The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

In Victoria Harbor, a cruise ship sailed slowly on the sea, and tourists took out their cameras to take pictures of the scenery on both sides of the strait.

"Wow, that building is so beautiful!"

"The Freedom Tower, it's Hong Kong's Freedom Tower!"

"Yes, the world's richest man works in that building!"

The conversations between tourists and tour guides made more people full of envy, looking at the ‘Yangtze River Group Center’ in fascination.

Of course, there are countless high-rise buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbor, and the landmark buildings are not only the Cheung Kong Group Center Building, but also the Bank of China Tower, Central Plaza, Victoria Harbor Center, Far East Financial Center Tower AB, and Shangri-La Hotel.

The world's metropolis, the entertainment capital of Asia, the financial center of Asia, and the capital of comics. Various reputations are overwhelming, and Hong Kong's international status has greatly increased.

The bustling Hong Kong has become a paradise for the rich. Every year, many dignitaries, tourists, artists and other people from all walks of life come to Hong Kong.

As long as you have money, Hong Kong is the best paradise!

And the richest man in the world is also in Hong Kong!

Lin Zhichao has been the world's richest man for two consecutive terms. This year (1995), he still surpassed Bill Gates by 500 million U.S. dollars and was re-elected as the world's richest man with 13 billion U.S. dollars. Of course, Bill Gates has now surpassed Lin Zhichao, and he will not give Lin Zhichao another 'opportunity' in the future!

As for the 'real richest man in the world', who can say it clearly, who can imagine that Lin Zhichao's wealth is only about 10%.

Two Nissan presidential sedans drove into the underground garage of the Yangtze River Group Central Building, and then Lin Zhichao got out of the car, took the group's exclusive elevator, and moved toward the top-floor office.

"Lin Shengzao"

"morning"

The three young girls at the front desk bowed in greeting.

Hearing the boss's response, I felt lighthearted and a fighting spirit to climb up emerged spontaneously.

To be able to work at the front desk of the Cheung Kong Group headquarters, at least they must have graduated from a prestigious university and can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, English and other languages. Image is also very important, so they are also very good. As for their salary, they are at least HKD 40,000, which is far higher than the outside level.

The salary of employees in Hong Kong ranges from HKD 20,000 to HKD 60,000 (white-collar workers), while the salary of college graduates who have just graduated is more than HKD 12,000, while the same talents in the mainland can only get about 500 RMB/HKD (the exchange rate is similar).

After passing through a landscape area, you can officially enter the office area on the top floor. There are only a few offices on this floor, which is the core center of the group; while downstairs, there are exhibition halls, showrooms, banquet halls, etc.

Lin Zhichao walked into the office with a faint smile on his face. This is the country he has built, and it is very stable and grand.

Drinking tea, reading newspapers, and looking at the computer until someone reports to him, this is Lin Zhichao's current job; or, he can go abroad for inspections and meet with dignitaries, businessmen, and friends.

"Dad, the bidding for the Central Airport Railway Station superstructure project has begun. What do you think?" Lin Ruihuan came to the office and asked.

Lin Zhichao raised his head and said, "Who will be our biggest competitor?"

Lin Ruihuan immediately said: "There are three local conglomerates in Hong Kong - Henderson Group, Sun Hung Kai, and Land. The two companies of the Henderson Group - Henderson and Towngas have a lot of cash flow; Sun Hung Kai is the second largest real estate company in Hong Kong; Land wants to return to Hong Kong , to make up for the regret of losing the Exchange Plaza that year. Of course, among these opponents, it is expected that Sun Hung Kai and Henderson Land will form a consortium to tender. After all, the total investment in this project is as high as more than 40 billion."

Lin Zhichao nodded, and then started thinking!

Lee Shau Kee has been very powerful in the past three years. In 1993, by paying high dividends and revaluing assets, his market value increased by more than 50 billion in just three months, and he soon became a blue-chip star stock. The reason why he raised the stock price was to prepare for the next activities, and then quickly raised 9 billion Hong Kong dollars to enrich the company's cash reserves by spinning off Henderson China, raising funds through rights issues, and issuing overseas bonds.

And China Gas, owned by Lee Shau Kee, was originally a cash cow, so his two companies combined would have a lot of cash flow; at the same time, coupled with Sun Hung Kai, the strength was such that Cheung Kong Group did not dare to underestimate it.

"Invite Henderson over, form a consortium with us, and hold the same number of shares."

Lin Zhichao finally arranged this.

Lin Ruihuan nodded and said, "In this way, we can consolidate our position as the dominant player in Central."

Neither father nor son had ever thought about Lee Shau Kee's refusal. Although the two families had competed on real estate development this year, these were minor issues in the face of commercial interests.

The other side.

Guo Bingxiang came to the chairman's office of Henderson Land and visited Li Shauji, his fourth uncle.

"Uncle Fourth, regarding the upper cover of the Airport Railway Central Station, we hope to cooperate with Henderson and join hands to enter Central."

Sun Hung Kai and Henderson, these two companies are like the same mother and they implement the same strategy - goods rotate. In other words, we attach great importance to the development of real estate (residential) and regard real estate as starting a factory - quickly withdrawing funds and quickly investing them in the next project. Regardless of whether housing prices are low at the time, we will release them as long as there is profit.

Of course, since the 1980s, Sun Hung Kai has begun to pay attention to "rent-collecting properties". With the success of Shatin City Plaza, it has subsequently started to build shopping malls in major new towns.

Henderson, on the other hand, has no commercial buildings worth mentioning, not even its headquarters building. Sun Hung Kai, on the other hand, also invested in the Sun Hung Kai Building in Wan Chai and the Royal Garden Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui East in the 1970s.

After hearing this, Li Shauji felt a surge in his heart. As Henderson grew stronger, he became more and more eager to invest in commercial buildings. Thinking about Lin Zhichao's rent collection, every year he does nothing but earns more than his family's real estate. It's really satisfying.

Then, he said: "How to arrange the shares?"

Guo Bingxiang smiled and said: "Fourth uncle, you are the elder. Of course, you can't suffer a loss by cooperating with you. I think so. We both have the same number of shares. We are both major shareholders, almost 40-45% of the shares, and the remaining shares are reserved." Leave it to the right allies.”

Li Zhaoji breathed a sigh of relief, but he was afraid that his nephew did not understand the rules and could not see clearly his current 'situation'.

Then, he said: "Then who do you think it would be better to win over?"

Guo Bingxiang said: "How about you, Fourth Uncle, take the decision?"

Lee Shau Kee said with satisfaction: "Of course I prefer Chinese-funded enterprises, which can avoid some troubles - the No. 9 Container Terminal was a lesson learned from the past!"

Guo Bingxiang blushed, but he didn't expect Lee Shau Kee to directly reveal his shortcomings!

In fact, it was also Lee Shau Kee's unintentional mistake.

At that time, the Hong Kong government directly awarded Container Terminal 9 to the consortium of Sun Hung Kai and Jardine Matheson. However, they did not expect to be attacked by Lin Zhichao and mainland officials. In the end, it ended up being a "non-count". Until now, it has not decided to spend the money. Leave home.

Guo Bingxiang said: "The Hong Kong government's intention to reduce the monopoly of international container terminals remains unchanged, and Container Terminal 9 will definitely give us priority."

Li Shauji smiled and said: "This is a good thing. I am happy to see this kind of thing. After all, the Lin family is indeed too monopolistic!"

Everyone has a good relationship in private, but when it comes to matters of interest, who is willing to be inferior to others?

Guo Bingxiang nodded and then said: "Fourth Uncle, our biggest opponent this time is Cheung Kong, Hongkong Land is actually not worried. Lin wants to consolidate its position in Central, so it must be inevitable, so we have to make a careful calculation."

Lee Shau Kee said: "Okay, let's settle on this first and wait until other partners are confirmed."

After Guo Bingxiang left with satisfaction, Li Shauji's assistant walked into the office.

"Boss, Mr. Lin Zhichao invited you to dinner and asked if you have time in the evening?"

Li Shauji was stunned. Lin Zhichao made an appointment with him through his assistant. What was the purpose of such a formal invitation?

He didn't think it was possible that the relationship between the two families was at loggerheads. After all, in this year's residential sales battle, Changshi's department won by a margin. Lin Zhichao couldn't still say that he bullied his juniors!

What's more, in business, these things do not affect personal relationships.

Unless Cheung Kong wants to win over Henderson and jointly bid for the Central Railway Station.

Thinking like this, Li Zhaoji said: "You reply for me, and I will go to the appointment on time!"

"OK"

Lee Shau Kee became a little uneasy. He was very happy to cooperate with the Cheung Kong Group because it meant a guaranteed win. However, if the shareholding was too small and Henderson became a supporting role, he would be a little reluctant.

Unless both parties have the same amount of equity, he can switch sides. After all, the winning rate is greater.

Three days later, Lin Zhichao taught the three brothers Guo Bingxiang a lesson: there is only profit in this world.

Cheung Kong, Henderson, Towngas, Bank of China and the Airport Railway Corporation announced that they would form a consortium to bid for the Airport Railway Central Station. Cheung Kong holds 45% of the shares, Henderson holds 30%, Towngas holds 15%, and Bank of China and Mechanical Railway Corporation hold 5% each.

The three brothers Guo Bingxiang, Guo Bingjiang and Guo Binglian were having a meeting in Sun Hung Kai's office.

"Brother, why did Fourth Uncle suddenly join forces with Changshi? Didn't he promise you to join forces that day?" Guo Bingjiang said. His tone was reproachful, blaming his elder brother for messing up the matter.

Guo Bingxiang said: "My fourth uncle did agree to form a consortium with me, but I didn't expect to turn around and join forces with Changshi. But this kind of thing is originally a verbal matchmaking. Who can guarantee not to defect until the last minute!"

Guo Binglian complained: "It's true that Fourth Uncle, since you promised verbally, you should keep your promise."

Guo Bingxiang said: "By forming a consortium with Cheung Kong, he believes that the winning rate is greater! And Cheung Kong attaches great importance to Central, so he will definitely go all out!"

The implication is that even if they unite with the fourth uncle, they may not have real power.

Cheung Kong Group is the real real estate king!

"What to do now?"

"We will just try our best to unite several more consortiums. If it fails, we will put more energy into other bidding sections, especially Kowloon Station."

"Well, that's all!"

Facing the powerful Changshi system, the three brothers were helpless.

This feeling is definitely completely different from the previous life - the market value of Cheung Kong in the previous life was lower than that of Sun Hung Kai in the 1990s.

Cheung Kong approached Henderson because it undoubtedly felt that Henderson's cash flow was sufficient, and Sun Hung Kai was a threat. Now that we have brought one family over, there is no threat.

The project on top of the Airport Railway Central Station covers an area of ​​about 4 hectares (360,000 square feet/40,000 square meters). The development project includes three high-end commercial comprehensive office buildings, a shopping mall, two hotels or hotel serviced residences. The building has a total commercial floor area of ​​4.5 million square feet.

The Lin family owns Victoria Harbor Center and Exchange Square in this area. If they can successfully bid with Henderson, no one or land can challenge the dominance of Hong Kong Central.

Of course, even if they don't win the bid, the Lin Chi-chao family still owns the largest commercial building in Central. It's just that there are others in this area who can compare with it.

The total investment for the Central Airport Railway Station is estimated to be HK$40 billion. Although the investment is huge, it can be carried out in phases. The final part, the opening of the hotel, is expected to be after 2004.

In addition, it is a joint venture investment, so it will not put any pressure on the finance of Cheung Kong Group. Even if it is a sole proprietorship, there will not be too much pressure; it's just that Lin Zhichao doesn't want to look too ugly!

Cheung Kong is the dominant company in Hong Kong, so every time it offers an olive branch, everyone will choose to cooperate.

Victoria Harbor Centre, Lin Zhichao Family Office.

Lin Zhichao and his seven sons were having a gathering to discuss family matters.

The wealth value of the ‘Lin Family Office’ has grown from US$500 million at the beginning to more than US$10 billion today.

There are as many as 45 members of the Lin family, and the monthly living expenses they receive have been increased to 1 million Hong Kong dollars, which amounts to 550 million Hong Kong dollars a year; plus the operating expenses of the Lin family office, the monthly living expenses are about 550 million Hong Kong dollars. HK$150 million is needed.

Therefore, the annual expenditure of a home office is more than 700 million Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to 100 million US dollars.

Of course, the wealth value of the family office can still maintain a stable return rate of about 20%, so Lin Zhichao does not need to worry at all. In 20 years' time, the family's wealth will be at least 50 billion U.S. dollars. Even if the Lin family has hundreds of members and needs to spend 2 billion a year, there is no need to worry.

"Our family has developed to this day and is already quite stable. There is no need to worry about wealth. Therefore, it is more important to pay attention to the education of future generations. Therefore, the third generation members should continue to study. I also hope that someone will get a doctorate. I also hope that some people will choose to study law, finance, or science," Lin Zhichao said, sitting at the top and looking at his seven sons.

Seven people nodded one after another!

Lin Zhichao now has 25 grandchildren listed in the genealogy, 19 of whom are grandsons and 6 are granddaughters. The eldest grandson, Lin Hongqian, is 20 years old this year. He is a senior at Harvard University and plans to get two bachelor's degrees before joining the family. Long and solid.

Compared with other families, Lin Zhichao's sons are very successful in personal matters, and the third generation inheritance is very complete. Although Lin Ruicheng is still talking about a new girlfriend, he at least let the woman give birth to three sons for him, and these three children have the same sense of belonging to the Lin family.

In fact, Kuang Meiyun is now Lin's daughter-in-law, and she will be called upon in many family activities. Of course, she was actually a widow. Lin Ruicheng was warm to her for three minutes, sometimes cold and hot, and he was quite able to coax women.

Lin Zhichao and his wife "morally kidnapped" Kuang Meiyun, and they had to wait at least until their three sons were working before she could have contact with other men. Kuang Meiyun has expressed that she only wants to watch her three sons grow up and educate them.

Then, Lin Zhichao said: "Okay, then you will communicate with each other and see if there is anything to make up for or suggestions!"

The seven sons are all directors of the family office, and it is their responsibility to manage the family office.

Lin Ruidong said: "Dad, do you think my three sons will marry our Chinese girls in the future?"

Deep down, he recognized his father's bloodline.

Now, their family has gained a foothold in Europe and the United States. In particular, he controls the success of Audrey Company and indirectly controls many American media companies such as Disney and ABC Broadcasting.

And his child is only a quarter of Chinese blood, and has become more Westernized!

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "It's not necessary, let the children make their own choices! No matter how they are combined, they are all descendants of the Lin family. Even if it is a hundred or hundreds of years later, this will still be the case!"

Lin Ruidong nodded and said, "Well, they can speak Chinese, learn Chinese culture and traditions, and they recognize our family!"

In the end, Hepburn did not set up a family office, but established a "trust fund". Hepburn would not really have the idea to let his descendants carry forward the Hepburn family, not the Lin family.

Next, everyone spoke freely and was very united.

Unity is the foundation of a family!

Three months later (November), the Cheung Kong Group, together with a consortium formed by Henderson Land, Towngas, Bank of China and the Airport Railway Corporation, won the development rights above the Airport Railway Central Station, firmly establishing itself as the "King of Central Land" known as.

The Lam family is the "big landowner" in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, and owns the most valuable properties in Hong Kong.

At the same time, starting from the fourth quarter of this year (1995), Hong Kong real estate began to adjust and began to rise; the main reason was that Hong Kong's bank interest rates dropped significantly (the prime rate was 6.5%), and the mortgage interest rates also dropped accordingly. Hong Kong's economic performance is impressive.

In particular, Hong Kong's cultural industry has been praised by many scholars and experts, and the Lin family has received praise.

Hong Kong culture and Hong Kong comics have become an unstoppable industry, heading towards overseas invasion. A "mythical" group can hold 12 consecutive concerts in Japan, mobilizing more than 600,000 people. Hong Kong culture has surpassed the original Hong Kong entertainment. (End of chapter)