The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

No. 2 Hysan Road, Causeway Bay - Toad Palace Building (built by Cheung Kong Properties) is a commercial and residential building with shops on the first floor, offices on the second to fourth floors, and residential buildings above.

Lin Zhichao came to Toad Palace Building to attend the opening ceremony of the ‘Oriental Publishing House’.

"Boss, Manager Ke, let me introduce to you. This is our editor-in-chief and deputy president Wen Tengqing. He used to be the editor-in-chief of a publishing house and is familiar with the one-stop business of editing, publishing, and distribution."

Lin Zhichao looked at Wen Tengqing, who was also relatively young, and felt that it was pretty good. He liked to use young people.

"Boss, Manager Ke, hello!" Wen Tengqing has the temperament of a scholar, but also has the spirit of the workplace. Wearing a pair of glasses, he greeted humbly.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "From now on, we are all colleagues, so don't be polite! Come on, let's visit here."

It has been more than a month since this task was given to Li Ziduo. The shelves have only been put up now, and painters and apprentices have not yet been recruited. This is because he also has to hand over his previous work, plus there is a Spring Festival in the middle.

After a visit, I found that there were only seven employees in total, and three of them were financial and clerical employees transferred from the Yangtze River Industrial Group. The four people recruited are all young talents in the media and publishing fields.

Yes, they are all talents and elites in the industry.

"Well, not bad! Now that the shelf is set up, it's time to consider recruiting painters and intern painters!"

Li Ziduo immediately said: "Well, we are going to advertise for recruitment tomorrow, but in Japan, we have not yet purchased comic materials and recruited painters who are willing to come to Hong Kong to teach."

Lin Zhichao said: "There is no rush! You must know that what we do is difficult for ordinary people to understand, and it may not be successful for a long time, so be careful not to be impatient. Take it step by step. In short, my request is that Dongfang The publishing house has a group of Japanese comic-style painters with excellent drawing skills, and it also needs to cultivate a group of imaginative painters or editors."

Li Ziduo nodded and said, "I understand!"

The group company allocated HK$1 million, which greatly encouraged and shocked him.

In fact, you can open a publishing house with 1,000 yuan, such as Huang Yulang started his business when he was thirteen or fourteen years old, although it ultimately failed; you can open a newspaper with 100,000 yuan, such as Jin Daxia's "Ming Pao" It was opened in the late 1950s.

The Yangtze River Industrial Group allocated 1 million, so naturally it planned to do something big.

After explaining everything, Lin Zhichao stood up and left. He only needed to communicate with Li Zi from time to time, give him instructions, and then leave it to him to manage with confidence.

Let the results speak for themselves!

What is the achievement? It is the artistry. Lin Zhichao can tell whether the artistry can be compared with Japanese comics. After all, you can understand by comparing.

As for creativity and imagination, we will gradually encourage everyone to create in the future, but isn’t the biggest creativity in the hands of Lin Zhichao!

If he comes up with creative ideas in the future, he will ask several artists and editors to create as a team, rather than letting one person be the main creator. In other words, if the comic industry is developed as a research and development team, of course there will definitely be a main writer. ; In this way, there is no need to pay copyright fees, because the copyright belongs to the company, and there is no need to worry about the author's failure.

Of course, when the time comes, Oriental Publishing House will also support individual copyrights, which will be conducive to the healthy development of the industry.

Three days later.

"Oriental Publishing House recruits painters aged 16 to 30 with high salaries, and the maximum monthly salary can reach 1,000 Hong Kong dollars per month."

A recruitment advertisement published in Ming Pao quickly spread in circles. Ever since "Ming Pao" boldly wrote relevant news about the Hong Kong relocation incident in 1962, it instantly became as popular a newspaper as "Sing Tao Daily" and was very popular among literati.

This advertisement was also seen by many painters who had moved from the mainland, and they all became indignant.

"Why does this Oriental Publishing House still have age discrimination? Don't you know that the older you are, the more profound your artistry is!" Li Linghan, one of the founders of "Comics World" said to a friend in dissatisfaction.

At this time, he and other partners - Li Fanfu, Chen Ziduo, Ou Qing, Huang Mengtian and Zhengjia Town - were gathering together to drink tea.

Huang Mengtian smiled and said: "No, you are actually moved too!"

Everyone laughed.

"Manga World" was founded in 1959. It was quite popular at the beginning, but it began to decline in 1963 and is now on the verge of bankruptcy. Not only "Comics World", but all comics in Hong Kong have been impacted by the "007" series and the Japanese Agent series, and have been unable to make ends meet.

Li Linghan said: "Since painters between the ages of 16 and 30 are worth HK$1,000 per month, then I must be worth HK$1,500 per month, right? Aren't you tempted by such a high salary?"

Everyone was shocked and immediately became lively.

"Don't say 1,500, I would be very excited even if it was 1,000! Anyway, I am idle now. I can make some money if I can. It's a pity that others don't recruit older people like us. It seems that they are worried that we will charge higher prices."

"Then this boss doesn't understand the market. Apprentice painters are worth 200 Hong Kong dollars per month, skilled painters are worth 500 Hong Kong dollars per month. Only well-known painters are worth 1,000 Hong Kong dollars per month."

"Yes, I am indeed messing around, but is it possible that it is a lie? No, I have to go and have a look!"

"Just don't go. People who are almost sixty will be chased away by others!"

"That's right, it's better not to humiliate yourself!"

In fact, the reason why he recruited skilled animators between the ages of 16 and 30 was because Lin Zhichao knew that the group of cartoonists from Shanghai used to draw anti-Japanese war cartoons and fight against the Japanese; now they are asked to study Japanese comics. If I change my career to draw Japanese comics, I'm afraid I won't make a big fuss.

Moreover, those aged 16 to 30 are young people with active thoughts, great financial interests, more developed imagination, and are more suitable for the requirements; therefore, Oriental Publishing House can directly screen the newspapers.

Oriental Publishing House plans to recruit a group of skilled animators first, and then recruit intern animators in the second half of the year, and slowly cultivate a group of Japanese comic-style animators and editors.

As for the monthly salary of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars, isn’t there a higher one? The right of interpretation lies with Oriental Publishing House. Of course, there will be no false advertising. As long as you are willing to specialize in Japanese comic style, you may soon get a high salary of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars per month.

As for how to retain well-trained talents, there is no need to worry about this at all. As long as a best-selling "Mangako World" weekly magazine is published, then this platform is what all Japanese comic style animators need. Once they jump off this platform, they will no longer be popular.

Of course, high salary is not a problem for Oriental Publishing House. After all, Lin Zhichao also hopes to retain talents.

It’s Spring Again (1966).

On this day, Sir Lin married his sister, which became a grand event attended by celebrities and wealthy families in the city. Of course, the wedding venue was chosen to be in the lobby of the Miramar Hotel in Kowloon. There were almost a hundred tables set up and thousands of people came to attend.

Many people were a little surprised that Sir Lin actually had a sister, and this sister was not married yet. When they attended the wedding, they were shocked again. Sir Lin's sister actually married an ordinary person, and she looked so good. pretty.

For a moment, everyone felt very surprised! Everyone even guessed that Sir Lin's sister was not taken seriously, so she married an ordinary person, and she married so late.

In fact, how could you not pay attention to it!

Sir Zhou Xinian, who presided over the wedding, and even the Governor of Hong Kong, David Lynch, came to congratulate him, not to mention the senior class of HSBC, Wheelock, Hutchison \u0026 Company, etc. It can be said that many celebrities and aristocrats from Hong Kong came to attend. .

Of course, if Lin Zhichao's son gets married, dignitaries and celebrities from overseas will have to be invited to attend.

The wedding went smoothly and the couple was filled with happiness.

When his sister got married, Lin Zhichao was not reluctant to let her go. This was the life she should experience. As for the dowry, Lin Zhichao gave her two units in a luxury building in Mid-Levels, Causeway Bay, and 3 million Hong Kong dollars in cash.

After all, she is just a sister, not a daughter, so this is enough.

After getting married, the couple lived in an independent bungalow on the mountainside, and both worked in their own classes. If Lin Xiner had a baby, she would rest at home and still work at the Miramar Hotel in the future.

Things are considered perfect. I hope the couple can live a harmonious life!

That evening, we returned to No. 79, Deep Water Bay.

Xu Caiying asked Lin Zhichao: "Husband, do you feel like something is missing?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and joked: "You really treat my sister as a pet. I have to be with you to get used to it!"

Xu Caiying blushed and said, "No way! We are classmates, good friends, and sister-in-law. It's normal for me to be reluctant to let go when she gets married! What about you?"

As if it spoke to her mind, Xu Caiying quickly changed the subject.

In this home, Lin Xiner gets along very well with her two sisters-in-law, and she also gets along very well with her nieces and nephews. They really have a good relationship. The main reason is that the relationship between Lin Zhichao and her is that of "both father and brother". Although he is an older brother, he still bears the responsibilities of a father.

Lin Zhichao did not answer Xu Caiying's questions, but just said: "We will clean up Xin'er's room another day and send all the things to her home."

Everyone was stunned, Lin Zhichao turned against him too quickly.

Immediately, Lin Zhichao said: "I hope she can manage her own family well and learn to be independent! The couple can't live in our house, and it's unreasonable to come back alone. Do you understand?"

"oh!"

Lin Zhichao didn't feel cruel to Lin Xiner. She was now over thirty-two years old and should have become independent long ago.

The next day, Cheung Kong Industries.

Lin Zhichao was sitting in his office, casually picking up the morning newspaper and reading it.

A piece of news made him think deeply: the Transport Advisory Committee to consult on public transport charges met. Except for Ye Xi'en, the other members unanimously agreed to approve the Star Ferry fare increase. One of the committee members, Jian Yueqiang, even said that people who don’t want to take first class can choose to take third class.

The news itself was nothing, but Lin Zhichao knew that Jian Yueqiang's words would lead to big things, and the public would be very disgusted, and public opinion would be in an uproar for a while.

Since October last year, the Star Ferry has applied to the British Hong Kong Government for a fare increase to increase the first-class fare from 2 cents to 25 cents, while the third-class fare remains unchanged at 1 cent.

From the perspective of later generations, this behavior is very normal. The Star Ferry is a publicly listed company. Shareholders need to make money and the company needs to make profits. It is very reasonable to add NT$0.05 to first-class seats.

Moreover, companies with patent rights in Hong Kong cannot add products at will. They need to apply to the Hong Kong government; they can only increase prices after approval.

But in the 1950s and 1960s, Hong Kong citizens did not have a strong sense of belonging to Hong Kong, and it was easy to ignite them.

Therefore, it has a great impact on real estate: those who originally wanted to buy a property stopped immediately when they saw this situation; and by next year, they will naturally be even less likely to buy a property.

In addition, banks have tightened credit, real estate developers have difficulty raising funds, and some buildings have been delayed in completion or even unfinished, making buyers wary.

Therefore, there is no need to invest this year, and there is no need to buy at the bottom, after all, the price will be much lower next year.

"Boss, I heard that the Ocean Terminal will open in May!"

Huang Changhong came to Lin Zhichao's office to report a piece of news.

Lin Zhichao raised his head and said: "It will have a certain impact on Miramar Shopping Center, but it shouldn't be big. By the way, have they all rented it out?"

This is opening, so the rent is definitely not high, because it has dropped by about 25% since last year; and the Ocean Terminal is much larger than Miramar Shopping Center, so it is more difficult to rent out all of it.

"It's probably unlikely, but the fourth floor of the Ocean Terminal is also used as an office building!"

"Yeah. Let it go. After Hong Kong's economy develops, more shopping malls will appear in Hong Kong and Kowloon. This is inevitable. Therefore, what we have to do best is ourselves."

"OK"

Although Miramar Shopping Center is located in a slightly inferior location, thanks to the Miramar Hotel's drive and advanced management and operation, it has become the commercial center of Kowloon as soon as it opens. Later, the management also replaced some brands with insufficient quality and replaced them with well-known overseas brands.

The Ocean Terminal can certainly take advantage of the cruise terminal effect, but it will not affect too much of the Miramar Shopping Center.

To be honest, the Wharf Group is developing very slowly and cannot make any money; for example, when building the Ocean Terminal, the Wharf Group received funding (financing) from the Hong Kong government and owed a lot of debt, and the rent has increased in recent years. If you don't go up, you won't be able to make much money in the 1960s.

After the Miramar Hotel and Shopping Center opened in 1961, the construction costs have almost been recovered. This is the real money.

The most important thing here is to have no debt, otherwise the interest rate will be 10% to 15% a year, and a lot of money will be lost in a few years.

At noon, Lin Zhichao came to Fulin Hotel.

Under the leadership of Lin Zhichao, Fulin Restaurant has developed quite well in recent years, and abalone has become its specialty.

"Brother Zhichao"

"Well, sit down and eat together!"

Lin Zhihao sat down happily. Being able to sit and eat with his cousin was definitely not a punishment, but an honor. The lessons he learned from it were already of endless use.

For example, this restaurant has gradually improved greatly thanks to the guidance and care of my cousin.

Lin Zhichao chewed the soft and waxy abalone and said, "How much money can your shop make in a year?"

Lin Zhihao immediately said: "I made more than 300,000 yuan last year!"

Lin Zhichao said: "Do you want to do business with me?"

Lin Zhihao was overjoyed. Being able to cooperate with his cousin was a symbol of strength and a kind of recognition!

"I think it would be an honor for me to cooperate with Brother Zhichao!"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It's not that exaggerated! The project I am cooperating with you is also in catering, but I will not personally participate in the operation. It will be fully managed by you. Both parties are 50/50 investors, and the shares are also 50/50. You will participate in the management, and I will I’ll give you some advice. Is this okay?”

Of course Lin Zhihao said: "I'll take advantage of it, of course it's no problem!"

Lin Zhichao nodded and then said: "In this way, in the past year, you should take time to go abroad to investigate Western fast food in the United States, such as KFC, McDonald's, etc., and then understand Western fast food."

Lin Zhihao said doubtfully: "Brother Zhichao plans to join Western fast food?"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Whoever wants to make Western fast food, we will make Chinese fast food."

After thinking about it for a while, Lin Zhihao put forward his own opinion: "Brother Zhichao, Hong Kong is a Chinese society. Most diners believe that they should be served when they enter a restaurant. I'm afraid they won't be able to accept Chinese fast food for a while."

Lin Zhichao smiled and said, "Just tell me whether you want to cooperate or not?"

Lin Zhihao immediately said: "Of course we must cooperate!"

Lin Zhichao said: "Then do what I want. The first is that you need to know the operation methods, decoration, etc. of Western-style fast food, conduct more inspections, and make more preparations; the second is that you will not take action in a short period of time. We will consider officially launching the brand after two years. Finally, I can also tell you about your question just now. You have forgotten who fast food is aimed at. Chinese fast food mainly targets white-collar workers in office buildings, students, etc. Take the white-collar workers in Central office buildings. For example, if you are in a hurry every day at noon, who has time to order and eat leisurely there."

Lin Zhihao was immediately impressed!

"I see!"

Lin Zhichao added: "So I want you to study hard! Don't underestimate a Chinese fast food. You must know that McDonald's has already been listed on the market, with a market value of hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars! When we open a chain store, we can also choose to go public to raise funds and then expand. You can continue to invest in fast food, or you can invest in high-end restaurants, etc.”

Lin Zhihao seemed to have entered a new world, and he was stunned. Going public, what a great thing it was.

"Okay, let's eat. It's useless to think about it now. If you don't do it well, you will lose my money."

"I will definitely go to the United States to study and study!"

He naturally cherishes the opportunity he finally got. Now he has just used Fulin Restaurant to impress his father and gain his cousin's trust; but he knows that Fulin Restaurant is nothing, at least not compared to his cousin's small business. What.