A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 129 Tricycle Success

At a temporary manufacturing site of the Tongchang Vehicle Manufacturing Plant, Chen Guangliang rode the newly developed three-wheeled rickshaw.

It is said to be a combination of a bicycle and a rickshaw, but in fact it has some improvements, such as the "handbrake system".

Chen Guangliang rode a three-wheeled rickshaw and asked Zhu Wenwu to act as a customer so that he could experience the new car.

Zhu Wenwu laughed and said, "How dare I trouble Boss Chen to drive for me?"

Chen Guangliang said, "I was a rickshaw driver two years ago. Boss Zhu, please come up. Otherwise, how would I know the performance of this rickshaw?"

Zhu Wenwu also knew that Chen Guangliang came from a driving business, but he had no idea whether he was a rickshaw puller. Now that he heard about this, he was still very surprised.

He knew that Chen Guangliang was now a "new real estate tycoon" in Shanghai. It was rumored that he had built hundreds of Western-style buildings (three-story brick and wood structures are also called Western-style buildings) this year. He didn't expect that he came from such a humble background.

A hero is not judged by his origin. Now, this origin is not only not a stain on Chen Guangliang, but rather his advantage.

"Then I'm welcome!"

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang rode a three-wheeled rickshaw with Zhu Wenwu on board to start the test.

This design was completed under the guidance of Chen Guangliang, and Chen Guangliang's level in this area is naturally very high. He has a good understanding of this in both lives.

"Yeah, it feels good. There shouldn't be any big problems."

Zhu Wenwu said from behind: "I think we should add a roof to cover the driver and passengers?"

The passenger seat is covered by a retractable fan-shaped canopy.

Chen Guangliang turned around and said, "Don't rush to add it yet. The main consideration is safety. If there is a strong wind, it will easily fly away. Moreover, adding a canopy will affect the driver's vision. Of course, the most fundamental problem is that we must first obtain approval from the Municipal Council and the Chinese District Government, so we can't add too many functions."

In this day and age, even bicycles have many regulations, so the traffic permit for this three-wheeled rickshaw needs to be approved.

Of course, this is the progress of the times, and there will not be much obstacles.

"That's right. The current form is just a combination of bicycle and rickshaw. It should not be difficult to put it on the road."

Chen Guangliang then asked, "Boss Zhu, how much does this car cost, and how much are you planning to sell it for?"

As the second largest shareholder, he naturally has the right to know and participate, and he also has certain considerations in his mind.

Zhu Wenwu said, "It cost less than a hundred dollars, and I plan to sell it in Shanghai for 150 dollars. Of course, this is the price directly from the factory. Also, if my dealership buys it, the price will be 130 dollars. Boss Chen's dealership can also buy it at the same price. What do you think?"

Even this year, Tongchang Bicycle Shop was still assembling bicycles for sale, and did not use the accounts of "Tongchang Bicycle Shop Manufacturing Plant".

It was normal to make 50 yuan from the factory price of one car. The industries in that era were all very profitable, unlike the manufacturing industry in later generations, where a 10% profit was already very good.

Currently, the price of rickshaws in Shanghai ranges from 50 to 100 yuan, while the price of domestically produced bicycles (some parts are imported) ranges from 60 to 100 yuan.

Now, the rear part of this three-wheeled rickshaw is not luxurious and is actually only worth 70 yuan. Combined with the bicycle part in the front, it is more reasonable to sell it for 150 yuan.

"Okay, we'll call the shareholders to discuss the details later!"

"it is good"

With Chen Guangliang as the second largest shareholder, Zhu Wenwu cannot be too arbitrary and many things need to be approved by the board of directors.

After some testing, Chen Guangliang decided to produce according to this situation.

"Boss Zhu, please produce ten of these first and bring them to our dealership later for demonstration purposes!"

Zhu Wenwu asked, "Don't we need a permit to travel?"

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "We're doing it at the same time. Besides, I want to fabricate a piece of news, so I'm not afraid of being caught by the patrolmen!"

Only public opinion can accelerate the replacement of three-wheeled rickshaws, so journalists should be involved from the beginning. Even if a patrolman stops a rickshaw, it will still be a news story.

Chen Guangliang's work schedule is always very busy, and he doesn't have a girlfriend, so he enjoys this kind of life. He usually finishes work before dinner, reads and studies until 11 or 12 o'clock at night, and wakes up at 5 or 6 o'clock the next morning to study and exercise again.

It could be said that he was a role model in terms of self-discipline. It wasn't that he had been so self-disciplined in his previous life; after all, if one was just an ox or a horse, unable to see any tangible benefits, what good would self-discipline do? But this life was different. In this era, opportunities abounded, so how could he not seize them through learning?

Chen Guangliang is so motivated to work hard because he has a clear goal and the belief that "hard work pays off."

In late December, Chen Guangliang came to inspect the "Happy Home Phase I" again, accompanied by Guo Deming, Lu Yuantai, Wu Xinhe and Yan Kuan, four subordinates of Changjiang Real Estate.

"We will officially move in here on the 9th of next month, and a welcome ceremony will be held in the name of Changjiang Real Estate and Changjiang Property!" Looking at the happy home that has been built, Chen Guangliang felt a surge of pride.

Guo Deming, who was in charge of Changjiang Property, immediately said, "Okay, I'll make some arrangements."

Chen Guangliang asked again: "How is the preparation for Changjiang Property going?"

Guo Deming said, "We've recruited six people: five men and one woman. The two cleaners are both in their forties or fifties. We've also purchased the tools, and the security guards have work clothes, batons, and flashlights. Next, they'll be assigned to set up the operation here and undergo training as they begin their work."

The four security guards are divided into two shifts, each working 4 hours to ensure 15-hour patrol and duty.

With such services, this place will definitely become a "high-quality community" and the rent will be higher than the surrounding areas.

Of course, such services will require half a month's rent as property management fees, which may be 20 to 30 yuan a year.

"Well, property management is actually a key part of the real estate industry. Through property management, we can increase the value of new lanes or apartments, which means higher rents and higher occupancy rates, all of which are hallmarks of high-quality housing. For us real estate companies, once we reach a certain scale, we need to consider internal development, such as entering commercial real estate, construction, building materials sales, infrastructure, and so on. Of course, it's still a little early to say these things, but we should at least understand that 'real estate' can develop in this way."

“Thank you for your advice, boss.”

Chen Guangliang said, "Well, as long as you are willing to learn, it will be fine. When Changjiang Real Estate becomes bigger, we will need you to be more capable."

Next year, "pre-sale housing" and "stratification" will be launched. Chen Guangliang also wants to paint a rosy picture for these people to stimulate everyone's enthusiasm for work.

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang inspected the house in Xingfu Home and was so impressed by it that he wanted to move in immediately.

After all, this is a 'Western-style house' with electricity and running water not far away (within the community).

pity.

The western-style building purchased by Chen Guangliang is located in Sunshine Home. The house will be completed in February next year and is estimated to be move-in ready in March.

It can actually be completed in three or four months to build a three-story brick and wood structure house.

But after all, building a new lane requires a lot of supporting facilities and layout, which takes time. It is also impossible to build the walls of every house at the same time.

During the period, I met the owner again, and he asked hurriedly: "Boss Chen, when will the house be handed over?"

Chen Guangliang immediately replied: "Next month on the 9th"

"Then we need to arrange for the furniture to arrive. Can we come in early?"

"Then we'll let you know after New Year's Day. After all, we also have to consider the inspection and acceptance issue. I hope Boss Gao can understand."

"I understand. We'll wait for your notification then!"

"it is good"

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang said to Guo Deming, "Arrange for the property management to come in as soon as possible, otherwise if all the owners come in, I'm worried about damage."

Guo Deming nodded and said, "Okay, I'll arrange for them to come in tomorrow and train them here."

Lu Yuantai then said, "I ran into the landowner, Wang Boyuan, yesterday. He said we built it very well and he was very satisfied. He considered it a pass for acceptance."

Chen Guangliang nodded, there was also the issue of the land owner involved.

However, Wang Boyuan probably couldn't think of taking back the community. According to the contract, the lease was actually for twenty-one years. 1929 was counted as the second year, so he could take it back in 1949.

That’s enough to collect a year’s rent!
Of course, it seems that Wang Boyuan had already gone to Taiwan before 1949, then to Hong Kong, and finally to the United States. I am afraid he could not even get a year's rent.

(End of this chapter)