Harbour City, the headquarters of the Wharf Group.

Lin Ruihai reported to his father: "At present, we have entered the local real estate market in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Thailand, and won a 'Times Square' commercial project respectively, and at the same time made other investments in commercial real estate. In Singapore, we already have a 78% stake in the Marco Boblo Hotel in Singapore, and the full acquisition has been completed, although it was not successful, but it has significantly increased our shareholding. At the same time, the total value of the Paragon Tower and the later site has doubled, and the potential for appreciation is huge."

Lin Zhichao listened carefully and was very satisfied with Lin Ruihai's work. He has rarely interfered in the affairs of the Wharf Group, and only talked to Lin Ruihai about the general trend, so now Lin Ruihai has played a leading role in the development of the Wharf Group.

"Times Square is going to attract investment, and according to the current market, the annual rent can reach more than 500 million Hong Kong dollars. So, what is the cash flow situation of Wharf Group? ”

Lin Ruihai thought for a moment and said, "Father, I want to sell the Paragon Building and the land behind it for S$700 million!" ”

Lin Zhichao did not doubt Lin Ruihai's price problem, after all, in the project after the merger, the price increased exponentially.

You know, the later Paragon Mall is a landmark building in Singapore. Therefore, its land has great potential.

But Lin Zhichao said curiously: "Could it be that you have a big eye on bigger projects, so Wharf Group lacks funds?" ”

The Wharf Group is also a large-scale listed company with an annual profit of 1 billion Hong Kong dollars, and it is generally not short of money.

Lin Ruihai said seriously: "Father, that's the case. We do one project after another, with a long payback period and a huge investment. If the capital market is used, the results are immediate, and the returns are huge. You're a master at this, so you don't think I'm wrong! ”

Lin Zhichao smiled: "But I won't say that you are all right!" You know, the capital market does have fast returns and big returns, but have you heard of how many established companies mainly rely on acquisitions, and I think most of them rely on management. Acquisitions can only be used as an auxiliary role, and do not think that the capital market is the foundation of the enterprise. ”

He doesn't deny it, but he doesn't affirm it either. If he is a new generation of chaebols, he will definitely grow up rapidly in this way, but he is now an old chaebol, so he naturally relies on business to pile up.

Lin Ruihai said: "Father is right! But our development in Singapore can be done with the help of the capital market. It's like taking over the Marco Borough Hotel in Singapore, you made me wait, and now we've acquired 78% of the shares, and the price is not much."

Lin Zhichao said: "Just say what you are selling!" ”

Lin Ruihai said: "I found a very good company in Singapore, this company is called 'Singapore Land', he is the largest commercial real estate company in Singapore, and more importantly, this company gives people the opportunity to 'take advantage of', his founder Tao Xinbo is over 70 years old this year, only holds 21% of the equity, and there is no strong family successor, belongs to the kind of public listed company with little hope of family inheritance, so I was thinking recently, if the Wharf Group will Paragon project, Selling to Cheung Kong or other companies would amount to a net profit of S$300 million (HK$1.6 billion). At the same time, I went to acquire Singapore Land, which gave Wharf Group a controlling stake in Singapore's largest commercial real estate company. ”

Lin Zhichao didn't expect Lin Ruihai to be so 'radical'.

I couldn't see it before, after all, he was not in power at that time, but now Lin Zhichao has given him power, which has nurtured his ambition.

Lin Zhichao thought about whether he should support his son's 'radical' means. As an experienced person, he knows that in the financial market, what seems to be a 'guide' is actually a 'castle in the sky'. How many asset market trendsetters, the final outcome is not good, even if they retreat, they will leave their own enterprises.

As for the 'hostile takeover' of Singapore Land, it is not a big deal in itself, and the Li family in Singapore will not interfere.

"Are you familiar with Singapore's capital markets? Do you know the shareholding distribution of Singapore Land? You must know that others have 21% of the shares, and they are old Singapore chaebols, so they are not easy to surrender! ”

Lin Zhichao still decided to 'let go', as long as his son is not principled and has a particularly big mistake, he should not restrict their play.

Lin Ruihai said confidently: "In the past few years, I have made a lot of friends in Singapore, not to mention that Tao Xinbo is old!" ”

Lin Zhichao scolded with a smile: "Stinky boy, who doesn't have an old age, I don't like to hear this when you say this!" But since you think this acquisition is profitable, I won't stop you, and you don't have to sell the Paragon project and arrange for Wharf Group to take out a loan from the bank! ”

The asset value of Singapore Land is about S$3 billion, which is about HK$16 billion.

The asset value of the Wharf Group is about 30 billion Hong Kong dollars (the market value is only 18 billion Hong Kong dollars).

Lin Zhichao doesn't like rights issues to raise funds, mainly because he doesn't want to 'cut leeks' and doesn't want to dilute his equity.

But don't forget, Lin Zhichao owns two banks, and Harbour Investment has a lot of cash flow, so lending to Wharf Group can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

Lin Ruihai was overjoyed: "Thank you dad for your support, I promise to save costs and strive for this acquisition at the lowest cost." ”

Lin Zhichao said with satisfaction: "It's good that you know, it's to strive for the completion of the acquisition, rather than with the determination of 'must buy', otherwise it will not be cost-effective." The Paragon project, which will be rebuilt in ten years, is also of great value, and it must be a landmark building on Orchard Road. ”

"Well, I understand!"

It's spring again (1988).

Singapore.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is hosting a banquet hosted by Mr. Lee on behalf of the Singapore government to host Hong Kong's wealthy. Among these billionaires are Lin Zhichao, Cheng Yutong, Lee Shau Kee, Run Run Shaw, Cao Wenjin, Zhou Wenxuan and others.

This time, it is Hong Kong tycoons who formed 'Suntec City Developments Limited' to bid for the development rights of the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center for S$208 million, with a land area of 11.69 hectares, planning to build Asia's largest convention and exhibition center, including a convention and exhibition center with an area of more than 100 square feet, an 18-storey and four 45-storey office buildings, and a large shopping mall, with a total investment of 4.8 billion Hong Kong dollars.

The whole project is expected to be completed in 1999, and after completion, it will account for about 15%~18% of Singapore's office buildings of the same level (Grade A first-class), becoming Singapore's 'city within a city'.

In this combined company, Lin Zhichao, Zheng Yutong, Lee Shau Kee, Run Run Shaw and Cao Wenjin each hold 16% of the shares, Zhou Wenxuan holds 7% of the shares, and the rest are owned by other shareholders. This project is not led by Lin Zhichao, but by Cao Wenjin, so the chairman is also Cao Wenjin.

Lawyer Li raised his wine glass, came to Lin Zhichao's side, and said, "Mr. Lin, you have been active on the world business stage recently!" ”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Lawyer Li, you have won the award!" It's all real estate projects, and they don't add something creative to this world, so it's not worth mentioning! ”

Lawyer Li was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Of course, we can't say that, real estate provides office space, promotes commodity circulation, and drives local employment, which is an industry that every government needs to pay attention to." What's more, you're not just a real estate developer, but a diversified business giant! ”

The people around him smiled and nodded, and they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts, this lawyer Li's evaluation of Lin Zhichao can be described as quite high.

Of course, Lin Zhichao is just a 'joke', he and Lawyer Li have a very good relationship, as early as the 50s, they have been acquaintances and have cooperated. He made this 'joke' because he remembered Lawyer Li's remarks about Li Jiacheng's evaluation of Li Jiacheng on the Internet in his previous life.

In fact, it is an Internet rumor, and lawyer Li has said at most that 'most of Li Jiacheng's industries are monopolistic industries'; from Mr. Li's point of view, there is no problem, but from the perspective of businessmen, who doesn't want to monopolize, even if it is a technology giant like Microsoft, why not want to monopolize? Of course, in the previous life, the relationship between Lawyer Li and Li Jiacheng was also good, and it was a friend relationship.

Lin Zhichao said: "Thank you Lawyer Li for your affirmation, I am really happy that you said this." ”

Similarly, Lawyer Li is also a person that Lin Zhichao admires!

That evening, everyone had a great time.

Next.

Suntec Urban Development Co., Ltd. was officially established, and the major tycoons and executives took pictures.

Cao Wenjin is the initiator, and Run Run Shaw is the older generation, so the two sit in the middle.

Lin Zhichao sat second on the right, and Zheng Yutong was first on the right; The first on the left is Zhou Wenxuan, and the second on the left is Lee Shau Kee.

In the back, there stood other shareholders and some executives.

Because Lin Zhichao is too young, even if he dresses up a little older, that is, a 40-year-old elegant and elegant person, he is incompatible with this group of old men. What's more important is 'temperament', he is really the most eye-catching person in the crowd.

"OK" part-time photographer is satisfied with the end of the job.

Subsequently, several rich people chatted.

Cao Wenjin praised: "Mr. Li is a very pragmatic person, he told me that as long as there is a reasonable demand for this project, he will immediately solve it for us." From this, it can be seen that without him, Singapore would not be prosperous and stable today. ”

People who have interacted with Lawyer Li are indeed full of praise for him, even Lin Zhichao thinks that Lawyer Li is a person with a very layered conversation, and many places are worthy of his praise.

Therefore, Lin Zhichao also has a natural good impression of Singapore, and this will be his second base camp in the future.

At this time, Zhou Wenxuan asked: "Lin Sheng, Singapore's economy has also risen now, do you think the future prospect is better for Singapore or Hong Kong?" ”

At this time, of course, Singapore cannot be compared with Hong Kong. In 1986, Hong Kong's per capita income and GDP have equaled those of the United Kingdom, and now it has surpassed the United Kingdom, after all, Hong Kong is now growing at a rate of 10% per year.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "If the current situation develops, Singapore may surpass Hong Kong in 20 years, after all, Singapore is a country, and they will pay attention to the development of science and technology." Of course, if Hong Kong can also attach importance to the development of science and technology, there is still hope. ”

Everyone thinks to themselves, who in Hong Kong will invest in the technology industry, except for you, a big chaebol.

However, how much can a consortium achieve by investing in the technology industry, so everyone is not very optimistic.

Of course, everyone still complimented Lin Zhichao a few words.

In fact, in his heart, Lin Zhichao has decided that in his lifetime, he will change the pattern of Hong Kong, and strive to make per capita GDP not surpass Singapore in 2020.

To put it bluntly, Hong Kong is a city with a population of several hundred, and he doesn't believe that he can't bring it.

The cultural industry has done well, driving Hong Kong's GDP to increase by 20%;

The development of the technology industry has led to a 10% increase in Hong Kong's GDP.

The cultural industry is not only a cultural industry, but also a local tourism industry, retail industry, etc., so it may be easy to drive a city with a population of several million. (End of chapter)