The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

One day later, Lin Zhichao and Onassis met at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

There is probably no hotel in the world that has witnessed countless major historical events and hosted many global celebrities like the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

The hotel opened in 1893 and was rebuilt and opened in 1931 during the Great Depression. At that time, President Hoover delivered a congratulatory speech in the Cabinet Office of the White House, saying that the hotel, which opened during the unprecedented Great Depression in the United States, showed the spirit of the entire country. Courage and confidence. The greetings were picked up by an antenna at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and broadcast live to the nation.

The rebuilt Waldorf Astoria Hotel spans the entire block from 49th Street to 50th Street and is 42 stories high. It was the world's first skyscraper hotel and the tallest and largest hotel in the world at the time.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York is divided into two parts. The part below the 28th floor is ordinary guest rooms, with about a thousand rooms; the part above the 28th floor is called the tower and has nearly 200 suites, 180 of which are presidential suites.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel has witnessed many important events in American and world history. For example, at the end of the 19th century, Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili of the Qing government and minister of Beiyang, took a boat to inspect European and American countries. In New York, the hotel he stayed at was the Waldorf Astoria, becoming the first Chinese politician to stay at the hotel in history. After the end of World War II in 1946, representatives of the four victorious countries, the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, signed the "World Peace Agreement" in a suite in the tower; representatives of the Allied forces signed the post-war agreement in this hotel. During World War II, Eisenhower, the commander of the Allied Forces and later the president of the United States, often visited the hotel. After his death, his wife chose to live here permanently. In addition, Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, also established a permanent residence in the hotel. When every foreign dignitary arrives in New York, he must choose the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

In the restaurant, Lin Zhichao and Onassis met for the first time.

It can be seen from the first glance that their personalities are completely different.

Lin Zhichao is humble and lives a rigorous life. Even if he is dating Audrey Hepburn, there is no news about it. His fame is limited to the shipping industry;

Onassis, on the other hand, is full of energy, with frequent changes of female companions, constant news, and a cigar in his mouth. Underneath the gentleman is his suave, arrogant and uninhibited personality.

The two introduced themselves and then sat down. Onassis specifically ordered ‘Black Label Whiskey’, which is said to be his daily hobby.

"How many new ships does Mr. Lin have?" Onassis said.

There was a hint of arrogance in his words.

He didn't ask 'how many tonnage ships are there', but only asked 'how many new ships are there'. He obviously thought that Lin Zhichao developed by relying on second-hand ships.

Lin Zhichao already knew in his heart that today's party would not be pleasant, but he said calmly: "Let's build a new million-ton ship!"

Just a general number!

When Onassis heard this data, he was not startled. Instead, he said: "Although Japanese shipbuilding is cheap, it can't compare to European cargo ships and oil tankers with strong foundations and a long history!"

This is the true view of many European and American shipowners, and the prejudice is quite strong. In fact, Japan's shipbuilding industry is already comparable to that of Europe, maybe a little bit worse, but it does not affect operations at all.

Lin Zhichao said: "Maybe! But I have ordered a large number of oil tankers in Germany and Japan, so there is not much difference in operation."

Onassis's eyes were full of distrust!

Lin Zhichao didn't want to delve into this topic and asked curiously: "Mr. Onassis, how much tonnage does your fleet have?"

Onassis said: "Probably twice as much as you, Mr. Lin! Of course, old second-hand ships cannot be counted."

Next, the two began to perfunctory, and the truth of "traveling together like an enemy country" was fully demonstrated. Both sides kept their business, experience, customers and other information very confidential, and did not disclose too much.

But Lin Zhichao still got some details about Onassis. His fleet is about 2 million tons, but some ships need to be eliminated because there is not enough business. Like Greece's shipping industry, Onassis's development encountered difficulties.

On the contrary, Lin Zhichao's global shipping exudes a spirit of tenacity in this crisis situation; all its second-hand ships are leased out cheaply, and there are very few vacant ships.

As for its new ships, they are also popular in Europe and the United States because the prices are more advantageous than Greek ships. Of course, the main reason is that Global Shipping Lines is willing to sign a long-term contract of three to four years.

The price is already cheap and the long-term contract is the biggest advantage.

After a simple meal, the two of them said goodbye, which was regarded as a bad breakup!

Lin Zhichao's fleet may not lose to Onassis in terms of tonnage; but this arrogant Greek ship owner looks down on second-hand ships and new Japanese-made ships.

But Lin Zhichao believes that his fleet will become "famous" in the world in three years' time, because it may be a new oil tanker fleet of 3.5 million tons.

By then, Onassis's fleet would not exceed 2 million tons.

With all this going on and on, what else can he be arrogant about?

Of course, I also blame Lin Zhichao for being too low-key. The matter between him and Audrey Hepburn, once the hottest actress in Hollywood, has never been made public (the media mostly reported that Audrey Hepburn gave birth out of wedlock and was of mixed race); if this kind of thing was made public, No less influential than Onassis's scandal.

However, Lin Zhichao and Audrey Hepburn agreed that this matter should not be made public for the time being.

After Lin Zhichao returned to Hong Kong, he did not go to various companies immediately, but rested at home.

Because he believes that the management of the three major industries under his umbrella is sufficient to fulfill his entrustment; and every time Lin Zhichao goes abroad, he calls the management of Hong Kong every day, and he is actually remotely controlling everything in Hong Kong.

It can be said that even if he stays overseas for three to five months, Hong Kong companies can operate normally. Lin Zhichao intends to cultivate this kind of operation mode of the company, and he is also preparing for 1967. At that time, he plans to go overseas to avoid the edge and travel around the world.

However, Hong Kong's real estate needs to be bargain-hunted, and companies and factories need to operate normally, so he will direct everything remotely from overseas.

In the Deepwater Bay villa, Xu Caiying asked with concern: "How are you doing with the New York villa?"

It was lunch time. Tang Caiyun and Lin Xiner were working in the company. Xu Caiying picked up Lin Zhichao at the airport today.

Unknowingly, Lin Zhichao has cultivated a 'backhand'. Tang Caiyun is very familiar with Cheung Kong's affairs and enjoys a certain influence in the company; layer personnel.

As for Xu Caiying, she is also familiar with Global Shipping, but her work attitude is far behind her sister. Fortunately, Lin Zhichao did not force her.

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It's done! In the name of Changjiang Real Estate, I bought a duplex apartment in Central Park in Manhattan; I also bought a villa in Long Island, covering an area of ​​15,000 square feet. There is a swimming pool and Lawn, marina.”

The total cost of these two properties is just over 300,000 US dollars, which can be described as extremely cheap!

Xu Caiying suddenly said happily: "Then take me on vacation next time?"

Even though she is a mother, she still retains a lot of youthful and lively atmosphere, and there is no trace of her being a mother of three children. Of course, the children of the Lin family have always been brought up by servants. It can only be said that they are accompanied by their parents.

Lin Zhichao said cheerfully: "Then early next year!"

Whether it is Tang Caiyun or Xu Caiying, they always travel abroad every year. Tang Caiyun and Lin Zhichao went abroad for a limited number of times, and they always maintained that one of them was guarding in Hong Kong. When Tang Caiyun traveled abroad, Xu Caiying accompanied her.

"That's great, thank you husband!" Xu Caiying said happily.

She likes to travel with her husband and enjoy rare 'alone' time.

After finishing lunch, Xu Caiying asked: "Hubby, do you want to take a rest?"

In this era, flying is still hard work. It is expected that the situation will be much better in a year or two. Thirty-six hours should be enough for Asia to fly to Europe and America.

However, Lin Zhichao is not used to sleeping during the day, and he even only sleeps six or seven hours a day.

"How about going shopping with you?"

Xu Caiying suddenly became energetic, immediately took Lin Zhichao's arm and said, "Okay!"

Just like that, the couple left the younger one and the older one behind and took a bus to Central to go shopping.

Walking on the road in Central, Lin Zhichao and Xu Caiying looked like a young couple. It is hard to imagine that they are a big shot couple who can affect Hong Kong's economy at any time.

At this time, Central, Hong Kong was undergoing a transformation. High-rise buildings and old-fashioned tenement buildings were alternating, creating a chemical change with each other.

It is undeniable that Central is still dominated by tenement buildings, but it has the mutant gene of a ‘skyscraper’.

Currently, the tallest building in Hong Kong is the Ying Chi Building (completed) owned by Cheung Kong Holdings, which is only 22 stories high.

"Husband, ten years ago, did you already think about what Hong Kong is today?" Xu Caiying looked at some newly built buildings and suddenly asked in a low voice and curiosity.

In the late 1940s, Lin Zhichao often took the Tang sisters to visit Central, and appeased their nostalgia for looking north; at that time, he described that Hong Kong would become the new "Shanghai stock market" ten years later, and it would be equally prosperous .

Now, Hong Kong should have done it.

"I thought about today, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon! By the way, Caiying, what do you think of Hong Kong?" Lin Zhichao asked with a smile.

Xu Caiying immediately said: "Very good. It is more attractive than the previous Shanghai stock market. Especially here is a free port, so it is convenient to go abroad. Of course, my home is in Hong Kong. My husband, sister, daughter, and son are all in Hong Kong!"

Talking about this, she showed a happy expression.

Lin Zhichao smiled. Xu Caiying likes to travel abroad twice every year, one with Lin Zhichao and the other with her sister and mother. She likes the new trends in Europe and America. Under the influence of Lin Zhichao, Tang Caiyun and Xu Caiying are very modern and have very advanced thinking.

Of course he doesn't like his wife to be an too traditional woman, otherwise how could the couple have a common language. For Lin Zhichao, he likes to enjoy. Yachting, diving, surfing, skiing, etc. are all his hobbies.

Walking into a watch store, Lin Zhichao and his wife tried on watches. He took a fancy to a Rolex watch and asked, "How much does this cost?"

The clerk said respectfully: "300 Hong Kong dollars."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "Wrap it up!"

He was not surprised by the price. Rolex had not taken the luxury route at this time, and a watch worth three hundred dollars was not unusual.

Of course, the average salary of Hong Kong people is only over one hundred, which is already two months’ salary.

Xu Caiying was not surprised to see that Lin Zhichao bought a 300 yuan watch. Her husband is very casual and wears middle-class clothes and leather shoes all year round—a crocodile shirt. But if you think he is a frugal person, you are wrong.

Lin Zhichao is a person who knows how to enjoy himself!

The couple left the watch store and continued shopping!

A clerk serving them whispered: "I thought I would buy a watch worth several thousand yuan, but I didn't expect I only bought a watch worth 300 yuan, and I specifically asked for a bill of sale. Could it be that I made a mistake? , not a rich man?"

The manager immediately hit him on the head and said angrily: "Why are you underestimating me? In our line of work, never look down upon others."

The clerk quickly said: "Brother-in-law, I didn't, I just muttered something behind my back, and you heard me!"

The manager said angrily: "I can hear it, which means customers can hear it too. Also, you have stupid eyes. The other person is not only a rich man, but also a super rich man. I didn't see the two men and one woman following them." A person who specializes in carrying other people’s bags. Then he might be someone else’s bodyguard!”

Only then did the clerk react, and he suddenly became frightened.

The next day.

In the office of Cheung Kong Industries, Hu Zhaoxu walked in.

"Boss, there will be a government land auction in early December. There is a commercial land at No. 71 Des Voeux Road Central, covering an area of ​​16,000 square feet, with a plot ratio of 20 times."

Lin Zhichao calmly raised his head and said, "Well, I will personally participate when the time comes!"

The plot ratio is planned by the Hong Kong government. Such a high plot ratio can only mean that the Hong Kong government hopes that the price will be higher, and that the building should be surrounded by streets in front and behind.

For him, as long as the land he has his eyes on, no one can shake it, including Land.

Cheung Kong Industrial Group has more than 200 million Hong Kong dollars in its accounts, which is a decent cash flow.

Needless to say, Global Shipping has an astronomical amount of funds in its accounts, but in recent years all of them will be used for shipbuilding.

Even Cheung Kong Holdings has a cash flow of nearly 20 million Hong Kong dollars in its accounts, and it has no debt. This is the liquidity after purchasing 20 million Hong Kong dollars of reserve land this year.

Hu Zhaoxu knew that the boss valued this land, so he said: "At present, the land on Des Voeux Road is probably worth more than 900 Hong Kong dollars per square foot. The transaction price on Queen's Road some time ago was 800 Hong Kong dollars per square foot."

Lin Zhichao asked: "How is the market situation in Causeway Bay?"

He asked about the specific situation, and he must know the general situation.

Hu Zhaoxu immediately said: "Residential units of more than 900 square feet can already be sold for 42,000 yuan, with an increase of 30% this year."

Lin Zhichao nodded and asked: "Hang Seng Bank's head office, has the land been purchased?"

Hu Zhaoxu shook his head and said: "I'm not sure about this. It is said that I purchased a piece of land in Queen's Road Central, but I don't know if I will join the bidding for No. 71 Des Voeux Road Central this time. After all, compared to Queen's Road Central, Des Voeux Road It is a traditional banking area, with 22 bank headquarters located here.”

Lin Zhichao signaled that it was okay, and Hu Zhaoxu left the office.

He took out the map and looked at it, and found that the land at No. 71 Des Voeux Road Central should be the later Federal Building, and later became the Wing On Group Building.

This shows that the competitors this time may be the Zhang Yuliang family and Hang Seng Bank. But the Zhang Yuliang family no longer has the territory on Baidexin Street, and its strength has been greatly reduced.

No matter who is the opponent, Lin Zhichao has already taken a fancy to this coastal building site.

He has always controlled his actions on development sites. For example, he purchased a total of about 250,000 square feet of land this year, which is seriously inconsistent with his strength.

It just so happens that investing funds in commercial buildings can reduce the waste of funds.

If No. 71 Des Voeux Road Central is acquired and built into a 30- to 32-storey building with more than 10,000 square feet per floor, it will definitely be considered a first-class Grade A office building.

In the early 1980s, this building was worth 1 billion.

Now, with an investment of about 30 million Hong Kong dollars, the value can increase more than 30 times; if the rent is added in, the return rate may be more than 50 times. (End of chapter)