A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 226 The Rise of Shipping
After returning to Shanghai from Nanjing, Chen Guangliang went to Zhonghua South Warehouse Terminal without stopping to inspect the shipping situation.

The first two routes will depart on August 8 and 18.

Arriving at the dock's warehouse, Chen Guangliang asked directly, "How's the progress?"

All goods that need to be transported can be stored in the warehouse at the terminal first and then loaded together.

The price of global shipping is generally 10% lower than that of British merchants. This is a common practice - just like the ticket prices of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company are always 10-20% lower than those of British merchants.

However, the low price of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company only made up for some disadvantages and competed with British capital on the same level. After all, the management of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was chaotic, the compradors often asked for money, and the ships were dilapidated, etc.

But the ships used for global shipping are new ships, and they present a new look in all aspects.

Zhao Tieyi reported seriously, "Despite all our publicity efforts and our efforts to provide thoughtful service and a safe and simple procedure, only 50% of the cargo is currently loaded. With three days left, we expect to be able to load around 60% to 70% of the cargo. Passenger traffic is slightly better, already around 60%."

Chen Guangliang asked in return: "Have you really done it?"

Zhao Tieyi was stunned and could only bite the bullet and say, "We will continue to work hard and do better!"

He wondered if it was because the boat was too big.

After all, the ships of Jardine Matheson and Swire on these two routes are only more than 4800 tons, while theirs is directly 5000 tons (calculated as ).

But Zhao Tieyi didn't dare to say that because his boss was notoriously strict.

"Boss Chen is here too."

"Hello, Boss Zhang, what are you doing?"

I met an acquaintance, Mr. Zhang, who owns a textile factory.

"A batch of cotton yarn bales needs to be shipped to Qingdao. I heard you also opened a shipping route, so I came to check it out!"

It is estimated that they are cotton yarn bales of poor quality. There is such a situation in the futures market, where some cotton yarn bales of poor quality are flooded in it, but these cotton yarn bales will be discounted after they are finally delivered, and they will be transported to inland or north for use.

"Sure, our ships are all new. Not only are they large, stable, and fast, but the freight rates are 10% lower than those of foreign ships. You guys also have to consider costs, right?"

"Yes, can the shipping fee be reduced?"

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "If we lower the price any further, it will disrupt market practices. As a newbie like us, we will be targeted if we do this."

The current pricing is guided by the Chinese and Foreign Shipping Association, and a 10% discount is within the acceptable range for Chinese businessmen.

For the two routes this time, Chen Guangliang is focusing on a "blank". There is no blank for Chinese businessmen, so he does not intend to engage in a price war.

"Okay, then we'll let you do the transportation this time. Let's see if your timing is right. If you cooperate well, we'll continue to let you do the transportation next time."

"Don't worry, our ships are better than those of foreigners, and the quality of our sailors is not inferior to that of foreigners."

After dealing with the merchants, Chen Guangliang said to Zhao Tieyi, "From the day we founded the company, I said we would place experienced shipping and customs professionals in each branch, warehouse, and vessel. Our goal was to avoid the bloated organizational structure and rampant compradorism of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. You must remember this. Always keep an eye on the branches, warehouses, and vessels to prevent corruption in these places!"

"clear"

Branch offices refer to offices in various ports;
Warehouse refers to the leased warehouse at the terminal;

In addition to foreign senior seamen, the ship also has a Chinese captain who is mainly responsible for managing order on the ship.

These three areas are the most critical. As long as they are done well, there will basically be no major problems.

Finally, Chen Guangliang added, "Logically speaking, the original north-south and south-south coastal routes weren't very well-developed, so there's plenty of room for growth (lots of business). The fact that we've only achieved this much this time suggests our promotion efforts haven't been adequate. Find a solution!"

"Ok"

Zhao Tieyi is already familiar with his boss's style - don't tell him about difficulties (like being a newbie or something like that), just think of ways to do better.

Next, Chen Guangliang inspected the warehouses and ships and communicated with the relevant persons in charge.

The shipping business he was doing now was rather troublesome, as it involved fixed routes and many other aspects. It would be much easier if he rented the boat to someone else.

But what Chen Guangliang wanted was to be a shipping expert who was familiar with China's coastal areas and even inland river transportation.

Sunday, May 8.

Since getting married, Chen Guangliang decided to give up all his work on this day and concentrate on accompanying his wife.

So today I plan to take Yan Renmei to the Shangri-La Hotel to dance, and then go shopping in the afternoon.

In the morning, a family of four eats together.

During the meal, Yan Renmei suggested, "Brother Liang, you're going to do a fundraising, right? How about I join in? When you're fundraising, I'll bring Lingyi, Hanfen, and the others along to help!"

Chen Guangcong also raised his head, and although he didn't say anything, he also meant that he hoped to help!
Students are always full of passion!

Chen Guangliang said directly: "I don't plan to raise funds. I will donate another 100,000 yuan later. Add to the 100,000 yuan I donated earlier, and the remaining 200,000 yuan will be donated to the Shanghai Disaster Relief Association. That's enough!"

Yan Renmei asked, "Why don't you raise funds? Many teams in Shanghai are raising funds now."

Chen Guangliang said: "Fundraising is using other people's money to build your own reputation; and even if I don't go to fundraise, people who want to donate will donate to other groups."

Yan Renmei deliberately said, "Then I want to donate some of my private money. If you don't raise funds, I will donate it to other fundraising groups!"

This girl has quite a bit of private money!

Because of the cooperation between Chen Guangliang and Yan Zhiduo, the Yan family earned at least 200 million yuan (directly and indirectly).

So Yan Zhiduo gave Yan Renmei a generous dowry - multiple properties and some cash, with a conservative value of three or four hundred thousand yuan.

“Single transaction should not exceed 1000”

"Oh." Seeing Chen Guangliang like this, Yan Renmei also knew what to do and didn't mention the fundraising matter.

In fact, she understood that Liang Ge was definitely an industrialist who cared about the country and the people, but fundraising was a bit of a publicity stunt. Liang Ge had been assassinated before, and this might be the reason.

Actually, it’s not like that. Chen Guangliang just simply finds it troublesome!

At noon, the dance party at the Shangri-La Hotel was held as usual - a band was hired to perform at a fixed time, and restaurant customers could dance on the stage.

Chen Guangliang hugged Yan Renmei and joined in.

"Little girl, you look absent-minded. Are you thinking about disaster relief?"

Yan Renmei whispered, "Brother Liang, if I show up in public in the future, will you feel bad about it?"

So that was it. Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "What are you thinking? What kind of society are we in now? Showing off is a feudal term. Besides, I married a beautiful bride just to show off!"

Yan Renmei immediately wiped away her unhappiness and said with a smile: "My husband is still the best."

Chen Guangliang said, "Don't even think about disaster relief. People will continue to dance, race, and trade stocks. This is how the world has always been. We're not heads of state, so we can't think about too many things. Even the commander-in-chief of the Southern Whale is powerless to help with disaster relief because he has no money. So, donating money is fine, but don't let it affect our lives. The most important thing in life is happiness!"

The little girl has been influenced by Chen Guangliang and must be concerned about the country and the people, but everything has a limit!

For example, Chen Guangliang is planning to donate 300,000 yuan (200,000 yuan to the Shanghai Disaster Relief Association) in batches. He already has the money (he just happened to have it after selling a boat), and this amount is in line with his status. (If he doesn't donate, he will definitely be criticized.)
Chen Guangliang's concern for the country and the people is more reflected in "saving the country through industry" and "being good to employees". He is just doing his duty in providing disaster relief.

He doesn't want to be like Cao Wang, who gets scolded by his employees just to gain fame for himself!

After hearing Chen Guangliang's advice, Yan Renmei immediately cleared up her gloom and said with a smile, "Well, thank you Brother Liang for your guidance!"

A true life mentor!
Faced with the fact that four 5000-ton mixed-cargo ships of Global Shipping were put into operation and broke the coastal transportation monopoly of Jardine Matheson and Swire, the imperialists would naturally not give up.

Jardine Matheson.

The leader Du Baili was listening to his subordinates' reports with an angry expression on his face.

Jardine Matheson's tyranny was most prominently reflected in the great boss Du Bailey, who was called the "King of Hankou" in the 20s.

According to Jardine Matheson's personnel system, the head of each branch serves for three years and can be reappointed after the term expires. However, after the reappointment period expires, he must transfer to other jobs for three years before returning to his original position.

In accordance with this regulation, Du Baili has served as the head of Chahe for more than 20 years, and he may still be in power for the next ten years.

During his tenure, in 1919, he purchased over 1 square meters of land in Wuhan's Second Special District (formerly the Russian Concession, between present-day Lanling Road and Lihuangpi Road) and built over 000 three-story Western-style residences and shops. In 3, he purchased over 30 square meters of land northwest of Hankou, adjacent to the Western Merchants Racecourse, and named it Yihe Village. He initially intended to gradually build the "Yihe Concession," but this plan was abandoned after my country reclaimed the British Concession in 1920. Only a dozen Western-style buildings and a Qiahe Garden were built, with the remaining land rented out to local farmers for cultivation and rent. He also purchased and built dozens of new buildings, bringing the total to over 99. An industrial department was established, directly managed by successive dabans. The Industrial Department's properties are primarily rented out for profit, with stringent lease terms. Leases require a minimum of one year, and a two-month deposit is required. Rent is negotiated, ranging from 000 to 1927 yuan per month per property. Overall, the company's real estate income is around 10 yuan per year.

In addition to personally presiding over Jardine Matheson's economic plundering plan, Du Baili did not easily let go of any small exploitation, and all kinds of exploitation were countless.

Because Du Baili was good at exploitation and plunder, he won the trust of the British Consulate and served as a director or chairman of the boards of directors of organizations such as the British Concession Police Station, the British Chamber of Commerce, the British Polo House, the Western Merchants Jockey Club, and the Special District. He also served as a senator of the Hankou Municipal Government Council and was awarded an honor by the King of England.

It was these "high positions and generous salaries" that further fostered She Baili's arrogance. He treated the foreign company as an official office. All Western employees who came to the office on official business had to dress neatly, bow respectfully, and throw away their cigarette butts, otherwise he would be reprimanded in person.

As for the Chinese staff, except for the compradors who were able to approach him, the general staff were not allowed to speak directly to him. Particularly, for the sake of his own peace and quiet, he prohibited the whipping or swearing of carriages passing in front of the Jardine Matheson Building, cars from honking their horns, chartered vehicles and bicycles from ringing their bells, workers carrying goods from shouting, and the closing bell on the roof of the Jianghan Customs House was only allowed to chime the hours after midnight, not the quarter-hour.

How could such a domineering person not be angry when he heard that a private enterprise in China was trying to get involved in China's coastal transportation!

"Bang, where did this Chinese guy come from? He actually quietly owns four 5000-ton new ships?" Du Baili became more and more angry as he listened, and could not help but interrupt his subordinates' report.

The subordinate said cautiously, "It's understood that these ships were sold by Warren & Co. to Global Shipping. The exact price is unknown, but it's estimated to be at least $40 to $50."

This statement is not wrong. If Chen Guangliang were to sell the six ships he found at a bargain price right now, they would be worth at least $12 each. Their large tonnage and young age make them very valuable.

Du Baili then said, "Report to me the specific information about Chen Guangliang!"

"Okay. Conservatively speaking, his assets are over 50 pounds (1000 million dollars)."

After listening to this, Du Baili sneered and said, "Although he has assets of 50 pounds, he has invested a huge amount of money in real estate, hotels, taxis and other industries. This fully proves that his shipping company is not strong. Of course, I don't even take China Merchants Group seriously."

The subordinate asked tentatively, "What does the boss mean?"

Du Baili said, "Make an appointment with Shi Yueke from Jardine Matheson for me. We need to act in unison and deal a fatal blow to this Chinese-owned shipping company!"

"Ok"

Looking back to the past, in the Yangtze River shipping, Jardine Matheson and Swire joined forces to strangle Sanbei Shipping Company. Although they did not really strangle it, they also caused huge trouble to Sanbei Shipping.

But the situation is different today. China's coastal shipping routes are a bigger cake, and Jardine Matheson and Swire need to join forces again.

the other side.

Jock Shih, the head of Jardine Matheson, also learned that Global Shipping was joining the coastal routes.

Compared to Du Baili, Shi Yueke, the fourth-generation successor of the "Shi Huaiya Family", is younger, but his character is more cautious, calm, and naturally more cunning.

In the mid-1920s, John Smith took over as Taikoo's chief executive and subsequently implemented drastic reforms, including:

He moved the headquarters from Shanghai to Hong Kong because he believed that Shanghai was not a colony after all, and the political situation was volatile. Shanghai Swire mainly focused on trade and shipping, so even if it gave up, it would only lose some warehouses and godowns.

In addition, Shi Yueke also advocated "gender equality" and even "equal wages for Chinese and foreigners", but finally gave up because he could not afford the huge expenses. However, the wages of workers at Jardine Matheson were indeed higher than those at other foreign companies.

"Although we are stronger than Jardine Matheson in shipping, Du Baili will definitely be the first to be unable to bear this matter. Wait until he invites me, and then make plans!"

“Okay, Taipan.”

After listening to his subordinates' reports, Shi Yueke resisted the urge to take the initiative and instead asked Jardine Matheson to take the lead in suppressing the situation because Jardine Matheson was more domineering.

Of course, if Jardine Matheson delays making a decision, Swire will definitely take the lead.

(End of this chapter)