Hong Kong's new giants

Chapter 561 [Science and Technology Ligang]

Media Building.

Junpei Yokoi and Shigeru Miyamoto, high-level executives from Nintendo, came to Wanhui Media Company together and planned to inspect its game subsidiary - The Ninth City.

What is the reason for the executives of the world's game giants to put aside their identities and come to a game software company that has not yet produced any works?

It turned out that in 1994, 3-bit consoles such as 32DO, SS, and PS were released one after another, and the next-generation games with large capacity and high image quality became the focus of discussion.However, GB, which did not have any technical advantages at the beginning of its research and development, was ridiculed by people, and the mainstream game media also took a pessimistic attitude towards the prospects of GB. The annual sales of GB consoles in Japan dropped from more than 300 million units to 181 million units, and the number of software sales also dropped from nearly 1800 million to 1030 million.The handheld market is facing a severe test, and the home machine market has also encountered strong opponents. Nintendo has begun to fall into an unprecedented crisis.

The rapid decline of GB made Hiroshi Yamauchi and Gunpei Yokoi feel very anxious. In addition to investing heavily in the development of Virtual Boy, Nintendo also began to actively explore new selling points of GB.

The Ninth City's "Pokémon" undoubtedly gave Nintendo's executives a glimpse of the future. First of all, this game is adapted from the "Pokémon" comics and anime that have already enjoyed a high reputation in Asia. Even Japanese comic fans are There are a lot of them, and it is rated as an anime at the same level as "Dragon Ball" by Japan; secondly, this game emphasizes the fun of communication and can realize battles, which is undoubtedly a very big selling point.

Junhei Yokoi and Shigeru Miyamoto visited the entire Wanhui Media Company under the leadership of Long Jingchang, President of Wanhui Media, and Gao Kelin, President of The Ninth City.

After a lap, the two were very amazed. This media group is really awesome. The comics industry is feared by Japanese peers, and the media industry is the first in Hong Kong. Now it is aggressively entering the game field and software field. It is simply admirable. Enterprising spirit.

Yokoi Junpei is engaged in technology, so he directly asked: "Xiangjiang's software talents are weak. I wonder if your company has a way to deal with it?"

Long Jingchang said with a smile: "Xiangjiang can graduate thousands of engineering college students every year, which is enough to meet the local requirements; at the same time, we have also introduced overseas talents to join us. In our company, Japanese comics, There are a lot of software engineers.”

In fact, there are indeed thousands of engineering college students graduating from Xiangjiang every year, about 1500-2000, and this number is still increasing. It is estimated that by the end of the 90s, more than 2500 people will graduate every year.

There is not a shortage of talents, what is lacking is a kind of ethos, everyone is used to making quick money, so they have not settled down to engage in technology, and the actual application ability is too poor.New technology emphasizes the spirit of innovation and research, but most Hong Kong people pay attention to immediate interests and lack the spirit of research.

But Lin Zuhui is subtly changing this situation. He has donated huge sums of money to several universities and colleges. At the same time, he established a company to conduct research in various fields, and established a high-tech limelight fund - Jingwei Capital.

In addition, Heung Kong can also introduce Indian software talents to join in to strengthen the strength of local software.Exporting software is very convenient, as long as you have a good product.

Junhei Yokoi said: "Whether your company intends to come to Japan for development, we can strengthen cooperation and provide technical support!"

Good idea, Wanhui Media's IP is very valuable, kidnapping and going to Japan is very cost-effective.

It's a pity that the development of Xiangjiang's technology industry is Lin Zuhui's major policy, as his subordinates, there is no reason why he doesn't understand.

Therefore, Long Jingchang said with a smile: "The ninth city's market is the global game market, so we can only use Xiangjiang as the headquarters. When the time is ripe, we can go to Japan to set up a business department."

Yokoi Junping responded with a smile: "I was thinking, with a boss like Mr. Lin Zuhui, there must be an executive like you. You have great ambitions, but Xiangjiang is too small."

Long Jingchang said indifferently: "It doesn't matter to Xiangjiang Xiao. Our boss has invested in Blizzard Entertainment in the United States. They have developed a million-selling game like "Warcraft". Facts have proved that capital will drive the progress of the industry."

He moved out of Blizzard Entertainment because he wanted to prove that his boss had already made great achievements in the game field, so that Junpei Yokoi would not think that the boss was just playing.

Sure enough, Junpei Yokoi and Shigeru Miyamoto shut up!

Next, everyone came to the project department of "Pokémon".

Gao Kelin introduced: "At present, we have nearly 200 kinds of cute Pokémon, and the development of game software has also made great progress, but we still can't do it in terms of communication information. If your company can provide technical support, I will I believe it can be ported to the GB game console in half a year, and it will become a big selling point of the game console.”

Since Nintendo is here, it will definitely provide technical support.Of course, it’s fine if they choose not to cooperate. The game of “Pokémon” can be ported to home consoles, or even made into a computer game.

Junhei Yokoi and Shigeru Miyamoto watched the technical staff's demonstration seriously, and were very surprised in their hearts, because the texture of the game screen is very good, and the design is also very advanced, which is full of temptation.

is a good game!

In fact, Shigeru Miyamoto knows that there is also a game studio in Japan, which has been developing sprite games for several years; but Wanhui Media’s comics have been born for three years. If you support that company, it will definitely cause infringement.After all, "Pokémon" already has a large number of fans, in the whole of Asia, even in Europe and the United States.

"I can't believe that you are a game company that has only been established for more than a year, and you can develop such an excellent work!" Shigeru Miyamoto exclaimed.

Gao Kelin said with a smile: "Our colleagues here are from the United States, Japan, and Xiangjiang. Everyone's level is very high, so they are very confident in their products."

Yokoi Junhei asked a key question: "With such a huge investment, aren't you worried about losing money? And even if your game is successful, it will be difficult to recover the investment cost?"

Long Jingchang said with a smile: "We don't worry, the funds are supported by the group! Secondly, we make long-term investments and don't consider returns in the short term."

"I admire your spirit. If you guessed right, you also considered the same way when you entered the Japanese manga industry."

Long Jingchang smiled and agreed.

In a large group, it is far easier to invest in a certain field than a small company.A small company investing in the wrong project can be devastating.

Next, Junhei Yokoi and Shigeru Miyamoto began to guide the "Pokémon" project team. They will stay in Xiangjiang for two days and promise that the "Pokémon" project team can go to Nintendo of Japan for technical support.

Of course, Long Jingchang did not take the two of them to investigate the two project teams of "Resident Evil" (console game) and "Legend" (PC game), so as not to cause trouble.

The Ninth City currently develops three games in total. The entire company employs up to [-] people, which means that there are too many people and too few jobs. Of course, it is the company's strategy to support and train technical talents, and there will be more projects to be done soon.

……

In early January, Mong Kok, Kowloon.

The "Ninth City" Internet Cafe officially opened, attracting crowds and reports from the Xiangjiang media.

What is an 'internet cafe'?

Everyone can't help but ask, in fact, the world's first Internet cafe opened in London last September.For this reason, Lin Zuhui still regretted secretly, why didn't he think of making this thing first, which could more or less make a name for the 'Ninth City'.

Fortunately, it was not too late, the number one in the world could not catch up, and the number one in Asia finally caught up, so he asked people to invest in a large-scale Internet cafe with 80 sets in Mong Kok, Kowloon. You must know that this is Xiangjiang, where every inch of land is precious.

The economic effect is second, mainly for the 'Ninth City' to do publicity.

"How much is an hour?" A reporter asked tentatively.

"60 yuan an hour," the staff member said politely.

Immediately frightened the reporter, 60 yuan an hour, this is really expensive.

"What can you do?" another reporter asked.

"Learning computer software, watching stocks online, playing games... There are good games to play, such as "Warcraft" by Blizzard Entertainment, which is very fun!"

Internet cafes are places for entertainment. Although a computer now costs tens of thousands, there are many rich people in Xiangjiang.Therefore, the "Ninth City" Internet cafe focuses on the game room, and the entertainment is overwhelming.

"It's so expensive, there will be business!" The reporter muttered.

In fact, he was overthinking, the machines in the Internet cafe were quickly occupied by people one after another, and then a staff member explained the gameplay to everyone, and the scene became hot for a while, and a few people began to follow behind each machine to watch the fun, or they planned to use it for the first time. Take over from the person in front for a while.

……

There are many experts and scholars who still question the 'Cyberport', and most of them still think that it is a project using high-tech packaging real estate.

But then again, Lin Zuhui's initial proposal for cooperation with the Hong Kong government was that he would purchase the 25-hectare land; therefore, few people criticized Lin Zuhui, and everyone just didn't like this project.

And after Lin Zuhui bought Kingston with a huge sum of money, everyone saw his determination, that is to continue to do the business of "rejuvenating Hong Kong with science and technology".

In mid-January, "Cyberport" released a news that there are already many office building companies interested in leasing "Cyberport", including Jingwei Capital, Xiaomi Technology, Kingston, The Ninth City, Compaq Lixin, Microsoft, SmarTone , Hong Kong Lenovo, Motorola, AWi, Lucent Technology, Apple Computer, GlObalone, Acer Computer, IBM, Sybase, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Kingsoft, Huawei... and more than 20 companies.

For a while, people discovered that Lin Zuhui's connections in the field of science and technology have already attracted a large number of tenants for Hong Kong's 'Cyberport'.

Lin Zuhui brought several presidents to the "Cyberport" in Baguio Bay, where weeds are still overgrown; but he knows that in four or five years, this place will become the Silicon Valley of Hong Kong, and it will also become an important "software industry" in Asia. city'.

"President Chen, when will the construction of the Cyberport start?"

Chen Bin immediately said: "Construction can start in the first half of this year, and it can be completed before the millennium; the office building can be put into use at the end of 1998, and the residential part has three phases. The first phase will be completed by the end of 1998, and the last phase will be completed in 2002." .”

Lin Zuhui nodded, and the construction period is acceptable. From this point of view, this project will still make a lot of money, of course, it will make money from the housing; and the office building will be cheaper by then, probably less than half of Wanchai, and the price is reasonable. The Hong Kong government and the New Era Group will negotiate to determine it. In fact, Lin Zuhui can let the Hong Kong government make the determination. The New Era does not lack this kind of money.

Pointing to the sea in Steel Wire Bay, he said with a smile: "The environment here is so good. If Xiangjiang can develop into a software industrial city, then this must be its cradle. It is said that Xiangjiang cannot develop a technology industry. I think we should look at it." Look at Singapore."

Long Jingchang responded: "Singapore has a leader like Lijia, and Xiangjiang also has a leader like Boss. I am optimistic about the development of Xiangjiang!"

Xiangjiang has freedom of speech, and chatting in private is harmless.

"It's better to add a business leader! With my reputation, I can't be a Hong Kong D."

The general executives instantly understood that the boss was talking about his flair, otherwise the boss's reputation would be the best person in Xiangjiang. Leaving aside the flirtatious matter, almost no one in Hong Kong D was his opponent.

Hong Kong idol!

Lin Zuhui is the richest man in the world, and he is expected to be re-elected for three years. Gates has no hope of surpassing him this year. This honor is huge. After all, it is really rare for a Chinese to be the richest man in the world.

Lin Zuhui is the godfather of Hong Kong culture. With Hong Kong dramas, Hong Kong idols, and variety shows going overseas one after another, the national confidence of Hong Kong people has been greatly boosted; after all, cultural industries can be exported, which means cultural confidence, which is very face-saving.

Lin Zuhui is now a technology tycoon again. He invested in the world's first Internet browser, bought Kingston with huge sums of money, founded Xiangjiang's Silicon Valley "Cyberport", and the boss behind Xiaomi Technology. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is a technology tycoon.

Of course, there is also the age and background. The 30-year-old self-made richest man in the world is a legend.

"The boss is not a Hong Kong boss, but he cares about the heart of a Hong Kong boss. Besides, everyone in Xiangjiang regards you as an idol, and you have such a great influence." Chen Bin said seriously.

Lin Zuhui shook his head and said: "I'm not copying Hong Kong D's heart, Xiangjiang is my foundation, the better it is, the better I am. Like New Times Group, it is precisely because of the large profits in Xiangjiang that we have completed global layout."

Chen Bin nodded, Xiangjiang is also the foundation of New Era Group.

Everyone inspected it, and there are plans and materials in hand, so we can exchange opinions.The drawings are almost finalized. As early as when the project was proposed, Lin Zuhui had already hired a team of top designers to start the design planning.

After two hours of investigation, Lin Zuhui reluctantly left. In fact, whenever there is a big project or project, he always feels a sense of accomplishment.

Back in the office, he suddenly remembered that since he was determined to build Xiangjiang into a "software industry kingdom", he couldn't just invest in the game industry. He had to come up with a few world-class software as an introduction.

Soon, he thought of ICQ, which is QQ in the Mainland.

He quickly took out a pen and paper and began to write down the information.

“Hopefully it can be developed ahead of Israel!”

"After this product is developed, it can be sold directly to American companies, and there is no problem in earning hundreds of millions of dollars!"

"Talent is important, but I don't know if technology is difficult or not?"

"Go to the United States to recruit a few powerful software engineers, and then lead Xiangjiang's team to develop together!"

"Let Jingwei Capital directly invest in this project team"

Soon, Lin Zuhui figured out a way!

If it can really be developed before Israel, not only can it earn hundreds of millions of dollars, but more importantly, it can boost Hong Kong's software industry.At that time, it will mobilize the enthusiasm of Hong Kong talents and facilitate the introduction of more talents to Hong Kong.

Chapter 562 [Cooperation with Superman Li]

February 2 (the seventh day of the Lunar New Year), Monday.

Today is the first working day after the Spring Festival. Lin Zuhui came to New Era Group on time, distributed a circle of 'Rishee', and returned to the office.

After reading the newspaper for a while, Lin Zuhui thought about some issues when he saw that there were no senior executives to report on his work.

He was thinking: Compared with Li Chaoren's career, what are the advantages and disadvantages of his career.

Li Chaoren's career can be said to be all due to the acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa that year, otherwise he would not be considered a top three business tycoon in Hong Kong.

Hutchison Whampoa's retail group - Watsons, he remembers that in 2009, this company had 10000 branches around the world, with stores in Europe, America, Asia and Africa.The reason why this retail company has developed so well is mainly because of its brand and comprehensive products, especially in care products, which also have a lot of self-owned products.

In comparison, New Times Group’s Yonghui Superstores (including its Shiduo Convenience Store) are quite different. In the future, they will at most go to the mainland to develop Shiduo convenience stores; as for supermarkets, tentative investment is enough. It is said that This industry is not very profitable.

The retail space - complete failure!

Of course, if Lin Zuhui's LEIT Group is counted, Li Chaoren's Watsons can't compare. The prospect of LEIT Group is unlimited. Lin Zuhui still has many ideas and projects that have not been developed.Moreover, the current development of the LEIT Group itself is also very good.

Hutchison Whampoa's port business, energy business, and infrastructure business, these three businesses are still ahead of New Era Group. These businesses Hutchison Whampoa has already cultivated in Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States, so New Era Group has no way to catch up.Unless the New Era Group adjusts its policy, which is obviously not necessary.

At this time, Lin Zuhui no longer had the mentality to compete with Li Chaoren.

Therefore, Lin Zuhui adjusted his development direction to avoid falling into malicious competition.

First, the development of commercial real estate around the world - new era commercial management, including shopping centers and office buildings, is currently very successful, with good copying, and excellent business strategy and management.

Second, develop the hotel industry and build a world-class hotel group - Langham Hospitality Group. Although the return rate of the hotel is only 6-8%, the hotel industry has sufficient cash flow. This is the industry with the best loans, so it is very easy Fast Langting Hotel Group will develop rapidly.

Third, the presence of the food and beverage industry in the mainland alone is enough to create a super group.Jinmailang, Nongfu Spring, Wanglaoji, and Red Bull are four super brands in hand; of course, when Hengchang Beverage and Food goes overseas, the company will use acquisitions to enter overseas markets.

Fourthly, the telecommunications industry, with the first use of digital cellular communication technology by Times Communications, its users have shown a surge in users no matter in the UK or in Hong Kong, and its development potential is huge.Lin Zuhui's greater ambition is to acquire Heung Kong Telecom after the Asian financial crisis, and then Times Communications goes public through a backdoor to build the No. [-] telecommunications industry in Hong Kong, and then develop telecommunications business globally.

Fifth, the shipping industry, shipping is cyclical, and the cyclical industry is undoubtedly Lin Zuhui's world.In my previous life, shipping began to decline after the Asian financial crisis. From 1999 to 2000, it even fell to the bottom. Shipyards had no orders, and the price of cargo ships plummeted. Some people jokingly said that if they merged and acquired at any time, they would be prosperous. The reason is that it started to recover in 2001. During the period, the freight rate tripled and quadrupled in a few years, until Lehman broke out in 2008, and shipping once again entered an eight-year slump.There is a wholly-owned shipping company under the New Times Group—Xiangjiang Shipping, whose assets have doubled compared to when it was acquired. The current total asset value is about 30 billion, so the foundation for the development of shipping has already been laid, and seafarers are recruited from the mainland, which is cheap and cheap. capable.

These five industries are only key developments. New Times Group has many other industries that are also developing steadily, instead of choosing 'Tang Ping'.The business of the New Era Group itself is very large, involving various aspects, such as the development of real estate developers, smart parking lots, warehousing, infrastructure, retail...

As for the port, even if Lin Zuhui does not develop, there are three important shareholders of New World, Jardine, and Henderson. They have tasted the sweetness and will naturally develop.Because of this, there is no need for New Era Group to worry about it alone, and the rest of the shareholders are also highly involved.

After sorting out his thoughts, Lin Zuhui already knew it!

In the morning, Yuan Tianfan came to Lin Zuhui's office.

Sitting on the sofa, Yuan Tianfan reported: "Currently, New Times Group (Singapore) already holds 45% of Yeoh Hiep Seng Group's shares, and Yang Zhiyao has expressed cooperation on the condition that we retain his management rights, and he is willing to introduce us to the board of directors to strengthen cooperation in the future. "

Lin Zuhui was not surprised that there was no white warrior jumping out. After the Yang family passed the court to remove their voting rights, New Times Group (Singapore) bought the shares of several Yang family members at a premium of 38%. up to 45%.

Yang Zhiyao is not stupid, even the white warriors can't beat the New Era Group's cross-river dragon.

Lin Zuhui nodded and said: "Okay, that's it. First, arrange people to join the board of directors, and then strengthen the development of Yang Xiecheng's beverage sauce. Hengchang beverage and food can also strengthen the development of overseas markets through their channels. As for its Keep the land first and tell Yang Zhiyao that it is our project."

"Ok"

Then, Lin Zuhui pondered for a while, and asked in a questioning tone: "Do you think Times Communication's business in the UK can be merged with Hutchison Communications' UK business?"

At present, Davos and Ottoman rank first and second in the UK's telecommunications business, and Times Communication and Hutchison Communications rank third and fourth; 1600 million Hong Kong dollars, you can earn [-] billion.