Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it is 1987.

February 12 (Thursday), Lantern Festival.

On this day, Cheung Kong Group held its annual earnings conference, which was highly sought after by the media at home and abroad in Hong Kong, and the release site was crowded.

As the most valuable company in Hong Kong, Cheung Kong Group can barely rank in the top five in terms of profit, because many investments are long-term investments, and the assets with book growth cannot be directly reflected in the financial report.

But this year's financial report must be very good-looking!

At the press conference, reporters pointed guns and cannons at the rostrum, and some noisy voices filled the venue.

When Lin Zhichao walked into the venue with Lin Ruihuan, Mai Lisi, Huo Jianning and other high-level executives, the reporters were suddenly full of energy and greeted Lin Zhichao one after another!

"Lin Shengzao"

"Lin Shengzao"

The greetings were greeted one after another, with English and a tone of admiration and admiration.

Lin Zhichao smiled and waved to everyone, and said in his mouth: "Early, everyone came so early!" ”

Everyone laughed!

Why is the annual press conference of Cheung Kong Group the most anticipated?

First, all the news of Lin Zhichao is the favorite reading of Hong Kong citizens and overseas Chinese.

Second, although Cheung Kong Group's profits are generally 'normal', they occasionally make HSBC embarrassed, such as the 1981 financial report, which was more than three times that of HSBC that year (non-recurring profit).

Thirdly, Cheung Kong Group is the most enterprising enterprise, and there are always new investment moves every year, which is highly anticipated.

Subsequently.

Huo Jianning, the 'managing director' and deputy general manager of Cheung Kong Group, made an annual financial report.

"Cheung Kong Group's profit last year was a total of 11.2 billion Hong Kong dollars, of which non-recurring profit was 9.4 billion Hong Kong dollars and normal profit was 1.8 billion Hong Kong dollars. In view of the excellent performance, Cheung Kong Group decided to pay a dividend of HK$0.31 per share, involving HK$410 million.

The scene was already dumbfounded, if you understand the rules of the press conference, I'm afraid you can't help but ask questions immediately!

"Cheung Kong Group's non-recurring profit mainly comes from an investment in oil futures, which is purely an occasional investment event, and Cheung Kong Group's hope for the future is more about pinning on a number of large-scale commercial investments in Hong Kong, Japanese commercial real estate investment, and the next search for better real estate breakthroughs."

Huo Jianning is the first time to be a financial spokesman this year, and he has always been the job of the old minister Zhou Fuzhao, but now Huo Jianning has become the finance minister of the Cheung Kong department, and he is only 35 years old this year.

If it weren't for Japan's experience, Huo Jianning would not have reached this height, after all, he is now in charge of the entire financial system of Cheung Kong, including Hutchison, HK Electric and other descendant companies.

His financial and technical arrangements in Japan allowed Dongtian to invest only $1 billion, and finally supported an investment of $4 billion, and there was no default on the bank's side. Of course, he is also under the analysis of Lin Zhichao's general trend, otherwise once the yen does not appreciate, the real estate does not appreciate, no matter how good the financial and technical arrangements, they will eventually collapse, just like the former Jianing Group (if it is not for the Sino-British negotiations, the Jianing Group will most likely succeed, of course, it will collapse again in the future, this is a person's character determines a person's fate).

Scene.

After the financial report is completed, the next step will soon enter the stage of reporters' questions, which is Lin Zhichao's work.

Although reporters were allowed to ask questions freely to the people at the podium, it was clear that all reporters were keen to ask questions with Lin Zhichao.

A reporter from the Hong Kong Economic Journal: "Lin Sheng, what is the specific situation of that non-recurring profit?" Can you tell us a little bit about that? ”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "I won't pay out of my own pocket to subsidize the company, so you can rest assured!" ”

The scene burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became relaxed.

Then, Lin Zhichao added: "This is a crude oil futures investment, originally we did not invest that much, at that time our team analyzed the price of crude oil, it will fall with the possibility of OPEC increasing production, so we invested some of the funds from the London Investment Department." However, because of the sudden surge in crude oil, we had to cover our positions and avoid liquidation, and finally supported the OPEC ministerial meeting, and fortunately we finally made a decent profit. ”

Hong Kong Economic Journal: "In other words, Cheung Kong Group's investment has gone from a futures price of $30 per barrel to a futures price of more than $10 per barrel. ”

Lin Zhichao said: "That's probably the case! ”

There was an uproar at the scene, this level of investment is too high!

Of course, there are many details in this, such as why Bren crude oil rose sharply against the market in advance, why Cheung Kong Group dared to increase funds, etc., but it is obvious that Lin Zhichao will not answer these questions.

Next, there are reporters who are 'looking for trouble'.

Overseas media: "Mr. Lin, Cheung Kong Group has a large amount of investment in Japan and the United Kingdom, is it worried about 97?" ”

Lin Zhichao: "If I say that Hong Kong is too small and cannot find investment in large-scale projects for the time being, I believe many of you will think that we are arrogant. But, that's just the way it is! He added, "If the real estate environment in the mainland is mature, I will also invest in the mainland." ”

The reporters were immediately convinced, and the scene burst into applause.

This is not Lin Zhichao bragging, just look at the current size of Cheung Kong Group, sitting on a large number of land reserves in Hong Kong, is one of the largest real estate developers in Hong Kong, has a huge commercial real estate portfolio, and diversified development.

Next.

Reporter: "Can Lin Sheng tell us about Cheung Kong Group's investment in Japan and how it is progressing?" ”

"We have been very successful in our business projects in Japan, and we have been very happy with several allies (Harbour Investment, Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Momofuku Ando, etc., as well as Japanese financial companies), and the rate of return has been higher than that of Hong Kong investment due to the appreciation of the yen. In terms of specific projects, I have planned 5 Raffles City Plazas and 5 comprehensive commercial buildings, and I am impressed with my colleagues! ”

He didn't talk about it, and he also bought a lot of properties, otherwise it would be a shock.

Dongtian Investment Development has invested $4 billion ($1 billion principal and the rest of the loans), including $1 billion from allies in Japan and Hong Kong, for a total investment of $5 billion.

Of course, this $5 billion is actually worth $10 billion, and just the appreciation of the yen is already this value-added. Lin predicts that by 1989, the properties would be worth as much as $25 billion.

Compared with Japan's investment of 5 billion US dollars in Hong Kong in 1986~1989 in the previous life, it has been twice (calculated by the amount of investment).

The reporters were already amazed at the power of this investment just by listening to the brief description of the Japanese investment!

Cheung Kong Group's investment in Japan began two years before the Plaza Accord, so the appreciation of the yen alone is equivalent to nearly doubling the profit. At the same time, what is also powerful is that Lin Zhichao can also invest smoothly in Japan, attracting cooperation with Japanese real estate developers and relations with the Japanese financial community.

Of course, everyone knows that Lin Zhichao was in the shipping business in Japan in his early years, and he met many Japanese celebrities, so now there are many conveniences for investing in real estate.

At last.

Reporter: "Mr. Lin, can you tell us about the London Investment Department?" ”

Lin Zhichao: "London investment is currently limited to financial investment, and the wave of privatization in the UK over the years has made the return of the British stock market close to that of the United States, so we have also made a lot of profits over the years." ”

He didn't answer more, and soon he would go to London for a third meeting with Thatcher – to discuss investments in Canary Wharf.

Following.

The stock of Cheung Kong Group immediately soared by 10%, approaching the 50 billion mark, and Lin Zhichao was immediately crowned with the title of 'stock god'.

Hong Kong business people were stunned, this has made nearly 10 billion Hong Kong dollars in crude oil futures, what a means!

The citizens were talking.

"I understand, if you buy stocks in the future, you will buy Cheung Kong system, which is more insurance than buying HSBC!"

"That's right, as long as Mr. Lin Zhichao's companies are owned by Mr. Lin Zhichao, the stock will not rise sharply!"

In the following period, Hutchison Whampoa announced a profit of 2.12 billion last year, and HK Electric announced a profit of 1.58 billion last year.

The Cheung Kong system has entered a bumper harvest period!

The Wharf Group also performed very well, with a profit of more than $1.6 billion, including a non-recurring profit of $600 million (foreign exchange).

For a time, Lin Zhichao's reputation reached its peak.

London.

Lin Zhichao met with Thatcher again to discuss the Canary Wharf issue.

In October last year, the Thatcher government implemented the 'financial explosion', presumably to open up the financial markets more in order to compete with Wall Street. For example, a foreign securities firm can obtain a brokerage license in London, allowing foreign consortiums to acquire and hold UK listed companies

In fact, since 1983, the London government has been planning the 'financial explosion', during which local financial companies have been given three years to prepare for the onslaught of external financial companies.

Opening up does not mean that foreign capital suppresses local enterprises, but that local enterprises can grow more healthily and that more capital flows into open places. In short, the pros outweigh the disadvantages, the words of many are better than the words of one, and it is better to be happy alone than to be happy with all.

Lin Zhichao knew that the Thatcher government wanted to transform the British economy and increase the financial services industry; In this way, the Canary Wharf project is a very important part, and it is equivalent to a great achievement of the Thatcher government.

Now, the companies that were planning to develop have announced their withdrawal in January, and Canary Wharf has become 'ownerless'.

Meeting site.

Thatcher and government officials received Lin Zhichao, Lin Ruihuan, and Mai Lisi.

"Mr. Lin, our government attaches great importance to this project, and I personally believe that you are a very powerful businessman. But what we need now is a clear investment goal! Thatcher looked at Lin Zhichao eagerly.

She is very interested in this project, after all, London needs this project to become the 'Wall Street' of Europe, but now the huge investment is intimidating many investors.

Only Lin Zhichao, she is the most trusted! After knowing each other for so many years, she understands that there is nothing that Lin Zhichao can't do, she knows a lot about Lin Zhichao, and knows that this man is unfathomable, for example, this man's lover is Audrey Hepburn, that is, her good friend, and now Audrey Hepburn has grown into a big American chaebol, and there is the result of this man's promotion.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "I have been studying this project for more than a year, and I personally believe that in order to be successful, investors need to invest no less than 7 billion US dollars; Secondly, the London government must guarantee three public transport lines: DLR station on the light rail, Jubilee tube station, and Elizabeth tube station. ”

If there is no transportation, who will come to work with you?

Thatcher said: "It's going to require a lot of government spending, and I think $7 billion is there a lot of help for that, right?" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Not bad! Developers can provide assistance for public transport, such as the DLR station on the light rail, but will need the support of the London government, particularly Jubilee Underground Station. ”

Jubilee Underground Line, another new Tube line named in 1979 in honour of Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee, is one of London's main Underground lines.

The whole project is tax-free, and you don't have to pay a penny, and this tax money is picked up to help public transportation.

Of course, Lin Zhichao can't come up with $8 billion to do this right away, and he is not sick in his brain. However, Cheung Kong Group has already earned more than $1.6 billion in the London financial market, which is fully enough to start up.

Lin Zhichao's idea was to form Canary Wharf Group and inject the London Investment Department of Cheung Kong Group into it. Canary Wharf Group has continued to invest in UK financial products and has sought the support of a large syndicate.

In this way, even if it is an investment of 10 billion US dollars, Lin Zhichao may only pay 100 million US dollars in the end. It was in the early 80s that Cheung Kong Group took $100 million to set up the London Investment Department.

Of course, Lin Zhichao is not so stupid, he will complete all the commercial projects of this project at one time, and he plans to develop them in stages. The Jubilee metro station is not built with investment, and he will not invest too much.

It's up to you to see who can afford whom!

This project is like a 'face project' in the UK, and if the government sees that the 'project is not finished', it will have a great impact on the credibility of the government and the development of the whole of London.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao is not worried about being put on the table in the future.

Thatcher said happily: "Of course, without good transportation, there is no way to develop a new financial city, and our government will fully support this project." ”

She is supportive, and if she can stay in power like Merkel in her previous life, the project can be completed in real time soon. It's a pity that her tenure is only three years, so Lin Zhichao is still on guard in his heart.

Next, the two sides had a friendly exchange and almost reached a willingness to cooperate.

A week later.

Cheung Kong Group, a consortium from Hong Kong, has reached an agreement with the British government for the development of Canary Wharf.

The two parties agreed to form the 'Canary Wharf Group' to develop the 1.26 square kilometres of land (11 million sq ft, equivalent to five Taikoo Shing in Hong Kong, and the entire Canary Wharf is 22 sq km) by Cheung Kong Group.

There is no specific content in the agreement, after all, it will be finalized according to the follow-up plan, but it also reveals the development plan and direction of the project.

For a time, this news attracted the attention of the world media! (End of chapter)