It's a new year, and it's 1986.

Shortly after New Year's Day.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hutchison Ma, Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa, presided over Hutchison Whampoa's first overseas office in London, saying, "Hutchison Whampoa is looking for acquisition targets with the ability to invest US$1 billion in Europe over the next 12~18 months. ”

"Hutchison Whampoa has set out a set of criteria for overseas expansion, which includes that the overseas enterprises to be acquired must be of a certain size, have reasonable profits and assets, not be engaged in labor-intensive industries, and must be a business that Hutchison is familiar with, and the region must be politically stable, the economy is sound, the tax structure is reasonable, and the income can be easily remitted. In addition, currency and population are also important reference standards. ”

There is no problem with these words, Ma Shimin's idea has always been the same as Lin Zhichao's, that is, to be based in Hong Kong and expand overseas.

But as a foreigner, Ma Shimin does not understand that his words will be misinterpreted by the media.

So soon Ma Shimin's remarks became in the Hong Kong media - Hutchison Whampoa will follow Jardine Matheson and focus on investing overseas; There are even more media outlets that say directly that Hutchison Whampoa will follow Jardine Matheson and become the second largest group in terms of capital relocation.

Public opinion is in an uproar!

Mr. Lin Zhichao, who used to be highly publicized and is absolutely optimistic about Hong Kong's prospects, is now going to change his behavior?

Under this kind of public opinion, Lin Zhichao quickly came forward to clarify.

He told reporters and the media: "What he (Ma Shimin) really means is that Hutchison Whampoa has the ability to invest $1 billion overseas in the next five years." ”

"Hutchison Whampoa's strategy is to be based in Hong Kong and expand overseas, so overseas investment cannot be higher than investment in Hong Kong, or even more than 40%."

"As for the decision to invest overseas, there is no other reason, just a simple financial arrangement – Hutchison Whampoa has sufficient cash flow, and there are no suitable projects in Hong Kong in the short term, so the capital will seek a way out."

"Cheung Kong and Hutchison investing in Japanese real estate as an example, now only the yen has appreciated by 25%, which has generated very optimistic paper profits. Therefore, we invest overseas with only one purpose - that is, to bring better returns to shareholders! ”

Public opinion immediately subsided!

But soon the investors noticed that Cheung Kong had already generated a lot of paper profits by investing in Japan, so the stock of Cheung Kong rose again.

Victoria Harbour Centre.

In the office of Cheung Kong Group, Lin Zhichao received the President of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Henrik, and his party, accompanied by his eldest sons, Lin Ruihuan, Mai Lisi, and Ma Shimin.

Recently, Lin Zhichao has been in the office every week, receiving Canadian guests, including Canadian businessmen, trade officials, and provincial prime ministers.

After hearing that Hutchison Whampoa had set up an 'overseas office', these people came to the door one after another to 'calculate' Lin Zhichao's money bag. And in their opinion, as long as Lin Zhichao, the richest man in China, chooses to invest in Canada, other Hong Kong tycoons will flock to him, which is the role of the leader.

Canada has always been the first choice for Hong Kong citizens to immigrate, especially Vancouver has the largest number of Chinese, and it is also the most suitable for Chinese to live. Canada is also the 'best' country for Hong Kong immigrants, followed by Australia and the United States.

The United States is the most powerful country in the world, known as the first political and economic power, and does not worry about the inflow of funds and talents, so it is Uncle Sam's old style. So in the wave of new immigrants in Hong Kong, the United States has only relaxed the immigration quota slightly.

Australia is more aggressive than the United States, but it still falls short of Canada's preferential terms.

Canada divides business immigration into three types: first, self-employed businessmen (professionals in business establishments) and people engaged in sports and performances; The second is the entrepreneur, who must hire at least one Canadian employee; The third is the investor, that is, to invest at least 250,000 Canadian dollars (1 Canadian dollar is about 5.5 Hong Kong dollars) in a certain business.

The purpose of immigration to Canada is to attract capital and talent, and for wealthy Hong Kongers, 250,000 Canadian dollars to buy a Canadian passport is really cheap. Professionals, on the other hand, can obtain immigration with a degree diploma and professional qualifications. However, when they boarded the flight, they also had a considerable amount of money in their pockets as capital to buy a house.

Lin Zhichao and Henrik have a very good personal relationship, and Henrik is very happy when talking about Cheung Kong's intention to invest in Canada.

He then said: "Mr. Lin, entrepreneurs like you are very welcome to invest in Canada, and we guarantee that we can give quite favorable terms." ”

As the saying goes, as long as Lin Zhichao is willing to invest in Canada, other Hong Kong tycoons will come to Canada to invest.

Lin Zhichao said: "Well, I also attach more importance to Canada's business environment, if there is a good project, I must carefully investigate and think about it." ”

Henrik then said: "I came to see you this time, I thought about an investment project, I wonder if you are interested?" ”

Lin Zhichao said politely: "Please speak!" ”

He understands that it must not be Husky Oil, after all, oil has only just fallen now, and Husky is not so quick to 'burn'.

Henrik said: "Investing in the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, I don't know if you are interested in this project. If there is, we are willing to issue 5~10% of the new shares for you to invest in! ”

Lin Zhichao thought about it for a while, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was also one of the top ten banks in Canada in later generations, and although the investment banking business has a low rate of return, it is better than stability, and it is also higher than interest.

Then he said: "My eldest son, Lin Ruihuan, holds a Canadian passport, and if this project is suitable later, I will let him invest in the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in his personal name!" ”

Lin Ruihuan is a Canadian passport that he got a few years ago, and this thing can be returned at any time, not to mention that Lin Ruihuan, as the second-generation helmsman of the Cheung Kong Department, will definitely take a foreign passport, so that it is convenient to do business.

Henrik looked at Lin Ruihuan and said happily: "That's really good, Mr. Kobayashi already has his father's business skills, and if you take a stake in our bank, I will definitely persuade the board of directors to make you our director." ”

Lin Ruihuan immediately expressed his gratitude and praised the polite words of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's excellent style and great development prospects.

On the same day, Lin Zhichao also hosted a banquet for Henrik and his party at the Shangri-La Hotel, which can be described as a warm reception.

For Lin Zhichao, the management of Hutchison Whampoa is handed over to Ma Shimin, but as the boss, he still has to create a good environment.

Lin Zhichao and his second eldest son, Lin Ruihai, visited the construction site of 'Times Square' in Causeway Bay, which will be put into use in 1988.

Of course, Lin Zhichao's three lovers have already been in the surrounding online stores, and they each currently hold a lot of properties on Russell Street and the surrounding areas.

Times Square does not need to pay the land premium, which is simply a significant reduction in costs, and the construction cost is a total of 2 billion Hong Kong dollars. Once completed, it will provide a full 2.4 million square feet of commercial space.

According to Lin Zhichao's speculation, the rent in 1988 could be about 500 million Hong Kong dollars, which is quite nice! (In the previous life, it was completed in 1993, with a construction investment of 2.4 billion yuan and a rent of 900 million yuan in the first year).

During the inspection, Lin Ruihai did not forget to report to Lin Zhichao, he is now basically in charge of the Wharf Group, and Lin Zhichao, the chairman of the board of directors, rarely interferes.

Of course, in this way, it is also equivalent to Lin Zhichao's more eccentric, and the strength of the eldest son (prince) is too strong!

Fortunately, this separation has long been decided, there is nothing to talk about, and the sons have never expressed dissatisfaction, and they have already worked hard in their own posts in order to expect to be recognized by Lin Zhichao, the father.

"Father, the current hotel arm of the Wharf Group, Marco Borough International Hotel Group, is on the right track, taking over the management of Hong Kong World Hotels Group's three hotels in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Hotel, Marco Borough Hotel, Prince Hotel) and Marco Borough Hotel Singapore. I want to expand my investment in the hotel sector! Lin Ruihai said seriously.

He wholeheartedly approves of his father's 'child separation plan', but of course he also wants to lead the Wharf Group to a better development.

Lin Zhichao said: "Do you have any specific ideas on how you want to expand your investment in the hotel sector? ”

Lin Ruihai immediately said: "Increasing hotel investment in North America and Europe, mainly through the acquisition of hotel management groups, has a lower cost of light assets. ”

Lin Zhichao thought about it, the return rate of hotels in North America and Europe is very low, and Bao Yugang and Zheng Yutong have tried this kind of large-scale investment in their previous lives, but the final result is not satisfactory.

"Ruihai, the investment in the hotel industry in North America and Europe is very low, I am afraid that we can only earn interest, unless we have a large amount of cash flow in our hands, do not invest easily. That's why Shangri-La Hotels chose Japan over North America and Europe. ”

Lin Ruihai suddenly felt a little regretful and lost, but he didn't expect that the plan he planned was vetoed by his father. Of course, he believed in his father's vision, but he felt a little regretful.

"Father, Wharf Group now has this relatively abundant cash flow, and if it does not increase hotel investment, it can only choose Hong Kong real estate development or other investments in the future to develop a sustainable business. It's just that if you participate in real estate development, it will inevitably make people feel that our family is a bit too monopolistic. Because of this, I have been thinking about the future development direction of Wharf recently! ”

Lin Zhichao patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Later, we will go to the office to talk about it, I have some ideas!" ”

Lin Ruihai immediately said: "Well, father! ”

The acquisition of Wharf Group was some time earlier than Hutchison Whampoa, during which Lin Zhichao also made some 'financial and technical investments', which quickly allowed Wharf Group to get out of financial difficulties. Therefore, in recent years, the financial situation has been better, and Lin Ruihai can consider the importance of development, and Lin Zhichao is more pleased.

Lin Zhichao knew that Lin Ruihai had the intention of learning and competing with Lin Ruihuan, but it was obvious that Wharf Group could not become a comprehensive enterprise, at most it would become the king of commercial real estate.

But even in the field of commercial real estate, Cheung Kong Group may overtake him.

Lin Zhichao can't 'have a bowl of water', the eldest son is the eldest son, and the eldest son is the prince, that's for sure.

Back at the headquarters of the Wharf Group (Harbour City), Lin Zhichao sat in the office and Lin Ruihai stood beside him.

"Ruihai, the matter of dividing the enterprise, when you just gave birth, it was almost arranged, and your three mothers have no opinion!"

Lin Ruihai hurriedly said: "Father, did you misunderstand what I meant today, I want to express that I can also assist you to make the Wharf Group more sustainable." ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Well, I know, then don't talk about this!" ”

Lin Ruihai nodded and said, "Well, it's good that my father knows what I mean, my brothers and sisters have never been estranged because of this, everyone is a close brother." ”

Seven brothers, each in charge of a group!

The two sisters are also involved in the family business and participate in the affairs of the two groups!

Next, Lin Zhichao said: "The funds of the Wharf Group are still a little less, so you can immediately contact the Singapore Investment Department of the Overseas Trust and ask them to short the US dollar and yen futures for us, take out 200 million Hong Kong dollars to buy with 20 times leverage, and prepare another 200 million as margin." ”

At the moment, the USD/JPY exchange rate is 202, and this wave can fall at least below 160 points, and that was until September of this year.

If it goes well, this money can earn 1 billion Hong Kong dollars!

Lin Ruihai said steadily: "Father, is this investment a little risky, the yen has appreciated by 25%." ”

He knew that his father had already analyzed the appreciation of the yen and had already made a lot of profits.

Lin Zhichao smiled: "Listen to me! Of course, I don't allow you to invest in such risky financial products, and I'm right! ”

"Okay"

Most of the funds invested in Times Square are bank loans, and the lenders are Hang Lung Bank and Overseas Trust Bank.

At present, there is no Hong Kong banking law that explicitly stipulates 'no', otherwise the overseas trust and Hang Lung Bank would not have collapsed in the first place. However, for the sake of formalization, the Wharf Group loan is collateralized by the Times Square project, which is collateral.

Then, Lin Zhichao said: "There will be many opportunities for the subsequent development of Wharf Group, don't be in a hurry." After all, after the completion of Times Square, we will have to consider rebuilding the five high-end residential towers in Harbour City into five first-class commercial office towers. In Singapore, you can also identify opportunities to invest in the commercial complex on Orchard Road. In the future, if the mainland is reopened, Wharf Group can also enter the mainland to invest in commercial real estate. As for Europe and the United States, I'll have to study it later! ”

Lin Ruihai said: "Okay! ”

Lin Zhichao nodded, the development of the Wharf Group, he really has to think about it.

In fact, these group companies will usher in the world. But how to go out requires Lin Zhichao, a person with future memory, to make a decision, otherwise once the investment is wrong, it will be a missed opportunity.

In his previous life, Bao Yugang, Cheng Yutong, Lee Shau Kee, etc., all tried to invest overseas, but eventually found that the investment was not ideal, and they also returned to Hong Kong and the mainland one after another. The main thing they invest in is the hotel and real estate industry, which has no strength and skills, and can only guarantee that it will not lose money, but the yield may not be comparable to the income.

But Lin Zhichao is different, he knows the best time to buy the bottom, so he can save costs. He also knows that financial investment can be used to reduce costs.

In this way, he does not have to pay high interest and can collect rent with peace of mind. (End of chapter)