A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 171 A great victory
Li Fan, who designed the Shangri-La Hotel, brought his subordinates to the conference room of Changjiang Real Estate. The plan and budget had already been finalized.

Chen Guangliang looked at the design plan carefully, feeling a little moved. Although speculating on bids was thrilling, he actually preferred real estate.

The "Dahua Hotel" is expected to start renovation from March next year. After the renovation, it will be renamed "Shangri-La Hotel". The construction period is one year and the renovation budget is 10 yuan.

The newly built building is actually called the "Shangri-La Hotel Annex". In that era, there was no concept of "hotel". For example, the "Chinachem Hotel" and the "Ritz-Carlton Hotel" all had accommodation rooms.

Of course, Chen Guangliang had already registered "Shangri-La Restaurant" and "Shangri-La Hotel". He chose these names simply because they came to mind. He had never read any similar books in his previous life, he just liked them.

The annex building of Shangri-La Hotel is eight stories high, costing RMB 75 (including decoration), with a construction area of ​​1.12 square meters. Floors one to six are used as regular hotel rooms, and floors seven to eight are used as luxury suites, with a total of 128 rooms.

After reviewing the design proposal, Chen Guangliang said with satisfaction, "Mr. Li is indeed a top student who studied in France. His design is full of European classicism and romance, while also incorporating Chinese characteristics. It's a fusion of Chinese and Western elements, and I like it very much."

Li Fan said seriously, "Boss Chen is a professional who understands design. I have learned a lot from working with you this time. If Boss Chen thinks any details need to be changed, please feel free to bring it up and we will improve it as soon as possible."

Chen Guangliang did participate in some of the hotel's interior design, but the main emphasis was on "practicality" and "convenience", not something he could really design for a building of this era.

He is more familiar with "American-style" skyscrapers rather than the "European-style" buildings of this era, so he will not make random comments overall.

"Okay, then let me take a closer look and we can talk again later."

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang invited everyone to have dinner together, and the location was naturally chosen as the Dahua Hotel.

The renovation design of the Grand China Hotel was also completed by Li Fan's team. Because "there can't be two tigers in one mountain," Zhuang Jun voluntarily withdrew from the project and became Chen Guangliang's architectural consultant, but he did not directly participate in the design.

On the other hand, Chen Guangliang gradually recognized Li Fan's design.

This time, the budget for the entire commercial part has been 85 (including soft furnishings). If another 15 is left for operating funds, the Shangri-La Hotel will be an investment of 100 million oceans.

It already falls into the category of "luxury hotel", probably just a little lower than the Chinachem Hotel, and other foreign-funded hotels are a bit old.

Therefore, once the Shangri-La Hotel reopens, it will be ranked among the top three hotels in Shanghai (previously, the Dahua Hotel was already the No. 1 Chinese hotel).

worth!

After all, if the business was run until the first half of 1937, the investment should have been recovered. If the "ownership" was resold at a higher price, it would have been even more profitable.

He went to the General Motors office on Nanjing East Road again to negotiate with Smith and others.

Smith, who had apparently obtained permission from the United States, immediately said, "Mr. Chen, given your credit rating and your appreciation for our Chevrolet, we've decided to sell it to you for $2000."

During this period, he also inquired about Chen Guangliang's business status in Shanghai, and the answer he got was very clear: he was a real estate tycoon and a newspaper tycoon; even, Chen Guangliang was well aware of what was happening in the United States at that time.

So what they say is right, the American industry is in big trouble now, and prices must be lowered to sell.

In fact, this car costs only more than 600 US dollars in the United States, mainly due to the shipping costs, insurance fees and other aspects.

Chen Guangliang calculated that the cost has been greatly reduced, and now it is only worth 4500 yuan. However, if the development continues as he expected, each of the 400 cars may be worth 10000 yuan next year.

The exchange rate is the biggest variable, followed by Chen Guangliang's wholesale purchases, which reduces costs.

"I can accept this price. So, what about our deal? I'm planning on delivering a batch each in March, June, September, and December of next year. I'll pay a 3% deposit each time, and then the balance after we arrive in Shanghai. Is that okay?"

"Of course, your reputation fully allows for this!"

Smith agreed readily.

When they do business, they value credibility. For example, if a warlord in the Republic of China purchased trucks and cars from them, there would be no problem paying in installments.

Not to mention, Chen Guangliang is a very reputable businessman, and they don’t have to worry about no one wanting the car when they bring it to the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Next, the two sides discussed some details, including the payment currency (US dollars) and the approximate delivery date.

Back to Yangtze River Taxi.

Chen Guangliang formally convened a management meeting.

He Xiangdong is not in charge of Changjiang Taxi now, and Deputy General Manager Liang Mengqi reports directly to Chen Guangliang.

"In March next year, we will receive 3 new Chevrolet taxis, so we have a lot of work to prepare in these three months."

"First, of course, there's the branch issue. We'll be adding four new branches, plus the two existing ones (there's also one on Yuyuan Road), for a total of six. You've already made some arrangements for the specific locations, so the next step is to lease stores in the relevant areas."

Liang Mengqi immediately responded, "The four newly added areas are Zhabei, Jiangwan, Shanghai South, and the French Concession, which together represent six branches, each with 20 vehicles. We'll use the headquarters' call center. Once we receive a taxi request, we'll contact the branch by phone, and they must arrive within ten minutes."

The main speed limit in this era was 20 miles (32 kilometers) per hour, and some areas even had a speed limit of only 16 miles.

Chen Guangliang said: "Our goal is to arrive within ten minutes. When the second batch of new cars arrive in Shanghai in June, we will expand to more than 6 branches so that we can truly cover the entire city."

Everyone nodded in agreement!

Twenty vehicles in a branch are still very crowded. After completing the pick-up and drop-off task, if the vehicle cannot find a "convenient order (usually difficult)" on the way, it needs to return to the branch immediately.

Changjiang Taxi will grow into the 'largest taxi company in China' with 1930 vehicles by next year (220), and the number of its branches will also be greatly expanded.

Chen Guangliang continued, "As our scale expands, our staff will naturally increase significantly, but the quality of our personnel must keep pace. I've established a few rules and regulations, so please take note: First, when drivers see guests, they must get out of the car to help with luggage, open the car door for guests, and perform other courteous acts. Second, under no circumstances may they argue with guests. Complaints from guests must be addressed promptly, with vouchers issued, and drivers must be penalized."

He talks about service!

In the future, online ride-hailing services will defeat taxis not only in terms of price, but more in terms of service.

Drivers these days already have high salaries, and not letting them provide good service would be a waste of their wages.

Zheng Wensheng, the manager in charge of the drivers, said: "We have always adhered to high service. It is not difficult for us to strengthen this. Every driver will receive special training and there will be training classes every month. In short, we will provide the best service."

Chen Guangliang said, "Well, the complaint handling department and yours are managed by different people. You should understand that. Fining drivers isn't my goal, and firing them isn't either. My real goal is to improve our service quality and surpass Yunfei Taxi."

Unknowingly, Chen Guangliang used the rhetoric of later generations.

"Yes, we all understand."

Chen Guangliang said: "Also, our attire must be uniform. Those who are not wearing work clothes cannot work."

"Yes"

Next, Chen Guangliang discussed the upcoming advertising campaign with everyone. After the new cars arrive in Shanghai, Changjiang Taxi will launch a round of advertising campaign.

After the meeting, Deputy General Manager Liang Mengqi went to Chen Guangliang's office.

"Boss, the 40000 number is used by the telephone company itself. If you want to get it, I'm afraid you'll have to pay a lot of money to buy it!"

When Chen Guangliang heard that it was for the telephone company's own use, he said happily, "Well, that's even better. But don't worry, wait until the car arrives at the port, then go get it. We can take it step by step!"

A “good” week later, trading at the Shanghai Gold Exchange is still very busy.

“412.56, 100 lots”

When a trader in the center of the courtyard gestured with his hands the quantity and price of the goods to be sold, buyers quickly came forward.

The exchange patted the two buyers on the shoulders, officially concluding the deal.

After the transaction was completed, both parties stepped down and went to the side to register. Exchange staff recorded it for both parties, and then both parties recorded it separately.

Meanwhile, in the center of the courtyard, transactions were still being repeated.

Trading time is only 4-5 hours per day, and the rest of the time is spent on collecting trading data. Of course, actual delivery is done every two months.

However, this period does not affect your futures trading operations. For example, if you initially sell short, but see the situation is not going well, you can switch to buy long to reduce your losses.

However, Cheng Linsheng began to direct his subordinates, "Delivery is imminent, and we must drive down the price of gold. I've already mortgaged some of my real estate to secure a 300 million yuan loan. Starting today, we'll be shorting again. I can't believe there are still so many bullish investors when the price reaches 412 yuan!"

If the delivery is made at the current price, he expects to lose 160 million yuan.

Although this amount of money is not a big deal for him, it is still heartbreaking.

He simply mortgaged some of his properties, increased his own pills, and lowered the price again.

Wu Guizhen said, "But Boss, everyone's enthusiasm for investment is still high. Do you want us to fight again next month?"

I have to admit my loss this month because they control public opinion.

Cheng Linsheng immediately said, "No, I just don't believe it. I, a man with a lot of money, can't defeat a bunch of scattered soldiers. Start short selling immediately. This time, I'll use 3000 million to suppress the gold price in the last few days."

"it is good"

Cheng Linsheng has said on many occasions that he can control the Shanghai bidding gold market, which shows how arrogant he is.

Next.

Cheng Linsheng soon discovered that his frequent short-selling orders were all taken up by others immediately, and the price continued to rise, which made him very angry.

Little did they know that at this time, not only were there people from all walks of life in Shanghai who were bullish on the bid price, but many new forces had also joined in - such as the Kong family.

On the other hand, the continued rise in international gold prices is also a reference for the rise in Shanghai benchmark gold prices.

December 12th is fast approaching. According to regulations, today is the last day for Shanghai gold delivery. The remaining days of this month will be used for formal delivery processing.

(Of course, while delivery is stipulated every two months, this "delivery" is a forced "settlement" imposed by the exchange. However, there is actually another delivery method for futures contracts: when a transaction occurs between ABC, the three companies can settle the contract on their own. For example, if A purchases B's gold at 405, and three days later sells it to C at 408, A should immediately profit 3 yuan, and the rest is up to C and B.)

On the last day, Cheng Linsheng found that even though he tried his best, he still couldn't stop the price from rising, and it finally closed at 415 yuan.

He lost more than 200 million!

The biggest defeat in history.

"Chen Guangliang! If you have the guts, let's continue the fight!" Cheng Linsheng was so angry that his teeth were itching.

If it was a normal failure, he could afford to lose more than 200 million, and he wouldn't even care much about it.

But the problem is, he felt that Chen Guangliang took advantage of media opinion and raised the Shanghai Stock Exchange's benchmark price by 25 yuan in less than days.

It happened that Chen Guangliang also came to watch the battle, but in fact he had already run out of bullets.

Although he could choose to continue to go long using the last 100 million gold spot as proof, he still cautiously chose to keep a hand.

During this period, he discovered that the "multiple forces" were strong, so he chose to stop and no longer manage.

"Mr. Cheng, how are you?" Chen Guangliang took the initiative to step forward and greet Cheng Linsheng when he saw him.

Cheng Linsheng didn't react excessively upon seeing his 'enemy'. He simply maintained his arrogant attitude and said, "Boss Chen, I lost this time due to your manipulation of public opinion. I'm not entirely convinced of this defeat. Let's fight again next month!"

Seeing that Cheng Linsheng was still confident that he could control the gold market, Chen Guangliang couldn't help but find a good 'lamb' and immediately said, "Mr. Cheng, I always follow the market closely and never fight with others!"

Cheng Linsheng was stunned and could only say, "This is the market where 'people' play. Otherwise, why do you think the Shanghai gold market is so active? How can it simply follow the gold prices in London, New York, and Paris? As long as you are in this market, you are destined to play with people."

Of course Chen Guangliang knew these principles, he was just trying to provoke others.

"I still say the same thing, I won't fight with others."

"you"

Cheng Linsheng is twice as old as Chen Guangliang, but his self-cultivation is much worse, so he is obviously more recorded at this time.

"Then we'll see."

"Senior, walk slowly"

The more this happens, the more annoyed Cheng Linsheng becomes, and the more advantageous it will be for Chen Guangliang next month.

Return to Changjiang Money House.

Yan Zhiduo also came to listen to the achievements of the past two months.

Wu Xinhe, the financial manager at the bank, reported, "Our average long price this time was 396.20 yuan, and today's delivery price was 416.85 yuan, giving us a profit of approximately 51.1 yuan."

The profit is very high. After all, their "margin" is only 100 million yuan, and it is guaranteed by 100 million yuan of spot gold.

Yan Zhiduo sighed, "The gold futures market is so unpredictable, winning or losing is just a matter of thought."

Chen Guangliang said, "Uncle, even if I don't publish the article, we won't suffer too much loss. Ultimately, it's the international market that influences the Shanghai gold market, and in the face of the general trend, it's futile for anyone to go against it."

During the period from 1926 to 1929, Cheng Linsheng did make a lot of money by speculating in gold. It was said that he occasionally made hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time.

So there was no serious damage this time, so of course Chen Guangliang will continue to slaughter this big fat sheep!

"That makes sense, but Cheng Linsheng doesn't understand. I heard Kong Xiangxi has already joined in. It seems everyone wants a piece of the action."

Chen Guangliang naturally knew that Kong Xiangxi was already speculating in gold, after all, the market was very sensitive.

"Next month, we'll continue to be bullish, but we need to be strategic. I'll make the arrangements then!"

"it is good"

(End of this chapter)