Return to 1958 and build a century-old giant

Chapter 954 Re-signing to Jobs

It was quite unexpected that his own brother, now in middle age, suddenly wanted to start his own business.
However, it's not impossible. I guess he's been so bored over the years that he's thinking of finding something to do.

Starting a business with Hong Kong's richest man can indeed easily lead to financial freedom, but achieving financial freedom too early and becoming too bored can indeed cause some changes in mindset.
Anyway, there wasn't much risk involved, so Yang Wendong gave him a little guidance and then stopped interfering. In this era, if you went to the mainland to do business and didn't mess around, it would be hard not to make money.

After spending a few days on the ship, Yang Wendong returned to his normal life.
On January 7, Yang Wendong received a message from Zheng Zhijie and frowned, saying, "The Hong Kong government only agreed to our conversion of industrial land in Tsim Sha Tsui to commercial land. Why not land in Kwun Tong?"

Zheng Zhijie said, "Yes, the industrial land in Kwun Tong is too large, so large that the Hong Kong government does not dare to convert it into commercial land at will, even at market price they will not agree."

Furthermore, there's another issue: Kwun Tong's main economic pillar used to be Cheung Hing Industries. Now, Cheung Hing Industries is gradually relocating away from Hong Kong, and coupled with the recent economic crisis, the local economy is also struggling.

"This was inevitable. Many of Changxing Industrial's businesses were not very profitable to begin with, so they had to be relocated," Yang Wendong said, shaking his head.
In the 60s and early 70s, Changxing Industrial achieved a high profit margin thanks to the patents registered by Yang Wendong in the early days.

However, as patents expire in many parts of the world, Changxing Industrial's advantage in this area has disappeared. Indeed, there are other products with patents still in effect, but the exclusive advantage of the main product is gone.

However, due to the huge economies of scale in the early stages and the inherent advantages of the entire industry chain, it has still developed well.
However, by the 80s, the average wage in Hong Kong had reached HK$1300 a month, which was about US$250 at the exchange rate at the time. Ordinary labor-intensive industries could no longer afford this cost.

Even without China's reform and opening up, Changxing Industrial would have moved to Taiwan or Southeast Asia. However, given the large scale of Changxing Industrial, the relocation would have taken some time, and it has not yet been completely moved away.

Zheng Zhijie said, "Yes, but the Hong Kong government's considerations are not without reason. The economy in Kwun Tong is not good to begin with. If so much commercial land is released, the land prices, which have finally started to pick up, will inevitably plummet."

“Yes, supply and demand are balanced, I understand the principle.” Yang Wendong then asked, “What if we gradually apply for ‘industrial to commercial’ status in the future?”

In fact, when the industrial park was built in Kwun Tong in the 60s, Yang Wendong had already considered that such a piece of land would be difficult to turn into a commercial property in the future.

Historically, Hong Kong did not have land of this size. However, at that time, its industrial development required a large area of ​​land, so it did not consider the future and prioritized the smooth progress of its industry.
Anyway, even if he can't convert it into a commercial property, the land is still his, and the early industrial value has already achieved its purpose, so he won't lose out.

Cheng Chi-kit replied, "The Hong Kong government hasn't made a statement, but it's definitely clear that it won't work this year. This year, they can only allow us to convert our land in Tsim Sha Tsui from industrial to commercial use."

Yang Wendong thought for a moment and said, "Alright then, let's go with Tsim Sha Tsui. Judging from the current state of commercial development in Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is much better than Kwun Tong. We can develop Tsim Sha Tsui."

We have too much industrial land in our hands, so let's take it slow. There's plenty of time ahead.
As long as the land remains in their hands, they can hand it over to their descendants and deal with the Hong Kong government over the issue later; it can be considered family wealth left to their descendants.

Tsim Sha Tsui has the strongest commercial status in Kowloon, so it's not bad that it was developed first.

“Okay, Mr. Yang.” Zheng Zhijie continued, “We have quite a few plots of land in Tsim Sha Tsui, some of them quite large. Do you have any requirements regarding whether to build all of them into properties for our own use, or to build some of them into residential properties?”

Developing and selling residential properties can quickly generate cash flow, while building and holding office buildings requires a significant investment but offers long-term profits.
There is no right or wrong choice between the two options; the decision depends on the specific circumstances of each company.

Yang Wendong said, "You can decide for yourselves. If you can hold the property yourself, then do so. But if the location of the land is not ideal for commercial use, or if the area is relatively large, then building residential or apartment buildings is also an option. You can use some of the funds to invest in the properties you hold yourself."

While self-owned properties are generally better and offer higher long-term returns, not all types of land are suitable for self-owned properties. Some land plots are only suitable for residential development due to their location, size, and shape.
Zheng Zhijie understood what his boss meant and said, "Okay, I understand."

Yang Wendong said, "Okay, the group also has several large-scale infrastructure projects in the mainland, including two expressways, one port, and three Yangtze River bridges."

These are all the responsibility of your infrastructure company; you need to assign people to monitor the progress closely.

Also, regarding Zhiwen, I'll arrange for him to study under you for a while, and you can also provide some guidance.

Yang Wendong has already familiarized his son with the group's businesses in Europe, the United States, and mainland China. The next step is to gain a better understanding of each business itself.

You don't need to be an expert, but you should at least have a general understanding and some basic knowledge.

Yang Zhiwen, who was standing nearby, immediately came over and said to Zheng Zhijie, "Mr. Zheng, please give me your guidance. Thank you for your help."

"Young Master Yang, you're too kind. It's what I should do," Zheng Zhijie quickly replied.

He also knew that the Yang family was preparing to cultivate an heir. This matter was just as important as the establishment of a crown prince in ancient times, even more important than many business matters.

Yang Wendong said, "Alright, Zhiwen, you can go with Lao Zheng later. I'm going to America to see an old friend. It doesn't matter whether you come or not."

Yang Zhiwen said, "Yes, Daddy."

“Alright, then you can go ahead and familiarize yourselves with the group’s real estate business.” Yang Wendong said, “The real estate business is relatively simple; in the future, we will mainly focus on property leasing.”

However, the group will be more involved in infrastructure in the future. The mainland and even overseas markets will be huge for us, so you should learn more about it.

“Okay, I understand, Daddy,” Yang Zhiwen replied.
Hong Kong's economy is gradually recovering;
On the mainland, the reform and opening up has entered its sixth year, and the economy has begun to improve. My various businesses on the mainland are also progressing smoothly.
Before leaving Hong Kong, Yang Wendong also received good news: the mainland had agreed to allow Carrefour to open a foreign-owned supermarket in six cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Hankou.
Having taken this first step, Yang Wendong was quite satisfied.

By first entering the mainland market and then building its own local team there, while simultaneously cultivating relevant talent, Carrefour can open a dozen or even dozens more stores once domestic policies improve further. For Carrefour to become a top global supermarket giant, it needs a strong market foundation.

Walmart has the US market, Auchan and Metro have Europe, so we must rely on the mainland market of future economic giants to have any chance of success.
On January 11, Yang Wendong traveled to Los Angeles on his private jet.
After getting off the plane, having already rested well on the flight, I arranged for a convoy to take me directly to the Malibu villa area, a wealthy neighborhood in Los Angeles, where I met an old acquaintance.

"Steve Jobs, it's been a long time. If I hadn't known beforehand, I might not have recognized you." Yang Wendong said politely with a smile, "It's just a small failure, it shouldn't have made you so depressed."

The person who opened the door at that moment was none other than Steve Jobs, who had just been ousted from Apple by the board of directors.

Although Apple's history has changed somewhat because of itself, the general trend has not changed. Jobs' arrogance and personality are there, and sooner or later he will break with Apple.
Jobs quickly tidied his messy hair and said, "It's not exactly depression, just a bad mood. Apple is like a lover to me, and now that it's been taken away, I'm naturally not going to pretend nothing happened."

"If someone's lover leaves or they get dumped, the best way to get revenge isn't to become despondent, but to prove that they are better, right?" Yang Wendong comforted them in reverse.
It's normal for Jobs to be in a bad mood at this time.

After listening, Jobs nodded and said, "That makes sense. Please come in, Eric."

"Okay." Jobs stepped aside slightly, inviting Yang Wendong inside.

After Yang Wendong went inside, he looked around and saw a large number of electronic components in the living room. He then asked, "Are you still researching computers?"

Jobs said, "Yes, although I have left Apple and sold all my shares except for one stock, I am still passionate about computers."

Yang Wendong asked curiously, "Why are you still keeping a stock?"

Jobs said, "I want to remain an Apple shareholder so that I can still access Apple's financial information."

"Yes, that makes sense." Yang Wendong nodded.

After the two sat down, Jobs suddenly asked, "Eric, when you suddenly sold all your Apple shares, did you foresee this day coming?"

"Not really. My company, Glory Electronics, has indeed started to enter the computer field, which creates a conflict of interest with you, so it's not suitable for us to be shareholders," Yang Wendong said somewhat embarrassedly.
Steve Jobs was rather arrogant, but he was also incredibly intelligent.
"Alright." Jobs didn't ask any more questions and said, "So you didn't come here today to laugh at me, did you?"

"How could that be? Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Yang Wendong shook his head and said, "It's just doing business. It's normal to fail. I've seen plenty of that."
Besides, you only lost management control of the company; the finances weren't significantly affected. Compared to a real failure, it's nothing.

Although Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple, he still held real shares. Although Apple's stock has shrunk somewhat in recent years, even a fallen giant is still a giant, and he remains a billionaire.

"Yes, compared to those who went bankrupt, I'm much better off." Jobs nodded and said, "So, what's the purpose of your summons?"

Yang Wendong pointed to a pile of electronic parts around him and said, "It's for these. I guessed that with your personality, you would never admit defeat and would definitely try to start a business again, so I came."

Not to mention his failed business ventures, this man in front of us had cancer in his past, but he insisted on working until his body could no longer take it, at which point he resigned as Apple CEO.
Of course, his cancer was actually curable, but he ruined it himself.
Jobs asked, "So you're planning to invest in me again?"

Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Yes, I want to invest in you."

Jobs asked again, "You don't even know what I'm going to do next, yet you're going to invest in me?"

“Of course, I want to invest in you, not any company,” Yang Wendong said calmly.
Lei Jun, who was born in mainland China, also received $500 million in venture capital when he started Xiaomi, before he had even developed any business.

To paraphrase that venture capitalist at the time, "No matter what Lei Jun does, I'll invest with my eyes closed."

The same applies to Yang Wendong today. Even if his influence causes Jobs to fail in his future entrepreneurial ventures, it doesn't matter. It's just a small investment, and the probability of that happening is not high anyway.

Talented people will always succeed, and Steve Jobs' life is indeed a legendary story.

Jobs thought for a moment and said, "I originally wanted to make computers again, but now there are IBM, Apple, HP, Honor, and dozens or even hundreds of other computer companies. At this point, there is little chance for an ordinary new computer company to succeed."

Yang Wendong also said, "That's right. Even though it's my own Honor brand, backed by Best Buy, it can only get a small share of the computer market."

Computers in this era are still undergoing rapid iterations and have not yet reached a stable state. At most, one's own prophetic abilities can tell that this industry will be huge in the future, but if one really wants to break into it, one must rely on technology, quality, and service. Of these three points, Honor only accounts for the last one.
Jobs continued, "So I had a new idea. When I was bored lately, I started watching all kinds of comics and anime, but I found that the people in comics had rich facial expressions, but the people in anime didn't."

Therefore, I thought that if I could create a computer specifically for animation production, I could capture this niche market.

“This is definitely worth a try.” Yang Wendong nodded and said, “Marvel once commissioned me to make this kind of computer, but as you know, I’m in Hong Kong, and the technology there is far inferior to that in Silicon Valley.”

"It would definitely be easier for you than for me to do it. I've invested in this project."

PS: Please give me a monthly ticket
(End of this chapter)