Lei Yingdong's thinking was simple. He didn't intend to continue in this maritime transport business. Once he had made enough money, this barefoot Tanka boy would eventually have to go ashore. But if he wanted to do real estate business ashore, he would naturally take the opportunity to acquire a large amount of cheap land, the more the better. He couldn't use Song Tianyao's methods, but he was no less adept at making money at sea. Considering that Song Tianyao already had money in his hands and a large amount of land owned by the Lin Family, Lei Yingdong only thought for two hours after learning about the soaring freight rates before deciding to buy the two ships that were currently fully loaded and heading out to sea.
The two ships, with a combined 2,800-ton carrying capacity, were loaded with 300 tons of oil and supplies, including food and water. The prohibited goods amounted to 2,500 tons. The freight alone for one trip to North Korea would bring in 500,000 US dollars. Even after deducting various expenses, the profits were still staggering. If they could make four or five safe round trips, Lei Yingdong might be able to surpass Song Tianyao Lei Yingdong's earnings on Hong Kong Island.
One ship carried steel and rubber, and another carried pharmaceuticals and chemical raw materials. Lei Yingdong's profit margin on the other steel, rubber, and chemical raw materials wasn't high, but he obtained half of the ship's cargo of penicillin through Song Tianyao's connections at Chu Xiaoxin's Likang Company and sold it to him at the normal price.
"No wonder those Shanghai who run ships are so wealthy. Brother Danzi you just run these two ships steadily for two years, you could also become a billionaire." Lengzai rubbed his slightly damp hands and said to Lei Yingdong.
Lei Yingdong shook his head. "How could I possibly have the chance to run for two whole years? I'd be praying to the gods if I could even run for two months. I'm already incredibly grateful that I was able to buy two boats this time. Those Shanghai people are rich and powerful. Luckily, the previous ship owner gave me face and looked after me. Otherwise, even if I wanted to buy a boat, I wouldn't be able to compete with those Shanghai people. After running for two months, I'll resell the boats to the Shanghai people, make another profit, and then I'll take you ashore to do business. We're almost at the strait. Once we cross the Taiwan Strait, half the money will already be in our pockets. Everyone's eyes will light up."
The dark, boundless sea stretched out before them, and two small, thousand-ton vessels, like ants between the sky and the sea, swayed and drifted towards the Taiwan Strait.
"Brother Chunsheng, how is the opera troupe I keep at home performing?" Yu Shiting said slowly, listening to the melodious Kunqu opera.
On the stage in front of him, two Kunqu Opera performers were singing a classic scene from "The Peony Pavilion," titled "The Awakening from a Dream." These two performers were brought to Hong Kong from Shanghai Bund by him. They were once outstanding stars at Huang Jinrong 'Shanghai Bund World Theater. Although radios are now popular in Hong Kong, Yu Shiting still likes to have these two performers dress up in costumes and paint their faces, and sing a couple of excerpts for him in his spare time.
Zeng Chunsheng, standing nearby, clearly didn't Yu Shiting's current refined tastes. Hearing Yu Shiting pick up where he left off, he immediately spoke again, his voice thick with Shanghai accent:
"With freight rates skyrocketing, it's rare to Boss Yu, still in the mood. Two hundred US dollars a ton— Boss Yu, you know, before, the China person here in Hong Kong didn't do shipping. Shipping was a Britain monopoly. It was only after the North Korea War that the Britain couldn't make money, and the China person managed to establish connections with the Mainland through various channels, so the shipping business started again. Speaking of which, establishing connections with the Mainland and opening doors was something we, the group of people who came to Hong Kong from the Mainland, did first. Before, we were all China person, and those locals in Hong Kong would steal our business, smuggling goods to Macau and Shenzhen. That was one thing, but the deep-sea business has always been dominated by people like us. Lei Danzi snatched two boats and set sail without a word, breaking the rules! Wei Qing had already booked those two boats and was raising the money, but Lei Danzi got them, and now he's openly stealing our business."
"Stealing business? What business are you talking about, Brother Chunsheng? We're doing business with Japan, not with the Lei Danzi." Yu Shiting corrected Zeng Chunsheng's mistake. "You need to understand, doing business with the Japan and helping North Korea transport supplies are completely different things."
"Among our group, you Boss Yu, have the most cargo ships. Everyone is harboring resentment and just waiting for you to speak up so we can teach that Lei guy a lesson." Zeng Chunsheng stared straight at Yu Shiting.
Having moved to Hong Kong in 1949, and now worth hundreds of millions, owning twenty-three small and medium-sized ocean-going vessels distributed among his relatives, Yu Shiting, who lives a quiet life in Hong Kong, shook his head:
"Brother Chunsheng, everyone does business. Lei Danzi is lucky to have bought two boats to go out to sea. Since he's lucky, and business at sea is all about luck, let him make some money. It's no big deal. Let's listen to the opera."
Seeing that he had failed to persuade Yu Shiting, Zeng Chunsheng sighed helplessly and took his leave. Once outside the Yu Family gate and into his car, Zeng Chunsheng looked Yu Family the window and muttered under his breath, "Old fox! Good thing I had plans. Since you didn't stand up for everyone this time, what will you do in the future..."
Chapter 440 Instructions
When Song Tianyao learned that Lei Yingdong had sunk a ship, he was playing golf with MacIntosh.
MacIntosh took a powerful shot, landing the ball on the green. He turned to Song Tianyao and said with a smile, "Mr. Song, it's very rare to see China businessman as leisurely as you."
Song Tianyao handed the golf club to the caddie beside him, then walked under the parasol, poured two glasses of chilled sparkling wine, and handed them to MacIntosh: "What kind of China businessmen does Commissioner Mak see?"
"Hardworking, very hardworking. Apart from some banquets, few people would set aside time like you to play golf," MacIntosh said to Song Tianyao as he accepted the wine Song Tianyao offered.
Song Tianyao let out a sigh of relief, "I don't think it's necessary to overwork myself. After making plans and setting goals in the early stages, I can hand them over to the people around me to carry out. At that time, I should play ball and have a drink with influential people."
"By the way, Commissioner Mak," Song Tianyao raised his glass in a toast, "A toast to your good luck!"
MacIntosh clinked glasses with Song Tianyao: "Thank you, I really was very lucky."