Cheung Kong Industries Group, Conference Room.

A group of senior executives of the group and subsidiaries are summarizing the work of the past year.

Deng Zhongfa, general manager of Zhongtian Shipbreaking Yard, was the first to report: "Last year, Zhongtian Shipbreaking Yard dismantled 46 merchant ships and 6 warships and aircraft carriers. At the end of this month, all the operations of Zhongtian shipbreaking yard were completed and the shipbreaking industry was withdrawn. After speaking, I couldn't help but show a trace of reluctance.

In the past two and a half years, Zhongtian Shipbreaking Yard has dismantled a total of 122 merchant ships and 12 warships and aircraft carriers, making a profit of more than 13 million Hong Kong dollars; But with the number of shipbreaking yards in Hong Kong reaching 200 and Southeast Asia's shipbreaking yards joining the competition, the industry's margins have thinned.

The boss shouted to stop at this time, and Deng Zhongfa understood it very well. But after all, I have been doing it for almost three years, so I am naturally reluctant.

Lin Zhichao said: "The management of Zhongtian Shipbreaking Plant has all been merged into Zhongtian Iron and Steel Plant; Zhongtian Iron and Steel Plant, in order to expand production, just needs management talents. ”

He has nothing to reluctant, although Deng Zhongfa told him that there is still some profit, at least he can reduce his holdings until this year; But Lin Zhichao has always liked to withdraw from the sunset industry early, and a decent exit is the best.

At this time, the prices of second-hand ships in major ports have been speculated, so the profits have decreased; As for Southeast Asia's shipbreaking yards joining, in fact, I don't think much about it, because in the last few years, Hong Kong has a lot of cheap labor from the mainland, which is cheaper than Southeast Asia.

Give them half a full meal or a seventh full, and they will be able to work. These cheap laborers, whose monthly salary is still only sixty or seventy Hong Kong dollars, have just come to Hong Kong, waiting for not heaven, but the oppression of business owners.

Of course, the situation should be much better than before when you could only eat three points full.

Cheng Yuanxiong, general manager of Zhongtian Iron and Steel, immediately said: "The positions have been arranged and can be merged at any time. By the end of this year, we are expected to expand our steel production to 80,000 tonnes per annum, supplying one-third of Hong Kong's steel needs."

The steel mill also made a profit of 8.5 million yuan last year, thanks to the booming real estate industry and low costs. If one-third of Hong Kong's demand is supplied, the profit will reach more than 10 million Hong Kong dollars.

Every subsidiary of Cheung Kong Industries Group is a leader in Hong Kong's industry, and if the amount of profit is known, my jaw will fall. Anyway, it's not a listed company, and no one knows how profitable Lin Zhichao's industrial group is.

Tao Derong of Changjiang Plastic Factory reported: "In the past year, the profit of plastic flowers has increased again, but we have not increased the number of employees, and still maintain 6,000 workers, producing in three shifts, and the sales volume is about 15% higher and, we make full use of the agency model to hand over the order to the small factory for production, saving costs. In the new year, we will continue to utilize the agent factory model."

Last year's profit was 26 million Hong Kong dollars, which has increased, but it has no potential; It was good that the peak could be maintained until 1963.

The Changjiang Plastic Factory is expected to close its doors at the beginning of 1967 and hand over the orders to other factories, especially Lin Yunchu to take more care of it.

First, the closure of the Suez Canal will inevitably lead to an increase in raw material and transportation costs, and large factories will easily close down.

Second, the dismissal of plastic flower workers is equivalent to dismissing a time bomb to save trouble in the middle of the year.

At this time, the plastic flower industry has been achieved to the extent that the added value is not high, and the industrial output value of plastic flowers in Hong Kong last year was 890 million Hong Kong dollars, accounting for about 13.5% of the industrial output value of Hong Kong, second only to textiles, garments, and plastics, employing more than 50,000 people.

In terms of added value, it is estimated that it is only better than the textile industry, lower than garments and plastics.

Chen Linyuan of Yangtze River Wigs reported: "The wig industry is more competitive, and this year the factory has further laid off workers, leaving only 400 workers. Agency business increased and they began to sign monthly supply contracts. Increase in the production of high-end wigs"

The profit is only more than 4 million Hong Kong dollars, and if it stabilizes, it may be able to last for five years.

Next, there are the two main events – toys and zippers.

Ke Yanping, general manager of Changjiang Toy Factory, said: "Affected by the sharp increase in orders for Barbie dolls, Changjiang Toy Factory's performance increased by 35% last year, and the number of workers has exceeded 5,000. There are also dozens of cooperative foundry factories."

Barbie is definitely one of the most successful toys, and if this trend continues, it can sell about $500 million in ten years. It is the US dollar and not the Hong Kong dollar, so the Changjiang Toy Factory, as the only OEM factory, will benefit a lot.

The important thing is that they are all their own companies, and the profit of Changjiang Toy Factory this year is already 30 million Hong Kong dollars, which is a skyrocketing.

The profit of Audrey Toy Factory is more suitable to exceed 12 million US dollars, and its performance has also skyrocketed.

In the previous life, Barbie dolls were produced in Japan, and cabbage dolls were produced in Hong Kong, and now both will be produced in Hong Kong. It is not only a profit of tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars a year, but also a large number of workers.

Moreover, the salaries of workers in the Changjiang Toy Factory and the Changjiang Zipper Factory are the highest in the Changjiang Industrial Group. Because skilled workers are required, and skilled workers are required.

As for factories such as plastic flowers, there has been no wage increase for a long time, because mainly female workers are used, and the monthly salary of 80~100 is almost enough. After all, another 400,000 cheap workers have been sent from the other side, and the total population of Hong Kong has increased to about 3.15 million.

With the increase in workers, Lin Zhichao also began to control labor costs and could not be too generous. Of course, the salary of the plastic flower factory is only 80~100, but the working hours are only 8 hours a day, because it is three shifts.

Finally, Bao Chunlai, the general manager of Yangtze River Zipper, reported: "Yangtze River Zipper's profits rebounded slightly last year. Yangtze River Zipper and YKK gave up the price war at the same time, which is the main reason. In the future, Yangtze River zipper is expected to usher in new growth."

The profit was 45 million Hong Kong dollars, and the profit increased by more than 12%.

Tadao Yoshida of YKK Zipper intended to fight a price war, but was ultimately thwarted by Lin Zhichao. Tadao Yoshida believes that the Yangtze River zipper cannot produce aluminum alloy alone, thinking that it has advantages; It's just that I didn't expect that because YKK zippers also produce aluminum alloys, Japanese aluminum alloy manufacturers are unwilling to conspire with him; In addition, Lin Zhichao deliberately reduced the import of aluminum alloy at that time, confusing the Yangtze River Industrial Group is also producing aluminum alloy, which scared Japanese aluminum alloy manufacturers and took the initiative to reduce the price of supply.

The end result was that Tadao Yoshida's idea fell through.

In fact, the advantage of YKK zipper is the development of the whole industry chain, which can smelt aluminum alloy and produce non-metallic zipper raw materials such as plastics; However, the Japanese workers are paid 3~4 times the salary of Hong Kong, which is enough to wipe out the advantages of YKK.

Lin Zhichao said: "After this incident, YKK zipper is bound to develop to mid-to-high-end zippers, and we can't wait." I am ready to invest more R&D funds to increase the development of mid-to-high-end zippers, as well as the development of special zippers. Your management will give me a plan later, and I will personally supervise the battle. ”

In the entire Yangtze River Industrial Group, only the zipper has the highest technical level, and after many fights, Lin Zhichao found that the YKK zipper is not terrible, although the Yangtze River zipper may not necessarily defeat him, but it can take a large part of the market.

But there is a premise, that is, the technology and quality of the zipper must be increased all the time, otherwise it will be eliminated by YKK in the future. In later generations, YKK zippers appeared on most of the Chinese clothing, which shows its long-term quality.

In this life, Lin Zhichao must change this situation and never let YKK zippers be so rampant.

Bao Chun said: "If we want to strengthen the technology and quality of Yangtze River Zipper (YR), we need strong R&D capabilities in Hong Kong, R&D and manufacturing capabilities in Germany, as well as a huge supply chain, such as aluminum alloys and non-metallic materials in Japan, and nylon and other raw materials on Taiwan Island." ”

Everyone agrees with Bao Chunlai's opinion!

In fact, don't look at these old people, their level is also improving after the development of the company, and their leadership skills are not weak at all.

Lin Zhichao proposed: "The raw materials such as nylon and plastics on Taiwan Island should be taken seriously, and if there is an opportunity to acquire or buy shares, we must not miss it." ”

Taiwan's strength in nylon and plastics, which is closely followed by Japan, is the raw material supplier that the Yangtze River zipper needs to pay attention to.

Wang Liang nodded and said, "Okay, let's investigate the situation over there later." ”

After a meeting, everyone became more and more excited, and it was another bumper year.

Changjiang Industrial Group created a profit of 120 million yuan last year, that is, the output value was about 1 billion.

The total industrial output value of Hong Kong is only 7 billion, and the proportion of Cheung Kong Industrial Group has reached 14%, which can be called a giant.

As for workers, Cheung Kong Industrial Group has almost 18,000 people, accounting for about 8% of the registered workers.

It's Spring Festival (1961) again.

This Spring Festival, Audrey Hepburn took her two sons to Hong Kong for the holiday, although Lin Ruidong is already in the first grade of primary school, but it is not a big deal to take ten days off, just go back and make up for the course.

At half past six in the evening, the members of the Lin family returned to the special presidential suite of the Miramar Hotel after a day's stroll, and sat around a large dining table that could accommodate 20 people.

"This year's Chinese New Year's Eve dinner is enjoyed here!" Lin Zhichao sat on the main seat and said with a smile.

This suite was originally specially designed by Lin Zhichao, with a total of more than 3,000 square feet, and the restaurant has more than 600 square feet.

The members of the Lin family sat down one after another, and the youngest child could already sit next to the adults.

Nine children, three wives, a mother, a little sister, plus Lin Zhichao, a total of 15 people.

Everyone walked out for a day today, especially Audrey Hepburn's mother and son, and fully felt the significance of the 'Spring Festival'.

There are lion dances and dragon dances, sticking blessings and sticking Spring Festival couplets, setting off firecrackers, Fleet's and so on, Hong Kong's Spring Festival festival atmosphere is very strong, because many people move from the opposite side, naturally to use a strong festive atmosphere to express their homesickness.

A large family is around the big table, and the relationship with Lin Zhichao as the center makes Lin Zhichao feel like 'being an emperor'.

Not an emperor, but better than an emperor.

He drank Moutai, the women drank foreign wine, the children drank Watson's 'Kola Soda', and the delicacies on the table were abalone, lobster, fish maw, shark fin, sea cucumber, beef, chicken, and pork. More than 20 dishes.

"Let's try this abalone, an authentic 3-head Japanese net abalone!"

One person, one three-headed abalone, thick soup, very appetizing.

This abalone is dried abalone, and 'three-headed abalone' means that three abalone is one pound (600g), while Japanese net abalone is the best abalone, which is very expensive.

The import of raw materials alone is probably hundreds of dollars.

Due to the advantages of the sea, Japan can produce the best quality fresh abalone, and the production technology of dried abalone is also mature, and it has long become an industry benchmark. Of course, do not eat abalone in areas of nuclear radiation.

"Well, it's delicious!" Audrey Hepburn praised.

She speaks Chinese, and even Chinese food is loved after all, of course, Cantonese Chinese food, which can be described as loving the house and Wu.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "One head per person, don't waste it!" ”

At this moment, Lin Zhichao suddenly wanted to laugh, he remembered the scene of He Shen and his wife dining on TV in his previous life, and he deliberately shouted the slogan before eating - saving food, but it was actually extremely wasteful.

Now it's Lin Zhichao's turn to experience, but Lin Zhichao is really saving food, enjoying high-end ingredients, and saving food is not in conflict. After all, if the rich don't spend money, then how can the poor make money!

The dried abalone is separated with a knife and fork, and then sent into the mouth with a fork, which is immediately a refreshing spring, and the texture of rebound when biting down makes people appetite.

Pick up the Moutai wine again and take a sip, it is indeed a perfect match.

For a long period of decades, Moutai liquor can be supplied to dignitaries, what Moutai liquor is poured into the gutter, what Moutai liquor is piled up in warehouses, and what Moutai liquor is packed in plastic bottles

It may not be until after the twenty-first century that middle-income families taste it once in a while, and the situation is much better. After all, there are more than a thousand bottles, as long as you can see it, you can still afford to drink it occasionally.

After dinner, everyone did not go back to the deep water bay villa, this year many maids have a two-day holiday, and it just so happens that the Lin family is also in the hotel for the New Year.

At night.

When Lin Zhichao hugged Audrey Hepburn, she asked: "Audrey Toys plans to pay a dividend of 10 million US dollars, and then go public in July!" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "No problem! ”

The listing time is arranged by Lin Zhichao, because this year is likely to be a bull market for U.S. stocks, otherwise what will it fall next year?

Of course, all of them were guessed by Lin Zhichao!

And the dividend of 10 million US dollars is naturally intended to divide the cash flow.

Audrey Hepburn said again: "What to do with the money? ”

She doesn't know how to invest, and habitually asks Lin Zhichao for advice.

"IBM stock, how much market value do you have?"

"$16 million, an increase of almost $3 million, as of the beginning of last year."

Lin Zhichao said without hesitation: "The dividends are once again invested in IBM, and there will be a big battle this year." ”

Audrey Hepburn nodded, she fully trusted Lin Zhichao.

In this way, her holdings of IBM shares will reach more than 24 million, because Lin Zhichao will not pay dividends.

What she didn't know was that IBM was going to nearly double this year, and his stock market value would exceed $45 million.

Lin Zhichao is also thinking about this problem, this year's IBM stocks, by the end of the year (late December) will have to slowly sell short, because next year's U.S. stocks will fall a lot (Kennedy spring crisis, Cuban missile crisis);

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, they quickly bought it again, knowing that it would be withdrawn from the market in the second half of 1967.

This time and back, Audrey Hepburn's net worth will reach a net worth of 150 million ~ 200 million US dollars in the late sixties.

It's a bit strange that the stock market can really be an ATM!

In the late sixties, IBM's market value reached $190 billion, and its stock of only one or two hundred million yuan naturally did not cause a sensation.

Audrey Hepburn has such a net worth, and her and Lin Zhichao's two children can easily win their careers in the future, of course, by acquisition.

After chatting for a while, Lin Zhichao came up with interest, and put Audrey Hepburn facing the classical 'Moon Cave Gate' window, and he began to help in the back.

"Honey will not be discovered!"

Audrey Hepburn's petite body can only support both sides of the moon cave door window with both hands at this time, opposite the night view of Victoria Harbour and Central; It's as if the lantern is hung up, echoing high.

Lin Zhichao enjoyed this kind of fun very much, but he said with certainty: "Don't worry, this glass can't see the inside clearly from the outside, and there can't be enough sight distance to see clearly, let's enjoy this good time!" ”

"Well, why haven't they come in yet?"

"Don't worry, it'll come in"

After the Spring Festival, Lin Zhichao also came to New York, USA, and he took out 15 million US dollars from the working capital of the Yangtze River Industry Group to continue to invest in US stocks - Delta and Pan American Airlines.

In the 60s, the US stock market would not be wrong to rise if it was stained with the words 'electronics,' 'semiconductor,' or 'aviation'; in addition, Lin Zhichao understood the time when the 'crisis' came, so it would never be wrong to invest in US stocks.

It is important that Cheung Kong Industries' funds cannot be put in too many banks in Hong Kong, so as not to depreciate.

The $20 million U.S. stocks invested earlier have appreciated to $25 million; Now add another 15 million principal, which is a full $40 million.

If the market value appreciates to $60 million this year, Lin Zhichao will not be surprised; By next year, Audrey Hepburn can be given a joint venture to set up an investment company.

In her name, investing in some U.S. stocks is more hidden. (End of chapter)