A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 13 Planning for Expansion
By the beginning of June, Changjiang Car Dealership had been in operation for more than ten days and everything was going smoothly.

That day, when Li Chao got off work, he saw that Chen Guangliang had already called a rickshaw waiting for him, so he immediately quickened his pace.

As for Chen Guangliang, he did not put on any "official" airs when they first started working together.

After all, this partner's skills, knowledge, and education were all very good. Even if he didn't pull a rickshaw, he would definitely be able to change his life. With his English and literacy skills, Chen Guangliang had no problem finding a job at a foreign company.

"Brother Chen"

"Brother Li, let's have a simple meal together."

"Yes, please."

If you call it a simple meal, then it really is a simple meal, but at least it is a snack bar or stir-fry restaurant with a storefront.

During this era, there was also a type of "catering"—food sold in small alleys with two baskets on their shoulders, without a storefront. The prices of this type of food were very affordable for the lower classes, but the sanitary conditions were naturally worrying.

But then again, at the beginning, Chen Guangliang could only eat this kind of food at noon.

Although Chen Guangliang is still pulling a cart now, he earns 60 or 70 cents a day, which can be spent directly, so he doesn't need to worry about saving money.

Although this era is quite chaotic, the prices are still considered cheap:
A pound of second-grade rice cost eight cents, and a rickshaw driver could buy five or six pounds of rice with a day's salary. Pork cost twenty-eight cents, something the lower-class people might only eat three or four times a month.
棉花1斤0.48元，煤炭1担0.14元，煤油1斤0.06元，肥皂1块0.05元，香烟1盒0.036元，茶叶1斤 0.23元，活鸡1斤0.37元，鲜蛋1个0.027元，豆油1斤0.19元，食盐1斤0.043元，白糖1斤0.096元，细布1尺0.107元.
Chen Guangliang now earns sixty or seventy cents a day (a rickshaw driver's salary), plus he has ten dollars in savings, so he can naturally have a good meal occasionally.

However, a meal of various snacks such as pan-fried buns, crab shell roe, etc. costs less than two cents.

Chen Guangliang gave Yang Xiuying two dimes for food every day, which was for two meals, dinner and breakfast, and the dinner meal had some meat.

After all, the living expenses for most of the lower class are only six or seven yuan a month for food.

Sitting at the tables and chairs in the open air, Chen Guangliang and Li Chao ate crab roe buns, soaked rice and pickles.

In this era, the poor eat hairy crabs, while the rich eat dim sum in teahouses!

"Brother Li, I recently came up with a way to increase the income of the Changjiang Car Shop. That is to buy some small commodities such as beverages, cigarettes, candies, snacks, matches, etc., and then have rickshaw drivers sell them. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chao asked, "Will this cause disgust among customers?"

Making money is certain.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "Of course, this requires training rickshaw pullers so they know when to stop. We can use simple sales pitches to give customers the right to choose and provide convenience, so that people won't be offended."

Li Chao then said, "This is indeed an innovative move. After all, sitting in a rickshaw is a bit boring."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "It's settled. I'll make the arrangements later." He then added, "Also, I plan to try to secure support from the bank and obtain a loan."

Li Chao said, "We don't even have a registered company, and our total assets are only a little over 700 yuan (the license is an overestimation). Will any bank be interested in us?"

Chen Guangliang said, "Everything depends on human effort. Of course, if we do get a bank loan, I want the funds to be obtained in our names. In other words, suppose the bank is willing to lend 600 yuan, with the three rickshaws and the license plates as collateral, but the lender is the two of us. In this way, the two of us can use this capital to recruit new shareholders and purchase new vehicles."

In other words, the mortgaged property is the common property of all people, but only he and Li Chao received the loan.

After all, the other drivers didn't contribute that much, so it was impossible to let them 'take advantage' all the time.

Li Chao immediately understood the ins and outs of this and said, "This way, the equity of each batch of cars in Changjiang Car Dealership will be different!"

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "That's fine. We can treat each batch of rickshaws as a large ship. Each ship has different shareholders, and it won't affect the overall development of the company."

"Great, your method is very powerful. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in the bank, so I'll keep an eye on it." "Hmm"

The 'real bosses' of Changjiang Motors are naturally just the two of them.

So for many things, Chen Guangliang only needs to discuss with Li Chao.

"Professor Zhang, the conditions here are very poor. It's dirty and smelly."

Zhang Qihua came to Fangua Nong for inspection, and Chen Guangliang took him to experience life in the shantytown.

"Never mind that you're right. Without actually experiencing your lives, how can I write a novel truly about you rickshaw pullers?"

More than half a month after purchasing the "information", although Zhang Qihua felt that he had a general understanding of it, he still felt that something was missing, so he decided to really understand this industry.

What surprised him was that Chen Guangliang had actually opened a rickshaw dealership in partnership with others and also owned three rickshaws.

Of course this is better, as it will be more convenient for him to experience this industry.

Zhang Qihua said seriously, "I'll probably be free in July, and I want to really understand and experience your lives for a month."

At this time, he attached great importance to "Camel Xiangzi" and decided to complete it as a major undertaking.

Then it seems that experiencing the life of a "rickshaw driver" for one or two days is not enough to truly experience it, so I might as well just spend a month.

As for the fact that the background of "Camel Xiangzi" is Peking, it does not affect the creation because he has also been to Peking.

Chen Guangliang said, "No problem. We have nine drivers now. You can talk to anyone you want to know about the situation, visit anyone's house, or even take them around. We can guarantee that you will gain something."

Zhang Qihua nodded, patted Chen Guangliang on the shoulder, and exclaimed: "You are also very good!"

He didn't think of himself as Chen Guangliang's 'benefactor'. After all, Chen Guangliang had this information and could sell it to other people.

Chen Guangliang said with a smile: "I will just make a living. When I have money, I will also read more books and learn English."

"Well, if you have this idea, you will definitely be more successful."

Seeing that the time was almost ripe, Chen Guangliang said, "Professor Zhang, do you know anyone at the bank?"

The last time Zhang Qihua took him to get the money, Chen Guangliang saw that Zhang Qihua and a manager of the Shanghai Savings Bank seemed to be familiar with each other, so he asked this question today.

Zhang Qihua knew that Chen Guangliang had great ambitions and was willing to lend a hand. He said, "I know a deputy manager at the Shanghai Savings Bank who I can introduce you to. However, with your small business, they might not be willing to help!"

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "Thank you, Professor Zhang. Please feel free to introduce me. It's fine whether it works or not. And if it doesn't work this time, maybe it will work when I become bigger."

"Haha, that makes sense."

It happened that the rickshaw driver came back to change shifts, so Chen Guangliang arranged for someone to send Zhang Qihua home.

Zhang Qihua took a few glances at the Changjiang Motors team and immediately praised them inwardly.

What impressed Zhang Qihua even more was Chen Guangliang's kindness to rickshaw pullers and his willingness to let them invest in the company.

(End of this chapter)