At the end of June, Lin Zhichao came to Japan and visited Toshihiro Komatsu, the new president (president) of the Japan Steamship Company.

Universal Group has two largest customers in Japan, namely Japan Steamship Company and Yamaguchi Steamship Company; As for Sanguang Shipping, its scale is somewhat different from the previous two, so it is the third largest customer.

In fact, these two companies are the world's largest shipping companies, and Japan's shipping industry itself is still the world's first, surpassing Greece; Hong Kong is overtaking Greece to become the world's second.

However, Japanese shipping companies have the habit of chartering ships, so Hong Kong shipowners are their object of choice; For example, the total tonnage of Japanese steamship companies is about 4 million tons, but half of them are actually chartered ships.

The oil required by Japan is done through Japanese shipping companies, for example, Hong Kong shipowners cannot directly obtain transportation orders.

Because of this, the rate of return on ships leased to Japanese shipping companies is about 5 points lower than that leased to Western countries; Of course, Hong Kong shipowners do not suffer a loss, after all, they still have to rely on Japanese shipyards.

And why did Japan go to such trouble and give money to Hong Kong shipowners?

It's not that they're stupid!

Rather, they supported Japanese shipyards through Hong Kong shipowners.

For example, more than half of the company's business is in Europe and the United States, but more than 80 percent of its ships are built in Japan.

Therefore, Japan does not suffer a loss, Hong Kong does not suffer a loss, while Europe and the United States suffer because the operating costs are too high and the trade unions are too strong.

Meeting room of the Japan Steamship Company.

"Mr. Hayashi, we are willing to charter your two 226,000-ton oil tankers, but the three-year contract reminds us of the situation in 1956, when the Suez Canal was closed for only one year, and then shipping prices returned to normal," Komatsu said. ”

At this time, Lin Zhichao took Feng Yongfa, Gao Qiqiang and other management to sit together and negotiate with each other.

In addition to internal management, Feng Yongfa also serves as the head of Asian affairs; Bobby Blair is in charge of the two divisions in Europe and the United States, as well as their business.

The two vice presidents have a clear division of labor, and this method is suitable for the current situation - Lin Zhichao has full command.

Toshihiro Komatsu is the new president, but he was also a senior executive, so he is very familiar with dealing with the Universal Group. In his opinion, Lin Zhichao is really lucky, or very shrewd.

He recently researched the contract and found that many contracts with Global Shipping will expire this year and next year; In other words, the price of renewing the contract is very high.

Of course, he does not think that Lin Zhichao can accurately predict the closure of the Suez Canal, because the ship built last year also signed a three-year contract, which will expire in 1969 (that is, very little).

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "President Komatsu, we have cooperated with you for many years, and I have rented it to you at a cheap price. In terms of lease term, I have been sticking to it for 3~4 years. Now I am building ten 226,000-ton oil tankers in Japan, and I happen to catch up with this market, which is my luck. I can also say that the Japanese shipyards are also very lucky, and I am afraid that they will not be able to receive orders now. ”

Komatsu Toshihiro didn't expect Lin Zhichao to be so good at negotiation. In fact, at this time, they begged Lin Zhichao to rent the ship to them, and originally wanted to rent three, but Lin Zhichao was only willing to rent two.

That's right, now it's the shipping companies begging to charter ships!

To put it bluntly, if some vessels expire at this time, the original lessee may be reluctant to pay them back and prefer to renew the lease at a 'high price'.

"You're right! It's just that I'm worried that if we sign a contract for three years, we will lose the price."

Toshihiro Komatsu is very shrewd, he knows that he is the weak side, the unreasonable side, but he just stares at a problem.

Lin Zhichao thought about it for a while, and in the future, he would still rely on Japanese shipping companies and shipbuilding companies (cutting into the queue for shipbuilding); However, he did not want to lose his interests.

So, he immediately preached: "I can understand President Komatsu's worries!" In this case, we can sign a VAM agreement, and if the Suez Canal is opened within two years, the contract will be immediately null and void, and a new contract will be signed. In this way, you will not lose anything in the situation of 1957. ”

In fact, he insisted on signing a contract for three years without any problems.

It's just that it's too blunt.

Over the years, he has relied on his accurate grasp of the shipping situation, which has also made the leasing party a little 'jealous' of Lin Zhichao's shrewdness. Therefore, Komatsu Toshihiro's 'shrewdness' can be understood.

When Toshihiro Komatsu heard this, he was immediately overjoyed.

Why did he 'make trouble', it was not that he was worried that the Suez Canal was closed for less than a year like in 1956~1957, but they paid a high-priced contract for three years. One is enough, but there are many.

Now that Lin Zhichao has signed this subsidiary treaty, his doubts have been completely dispelled. If this time it is still closed for only one year, then the contract can be canceled and re-signed immediately, and they will not suffer.

As for the opening of Suez in two years' time, then they will only pay a high rent for one more year at most.

It's a great deal!

This Chinese shipowner is really a person who does great things, and he deserves the trust of Japanese shipping companies!

Toshihiro Komatsu thought so.

"No problem! Thanks to Mr. Lim's commitment, you can rest assured that Global Group will always be our best partner and most trusted partner. ”

Whoever wants your trust, before 1980, should worry about you; Lin Zhichao seems to remember that in his previous life, the Japanese shipping company had a hard time at that time, and even once made people suspect that it was on the verge of bankruptcy and owed rent to Hong Kong shipowners; If it were not for the fact that the Japanese government, concerned about the country's credibility, instructed the representatives of the banking sector to go to Hong Kong to convene a meeting, saying that it would guarantee the debts of the Japanese shipping company and would not default; I'm afraid that many people can't sleep.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao had to carefully lay out in the seventies and try not to lose too much wealth.

"Happy to work with"

Subsequently, the memorandum of cooperation was signed.

The three-year lease is enough for Lin Zhichao to return to his capital. To put it simply, it is a return of 33.33% per annum (probably, depending on the level of operating expenses), of course, it may be a little higher.

This price is lower than the outside rate of return of more than 40%, but the global group, Japanese shipyards, and Japanese shipping companies have formed a tacit understanding, and Lin Zhichao will not go to Japan at will to rent at a high price.

As for customers in Europe and the United States, Lin Zhichao's pursuit of a rate of return is about 40%, which is slightly more profitable than Japan; Of course, European and American oil companies are not stupid and cut prices sharply every time, but even so, the profit margin of the Universal Group can be higher than that in Japan.

"Let's accept all payments in Japanese yen!"

"Of course, the yen is, in my opinion, one of the most valuable currencies in the world."

"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for your opinion!"

In this regard, Lin Zhichao's approach is also deeply appreciated by Japanese shipyards, Japanese shipping companies, and the Japanese government. As early as the late fifties, Lin Zhichao already accepted all Japanese yen payments; Previously, he only accepted partial payments in Japanese yen.

Accepting Japanese yen means that Japan does not need to pay foreign currency! They were so happy!

In Lin Zhichao's view, they will accept Japanese yen payment in the future, although they will have to pay taxes when they get back to Hong Kong; However, if the yen appreciates in the early seventies, it will not only be enough to pay taxes, but also allow Lin Zhichao to earn him.

As for the yen he received before the early seventies, wasn't all paid to Japanese shipbuilding?

Moreover, since Lin Zhichao started in the early seventies, he should not be in debt; Then even if he doesn't take all the yen he accepts back to Hong Kong, he can still invest in Japan's stock market and real estate, in short, it is money to make money, and it is not wasted at all.

In a villa in Tokyo, Lin Zhichao is having a private meeting with Sayuri Yoshinaga.

He was in a good mood and leased four 226,000-ton oil tankers in Japan to two shipping companies, and at the same time, those ships that were about to be renewed, everyone also said that they would continue to renew their contracts.

The prices are all very good!

To put it simply, after all the ships were launched this year, Lin Zhichao had a fleet of 900 million US dollars in control; According to the rate of return of 20~25% (some ships are in the charter), he can earn 200 million US dollars next year.

Not counting the ships he built this year, it is equivalent to the fact that Universal Group can have $100 million left after paying off the debt of its 9.5 million ton fleet.

Assuming that the ships launched next year are included, an additional profit of $30 million and a debt of $180 million, this is equivalent to a fleet of 12 million tons, but the debt is only $50 million.

In fact, the debt ratio of global shipping has remained extremely low, which is incredible.

Of course, there are two reasons for this:

First, the initial capital of the global group is large and the foundation is firm!

Second, Global Group bets on every market to find the most profitable plan!

on the couch.

"Mr. Lin, have you encountered anything happy about?" Sayuri said angrily.

Lin Zhichao suddenly lowered his interest and whispered in her ear: "I know me better and better!" Are you going to follow me all the time? ”

Sayuri had a pitiful expression: "Ah! Why did Mr. Lin ask like this, isn't it good for me to be your lover all the time? ”

She has been in a relationship with Lin Zhichao for more than a year, she feels very happy, and every time she meets, she will have insomnia for several days, tossing and turning with such expectations, and she can't sleep.

Although she also knew that Lin Zhichao already had two wives, she didn't care about those, she felt that there was nothing wrong with her pursuit of happiness!

Lin Zhichao whispered: "I don't have a relationship!" It's just that I'm a merry person, and there are always all kinds of girls around me who take the initiative to come up, and sometimes I can't refuse. ”

This sentence is half true!

On the real side, there are indeed many girls who take the initiative to come up;

In terms of fakes, almost all of these girls were rejected by Lin Zhichao.

"I don't mind!" Sayuri Yoshinaga said resolutely.

She is like a moth, she knows what the situation is like for a man like Lin Zhichao, but she can't let go of it at all.

Lin Zhichao suddenly felt a little troubled in his heart, and it was also a trouble for a woman to get rid of it.

Last time, it was hard to get rid of the Japanese persimmon and the truth na, but fortunately they got rid of it again.

Thinking of this kind of trouble, he slammed her lungs fiercely!

"Ahh

Sayuri Yoshinaga's originally gentle voice also began to become excited.

Seeing this, Lin Zhichao released the rope immediately, after all, he could taste it lightly, and he didn't really change T.

Afterwards.

Lin Zhichao took Sayuri to take a hot spring bath, and the two soaked in it and chatted comfortably.

"Sayuri, what are you doing as an actor for? If it's for money, I can teach you to invest and give you capital; If it's for a hobby, I'm very supportive of your cause! ”

He and Sayuri Yoshinaga are estimated to have at least five years of relationship, after all, it is difficult for Lin Zhichao to have suitable wildflowers. Therefore, with such a woman for a long time, he also has the idea of thinking about her.

Money is the best thing!

Sayuri Yoshinaga said: "It's not all about money, I like acting!" If you don't like it, I can give up the actor. ”

She knelt beside Lin Zhichao, wiped and massaged Lin Zhichao, although she was also tired, but she was very happy.

Lin Zhichao closed his eyes, nodded and said, "Well, I understand, I support your acting!" However, I also plan to set up an investment fund for the two of us with $1 million, specializing in investing in Japanese stocks. ”

Sayuri Yoshinaga said in surprise: "Ah! That's a lot of money, and I don't know how to invest! ”

What is the concept of $1,000,000?

A 'Asian Champion' football player, who came to Hong Kong to join the team in Group A, has a monthly salary of 2,500 Hong Kong dollars, which is also the most expensive football player in Asia, and he is talking about Qiu Zhiqiang, who is still playing in Malaysia. When Qiu Zhiqiang joined the Jardine team, he had a monthly salary of 2,500 Hong Kong dollars, and he usually worked as a salesman in the Jardine air-conditioning cabinet (air conditioner).

The cultural and sports stars of this era are really worthless.

The reason why Lin Zhichao is so generous is not because he is stupid, but because he plans to use Sayuri Yoshinaga's identity to speculate in Japanese stocks.

The Japanese stock market was relatively sluggish in the past few years, but Lin Zhichao is expected to rise very well in 1967~1973 (the oil crisis must be adjusted). Because since this year, the Japanese stock market has begun to relax restrictions on foreign investment.

(PS: The relaxation of restrictions on foreign purchases of shares (1967-1968), the liberalization of investment trusts (1970), and the liberalization of foreign securities purchases by general investors (1971) all contributed to the gradual internationalization of the Japanese securities market. ）

Although the restrictions on foreign capital are relaxed, Lin Zhichao does not plan to enter immediately, after all, he has no funds. But at the beginning of the 70s, you can think about it, as long as the oil crisis money is cashed out.

At this time, Lin Zhichao used Sayuri Yoshinaga's identity to speculate in stocks, and he could give him the money he earned to spend on his women; He can finally withdraw the principal again, which is equivalent to a blank ticket.

In the next six years, it will have to triple to be like words!

"Of course I'm in command of you! Anyway, you don't care, just do what I command, I won't treat my woman badly. ”

"Well, I'm obedient!"

Under Lin Zhichao's strong behavior, Sayuri Yoshinaga felt happier and happier. The man also gave her some pocket money, and she felt that she was taken seriously, which was good!

Lin Zhichao is indeed very generous to women, Hinata and Zhenna have followed him for a few years, and they have spent about 800,000 US dollars, which is more than 4 million Hong Kong dollars when converted into Hong Kong dollars. At this price in Hong Kong in the eighties and nineties, you can find a Hong Kong sister. Of course, it's quite wild to play with the two of them!

Back in Hong Kong, things escalated again, real and fake firecrackers began to flood all over Hong Kong, and the top ten 'traitor lists' were awarded, including Jin Daxia, Jian Yueqiang, Li Fushu, Zhong Shiyuan and others; Almost all of them were media workers and members of the two bureaus, the former attacking them in the newspapers, the latter agreeing to crack them down.

The good news is that Lin Zhichao is not on the list, after all, he is just a businessman and does not hold any public office, so he does not need to speak for this kind of thing.

"What are the security measures for the Hung Hom Tunnel Project?" Back at Changjiang Industrial, Lin Zhichao called Huang Changhong and asked.

The Hung Hom Tunnel is a project related to the future development prospects of Hong Kong, and it must be foolproof.

Huang Changhong reported seriously: "A strict blockade has been carried out at both ends, half of the people are separated from each other to secure at both ends, and half of the people continue to carry out the construction JC Bureau has also communicated, and JC with guns will be arranged to patrol both sides every day." ”

The Hong Kong government is also aware of the importance of this project and must not be undermined.

Lin Zhichao asked about the security of properties such as buildings and shopping malls, but in general, it was not directly affected.

"After a while, I'll have to go abroad to deal with shipping. Your management should ensure the normal operation of the company and the emotional stability of employees; As for the matter of buying the bottom, I am not in a hurry to end it for the time being, and this matter will have to be troubled for a few months. ”

"No problem, everyone is united and will not be intimidated by the difficulties in front of us. Moreover, the people in the company belong to the white-collar and middle-class in Hong Kong, and it is impossible to immigrate, so they can only work in Hong Kong with peace of mind. ”

Huang Changhong's words made Lin Zhichao quickly find the key - white-collar workers and the middle class can only stay in Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "What does this mean? It shows that these people will be the main force of Hong Kong house buyers in the future, and Hong Kong has not lost them. ”

Huang Changhong nodded and said, "Indeed! An ordinary employee of our company, with a salary of 600 Hong Kong dollars, will have no problem buying a house in the future. ”

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "Why in the future? Last year, the residential properties in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong were 52~55 Hong Kong dollars per square foot; Now it has fallen by 30~40 Hong Kong dollars per square foot, and a good house only costs 15,000~20,000 Hong Kong dollars. In this way, you tell the company and those employees who just need to buy a house that the company encourages them to buy an outside residential unit, and the finance company is willing to provide them with a loan of 70%~80%. I, as the boss, can also promise them that if they feel that they have lost money in the future, I will buy them with the money they paid. ”

This is probably the earliest employee 'welfare housing' in Hong Kong, and of course, employees have to pay for this welfare housing themselves.

Huang Changhong said with a smile: "This is probably the best benefit of the Hong Kong company, I will organize and arrange it immediately!" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Those who have no permanent birth have no perseverance!" If even the employees of the real estate company can't afford to buy a house, then how can they have confidence in the real estate and the company. ”

Huang Changhong nodded and said: "The company's management has basically bought houses, and some of the old employees have also bought them, and this benefit can only be for those who have not bought a house!" ”

"Yes, first-time homebuyers! If we lend to them, we also have to charge a low interest rate of 6%, which is fair. ”

"Okay!"

It doesn't cost a few bucks, but it can make the company more cohesive. In addition, the staff of Cheung Kong are highly qualified, and they are all reserve talents and management personnel, and will become the backbone of Cheung Kong in the future.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao's arrangement is naturally a long-term plan, and the company will never suffer.

At this time, Cheung Kong Industrial prepared a total of 250 million yuan of real estate (of which 180 million was the capital of Cheung Kong Industry), but only purchased Li Gaofu's two properties, spending 13 million, and the funds were very sufficient.

(End of chapter)