The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

In mid-December, after getting familiar with his work as Hong Kong Governor, MacLehose went to the Yangtze River Industrial Park in Tsuen Wan for inspection, accompanied by other government officials and reporters.

Lin Zhichao personally received MacLehose and his party, and planned to inspect the three major zipper, toy, and electronic factories to open their eyes to what it means to be a light industry overlord.

The first stop is the Yangtze River Toy Factory, which is also the industry that employs the largest number of workers in the Yangtze River Industrial Group, more than 13,000 people.

When he came to the production line of "Transformers", MacLehose said in shock: "This is the most popular toy this year, and it is also produced by Yangtze River Industry Group?"

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Transformers originated from our Hong Kong, that is, the 'car transforming robots' developed by Yangtze Toys - MSI Superboy and Diaclone, which are the original versions of Transformers. Later, they were developed by our Yangtze Toys Factory Its brand Bond Toys cooperates with American Audrey Toys. They are responsible for marketing and we are responsible for the production system to jointly develop "Transformers" toy products."

The people around them could not help but admire the strength of Yangtze River Industrial Group, and even reporters quickly recorded that this was important news.

MacLehose said: "I heard from officials of the Statistics Department that Hong Kong's toy exports this year will surpass Japan and become the first in the world. The Yangtze River Toy Factory occupies a large share of Hong Kong's exports. Barbie alone has huge exports. "I just didn't expect that even Transformers would be produced by Yangtze Toy Factory."

Lin Zhichao handed MacLehose a toy from Metamorphosis, and MacLehose immediately started playing with it.

"Your Excellency, the Governor of Hong Kong, this kind of research and development and production technology of machinery and robots is not something that ordinary toy manufacturers can do. At least there is no manufacturer in Hong Kong that can achieve this level. Generally speaking, only Japan is good at this kind of machinery and robots. technology."

He is not bragging. The production technology of Transformers is very difficult. If the Yangtze Toy Factory had not accumulated technology and experience for many years and spent huge sums of money to build a production line, it would be difficult to complete production.

Other toy factories in Hong Kong only produce mid-to-high-end toys such as "motor trains" and "battery cars". If they were asked to produce Transformers, they might not be able to do it in two or three years.

MacLehose nodded and said: "I can see that this contains a lot of technology and is at the level of high-end toys. I have a question. Will the Transformers production line be as huge as the second Barbie doll production line?"

All Barbie dolls around the world come from this factory, which employs about 8,000 workers. It also cooperates with dozens of Hong Kong factories (clothing, head parts, etc.), involving more than 15,000 workers.

To put it bluntly, Barbie accounts for more than 20% of Hong Kong’s toy exports (export value).

Lin Zhichao said: "According to the marketing level of the American partners, I am personally very optimistic that "Transformers" will become a world-class best-selling toy. If girls are Barbie dolls, boys must choose Transformers. Therefore, I predict that Transformers will be popular next year. Toys can employ more than 10,000 Hong Kong workers, and we have already reached nearly 5,000."

Last month alone, 1,000 people were recruited into the factory to prepare for the Western Christmas.

"It's amazing!"

"The Yangtze River Toy Factory holds orders for Barbie dolls and Transformers, directly helping more than 20,000 people in Hong Kong find employment."

For a time, the guests who came to visit were talking and sighing.

Unlike other Hong Kong toy factories, the advantages of Yangtze Toy Factory are too obvious:

First, the entire factory is a very modern production line. Everything is just like Western and Japanese factories. The management is very good and the equipment is very advanced.

Second, the toys produced by Yangtze Toy Factory are all well-known brands and high-end toys, with high added value and great influence.

MacLehose finally asked a question: "Sir Lin, I heard that the wages of workers in your company are generally higher than those of your peers. Is this true? For example, how much can their wages be?"

Lin Zhichao signaled to Governor MacLehose and said: "Hong Kong Governor, please ask them personally to avoid saying that I am exaggerating!"

MacLehose smiled and came to the side of several female workers. It could be seen that the female workers were a little nervous, but Lin Zhichao did not say anything.

"Can you tell me your job benefits and salary?" the translator asked for MacLehose.

A female worker immediately said: "We have skilled workers and ordinary workers here. The monthly salary of skilled workers can reach 700, and the monthly salary of ordinary workers can reach 500. We have thirteen months of salary a year, benefits for three holidays, and overtime. Overtime pay." When it came to salary, the female worker was not nervous at all and quickly smiled.

MacLehose listened attentively and showed himself to be close to the people. He asked the officials around him: "What is the current income situation of Hong Kong workers? How does it compare with here?"

Officials said: "The current average household income in Hong Kong is HK$1,100 (for a couple). The average here has exceeded the statistics; more importantly, they have many benefits, so the total income far exceeds that of factories outside."

This is just a conservative statement. There are still many workers outside with a monthly salary of 300 yuan. It is just that after 1967, there are no more workers with a monthly salary of more than 100 yuan, at least more than 200 yuan.

In 1967, skilled workers earned 9 to 10 yuan a day, but now the Yangtze River Industrial Group pays them more than double that. Of course, this is also due to the depreciation of the Hong Kong dollar, which has increased the cost of living by 30%.

MacLehose asked a few more workers, and then said with satisfaction: "Sir Lin's factory is really different from other factories in Hong Kong in every aspect. It is too difficult for ordinary factories to do like this!"

Lin Zhichao said confidently: "It's actually very simple. Has the Governor of Hong Kong discovered that the products produced by our factory have a characteristic, that is, the added value is relatively high, so I can afford a higher salary. If it is just low without added value Waiting for products, I believe I won’t make that money.”

"That makes sense!"

MacLehose felt that he had gained a lot from today’s trip. Before coming, many officials told him that Lin Zhichao was Hong Kong's well-deserved industrial overlord. The total value of the products "exported" by the Yangtze River Industrial Group each year accounted for just over 10% of Hong Kong's.

What shocked him the most was the Yangtze River Toy Factory, which actually accounted for more than 20% of Hong Kong's toy products; now that Transformers is so popular, it is possible that it could account for 40%.

Half of the country, Hong Kong's toy factory exports have surpassed Japan and become the world's top.

The new Hong Kong Governor MacLehose inspected the Cheung Kong Industries Group and held a toy from Metamorphosis to talk to Sir Lin Chi-chao, which was soon published in the South China Morning Post, Oriental Daily and other newspapers.

According to reports, Hong Kong's toy exports have surpassed Japan and become the world's number one exporter. Barbie and Transformers manufactured by the Yangtze River Toy Factory are exported to the world. It is the largest factory in the Hong Kong toy industry, employing more than 12,000 workers alone.

When the news reached Japan, it caused a huge sensation. A colony with only 4 million people actually exported more toys than Japan. This immediately caused a series of chain reactions. It was even reported that Japanese toy manufacturers broke their stomachs and apologized.

With the success of Transformers, Lin Zhichao also knew that it was time for "Mobile Suit Gundam" to be developed into a comic book product.

Media Group.

Accompanied by Li Ziduo, Lin Zhichao inspected Oriental Publishing House and saw that it had an excellent working environment. There were various comic posters on the walls, all in the style of "New Hong Kong Comics" (transformed from studying Japanese comics).

"Boss" Many cartoonists greeted the boss with surprise.

You know, they may not see their boss once a year.

Lin Zhichao nodded, pointed to the manuscript on his desk with a smile, and said, "Is this a serialized picture of Fist of the North Star?"

One of the main cartoonists said: "Yes, Fist of the North Star has been serialized for almost four years, and our archives have been drawn for three months."

It has only been serialized for four years, and generally comics like this have been serialized for decades.

After all, the "Manke World" weekly magazine with eight major costumes only contains a little bit of content in each serialized issue of "Fist of the North Star". For example, the 3 million-word novels of later generations only contain 2,000 to 4,000 words per week.

Because of this, "Fist of the North Star" has been serialized for four years and has been published twice as a single volume. The local sales volume has exceeded 100,000 copies/book; including overseas, the sales volume is almost 400,000 copies/book.

At present, the comic works of Oriental Publishing House have entered the markets of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, and even begun to appear in some Chinese areas in Europe and the United States.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Take your time, use more creativity, your thinking must be broad, your emotions must be delicate, and the content must be positive. Don't follow the old-fashioned Hong Kong comics, which always use pornography to attract the audience."

"What the boss said makes sense. This is the path Xingang Comic is going to take!"

Everyone agreed!

As everyone knows, this is the outline formulated by Lin Zhichao. Of course, this does not mean that there is no pornography, but the current social atmosphere and picture quality do not necessarily lead to development in that direction; it is okay to wait until the future to develop pornography a little bit.

After all, Japanese comics in previous lives also had pornographic elements. Women must have big eyes, big breasts, and long legs.

After chatting with everyone for a while, Lin Zhichao and Li Ziduo came to the office.

He handed Li Ziduo a piece of information and said, "Do you know about "Transformers"?"

Li Ziduo nodded excitedly and said: "I know, it is a collaboration between Yangtze Toys and Audrey Toys. It has become popular in Europe and the United States. I believe it will soon become an IP like Barbie."

He was born in the Yangtze River Toy Factory, so his feelings are naturally very deep.

Lin Zhichao said: "This is a similar IP, a comic reference material called "Mobile Suit Gundam", which was given to me by people from the Yangtze Toy Factory. It was originally intended to be a toy, but the current situation is that we already have " "Transformers", it is impossible to devote a lot of energy to "Mobile Suit Gundam", so I will give it to you and turn it into a comic first to occupy the IP!"

Li Ziduo picked up the information seriously and read it immediately.

"In 1999, the Earth Federal Government was established. The human space immigration plan was announced. In 2045, the construction of the first colonial satellite began."

"Jean Zim Daken issued the Declaration of Independence of SIDE3, and the Principality of Zeon was established. The federal government put economic pressure on SIDE2"

These are the background of the story!

There are also tons of descriptions of ‘mobile suits’!

Unlike "Transformers", mobile suits are unconscious "robots" and require human operation.

Some requirements: various body attributes, numerous appearances of characters, a strong sense of body design, and flesh-and-blood characters. There is no absolutely righteous side in the story. There are factional melees, political struggles, and prospects for the future.

After a long time, Li Ziduo sighed: "Boss, this is a big production. If we can make it into an animation, it may be popular all over the world."

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "Occupy the IP first, and animation will have opportunities in the future. At present, the level of animation production in the world is not particularly high. I am actually not particularly satisfied with the animation of "Transformers"."

Li Ziduo said: "Well, it's just such a big production. We currently have a total of 48 cartoonists, 16 of whom are still intern cartoonists. It is possible to recruit a team, but it may take a period of running-in and conception. Only then can we really not delay this creativity.”

Lin Zhichao said: "Don't rush, you can slowly come up with ideas and get used to them. Be sure to refer to the above requirements and remarks carefully. Our cartoonists' emotions are still not particularly delicate, such as love, family, friendship, betrayal... these emotional elements , the character must be fleshed out and flesh-and-blood, even if it is a supporting role, it should have a soul.”

Comics and online novels have different requirements. If you write an online novel, some people will read it, but you will only bring in the protagonist anyway; of course, if the supporting characters can be well portrayed, the results may be better.

Li Ziduo said: "I understand! We often study Japanese comics and improve ourselves. This is what I have always emphasized to everyone."

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "Japanese comics are our master, but we can surpass them in the future. Although we do not have a big market like theirs, I am interested in IP, regardless of immediate interests. I believe that in the future global integration, we His good works will be liked by more and more countries."

Li Ziduo said: "I understand what the boss means. I plan to recruit another group of comic students for long-term training."

Lin Zhichao said: "It's okay to hold regular training courses. Anyway, I don't expect Oriental Publishing House to make much money. For example, with this "Mobile Suit Gundam", I value future toy products more, that is the biggest profit."

Indeed!

Then, Lin Zhichao and Li Ziduo talked a lot. He was managing the work of Oriental Newspaper and Jiahe Films on behalf of Lin Zhichao. After all, he was the vice president.

Today's Golden Harvest movies are incredible. Bruce Lee's fourth movie has been filmed, which is "Enter the Dragon" in collaboration with Warner Bros. Bruce Lee's first three films made box office hits of 3 million, 4 million, and 5 million in Hong Kong, and the box office overseas was naturally even higher. They had a huge influence throughout Asia and made Golden Harvest a lot of money. .

Li Hanxiang and Xu Guanwen also collaborated on four films, each of which grossed more than HK$2 million at the box office.

Fatty Hong also joined Golden Harvest this year, which can be considered a box office hit. After all, he is good at martial arts movies.

"Boss, that Xu Guanwen recently wrote a script and asked Golden Harvest to invest 300,000 Hong Kong dollars, and he would pay 50% of the profit from the production business, and we agreed to him."

Lin Zhichao said: "It doesn't matter! The investment is not big, just treat it as a gamble!"

The so-called 50-50 split must first deduct the theater and distribution portion, and finally the production profit share.

Unlike later generations, some people in this era have this ability. Take Xu Guanwen as an example. He writes, directs and acts himself. Golden Harvest Films only needs investment and some shooting help.

In his previous life, he excitedly took the script of "Double Stars" and ran to Shao Laoliu's office to ask for an equal share of the profits. However, he was rejected and instead invested in Jiahe.

A powerful actor in this era, he is all-powerful, and anyone who has the ability wants to share the same score with the boss.

Of course, there must be a prerequisite, that is, the investment cost should not be large. If the investment is large, it will definitely not be 50/50, and you must have the ability to be a screenwriter and director, otherwise it will not be 50/50. After all, aren't directors and screenwriters different?

In short, the division is based on the situation, and many details need to be discussed in detail.

But Xu Guanwen is a special case. His movies will probably get a 50-50 rating in the future, because he is a writer, director, and starring actor all in one.

Bruce Lee can't be 50/50. His movies are all big productions, and the director and screenwriter can only participate; not to mention this cooperation with Warner, Warner has requirements in many aspects, such as using two important Hollywood actors. 'One of the starring roles' in order to ensure the US box office, so Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon" did not perform well in "Enter the Dragon".

"The development is going well. Jiahe Films will be listed this year. Then you senior executives will have the opportunity to buy stocks at low prices. By then, the stock prices will have risen by about the same. I will arrange for you to cash out and it will be considered as a bonus."

Li Ziduo was stunned for a moment, then suppressed his joyful expression and said, "Thank you, boss!"

Lin Zhichao waved his hand and said: "Follow the trend, I will make money, so of course I won't miss you either!"

The senior executives of Cheung Kong Group and Universal Group were able to get the "opportunity to buy stocks at low prices". Universal Group operated when "China Star Line" was listed.

Only the senior executives of the Yangtze River Industrial Group have no chance. Of course, everyone's salary is very high. It is not the boss's problem that they don't have the chance. Naturally, no one will have any objections.