In the top-floor office of the Global Building, Lin Zhichao entertained the visiting Sandas and Shen Bi.

Lin Zhichao's own status is far from being comparable to Bao Yugang and Li Jiacheng in his previous life.

In his previous life, Bao Yugang had a fleet of about six or seven million tons during this period, and more importantly, he was only involved in the shipping industry; The Li family's achievements are far from being compared with him, and at the end of the seventies, he still begged Shen Bi to sell Hutchison Whampoa to him.

Lin Zhichao now has a fleet of more than 20 million tons, and as of August, the net debt is almost zero.

In other words, not only does he not need to ask HSBC, but he can also bring HSBC a profit of 1.5~180 million Hong Kong dollars every year, which is equivalent to 35% of the total profit of HSBC Group.

The annual profit of the global group is as high as more than 1.2 billion Hong Kong dollars, and it can earn more than 100 million yuan every month.

Including Feng Yongfa, the four of them sat on the sofa, first drinking tea very leisurely and elegantly.

Sandas put down the teacup and said, "I came to visit Sir Lin this time to ask you for advice, several shipping companies in which HSBC participates have stopped shipbuilding for more than a year and a half; Universal Shipping is even selling oil tankers under 100,000 tons, whether these are Sir Lin's strategies, I don't know if you can tell us? ”

Shen Bi couldn't help but sigh in his heart, even the largest British-funded consortium in Hong Kong, such as HSBC Group, now has to put down his body to face this Sir Lin. This Chinese chaebol has actually surpassed the British-funded chaebol in an all-round way, but everyone still doesn't think so.

He was promoted to general manager of HSBC this year, so for the first time, Lin Zhichao's influence was intuitively felt. The position of the general manager of HSBC is still a long way from the position of HSBC's Taipan, and there are managing directors and vice chairmen in between, and it will not be completed in five years.

Lin Zhichao said: "I have always used the history of the demise of the 'huge and friendless' dinosaurs to warn myself. It's been five years since the Suez Canal was closed, and the small tankers are not good for business, so reducing ships is my strategy. The companies we cooperate with such as Huanyu Shipping will directly share profits in the future and will not expand. ”

As a result of his rise, Greek and Japanese shipowners were greatly affected, and a lot of money was made by him.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao is also very vigilant!

The fact that Japanese shipping companies lease a large number of their own ships means that they order a lot less of their own ships than in their previous lives, and the proportion of chartered ships is very high. As for the Greek shipowners, they have lost a lot of American and European business, such as Onassis, Nigras, etc., and their strength has been halved.

Of course, for example, it is now an annual rate of return of 20%, and Lin Zhichao implements long-term rental, and the annual rate of return is reduced to 15%, which is already at the limit; Of course, there are advantages, he doesn't need to worry about the business gap, the ship is always running.

When Sundash heard this, he smiled and said, "If you say this, we will be relieved!" Shipping with you is probably the most cost-effective and highest-return business for HSBC so far. ”

Lin Zhichao said modestly: "If it weren't for HSBC's support for global shipping, the global group would not be as large as it is today. ”

"Nature"

At this time, Lin Zhichao's mood suddenly brightened, and when he acquired Wharf, he didn't need the help of HSBC at all; The acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa is also logical, and there is no need to ask Shen Bi, because there is no better candidate.

What's more, Hutchison Whampoa is no longer so important in Lin Zhichao's heart. After the listing of Cheung Kong Industrial Group, it will take real estate as the core and carry out comprehensive development, which Li Jiacheng could not do in his previous life.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao changed his words and said in a joking tone: "If HSBC really owes me a big favor, what do you think, Mr. Sandas?" ”

Shen Bi couldn't help but ask, will HSBC owe Lin Zhichao a favor, and it is a favor?

Seeing Lin Zhichao's expression, Sandas said tentatively: "But what happened to Hang Seng Bank back then? ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Mr. Sandas should know a little bit about my financial strength back then!" ”

"You know, you have 100 million deposits in Hang Seng Bank, you have a lot of deposits in HSBC, and I believe you have them in other banks. There is indeed no problem with the acquisition of Hang Seng Bank. Now that I think about it, Mr. Lin also had this kind of thought! ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Now that I think about it, I missed the best opportunity to enter the bank, and I am afraid that I will never have the opportunity again. At that time, I had two concerns: first, compared to being acquired by me, HSBC's acquisition of Hang Seng Bank would allow it to restore its credibility as soon as possible, and with HSBC as its backing, the company would be able to develop rapidly in the future; Second, between the rapid development of shipping and the entry into the bank, I chose to develop shipping rapidly. ”

Sandas glanced at Shen Bi, and then said, "Now it seems that it is indeed our HSBC bank that owes you a favor. ”

He has been bought by Lin Zhichao over the years, and when he said this, he was reminding his successor.

Seeing this, Shen Bi said as if he had an understanding: "With Mr. Lin's current financial situation, it seems that it is difficult for us HSBC to repay this favor. ”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Haha, it's all a joke, it's not so much a favor, it's better to cooperate better in the future." HSBC supported me in the early fifties."

Sang Dashi and Shen Bi soon had no idea, just regarded it as Lin Zhichao's joke. What's more, no matter how strong Lin Zhichao's financial strength is, Hong Kong is still ruled by the British, and a good relationship with HSBC is the best way.

After chatting for a while, Sandas and Shen Bi left together.

On the way, Shen Bi said: "Taipan, should we consider finding someone else to cooperate in shipping?" ”

Sandas hesitated for a moment and said: "Lin Zhichao's vision is unique, he brakes at this time, and there may be a change in shipping." It is no longer a good choice for us to invest in shipping, but if we give shipping loans, we can give proper consideration. ”

Shen Bi nodded, he didn't refute, he just asked in passing. He does not doubt Lin Zhichao's vision and skills, after all, in the field of shipping, Lin Zhichao is the absolute overlord.

in the office.

Lin Zhichao is also thinking about a problem, at the end of last week (8.15), the United States announced that 'the dollar will be decoupled from gold' and will no longer exchange gold from the treasury to foreign governments.

This means that the price of gold will achieve free floating, and it also means that gold is about to start a big rally.

For a long time in the future, Global Group will become Lin Zhichao's cash cow, a large amount of cash will be generated, and investment channels are urgently needed.

At present, an ounce of gold is 40~42 US dollars, and a ton of gold is a little more than 35,000 ounces, which is about 1.5 million US dollars.

He buys gold, it must be by the ton.

It's time to act now.

Unfortunately, although Hong Kong has relaxed gold imports, it has not been completely deregulated, and it seems that it will not be lifted until 1974, when gold merchants will gather in Hong Kong, making Hong Kong one of the world's four largest gold trading centers in one fell swoop.

Therefore, at present, the gold in the Hong Kong Gold and Silver Exchange is industrial gold with 90% and 90% fineness. The reason for this is to circumvent the regulations set by the Hong Kong government, import gold from Omen, and then add silver and other metals in Macau to change the fineness of gold.

Lin Zhichao quickly developed three channels:

First, gold was bought from Ommen and smuggled into Hong Kong through 'smuggling'; of course, there must be a very safe means for this so-called smuggling.

Second, when he went to London and Zurich, he only had to pay a handling fee to buy gold and deposit it in the bank. Of these, the three banks in Zurich are the most competitive.

Third, ninety percent of the gold will be cashed out from the gold and silver exchanges, and it will be purified in the future.

Of course, it is impossible to invest too much in gold, and I am about to make 400 million US dollars, about 250 tons.

A week later, Lin Zhichao appeared in Zurich, Switzerland, accompanied by Chris, president of 'Victoria Harbour Investment', and Li Zhonghe, vice president. Among them, Li Zhonghe is regarded as an 'old minister', who used to be the financial manager of the Global Group, and now has become the vice president of 'Harbour Investment', mainly responsible for financial security matters.

From the moment Lin Zhichao decided to invest in gold, he immediately formulated a plan, and Zurich became his first stop.

In 1968, when the London Gold Treasury collapsed and the London gold market was closed for two weeks, the system was designed to maintain the Bretton Woods system of fixed-rate convertible currencies and to defend the price of gold at $35 per troy ounce by intervening in the London market. While markets in other countries were still trading as the price of gold rose, Zurich became the gold center of the world.

The Zurich Gold Treasury was founded in 1968 by some of Switzerland's largest banks. In March 1968, the London gold market was temporarily closed. The ensuing weakness of the pound ended London's dominance as the world's leading gold exchange. In response to the resulting turmoil in the gold market and the financial system as a whole, UBS took immediate action to establish a private gold trading organization, the Zurich Gold Vault, through an informal agreement between UBS, UBS AG and Credit Suisse.

Minimizing its impact on the Swiss banking system and its currency by establishing the Zurich Gold Exchange, a private gold trading organization, has helped to make Zurich an international gold trading hub.

The closure of the London gold market at the time caused significant instability in gold trading and valuations. With no market, South African gold producers need to look to other trading partners. The Zurich Gold Organization, and UBS in particular, immediately became the main financial partner for South African suppliers. Zurich's Swiss gold market, which has no domestic gold supply, has developed and maintained a dominant position in bullion trading by providing specialized accounts and banking services in accordance with the country's bank secrecy laws.

In short, when the London gold market collapsed and South African gold was in dire need of cash, the Zurich gold market rose naturally.

Gold and diamonds produced in South Africa are the fundamental reason for its development, and not all the credit of white people; At the same time, it is true that South Africa is a developed country, but blacks are still poor. It's like 'I and Jack Ma's wealth is averaged, and I will become a billionaire' in the network of later generations', watching white people get rich, black people will naturally not be reconciled.

The headquarters building of the Swiss Bank.

Ralph, President of Investment Business of Swiss Bank, warmly received Lin Zhichao and his party. When he learned that the 'World Ship King' needed to be invested by a Swiss bank, Ralph immediately took it seriously.

It is said that it controls a fleet of about 15 million tons, accounting for 4% of the world's merchant ships, second only to the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom's 'fourth largest merchant marine empire', and twice as much as the Soviet Union.

"Mr. Lin, welcome to Zurich!"

"President Ralph, I come to Zurich a lot for holidays and have my own property here."

"That's a real pleasure!"

After a brief conversation and an introduction to the senior management of both sides, everyone came to the conference room and sat down.

Lin Zhichao said straight to the point: "I want to entrust a Swiss bank to invest, store and trade gold for my private investment company. ”

Harbour Investment has also cooperated with Swiss banks, but it is only a deposit business, and it has flowed into the US stock market in less than two years.

Ralph immediately said, "No problem! At present, our Swiss gold market and South African suppliers work closely together, which is more advantageous than the London gold market, Mr. Lin, how much gold do you plan to invest? ”

He first introduced the advantages of cooperation channels with South African suppliers - South Africa produces gold, diamonds and other minerals, but these things need to be disguised into currency before real trade can be carried out. So when South Africa's gold is mined, it is supplied to the world, and now Zurich is the main supply region.

Lin Zhichao said: "I plan to invest in batches, and entrust you to purchase 7~100,000 ounces (2~3 tons, currently $40.5 per ounce) every month, and these gold will be deposited in your vault." ”

With that, he looked at Ralph calmly.

Even if Ralph is well-informed, it is the first time to see this kind of personal largest customer, and he spends a full 280~4 million US dollars to buy gold every month.

Ralph was quick to say, "No problem! We have made every effort to provide a free and confidential environment for the buying and selling of gold, in addition to the preferential supply from South Africa, we are also supplied with gold from the Soviet Union, and our special Swiss banking system and auxiliary gold trading service system can provide the best channels and services for Mr. Lin's future sale. ”

Lin Zhichao also remembered that the Soviet Union also produced gold, which was originally realized from Switzerland.

After all, Switzerland at this time was still a neutral country.

Subsequently, the two sides discussed the details of the handling fee and the fee for using the vault. At the same time, Lin Zhichao also emphasized the importance of customer confidentiality, and he did not want to expose himself.

Even between the three Swiss banks, he didn't want his information to be exchanged.

In addition to seeking cooperation with three banks in Switzerland, the London side also intends to find a partner, plus Hong Kong's local gold investment, a total of 'five'. Each company buys about 2~3 tons of gold for him every month, which is about 10~15 tons per month.

In the past year and a half, the price of gold has risen at 40~65 US dollars per ounce, so the average price is 180~2 million US dollars per ton, and it requires a monthly expenditure of 2000~30 million US dollars.

It just so happens that the monthly profits of the Universal Group for nearly a year and a half are used for these investments.

In the first-class compartment of the locomotive from London to Pulis, Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiyun sat together, enjoying the beautiful scenery outside the window.

After entrusting three banks in Switzerland and a bank in London, Lin Zhichao joined Tang Caiyun in London and went to the port of Plismao.

Place Spear is a port city on the back of England, where the headquarters of the British Navy is located.

This time, Lin Zhichao asked Tang Caiyun and Audrey to go on vacation to the superyacht "Rising Sun", and "Rising Sun" was modified from the Shemara superyacht, which lasted 18 months.

"Over the years, I have wronged you, this time we are on vacation for five days in Plisma!" Lin Zhichao held his wife's hand and said with a sigh.

In the past, Lin Zhichao rarely accompanied Tang Caiyun to travel abroad, and the two would often separate, leaving one person in Hong Kong. Later, the situation was better, but Tang Caiyun still rarely went abroad over the years.

In terms of her contribution to this family, she is naturally second only to Lin Zhichao, and to some extent, she has paid more than Lin Zhichao.

Tang Caiyun said gently: "Where are there grievances! I think Brother Zhichao has been working hard to take care of us, and the family has been arranged very steadily, and everyone is united to have today's situation. ”

Today, the 'Lin family' is undoubtedly very stable, the family business is huge, the children have grown up, and the three veins form a 'triangle', which is the most reliable mechanical relationship.

The eldest son, Lin Ruihuan, has joined Cheung Kong Asset Group after working overseas for two years;

The second son, Lin Ruijiang, is also preparing for his senior year (Cambridge), and after graduating next year, he will join the Cheung Kong Industrial Group, starting from an ordinary employee;

The third son, Lin Ruihai, is also preparing to study for a senior year, and since he was born in 1952, he is preparing to study for a master's degree under Lin Zhichao's suggestion.

Just these three sons can actually inherit the family business at any time, after all, Lin Zhichao started his business at the age of 19.

The two are talking about love, and their feelings are deep, this is more than 20 years of mutual affection, love and family affection, and they still love each other!

"Excuse me, can you excuse me?" An Englishman came to the two and said.

Lin Zhichao saw that he was a gentleman and a bit literati, so he got up politely and said, "Of course"

Next, the two exchanged names.

"My name is MacLehose, and I'm an official of the British Foreign Office!"

"My name is Lin Zhichao, I am a businessman from Hong Kong, and this is my wife, Ms. Tang Caiyun."

Both were very surprised!

MacLehose did not expect to meet the 'World Ship King' today, and Lin Zhichao was also very surprised that he was actually the Governor of Hong Kong, who was going to be promoted in November this year.

"Mr. MacLehose, it seems that I will soon address you as Your Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong, but I didn't expect that we would be in the same car today and meet!" Lin Zhichao sighed.

The Governor of Hong Kong, who is his 'direct leader' and also the 'Emperor of the Soil' of Hong Kong, is still relatively important.

At the beginning of the year, the British government announced MacLehose as the next governor of Hong Kong, so of course Lin Zhichao will know.

MacLehose said with a smile: "I didn't expect it, I just thought you were Chinese, and I didn't expect to meet Sir Lin in the end." ”

After a polite exchange, the two sat down to talk in detail.

"Sir Lin's fleet, is there really as much as the media says? 15 million tons! After inviting MacLehose to sit down, he asked curiously.

Western media speculate that the Universal Group controls 15 million tons of ships.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's just more, no less!" ”

MacLehose said in surprise: "Sir Lin's fleet is almost the tonnage of British merchant ships, far surpassing the Soviet Union, and it is worthy of being the king of ships in the world." ”

Then, the two started talking.

"Is Mr. Lam saying that Hong Kong's economy has taken off and will soon be among the developed regions?"

"Yes, there is no doubt about this, Hong Kong's tourism industry in the fields of shipping, trade, industry, finance and other fields is also growing rapidly, I have been to many countries and regions, and I think only Hong Kong has the greatest potential."

MacLehose nodded and said, "Mr. Lin is so optimistic about the prospects of Hong Kong's economy, but it seems that many things have happened in Hong Kong, such as."

What he means is that the people of Hong Kong do not seem to be doing well, not as good as Lin Zhichao said.

Lin Zhichao said: "After that incident, the Hong Kong government has also done some work on people's livelihood, and on the whole, this is a process. ”

MacLehose then asked: "Mr. Lin, you are a Hong Kong native, do you think there are still problems in Hong Kong that can change people's livelihood?" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "In general, of course, it is to strengthen the meaning of the three words 'Hong Kong people'! ”

"Oh, can you be specific?"

To put it simply, almost all Hong Kong people migrated from the mainland of China, and in 1945 there were only 600,000 people in Hong Kong, and there were already 4 million people. Many of these people still regard Hong Kong as a temporary place of residence and plan to have the opportunity to emigrate overseas, so I am thinking that I want to make these 4 million people feel more proud of their sense of belonging to 'Hong Kong people'. Of course, this requires the next Governor of Hong Kong to have a sense of belonging to Hong Kong, rather than thinking that he will only serve for a few years and then be promoted. ”

MacLehose nodded and said, "That's true, this is probably a common problem of British colonial officials!" ”

He openly criticized British Colonial Office officials because he was from the British Foreign Office and had never been an official of the Colonial Office.

Lin Zhichao said: "On the whole, all aspects are still very good, Hong Kong people work hard, and the Hong Kong government implements free economic non-interference, which are all good. ”

MacLehose asked: "Hong Kong always has a very direct shortcoming, right? ”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Yes, that is, the JC system is corrupt, and the influence of the association has increased, and the two are embarrassed by each other. ”

MacLehose asked curiously, "Mr. Lin also knows about these grassroots things?" ”

After all, the JC system is corrupt and the community is rising, and these two groups of people are not enough to see in front of Lin Zhichao, the 'knight'.

Lin Zhichao said: "Of course, I am talking about this kind of thing as a Hong Kong citizen! ”

MacLehose nodded and said, "Yes, to be honest, after talking a lot with Mr. Lin today, I suddenly can't wait for this appointment, then we'll see you in November." ”

Lin Zhichao also said sincerely: "Mr. MacLehose is from the British Foreign Office. Coupled with what you are talking about today, I think Hong Kong can truly become a world metropolis under your leadership. ”

MacLehose hurriedly said modestly: "I will do my best to govern Hong Kong well and live up to the expectations of Hong Kong citizens." If possible, I hope to visit Mr. Lin's factory as soon as possible after taking office! ”

"It's my pleasure!"

During the conversation, MacLehose asked Lin Zhichao's Cheung Kong Industrial Group how many workers there were.

coincided with the popularity of "Transformers" in Europe and the United States, so the number of workers in the Yangtze River Industrial Park has reached about 20,000, which shocked MacLehose.

Lin Zhichao didn't brag that there were 7,000 workers producing Barbie dolls, 5,000 people producing zippers, 4,000 people producing Transformers, and 2,000 workers working on Midea's electrical/electronic appliances.

(End of chapter)