Chapter 206 Shipping and Docks

In the suite of the Mandarin Hotel, Liu Zhicheng was having dinner with his wife Yang Minli.

This is the first time Liu Zhicheng has visited the Mandarin Hotel after acquiring the property.

Every time he comes to the Mandarin Hotel, Liu Zhicheng can't help but think of Leslie Cheung's leap in 2003 in his previous life.

From then on, "Mandarin Oriental" became the saddest word in the world.

As a result, a closed-door renovation lasting nearly a year was launched, and all the balconies of the Mandarin Hotel were sealed with floor-to-ceiling windows.

This time, the two of them went out without even bringing their son, mainly because Liu Zhicheng felt that he should spend more time with his wife. It would be so inconvenient to bring his son out.

Because it is a suite, two people can dine in it, which can better ensure privacy.

Yang Minli is very low-key now and doesn't want to appear in front of the media too often. When the media mentions her, they will definitely mention Liu Zhicheng's romantic life. There is no need to add trouble to herself.

The two of them were having dinner together. There were roses and candles on the table. The atmosphere was very good.

But in fact, both of them seemed a little awkward. They didn't look like a couple on a date, but more like a pair of lovers having a secret meeting.

Liu Zhicheng also felt that the atmosphere was a little abnormal. Although they were already an old couple, they didn't want to have dinner with a wooden man.

"Why are you making yourself invisible now? If you do this, those gossip reporters will definitely make up stories."

In his previous life, Liu Zhicheng remembered that after the British Queen became seriously ill, she also began to disappear, and various speculations appeared in the media.

Now Yang Minli basically does not appear in public, and quietly takes care of her husband and children at home. This is something Liu Zhicheng does not want to see, and he is also afraid that others will frame him.

Even if others didn't frame him, with Yang Minli's ability, she shouldn't be so unknown. In her previous life, her ability had been tested.

After listening to this, Yang Minli smiled and said, "I think it's good to be the woman behind a successful man. It also prevents those media reporters from always asking all kinds of questions and affecting my mood."

Liu Zhicheng certainly knew what the media reporters would ask him, which was just about the romantic affairs of the playboy tycoon.

Maybe his "romanticism" did stimulate her, but she was also dissatisfied with herself deep down in her heart.

In addition, women are selfish and of course they don't want to share their men with others, so they choose to escape by the "out of sight, out of mind" approach.

Liu Zhicheng also didn't know how other "tycoons" handled these matters.

Now, this woman has put all the pressure on him.

It’s simply unreasonable!
Just now you said you wanted to be the woman behind a successful man!

If you don't share the work pressure with me, how can I have the time for the Liu family to build a world-class family?

Well, Liu Zhicheng didn't ask Yang Minli to make money to make himself "romantic".

But at least you have to show up and make others envy your "romanticism" even more.

The red flag is flying at home, and the colorful flags are fluttering outside!

Therefore, for the sake of happiness, we have to give some advice, at least it can improve the relationship between husband and wife.

"You don't think that I let you manage the company so that I can have more time to keep beautiful women outside, do you?"

"Haha." Yang Minli actually laughed.

It was a little creepy, so Liu Zhicheng had to laugh and ask, "What's the matter?"

Yang Minli immediately became hypocritical and said, "I just don't want you to get what you want?"

Liu Zhicheng said seriously: "Woman, I am doing this for your own good. You don't care, but you have to think about your son.
If you don't keep an eye on it, what will happen if I give all my property to others?"

Yang Minli was stunned, her expression changed for a moment, and she said after a moment: "I don't care who you give it to, anyway, I have dowry from two companies."

After saying that, he tilted his head to one side and became angry.

Liu Zhicheng thought that he still wanted others to give birth to another son for him, so he should not be too chauvinistic and should just coax his wife when necessary.

He then took the woman into his arms domineeringly and said, "What I mean is, I have to fly around frequently, if there is an accident..."

"Don't talk nonsense. You won't abandon us mother and son."

Women just fall for this kind of thing. When Yang Minli heard the word "accident", she started to shed tears.

Liu Zhicheng kissed her gently and said with a smile: "I will not abandon you and your son. Haven't you seen that my security has been upgraded?"

In his previous life, the problems that arose in the next ten years among several wealthy families in Hong Kong had to attract Liu Zhicheng's attention.

"From now on, you and your son's security will also need to be upgraded. You cannot allow your son to have any chance to show his face in public, and you absolutely cannot allow the media to take a photo of him from the front."

"You still have us, mother and son, in your heart."

"You are my only sweetheart. Didn't you promise to give me a few sons?"

Liu Zhicheng's words made Yang Minli blush, and she immediately punched him and said, "That also requires the emperor's favor, otherwise how can I give birth."

This woman is really beautiful today, with short shoulder-length hair that is slightly dyed and curled, and wearing a black suspender skirt, which reveals her magnificent figure.

Liu Zhicheng lifted Yang Minli's chin and looked at her face carefully!

There was nothing special about this woman, whether it was her figure, skin color, eyes, nose, mouth, etc.

But she gives people a surprisingly good feeling. The more you look at her, the more attractive she becomes. This is probably the beauty of her temperament.

Yang Minli was 'impudently' lifted up by Liu Zhicheng's chin, and looked at him wantonly, looking into his affectionate eyes, and she had a feeling of desire.

The two of them just looked at each other like this, and since Yang Minli took the initiative, the whole room was filled with joy.

After the storm.

Liu Zhicheng hugged Yang Minli and said, "You are so beautiful!"

It was just a polite remark, but Yang Minli leaned forward and asked, "Who is beautiful, me? Or is Sun Lina beautiful? Or is Lin Qingxia beautiful?"

Are all women so serious?

Liu Zhicheng had no choice but to lower his head, look at the blushing face seriously, and said: "You are definitely beautiful."

Liu Zhicheng said without hesitation that no matter which woman asked him this question, the answer would be the same!

Although Yang Minli had some doubts, she didn't want to delve into them further. She was a smart person, and asking too many questions would hurt her feelings.

Because she knew that Liu Zhicheng was a sentimental man, she could only believe it. Otherwise, she would be asking for trouble.

"In a few days, you will go to work at Shanfeng Investment and start to understand the basic situation of the company."

"Well," Yang Minli was somewhat 'interested', and took the initiative to climb onto Liu Zhicheng's chest and said, "Your Majesty, I want more."

A few days later, Yang Minli officially became a member of the Shanfeng Investment Management Committee and began to get involved in Liu Zhicheng's business.

………A new day begins.

Liu Zhicheng's influence continued to grow, and the stock market was booming as the Hang Seng Index broke through 2500 points.

The market value of several listed companies under Shanfeng Investment has slowly begun to recover to the level before the stock market crash.

The market value of Whampoa Group has reached HK$160 billion, the market value of Hutchison Whampoa has reached HK$48 billion, the market value of CLP Group has reached HK$52 billion, and the market value of Wheelock has reached HK$38 billion.

The market value of Hong Kong Land, which is controlled by Whampoa Group, has reached HK$89 billion. There are also Daya Mining, Daya Real Estate, and some non-listed companies, which are also valued at a high price.

No one doubts the financial strength of the richest man Liu Zhicheng anymore. The market value of the companies under Shanfeng Investment has silenced everyone.

...............

In the office of the Sailing Building, Liu Zhicheng is waiting for his subordinates to report on their work.

After a while, Ma Jinglun, who was in charge of Wheelock, came to Liu Zhicheng's office.

Ma Jinglun was in his prime. Before Liu Zhicheng took over Henderson Land Development, he was in charge of Oriental Shipping Company.

However, at that time, Oriental Shipping Company was just a small company with four bulk carriers and a tonnage of only 4 tons.

Moreover, the routes are from the inland coast to Hong Kong and the west coast of the beautiful country.

After Liu Zhicheng took over Wheelock, Ma Jinglun officially took charge of Wheelock Shipping on the recommendation of the ship charter king.

After several mergers and restructurings, Wheelock is now a pure shipping company with more than 50 container ships and 30 bulk carriers, with a total tonnage of 50 tons.

From being in charge of a small company to becoming the head of a listed company, Ma Jinglun has risen in status and made a name for himself.

You know, today Wheelock is a leader not only in Hong Kong but also in the world’s shipping industry.

After all, it was once one of the four major trading companies in Hong Kong.

Seeing the boss sipping the tea slowly, Ma Jinglun also took a sip of the tea brewed by the boss' assistant before speaking slowly:

"Boss, after I took over Wheelock, I discovered some problems. I came here today to report to you. I want to hear your instructions?"

The general direction of the company is in the hands of the boss, and he must report to the boss, so there is nothing wrong with Ma Jinglun's actions, and Liu Zhicheng will not blame him for not having leadership responsibility.

"Tell me about it." Liu Zhicheng said lightly.

"The first is that some of the ships are too old and often need to stop at the port for repairs. The second problem is that Wheelock's route layout is too concentrated, mainly to Europe, and the risk is a bit too great."

"Well, what measures do you have for these two aspects?" Liu Zhicheng asked back.

Liu Zhicheng didn't know much about shipping work, so it was impossible for him to give too many instructions with far-reaching impacts. Only by listening more could he better master shipping knowledge.

Ma Jinglun was confident and said, "Boss, I suggest that we deal with some of the ships that are too old, which number is about 12.

The second is to adjust the shipping routes, open routes that avoid the Hong Kong River and go through RB to North America, and this requires a large-scale investment in shipping capacity. "

"Well," Liu Zhicheng nodded and said, "I don't know much about shipping, but now that oil prices have fallen,

The losses in ocean shipping will definitely decrease, and the lost shipping capacity will be replenished year by year.”

Shipping companies are typical asset-heavy, high-debt industries, and high-risk industries, with shipping prices fluctuating.

Liu Zhicheng remembers that in his previous life, with the reform and opening up of the mainland, ocean shipping business increased dramatically starting from the 90s until after 2010.

"You need to appropriately and gradually open routes from inland ports to RB, North America, and Europe. That's all I have to say. Just report back if you have anything to say."

Liu Zhicheng is a typical layman and does not dare to give too much guidance to experts.

"Okay, boss, I will give you a detailed report after I come up with a plan," said Ma Jinglun.

Afterwards, the two talked about the future prospects of the shipping industry and the problems currently facing the shipping industry.

In recent years, shipping companies in Hong Kong have all encountered problems, including Shunchang Shipping and Orient Overseas Container Line.

In 87, Xu's Shunchang Shipping sold all its ships. If it weren't for the help of Airship Huo, Orient Overseas would have even gone bankrupt.

Therefore, Liu Zhicheng fully supports Wheelock's elimination of some ships.

After Ma Jinglun left, Liu Zhicheng picked up another briefing and read it.

In January 1984, Pengcheng City submitted a report on the construction of Yantian Port to Guangdong Province, but the feasibility study report was not completed until this year (1).

The first phase of the project involved the construction of six berths with a designed annual throughput of 280 million tons and a total investment of 3.3 million yuan. However, the construction officially started in 1990.

In the past, Hutchison Whampoa only officially signed an agreement with Yantian Port Group to build two berths in 1993.

In other words, the progress of Yantian Port is slow, and of course, it is also taking care of Hong Kong's port business.

The next day, Liu Zhicheng called Tony Dank from Hutchison Whampoa to listen to the report.

"Tony, what do you think of Yantian Port?" Liu Zhicheng asked.

"Boss, after I heard about the investment plan of Yantian Port, I went to Pengcheng in person, but Pengcheng kept rejecting me politely.

Later, I inquired and found out that they seemed to have found a loan of R yuan for the first phase of the project and did not need new investment. "Tony Dank reported.

Liu Zhicheng had already known that it would be difficult to interfere with the first phase of the Yantian Port project because they had not yet been hit by the exchange rate loss.

"Well, this is normal, but you also need to send someone to follow up. Maybe there will be a second phase of the project." Liu Zhicheng said.

The mainland has just started its reform and opening up, and some of the reform and opening up work has not yet been fully launched. Shekou Port can be said to be an exception among exceptions.

"Okay, Mr. Liu." Tony Dank responded.

Wharf's port business is one of the boss's core industries, and it has repeatedly demonstrated the importance of the mainland port market. Tony Dank does not dare to be careless at all.

“How is Shekou Port operating now?”

"Mr. Liu, speaking of Shekou Port, there is one thing I want to report to you. Shekou Port is preparing to build the second phase of the project." Tony Dank reported with a smile.

"This is good news, which shows that the first phase of the project is developing very well." Liu Zhicheng was a little surprised and said, "We invested in Shekou Port a few years ago, and the export volume was 30 times that of the industrial park. How come it has increased so much?"

"It is definitely not enough to rely on the Shekou Industrial Park alone. The main reason is that Shekou Port is equipped with semi-automated equipment, which is not only efficient but also cheaper than Hong Kong. This has attracted a large number of goods from Pengcheng to go through Shekou Port."

"That makes sense. You should send someone over to negotiate immediately and try to win them over." Liu Zhicheng said slowly.

In the past, Shekou had a small area, low industrial exports, and mediocre port construction.

Now, thanks to Liu Zhicheng's investment, Shekou Port has naturally become very international. At the same time, with the support of the charter king, international routes have been opened, creating a complete closed loop.

At the same time, Shekou's economy is booming, and it has opened up roads to surrounding cities, attracting a large amount of surrounding goods to be exported through Shekou Port.

All these were unexpected situations that Liu Zhicheng had not expected. It is unknown whether they will affect the construction of the second phase of Yantian Port.

(End of this chapter)