Lin Zhichao came to the Shangri-La Hotel in Central, and had afternoon tea with President Jason and Vice President Lin Xin'er, but actually listened to some work reports.

"The Shangri-La Hotel has been open for 10 months, and during the oil crisis, the occupancy rate is only 81.5%," Lin Xin'er reported to her brother in English.

After listening to this, Lin Zhichao did not have much reaction to the occupancy rate of 81.5%, and asked rhetorically: "What is the situation of our competitors Mandarin Hotel, Hilton Hotel, and Furama Hotel?" ”

The impact of the oil crisis is bound to have an impact on luxury hotels, and there are four five-star hotels in Central, with Shangri-La Hotel being the most luxurious five-star hotel with more rooms.

The occupancy rate is 81.5%, and the profit is still considerable, but the return rate should only be 6~7% of the passing line. In Hong Kong's hotel industry, the rate of return of 9~10% is the excellent level.

Lin Xin'er said: "The occupancy rate should be less than ours, and the Furama Hotel is the most inferior, attracting guests at low prices. The Hilton Hotel was the most affected, and the Hyatt Regency in Indonesia was said to have suffered a lot of losses, while the Mandarin Hotel was slightly better."

After Lin Zhichao listened, his mind suddenly became active, the parent company behind Hilton Hotel (Hong Kong), Meigao Company, has always been a company that Lin Zhichao is eager to win. Because of the Hilton Hotel under Meigao, the land is favored by Lin Zhichao, which is related to the feng shui problem of the Lin family.

At this time, Jason lamented: "It seems that it is difficult to make a profit by investing in hotels in Southeast Asia. For example, in Singapore and Hong Kong, even with the oil crisis, the hotel industry is still profitable; But not in Southeast Asia, even in tourist attractions. ”

Last year, he also wanted Shangri-La Hotels to expand in Southeast Asia, which now seems very risky. The impact of the oil crisis was not half a year at that time, but a long cycle, and now in the past year, the global economy has fallen into a state of stagflation, and Southeast Asia is not optimistic.

Lin Zhichao said: "Shangri-La Hotel is positioned as a luxury five-star, which is not suitable for Southeast Asia. Moreover, the unstable regime and various unstable factors in Southeast Asia make it not suitable for investing in an industry with slow returns such as hotels. ”

What is it suitable for?

Of course, it's real estate, just make a big deal and go!

There is also a wave of real estate fever in Southeast Asia, and the best investment objects are, of course, Thailand and Malaysia.

After chatting for a while about the work of the Shangri-La Hotel, Lin Zhichao did not put forward any goals or favorable measures. This is because: first, Shangri-La Hotels operates in Hong Kong and Singapore, which itself is a very good positioning, and it will not lose money, but will make a lot of money; Second, Shangri-La Hotel is positioned as the 'home store' of the Lin family, and is not in a hurry to develop rashly, and Lin Zhichao hopes to take it slowly.

What's more, Shangri-La is currently the best performing hotel among the four hotels in Central, and he is very satisfied with this achievement. Overall, Shangri-La hotels are doing very well.

In the office of Cheung Kong Industrial, Lin Zhichao entertained Li Yeguang in the office.

"I heard that Cheung Kong Group and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce won the Saisai Lake plot, it seems that Cheung Kong Group has very sufficient funds, and now in the face of the market environment, Cheung Kong Group is like holding a machine gun, invincible!" Li Yeguang joked with a smile.

Lin Zhichao was not modest, and said directly: "Lawyer Li's words are not wrong at all, and he even underestimated our Cheung Kong Group, we are not holding machine guns, but tanks." Ha ha! ”

He's by no means bragging, he is.

Last year alone, Cheung Kong Group set aside a cash flow of 200 million Hong Kong dollars, with a debt of only 50 or 60 million Hong Kong dollars, and an asset value of more than 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, and a very low debt ratio. Not to mention Lin Zhichao's relationship with major banks, even Lin Zhichao's private investment company, Victoria Harbour Investment, can lend to Cheung Kong Group at any time.

There is capital, but there is no investment channel, this is the situation of Cheung Kong Group.

Although there have been land acquisitions and land exchange rights and interests, these small projects are not enough to eat after all. In addition, Lin Zhichao is more eager to do big projects and big investments, so he is not very attentive to small sites.

Li Yeguang immediately said: "Cheung Kong Group is better than Hongkong Land, which is the pride of our Chinese. ”

Lin Zhichao said modestly this time: "You have won the award!" Landclot, it seemed like my goal in the 50s, and after the mid-60s, I didn't seem to see it anymore. ”

This is called modesty, Li Yeguang said in his heart.

But he knew that it was entirely true. You know, there are still many assets that have not been listed, and only the famous assets are: Victoria Harbour Center, Far East Financial Center, Shangri-La Hotel, etc.

The vision is absolutely superb!

Next, Li Yeguang began to talk about business: "I know that Cheung Kong Group has sufficient funds, so I will introduce a project this time. Wasion Development, Lin Sheng should have heard of it, right? ”

Lin Zhichao became interested and said, "I know." Isn't Li Sheng the chairman of the board of directors of this company, how can I not know?"

When this company went public, the chairman of the board of directors was Li Yeguang, but the actual controller was not him. This is a strategy of some entrepreneurs to win over well-known people as chairmen to increase the prestige of the company, such as the chairman of the board of directors of New World Development, which is Ho Shanheng, a bank tycoon.

And this Wasion Development, with a fundraising scale of more than 20 million Hong Kong dollars at the time of listing, should be a listed company with net assets of more than 100 million yuan.

Li Yeguang couldn't help but admire Lin Zhichao's mind, the situation of any company in Hong Kong seems to be in his brain, and what property site in Hong Kong seems to be very familiar.

It's hard to imagine that he is not only a real estate developer, but also a world ship king and industrial tycoon.

"If Mr. Lin is interested in this company, our board of directors is willing to sell it, but there is one condition, that is, a full acquisition!"

Lin Zhichao didn't think about it much, so he said, "No problem! At the moment, real estate and the stock market are in a slump, which is a very good business. ”

He said it very bluntly!

Again, it doesn't matter if anyone hears him.

The controllers of these companies are all frightened by the stock market crash and the oil crisis, or there are problems with the company's funds, and they don't know what the future holds, so it is normal to sell.

Moreover, the magnitude of this round of sharp decline is only 20~30%, which is not worth mentioning compared to the previous increase. Therefore, some property owners take the opportunity to cash out, but also idle to avoid further depreciation of assets.

"Okay, I'll bring you the information later, and then you give us a reasonable offer, and the board of directors will consider whether it's appropriate!"

"Well, it makes sense, I want to buy someone else's business in good faith!"

This is a bona fide takeover, where the majority shareholder intends to sell, and the acquiring company is willing to pay a premium, and finally both parties come to an agreement.

This year, it was the British-funded foreign bank that took the lead in launching the goodwill acquisition war.

In mid-January, Swire & Co. took the lead in issuing 2.8 million new shares in exchange for 10.5 million shares in Taikoo Chang Development, a subsidiary of DCH Properties, and then transferred the shares to Swire Properties, which in turn issued 12.1 million new shares to Swire Properties in exchange for a 50.0% stake in Swire Dockyard Phase 1 (later known as Taikoo Shing), while Swire Chang ceded the land in the eastern part of Order Bay to Swire & Co. at a low price. Through this game of allotment, share exchange and issuance of new shares, the equity of minority shareholders is naturally "diluted", and the strength of the enterprise grows rapidly.

At the same time, it also fully reflects Swire & Co.'s lack of confidence in real estate, and shares the first phase of Taikoo Shing's project with Dah Chong Properties (Chan Tak Tai).

Saturday, April 12.

On the sea surface of 'Aberdeen' on Hong Kong Island, it is very lively and noisy.

It turned out that today was the opening day of the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, a subsidiary of the Café de Coral Restaurant Group.

Since the fire broke out in October 1971 at the original Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, Café de Coral Restaurant Group immediately acquired Wanglaoji's 'Taibai Seafood Restaurant' and resulted in the signboard of 'Jumbo Seafood Restaurant'. Since 1972, it has spent 25 million Hong Kong dollars to build a new 'Jumbo Seafood Restaurant', which lasted more than three years.

The Taibai Seafood Restaurant, which opened in the 50s, is 50 meters long and can accommodate 800 people.

With a length of 80 meters, a width of 22 meters and a height of 28 meters, the new 'Jumbo Seafood Restaurant' has a displacement of 3,500 tons and can accommodate more than 2,000 guests at the same time.

Jumbo Seafood Boat is like a gorgeous sea palace, with two golden dragon wood carvings standing at the entrance of the seafood restaurant, and nine small golden dragon heads will spit out water jets at the same time. The traditional Chinese handicraft ornaments and murals on board alone cost more than 5 million Hong Kong dollars. The giant mural on the second floor of the boat is handmade by Italian artist Bobaoya with the famous painting "Entering the Foot" of the Ming Dynasty and using mosaic mosaic technology. There is a "Golden Luang Palace" in the boat, a dragon chair in the Golden Luang Palace, and the seafood restaurant also has a service to rent dragon robes when it is open. Each hall on the ship is named after the palace resort, which is named the Dragon Tower, the Phoenix Pavilion, the Jinluan Palace, the Taihe Palace, etc. Moreover, each floor is equipped with the emperor's dragon seat accompanied by the east and west palaces, and guests can take photos on the throne while tasting delicious food, which is really interesting.

On the opening day, Lin Zhichao also participated in this very meaningful moment, not to mention that Cheung Kong Group is also the major shareholder of Café de Coral Restaurant Group.

Of course, the protagonist of the opening day was his cousin Lin Zhihao, who is also the chairman of the board of directors of Café de Coral restaurant group.

The guests who came to participate couldn't help but sigh in their hearts, anyone who gets Lin Zhichao's appreciation can become a rich man; Lin Zhichao is not only very good to his relatives, but also takes great care of his friends, and Yu Chengwan is the best proof of this.

Lin Zhihao stood next to the microphone and delivered his first big speech, because of his cousin's relationship, today brings together Hong Kong celebrities and upper-class people. He was even informed that the Queen's visit to Hong Kong would also board the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, and he should be ready to welcome him.

"Distinguished guests, Jumbo Seafood Restaurant has become a representative attraction and culture of Hong Kong as the 'Pearl of the Orient', and has inherited the essence of Hong Kong cuisine. Here, I am very grateful to all of you for enjoying the light tonight, and I would like to invite you to enjoy the fusion of food and culture. ”

Thunderous applause!

With the opening ceremony over, everyone returned to their positions. Jumbo Seafood Restaurant has a total of three floors, the first floor is the main hall, which can accommodate hundreds of tables without being crowded, which is a good choice for wedding scenes; There are booths and boxes on the second and third floors, and there is also a seafood pool on board.

On the third floor of the Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, Lin Zhichao and his friends sat together and talked and laughed, and the airships Tai, Zheng Yutong, and Ho Shanheng came to enjoy the light, and almost all the rich people in Hong Kong gathered.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an era when Hong Kong's economy is booming and it is among the 'Asian Tigers', and Hong Kong has often given people jubilant scenes in these years, and tonight's scene is undoubtedly the best proof of this." Lin Zhichao raised his glass and gestured.

Everyone agreed, and when you think about it, it's true.

Ho Shanheng said with a smile: "Hong Kong's economy is booming, and it is also the best era to make money. ”

Lin Zhichao followed He Shanheng's words and said: "The good guy is right. So, we're going to roll up our sleeves and do it! ”

Everyone laughed.

At this time, a trace of loneliness flashed in the eyes of the airship, since 1967, his career has fallen into a low ebb, and there have been few real estate projects in recent years. He originally wanted to go public in 1973, but he had to give up because of the stock market crash.

Of course, this mood was quickly drowned in festivity, and everyone laughed and laughed so happily.

During the period, Lin Zhihao came to toast, and everyone was also very polite and did not slack off at all. Not to mention that he is Lin Zhichao's cousin, he is the chairman of the board of directors of a listed company, which is also worth being polite.

However, some people believe that the reason why Café de Coral Restaurant Group can be listed is completely because Lin Zhichao is supporting. If Lin Zhichao hadn't introduced the bank and guaranteed the loan, he would naturally not have been able to get Taibai Seafood Fang and Jumbo Seafood Boat (signboard), so there were only ten or twenty fast food restaurants at that time, and they would not have the qualifications to be listed.

During this period, Lin Zhihao toasted to the gambling saint.

"Xiao Linsheng, you have Taibai Seafood Shop and Jumbo Seafood at this moment, you are simply dominating the sea surface of this Aberdeen, and you deserve the reputation of 'Boat King'!" Let's not talk about the gambling saint for the time being, but it's definitely very funny.

Lin Zhihao immediately said modestly: "He Sheng has won the award, isn't there still your 'Cape Palace' on the sea surface of Aberdeen, how dare I talk about being the king and hegemon!" ”

Haijiao Palace is a food square of the same era as Taibai Seafood Restaurant. In 1958, the two-storey Cape Palace was added to operation near Taibai, and as business was booming, another three-storey boat was soon added. In 1962, the gambling saint acquired the Cape Palace and moved the double-decker ship to Aomen as a gambling ship, leaving the new three-story ship to continue to compete with Taibai.

In fact, at present, the food court on the sea surface of Aberdeen is a three-legged stand - Taibai Seafood Square, Cape Palace, and Jumbo Seafood Restaurant.

Taibai Seafood Square lasts the longest and has the most stories; Jumbo Seafood is the largest and most luxurious seafood restaurant, and of course the newest seafood restaurant.

As for the Cape Palace, the status is a little awkward now!

The gambling saint smiled and said, "You can't compete as a catering tycoon!" ”

Lin Zhichao was separated by a table and said with a smile: "Then just join in!" ”

The implication is that it will be sold to everyone Le Restaurant Group, wouldn't there be no competition.

Everyone laughed and said nothing, there was nothing wrong with this proposal, the situation of the Cape Palace was awkward, it was better to join the same camp.

Seeing this, the gambling saint smiled and received: "I don't care, if Xiao Linsheng is interested, you can come to negotiate with me!" ”

Lin Zhihao saw that the opportunity was rare, and immediately said: "Then disturb He Sheng!" ”

Afterwards, everyone continued to play music and dance.

The small scene just now also proves one thing, Café de Coral Restaurant Group is already the largest restaurant group in Hong Kong, and its high-end restaurants - seafood restaurants, Cantonese restaurants, and fast food chains. What's more, Café de Coral Restaurant Group is a listed company, and there are only two or three listed catering companies in Hong Kong.

That night, Lin Zhichao sat in the antique Jumbo Seafood Restaurant, enjoying the food and getting along with friends, which was very interesting.

The seafood at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant cannot be said to be top-notch, but it can only be said to be of the highest level, and the most important thing is freshness. Lobster, grouper, Jiwei shrimp, abalone, etc., are all Cantonese-style seafood cooking methods, without losing the delicacy.

In the office of Cheung Kong Asset Group, Lin Zhichao looked at the detailed information of Wasion Development, as well as the proposed purchase price.

Wasion Development's current share price is HK$1.01 per share, and the proposed purchase price is HK$1.4 per share, representing a premium of 37.2%; Its total share capital is 80.2 million shares, and the acquisition consideration is HK$112 million.

This purchase price is about 25% higher than the market value of Wasion Development's listing of 90 million Hong Kong dollars.

In fact, it is quite cost-effective, because Wasion Development buys new assets after going public and raising funds. As long as there is no problem with the real estate company itself, even if it is the lowest trough, it will not fall to the market value at the time of listing. This is because companies such as Cheung Kong Group, Sun Hung Kai, New World, and Cheung He Real Estate have all increased their market value by more than 5 times after listing.

The current net assets of Wasion Development are probably more than 120 million Hong Kong dollars, and Cheung Kong Group is quite cost-effective to buy this asset. Most of these assets are rent-collecting properties, and a small number are sites and plots, and after the acquisition, Cheung Kong Group has been further expanded.

In the first half of this year, it is a very good development to win the Wasion Development, Saixi Lake site, as well as some land plots and land exchange rights and interests.

(End of chapter)