Hong Kong's new giants

In an office building in Beijing, Lin Zuhui, Luo Wenxiang, Du Huilun, Zhang Guocheng and other Hengchang beverage and food executives gathered for a meeting.

After listening to everyone's reports, Lin Zuhui expressed his affirmation that Hengchang Beverage & Food, with its advanced creativity, strong capital, and efficient management, is like a "God of War" in this era, and is invincible in the field of food and beverage. .

Lin Zuhui continued to show his vision far ahead of the times, and said: "Jinmailang instant noodles should have diversified tastes, but they should also focus on 'Laotan Pickled Vegetable Noodles', 'Braised Beef Noodles', 'Spicy Beef Noodles', and then develop other products. Taste, such as Japanese-style tonkotsu noodles, dry noodles, crispy noodles, etc."

Du Huilun, president of Jinmailang, nodded and said, "Well, we have done our homework in this area, and we have developed five flavors of instant noodles, all of which have been launched to the market."

In the previous life, Master Kong had dozens of flavors. Of course, there are a few of the best-selling ones. The least-selling one is the chicken soup and mushroom noodles, because when the shelves of other flavors of instant noodles are sold out, the chicken soup and mushroom noodles are still piled up.

Of course, instant noodles with niche flavors are all prepared for specific regions and specific groups of people.

Lin Zuhui asked: "How is the research and development of our high-end brand 'Soup Daren'?"

In Lin Zuhui's opinion, the reason why Tang Daren is delicious is that the sauce pack increases the concentration of the soup; secondly, the hot and sour pork bone, borscht, and seafood flavors have been tested by the market.

Du Huilun reported earnestly: "It is expected that hot and sour pork bones will be launched in the mainland at the end of the year, and Xiangjiang has also prepared Tom Yum Kung ramen to test the water..."

Lin Zuhui is very satisfied with the efficiency. As for the Hong Kong market, it is just a trial. The population base is too small, so there is no need to pay attention to it.Instant noodles are not high consumption, and places with money have no prospects.

Then, Du Huilun also reported: "Our Jinmailang Iced Black Tea will be officially launched next month, and we are fully prepared...'Ice is full of power, refreshing and refreshing' is our main advertising slogan..."

The speed of development is so fast that Master Kong must be caught off guard.The biggest advantage of Hengchang beverage and food is actually the channel. The company builds all its brands in a huge sales channel. How can Master Kong play well.

In addition to channels, that is, investment in advertising, brands under Hengchang Beverage and Food have invested a huge amount of money. The advertising cost of each brand is more than twice that of Master Kong. The important thing is that from packaging design to advertising effect, all is good.

In fact, Taiwanese companies were very cautious and cautious when investing in the mainland in the 90s; most of them would use Hong Kong as a springboard before entering the mainland for development.Facts have also proved that Taiwanese companies are ultimately unreliable, after all, sooner or later there will be a choice of sides.

Jinmailang is developing well, and Wanglaoji is still doing well. It can make money and continue to invest. It does not need to invest new funds, and it can develop and grow on its own.

As for Nongfu Spring, it will also be launched next month. "Nongfu Spring is a bit sweet" and "We don't produce water, but nature's porters" will appear, occupying the advertising market early.

As for Red Bull, Lin Zuhui has personally recruited two mainland companies to enter the game. One of them is Huaxia Foods Company, a well-established state-owned enterprise leader.

At this time, the Red Bull mainland brand is in the hands of Hengchang Yili Foods. There is no need to worry at all. The high-end beverage market in the mainland may not necessarily develop, so Red Bull will be listed next year.

In the end, Lin Zuhui concluded that the 90s relied on Jinmailang and Nongfu Spring to make money; after the millennium, the four major brands will all explode, and will become a large food and beverage company by then.

Of course, Lin Zuhui was not satisfied with this kind of development, he also decided to expand and expand.

In the end, Lin Zuhui said to Du Huilun: "Jinmailang is committed to building a strong fast food beverage and food group, which is why I entrusted you with iced black tea and iced green tea, instead of being an instant noodle company alone."

Some of these executives understand, but some do not understand; in their view, the reason why Wanglaoji, Red Bull, and Nongfu Spring are not included in Jinmailang is probably because the boss thinks that these three brands have the potential to become big brands alone. potential.But why is the boss so confident?

Of course, they didn't question it, but they didn't understand it.

Du Huilian nodded and said, "Okay, we must strive to surpass ourselves and become the best food and beverage company."

Lin Zuhui asked back: "Don't you just want to develop internally? Could it be that the funds from Hengchang Holdings and New Times Group are fake?"

Everyone was stunned, and their faces turned a little red. The boss meant that they would not use the group's resources, and that they were not enterprising.

Du Huilian reacted quickly, and tentatively said: "The boss means to develop a foreign fast food brand?" He heard Lin Zuhui just mentioned that fast food is profitable food, instant noodles are fast food, but KFC is also fast food!As for Chinese fast food, it is impossible for this to become a large group.

Lin Zuhui didn't blame these high-level executives. Those who work part-time will never think long-term than their bosses, or they will not be as "radical" as their bosses.

"Are there any major American fast food brands that haven't entered China?"

Du Huilian quickly said, "It seems that Dicos and Burger King have not entered the mainland."

Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "Talk about the acquisition with Dicos, but don't be too eager. Even if they are going to open stores in the mainland, let them test the waters."

"Okay, I know."

"Once the acquisition is completed, the corporate culture must be reshaped. It can be used as a reference, but not copied."

"I understand"

Lin Zuhui didn't worry about these things, maybe it was just a temporary idea, and he did it conveniently.

For the development of an enterprise, it cannot be said that the more businesses the better, but it is better to develop in an all-round way in a certain field. It is not necessary to cross-border, but it must be developed in an all-round way.

The reason is very simple, that is, you can share risks. For example, if one day Jinmailang starts a "big competition" for instant noodles and gives away marinated eggs or ham sausages, then the profit in the instant noodle field will definitely drop; but if you have the profit support of beverages, You can have an advantage over your opponents, and the company's profits still maintain a good performance.

Chapter 5 Forty [Real estate developers control Xiangjiang]

After more than a week of investigation in the Mainland, Lin Zuhui returned to Xiangjiang.

New Times Group's investment in the mainland is increasing every year. Lin Zuhui also participates in every project and listens to the opinions of his subordinates.

He is very efficient, as long as a project is inspected once, he will already have a clear understanding of it, and the follow-up development will be mainly reported by his subordinates; if he happens to be in a city for inspection, he will try his best to take the time to visit it.

The real estate projects invested in the mainland are all big projects, so there is no point in making small troubles.

……

In mid-May, Lin Zuhui withdrew 5 billion Hong Kong dollars from Jingwei Capital, that is, the initial capital of Jingwei Capital was adjusted to 33 billion Hong Kong dollars.

After withdrawing 33 billion Hong Kong dollars, Lin Zuhui took out 17 billion Hong Kong dollars from this year's dividends, and made up a total of 50 billion Hong Kong dollars to inject Hengjin Investment, all of which purchased American bank stocks.

This is also to avoid assets not appreciating and causing waste.

U.S. bank stocks will soar from 1995 to 1998, and the rate of return is very high, possibly as high as 35% or more on average.The reason why financial stocks rose sharply during this period was that from 1991 to 1994, the U.S. banking industry underwent a round of major mergers and reorganizations, coupled with factors such as the overall prosperity of the U.S. economy.

Last year's 100 billion investment in information technology and health care has invested 150 billion Hong Kong dollars into the secondary market of the US stock market in about a year. This does not include family offices, Hengjin investment, and a large number of US stocks previously invested.

这些二级市场的美股投资，在90s末，可以将会给林祖辉带来3000亿港币以上的账面资产，仅微软的2％股权届时就值800亿港币、甲骨文2％股权也值300亿港币……

As for the venture capital of Jingwei Capital, it is believed that the scale will be around 2000 billion Hong Kong dollars.

Of course, if there are really US stocks with a market value of 5000 billion at that time, Lin Zuhui will not choose to cash out all of them. He will probably cash out for as long as nine months from July 1999 to March 7.

Internet stocks like Amazon (temporarily replaced) and Google do not need to cash out at all, because the bubble crisis has less impact on them;

Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Coke, Procter & Gamble, and other stocks do not need to cash out. During Lehman, you can consider selling high and buying low.

After investing another 50 billion Hong Kong dollars in U.S. stocks this year, Lin Zuhui plans to stop investing in U.S. stocks.It is his consistent policy not to put all eggs in one basket.

Hong Kong, Hengjin Investment.

Lin Zuhui left Wu Guoming behind after explaining to George and other high-level executives.Recently, there are no good opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, and the senior staff of Heung Kong Hengjin Investment have also gone to work in the United States, which can also broaden their international horizons.

In recent years, Lin Zuhui has been slowly changing one thing, which is to increase the proportion of Chinese senior staff in family offices and Hengjin Investment; it is not that he does not trust foreigners, but hopes that there will be one-third of Chinese senior staff. This is the best combination.

"Arrange 10 billion Hong Kong dollars to short sell US dollars and Japanese yen, and use 10 billion Hong Kong dollars as a reserve fund to short sell with 20 times leverage." Lin Zuhui said calmly.

He decided to short the dollar and yen purely on a whim.At present, the USDJPY index is around 103 points, and he did not short sell above 110 points some time ago.Of course, although it was a temporary idea, there is a lot of confidence.Because Lin Zuhui knew that the US dollar and yen index would reach a record low of 80 points next year, so of course he was short selling during this period.

And when the dollar and yen reached 80 points, that is, in 1995, the next step was a "strong dollar", which was a prerequisite for Soros and other Wall Street capital to acquire Asian wealth.

At that time, the backhand is to buy USD/JPY, earning no less than Soros, and it is still easy, without hatred.

Wu Guoming said: "Okay, I'll start right away! However, if you take up 20 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash, then the cash you can use, boss, is only about 3 million Hong Kong dollars."

The implication is that if Lin Zuhui has high consumption, he will be nervous.

For a long time, Lin Zuhui put his "expenses" in Hengjin Investment (over 1 million yuan), and only put some pocket money on him (no more than [-] million); in this way, Hengjin Investment is actually equivalent to Lin Zuhui's 'Like a private office'.

The family office is for the members of the entire Lin family. The annual living expenses of each member are 1200 million, and the whole year starts from the year the child is born.In fact, the expenses of the family office are already very high. The family members receive 2.8 million per year, and the operating expenses are 1.5-2 million.

The annual expenditure of more than 4 million yuan, if it is not for the high returns of the stocks invested by the family office, it is really too much.For example, this time when Hong Kong blue chips sell high and buy low, they should be able to earn 15 to 20 billion in one year, and they can operate a family office for 4 years.

Lin Zuhui said: "It doesn't matter, the one billion reserve fund can not only be used for foreign exchange replenishment, but also can be used as an emergency. What's more, I have so many companies, why worry about it!"

Wu Guoming nodded, he just reminded the boss, what if the boss has high consumption like a private jet!

After Wu Guoming left, Lin Zuhui touched his nose and couldn't help but feel a little funny. The world's richest man has hundreds of millions in cash. If the robbers heard this, they might think that Lin Zuhui was playing tricks on him!

However, Lin Zuhui opened a bank, so it didn't take time to raise cash.

……

Back at New Era Group, Lin Zuhui called Liang Zhenxun.

"Arrange to repay the loan of 50 billion Hong Kong dollars, and control the debt at 150 billion."

Liang Zhenxun nodded, and said with a smile on his face: "Okay, it just so happens that several loans are about to expire recently. The company currently has 100 billion Hong Kong dollars in cash in its account, and repays 50 billion. It is still a cash-rich consortium company." .”

In less than five months, New Era Group has withdrawn funds of 85 billion Hong Kong dollars, which can be described as a super player in cash flow.This is mainly due to the peak season of residential sales in the first quarter, when the company sold many properties in large housing estates.

Lin Zuhui asked: "When will the official land from 1994 to 1995 be auctioned?"

Speaking of this, Liang Zhenxun immediately said cautiously: "The first batch of auctions will start on May 5. The first lot is located in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling, with a reserve price of 26 billion Hong Kong dollars, and the second lot is on Organ Street, Yuen Long, with a starting price of 18 million yuan. Hong Kong dollars. However, it seems that the major real estate developers intend to join hands in auctioning land, intending to give the Hong Kong government some color."

After finishing speaking, Liang Zhenxun looked carefully at Lin Zuhui. He knew that the boss was paying attention to his reputation now, so he definitely didn't want to participate in this kind of thing; Realtors are alienated.

Lin Zuhui was stunned for a moment, and soon realized that unlike him, other real estate developers had other industries that could make a lot of money, and real estate was their main source of wealth.

However, the Hong Kong government has frequently cracked down on the property market and interfered with the market in the past two months, so everyone feels unwilling and plans to unite to show you the face of the Hong Kong government.

Once everyone unites, the two pieces of land may be 5% to 10% higher than the reserve price, and then they will be photographed; after the auction, the big real estate developers will naturally jointly develop and profit together.

But in this way, the financial revenue of the Hong Kong government will be greatly reduced, and the operation of the Hong Kong government depends entirely on real estate developers to auction off official land, pay land compensation fees, and pay taxes.

The major real estate developers think that this move can be described as "giving color" to the Hong Kong government. The important thing is that the real estate developers are now in the public opinion, which is somewhat unfavorable to the Hong Kong government-taking the lead in raising land prices and the lack of land supply.

After a long time, Lin Zuhui said: "These people are a little confused. Now the public opinion is in our favor. If we join hands to shoot the land, the public opinion will immediately turn around, and we will become the vent for the citizens. Even if we win, so what? The Hong Kong government takes advantage of the public opinion to turn the direction, It is bound to introduce more severe speculation countermeasures.”

Liang Zhenxun was shocked. After thinking about it carefully, it was true. The boss's analysis was well-founded, but other real estate developers couldn't understand it.

"Then what should we do?" He couldn't say whether to participate, after all, if he didn't participate, he would be 'isolated' by the real estate developers.

Lin Zuhui thought for a while, and said: "Anyway, it's the participation of the president level, and the major real estate developers will not leave in person. In this way, Chen Bin doesn't want to participate, it's up to you to participate. Remember, the project manager must not be us, anyway If you can’t take the lead, you should follow the herd.”

Liang Zhenxun is only the vice president and executive director, and Chen Bin is the president and executive director, so it is also beneficial to reduce it like this.

Liang Zhenxun nodded and said: "Okay, I know how to do it. This time, British-owned Swire, Singapore Development Bank, China Overseas, Sino, and Kerry have gathered various capitals. If it is suitable, I will Reduce the shareholding ratio to the minimum, and do not fight or grab."

Lin Zuhui nodded and said, "Yes, that's it. New Times Group has been able to gradually get rid of the absolute position of developing real estate and has carried out all-round development. Therefore, we don't want to earn the last copper plate."

"I understand what the boss means!" Liang Zhenxun said seriously.

He has a guess that American stocks will rise many times, and American office buildings and shopping malls will also become an important profit contributor, and the Canary Wharf project in London will also be successful.

In short, the group is thriving. It is no longer in the development of real estate as before, fighting for every inch of land and earning every penny.

Finally, Lin Zuhui said: "Let the people in the investment department prepare to invest in the Japanese stock market. For funds, try to invest 50 billion Hong Kong dollars in a stock in the Japanese stock market in the second half of the year."

Liang Zhenxun has long been accustomed to the boss's investment method, and he also admires and trusts the boss very much.

"No problem, I will definitely make financial arrangements!"

With more than seven months left, New Era Group can withdraw at least 100 billion Hong Kong dollars, plus about 50 billion Hong Kong dollars left in its account; therefore, even if it invests 50 billion Hong Kong dollars to buy Sony stocks, the impact will not be special big.

It's better than leaving the funds in the account!

Chapter 541 [Counterattack from the Hong Kong Government]

5 month 26 day.

The Hong Kong government auctioned off two pieces of land in the first phase of the new fiscal year. The first piece is located in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling, with a reserve price of 2 billion Hong Kong dollars. According to market conditions, the media expects the transaction price to be between 18 billion and 28 billion yuan; the second piece is on Organ Street, Yuen Long. The starting price is HK$30 million, and the transaction price is expected to be HK$4.8-7 million.

The expected transaction price is naturally a rough estimate based on past experience, but everything depends on the results of the auction.Most industry insiders predict that the transaction price will be 20% to 30% higher than the government's reserve price.

The result of the auction was "upset", and it was sold at a price slightly higher than the reserve price in the absence of competition.

A piece of land in Fanling was sold for HK$20.4 billion, much lower than the expected HK$28-30 billion;

A piece of land in Yuen Long was sold for HK$5.1 million, which was more than 7% lower than the expected HK$8-3 million.

When the news came out, the stock market suddenly took off, among which real estate stocks fell the most.

Hong Kong's major newspapers reported the incident one after another, and the "insider story" gradually "revealed".

According to the "facts" disclosed, the major Chinese businessmen and British real estate developers in Hong Kong "gathered" in the coffee room on the eve of the auction. Among them were Zhou Zhoumao from Cheung Kong, Liang Zhenxun from the new era, Guo Bingjiang and Chen Juyuan from Xindi, and Liang Zhijian from New World , Henderson Wen Wenyi, Hang Lung Chen Qizong and Yuan Weiliang, Swire Properties Jian Jifu...

People suspected that the developers had "considered the numbers" before the auction, but they later claimed that they only held a meeting on the affairs of the real estate chamber of commerce.

Some people are still skeptical about this. Auction bidding is like a battle. On the eve of the auction, every family is in a state of battle. How can this "leisure and elegance" discuss things that have nothing to do with the auction?

The auction started that day, and the auctioneer set an opening price of HK$18 billion (a piece of land in Fanling), plus HK$2 for each bid.There were no bidders for 8 minutes after the opening of the bidding. In the auction house, the word "long" can be used for 8 minutes without bids.Afterwards, Nan Fung accepted the price first, Bapoly made a bid, and then New World raised the price to HK$19.8 billion.Several major bidding consortiums "Bite Ear Boy" were extremely busy. During the bid bidding, the consortium finally completed the big alliance, and finally Nan Fung came forward to bid for 20.4 billion Hong Kong dollars.

The buyers of this land are 13 developers, they are Cheung Kong, Nan Fung, New Era, New World, SHKP, Sino, Kerry, Hang Lung, Henderson, Swire, Paliburg, Development Bank of Singapore, and China Overseas.Among them, Dagu is British-owned; Sino, Kerry, and Singapore Development Bank are overseas Chinese companies in Southeast Asia;

It is said that the total investment of the entire development plan is about HK$30 billion, with Cheung Kong as the project manager.

The second land auction in Yuen Long is simply a replica of the first land.The starting price was 4.8 million Hong Kong dollars, 1000 Hong Kong dollars per lot. After only three bids, it was completely cold, and the auctioneer only got 5.1 million Hong Kong dollars.The second land consortium has more combinations, reaching 15.In addition to the above-mentioned 13 consortiums, Chuang's Enterprises and Kwong Sang Hong are also happy to join.

The journalists and "observers" who participated in the auction immediately talked about it.

Some people think that this is a gesture by the developers to the Hong Kong government. Don’t use tough measures to cool down the property market, otherwise it will affect the income from land sales. Some people worry that monopolistic organizations of developers can make amazing profits by buying low land prices.

On May 5, "Ta Kung Pao" published an editorial.The editorial said:

"It can be said that this is a rare situation in the auction market in recent years. In the past, most of the bidding was fierce and hit new highs... In fact, (official land) land prices plummeted by 1/3, which is not a blessing for Hong Kong's overall economy after all. .Take the reaction to the land sale on May 5 as an example. The stock market was the first to be affected. Real estate stocks fell sharply, and investors were at a loss..."