A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 189: Friendship

China Coal Briquette Factory.

Liu Hongsheng didn't expect that after he returned to Shanghai from a business trip, his "old nest" was destroyed.

His third son, Liu Nianli, reported, "Father, the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory took over a lot of the coal briquettes business in Shanghai in just two weeks. Look, I rented samples from a resident at a high price. Their coal briquettes burn very slowly and are very clean, and they're even cheaper than ours."

Liu Hongsheng has ten sons. He likes to arrange these sons in different companies and let them start from the bottom.

At present, the first three sons have all started working. The first two sons work in two match factories respectively, the third son works in a coal briquette factory, and the fourth son is still studying in the UK.

Liu Hongsheng quietly observed the 'honeycomb briquettes stove' and then said, "Have you sent someone to their factory to inquire about more information? If we know the process of making these briquettes, we can quickly regain the market!"

He Hongsheng, the general manager of the Zhonghua Coal Briquette Factory, immediately said, "We are trying to bribe the workers of the Jierui coal briquette cart. We have already learned the formula and production process of these coal briquettes. However, there is a tool called a 'coal briquette pounder' that they are strictly checking, so there is no chance of taking it out."

Afterwards, Liu Hongsheng stepped on the burnt coal balls and turned them into ashes.

"The formula is very simple. The key lies in the shape of the briquettes, which truly resemble a wasp's nest. As for the tools, they shouldn't be difficult either. A worker just needs to describe them and they'll basically understand what they're made of. It's not difficult, we can start producing them right away. But could the owner of this Jierui briquettes really be just Xie Hengchuang?"

Liu Nianli immediately said: "Not only that, there is another shareholder named Chen Guangliang!"

"It's him! No wonder the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory is so successful. This guy has been really amazing in recent years!"

In any case, Liu Hongsheng immediately decided to regain the market and imitated the Jierui coal briquette truck to produce honeycomb coal.

In the coal industry, he has an advantage, that is, he controls the sales of raw materials and has an advantage in price.

The Jierui Coal Briquette Factory also encountered troubles.

Xie Hengchuang said with a gloomy face, "Guangliang, we have already negotiated the raw materials for our coal. Kailuan Coal Mine is willing to offer us the cheapest price, not more expensive than what we pay from Liu Hongsheng, considering that we invented a new type of coal briquettes and quickly captured the Shanghai market. But now many people are jealous of our business and are giving us a hard time!"

Chen Guangliang remained calm and asked calmly, "How is it being difficult? Who is making it difficult?"

Xie Hengchuang immediately said, "They are the three gangster tycoons in Shanghai. Because we need the docks to import coal and export coal briquettes, they have us in their clutches. The contractors, big and small, on the docks are the "local tyrants," and these local tyrants are the subordinates of the three tycoons. They are powerful gangs and domineering, and we cannot afford to offend them."

Chen Guangliang frowned slightly, not because of the coal briquettes, but because he also wanted to build a dock if he wanted to develop shipping. After all, docks in this era were generally built by shipping companies themselves.

"So what do they mean?"

Xie Hengchuang shook his head and said, "Of course they won't say what they're thinking. They just want us to come to their door! Of course, among these three gangsters, Huang Jinrong loves money, Zhang Xiaolin loves fighting, and only Du Yuesheng knows how to behave. So if we want to handle this matter properly, we have to start with Du Yuesheng!"

Chen Guangliang had met the three big gangsters several times. Huang Jinrong thought that he was indeed obsessed with money. Du Yuesheng admired him very much, while Zhang Xiaolin looked down on him.

After all, although Chen Guangliang has some "influence" in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, his methods are indeed far inferior to those of the three major gangsters.

Of course, Chen Guangliang could only deal with them seriously, but he would not be truly controlled by them.

The three major gangsters have no chance to get involved in ordinary businesses, such as real estate, finance, taxis, etc.

The only thing is that this dock business cannot be avoided by these three people!
"If it really doesn't work, just give 1% of the shares to the three of them!"

Xie Hengchuang said, "If a 10% stake can solve the problem, that would be the best, but I'm afraid those three might have big appetites."

Chen Guangliang thought for a moment and said, "That's fine. Mr. Du and I have some friendship. I'll take this 10% stake and visit him. I'll ask him to plead for us. It shouldn't be a big problem."

In fact, he really doesn't care about the 'Jie Rui Coal Briquettes' business, but mainly because he wants to do shipping and foreign trade in the future, so he has to visit this wharf!

But one thing is for sure, Chen Guangliang would not call these people "old men", after all, this is a big "stain".

Chen Guangliang soon arrived at the Du Mansion to visit Du Yuesheng.

When he stepped into the Du Mansion, he only took a few quick glances to get a rough idea of ​​the layout and security. Of course, Chen Guangliang had no ill will towards Du Yuesheng; he just remembered it out of habit.

"Mr. Du, sorry to bother you!" As soon as they met, Chen Guangliang bowed to Du Yuesheng.

Du Yuesheng was wearing a long robe and had a thin face. He raised his hand to hold Chen Guangliang's arm and said with a smile: "We are all family, why be polite!"

This statement is inevitably ambiguous.

It seems that Du Yuesheng also wanted Chen Guangliang to worship him as "old man". After all, even the commander-in-chief had worshipped Huang Jinrong as old man.

Chen Guangliang then said, "I have to thank Mr. Du for helping me out last time, so that Mr. Gu and I wouldn't be embarrassed!"

The more polite you are, the more it shows that we are not one of you.

It’s okay to be friends, but it’s obviously not okay to be your own person.

Du Yuesheng gestured for Chen Guangliang to take a seat, and the two of them then sat down on the sofa in the living room, and a servant brought tea.

"Zhu Xuan was negligent last time. I just mentioned it casually. It's not a rescue. Besides, you, Chen Guangliang, are a big shot in Shanghai these days. A casual article can sway the bidding market. This is it!"

He gave a thumbs up.

Chen Guangliang immediately said modestly, "I was just lucky enough to analyze the world economic situation. How can I influence the gold market? Could it be that Mr. Du is also investing in this?"

Du Yuesheng waved his hand and said, "I don't understand the concept of gold, so I naturally don't know how to invest. I missed out because of this, haha!"

There was no expression of regret at all, it was obviously just a joke!

In fact, although Du Yuesheng's Zhonghui Bank had an initial capital of only one million, he attracted many banking tycoons to support him when he opened the bank, including Xu Xinliu, Chen Guangfu, Tang Shoumin, etc.

Furthermore, his Zhonghui Bank had an advantage: for example, it offered opium loans, something other banks wouldn't dare to do, but Zhonghui Bank did, allowing it to monopolize this business. As long as the interest rates on deposits were low enough and the interest rates on loans were high enough, Zhonghui Bank would thrive.

Chen Guangliang then explained his purpose and offered a 1% stake in Jierui Gas. Du Yuesheng remarked, "These are trivial matters. I wonder which of my subordinates is so ignorant as to even bother with such a matter. If I knew, I would have punished them."

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "Rules are rules. Mr. Du, please don't make things difficult for your subordinates. After all, they have to support their brothers, and this 10% stake isn't much. The main thing is that this 'honeycomb coal' business benefits the country and the people. The profit itself is not high, so it's okay as long as everyone doesn't mind."

Du Yuesheng waved his hand firmly and said, "If I say no, then I mean no. Your presence at the Du Mansion today shows your trust in me, Du Yuesheng, so I'll take care of this matter and will definitely help you."

Wow, first give a stick, then give a sweet date, what a good trick!

Of course, we have to admit that Chen Guangliang was also very moved at this time and felt that Du Yuesheng was really capable.

After all, at the beginning, it might be that Huang Jinrong and Zhang Xiaolin wanted to make money, and Du Yuesheng was not the mastermind; but now that Du Yuesheng has taken over the project, he must ask Huang Jinrong and Zhang Xiaolin for a favor.

Of course, according to Chen Guangliang's understanding, Du Yuesheng's influence was the greatest among the people at the dock.

"I'm really sorry to always bother Mr. Du!"

When Du Yuesheng heard this, he said happily, "We are all friends, so there is no problem in helping each other out a little!"

He had long wanted to win over Chen Guangliang, but had never found the opportunity. Doing a favor now would naturally benefit future generations. After all, Chen Guangliang was so young, and who knew what he would become in the future.

With this favor today, it is much more profitable than collecting 10% of the shares.

This can be considered a "debt of favor". Although this "favor" is forced, if you want to do business in the Shanghai Stock Exchange, you will eventually have to deal with these gangster tycoons.

"Since we're friends, Mr. Du has helped me several times. If you have any requests in the future, I hope I can help you too!"

This was exactly what he wanted. Du Yuesheng said, "You're welcome. Let's have lunch together at noon!"

Chen Guangliang did not refuse. After all, he would have to deal with these gangster tycoons in the future. Huang Jinrong had already retired, and Zhang Xiaolin naturally could not be involved. Only Du Yuesheng was more comfortable to deal with.

After using Du Yuesheng's connections, the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory finally had no more trouble at the dock, which made Chen Guangliang and Xie Hengchuang breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, although Du Yuesheng did not ask for shares, the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory also took care of the leaders at the dock.

After all, little devils are difficult to deal with!

"Guangliang, yesterday we caught a traitor who tried to steal our 'coal briquettes'. I guess he was bribed by the China Coal Briquette Factory. According to Liu Hongsheng's methods, he will probably be able to produce honeycomb coal briquettes soon!" Xie Hengchuang said worriedly.

Liu Hongsheng can be regarded as the overlord of the coal industry, at least in the south. However, he is not actually a coal king, and his sales in the coal industry are not even one-third of Liu Hongsheng's.

Hearing this, Chen Guangliang chuckled and said, "This isn't really high-tech stuff. Not to mention Liu Hongsheng, within two months, many people should understand the technology involved. By the way, how many coal stoves have we loaned out now?"

In order to promote "honeycomb briquettes", they "lent" briquettes stoves and fire shears to customers.

Xie Hengchuang said, "More than 3000 sets. We have contacted many workshops that can produce coal stoves and asked them to do their best to produce them for us. After all, honeycomb briquettes are easy to roll out. Now, all we lack is time!"

This is not a lot. There are nearly 100,000 residential units in the entire Shanghai market. If we exclude those that burn gas or firewood, the market is less than one-tenth open.

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "That's easy. We will have all the workshops in Shanghai and surrounding areas that can produce coal briquette stoves sign contracts with us to become our suppliers. They are not allowed to produce the coal stoves we designed and sell them separately. The contract is only signed for three months. This way, the China Coal Briquette Factory will have to produce from further away in a short period of time. Whether it's time or cost, it's already behind us. As for the coal briquette tampers and fire shears, they can also be signed to be produced only by us."

As long as Jierui Coal Briquette Factory is given two or three months, the entire market will have been occupied. What will there be to be afraid of then?
Xie Hengchuang's eyes lit up and he said, "That's a good idea, but our coal stoves and fire shears are only given to customers for 'free for three months', and the company's account is already low on funds!"

Chen Guangliang said, "Then let's borrow money from the bank. After all, we've already developed so well. Let's go to the Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank. I'll go with you to seek a loan later."

Each of them put out 10 yuan. Chen Guangliang naturally did not plan to invest more money, and borrowing was more cost-effective.

"it is good"

After the agreement was reached, Xie Hengchuang immediately got busy.

Originally, his coal business, which had been defeated by Liu Hongsheng, is now ushering in a new spring.

The Shanghai Standard Gold Exchange was bustling with people, many of whom were caught up in the carnival.

As of Monday, May 5th, the benchmark price had risen to over 12, a dramatic increase. Therefore, most investors had already seen a significant increase in their wealth.

Why do we say most investors? After all, futures contracts require hedging, so the balance should be 50/50.

Actually it is not.

First, many gold importers and smugglers who took office also cashed out directly on the Shanghai Standard Gold Exchange;

Secondly, the appreciation of gold and the depreciation of silver are equivalent to a huge increase in the wealth of those who speculate in gold, and many of them hold a lot of spot gold.

Therefore, when the benchmark price rises, there are still more winners than losers, especially the "super loser" Cheng Linsheng.

"Boss, do you want to add more chips? I'm afraid the price will continue to rise this month?" Hu Jinshun asked in a low voice.

The Changjiang Bank bought all the stocks at the opening of the market this month, but the limit was limited to 1000 million. During this period, they had added margin, raising the limit to 1500 million, and apparently there was still 500 million left.

Chen Guangliang shook his head and said, "That's enough. Don't overdo it. Always be cautious. Also, if the gold standard hits 560, notify me immediately. I plan to continue increasing my holdings of gold standard spot."

"Ok"

When it reaches 560, I will withdraw the 100 million margin and buy spot gold.

If the exchange rate reaches 620, Chen Guangliang also plans to store his wealth mainly in gold. After all, the gold and silver exchange rate can eventually reach 80, so this will prevent the devaluation of wealth.

After watching everyone's crazy performance for a while, Chen Guangliang quietly left.

He was a little tired of speculating in gold and hoped to end it as soon as possible so that he could invest his money in real industries.

(End of this chapter)