The photo of Chu Huan, Sha Ya, Niubijian, and Qi Dezun chatting and laughing happily at the dance indeed became the front page headlines of major media newspapers in Hong Kong.
The names of the four major financial groups in Hong Kong are naturally getting louder and louder.
But this is no longer important to Chu Huan.
Now that Wheelock has been acquired, the next step is to transform Wheelock.
Chu Huan did not go to the company today, but met Qi Dezun at home.
Qi Dezun also brought information about Wheelock.
Although Wheelock's industrial layout covers various industries in Hong Kong, in fact Wheelock's main business is actually three areas, real estate, shipping and retail.
In the real estate industry, the most important asset under the name of Wheelock's parent company is the Jardine House on Pedder Street in Central, which was exchanged for Lane Crawford Building with Jardine Matheson in 1974. It has now been renamed Wheelock.
Buildings, the Madden Building, also located on Pedder Street in Central, and the new Lane Crawford Building on Queen's Road Central!
There are also three listed real estate companies, Real Estate Trust, Federal Real Estate, and Sullivan Development.
The most high-quality land owned by Real Estate Trust is the original headquarters of Heung Kong Ma Lian Company. It also owns properties such as Mid-Levels Plum Road, Plantation Road, Garden Terrace and other properties that Zhang Yuliang took out when he invested in Wheelock.
The most high-quality properties of Federal Real Estate are the Federal Building and International Building formerly owned by the Zhang Yuliang family.
More of the land owned by Harriman Development is located in the New Territories, which will be used to develop industrial buildings in another time and space.
Shipping includes 30 cargo ships owned by Wheelock Shipping, United Enterprises, and Baofu Development, with a load capacity of more than 1.4 million tons!
The retail industry is naturally the acquisition of Lane Crawford by Wheelock and the acquisition of Hua Department Store and Dah Hsin Department Store, two of the four major Chinese-owned department stores, in the name of Lane Crawford. There is also Cuiyuan Co., Ltd., which holds a controlling stake of 60%, which is a company specializing in antiques.
company of.
In addition to these, Wheelock also has a very important company under its name, and that is China Gas!
It was the China Gas that was later acquired by Henderson Land Development.
China Gas was first established in England and was listed in Hong Kong in 1960. At that time, the chairman of China Coal was John Madden, chairman of Wheelock, and its four directors were Chairman of Hutchison Matheson and Co.
Mingze, Li Fushu of the Li family.
As the only gas supply monopoly company in Hong Kong, China Gas's income is very stable. However, in the hands of Wheelock, it has never received the attention of John Madden. It can only be said that it is in Baoshan without knowing it!
Nowadays, Hehe International has successively acquired Junyicang, and Wheelock has become the largest shareholder of Xiangjiang Hua Gas.
And it touched on the 50 key points of delisting and privatization by the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission.
"There is no need to worry about the equity distribution of China Town Gas. Just hang it with these two companies. As long as Wheelock and Hehe International do not merge, the China Securities Regulatory Commission will have nothing to do!" Chu Huan said to Qi Dezun seriously.
As a public utility, China Gas is not allowed to be privately owned by individuals, so it is impossible to delist and privatize it, and it can only occupy the largest shareholder.
If Hopewell International and Wheelock merge, the assets of the two companies will naturally be merged, and then China Towngas's shares will be concentrated in one company.
This is good now.
When the real estate market in Hong Kong advances by leaps and bounds in the future, the market value of China Town Gas will also advance by leaps and bounds. In 1995, the market value of China Town Gas had reached HK$29.4 billion, ranking 18th among the 20 largest blue chip stocks in Hong Kong.
!
In that year, Wheelock's market value was only HK$33 billion, ranking 16th among the top 20 blue-chip stocks in Hong Kong!
In another time and space, after China Gas was acquired by Li Zhaoji's Henderson Land Development, it has been used as a cash machine, selling China Gas shares many times to obtain huge amounts of cash.
"This is easy, I will handle it from the China Securities Regulatory Commission!" Qi Dezun said confidently.
In addition to China Gas, there are four stock companies held by Wheelock that Chu Huan is very concerned about. One is the Xiangjiang Tram Company, the Xiangjiang Tunnel Company, the Longfeng Trust Investment Company, and the Xiangjiang Cotton Mill.
Among them, Xiangjiang Tramway and Xiangjiang Tunnel are public utility companies like China Gas, while Longfeng Trust and Xiangjiang Spinnery Mill are jointly held shares with other companies.
"Yun Shang is currently in France discussing the acquisition of Printemps Department Store. After she buys Printemps Department Store, Wheelock can sell Lane Crawford and Cuiyuan to Yunshang. As for the two companies, Hua Department Store and Dah Sing Department Store, I
I will help you contact Miss Zhu Xiaozhao from Yunhai Chain, and Yunhai Chain should be interested in these two companies by then."
After acquiring Watsons of Hehe International, and now acquiring Wheelock's Hua Department Store and Dah Sing Department Store, the Yunhai Chain that Zhu Xiaozhao is responsible for basically includes all kinds of retail groups, large, medium and small. By then, the Yunhai Chain will also be
You can make a good appearance in Xiangjiang.
Qi Dezun nodded and said, "There is no problem with this. Although Lane Crawford is the largest luxury chain shopping mall in Hong Kong, due to Madam Chu's management, the two sides are bound to compete. Selling it to Madam Chu now can avoid such a situation.
At the same time, it can also alleviate Wheelock’s debt problem!”
Although Wheelock bought it, Wheelock's debts naturally followed.
"The most important thing now is, what do you think of Wheelock Shipping, United Enterprises, and Baofu Development?"
What Qi Dezun is really concerned about is the situation of the shipping industry. Chu Huan has made it clear that he is not optimistic about this industry. However, now the shipping industry is a very important pillar industry for Wheelock, so he is not optimistic about Wheelock Gas.
The development of the shipping industry is what Qi Dezun is most concerned about at this time.
"Sell!"
Chu Huan preached without hesitation.
The cold wave period in the shipping industry has not yet arrived, and the value of freighters is still very high. Selling those 30 freighters can bring a huge amount of cash to Wheelock.
"First delist these three companies and privatize them, and then sell the freighters, one by one!" Chu Huan added.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! This is a particularly interesting part of the development of Wheelock Shipping, United Enterprises, and Baofu. The market value of the three companies is simply not comparable to that of these three companies.
is directly proportional to the asset value.
The combined market value of the three companies is less than HK$800 million, but the total asset value of the more than 30 freighters owned by these three companies exceeds HK$1.5 billion.
This is why John Madden had the confidence to bid such a high price.
Of course, although these three companies were founded by Wheelock, because they are listed companies, Wheelock only holds about 30% of the shares of these three companies.
Therefore, it is more in line with Chu Huan's interests to fully acquire it and then sell the cargo ships under his name.
Qi Dezun thought for a moment and said, "No problem."
The chat process between Chu Huan and Qi Dezun was basically like this. Chu Huan talked about his plans for Wheelock's future development, while Qi Dezun was responsible for recording and providing some opinions.
The two chatted for a whole day. After Chu Huan left Qi Dezun to have dinner together, Qi Dezun left Chu Huan's manor.
The next day, at noon, Chu Huan welcomed Zhao Congyan, Zhao Shizeng and his son again in the manor!
"Uncle Zhao, why did you come here in person? I should have gone to see you!"
Chu Huan personally greeted Zhao Congyan in the parking lot.
Zhao Congyan was also very happy to see Chu Huan so formal.
Although Zhao Congyan was one of the four major shipping kings in Xiangjiang at this time, his size and business scale could no longer be compared with Chu Huan. However, Chu Huan still welcomed Zhao Congyan so grandly, which naturally made Zhao Congyan feel full respect.
"Haha, Ah Huan, you are too polite. Why do we need such politeness between you and me?"
While talking, the three of them walked into the main building together and came to the reception room. Wu Shuhan, who had been waiting here for a long time, had already prepared tea for Zhao Congyan.
"Ah Huan, since we are acquaintances, I will get straight to the point!"
Zhao Congyan sat there and asked Chu Huan directly, "Ah Huan, can you carefully analyze the future development of the shipping industry with me?"
"When I analyze the world's shipping industry in front of Uncle Zhao, I'm not doing my best!" Chu Huan said with a smile, "I'm just telling you my own opinion. If you have any ideas, Uncle Zhao, just tell me!"
Zhao Congyan nodded. Zhao Congyan still valued Chu Huan's opinions very much. Although Chu Huan was not involved in the shipping industry, in just a few years, Chu Huan had grown into one of the most influential businessmen in Xiangjiang.
At the same time, Chu Huan's Jiaku is one of the four major financial groups in Xiangjiang.
Under such circumstances, no businessman in Xiangjiang would despise Chu Huan's words.
"The golden period of development of the shipping industry should have been in the mid-to-late 1960s. At that time, the Middle East war broke out, and Egypt announced a complete blockade of the Suins Canal, the shipping artery that runs through Europe and Asia. This significantly lengthened the routes between Europe and Asia, leading to
The sudden increase in demand for the shipping industry has indirectly brought the development of the shipping industry into a golden period, right?"
Chu Huan first asked Zhao Congyan.
Zhao Congyan nodded and said, "Yes, that's the truth!"
The blockade of the Suinshi Canal caused freight rates to skyrocket, which naturally increased the development potential of the shipping industry.
Chu Huan said, "But last year, the Su Yinshi Canal was reopened. In addition, I think the oil crisis that occurred in 1973 is still fresh in Uncle Zhao's memory."
Zhao Congyan nodded thoughtfully and said, "Of course I will remember it."
Although the oil crisis of 1973 did not directly destroy the world's shipping industry, the crisis it brought to the shipping industry was obvious.
"In recent years, world oil prices have been up and down, and the uncertainty of transportation costs has also led to uncertainty in the development of the shipping industry. This is obvious!"
Chu Huan continued to preach.
Zhao Congyan was unable to refute, because what Chu Huan was talking about now was all happening.
"But I think, no matter what, the world will always need the circulation of goods. As long as there is still circulation of goods, the shipping industry must be inseparable!"
Although Zhao Congyan admitted that what Chu Huan said was reasonable, he was not easily convinced by Chu Huan!
Every successful businessman has his own persistence, and Zhao Congyan is no exception. In Zhao Congyan's view, no matter whether the Su Yinshi Canal is lifted or the oil crisis exists, as long as the world needs the circulation of goods, it must need the shipping industry.
"The development of any industry must not only look at external factors, but also pay attention to the existence of internal factors. The golden age of the shipping industry in the 1950s and 1960s led to a surge in the number of additional orders for freighters around the world. By the 1970s, it had already exceeded market demand. I think
I don’t need to tell you about the current situation of the shipping industry. Uncle Zhao, you should be able to feel it. After entering 1973, the shipping industry has actually entered a situation of oversupply and demand. This situation will inevitably lead to competition in the same industry and lead to shipping
This year alone, freight rates in the world shipping industry have dropped by 80%, which is the most favorable proof.
This industry will become more and more competitive, and profits will become thinner and thinner, while the company's costs remain unchanged. So in my opinion, even if the world still needs the circulation of goods, it is difficult to survive in this industry.
It will become more and more difficult.”
Zhao Congyan shook his head, obviously not taking Chu Huan's reminder to heart, and said with a smile, "Huaguang Shipping is different from other shipping companies. Our main business is not oil tankers. Even if the oil price is unstable, it will
Our Huaguang Shipping’s impact is also limited.”
Chu Huan was helpless. He had already said what needed to be said. Since Zhao Congyan was still unmoved, there was nothing he could do.
I can only say at the end, "Wheelock Shipping is more about oil tankers. Of course, if Uncle Zhao really wants it, I can contact you from the side, but I still want to remind you about this matter, the shipping industry is very
It is possible that we will usher in the most severe cold wave period in history!"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Although Zhao Congyan thought Chu Huan’s reminder was a bit alarmist, but still, no one in Xiangjiang at this time would completely despise Chu Huan’s business reminder. He pondered for a moment,
I still decided to stick to the Lord’s preaching.
"I will seriously consider this matter!"
Chu Huan just smiled at this.
Afterwards, the two parties had a casual chat. Chu Huan left Zhao Congyan and Zhao Shizeng and his son to have lunch together, and then they left.
However, not long after the two left, Zhao Shizeng ran back alone.
"Ah Huan, are you telling the truth about the development of the shipping industry?"
Compared with Zhao Congyan, the shipping king who founded Huaguang Shipping, Zhao Shizeng has no affection for the shipping industry. What's more, now that Zhao Shizeng and Chu Huan have made a lot of money in the real estate industry, they naturally don't want to change industries.
Already.
But after all, they are father and son. They both prosper and suffer. If it is true that as Chu Huan said, there will be a major crisis in the shipping industry in the future, then Zhuoneng Real Estate founded by him will definitely be implicated.
In another time and space, Zhao Shizeng did not establish his own Zhuoneng Real Estate until 1988, but it is different now. Because he wanted to cooperate with Chu Huan Huahai Real Estate, Zhao Shizeng founded Zhuoneng Real Estate now, and he did not know
What did he think?
After such a long time difference, I still chose Zhuoneng Real Estate.
Chu Huan nodded and said seriously, "At least that's what I think."
This sentence is enough. Zhao Shizeng thought for a moment and said, "I will continue to persuade my father, but..."
Speaking of this, Zhao Shizeng was also a little helpless. Chu Huan spoke with more force than what he said in front of Zhao Congyan. Zhao Shizeng also understood that it was not easy to persuade his father.
"There are still a few years left before the time I guessed, so you should work harder!"
Chu Huan could only persuade Zhao Shizeng in this way.
Zhao Shizeng nodded, and finally said helplessly, "That's the only way it can be. I just hope those people don't cause trouble!"
Chu Huan knew that Zhao Shizeng was talking about his brothers. Everyone knew that there was disagreement within the Zhao family, especially now that Zhao Shizeng was making money in the real estate industry with Chu Huan, and his brothers could not participate.
, we can only pay more attention to our own shipping industry.
In response, Chu Huan just patted Zhao Shizeng on the shoulder, "Good luck!"
After receiving Zhao Congyan and Zhao Shizeng and his son, Chu Huan met with Bao Yugang and Zheng Zhizhi one after another. After that, Chu Huan had nothing specific to do.
In fact, Chu Huan is also preparing to consolidate the company in his hands in the next period of time. After entering 1976, Chu Huan has made several big moves one after another. Now that things are over, they need to be digested internally.
For a moment.
When the time came to September, Cao Yunshang and Gu Chengxi returned from Europe. This trip to Europe had some twists and turns, but the ending was perfect. Cao Yunshang got the Spring Department Store. At the same time, with the capital support of Chu Huan, Cao Yunshang
We also acquired two luxury brands, Fendi and Prada!
This officially rang the bell for Cao Yunshang to enter the luxury brand industry.
After returning to Xiangjiang, Cao Yunshang immediately negotiated with Qi Dezun, and successfully bought Lane Crawford from the other party. At the same time, he turned around and sold Lane Crawford's Hua Department Store and Dah Hsin Department Store to Yunhai Chain, which was headed by Zhu Xiaozhao.
This incident caused quite a stir in Xiangjiang.
Then something happened.
That's how Qi Dezun's Hehe International suddenly had such a large amount of money to acquire Wheelock, and began to gradually delist Wheelock and privatize it.
It turned out to be financially supported by Chu Huan.
According to the analysis of Hong Kong media, the reason why Chu Huan provided financial support to Qi Dezun was to buy Lane Crawford from Wheelock.
‘The driving force behind the change in Hong Kong’s business landscape!’--"Hong Kong Economic Journal"
As the most authoritative business newspaper in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported this incident as the front page headline of the current newspaper.
As for "True News", under the leadership of Gu Chengxi, it began to report repeatedly on Cao Yunshang's entry into the world's luxury brands.
‘The queen of luxury brands in Hong Kong!’--"True News"
This report was not only published in Zhenbao, but also made the headlines of other newspapers in Hong Kong.
In the second half of 1976, when the extremely low-key Chu Huan began to withdraw from the world's attention, Cao Yunshang began to grab the front pages of major media newspapers in Hong Kong.
After Cao Yunshang acquired Lane Crawford, he immediately held a huge fashion show in Hong Kong, spending a lot of money to invite world-famous models, and then with the help of Apex Pictures, he also invited popular female movie stars in Hollywood.
Then join forces with Lin Qingxia, Zhao Yazhi and others from Xiangjiang.
This fashion show instantly attracted the attention of the entire Asia.
And Cao Yunshang also made headlines again due to this incident.
Time flies, and it’s the end of 1976 in a blink of an eye!
As New Year's Day approaches, Kelly from North America took a low-key flight and arrived in Hong Kong.
After Wu Shuhan picked her up at No. 12 Mount Galley Road, he drove away by himself.
Entering the main building, Kelly saw Chu Huan sitting alone on the sofa, playing a video game that she had never seen before.
This is a Famicom test model developed by Langyan Games. Chu Huan specially requested it for Langyan Games. As for the games, in addition to the transplanted arcade games "Donkey Kong", "Space Invaders" and "Pac-Man",
There is also the classic "Tetris" that cannot be more classic.
However, in this time and space, this game cannot be called "Tetris". In another time and space, this game is a casual game invented by Russian Alexei Pajitnov in June 1984.
That’s why it’s called “Tetris”
Now it has become a creative and developed game created by Chu Huan. Naturally, it was named "Xiangjiang Cube" by Chu Huan.
This chapter is not over yet, please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content! This game is not only the main competitive game for Famicom games, but will also be put into arcade games in early 1977 as the Wolf Smoke game.
One of the two main arcade games launched in 1977.
Currently, Wolf Smoke Games, in the arcade game category, basically releases four games every year, two in the first half of the year and two in the second half of the year!
At the same time, there is also a traffic jam game with extremely rough graphics in Chu Huan’s opinion!
"They are upstairs. They said that this is a matter between you women and I am not allowed to participate, so you can only ask for your own happiness!"
After Chu Huan saw Kelly, she gave her a helpless look.
Chu Huan had already told Cao Yunshang and the others about Kelly. As for Kelly's arrival today, they all knew about it. Then Cao Yunshang said, "Brother Huan, you don't need to worry about this matter!"
Chu Huan can only play games at home!
Kelly came to Chu Huan's side and said coquettishly, "Reveal it!"
Chu Huan pressed pause and said helplessly, "I really don't know, so you can only face it by yourself!"
Kelly showed a pitiful expression, but this expression definitely didn't work on Chu Huan's side. In the end, he could only walk up to the third floor with the attitude of a strong man who once left and never returned.
Things will definitely be fine. Since Cao Yunshang and the others are willing to see Kelly, they must have accepted Kelly. The reason why they are doing so many things now is just to declare their sovereignty.
Naturally, Chu Huan would not really get involved, otherwise it would only have the opposite effect.
And Chu Huan himself also has a lot of things to do.
By the end of 1976, as usual, there must have been many business cocktail parties in Xiangjiang. According to Chu Huan's current status in Xiangjiang, Chu Huan was naturally invited to these business cocktail parties.
Even though he has turned down many, there are still some that Chu Huan must participate in.
For example, the Hong Kong government's charity reception is a must-attendance every year.
There are also cocktail parties held by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and so on.
However, among these cocktail parties, except for the charity cocktail party held by the Hong Kong government, Chu Huan took Cao Yunshang with him. Gu Chengxi, Lin Qingxia, and Zhao Yazhi accompanied him to several other cocktail parties respectively.
This is also an opportunity to publicly acknowledge their identities.
Miao Kexiu accompanied Chu Huan to Hehe International's cocktail party in the middle of the year, but it was no longer necessary. Zhu Xiaozhao and Kelly did not need it now because of identity issues.
Today, Chu Huan and Zhao Yazhi just finished attending the banquet hosted by the Heung Kong Real Estate Chamber of Commerce and returned to No. 12 Mount Galley Road by car.
When Chu Huan and Zhao Yazhi returned, they saw Cao Yunshang, Gu Chengxi, Lin Qingxia, Kelly, Miao Kexiu, Zhu Xiaozhao and others sitting around playing poker, mainly Cao Yunshang, Zhu Xiaozhao and Kelly.
While he was playing, the other people were cheering and cheering.
Seeing Chu Huan come back, Zhu Xiaozhao threw away the cards in his hand, removed the note on his face, and stood up happily.
"Brother Huan, you are back!"
"Hey, Xiao Zhao, you are cheating. You are going to lose this card soon." Although Gu Chengxi did not play, she was on the outside. Now that she saw Zhu Xiaozhao cheating, she immediately shouted out.
Zhu Xiaozhao said proudly, "Brother Huan is back, what else can we play!"
"It's a shame!" Gu Chengxi said helplessly.
Tomorrow is New Year's Day, and Chu Huan has already decided that she will not see anyone on New Year's Day this year, but they will spend the New Year's Day here with her.
Naturally, these girls had no objection.
After New Year's Day, they all have to go about their own business.
For example, Kelly has been in Xiangjiang for almost a week, and there is already a backlog of things in North America waiting for her to deal with when she returns.
Cao Yunshang is also very busy. After New Year's Day, she and Xiao Zhao will go to Japan. Although Xiao Zhao has completed the layout in Japan, Yunhai Chain has now set its sights on Taiwan and Taiwan.
Southeast Asia, but due to the development of Yunhai Chain in Japan, it now has great influence, so she will accompany Cao Yunshang to Japan to expand Cao Yunshang's luxury goods empire.
The rest of the people also have their own jobs.
The next day!
January 1, 1977!
Sunny!
The layout of the manor has been taken care of by the servants and Qin Peng and others. At the same time, in order to allow Qin Peng and others to have no worries, Chu Huan gave the servants in the manor a holiday, but took Qin Peng and others' family members over.
.
When the time comes, the place will be divided into two groups to celebrate the festival, one group is for girls such as Chu Huan and Cao Yunshang, and the other group is for Qin Peng and others.
Today everyone put down their work and only did one thing, playing games!
Chu Huan and Lin Qingxia were playing video games in the living room. Cao Yunshang, Kelly, and Zhu Xiaozhao went there, while Miao Kexiu, Gu Chengxi, and Zhao Yazhi went downstairs to play bowling.
In the evening, these people gathered on the rooftop on the third floor to have a barbecue and celebrate the festival!
On the 3rd, Kelly left Xiangjiang first, and Cao Yunshang and Zhu Xiaozhao also left for Japan two days later.
Everyone else also went about their work.
And Chu Huan also had to put something on his agenda that he had been thinking about before.
So today, Chu Huan brought Lin Qingxia and Wu Shuhan to Huo Shahuang's home.
The first is holiday congratulations, and the second is discussing returning to my hometown!