Cheung Kong Group spent 8.02 billion Hong Kong dollars to acquire the former Tseung Kwan O Iron and Steel Plant site of Cheung Kong Industries. ’

"Sun Hung Kai, together with the Wong Teng Fong family, Sino Properties and Ryoden Company, won the 77,800 square feet of land in Wan Chai for HK$3.52 billion, and the unit price exceeded the old site of the Central District Fire Station in 1987, reaching HK$45,200 per square foot."

"Wharf Group has paid S$301 million (HK$1.65 billion) for a commercial plot on Orchard Road, Singapore"

In January 1989, the Hong Kong real estate business continued the lively scene of 1988 with several large-scale transactions. Last year, there were more than 100 property transactions of hundreds of millions of dollars in Hong Kong, with an overall premium of 4%.

Under such circumstances, Hong Kong businessmen are of course very optimistic about the economic situation in the new year, and their enthusiasm for investment is high.

Hutchison Building.

In the conference room, Ma Shimin reported: "Earlier this month, Hutchison Whampoa officially acquired the mobile phone business of the British Quadran Group, officially stepping into the first step of overseas telecommunications, and we will continue to acquire local paging companies in Australia, we have reached agreements with Queensland ellpage and South Australian Answerpa to acquire these two paging companies, and continue to look for acquisition targets."

Energy and telecommunications are not able to see returns in a short period of time, but Lin Zhichao still insists on investing, which is a long-term interest consideration.

"The telecommunications industry is changing rapidly and the investment is huge, so we need to be prepared to fight a protracted battle. ”

Last year, Hutchison Whampoa's profit also exceeded 3 billion Hong Kong dollars, which is not bad at all with the parent company Cheung Kong Group. Of course, Cheung Kong Group often has 'non-recurring profits', which is the reason why it is popular with shareholders. In fact, cashing out real estate in Japan is also classified as 'non-recurring profits'.

Ma Shimin nodded and said: "Energy and telecommunications are long-term investments, and everyone understands this. In terms of retail, there are currently 260 Watsons stores and 152 overseas stores; 175 PARKnSHOP supermarkets, more than 125 Wellcome, including 16 overseas; Mannings Pharmacy 56 rooms. We already have 441 retail stores."

And that's not even counting Fortress Electric, a subsidiary of HK Electric.

In fact, the Lam Chi Chiu family is the absolute hegemon of Hong Kong's retail industry, and it is impossible for citizens to leave the Lam family business every day.

From the time they wake up in the morning, there is a more than 20% chance of waking up from a residence developed by Cheung Kong Real Estate; The newspaper they buy has a more than 30% chance of buying the Oriental Daily; The breakfast they eat may come from 7~11 convenience stores and Parknshop supermarkets; The means of transportation they use to get to work may be the Star Ferry, the Hong Kong Tramway, and even if they drive, they have to pay a toll to the Hung Hom Tunnel built by the Lam family; When they go to work, it is very likely that they work in an office building built by Cheung Kong Group; Café de Coral, bread Xinyu that you may eat for lunch; Half of the electricity used at night is likely to be HK Electric

After listening to the work report, Lin Zhichao said to a foreigner management: "Johnson, Watsons should refer to the British Boots, which has greater potential and better products in the cosmetics field, so I hope you can set up a large R&D center in a month, and I will see the detailed plan." ”

Watsons was originally a leader in the field of cosmetics, but Lin Zhichao felt that it was not enough, after all, once the 'Hong Kong culture' became popular, Watsons' cosmetics were bound to become popular in Asia, and even to the whole world.

Johnson said: "Sir Lin, what are the specific criteria for the scale of this R&D center? ”

In fact, he wanted to say that the Hong Kong market is too small, and there is no need for investment to be too big.

However, due to Lin Zhichao's authority, they are also a tactful reminder.

Lin Zhichao saw that many people had such questions, so he said: "The prospect of Hong Kong's cosmetics industry has something to do with the development of my media group. One thing this group is doing is to promote the 'Hong Kong culture', such as the birth of satellite TV, so that more overseas people can understand Hong Kong's entertainment culture. Hong Kong's movie stars have a lot of influence in Asia, and Hong Kong has a reputation as the Hollywood of the East, and at the same time, the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong exceeded 15 million last year, nearly three times the local population. In short, the development potential of Watsons is not lower than that of British BOOTS, and even, we will consider acquiring BOOTS in the future, so this R&D center should invest as much money as possible, and I will participate in this work. ”

The high-level leaders of the conference room were surprised, and then their expressions fell into approval.

Let's ask, a tycoon who dares to invest $7 billion to build a 'new financial city' in London, such a bold boss, may not have the opportunity to buy BOOTS in the future.

Both BOOTS and Watsons are century-old enterprises, and Watsons has a history of decades earlier than Bozi!

Watsons also has a lot of R&D personnel, after all, many of its own products.

But this time, Lin Zhichao is positioned as a 'cosmetics giant' to develop, and with the influence of 'Hong Kong culture', as long as there are enough excellent products, it can be completely realized.

Jossen then said, "I understand! ”

With an annual turnover of HK$7 billion, A.S. Watson is a proper large-scale retail group, so its CEO is also among the top executives of Hutchison Whampoa.

Lin Zhichao nodded with satisfaction, and when this large-scale R&D center was on the right track, Lin Zhichao took out a piece of product 'cushion foundation' to gain popularity in the global cosmetics field in one fell swoop.

In the future, let the 'Hong Kong Stream Star' endorse it, and it will be a proper bonus.

"How is the cooperation with P&G in the mainland?" Lin Zhichao asked Qiao Sen again.

"A joint venture has been established with a local company in Yangcheng, and it is progressing relatively smoothly," Qiao Sen patiently reported.

Last year, Procter & Gamble wanted to enter China and took a fancy to Lin Zhichao's political and business network in the mainland, so he came to seek cooperation.

Of course, Lin Zhichao readily agreed, after all, this is a promising industry, and there are too many brands of Procter & Gamble, and entering the mainland is simply holding an artifact. As a result, Hutchison Whampoa and Procter & Gamble set up a 'joint venture' in mainland China, Procter & Gamble-Hutchison, and Hutchison Whampoa held 32% of the shares.

After listening to the report, Lin Zhichao said: "I will also personally participate in the development of the retail industry in the mainland, but you must investigate the local laws, regulations, conditions, etc. ”

“OK”

Lin Zhichao is still a little busy, such as high-ranking officials and nobles in the mainland, who almost have to look at his face to take care of his companies; Because of this, Lin Zhichao went to the mainland more often.

Of course, starting in the 90s, the mainland will indeed be a focus of Lin Zhichao's investment.

Finally, Lin Zhichao said: "The real estate invested by Hutchison in Japan will be sold this year, and the real estate bubble in Japan is too big. ”

Ma Shimin said seriously: "Good expectations, about 1.6 billion US dollars will be withdrawn here, and Hutchison Whampoa's cash flow is very sufficient!" ”

Unlike in his previous life, Husky was subscribed for 43% by Hutchison Whampoa, while in his previous life it was subscribed by United Hong Kong Electric. Watsons also began to develop in Southeast Asia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea a few years in advance.

But at the same time, Hutchison Whampoa also has much more business conditions and non-recurring profits than in the previous life. Therefore, the current situation is that Hutchison Whampoa's capital investment channels cannot keep up with the speed of making money at present.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "With money in our hands, we can choose investment projects with ease!" ”

Everyone laughed!

Although Hutchison Whampoa's current overseas investment situation is considered 'poor', and only Japan is performing well, to put it bluntly, it is the real estate industry that the boss is good at.

However, everyone's enthusiasm for overseas investment has not faded. After all, it is impossible to become a world-class enterprise trapped in Hong Kong.

At the end of January, the Hong Kong government took advantage of the climax of the bidding for the 'Wan Chai Land King' and revealed that it would conduct a tender for the 'Land King' on Garden Road in Central in May, which would be announced in July.

When the news came out, it immediately attracted attention.

With an area of 92,000 square feet, this piece of land is already the last valuable piece of land in Central, Hong Kong (everyone thinks so, there should be a subway station in the future).

The chief land superintendent of the Hong Kong government, Shi Gewei, advertised in the media that the value of this land is about 5 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Subsequently, some analysts predicted that the value of this land would reach 6 billion Hong Kong dollars, which would set a new record for the Exchange Square that year.

Cheung Kong Group.

Lin Zhichao sat in his office, watching the reports in the media.

He suddenly felt that Cheung Kong Group also needed this piece of land, and if the bid was made to build a 'Hengfeng Bank Plaza (two buildings)', it would undoubtedly help Hengfeng Bank enhance its influence.

It is best to let Changshi Group and Hengfeng Bank carry out cooperative investment, and the five-fifty sharing model is the best. Because banks are generally not directly involved in property management, Cheung Kong Group has a natural advantage.

As for the 'experts' in the media, it is said that it will cost more than 5 billion Hong Kong dollars, which is simply a joke.

Soon, Hong Kong's real estate and stock markets will usher in a plunge (about 30%), and the tide of immigration will be even more turbulent.

Therefore, for this piece of land, Lin Zhichao thinks that 3 billion Hong Kong dollars can win the bid!

Of course, the specific situation depends on the market situation in May and June, but Lin Zhichao feels that this piece of land should not be able to run.

"Dad, 7-Eleven's parent company, American Southern, failed to diversify in 1987 and was on the verge of bankruptcy at this time, and I wanted to see if I could buy it!" Lin Ruihuan walked in and reported.

After thinking about it, Lin Zhichao said: "Go to inspect with Nissin Company, don't hurt the harmony." ”

Lin Ruihuan immediately understood and said, "Well, I'll arrange it." And just pay attention first, after all, even if they intervene when they file for bankruptcy, it may be more dominant. ”

Japan's 7-Eleven convenience store management rights are in the hands of Nissin Company, and Lin Zhichao's family holds 50% of Nissin's shares (not involved in the operation); But the friendship between Lin Zhichao and Momofuku Ando has always been very good.

Based on this, Lin Zhichao doesn't want to hurt the feelings of the two families because of this kind of thing, after all, 'harmony can survive'. The best places for 7-Eleven convenience stores are the two major markets of Japan and the mainland. As for other countries, they basically enter in cooperation with local companies.

Subsequently, Lin Zhichao said: "Garden Dao King, I plan to bid in the name of Cheung Kong and Hengfeng Bank!" ”

Lin Ruihuan said: "Dad is going to choose another headquarters building in the future of Hengfeng? ”

In 1987, Octopus Financial Group acquired the 22,700-square-foot site of the Central Fire Station for HK$880 million, and built a first-class Grade A office building that would open in 1990.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It just so happens that the place has not been named, if Garden Road wins the bid, we will build the 'Hengfeng Bank Center', the building on the former site of the Fire Department, it will be called Hengxin Building!" ”

Lin Ruihuan nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do my homework on the Hengfeng Bank Center later, and I will definitely build a building comparable to the HSBC Building and the Bank of China Building." ”

Lin Zhichao nodded, he also has a new idea recently, that is, for the development of Hengfeng Bank, in the future, he can also consider listing the commercial bank part to improve its influence. Of course, the premise is that the investment banking business will be spun off.

What he hopes is to acquire an old investment bank as the investment bank of the Lin family in the future, and merge the investment business of Hengfeng Bank with it.

The so-called investment bank, in addition to having direct investment channels for various financial products, is more important than the amount of funds under management.

For example, the later Rothschild family bank is actually an investment bank, not a commercial bank, with $100 billion in assets under management.

The Spring Festival is coming.

This Spring Festival, all the members of the third room returned to Hong Kong to celebrate the Spring Festival with everyone.

Although 79 Deep Water Bay is a bit old, as the 'Land of Dragon Prosperity', family members naturally gather here. Of course, the three bedrooms have their own garden-style villas, which are also very convenient to live in.

An eighty-one-year-old lady, three wives, seven sons, seven daughters-in-law, and twenty-two grandchildren instantly bustled 79 Deep Water Bay with excitement.

Among them, although Kwong Meiyun did not marry Lin Ruicheng, because of the support of Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiying, she now joins the Lin family tree with her three sons.

And Kwong Meiyun felt the 'kindness' of Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiying, and also decided not to marry for life and raise her three sons to grow up. In fact, it was the 'moral kidnapping' of Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiying that made Kwong Meiyun become Lin Ruicheng's 'wife' in the way of 'not marrying'.

Lin Ruicheng can wave outside, but he must take care of the four of Kuang Meiyun's mother and son, which is the order of Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiying. After all, now that Kwong Meiyun agrees with this model, what qualifications does he have to choose.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, all the members of the Lin family gathered at No. 79 Deep Water Bay, so the bodyguards outside were layer after layer.

"Let's take pictures!" Lin Zhichao called the family members to the lawn, ready to take this year's family photo.

Soon, everyone came to the lawn with smiles on their faces.

Children are either seated, squatted in the front row, or held by their parents; In the middle is 81-year-old Wu Wenying, Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiyun sit on either side of her, and on the outside are Tang Caiying and Audrey Hepburn; On either side of them, there were also older children.

Seven couples in the back, holding their children, stood in the back.

The housekeeper, who had studied photography with Lin Zhichao, shouted excitedly: "Young masters, please smile. Okay."

The maid on the side was also very excited, and being able to serve such a big family was simply climbing to the pinnacle of life.

The fact is that people who can serve the Lam family for more than five years are definitely homeowners in Hong Kong. Lin Zhichao himself has always taken care of the lives of the people around him personally, and it feels like taking care of each other.

“OK”

A large number of people is lively, and the important thing is the unity of the Lin family, which is definitely incomparable to the Rockefeller family. Lin Zhichao influenced his wife and son; The wife influences the son and daughter-in-law; The son influences his wife and children; The daughter-in-law affects the children again.

Through this kind of thought, the third generation is believed to maintain absolute harmony after adulthood.

The fourth and fifth generations gradually formed a kind of 'tradition' and 'faith'.

Of the 70 adult males of the Rockefeller family, 68 of them can unite to deal with Chase, which is a good pinnacle.

(End of chapter)