Autumn 2002.

On the lawn of 79 Deep Water Bay.

"Give Yongxi to his ancestor and hug it, let's shoot a five-generation family!" Lin Zhichao commanded the scene and said happily.

At this time, Wu Wenying was 94 years old (1908), Lin Zhichao was also 74 years old, Lin Ruihuan was 53 years old, Lin Hongqian was 27 years old, and Lin Yongxi, the fourth generation of the Lin family, was just born less than a month.

It happened that the weather was good, and the Lin family hurriedly invited the 'old ancestor' and the 'little baby' to come out and take a picture of the five generations in the same house.

Last year, Lin Zhichao's father-in-law passed away, which made Lin Zhichao doubly sad, Tang Zhongyuan was a father and a friend to him;

Now his mother has become his only elder (his mother-in-law has also passed away for four years).

Lin Zhichao himself didn't feel old, he is still a young and strong middle-aged man, there should be no problem in living a hundred years old, and surpassing Run Run Shaw is also a high probability.

Lin Hongqian's wife hurriedly handed the child in her arms to the ancestor, and after she gave birth to Lin Yongxi, the status of the family skyrocketed, all because this is the fourth generation of the eldest son of the Lin family.

And their house has always firmly occupied the status of 'eldest son'.

Although Wu Wenying's reflection was already very slow, she was still holding Lin Yongxi steadily, and said happily: "The five generations are in the same hall, the five generations are in the same house, it's good!" ”

Lin Zhichao smiled: "Mom, there will be more days in the future!" ”

Wu Wenying burst into tears of joy and said, "Okay, my son is still so young!" ”

Lin Zhichao gently wiped Wu Wenying's tears and said, "Take pictures!" ”

It's already like coaxing a child, and Tang Caiyun on the side also said: "Mom, you see that the little guy is smiling at you, Yongxi, called the old ancestor!" ”

The family was full of smiles and successfully took the photo of the 'Five Generations in the Same Hall'.

The Lin family has completed the global layout today:

Changfang One Pulse: Lin Ruihuan, Lin Ruijiang, and Lin Ruikai are respectively in charge of the 'Cheung Kong Department', 'Cheung Kong Industrial Group', and 'Media Group', all of which are stamped in Hong Kong, and the local people have to tremble. The three groups are equivalent to: the Department of Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Culture, which affect Hong Kong's economy and even have great influence in the world.

Two rooms and one vein: Lin Ruihai and Lin Ruicheng, the positions have all shifted to Singapore. Although the Wharf Group led by Lim Swee Hoi was not re-domicile, Lim Swee Hoi participated in the privatization of Singapore Land through the 'Father and Son Trust', skillfully organized the Singapore industry into a second headquarters, and trained his eldest son Lim Wang Chi (1978) to work at Singapore Land. Lin Ruicheng is even simpler, his control of the Global Group has just acquired Singapore's Neptune Shipping, the Global Group has established a second headquarters in Singapore, and will gradually replace Hong Kong's position in the future.

Three rooms and one vein: Lin Ruidong and Lin Ruinan, respectively in charge of Audrey Company and Audrey Investment, corresponding to the American Media Group (Audrey Toys, Atari Games, Sega Entertainment, Disney, ABC, Blizzard Entertainment and other brands), the world's luxury empire (Red Bull Group, Givenchy, Gucci, Latour and other brands).

Today, there are two people in the third generation of the Lin family who have gone to work, namely Sun Lin Hongqian, the head of the big house, and Sun Lin Hongzhi, the head of the second house, and there are actually those who are studying for a master's degree and a doctorate.

After taking the photo, Lin Zhichao asked his three sons, Lin Ruihuan, Lin Ruijiang, and Lin Ruikai, to come to his study.

"Ruihuan, how far has Watson's acquisition of European retail progressed?"

"Dad, we're already in contact with Boots, and the initial offer is $11 billion."

"Well, Boots is a high-quality asset, and more importantly, if we acquire it, we will create a huge synergy in the retail space."

"Yes, many of our Watsons products are very good, and Boots also has many products that can use Watsons' channels."

A.S. Watson has been acquiring European retailers since 1998, including the €1.3 billion acquisition of the Dutch health and beauty retail group KG, Europe's third-largest pharmacy chain, and is now once again eyeing Europe's largest beauty chain, Boots.

The reason why we dare to expand so vigorously is because Watsons has formed a huge scale in Asia over the years, and with the help of Hong Kong culture and Watson's overseas development for more than ten years, Watsons is currently worth nearly 10 billion US dollars.

If the acquisition of Boots is successful, Hutchison will be one of the world's largest retailers, which is much more cash flow than the infrastructure sector.

Lin Zhichao commented: "Cheung Kong has developed quite smoothly in Europe in recent years, which just makes up for the gap of the Asian economic downturn, which is the benefit of asset transfer. ”

Lin Ruihuan nodded, Canary Wharf, invested by Cheung Kong Group in the UK, has become the Wall Street of Europe, and the commercial area of 18 million square feet in the two phases has been leased; Cheung Kong Group is also developing shopping malls, apartments in the United Kingdom, and is developing one of the largest shopping malls in Europe, which has attracted much attention; Cheung Kong Infrastructure (KI) began to purchase infrastructure assets in Europe, and the initial results were achieved. Hutchison Whampoa has developed even more smoothly, selling Orange for a profit of more than 100 billion Hong Kong dollars, and then continuing to develop telecommunications in Europe; The acquisition of a number of retail companies, the acquisition of several European ports and even the Husky in Canada have brought hundreds of billions of Hong Kong dollars of book value to Cheung Kong Group, and received a large amount of cash dividends every year.

If the acquisition of Boots is successful, the entire Changshi system will be at least 3 times the assets of the previous life.

The other two, Changjiang Industry Group and Media Group, also performed well; In particular, the Yangtze River Industry Group, which is only its subsidiary, still has a market value of more than 200 billion Hong Kong dollars. This is because although the telecom industry has become less hot with the dot-com bubble, the 'PHS' business invested by CK Telecom has shown explosive growth and returns.

It is precisely because of the huge size of the Lin family that Lin Zhichao moved the second house to Singapore to add a solid insurance.

Time is rushing, another five years.

At the beginning of 2007, still in Villa 79 of Deep Water Bay, Lin Zhichao and his seven sons came to the underground study.

"The global economic bubble has been born, especially in Europe and the United States, the economic bubble has been quite large, and it is expected that there will be a year before the world encounters a global financial crisis." Lin Zhichao sat at his desk and said to his sons, who were already in their fifties.

The convening of the seven sons this time is naturally a matter of laying out the financial crisis.

The seven sons are no longer surprised, and they have achieved remarkable results in their careers over the years, all with this father behind their backs. However, they are a little confused about the global economic crisis – how big is this crisis?

Lin Ruihuan said: "Father, was the real estate bubble in the United States the first to detonate? ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "It is expected that there will be more than half a year, the United States will break out of the subprime mortgage crisis, I believe you have also studied, in the five years before 2006, due to the continued prosperity of the U.S. housing market, coupled with the low level of interest rates in the United States in the past few years, the subprime mortgage market in the United States has developed rapidly. Therefore, the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis will eventually turn into a global financial crisis next year. ”

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "Then we have to sell some assets and take advantage of this half a year. Vodafone wants to buy a stake in Hutchison's mobile business in India for $11 billion, and it has to sell it as soon as possible! ”

After investing in India for so many years, it's finally time to pay off. This deal is not traded in India, and naturally it will not pay attention to the Indian government, so there is no such thing as a claim that it cannot be returned.

In recent years, Hutchison Whampoa's telecommunications industry in Europe and Asia has frequently received good news, and its profits are also frighteningly high. Even the European Commission also criticized Lin Zhichao's family for monopoly, of course, these are just envy and jealousy, and there is no substantial harm.

Everyone nodded, after all, their father had pointed out, and everyone understood what to do next.

Lin Zhichao added: "With the advent of the Internet era, our family should also reduce its influence, so this asset sale, if it is a listed company, will pay more dividends, and then use your personal investment company to invest in property, stocks or something, and strengthen personal investment strength." ”

Lin Ruihuan knows that the focus is on him, and the Cheung Kong Industrial Group led by him currently has a market value of more than 900 billion Hong Kong dollars; He holds 42% of the shares, which is equivalent to a fortune of $50 billion. And Bill Gates's wealth is only $56 billion.

But in fact, Hutchison Whampoa's market value is also as high as more than 900 billion Hong Kong dollars, but it is not counted in Lin Ruihuan's net worth.

"Yes, Father!"

Next, Lin Zhichao said: "There is also the matter of crude oil, which is currently only 60 US dollars per barrel, and with the bubble economy reaching its peak, I believe that it is possible to hit 120 US dollars per barrel next year." Then, with the advent of the financial crisis, the price will plummet rapidly, and it is possible to fall to thirty or forty dollars. This, you discuss and do, and do less futures; Mainly on the Husky side, you can do it. ”

Tell your seven sons what they know, so that they don't waste it, and he won't do it now, anyway.

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "Futures are risky, our brothers have to discuss it. Ruihai and Ruicheng will ask for more money in the follow-up copying, you two do it, don't be greedy, just make a small profit, so as not to be targeted. ”

The assets of the second house are indeed less, and Lin Zhichao sometimes subsidizes them with a little cash flow, allowing them to personally invest in property, gold, stocks, etc.

"Yes, big brother!"

The brothers agreed, and there was no gap in their hearts.

Everyone understands a truth, they are already quite wealthy, and there is no need to fight.

Ten years later.

In 2017.

Lin Zhichao stepped down as chairman of Octopus Financial Group and was succeeded by Lin Hongtao, the eldest son of Lin Ruijiang, the third generation of the Lin family, at the age of 39.

After stepping down from this position, Lin Zhichao gave an exclusive interview in Singapore.

The interview took place in an office that is home to the family office's headquarters in Singapore.

The reporters who came to interview were stunned when they saw the 89-year-old Lin Zhichao, very young and energetic.

"Hello Mr. Lin, I'm Qiao Sen, the reporter of this interview!"

"Hello, I'm sorry for you today!"

"You're welcome"

After a brief politeness, let's get to the point.

"When did you and Lawyer Li know each other, and what do you think of him?" The reporter first asked a question about Singapore's founders.

"We met in the 50s, when he was a lawyer, and he was very happy to help the poor workers. His thinking is very layered, and we often communicate problems together and end up reaching a lot of consensus. I miss him so much, he was a great leader. Lin Zhichao sincerely misses his old friend.

Lawyer Li passed away in 2015, Zheng Yutong also passed away in 2016, friends left one by one, and Lin Zhichao was also a little sad.

Sometimes immortality is not a good thing!

Comparatively speaking, it is a good thing to stay young forever.

Qiao Sen listened very carefully, and then said: "Lawyer Li also has a very high opinion of you, saying that Hong Kong has quickly come out of the financial crisis because of you. ”

Lin Zhichao hurriedly waved his hand and said, "This is him complimenting me, I am just a businessman and I don't have that much leadership." Hong Kong's rapid recovery from the trough after 1998 was due to the fact that the government at that time found a number of new economic growth points. ”

"But we know that Hong Kong's cultural industries such as Hong Kong culture, comics, and games all originated from your own companies, and the first concepts were also put forward by these companies," Qiao Sen said. ”

Lin Zhichao said: "If a company does it, it is impossible to affect the society at all. Only when the government pays attention to it can it affect Hong Kong's economy. ”

Jossen understands that this one is too modest!

He continued, "Cheung Kong Industries Group is the representative of Hong Kong's technology industry and has led the development of Hong Kong's technology industry. ”

Lin Zhichao said: "There is a little demonstration effect! ”

"Hong Kong's GDP is now as high as $450 billion, while Singapore's is $340 billion, and the gap between the two is still huge, but which region are you more optimistic about? ”

This question is very sharp!

At present, Hong Kong's per capita GDP is close to Singapore's, both of which are 60,000 US dollars, and Hong Kong is a little better.

This is because Hong Kong's GDP is more than 30% higher than that of its previous life, thanks to Hong Kong culture, Hong Kong comics (webtoons), online games, and intelligent technology.

"Singapore"

Lin Zhichao's Q&A surprised Qiao Sen and the others, they were too surprised.

In the face of this kind of problem, with Lin Zhichao's wisdom, it is certain that both sides will not be 'offended', after all, this is normal.

Now the Lin family has also taken root in Singapore (Lin Ruihai and Lin Ruicheng immigrated to Singapore).

"Why? This answer surprised me! ”

"Singapore doesn't have complicated problems, Hong Kong does!"

Qiao Sen and the others were overjoyed, but they didn't expect Lin Zhichao to take the initiative to talk about what happened in Hong Kong.

"What does Mr. Lam think of Hong Kong's current situation?"

"The melon of Huangtai, why should you pick it again?"

Lin Zhichao simply expressed his point of view, his point of view does not accuse any party, but from the point of view of the issue of safeguarding Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao's interview quickly achieved a huge response in the Chinese area, of course, the mainland is more negative, Hong Kong is more pertinent, and overseas is very well received.

In the eyes of overseas Chinese, Hong Kong has the Lin Zhichao family is the real blessing, Hong Kong culture, Hong Kong comics (webtoon), online games, intelligent technology, which is not brought to Hong Kong by the Lin Zhichao family.

At that time, Hong Kong people only knew about property speculation, and of course they are now.

The Hong Kong culture has created a large number of jobs for Hong Kong, and it has harvested wealth everywhere overseas and in the mainland, but the Hong Kong stars also seem to be keen on property speculation, which eventually leads to high housing prices, which are even more terrifying than in previous lives.

Hong Kong comics, just dozens of big IPs, are already sitting on a mountain of gold; Not to mention, since 1998, Hong Kong has also developed a period of webtoon, and now it has a huge fan base in hundreds of countries. Similarly, cartoonists in Hong Kong still buy houses after making money.

Online games, Lin Zhichao directly carried the games of South Korea's previous life, and in the early days, there were big IPs in the world, such as Age of Empires, The Sims, Contra, Hong Kong Cube, etc., and now there are 20,000 or 30,000 people engaged in the development of games in Hong Kong.

Intelligent technology, an intelligent technology industry led by Cheung Kong Industries Group, relies on the resources and markets of the mainland, and then takes advantage of Hong Kong's entrepot trade, which is already quite successful for a city with a population of more than 7 million.

Of course, there are some things that Hong Kong did not have in the previous life,

"Sold again! Lin Zhichao's family sold the Central Building in Hong Kong for 41.2 billion! ”

"Buying Europe, buying North America, the Lin family is constantly making big moves!"

News like this has been amplified by people with intentions, and it has been uploaded on the Internet.

Indeed, since 2013, Lin Zhichao's family has not taken land in the mainland, but this is because mainland real estate developers are very fierce, and no Xu Belt or Wang is the richest Hong Kong businessman as they are 'wealthy'.

Of course, the Lin Zhichao family has also begun to sell assets every year, but in fact, it is only the non-core assets sold in the mainland; For example, several core commercial properties in Shanghai, Beijing, and Pengcheng did not choose to sell; The assets sold are more in other cities, as well as small and medium-sized projects in the three major cities.

In the mainland, the Lin family still owns assets such as Raffles City (the most profitable shopping mall in the country), Times Square, the World Financial Center Tower, and the Shangri-La Hotel.

At the same time, Changjiang Food & Beverage Group (brands such as Master Kong, Red Bull, Wanglaoji, Nongfu Spring) is still developing in the mainland and has huge assets.

In short, Lin Zhichao's family's assets in the mainland are still quite a lot!

It's just that more than 100 billion assets have been sold!

If you add the assets sold in Hong Kong, it is probably less than 200 billion.

It's still on sale!

Regarding the public opinion outside, Lin Zhichao's family rarely accepts interviews.

But one thing is for sure, the direction of media opinion is one thing, but in reality it is another.

Lin Ruihuan also goes to the capital for a meeting every year, and he is still in a high position, after all, everyone is not really torn their faces.

"End"

(End of chapter)