A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 213 The opportunity has come
At the beginning of March, Chen Guangliang learned from a source in San Francisco that the Canadian National Railway Company was preparing to auction its assets in order to survive the crisis; six of the cargo ships were worth 3 million US dollars 6 years ago, but now they are being auctioned for only 10 US dollars each.

Because it was a targeted "inquiry into information", Chen Guangliang basically knew about the information as soon as it was released.

These six cargo ships are only 6 years old, dating back to the early 11s, and can be considered "relatively new ships" (ships that are forty years old are still in use); secondly, the displacement of these six ships is between 6 and 4000 tons, making them relatively large cargo ships.

After comprehensive consideration, Chen Guangliang decisively invited Warren & Co., with whom he had already cooperated, to represent Prologis and prepared to let it "represent".

As soon as Pros arrived at Chen Guangliang's office, he immediately asked, "Mr. Chen, are you planning to buy another ship? Don't worry, our Warren Company is strong and has enough cargo ships to provide you with, and the price is cheap!"

Although Chen Guangliang did take advantage of the "Gold Mountain" last time, Warren & Co. is not in a good situation now. The European and American economies are in a depression and shipping is also in a slump. Only the Far East business has not been affected. However, the Far East business is very small and cannot be compared with the European and American business.

The headquarters has issued instructions, hoping that they will find buyers for second-hand ships in the Far East and increase the business of cargo ship trading.

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "Mr. Pros, here's the thing. I'd like your firm to auction these ships for me and bring them back to the Shanghai market. The starting price is $2, and I'm willing to go as high as $5 per ship. If you can get them at a lower price, that's your profit. In addition, I'll pay a brokerage fee of $1.5 per ship. Also, after you've won the bid, you only need to bring them back to the Shanghai market within three months, during which time you'll have the right to use them."

At $6.5 per vessel, it might seem more expensive than the Jinshan, but it's actually not. The fact that it's just ten years younger warrants double the price. Secondly, the quality of the vessel is a factor, something Chen Guangliang had witnessed in his past life.

All in all, these ships are worth buying at a price of $10.

Pros was stunned. There was such a "good news". Wasn't this young Chinese too well-informed?
Little did they know that if Chen Guangliang was not a time traveler, how could he remember such a thing, and why would he entrust someone to specifically inquire about the information.

"Is Mr. Chen's information really well-informed?"

"My friend in San Francisco accidentally got the news and passed it on to me."

Pros nodded, then said deliberately in a difficult tone: "These ships are so cheap, I'm afraid many people will rush to bid for them at the auction, right?"

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "I've done extensive research on the shipping situation in Europe and the United States. The shipping industry is in an unprecedented slump, and established shipping entrepreneurs are avoiding it. Investing in maritime transport at this time is like throwing money into the ocean. So, I think my chances of winning within $5 are pretty good."

Seeing this, Pros couldn't find any problems and could only say, "Do we need to sign a contract and pay a certain amount of deposit?"

Chen Guangliang is still not confident about Warren & Co.!

"Can"

In fact, at that time, China did not have any large capital to invest in shipping.

The China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was deeply in debt, and within a year, a corruption scandal erupted. The company needed a 1000 million yuan loan to survive, but Li Guojie, after securing a loan from HSBC, unexpectedly pocketed 80 yuan in brokerage fees. The Nanjing government, desperate for a reason to target him, seized the opportunity to take him down and completely control the company. (Li Guojie always considered the company his ancestral legacy, founded by his grandfather, Li Hongzhang.)
Others like Yu Qiaqing's Sanbei also had no intention of expansion. Only newcomers would step in at this time, such as Chen Shuntong, Chen Guangliang, and Dong Haoyun a year or two later.

But the only one who really entered in large numbers was Chen Guangliang.

soon.

Global Shipping and Warren & Co. signed a "brokerage" contract and paid US$10 as a "deposit".

The auction will be held at the end of April, which is still two months away, so there is still enough time.

In the conference room of Global Shipping, Chen Guangliang was meeting with his subordinates.

The Jinshan has been in operation for more than two months, and global shipping and global trade are gradually getting back on track.

"What's the situation with the Jinshan?"

Zhao Tieyi immediately said, "The Jinshan has already made three round trips on the Lian-Shen line, primarily transporting 1.6 tons of soybeans for Vitasoy. So, our business is doing well. Next, we'll switch to a fixed route, and our business is already underway."

This is true, because Vitasoy has built warehouses in Changzhou Prefecture and Shanghai South, so it plans to stockpile a batch of soybeans first.

The price of soybeans has been falling since 1928, mainly due to the reduction of imports from Europe and the United States. Northeast China can produce several million tons of soybeans a year (reaching 1908 million tons in 150), so the cost is still very cheap now.

"Keep a balance between income and expenditure?" Chen Guangliang asked directly.

It is difficult to make money, just like shipping. You may not make any money in a whole year, but suddenly you may make a lot of money after just two trips.

Zhao Tieyi replied, "We have a lot of representative work, so prices are greatly affected, but we should be able to balance our income and expenditure. Also, mainly due to the impact of the world economy, the commodity market has not been optimistic in the past two years."

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "Let's gain experience first, then think about making money. By the way, I plan to establish a maritime academy near Zhoujiadu and Dongjiadu to train our own seafarers. Please prepare a venue for me first, and we will proceed with the details later."

Everyone knew about the contract signed with Warren & Co., and they wondered if this boss would get into shipping, as he would invest so much and put on such a grand show right away.

Zhao Tieyi asked, "Is this the seafarer training for those six ships?"

Chen Guangliang said, "This isn't about the six ships. I'm planning to train China's own senior seafarers. We can't always let foreigners enjoy a superior life on board."

He did some calculations and found that it was impossible to invest 100 million oceans in shipping, and it might reach 200 million oceans.

He planned to use all six ships for himself.

In this way, the size of his fleet is not much different from that of Sanbei Shipping, but Sanbei Shipping has more ships and smaller tonnage.

Chen Guangliang has fewer ships but larger tonnage.

As for how the business will develop, Chen Guangliang plans to rent three ships to others at a low price first, adopting the management method of Bao Yugang in his previous life, and the remaining three ships will join the competition for fixed routes.

Take a gamble!
Anyway, financial means can be used to recover the losses later, and once shipping is back on track, it will be very profitable.

"Okay, we'll find a place for the school right away."

The Shangri-La Hotel will open for trial operation on March 3 (Lantern Festival) and officially reopen on March 3.

During the trial operation period, all dishes are 3% off, but most of the people who come here are friends and relatives of the three shareholders, because the external advertising is that the restaurant will officially open on March 9 and a large opening ceremony will be held.

"Everyone have fun today," Chen Guangliang walked towards the table of Yan Renmei's sisters and greeted them in a gentlemanly manner.

At this time, an American jazz music group was performing on the stage in the first floor hall, and there were people dancing on the round dance table in the middle. This was a performance that would be held at fixed times in this hotel in the future.

The jazz band in the lobby on the first floor comes to the Shangri-La Hotel for three days a week, and guests can dance while dining during these three days.

Similarly, some theatrical activities can also be held here, but this is still under consideration.

Shen Youfen jokingly asked, "Mr. Chen, are you very busy? Why don't you come and have dinner with us?"

Chen Guangliang stood beside Yan Renmei and said with a smile, "You are a sisterhood gathering, so I won't disturb you. If you have any instructions, just ask." Shen Youfen took the opportunity to ask, "Can we dance?"

"please"

Chen Guangliang agreed very gentlemanly. That was the way it was in that era. If someone invited you to dance, you had to agree if you were a gentleman.

Chen Guangliang, who had watched the previous life of "The Bund" in his early years, knew that when Xu Wenqiang invited someone's wife to dance, the husband had to get things for his wife.

But ballroom dancing is not a dirty thing. Just put your left hand around your waist. If you put it in the wrong place, it would be considered as hooliganism!

Chen Guangliang and Shen Youfen danced together to the accompaniment of jazz music.

On the dance floor, Shen Youfen whispered, "Mr. Chen, I really envy Renmei for having someone like you pursuing her!"

Chen Guangliang kept his distance, walking steadily, and said, "You are still young, you will meet someone better. After all, your Zhongxi Girls' High School is full of talented people."

"Hehe," Shen Youfen said with a smile, "Mr. Chen, you really know how to comfort people!"

Afterwards, she tactfully stopped talking about this matter. After all, she was also very smart.

In fact, among the four people who met by chance, Shen Youfen was the only girl who fell in love with Chen Guangliang at first sight, but it was a pity that Chen Guangliang fell in love with Yan Renmei at first sight.

In fact, Shen Youfen's "backer" has also fallen. Her mother was originally from the "Dongting Lake Xi Family", and the three generations of the Dongting Lake Xi Family were HSBC compradors and accumulated considerable wealth; but after the third-generation head of the Xi family was assassinated, since only two sons aged seven or eight were left, the family wealth was frantically devoured by gang members - they occupied other people's properties and used them as casinos, but as for the rent, they were probably only given a few coins.

Of course, Chen Guangliang remembered that the two sons of the Xi family later went to study abroad and developed abroad. They lived a good life, so a lot of the family wealth was preserved. After all, if the cash was deposited in HSBC, people would naturally take care of it depending on the situation.

But it is not difficult to imagine that if Chen Guangliang had succeeded in the assassination last time, his mother and brother would not have been able to keep their wealth, and most of it would have been embezzled.

The dance ended quickly, and Chen Guangliang and Shen Youfen returned to their group of girlfriends. Everyone praised Chen Guangliang for his good dancing.

Chen Guangliang didn't talk much, but lowered his head and whispered in Yan Renmei's ear: "Renmei, please entertain everyone for me, I'll go over first!"

Yan Renmei's eyes were filled with happiness. She nodded and said, "Well, just go about your business!"

"Everyone, enjoy it slowly"

"it is good"

There weren't many customers today, after all, it was just a trial run, but there were still about twenty tables, and Chen Guangliang, as the host, went to greet them.

On the day of its official opening, nearly a thousand guests will come to witness this history.

The Shangri-La Hotel is not simply a luxury hotel, but a commercial competition between Chinese and foreigners. The Shangri-La Hotel's benchmark is luxury hotels such as the Chinachem Hotel, the Central Hotel, and the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Hotel.

The Chinese people of this era had a very strong sense of national self-esteem despite the poverty and weakness of their country.

So when the Shangri-La Hotel opened, Shanghai's administrative and military bosses would come, the underworld and the white world would gather, and the big executives of major foreign companies were also invited.

More importantly, Chen Guangliang has announced that all of the Shangri-La Hotel's first week's turnover will be donated to the 'Zhongshan Hospital Preparatory Office'.

Because everyone is supporting "domestic products", promoting the Shangri-La Hotel as a high-end hotel for Chinese people and giving support, then the Shangri-La Hotel should also catch this wave of traffic.

On this day, Huang Jinrong invited the creditor gang and the aftermath committee 'Ningbo Gang' to discuss the acceptance of Great World in the office building of Great World on the grounds that 'Huang Chujiu had borrowed money from him to repay debts'.

More than a dozen people sat in a room, the three tycoons gathered together, obviously intending to force the emperor to abdicate.

The creditor gang is mainly composed of several families in Nanxun, Huzhou. They also entrusted the descendants of Liu family, one of the Four Elephants of Nanxun, to run the big world for a period of time. As a result, they found that there were always three gangsters coming to make trouble, which made them very annoyed.

At the beginning of the meeting, Huang Jinrong bowed and said, "Everyone, if this world continues to be run in its current way, it will sooner or later become worthless. I, Huang, am humble enough to take over this mess so that everyone will not lose everything."

Good guy, he can’t wait to take over the big world. It seems that Huang is the most greedy for money, it’s true!

At this time, Huang Jinrong had already semi-retired, and power was mainly concentrated in Du Yuesheng's hands, but his desire for wealth was indeed the strongest.

The members of the bond group looked at each other, and then discussed it. Everyone knew that if they didn't hand over this industry soon, Huang Jinrong would have a way to destroy Great World.

More importantly, the land of the Great World was rented, and the owner was the grandson of Zhang Jingjiang, who was the commander-in-chief's "mentor".

Then, Liu Chengzu, a descendant of the Liu family, asked, "How much does Mr. Huang plan to invest?"

Huang Jinrong said, "70 yuan is the fixed price. I will also take on the debt of the Great World!"

Although the land of the Great World was rented, the building of the Great World cost 80 oceans to build and had a construction area of ​​more than square meters, which was quite large, not to mention that the business was still good.

It is reasonable to say that it is worth 150 million.

Seeing that the Nanxun gang was about to retreat, Yu Qiaqing said, "I can give it to you, but you have to give Huang's widow and eldest daughter-in-law 4 yuan each for living expenses. This money must be handed over to them in person, and our post-disaster relief committee will be present."

Everyone was giving face to Huang Jinrong and the other two. In fact, they also understood that if this continued, the Huang family might end up living on the streets!
Huang Chujiu also has two widows, and the eldest wife has the eldest daughter-in-law and grandchildren, which means Huang Jinrong has to pay 12 yuan in cash.

"Since Brother Ade has said so, I will naturally agree. Chu Jiu was also my disciple, and his descendants should be taken care of. However, Brother Ade needs to promise me one thing?"

Yu Qiaqing said unhappily, "What's the matter?"

These three people had already taken advantage of me, and now there is something else going on.

Huang Jinrong smiled and said, "It's very simple. Please ask Brother Ade to recover the 20 yuan that Huang Chujiu invested in the Dutch Anda Shipping Company. I intend to use this money to repay the loans and miscellaneous debts to Daxing Construction Plant and Tongshang Bank."

He had obviously analyzed the debt situation of the Great World, listed the debts that had to be repaid, and thought of measures to be taken.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qiaqing said, "That's not difficult. I agree to make the trip."

The three parties quickly reached an agreement, and Huang Jinrong used 82 yuan in cash to take back the Great World, which was worth 150 million yuan. He had no intention of repaying some of the Great World's debts.

In fact, Huang Jinrong had already figured out a way to get back the 12 yuan in cash given to Huang Chujiu's descendants - that was to get it back from the leasing merchants of the Great World.

From the beginning to the end, Huang Jinrong actually only paid 70 yuan to the Nanxun families.

(End of this chapter)