The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Japan, the port of Sasebo City.

A new ship launching ceremony is being held here. Although Lin Zhichao has built dozens of large ships in Japan, every time a new ship is launched, the shipyard will specially prepare a grand launching ceremony for him to express Lin Zhichao's great support for the Japanese shipbuilding industry. contribute.

You should know that only about half of the ships built by Lin Zhichao in Japan were leased to Japanese shipping companies, while the other half were leased to European and American oil and shipping companies. At the same time, Lin Zhichao only needs the cooperation of Japanese banks for a small amount of loans, and cooperates with HSBC for more funds.

Because of this, the Japanese shipbuilding industry treated Lin Zhichao even more warmly and tried their best to give him the best treatment. Even if it is a ship of 10,000 to 20,000 tons, the Japanese shipyard will spend energy and money to prepare a decent launching ceremony; of course, it will also depend on whether Lin Zhichao attends the launching ceremony. If Global Shipping only sends a vice president to attend , the launching ceremony naturally has to be a little lower, at least the officials dispatched are much lower.

A 130,000-ton oil tanker from Global Shipping was launched today, and Lin Zhichao personally attended the launching ceremony, so Sasebo Heavy Industries invited a cabinet minister to attend.

"Mr. Lin, we can now build 150,000-ton oil tankers. Do you want to consider building the world's largest oil tanker this year!" Before the launching ceremony, Kato Ken did not forget to promote.

Lin Zhichao was not immediately moved. Instead, he deliberately showed an uneasy expression and said: "I am very optimistic about the low operating cost of a 150,000-ton oil tanker. However, after all, one can be reassured that one has not yet been launched. Whether the data in this regard is ideal makes me very worried!”

Kato Ken tirelessly introduced: "Mr. Lin, please rest assured that since our Japanese shipbuilding industry dares to build, we are willing to bear all the consequences. Moreover, the world's first 150,000-ton oil tanker is expected to be launched early next year. Mr. Lin's Once is not considered the first person to eat crabs!"

Lin Zhichao doesn't care about this!

Global shipping this year is almost 6.8 million tons, and another 800,000 tons will be produced. As of the second half of next year, it will be 7.6 million tons.

Lin Zhichao is interested in pursuing large oil tankers of more than 200,000 tons, so he is expected to order 10 200,000-ton VLCC oil tankers in the second half of next year.

In view of this, he is still considering how to distribute 600,000 tons of oil tankers among the 800,000 tons of shipbuilding this year. Four 150,000-ton oil tankers, or five 130,000-ton oil tankers. He was very cautious.

Because if Japan launches a 150,000-ton oil tanker, Lin Zhichao will be more confident in the 200,000-ton VLCC oil tanker; this is because the technology of the 150,000-ton oil tanker is a hurdle, otherwise it would not have exceeded 130,000 tons for three years. up.

"I'll think about it in the next few days!" Lin Zhichao decided to take it slow.

Kato Ken was a little disappointed. In his opinion, Lin Zhichao had many options, such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ishikawajima Harima United Shipbuilding, etc. These are Japanese private enterprises. Who of us can take more orders has a bearing on internal affairs. win or lose.

So, there is competition!

In the past few years, Sasebo Heavy Industries took the lead in breaking the 130,000-ton oil tanker mark, so it grabbed more shipbuilding orders from Lin Zhichao.

Soon, the launching ceremony began.

The kimono girl began to perform, and the peace dove began to take off. It was very grand!

When a young man and woman sang loudly, Lin Zhichao began to appreciate it. I saw that the girl was about 20 years old, with a sweet appearance, and her singing voice was as sweet as her appearance. He looks like a Japanese star, but it's a pity that Lin Zhichao doesn't understand Japanese entertainment.

Taken Kato saw Lin Zhichao staring at Yoshinaga Sayuri with admiration, so he called for an assistant.

"Go and invite Miss Yoshinaga Sayuri to our cocktail party today. Remember to do it!"

"Okay, President."

He had known Lin Zhichao for many years, and actually knew that Lin Zhichao didn't like that kind of fun, but it was different today. The girl on the stage was young and sweet, and even he couldn't help but look younger.

So he thought that introducing him to Lin Zhichao might have some good effects.

After all, it’s hard for a hero to be a beauty!

As the rope was cut by the wife of Cabinet Minister Fukuda, a 130,000-ton oil tanker was officially launched.

Afterwards, everyone attended a cocktail party at the invitation of the organizer.

"Mr. Lin, this is our Japanese actress and singer Sayuri Yoshino, and this is Mr. Lin Zhichao, a ship tycoon from Hong Kong. He is an important customer of our Japanese shipbuilding industry!" Someone came to Lin Zhichao and introduced him.

Lin Zhichao held the wine glass in his left hand and said in a gentlemanly manner: "Thank you, Ms. Yoshino, for your wonderful performance today. We are very honored!"

Sayuri Yoshino looked at the young and handsome Lin Zhichao, a little stunned for a moment. Today she was just going to end the event after her performance, but the organizer wanted her to attend the reception.

She originally wanted to refuse the temporary additional request, but she couldn't refuse for the reason that the sponsor was not simple as a shipbuilder and was very important to the Japanese shipbuilding industry.

After all, her father was also an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Knowing the importance of such a guest, he agreed to the request.

"Hello, Mr. Lin, I made a small mistake in today's performance. I'm sorry!" Sayuri Yoshino said very gently and humbly.

Lin Zhichao laughed "haha" and said: "Miss Yoshino's pursuit of excellence will definitely make you a future female superstar in Japan."

People around laughed!

At this time, it was the Japanese cabinet minister Fukuda Ryojiro who participated in the meeting. There were only a dozen Japanese cabinet ministers in total, which were equivalent to the vice-government figures of later generations. If such a person can be invited to participate in the launching ceremony, Lin Zhichao usually participates in the launching ceremony in person, and the ship type is a large oil tanker.

Mrs. Fukuda smiled and said: "Mr. Lin is so optimistic about Ms. Yoshino's future, why not book a boat launching ceremony and invite her to cut the rope!"

Generally speaking, everyone abides by Western rules. The ropes for launching the ship and the throwing of wine bottles are all done by inviting famous female figures.

The reason why the cabinet minister's wife said this is because she heard that Lin Zhichao built many ships in Japan.

Lin Zhichao immediately said cheerfully: "There is indeed a ship that is going to be launched in July, but it is at the shipyard in Yokohama. I wonder if Ms. Yoshino has time!"

Sayuri Yoshino felt a little nervous in front of a group of big shots, but when she heard that she had the honor to participate in the launching ceremony of such a big ship, her young heart was naturally yearning for it and she nodded immediately.

"I happen to be graduating from high school in July, so I have time!"

Lin Zhichao said in surprise: "So I'm still studying, but wouldn't this kind of thing be bad? What's your attitude towards your parents?" There was some thoughtfulness and gentlemanly demeanor in his words.

Seeing that she was about to lose her chance, Sayuri Yoshino quickly said, "No way! I have been admitted to Waseda University, and my parents will definitely agree."

Only then did Lin Zhichao seriously say: "Okay, I'll have someone formally invite Ms. Yoshino later!"

Afterwards, the drinking party continues.

When Lin Zhichao heard Sayuri Yoshino's name, he also remembered who she was!

She was probably a female star from the Showa era in Japan. She was sweet-looking and quite famous.

In the following days, Lin Zhichao visited Japanese customers, banks, etc., but did not make up his mind on shipbuilding plans this year. Although he has a target of 800,000 tons, he is in no hurry.

He wants to push back the shipbuilding time little by little. This year's shipbuilding may be in the second half of the year, and next year's shipbuilding will also be in the second half of the year.

Some of Universal Group's ships have long-term contracts until 1968, and some even until 1969. After all, it is impossible for Lin Zhichao to pursue them all to expire in the second half of 1967, so some smoke bombs must be left.

Ten ships of 220,000 tons will be built next year (1966), and naturally they will all be launched in the second half of 1967, just in time for the closure of the Suez Canal.

Although the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967 did not result in an increase in freight rates as high as in 1956, it was definitely very considerable and may have increased by 1.5 to 2 times in a short period of time. At the same time, transportation volume increased a lot, resulting in The business has grown significantly.

In short, it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make money.

In the last two days, Lin Zhichao visited the headquarters of Nissin Ramen in Tokyo and was warmly welcomed by Momofuku Ando.

At this time, Nissin Ramen, with its two brands "Nissin Ramen" and "Ajisen Ramen", has become a very profitable company, with annual profits maintained at about 3 million US dollars.

The dividends of Doll Noodles in recent years have also been very satisfying. They have probably distributed more than 3 million US dollars in dividends, which have all gone into Lin Zhichao's private pocket and been used for family expenses (yachts, antiques, luxury homes).

In the conference room of Nissin Ramen, Lin Zhichao and Chen Ping met with the management of Nissin Ramen on behalf of Doll Noodles.

"President An Teng, this time we come to Nissin Ramen because we want to cooperate on one thing again! This matter is related to how instant noodles can open up the market in Europe and the United States." Lin Zhichao said with a smile.

He originally wanted to develop expanded polystyrene packaging by himself, but it turned out that it was not cost-effective to invest in large-scale research and development, and Hong Kong could not produce it. Moreover, after the research and development was completed, it would be difficult to obtain a patent, and others would just pick up the ready-made product.

Therefore, it is better to let Momofuku Ando handle it. In recent years, Momofuku Ando has not made any small moves to share half of the profits from doll noodles.

This makes Lin Zhichao very satisfied with his character and credibility! Moreover, both sides have similar tastes (chicken soup, tonkotsu). In order to avoid vicious competition, neither side has entered the other's base camp.

After all, if there is competition, it will only be based on price. It will be a lose-lose consequence and is completely unnecessary.

Momofuku Ando suddenly became interested and said, "I would like to hear the details!"

Next, Chen Ping talked about the design concept of cup noodles: "Everyone knows that Europeans and Americans don't have the habit of boiling water. They drink ice water and cold water. They don't have the habit of using bowls. They use plates more, which is even more useless. The habits of chopsticks and the use of knives and forks. Because of these habits, instant noodles are unlikely to succeed in Europe and the United States."

"So the R\u0026D personnel of our company came up with a very creative idea: to produce 'cup noodles'. What are cup noodles? Using foam materials, such as polystyrene, to develop a cup-shaped packaging box , then put the bread and cooking bag in it, or even dehydrated vegetable bag, and finally equipped with a plastic fork. In this way, everyone can tear open the package and brew it with boiling water, and you can eat it conveniently in a few minutes Quick and delicious food.”

After listening, Momofuku Ando excitedly took the lead in applauding, and other senior Nissin officials also applauded with excitement on their faces.

Momofuku Ando then said: "This idea is very creative. We at Nissin Ramen are willing to start research and development immediately! I wonder if you are willing to join? Of course, whether you are willing to join or not, this product will be shared by everyone. As long as it succeeds , we can find manufacturers for you to produce packaging paper cups to supply the doll noodle market."

Lin Zhichao said: "We will not participate! After all, there is no such plastic packaging company in Hong Kong. It will be very inconvenient."

Anyway, isn’t it the best enjoyment to own 49% of the shares!

There are few instant noodles that are well-known globally. The Shin Ramen of later generations has a wide audience, but it is actually just a hype. Every place has its own favorite taste, so local brands are dominant, unless it is a country or region of the same ethnicity.

Therefore, regarding the development prospects of doll noodles, Lin Zhichao also requires that it be promoted slowly. The key is to gain more overseas markets with taste in the future.

And if Nissin Ramen made money, it would give him half of it, so why not feel bad about it!

At this time, Momofuku Ando respects credit and does not play tricks, which is what Lin Zhichao prefers; of course, Momofuku Ando also has a good impression of doll noodles. In the past few years, Ajisen Ramen has opened 15 direct chain stores and 12 franchise stores. It was the idea of ​​a shareholder doll; not to mention, he made nearly a million US dollars in the stock market, which provided sufficient funds for the direct-operated store.

After the meeting, Lin Zhichao and Momofuku Ando came to the office to chat.

During the chat, Lin Zhichao also casually said: "Chairman Anteng, have Hinako and Marina caused any trouble to the company? If so, they can be dismissed normally."

Momofuku Ando said with a smile: "No trouble, they all work well, especially Ms. Hinako, who is still in the middle management and is very good."

Lin Zhichao nodded. After all, Rinaizi had been a flight attendant and was a manager himself.

However, he now wants to get rid of these two women, and it is quite a pity to abandon them.

Lin Zhichao asked casually: "The Japanese stock market seems to be performing very poorly this year?"

Momofuku Ando said: "Yes! What do Mr. Lin think?"

Lin Zhichao said: "Then it's better to delist. Anyway, we have earned 1 million US dollars, so we accept it when we see it. After all, stock trading is not the business of Nissin Ramen. The key is to use funds to develop Nissin Ramen into a large enterprise."

He doesn't understand Japan's stocks in this era. They have made a lot of profits after falling this year, otherwise they can make more. But Lin Zhichao remembered one thing. As far as he knew, Japan gradually relaxed its financial market in the late 1960s and early 1970s to attract foreign investment.

Could this be a policy formulated by the Japanese government due to the sluggish stock market in previous years?

It is very possible that the government will consider stimulating the stock market only if it is sluggish for a long time.

Based on this, it is prudent to withdraw investment now. Of course, Nissin Ramen originally had little investment, so it has a symbolic meaning.

"Okay, I think it's very good to accept it when it's good!" Momofuku Ando said decisively.

He didn't focus on stock trading, so he didn't hesitate much.

At two o'clock in the afternoon that day, Lin Zhichao left Nissin Company with Sakurai Hinako and Sakurai Marina. The two girls really felt free to ask for leave.

Everyone went to Ginza to experience the joy of shopping. Lin Zhichao was also rare and generous enough to accompany two women shopping. After all, no one knew him.

When shopping, the two women would visit high-end stores. They knew that Lin Zhichao wouldn't care.

In fact, Lin Zhichao really doesn't care. There are no luxury goods in Japan in this era, and high-end brands don't cost much.

That night, in the villa.

"Have you taken your medicine?" Lin Zhichao sat on the sofa and preached to the two kneeling sisters.

Naturally, you have to take medicine beforehand to avoid leaving evidence and evidence.

"Eat!"

"have eaten"

Lin Zhichao immediately became suspicious. Zhenna spoke very cheerfully, but Hinaiko's words were incoherent.

He stared at Hinaiko closely, because she could handle it better than Marina.

"After eating a little bit, Mr. Lin, how about we help you give birth to the baby?"

Under Lin Zhichao's powerful eyes, Rinaizi was quickly defeated. To her, that look was like something sacred and could not be betrayed.

Lin Zhichao suddenly became annoyed, and said: "Confused! What I told you at the beginning, everyone gets what they need, and don't be emotionally involved. It is impossible for me to marry you, and it is impossible for me to give you children."

Zhen Nai said unconvinced: "I don't want Mr. Lin to marry me, just have children!"

"That won't work! You are going to get married in the future! Okay, get the medicine right away and drink it in front of me!"

The tone of voice that could not be refused made the two women surrender and quickly drank the birth control pill in front of their faces.

Then...