In Victoria Harbour, a cruise ship is slowly sailing on the sea, and tourists have picked up their cameras to take pictures of the scenery on both sides of the river.

"Wow, that building is beautiful!"

"Freedom Tower, it's the Freedom Tower of Hong Kong!"

"Yes, the richest man in the world works in that building!"

The dialogue between tourists and tour guides made more people full of envy and looked at the 'Changjiang Group Center'.

Of course, there are countless high-rise buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour, and the landmark buildings are not only the Cheung Kong Group Center Tower, but also the Bank of China Tower, Central Plaza, Victoria Harbour Center, Far East Financial Center Tower AB, and Shangri-La Hotel.

The world's metropolis, Asia's entertainment capital, Asia's financial center, and the comic capital. All kinds of accolades have spread all over the world, and Hong Kong's international status has greatly increased.

Hong Kong, where the lights are full of wine and wine, has become a paradise for the rich, with many dignitaries, tourists, entertainers and other people from all walks of life coming to Hong Kong every year.

As long as you have money, Hong Kong is the best paradise!

And the richest man in the world is also in Hong Kong!

Lin Zhichao has been the world's richest man for two consecutive terms, and this year (1995) still surpassed Bill Gates by 500 million US dollars, and was re-elected as the world's richest man with 13 billion US dollars. Of course, at present, Bill Gates has surpassed Lin Zhichao, and Lin Zhichao will not be given a 'chance' in the future!

As for the 'real richest man in the world', who can say clearly, who would have thought that Lin Zhichao's wealth is only about 1 percent.

Two Nissan presidential RVs drove into the underground garage of the Cheung Kong Group Center Building, and then Lin Zhichao stepped out of the car, took the group's exclusive elevator, and moved towards the top office.

"Lin Shengzao"

"Early"

The three young girls at the front desk bowed and greeted each other.

Hearing the boss's response, I suddenly felt light, and a spirit of struggle to climb up spontaneously emerged.

To be able to enter the current desk of the headquarters of Changshi Group, at least they are also graduates of famous universities, can speak Cantonese, Chinese, English and other languages, and their image is also very important, so they are also very good. As for the salary, they are at least more than 40,000 Hong Kong papers, far exceeding the level outside.

The salary of Hong Kong employees is 2~60,000 Hong Kong dollars (white-collar), and the college students who have just graduated are also more than 12,000 Hong Kong dollars, while the same talents in the mainland can only get about 500RMB/Hong Kong dollars (the exchange rate is about the same).

After passing through a landscape area, you can officially enter the office area on the top floor, which has only a few offices on this floor, which belongs to the core center of the group; Downstairs, there are exhibition halls, exhibition halls, banquet halls, etc.

Lin Zhichao walked into the office with a faint smile on his face, this is the country he has laid, and it is very stable and grand.

Drinking tea, reading newspapers, and looking at computers until someone reports to him, this is Lin Zhichao's current job; Or, go abroad to investigate, return to meet dignitaries, giant businessmen, friends.

"Dad, the bidding for the project of the Central Railway Station has begun, what do you think?" Lin Ruihuan came to the office and asked.

Lin Zhichao raised his head and said, "Who will be our biggest competitor?" ”

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "There are three local consortia in Hong Kong - Henderson, Sun Hung Kai, and Hongkong Land. The two companies of Henderson - Henderson and China Gas have a lot of cash flow; Sun Hung Kai is the second largest real estate company in Hong Kong; Hongkong Land wants to return to Hong Kong to make up for the regret of losing the Exchange Square back thenOf course, among these opponents, Sun Hung Kai and Henderson are expected to form a consortium to bid for tenders, after all, the total investment in this project is as high as more than 40 billion. ”

Lin Zhichao nodded, and then thought about it!

In 1993, through the distribution of high dividends and the revaluation of assets, the market value of Lee Shau Kee increased by more than 50 billion yuan in just three months, and soon became a big blue-chip star stock. The reason why he speculated on the stock price was to prepare for the next activities, and then quickly raised 9 billion Hong Kong dollars by spinning off Henderson China, raising funds and issuing overseas bonds, so as to replenish the company's cash reserves.

And Lee Shau-kee's China Gas was originally a cash cow, so his two companies together have a lot of cash flow; At the same time, coupled with a Sun Hung Kai, the strength of Cheung Kong Group does not dare to despise.

"Bring Henderson over, form a consortium with us, and have as many shares."

Lin Zhichao finally arranged so.

Lin Ruihuan nodded and said, "In this way, we can stabilize the supremacy of Central." ”

Neither father nor son thought about the question of Lee Shau Kee's refusal, although the two have fought over real estate development this year, but in the face of commercial interests, these are minor problems.

The other side.

Kwok Bingxiang came to the chairman's office of Henderson Land and visited Lee Shau-kee, the fourth uncle.

"Fourth uncle, regarding the upper cover of the Central Station of the Machine, we hope to cooperate with Henderson and join hands to enter Central."

Sun Hung Kai and Henderson, these two companies are equivalent to the same mother, and they all implement the same strategy - goods are like rotation. That is to say, it attaches great importance to the development of real estate (residential), and regards real estate as opening a factory - quickly recovering funds, quickly investing in the next project, regardless of whether the housing price is low or not at that time, as long as there is a profit, it will be released.

Of course, since the 80s, Sun Hung Kai has been focusing on 'rent-to-rent properties', building on the success of Sha Tin Town Plaza and then building shopping malls in major new towns.

On the contrary, Henderson, there is no commercial building worth mentioning, not even the headquarters building; On the contrary, Sun Hung Kai also invested in Sun Hung Kai Building in Wan Chai and The Royal Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui East in the 70s.

After hearing this, Lee Shau-kee's heart was full of waves, and as Henderson grew, he became more and more eager to invest in commercial buildings. Thinking about Lin Zhichao's rent collection, he doesn't do anything every year, and he earns more than their family estate, which is really a very cool thing.

Then, he said: "How to arrange the shares? ”

Guo Bingxiang said with a smile: "Fourth uncle, you are an elder, of course you can't suffer a loss by cooperating with you, I think so, we both have the same number of shares, both are major shareholders, almost 40~45% of the equity, and the remaining equity is reserved for suitable allies." ”

Lee Shau Kee breathed a sigh of relief, but he was afraid that this nephew would not understand the rules and could not see his current 'situation' clearly.

Then, he said: "Then who do you think is better to woo?" ”

Guo Bingxiang said: "Fourth uncle, how about you call the shots?" ”

Lee Shau Kee said with satisfaction: "Of course, I like Chinese-funded enterprises the most, so that I can avoid some troubles - the No. 9 container terminal back then is a lesson from the past!" ”

Guo Bingxiang's face turned red, but he didn't expect Li Shaoji to expose it directly!

In fact, it was also an unintentional mistake by Lee Shau Kee.

At the No. 9 container terminal that year, the Hong Kong government directly granted it to the joint consortium of Sun Hung Kai and Jardine Matheson, but he did not expect to be sniped by Lin Zhichao and mainland officials, and finally ended up with a 'countless' result, and until now it has not been decided to spend it with the family.

Kwok Bingxiang said: "The Hong Kong government's intention to reduce the monopoly of international container terminals remains unchanged, and Container Terminal 9 will definitely give priority to us. ”

Li Shau Kee smiled: "This is a good thing, I am happy to see this kind of thing, after all, the Lin family is indeed too monopolistic!" ”

Everyone has a good relationship in private, but when it comes to matters of interest, who is willing to be inferior.

Guo Bingxiang nodded, and then said: "Fourth uncle, our biggest opponent this time is Changshi, and Hongkong Land is actually not worried. Lam wants to consolidate his position in Central, so it must be imperative, so we have to think about it. ”

Lee Shau Kee said: "Okay, let's talk about it first, and then we will talk about other partners later." ”

After Kwok Bingxiang left satisfied, Lee Shau-kee's assistant walked into the office.

"Boss, Mr. Lin Zhichao asked you to have a meal and asked if you had time at night?"

Lee Shau Kee was stunned, Lin Zhichao asked himself through his assistant, what was such a formal invitation for?

He can't think of the relationship between the two families, after all, in this year's battle of residential sales, Cheung Kong has won, Lin Zhichao can't still say that he bullied the younger generation!

What's more, in business, these things do not affect personal relationships.

Unless, Cheung Kong wants to win over Henderson and join hands to bid for the Central Station.

Thinking like this, Lee Shau Kee said: "You reply for me, I will go to the appointment on time!" ”

"Okay"

Lee Shau Kee was a little apprehensive, and he was very happy to cooperate with Cheung Kong, because it represented a steady win; However, if the shares are too small, Henderson will become a supporting role, and he will be a little reluctant.

Unless, the two sides have the same amount of equity, he can 'defect', after all, the probability of winning is greater.

Three days later, Lin Zhichao taught Guo Bingxiang's three brothers a lesson, there are only interests in this world.

Cheung Kong, Henderson, China Gas, Bank of China and the Railway Company announced that they would form a consortium to bid for the Central Station of the Railway Group. Cheung Kong holds 45% of the shares, Henderson holds 30% of the shares, China Gas holds 15% of the shares, and Bank of China and Jitie Company each hold 5% of the shares.

The three brothers, Guo Bingxiang, Guo Bingjiang and Guo Binglian, held a meeting in Sun Hung Kai's office.

"Big brother, why did the fourth uncle suddenly join forces with Changshi, didn't he promise you to join forces that day?" Guo Bingjiang said. His tone was blaming, blaming the big brother for messing things up.

Guo Bingxiang said: "The fourth uncle did promise me to form a consortium, but I didn't expect to turn around and join forces with Changshi again. But this kind of thing is originally a verbal matchmaking, and before the last moment, who can guarantee that it will not defect! ”

Guo Binglian complained: "The fourth uncle is true, since he agreed verbally, he should keep his promise." ”

Guo Bingxiang said: "He formed a consortium with Cheung Kong, and he thinks the winning rate is greater!" And Cheung Kong attaches great importance to Central, so it will definitely go all out! ”

The implication is that even if it is a joint fourth uncle, it may not be in real power.

Cheung Kong Group, that is the real king of real estate!

"What now?"

"In uniting a few more consortiums, we just try our best, and if we don't succeed, we will focus more on other bids, especially Kowloon Station."

"Well, that's all there is to it!"

In the face of the powerful Changshi system, the three brothers were also a little helpless.

This feeling must be completely different from the previous life - the market value of Cheung Kong in the previous life was lower than that of Sun Hung Kai in the 90s.

Cheung Kong approached Henderson, undoubtedly because he felt that Henderson's cash flow was sufficient, and Sun Hung Kai was a threat. Now that the family is brought over, there is no threat.

Covering an area of approximately 4 hectares (360,000 sq ft/40,000 sq m), the project comprises three high-end commercial mixed-use office towers, one shopping mall, two hotels or hotel serviced apartment towers, with a total commercial floor area of 4.5 million square feet.

The Lin Zhichao family has the Victoria Harbour Center and Exchange Square in this area, and if the joint Henderson bid is successful, the hegemony of Hong Kong Central will no longer be challenged by no one and no land.

Of course, even if they don't win the bid, the Lin Zhichao family has the largest commercial building in Central, but there are still people in this area who can compare with it.

The total investment is expected to be 40 billion Hong Kong dollars, although the investment is huge, it can be carried out in stages, and the last part - the opening of the hotel is expected to be after 2004.

In addition, it is a joint venture investment, so it will not put pressure on the finances of Cheung Kong Group, even if it is a sole proprietorship, it will not be too much pressure; It's just that Lin Zhichao doesn't want to look too ugly!

Cheung Kong is the corporate overlord of Hong Kong, so every time an olive branch is thrown in the future, everyone will choose to cooperate.

Victoria Harbour Centre, Lam Chi Chiu Family Office.

Lin Zhichao and his seven sons are having a meeting to discuss family matters.

The wealth of the 'Lin Family Office' has grown from $500 million at the beginning to more than $10 billion today.

The members of the Lin family, as many as 45 people, have also increased their monthly living expenses to 1 million Hong Kong dollars, which is 550 million Hong Kong dollars a year, plus the operating expenses of the Lin family office, which is about 150 million Hong Kong dollars a year.

Therefore, the annual expenditure of the family office is more than 700 million Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to 100 million US dollars.

Of course, the wealth value of the family office can still maintain a stable rate of return of about 20%, so Lin Zhichao does not need to worry at all. Wait until 20 years later, the wealth of the family office will be at least more than 50 billion US dollars, and even if there are hundreds of members of the Lin family, there is no need to worry about spending 2 billion yuan a year.

"Our family has developed to this day, and we are quite stable, and we don't need to worry about wealth. Therefore, it is more important to pay attention to the education of future generations, so the third generation of members should continue to study, and I also hope that someone will get a doctorate, and I also hope that someone will choose to study law, finance, and science," Lin Zhichao sat at the top and looked at his seven sons and said.

The seven of them nodded their heads!

Lin Zhichao now has 25 grandchildren listed in the family tree, of which 19 are grandsons and 6 are granddaughters, and the eldest grandson, Lin Hongqian, is 20 years old this year, a senior at Harvard University, preparing to get two bachelor's degrees, and then join Cheung Kong.

Compared with other families, Lin Zhichao's sons are very competitive on personal issues, and the third generation inheritance is very perfect. Although Lin Ruicheng is still talking about a new girlfriend, he at least let the woman give birth to three sons for him, and the three children have the same sense of belonging to the Lin family.

In fact, Kwong Meiyun is now the daughter-in-law of the Lin family, and she will be called in many family activities. Of course, she is actually equivalent to being a widow, Lin Ruicheng is hot for her for three minutes, sometimes cold and sometimes hot, and she can still coax a woman.

And Lin Zhichao and his wife 'morally kidnapped' Kwong Meiyun, at least after her three sons worked, she could not contact other men. And Kwong Meiyun said that she just wants to guard her three sons to grow up and educate adults.

Then, Lin Zhichao said: "Okay, then you can communicate with each other next and see if there are any things or suggestions to make amends!" ”

The seven sons are all directors of the family office, and it is their responsibility to manage the family office.

Lin Ruidong said: "Dad, do you think my three sons will marry us Chinese girls in the future?" ”

In his bones, he recognizes the paternal bloodline.

Now, their family has gained a firm foothold in Europe and the United States, especially when he controls the success of Audrey's company, and indirectly controls many American media companies such as Disney and ABC Broadcasting.

And his children are only a quarter of Chinese blood, and they are already more Westernized!

Lin Zhichao smiled: "There's no need, let the children choose for themselves!" No matter how they are combined, they are all the heirs of the Lin family, even if it is a hundred or hundreds of years later, it is still the same! ”

Lin Ruidong nodded and said, "Well, they all know Chinese, they will learn Chinese culture and traditions, and they will recognize our family!" ”

Hepburn did not set up a family office in the end, but set up a 'trust fund', so Hepburn would not really have an idea - let the heirs carry forward the Hepburn family, not the Lin family.

Next, everyone spoke freely and was very united.

Unity is the foundation of a family!

Three months later (November), Cheung Kong Group, together with Henderson Land, China Gas, Bank of China and Railway Company, formed a consortium to win the development rights of the Central Station of China Railway Station, firmly standing in the name of "King of Central".

The Lam family is the 'big landowner' in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, and owns the most valuable properties in Hong Kong.

At the same time, starting from the fourth quarter of this year (1995), Hong Kong real estate began to adjust and began to enter an upward market; This is mainly due to the sharp reduction in the bank interest rate (prime rate of 6.5%), the consequent reduction in mortgage rates, and the strong economic performance of Hong Kong.

In particular, Hong Kong's cultural industry has been praised by many scholars and experts, and the Lin Zhichao family has been praised.

Hong Kong culture and Hong Kong comics have become an unstoppable industry, invading overseas. A 'mythical' group can hold 12 concerts in Japan in a row, mobilizing more than 600,000 people, and the Hong Kong culture has surpassed the original Hong Kong entertainment. (End of chapter)