A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 244 Being threatened
One of the hottest topics in the Shanghai Stock Exchange recently is that as many as forty or fifty factories received a letter of "persuasion to move" before the "January 5000 Incident", thus avoiding losses of up to 1000 million yuan; at the same time, the Commercial Press and Oriental Books moved all their collections and a large number of books (textbooks) in advance, avoiding losses of million yuan.

So many people are curious about who this "national hero" is, and all kinds of people are trying to find out the news, and some even offer a "reward" for anyone with inside information.

Now things are looking up. First, a worker at the Oriental Printing Factory was blinded by money and reported that he had printed these letters, and the client was from the Oriental Newspaper Company.

Later, the "laid-off" staff of Commercial Press revealed to the media that all the books were moved to the Times Cinema before the "January 28 Incident".

Now things became clearer, because the Oriental Daily and the Times Cinema had the same owner, and Chen Guangliang had a precedent of predicting the "Great Depression in the United States."

"Oh my God, is Mr. Chen Guangliang really sounding the alarm? But why doesn't he admit it?"

"He was afraid of causing trouble. After all, he only warned a few dozen large factories, while hundreds of factories, large and small, were damaged."

"That's not the case. After all, who can guarantee anything? Everything I say is just a prediction!"

"People's hearts are unpredictable. The only thing I don't understand is that Mr. Chen Guangliang saved the Commercial Press and the Oriental Library and even provided a fleet of vehicles and land. Why doesn't anyone speak about it? You know, this is a great achievement."

"That's true!"

Faced with external public opinion, Chen Guangliang did not give any explanation or clarification.

Since the matter has been provoked, as long as he keeps quiet, it will eventually pass.

In addition, those factory owners who received his "warning" always owed him a favor.

Chen Guangliang came to the administrative building of "Times Film" and held a meeting with the management.

"How's the filming of 'Fist of Fury' going? The Times Cinema is going to open in July, and I hope the film can be shown at the Times Cinema for a month, the so-called grand opening of the cinema."

The Times Cinema was originally scheduled to open in May, but was disrupted by the "January 28 Incident" and was shut down for about two months.

However, starting from early April, the Commercial Press and the Oriental Library rented several warehouses and safes in the concession and moved their precious collections again. The Times Cinema also immediately restarted the renovation project.

It is expected to open around mid-July.

Lu Hanzhang immediately said, "We're already shooting at full capacity and it should be finished by July. But right now, Star Films, Lianhua Films, and other film companies are busy making films about the 'January 7 Incident.' Shouldn't we also make a similar film to avoid gossip?"

Chen Guangliang decisively said, "Don't shoot it. The Nanjing government will ban this kind of film. After all, their weakness is well known to everyone. Besides, 'Fist of Fury' can cleverly avoid censorship for war and revolutionary themes, but it has the same purpose."

Everyone couldn't help but admire their boss for actually thinking that the South Whale government would ban it.

Lu Hanzhang said, "That's right. Instead of following the trend, we should develop our own style of film. Ever since the huge success of 'Huo Yuanjia', some film companies have started to follow suit. If it weren't for the war, I'm afraid many films would have been released already!"

After the release of "Huo Yuanjia" in Shanghai, it caused a huge sensation and contributed about 20 box office revenue that month. Up to now, the box office in Shanghai has reached more than 30.

Times Pictures' box office dividends in Shanghai were 13 yuan, dividends in other cities across the country were 8 yuan, and buyouts in Southeast Asia were 5 yuan, for a total of 26 yuan in revenue.

This turnover is almost one-third of Star Cinema's last year (77).

It can be said that with "Huo Yuanjia" alone, Contemporary Film has established its foothold.

Special time periods also have a certain impact.

Chen Guangliang is more optimistic about "Fist of Fury", which may surpass "Huo Yuanjia" in popularity.

Next, Chen Guangliang said, "I want to acquire Ren Pengnian's Yueming Film Company. Manager Lu, please discuss this with him. Tell him that we intend to establish a large-scale integrated enterprise integrating production, distribution, and cinemas. If he is willing, we can issue new shares of Times Pictures or part of the cash to acquire his film company, including him and his wife. Furthermore, we have a plan to shoot a kung fu martial arts film and hope he will join us."

The total value of Times Pictures' stock is about 125 million. After the success of "Huo Yuanjia", Times Pictures' asset value has actually increased to about 140 million.

Issuing new shares is Chen Guangliang’s way of doing things, so naturally neither party suffers a loss.

Lu Hanzhang said, "Okay, I'll contact him right away and evaluate the value of him and the film company."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Well, tell him that with the background of Time Films, we can expand our distribution and cinema network to Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and other regions. Our stock is definitely not worthless. And the film industry needs to work together to survive."

"Ok"

In fact, Chen Guangliang had his eyes on director Ren Pengnian and was planning to shoot movies like "Once Upon a Time in China", "Hung Hei-gun" and "Fong Sai-yuk".

Wang Tianbei has his own style, Ren Pengnian has his own style, and there can't be just one film director.

In the afternoon, Chen Guangliang invited Zhuang Zhujiu and Sheng Qi to the Times Cinema.

It was very busy here at the moment, with renovations being carried out overtime. Moreover, when the contractors and workers learned that the Times Cinema had done a big thing - undertaking the relocation of the Commercial Library and the Oriental Library, they all felt proud and worked even harder on the renovations.

Chinese culture survived the disaster, and Times Cinema also made a contribution to this.

"Mr. Zhuang, ever since the profit from 'Huo Yuanjia', we have a little extra money in our account. I would like Times Cinema to continue investing in some second- and third-run Shanghai cinemas. Could you please do this?"

Zhuang Zhujiu nodded and said, "The movie theaters in Zhabei are basically destroyed this time. Why not consider investing in some third- and fourth-run theaters there? The investment isn't much, but it can be quickly established."

The bombing of Zhabei will also cause a significant drop in box office revenue in Shanghai.

Moreover, Mingxing Company and Lianhua Film Group originally had studios there, but they also suffered heavy losses.

In contrast, Times Pictures can double its assets in a very short period of time, which is expected to happen this year.

"Zhabei is a good option. Anyway, we will invest in cinemas in Shanghai this year, and we will continue to expand the scope and scale of cinemas if there is an opportunity in the future."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Zhuang Zhujiu is in charge of the cinema affairs. He is capable enough, so there is naturally no problem.

Sheng Qi deliberately said at this time: "Mr. Chen, don't forget, but I invested 40 yuan, and now I feel like I have become a person with nothing to do."

When Zhuang Zhujiu heard this, he suddenly became nervous.

Chen Guangliang saw this and said with a smile, "Miss Qi, you are also a director of our Times Pictures. How can you say that I have forgotten you? Of course, if you want to do something, assuming it does not affect your relationship and your relationship, I really hope you can do it!"

Sheng Qi immediately said, "Why did I invest in Times Pictures? It's because I'm afraid you men will think we women are useless. If you have anything to say, just tell me. I have to find something to do!"

Zhuang Zhujiu said respectfully, "Mr. Chen, just make the arrangements!"

Chen Guangliang said, "Times Pictures aspires to become a massive film empire, and will rapidly expand its business, including production, distribution, and cinemas. Such a large enterprise certainly needs a spokesperson to handle publicity and public relations for the company, like a government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. What do you think? Are you interested in this position?"

Sheng Qi immediately said, "Yes, I will do this job." This job is too prestigious, and it is easy for people to think of it - Times Pictures was invested by her, and Chen Guangliang is very busy anyway.

Little did they know that Chen Guangliang was also using Sheng Qi and her network of contacts to speak for Times Pictures.

Gu Zhuxuan, along with the old housekeeper, disciple Wang Xinggao and other disciples of the Jiangbei Gang, came to a building with dilapidated eaves and broken walls, and his heart suddenly began to bleed.

"Japan is despicable. They have cut off my financial resources. I have an irreconcilable feud with them."

His roots were in Zhabei. The Japanese bombing of Zhabei destroyed 70% to 80% of his properties near the train station.

Heavy losses!

You know, when he bought these lands, he was complacent; later, when he saw Chen Guangliang made a fortune in real estate, he simply learned to do real estate as well, but all the properties he built were used for rental.

At his peak, the properties he owned were worth nearly two million taels of silver, and he collected a lot of rent. That was the peak of his wealth.

Now, not only have the Japanese artillery shells reduced these fortunes to ashes, but he is also in debt of hundreds of thousands of dollars on these properties.

The old housekeeper scolded him, "If you hadn't refused to give them the remaining commission, maybe Chen Guangliang would have given you some advice. After all, we are not professional real estate agents."

He was against the conflict between Gu Zhuxuan and Chen Guangliang at the beginning. After all, the other party was already powerful, so why make enemies?

Gu Zhuxuan said angrily, "It would be fine if you didn't mention it, but now that you've mentioned it, I remember that Chen Guangliang took 1 yuan in commission from me. 1 yuan was a lot of money back then, and it helped him a lot and helped him develop real estate. Humph, since he took 1 yuan from me, he should have given me some advice on real estate investment. Now that I've lost money in this business, he should be held responsible!"

The old housekeeper said quickly, "Master, the current Chen Guangliang is not the same Chen Guangliang as before. Even Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng can't deal with him!"

His influence is so great that he is no longer an ordinary businessman.

But who would have thought that Gu Zhuxuan had become so powerful in recent years that even the three tycoons might not be able to suppress him.

He recruited many disciples in Yangshupu and Zhabei areas, with a peak of more than 10,000 disciples, most of whom were rickshaw pullers, small-scale tiger stove owners, etc.

Moreover, the 'Jiangbei Gang' is a self-contained system that is on par with the three tycoons. He himself feels that he is not inferior to the three tycoons.

Therefore, Gu Zhuxuan sneered directly, "Why? Am I still afraid of him? Besides, I'm in the right now. He took my money but didn't fulfill his obligations. Xinggao, you go there on my behalf and ask him to pay back the ten thousand dollars I lent him. With the interest compounded over the years, it must be at least two hundred thousand dollars."

Wang Xinggao, one of Gu Zhuxuan's disciples, nicknamed "Little Cannon", is a ruthless killer who kills without blinking an eye.

He said in a loud voice, "Fourth Father, what if he doesn't give it to me?"

Gu Zhuxuan snorted coldly: "Humph, you bring an envelope with a bullet in it, that's what I mean."

"Okay, I'll be there right away."

At this time, Gu Zhuxuan blamed Chen Guangliang for not giving him any guidance, which caused him to suffer great losses, so he naturally took the opportunity to blackmail him.

The old butler quickly stopped him, saying, "Master, you can't do that! Chen Guangliang is someone we can't afford to offend right now! If you act rashly, it will only bring you trouble. He's not just a businessman, he's a member of the National Finance Committee of the Nationalist Government, and he's said to have a close relationship with Song Zaiwen. Furthermore, his contribution to the Jianghuai flood disaster was second only to Mr. Du, and this time, he's said to have saved Zhabei tens of millions in losses. He's now ranked alongside Mr. Du and Shi Liangcai as one of the three most powerful men in Shanghai."

Gu Zhuxuan said directly: "Some people say that I am a gangster, so I will show Chen Guangliang that I am a gangster now. Don't think that just because he is powerful now, I have to endure this."

"Xing Gao, you go!"

"Yes, Fourth Father."

The old butler could only shake his head helplessly.

Wang Xinggao was lying in ambush under the Oriental Press Building where Chen Guangliang worked. Just as he was about to approach Chen Guangliang's car, several guns were pointed at him.

"Who is it? Raise your hands!"

Wang Xinggao remembered that Chen Guangliang had killed six bandits that year, so he naturally didn't dare to compete at this time. He had to do as he was told and said loudly: "I am here to deliver a letter for Fourth Father."

Chen Guangliang took one look at Wang Xinggao and recognized him, then said, "Have him come to my office later."

Lin Feng replied: "Okay"

After a while, Wang Xinggao was searched and the envelope was taken by Lin Feng and escorted to Chen Guangliang's office.

"Why doesn't Mr. Gu come in person?"

"He's busy dealing with things in Zhabei. Fourth Dad asked me to tell you that you took a 1 yuan commission from him, but now his house in Zhabei has been bombed and he's suffered heavy losses, so you have to compensate him 20 yuan."

Chen Guangliang said expressionlessly, "Is his brain also gone crazy from the bomb? He is blackmailing me!"

Wang Xing looked at Chen Guangliang with a look that, no matter how fierce he was, became a little weaker. He said, "I've delivered my letter, and this envelope is also for you!"

When Lin Feng heard this, he immediately distanced himself, tore open the envelope, took out the bullet from it, and showed it to Chen Guangliang from a distance.

He was obviously worried about what else was inside.

Chen Guangliang said impatiently: "Go away, stop hanging out with your fourth father, sooner or later you will make money but not live to enjoy it!"

Wang Xinggao didn't understand what was going on. He thought Chen Guangliang was threatening him, and said unconvincedly, "Mr. Chen, my life is worthless, not as valuable as yours!"

Chen Guangliang didn't say anything, too lazy to talk to such a person. Lin Feng agreed and pushed Wang Xinggao out.

After a while, Lin Feng returned to the office and said angrily: "Boss, let me find someone to kill Gu Mazi!"

Chen Guangliang said: "Don't mess around. We are legitimate businessmen. Don't act like this lightly."

Killing people is easy, but if these subordinates are discovered, wouldn’t it also affect his reputation?

A businessman who sends people to assassinate his rival has changed his nature.

"Then what should we do? Just let Gu Mazi provoke you!"

"I have a solution. Just keep me and my family safe. If you have time, read more books."

"Oh"

(End of this chapter)