given were very favorable to the Japanese shipping company.

About a 10,000-ton second-hand cargo ship, global shipping profits of 25~300,000 US dollars, if it is according to the value of the ship, it is about two and a half years to return to the capital, which is the reason for the second-hand ship; The same new ship will have to pay back in six or seven years.

However, operating second-hand ships all the time will make a company's development bottleneck. Therefore, although second-hand ships make money, when the scale increases, they must build new ships.

Lin Zhichao suddenly arranged for his subordinates to visit three important Japanese customers, but in fact, he also had a little Jiujiu in his heart.

These three shipping companies are Japan's shipping giants and the cornerstone of Global Shipping's Japanese business.

He can't allow someone to dig into the corner!

Of course.

This situation cannot be avoided in the later stage, but if you can recover some losses, you must try your best to recover them.

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Mid-June.

In order to suppress the excessively hot real estate speculation, the Hong Kong government has introduced measures to regulate the sale of uncompleted properties. requiring developers to invest a certain amount of money in the property under construction before they can sell uncompleted properties; The money spent on the sale of the property must be earmarked for exclusive use and shall not be diverted for other purposes.

After these measures were introduced, the real estate market did not collapse immediately.

Because of these measures, in fact, only some developers with small operations and large real estate developers who are too aggressive in investment have been hit.

For example, 'the developer must invest a certain amount of money in the property under construction.' This article has little actual impact on Lin Zhichao, Li Gaofu, Airship Tai, Liao Baoshan, Zhang Kum Kee, Dasheng Real Estate, etc., because everyone has sufficient funds;

However, the risk of Li Kangjie and Chen Detai is that they are short of funds at the beginning, relying on the rapid development of 'sales of real estate', and later they grabbed a lot of land at a high price, and they only paid 10% of the funds for these lands, and once they could not sell the real estate, they could not afford to pay the land costs, let alone the construction costs.

For example, 'the money spent on the sale of the property must be earmarked for other purposes and cannot be diverted for other purposes', which also restricts the possibility of someone taking the money spent on the sale of the property to continue to buy the land.

However, real estate is already crumbling and could fall at any time.

The point is that there are fewer and fewer people buying buildings in the market now, but more and more buildings will be completed.

It is estimated that 2,000 buildings (including all buildings in Hong Kong, including two- and three-storey tenement arcades) will be completed in 1957, and no less than 1,500 buildings will be completed in 1958 (the investment amount will rise, and it is expected to reach about HK$700 million).

For a time, the storm was coming.

Lin Zhichao had just returned from an inspection in Europe and the United States, and when he heard the news, he was secretly happy.

He had a lot of cash flow and found that he was in a situation where he didn't have to invest in the project. Cheung Kong has 120 million funds (some of which have not yet been collected), Cheung Kong Industries Group also has a cash flow of more than 80 million, and as for global shipping, needless to say, the money has become moldy.

For the stock market, Lin Zhichao is not familiar with the situation in Japan and the United States, and he will definitely not invest; For Lin Zhichao, Hong Kong's stock market is too small to make much investment.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao would rather have idle funds than invest rashly.

If land and property prices plummet, I believe there will be a good opportunity to buy the bottom, and some funds can be released slightly, but only slightly.

"Boss, now other real estate developers have accumulated a large number of unsold residential units. Like Liao Chong Hing Real Estate, Gao Fu Real Estate, and Lixin Real Estate, there are at least two or three unsold real estates; And aggressive real estate developers like Li Kangjie and Chen Detai not only have a lot of high-priced land in their hands that have not yet been developed, but also a large number of unsold real estate projects, and now life is very difficult." Hu Zhaoxu is like a bag inquiring, and he knows the market situation well.

These were actually taught to him by Lin Zhichao.

Lin Zhichao said lightly: "Wait! I remember that both of these companies were law firms collecting 'off-the-plan funds', and once the law firms perceived the risks and listened to the demagogy, they would definitely immediately cut off the payment of funds to the two companies. In addition, they have not yet paid off the land fee, and the owner will not be able to hold on to it if they ask them for money. ”

Including a North Point plot of land sold by Cheung Kong Real Estate, which also did not collect all the funds. Of course, Lin Zhichao is not in a hurry, if Li Kangjie and others can't afford to pay, he will take back the land, and the deposit will not be refunded, and he can also go to the court to compensate for liquidated damages.

Hu Zhaoxu immediately said: "Land and property prices are already falling, and they will fall sharply. At that time, there will be a lot of real estate auctioned by banks and law firms in the market, so we can increase the 'reserve land' while the price is low. ”

In their conversation, the two regarded those real estate developers who expanded too quickly as sheep to be slaughtered.

Lin Zhichao came to the HSBC Building, and under the guidance of the staff, walked into the office of HSBC Chairman Douglas.

"Call Manager Sandas for a trip!"

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

Douglas asked the assistant to invite Sundash, presumably because Lin Zhichao and Sundash have a great relationship, after all, global shipping has today, and Sandash has a share of credit.

Without HSBC's loan, Lin Zhichao's fleet would not have developed so quickly.

After a while, Sandas arrived at Douglas's office.

"Mr. Lin, this time I invited you to my office because we HSBC intends to invite you to be a director of our board of directors, what do you think?"

Lin Zhichao was stunned, he didn't expect it to be so fast. He also considered that HSBC would invite him to join the board of directors as a director; HSBC even invited him to serve as vice chairman of the board.

However, at present, HSBC has a Chinese vice chairman, and that is Xu Aizhou.

Therefore, if Lin Zhichao joins, then HSBC will not have two Chinese directors. Although it may not be strange in later generations, it is very unexpected that this is Hong Kong in the 50s.

Anyway, that's a good thing.

Lin Zhichao then said: "This is my honor! I have always been very optimistic about the development of HSBC because its credibility has won the hearts of the people of Hong Kong. As a place where the East meets the West, Hong Kong's financial industry will be very developed in the future, and HSBC will definitely go out of Hong Kong and become a world-class bank. ”

There's no way, he also wants to rely on HSBC, so there's no shame in making a sycophant.

What's more, HSBC's credibility is indeed invincible in Hong Kong, with 60% of all deposits flowing into HSBC. HSBC's stocks have become the first choice of Hong Kong stockholders, and later generations have a folk saying that "buying a few hands of HSBC every year is equivalent to buying a pension for yourself".

Douglas said happily: "Okay, that's it, we will hold a board meeting later, and you are welcome to join!" ”

The senior management of HSBC unanimously agreed to add Lin Zhichao, a Chinese director, because everyone thinks that Lin Zhichao is simply a business wizard, especially his understanding of the shipping cycle, which is very accurate; In addition to his achievements outside of business, there is also the influence of Lin Zhichao in the hearts of the Chinese in Hong Kong, which is also very helpful to HSBC.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Thank you Chairman Douglas for your trust!" ”

After chatting for a while.

Lin Zhichao also suddenly mentioned a proposal: "Chairman Douglas and Manager Sandas, what do you think of Hong Kong Airlines, and if Universal Shipping acquires it, what do you think?" ”

Douglas and Sandas were surprised.

They didn't expect that Lin Zhichao, a Chinese, would be so bold that he would want to buy a purely British-funded company.

Hong Kong Airlines, a Hong Kong-based airline, is the second airline in Hong Kong to provide civil aviation services. Hong Kong Airlines' major shareholders are Jardine Matheson Matheson and British Overseas Airways (BOAC), the predecessor of British Airways, and both companies have dominated the operation of Hong Kong Airlines during the period of operation, when the shareholding ratio of the two companies changed significantly. Hong Kong Airlines' fleet consists mainly of DC-3s and Vickers Viscounts.

Hong Kong Airlines was founded in 1947 and British Overseas Airways is the largest funder. At that time, China implemented an open-skies policy, allowing two of the two airlines to fly the China-Hong Kong route. As a result, British Overseas Airways operates routes to and from the mainland through Hong Kong Airlines.

At that time, a large number of wealthy refugees from the mainland came to Hong Kong to escape the war, so many of the routes operated by the port and shipping to and from the mainland were very busy - at that time, the route to and from Guangdong alone had more than four flights a day; However, later, after the establishment of New China, the route from Hong Kong to the mainland was completely stopped.

At present, there are only four routes of Hong Kong Airlines: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Manila. For the route arrangement to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government assigns the place to Hong Kong Airlines to the north and Cathay Pacific to the south.

Therefore, Cathay Pacific's route is Southeast Asia, and it can also fly to Europe and the United States. But at present, direct flights to Europe and the United States are obviously unrealistic, so Cathay Pacific is not much stronger.

Douglas then said: "Hong Kong Airlines has been dominated by Jardine Matheson and British Overseas Airlines in turn, and the reason is that it has been in the red. Investing in such a business is obviously risky, and Mr. Lim has never run an airline. ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Chairman Douglas, if the aviation industry wants to make money, it has to reach a certain level of economic development in a region, or a certain level in the global economy. Hong Kong's economy has been developing smoothly in recent years, and the industrial development has been particularly fast, I believe that in a few years, overseas companies will enter Hong Kong, and overseas tourists will also come to Hong Kong for tourism. Based on this, if we invest in Hong Kong Airlines and work hard for one or two decades, we may not be able to become a golden rooster for placing orders. ”

Sandas also raised a question: "But although Universal Shipping makes money, it will also build oil tankers in the future and continue to develop shipping." If the funds are allocated to develop the aviation industry, and it is an investment of up to 10 or 20 years, will it affect shipping? ”

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "Of course we have to make money for shipping." But if you miss a golden rooster that places an order, you will have no chance in the future. ”

Without HSBC, there is no hope at all. If the acquisition of Hong Kong Airlines, HSBC has a 40% stake, then British Overseas Airways may consider it.

As for Jardine Matheson, they will not give up this opportunity, not only to get a sum of money, but also to get rid of this long-term loss-making enterprise.

And the reason why Lin Zhichao is going to challenge the British-funded company now is because the opportunity cannot be lost and will not come again.

In his previous life, Bao Yugang also wanted to enter the aviation industry, but he was completely defeated, and Lin Zhichao would have returned home in the 80s to develop the aviation industry in this life. The reason is very simple, the rules are fixed for you, and there is no way to have money.

So, there is only one chance in one or two years.

If you don't succeed, you will have to break the idea of entering the aviation industry.

Both Douglas and Sandas are thinking about this issue, of course, they are thinking about the interests of HSBC, and as for the rest, Lin Zhichao will do it.

"Do you have any plans for the development of Universal Shipping?" Douglas reconfirmed.

At present, Universal Shipping can earn more than 18 million US dollars a year, and HSBC accounts for 40% of the shares, that is, it can pay 7.2 million US dollars in dividends every year; Of course, no one mentioned dividends.

Clearly, HSBC has changed its mind and shown a lot of interest in shipping, especially with Lin Zhichao at the helm.

"Yes! It is expected that at the end of the 50s, we will arrange funds to continue to build 100,000 tons of oil tankers, and the 60s will be a period of global economic growth, and there must be a strong demand for oil. By then, the company will have nearly a million tons of tankers. On the issue of funds, I think both of us have the strength to continue to inject capital into the business! ”

At the end of the day, HSBC invested less than $12 million in total, but the profits were frighteningly high!

In the end, Douglas was persuaded by Lin Zhichao and said: "We need to hold a high-level meeting to think about it and give you an answer later!" ”

Lin Zhichao knew that at least Douglas and Sandas had agreed.

Walking out of HSBC, Lin Zhichao showed a resolute look on his face, there is nothing to be afraid of British capital, even in this era; Among the four major foreign companies in Hong Kong in later generations, only Swire & Co. was 'unbreakable', but at this time there was also a weakness, that is, Hong Kong Airlines had not yet received its command.

Bao Yu just returned to Hong Kong from Japan, and immediately ushered in the concern of Bao Zhaolong, Bao Yuxing and others.

"How? Is the boat rented out? Bao Zhaolong asked eagerly.

There was no way, relatives and friends raised funds, plus bank loans, and finally raised $1.5 million. Then I bought two 10,000-ton second-hand ships in the European market, the age of the ships has reached 27 years, and the price is still 700,000 US dollars.

The service life of a ship is about forty years. Although it may not be scrapped after 40 years, it will certainly increase operating costs significantly, and it will be difficult for the port authorities.

Bao Yugang said: "The charter quotas of several large shipping companies are full, and only one medium-sized shipping company is willing to sign a four-year charter for two freighters, and the rent is about to return to the cost in the past three years. ”

Everyone was a little surprised, such a cheap price!

Bao Yuxing said: "It doesn't make sense, brother, didn't you say that the current market can be returned in less than two and a half years?" ”

Bao Yugang said: "Several large shipping companies have completed their ship contracts, and they all have deep cooperative relations with Global Shipping. We are a small shipping company and it is difficult to break into their business. It is already a good result to have a medium-sized shipping company willing to rent, and the Japanese are very much at a low price. ”

Bao Zhaolong pondered for a while, and still asked puzzled: "Although what you said makes sense, but large shipping companies need a lot of ships, not to mention that we can lower the price, they are not reasonable and indifferent." ”

Bao Yugang said: "It is said that they have recently chartered ships for a long enough time, all of which are ships of global shipping, and the prices are also very cheap. ”

Only then did Bao Zhaolong understand and said, "It seems that you are a step late." Lin Zhichao's ship has made a lot of money in the past year, and after the opening of the Suez Canal, he rented it to a Japanese shipping company cheaply for the first time. It seems that it is still very difficult for you to compete with him! ”

Bao Yugang was also a little discouraged, because he found out that he was a shipowner who followed others; The important thing is that HSBC and Japanese shipping companies absolutely support Lin Zhichao, not him, a small shipowner.

Until a while, Bao Yu just said: "It's okay, at least three of our boats have been rented out!" ”

Bao Zhaolong advised: "Since things are already behind, you should think about making steady progress and don't rush forward." ”

Bao Yugang also figured out that without strong bank support and business priorities, he would not be able to expand shipowners quickly.

Now he has three boats, and if he wants to buy a fourth, he will have to wait until a year later.

The pace of development was far from what he expected.

What Bao Yugang didn't know was that if he followed the history of his previous life, he could expand seven ships in the first year. First of all, his second-hand ships were about to expire before the Suez Canal crisis, so that the renewal of several times the price gave him the strength to buy several ships; Secondly, HSBC will also promise a higher loan; In the end, the Japanese shipping company was very happy to sign a long-term contract with him.

Just Lin Zhichao's 'game' is enough to change Bao Yugang's fate.

As for the sudden chartering business of the three major shipping companies this time, of course, there are also Lin Zhichao's methods, but it can only be said that it has a small impact.

Lin Zhichao doesn't hate Bao Yugang and Li Jiacheng, but he must weaken his competitors in advance.

If it's really annoying, I'm afraid that more ruthless methods will come out.

One mountain does not allow two tigers!

(End of chapter)