A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 141 Welcome to the Lawsuit

That day, Chen Guangliang took Guo Deming to a law firm and met Wu Kaisheng, a well-known lawyer in Shanghai.

Wu Kaisheng received his doctorate in law from the Law Faculty of the University of Lyon, France in 1924. He returned to China in 1926 and became a practicing lawyer, becoming the first Chinese lawyer in the Shanghai French Concession to defend cases in English and French.

He returned to politics in 1927 and now serves as a legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Bank, and still practices law in Shanghai.

"Lawyer Wu, I've long heard of your name!" Chen Guangliang politely extended his hand and greeted him when they met.

In fact, Wu Kaisheng's fame had not yet reached its peak. Later, he served as an official such as the Swedish Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China. After returning to Shanghai, he established the largest law firm and served as the legal adviser of the Mingxing Film Company and the personal legal adviser of famous actors such as Hu Die. His name continued to appear in the media with celebrity scandals, divorces and other cases, and his fame gradually reached its peak.

Wu Kaisheng was born in 1900 and is only 29 years old now, which means he is young and promising.

But he was even more surprised when he saw that the now famous "real estate upstart" and "newspaper tycoon" Chen Guangliang was actually a young man in his early twenties (19)!
"Boss Chen is the most famous one, but you've been the talk of the town lately!"

After some politeness, both sides sat down on the sofa and an assistant made tea for everyone.

Chen Guangliang said humorously: "Lawyer Wu can start the timer."

Wu Kaisheng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Boss Chen is really humorous. I just don't know how Boss Chen thinks I should charge by the hour."

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "I think two hours for a large yellow croaker (312.5 grams of gold) is always worth it. After all, you know French and English, and you have a good case study!"

"Haha," Wu Kaisheng said cheerfully, "Thank you for your kindness, but my fees are not that high. I forgot why Boss Chen came here."

In any case, he has developed a new favor.

After all, his current net worth is not that high, and he has only been back in China for three years, so his reputation needs to be accumulated bit by bit.

Chen Guangliang didn't waste any more time talking. He could afford the lawyer's fees no matter how high they were, so he took the initiative to say, "Lawyer Wu, currently houses in Shanghai are sold by the building, and land tax and property tax are also collected by the building. I'd like to ask if it's possible to trade houses by floor. Is this illegal?"

Whether it is illegal or not is the key!

If you openly sell properties by floor without the support of a lawyer and approval from the Housing Department or the Land Department, you will likely face legal action.

In the first three projects of Changjiang Real Estate, the owners only obtained the "lease right" rather than the "property right", so there was no problem.

After hearing this, Wu Kaisheng said as a matter of course: "Of course houses cannot be sold by floor. The biggest problem is that there is only one title deed for a building, and the government collects land tax and house tax based on this title deed."

This is a normal person’s reaction!

Chen Guangliang said, "For example, if a building has three floors, the Housing Department could simply mark the ownership of one-third of the property when issuing the title deed. Three titles would be issued, one for each floor. Wouldn't that solve the problem quickly? This would greatly reduce the pressure on some middle-class people to buy a house, and the government wouldn't suffer any losses. This move is definitely worth considering."

Wu Kaisheng became serious this time and no longer dared to take things for granted!
He knew Chen Guangliang and knew that he had built hundreds of Western-style buildings last year using the innovative model of "renting land to build houses, selling them in sections, repaying the principal when due, and the houses returning to the landlord."

Since the property tax can be divided and collected by "building", for example, the French developer's "Bugaoli" has a total of 78 buildings; then, it can also be divided and collected by "floor".

As for property tax, it is even simpler. You just need to split one floor. After all, it is unlikely to be sold by "unit" in the Shanghai market now.

"Boss Chen's words do make some sense. If houses could be sold on a floor-by-floor basis, it would be a good thing for society as a whole. This would prevent housing from being concentrated in the hands of wealthy businessmen and would also accelerate real estate development. On the other hand, as to whether this is illegal, I need to first look up some legal documents. I believe there are no specific provisions. Ultimately, I'll just have to consult the relevant government departments to see if property deeds can be issued on a floor-by-floor basis. Otherwise, there won't be any major issues!"

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "That's right. I'd like to ask Lawyer Wu to help our company solve this problem. The attorney's fee is not a problem."

Wu Kaisheng smiled and said, "I'm also very interested in this matter. I think if it can really succeed, it will also be of certain benefit to me. So, Boss Chen, don't worry. I will study it first and give you a specific answer!"

"Okay, then I'll trouble Lawyer Wu!"

Indeed, if it is really successful, Wu Kaisheng’s fame will also increase.

After Chen Guangliang and his men left, Wu Kaisheng muttered to himself in his office, "If this succeeds, Changjiang Real Estate might be planning to sell it in layers. If so, this young man is incredible!"

Recently, Chen Guangliang has become famous in Shanghai, mainly because of his "Oriental Daily News", which has directly increased its sales from a new newspaper to more than 30,000, making him a "newspaper tycoon" in one fell swoop.

In fact, Wu Kaisheng still underestimated Chen Guangliang. After all, if it was just "sold in layers", it didn't seem to release much purchasing power.

For example, a floor costs 4000 to 5000 yuan, but many people still cannot afford so much at once!

At this time, Chen Guangliang naturally prepared the "installment payment" method, which is the real killer!

Today, Chen Guangliang's business includes: Changjiang Real Estate (Changjiang Property), Changjiang Car Dealership (Changjiang Rental), Oriental Newspaper (Oriental Daily, Commercial Daily), Vitasoy, and Tongchang Car Dealership Manufacturing Plant, which can be said to have developed diversifiedly.

It has many subsidiaries, but generally speaking, they are divided into four major industries: real estate, car dealerships, newspapers, and industry.

Chen Guangliang came to the Oriental Newspaper to work.

In the eyes of Shen Bao and Xinwen Bao, Dongfang Newspaper is still just a "tabloid", especially Shen Bao, which is now very powerful.

Not only did Shenbao have the highest sales volume, reaching over 14, but more importantly, the founder of Shenbao, Shi Liangcai, had been running the newspaper for many years and had accumulated considerable financial strength. In the early years, Shenbao invested in a three-story property as its headquarters building, and this investment was much greater than that of other newspapers.

It is precisely because of this that Shi Liangcai still has the ability to purchase half of the shares of the "Newspaper"!

On the other hand, the newspaper industry in this era was actually not worth much. In 1925, Zhang Zhuping only spent yuan to purchase the "Current Affairs News". At that time, the "Current Affairs News" had a sales volume of more than (later doubled), and it was one of the twelve newspapers in the country with sales of over .

So this time Chen Guangliang offered 30 yuan for the Oriental Daily News, which was obviously an attempt to make a killing for Du Yuesheng and Yu Qiaqing. What he meant was that you were not only investing in the Oriental Daily News, but also investing in him, Chen Guangliang.

Those who wish take the bait!
"Manager Chen, Ruan Lingyu's husband Zhang Damin threatened to sue us!" Huang Chunsun walked in with a smile and talked about something.

There was naturally contempt in his smile. After all, it would be impossible for Zhang Daming to sue the newspaper.

And what is a newspaper?
My favorite thing is the news!

Chen Guangliang also laughed and said, "This is a good thing. We are just missing some hype!"

Huang Chunsun nodded and then reported on the newspaper's work. As the "powerful deputy general manager," he held considerable power. After all, Chen Guangliang had been a "three-day fish, two-day dry net" employee at the newspaper, so the main work fell on Huang Chunsun. As for Hong Yanbin, he was primarily responsible for the overall direction and did not participate in the specific work.

"The branches in Beijing and Wuhan have been established for just over a month now. Each has 15 to 20 reporters, all of whom have been trained by the people we sent over. We're gradually catching up. Should we take the next step and send editors over to train new editors and prepare for local publication?"

The sales volume of Shenbao was 150,000, of which more than half was sold in Shanghai and its surrounding areas, and a large part of it was distributed nationwide.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangliang said, "Oriental Daily has been published for fifty days now, and sales are stable at 27000 to 28000 copies. Furthermore, we have ample funds, and considering local distribution in other cities, the time has definitely come. So, I'll be arranging which editors will be sent on business trips to other cities. After all, we can't disrupt our Shanghai headquarters."

All editors and reporters were trained personally by Chen Guangliang. If they want to stay at Oriental Newspaper, they must practice Chen Guangliang's ideas.

"Okay, then I'll organize the rest of the environment and try to release it in these two cities and their surrounding areas in a month!"

"Okay, you make the arrangements first, and I'll look for an editor!"

As for the newspaper lottery, it is scheduled to start in late March and is currently under intensive preparation.

It was mainly about the prizes and the newspaper numbers.

The automatic numbering machine is a mechanical machine, so we need to buy at least ten of them to ensure that they can run smoothly. In addition, we need to organize manpower, after all, there is only a short time to number the newspapers after they are printed.

At that time, Oriental Daily will hold this event in the name of "gratitude and return".

In fact, it is just to stir up more heat.

In a teahouse, Ruan Lingyu sat exhausted opposite Chen Guangliang. This was their first "date".

But it is obvious that Chen Guangliang was Ruan Lingyu's "enemy" at this time.

"Mr. Chen, I don't quite understand. My husband and I have no grudges against your newspaper. Why are you chasing us? Or is it because I said I would treat you to a meal but didn't keep my promise?" Ruan Lingyu spoke in a soft Wu dialect, and she sounded delicate even when she was angry.

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "This matter has nothing to do with me. It's the spontaneous behavior of the newspaper's reporters and editors. But if Miss Ruan has read our newspaper, she should understand that our Oriental Daily News is a popular newspaper, also known as a 'popular newspaper', so it is natural for us to report on this matter."

Ruan Lingyu looked up in surprise. She had never expected someone to call her vulgar. But she said angrily, "You can't just accuse others without restraint. Where's the morality in this?"

Chen Guangliang said as a matter of course, "I think our newspaper's reports are very objective, even factual, and in line with journalists' professional ethics. Moreover, our newspaper's comments are full of sympathy for you and are very friendly to you personally. So, Miss Ruan, you should think carefully about whether this matter is good or bad for you."

Ruan Lingyu was a little flustered when her heart was touched. She whispered, "I don't know what to do."

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she felt something was wrong and a shy expression appeared on her face.

In the past two months, her relationship with Zhang Damin has completely broken down, mainly because Zhang Damin would beat and scold her when he was in a bad mood, which made her very helpless.

"Although this isn't my place to say, you and your wife don't seem like a good match. Hesitation will only lead to chaos, and in this day and age, women have the right to say no. So if you need help, I can recommend a lawyer to you."

Ruan Lingyu became a little flustered and said, "What are you talking about, Mr. Chen? I came here to ask you for an explanation, but you are trying to persuade me to divorce you!"

Is this your attitude of asking for punishment?
From the beginning to the end, have you ever been angry?
Chen Guangliang couldn't help laughing!

"What are you laughing at?" Ruan Lingyu said in a soft voice.

She suddenly felt that she seemed to be in a better mood.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "Nothing to laugh about," but then handed Wu Kaisheng's business card to Ruan Lingyu and added, "Take it, you might need it!"

"I don't want it." Ruan Lingyu took a look at the business card and saw the lawyer, and she knew that Chen Guangliang had bad intentions!

"Take it. You might need it! Besides, lawyers like them not only handle divorce cases, but they'll also be useful if you want to sue our Oriental Newspaper."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingyu picked up the business card on the table and said, "Well, take it. I'll use it to sue you, the Oriental Daily News. Also, Zhang Damin is ready to file an appeal and sue you!"

Chen Guangliang said, "I know. We at Oriental Daily are planning to cover the entire event!"

I'm not afraid of news, I'm afraid of no news!

When Ruan Lingyu heard this, she immediately realized that Zhang Damin was not taken seriously at all. At this moment, she felt what it was like to be a "powerful person".

Afterwards, the two of them tacitly stopped talking about those things and instead started discussing movies.

"America already has talkies, but there's no studio in Shanghai that can make them?"

"I don't know. I'm just a filmmaker. How can I know so much?"

Chen Guangliang said with a smile, "Then I'll open a film company in the future. Why don't you just switch to my company?"

"Bah!" Ruan Lingyu said deliberately, "It's not enough that you've hurt me, and you still want me to work for you!"

Before she knew it, she had forgotten that she had come here to call for an explanation.

Chen Guangliang said naturally: "It has nothing to do with me. I don't interfere with press freedom."

Ruan Lingyu was speechless. After all this time, people felt that it had nothing to do with her. Then what was she to do today?
She could only say angrily: "Can you make a movie?"

In Chen Guangliang's eyes, the so-called anger was more like a little girl acting coquettishly.

“Let’s wait and see”

Bragging is not his strong point, but he really knows a little bit about everything!

(End of this chapter)