A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 127 Car Dealership
In early December, Changjiang Motors will distribute dividends on a large scale, and more than 12 shareholders will receive dividends within four days.

He Xiangdong went to his boss's office and brought up an old matter. "Boss, we now have over 1200 shareholders. While there's no pressure to maintain a regular dividend distribution schedule, I think starting next year, we should distribute dividends quarterly. Otherwise, the company will be overwhelmed and the base will be in turmoil."

Times have changed. The reputation of Changjiang Rickshaw Company has been established and there is no longer any distrust among rickshaw pullers.

Chen Guangliang no longer insisted and said, "Since that's the case, let's take advantage of this dividend distribution period to talk to everyone and explain the reasons for this matter. Don't put on airs."

The rickshaw company itself does not need to be too strict, as it just collects rent; however, the security team is more strict, and the rickshaw drivers are more afraid of them.

He Xiangdong immediately said, "No problem, I'm sure everyone will understand. After all, among so many car dealerships in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, only Changjiang Motors allowed them to 'raise shares'. Everyone knows this."

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang took the initiative to ask: "What's the current market situation for license plates? How are the license plates being sold?"

As a manager, you cannot just take care of your own responsibilities, but also have to have a long-term perspective and be familiar with the market.

He Xiangdong does not need to participate in specific work now - collecting rent, bookkeeping, repairs, maintenance, etc., so his job is to have a clear understanding and outlook on this industry, and to supervise and manage the work of his subordinates.

As Chen Guangliang's businesses grow, he naturally has less and less energy to devote to each industry, so the level of these management levels is particularly important.

He Xiangdong would not disappoint anyone, he immediately said:

"The price of a large license plate has now risen to over 600 yuan. Trading and leasing are very active, with the majority going to the large and medium-sized dealerships. Dealers like Han's, Chigo, and Feng's have been buying up large license plates for the past six months. Gu's, of course, has bought nearly of them. This trend is expected to peak in two years, with the major dealerships monopolizing the license plates, leaving fewer small dealerships or individuals holding them. The specific percentage of large license plates could be % to %."

"While Shanghai's population is growing rapidly, particularly with the influx of middle- and upper-class people from across China, illegal rickshaws continue to proliferate. If this trend continues, the industry will become increasingly difficult in the next two to three years, and rickshaw drivers' incomes will decline."

The analysis basically conforms to the laws of the market.

The average per capita consumption in Shanghai is about 8 yuan, so it is not a big problem for a rickshaw driver to support his family. But if three years later, their income is only 10 yuan, then how to support their children will become a problem.

Chen Guangliang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Your analysis is somewhat correct. In fact, most of the illegal taxi operators are individuals, but they are just trying to make a living. But even if they want to make a living, it's not that easy."

He Xiangdong immediately said, "It seems like selling illegal taxis is very profitable. Sixty dollars for a taxi, and if you're lucky, you can make back your money in two or three months. But in reality, that's not the case. Those patrol officers rely on these taxis for bonuses. If they catch one, they'll have worked for days in vain, and this happens quite often. To put it bluntly, the patrol officers are still the winners."

Changjiang Car Dealership also has about fifty illegal cars. They operate these vehicles. First of all, the rental fee is not high, probably only about 6 cents a day; secondly, these cars run on some unconventional routes and familiar routes; finally, Changjiang Car Dealership has a certain background and connections, and can often avoid penalties.

But for those who run illegal vehicles individually, I am afraid that most of them will contribute their profits to the patrol police as bonuses, and their income is not as high as imagined; of course, this business also depends on ability. The smart ones will avoid some things and be more talkative; the dumb ones may even go bankrupt in the end.

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about that. After all, from our perspective as business owners, we don't want illegal taxis to proliferate. Furthermore, the proliferation of illegal taxis will also affect our taxi business. With congestion on certain roads and other issues, what do you think about the salaries of our management and staff?"

The Changjiang Vehicle Company has a total of 12 managers and staff (excluding rental business), who manage more than 500 rickshaws (1500% of which are large rickshaws) and nearly rickshaw pullers.

Of course, this does not include the 12 bodyguards from the "security company", otherwise this number of people would not be able to control so many rickshaw pullers.

He Xiangdong immediately said, "Employee salaries are between 15 and 20 yuan, plus bonuses from projects, so the minimum is 4 yuan per month. There are also holiday benefits, which is quite good. After all, these employees used to be rickshaw pullers. With some private schooling and some cleverness, their lives have changed dramatically. Furthermore, the company offers everyone a bright future. Motivated employees have the opportunity for promotions and salary increases, so everyone's enthusiasm is very high."

Although Changjiang Taxi Company has been developing slowly in the past six months, it has expanded into the taxi business. Some of its employees were initially absorbed by Changjiang Taxi and their salaries increased significantly.

Chen Guangliang said: "I like motivated employees. In short, if they are willing to learn and work hard, there will be more prospects in the future."

Not to mention the long term, even when the taxi business expands, if any employees of Changjiang Taxi Company perform well, they will be able to move there and their salaries will increase significantly.

After 1937, it is impossible for Chen's businesses to withdraw from the mainland. They will persist until 1949. During this period, the old employees who followed him will also be taken care of by the company. Chen Guangliang will definitely make arrangements in advance.

He Xiangdong said, "Well, everyone is grateful for the company's training and treatment. As for the management, we not only enjoy high salaries, but also high dividends, and everyone is very satisfied. Management like me earns almost as much as those in the cultural field."

Management salaries generally ranged from 30 to 70 yuan, but the dealership also received substantial dividends, often amounting to several dozen yuan a month. Of course, Changjiang Car Dealership's management team consisted of only four people: Deputy General Manager He Xiangdong, Pan Cheng, who managed the Yuyuan Road headquarters, the person in charge of Fangua Lane, and the company's finance department.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Especially you. Don't stop studying after get off work. Your English needs improvement. Read some books on business management and Confucianism to improve yourself. I can't just develop my business in Shanghai. If I want to expand my business nationwide or even go abroad for inspection, you'll need people I trust."

As one of the earliest talents to follow him, He Xiangdong was bound to receive long-term training. After 1937, he might be a person in charge in the mainland, and his family would be arranged to take refuge in Chongqing; in 1949, he would also be allowed to come to Hong Kong with his family.

"Well, I'll keep the boss's teachings in mind!" He Xiangdong said excitedly.

He believed that his boss would become a business tycoon like Sheng Huaixuan, Ye Chengzhong, and Yu Qiaqing in the future. As one of the earliest people to follow the boss, as long as his ability improved, the boss would give him opportunities.

"Have you heard? Starting from next month, dividends will be paid out quarterly, in March, June, September, and December every year, instead of three months' dividends being paid out at once?"

"Of course I heard about it. The car dealership said it's too troublesome to issue it every month, and we can save money if we issue it every three months instead of spending it every month."

"Do you think this is a good idea?" "Why not? Don't you trust Boss Chen? He's doing such a big business. He's built hundreds of buildings this year. He's not short of money."

"That's right, Changjiang Car Dealership is the best car dealership I've ever worked for. There's no doubt about that. Three months is three months, it's not like they won't make any money."

"Well, didn't the higher-ups say that anyone who wants to withdraw their principal can apply at any time?"

"I'm not that stupid"

Of course, the Changjiang Coach Company had also encountered the situation of "withdrawing capital", and basically the drivers were quickly allowed to withdraw their shares, and other people or the coach company made up for it.

However, this situation is rare because all withdrawals are based on the original price of 10 yuan per share, and many projects have actually increased in value a lot.

Especially some of the "stocks" at the beginning, the monthly income for every two shares was as high as 1.8 oceans, which was equivalent to a payback in 11 months. The rickshaw pullers who bought such stocks were really laughing.

Whenever dividends are distributed, Chen Guangliang will definitely appear at the Changjiang Car Dealership.

"Boss Chen"

"Hello, Mr. Chen"

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "Hello everyone, it's time to distribute dividends again. You can all be happy for a few days."

A driver said: "It's all thanks to Boss Chen who takes care of us."

Chen Guangliang then said, "It's all thanks to you all that I'm taking care of myself. Without you, we wouldn't have anyone to take our trucks, and we wouldn't be able to collect rent."

"Boss Chen is a good man"

Everyone flattered him!

The Yangtze River Coach Company is equivalent to a large company, and it has to put on a show once or twice a year. This year, a coachman fell ill and died. After the Yangtze River Coach Company learned about the situation, it sent 200 oceans to his family. Logically speaking, they only have a "cooperative relationship" rather than an "employment relationship", so no money is required, but the Yangtze River Coach Company will still do it.

There was also a driver who fell ill due to overwork and his family was in financial difficulty, so the Changjiang Coach Company also showed their care.

This kind of thing will definitely be publicized, so the drivers of the Changjiang Coach Company have a very strong sense of belonging.

After the "show", Chen Guangliang returned to his office. He didn't need to win over these drivers, but he needed a good reputation.

When people become rich, they care about reputation, so they will do some charity.

This kind of "charity" mostly has a specific purpose. For example, Du Yuesheng, Huang Jinrong and others, after becoming rich, either helped others or donated money. Their purpose was very strong. Because on the other hand, they also engaged in murder, arson, and cruelty to Chinese people (opium, gambling, brothels) and other activities.

As for businessmen like Chen Guangliang, most of them are influenced by Confucianism, so their charity is much more pure. In particular, the saying "Achieve both the goal and benefit the world" is deeply respected by everyone.

You should know that in the future, during the Anti-Japanese War, many businessmen or people of social prominence in enemy-occupied areas will be able to take on some government responsibilities, such as providing relief to the poor, organizing ordinary people to return home for refuge, etc. At this time, there is no government or army in the enemy-occupied areas, so these people of prominence will bear great social responsibilities.

There has always been one thing that Chen Guangliang couldn't understand - suppose the Japanese occupied Shanghai, and Shanghai was short of food, and many ordinary people could not get enough to eat. At this time, merchants brought back food from Annan and other places to sell. What exactly does this mean?
Some organizations say they are profiting from the war.
If this was a war profiteer, Chen Guangliang had planned to import a large amount of grain from Annan before 1937 and store it in the concession (the concession fell in the 40s) to make some money.

But he may not do so because he is worried about being accused of making money from the war. Besides, he has not yet entered the shipping industry.

Sitting in the office, Chen Guangliang looked at the information about Changjiang Car Dealership and Changjiang Taxi.

This month he also received a dividend of 9600 yuan, which is a slight increase.

By this calculation, his debt to the Huangtu Taxi Rental Company is only 35000 yuan. He can pay it all off by April next year, and there will still be some left.

The asset value of the rickshaw rental company is as high as more than 30 oceans, and he holds 7% of the shares, which is equivalent to a wealth worth more than 20 oceans.

Seems good!

Moreover, Changjiang Motors not only gave him "start-up capital", but also "influence cultivation", so it was very valuable.

on the other hand.

Today, the management talents and management system of the Changjiang Car Dealership are very complete. Even Chen Guangliang can give remote commands in Hong Kong. Of course, Chen Guangliang's idea is to gradually sell the company to rickshaw drivers at low prices in the first half of 1937. Only some of the large notes will be retained before 1941. After all, it can operate during the "isolated island period". The key is to leave spies in the Shanghai market.

(End of this chapter)