A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 159 Conception of Large Communities

"Renmei, I didn't realize that your fiancé Chen Guangliang is so concerned about the country and the people!" Zhang Hanfen came to Yan Renmei's seat with a newspaper and joked.

Ever since Yan Renmei shared her troubles, she has often been teased by her good friends!
Kong Lingyi said sternly, "Nonsense! Our Renmei has not agreed to this marriage. Don't go around making up stories about him being her fiancé!"

As the eldest daughter of the Kong family, she has always opposed feudal marriage and advocated free love.

Yan Renmei immediately said, "That's right. I won't agree to this marriage. I want to learn from my three aunts and receive higher education."

Although her father seemed very determined and her grandfather didn't seem to object, she still didn't want to accept this marriage in her heart. After all, she wanted to study.

Zhang Hanfen pointed to the newspaper and said, "Yes, I shouldn't have said that, but look at this article. It was really published by Chen Guangliang."

Kong Lingyi read it first, then said, "I thought it was something else. He previously promoted the idea that 'soy milk' was the Chinese people's milk and could strengthen their constitution. To put it bluntly, Vitasoy is his industry. Now he's promoting the three-wheeled rickshaw, claiming it was also his invention. Ultimately, it's all about his own interests."

Wow, after 'Huang Huibao', Chen Guangliang has gained another 'black fan', and she is Yan Renmei's best friend.

There are haters and there are also fans. Zhang Hanfen said, "I don't think you're right. He could write a poem like 'A Generation,' and his thinking is truly progressive. As for soy milk and three-wheeled rickshaws, they truly benefit the country and the people, and he's also a master of invention. 'Save the nation through industry,' is always right."

Yan Renmei wanted to look at the newspaper in Zhang Hanfen's hand, but she didn't feel comfortable enough to do so. She just said, "Okay, no matter what kind of person he is, it's none of our business. Let's stop arguing!"

She had some good feelings towards Chen Guangliang, mainly for three reasons: first, Chen Guangliang was handsome and had good temperament; second, Chen Guangliang was studious and had good cultural literacy; third, Chen Guangliang took the initiative to allow her to continue studying, even after marriage, and his thoughts were relatively open-minded.

But it was just some affection, which could not shake her determination not to get married early.

Zhang Hanfen stuffed the newspaper into Yan Renmei's hands and said, "Take a look when you have time. His articles are really good. He is a man of action!"

After saying that, he left. Yan Renmei had no chance to refuse.

After school, Yan Renmei finally had the chance to read Oriental Daily in the back seat of the car.

She found an article written by Chen Guangliang and read it with great fascination. She finally commented: "What kind of person is he? He seems to be someone who always cares about the country and the people, not just a businessman."

It was very simple for her to understand Chen Guangliang. She could learn a lot from the newspapers, because Chen Guangliang appeared in the newspapers very often and was a "celebrity" in Shanghai.

These include "Vitasoy, the Chinese people's own milk", "Tricycles, changing the tragic history of rickshaw pullers", the aforementioned "installment and stratification" housing sales, the rise of Oriental Daily, and even the publication of poems.

Chen Guangliang’s exposure rate is really too high!

"Humph, if it can wait until I finish college, I can consider it!"

Yan Renmei thought so.

At the beginning of August, the Cathay Hotel opened.

The 77-meter-high, 11-story Sassoon Building was completed. The Chinachem Hotel, the predecessor of the Peace Hotel, opened in this building, becoming the first building in Shanghai with more than 10 floors at that time. It was known as the "No. 20 Building in the Far East". The Sassoon Building, which faces the street on three sides, also has three address numbers: No. 20 Nanjing East Road, No. 20 Zhongshan East First Road, and No. Dianchi Road.

Chen Guangliang was also invited to attend the opening of the Chinachem Hotel. As a new real estate tycoon, he was certainly qualified, especially after spending 235 million yuan to buy the Chinachem Hotel.

At the opening reception, Chen Guangliang's behavior was full of confidence and gentlemanliness, making people feel that he was also a social expert.

So far, he has met many "famous foreigners", such as Hardoon, Kadoorie, Humphries and others, and has dealt with them all.

Sassoon, leaning on his cane, came up to Chen Guangliang and said, "You must be Mr. Chen, the man who just bought the Grand China Hotel?"

Chen Guangliang bowed slightly and replied, "Yes, Sir Sassoon."

The Sassoons were a large Jewish family with many "Sassoons." Meanwhile, Hardoon had no biological children.

Of course, Victor 'Sassoon' had no biological children (but had many relatives).

Sassoon then asked, "After you take over the Majestic Hotel, will you close it?"

This is a very unreasonable question.

There were already quite a few people around watching the fun.

Chen Guangliang said easily: "No, I will just give it a new life!"

Sassoon was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "You are indeed a young man. I look forward to that day. Remember to invite me!"

"certainly"

Then Sassoon turned and left!

At this time, the Dahua Hotel had been open for six years, and the building was not actually that old, but the key point was that the new luxury hotels were coming in with great momentum, which was bound to make it difficult for the Dahua Hotel to operate.

When Sassoon asked this, it was obvious that he did not take the Majestic Hotel seriously. His words just now were just a "joke", but of course they were also targeted.

Next, Chen Guangliang got to know a lot of people, and he would take the initiative to hand over his business card to those who might be useful to him in the future, such as Stephen, the boss of HSBC.

Steve took Chen Guangliang's business card and said, "If Mr. Chen has high-quality fixed assets in the Shanghai Stock Exchange as collateral, the door of our HSBC is also open to you."

HSBC generally does not lend money to Chinese people. At most, it will use compradors as intermediaries, but if it is a person with social prestige, they will do business with him directly.

Chen Guangliang said: "Okay, thank you, Steve, I will take note of your words!"

What I mean is that I will really seek cooperation with you, HSBC.

Chen Guangliang gained a lot that day.

As expected, the Ministry of Finance of the Nanjing government announced in early August that companies without a banking license would not be able to accept deposits.

This step is intended to not only concentrate private wealth in the central bank, but also to prevent chaos in social and financial order.

When Guo Linshuang of Yong'an Company heard about the introduction of such a system, he immediately ran to the Nanjing Finance Department to apply for a license.

The result surprised him - there was already a "Yong'an Savings Bank" registered, and the injury order was changed to another review. Guo Linshuang, the host of Yong'an Company, was so anxious that he had no choice but to make an appointment with Yu Qiaqing for a meeting.

"Mr. Yu, I know you registered 'Yong'an Savings Bank' for the money, not to actually open it. So, why not name a price!" Guo Linshuang said straight to the point. Yu Qiaqing deliberately said, "Haha, Mr. Guo, why are you messing with that young man Chen Guangliang? Honestly, I was asked by him to apply for this license from the Southern Whale Finance Department."

If Chen Guangliang were present at the scene, he would definitely have cursed Yu Qiaqing for being shameless, saying that he made the most money but used him as a shield.

Guo Linshuang was stunned for a moment, then thought of the last time he cleaned up Chen Guangliang, and then said with some disbelief: "Is it him?"

He really didn't believe it. It's not that he didn't believe Chen Guangliang would do such a thing, but he didn't believe that Chen Guangliang was so smart as to know that the Nanjing government was going to issue such a decree.

Yu Qiaqing smiled but said nothing. After a moment's silence, he said, "Two hundred thousand dollars."

The money was easy to earn, and he didn't take it all. Afterwards, he gave 5 yuan to the Nanjing Finance Department, and he actually got 15 yuan.

Guo Linshuang knew that he and Yu Qiaqing had never gotten along. One belonged to the Cantonese faction and the other belonged to the Ningbo gang. This time, he could only let Yu Qiaqing be slaughtered.

What else can we do? Do we have to change the signboard?
"Okay, 20 yuan."

Chen Guangliang brought Zhuang Jun and his party to inspect the area around the Dahua Hotel.

The architectural design of the 60 acres of land in the key "Dahua Hotel and its surroundings" was entrusted to "Zhuang Jun Architectural Office", but the design concept and outline were the work of Chen Guangliang.

"Mr. Zhuang, my idea is to use 50 mu of land to build 150 four-story Western-style buildings with balconies, giving the impression of being in a garden city. At the same time, these 150 four-story buildings will form a large community, fenced off to protect the safety and privacy of the residents, and with a garden and playground in the middle for the residents to enjoy."

This was the world's first 'community' concept, also known as a 'community', similar to the 'large housing estates' in Hong Kong in later generations.

Zhuang Jun listened, taking notes, and then continued, "I've visited the new lanes developed by Changjiang Real Estate. What impressed me most was the role played by Changjiang Property Management. Security patrols 24 hours a day, and cleaning staff ensure the sanitation of public areas, making it truly a comfortable place for residents. This large-scale community concept that Boss Chen described is truly refreshing. The overall feeling is like a hidden paradise in the heart of the city. Absolutely fantastic!"

There are 600 floors in total. Assuming an average of 7 people living on each floor (in this era of high birth rates), there are more than 4000 people in the community.

In this era, it is already a very large population concentration point, but of course it cannot be compared with a refugee area.

Chen Guangliang continued, "For properties facing Jing'an Temple Road and Jiangning Road, we can consider using the lower two floors for commercial purposes, turning them into street-facing shops."

Zhuang Jun began writing and drawing on paper, then said, "This is the 12 mu of commercial land reserved (including the Dahua Hotel). I'm afraid it won't be able to face Jing'an Temple Road anymore."

It is indeed a bit embarrassing. The original Dahua Hotel is surrounded by a large amount of vacant land. Obviously, if the vacant land is used to build residential houses, the Dahua Hotel will be blocked on the street facing Jianning Road.

As for the later Nanhui Road and Fengxian Road, they were both built in the 1930s.

Chen Guangliang originally wanted to build a road - Nanhui Road, but then he thought it was wrong. Once the road was built, it would be equivalent to dividing the land.

Now that I think about it, the reason why the former Yeguang Company built Nanhui Road was probably to divide the large plot of land into small plots first, so that the houses built there would be easier to sell or rent.

But now that the concept of 'large communities' has emerged, building roads is obviously impossible.

The later "Majestic Theatre" is now the Dahua Hotel, and the Meilong Town Plaza is the surrounding land, and of course there are also the residential areas of nearby Nanhui Road and Fengxian Road.

60 acres of land is equivalent to 36000 square meters, or 360000 square feet. If high-rise buildings can be built, at least two to three thousand residences can be created.

"Yes, we will build an eight-story hotel here on Jing'an Temple Road (Nanjing West Road). We will build it a little longer and build a road on the east side. On one side is the hotel, and on the other side is a large community. The hotel and restaurant will form a combined building with a four-acre square in the middle."

This is equivalent to a total of 12 acres of commercial land forming a vertical north-south shape, with the restaurant in the north and the hotel in the south, connected by a central square.

Moreover, Chen Guangliang has already decided that after the renovation, the restaurant will be called "Shangri-La Hotel", and after the hotel is built, it will be called "Shangri-La Hotel".

Zhuang Jun was surprised and said, "Boss Chen is planning to build a hotel?"

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Actually, it's also with the hotel. The current Dahua Hotel can only provide meals, not accommodation, which I think is a pity."

Originally, he wanted to build a serviced apartment, but recently he suddenly changed his mind.

Whether it is building a newspaper building, it costs 200,000 to 300,000 yuan; or building the Shangri-La Hotel, it costs 600,000 to 700,000 yuan (excluding land).

Once this money was invested, the cost could be recovered until the Japanese occupied the concession in 1941.

More importantly, Chen Guangliang wants to leave more of his footprints in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Sometimes "reputation" is also important!
When it comes to making money, Chen Guangliang has many ways, such as the following 'gold and silver exchange rate' and 'dollar to silver exchange rate', he can make a lot of money.

After thinking for a while, Zhuang Junshao said, "Hotel design isn't my forte. I can introduce Mr. Chen to Li Fan, an architect who studied in France."

Chen Guangliang said readily: "Okay, let's meet up later."

This time, he has made up his mind to become a Chinese hotel tycoon!

So far, the only Chinese hotel/restaurant in Shanghai is the "Overseas Chinese Hotel" which opened in 1926, which later became the "Shanghai Golden Gate Hotel".

Now Chen Guangliang has calculated that if this residential project can make 200 million yuan, it is acceptable to spend 80 yuan to build a hotel and renovate a restaurant.

Compared with spending money to build the headquarters office building of "Changjiang Real Estate", the hotel is obviously more profitable.

After the inspection, Chen Guangliang invited everyone to the "Dahua Hotel".

"Mr. Chen, the box is ready for you!"

"Okay, thank you"

Deputy General Manager Gao Zhichao personally led them to the private room for dinner.

Recently, Chen Guangliang personally contacted Gao Zhichao and other Chinese senior staff of the Dahua Hotel, which may lead to a change in the owner and cause turmoil in the Dahua Hotel.

Similarly, Chen Guangliang also stabilized the situation of these senior Chinese staff, that is, he would not abandon them and would continue to employ them.

Even if the hotel is renovated later, Chen Guangliang will still keep these senior Chinese employees, after all, he needs hotel talent.

The general manager of the Majestic Hotel is a foreigner, and he is from the Shanghai Hong Kong Hotel, so the possibility of winning him over is not high.

(End of this chapter)