A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 257 Who Wants to Touch My Cake?

"Rose Rose I Love You" became popular throughout Shanghai in a very short time, and the Shangri-La Hotel became a gathering place for celebrities in the city. It was fully booked every day and the vacancy rate of guest rooms was extremely low.

Although many hotels and dance halls wanted to invite Gong Qiuxia to perform, due to contract requirements, the only way to hear the original singer was at the Shangri-La Hotel.

A great marketing campaign made Shangri-La Hotel's business booming, and this kind of marketing method was what Chen Guangliang had the most.

Although Chen Guangliang has invested in many businesses at present, the ones he values ​​most are the 'Five Tigers' - Changjiang Real Estate, Changjiang Taxi, Global Shipping, Shangri-La Hotel and Ping An Bank.

The assets of the 'Five Tigers' exceed tens of millions, and each of them is a 'cash cow'. Naturally, Chen Guangliang regards them as treasures.

Early July.

When Chen Guangliang arrived at Global Shipping, Zhao Tieyi immediately reported to him, "Boss, an Australian shipping company is interested in selling a steel river and sea freighter, the 'Kulinga.' It has a deadweight of 5050 tons and is 16 years old. The asking price is 26 yuan. Here are its details!"

Taking the information, Chen Guangliang looked at it carefully.

Having been in the shipping industry for so long, he naturally has a very thorough understanding of ships. His memory and reaction ability are far beyond that of ordinary people, so he is already very experienced in the shipping industry.

It is obvious that world shipping has entered its lowest point, but this lowest point may last until around 1934.

In this way, the global prices of second-hand ships will naturally not be high.

But there is a problem here. You need "luck" to pick up these cheap second-hand ships in Europe and the United States, such as the six ships auctioned by Canada's national railway; not to mention the Far East, which is currently less affected by the world economic depression, so second-hand ships are not easy to "pick up", but they are still cheap enough.

"Well, it looks good. If I buy it, I can go to Qinhuangdao to haul coal right away."

Zhao Tieyi immediately said, "I think so too. This ship is in the Far East and can reach the port of Shanghai in a few days, and can leave for Qinhuangdao in ten days at most. With the addition of this ship, we can return the Jinshan to Guangzhou Bay."

Since Chen Guangliang persuaded Kailuan Coal to reduce its price and dump coal to compete with Japanese coal, he also reached a "coal transportation agreement" with Kailuan Coal. The total tonnage of the two ships is more than 8000 tons, and they can make two trips per month.

The freight rate for transporting coal is not high, but as long as the business is fully arranged, it is naturally a very good way to make money.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Guangzhou Bay does need to ensure sufficient shipping capacity. Sugarcane will soon be shipped again, so the Jinshan needs to be returned immediately. So, we can arrange a time for them to sail the ship to Shanghai, and then we will buy it."

"Ok"

This year, we plan to buy three ships at once: a coal carrier of over 3000 tons, a river-sea cargo ship of 5050 tons, and a ship of about 1000 tons (for the route from Hong Kong to Zhanjiang).

As a result, Global Shipping's deadweight capacity has reached nearly 4 tons, comparable to Yu Qiaqing's fleet. Of course, Yu Qiaqing's fleet consists of more than small and medium-sized vessels, primarily engaged in inland waterway transport, while Chen Guangliang's fleet consists of large and medium-sized vessels, primarily engaged in coastal transport and Southeast Asia.

After Zhao Tieyi reported, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he said, "Boss, Li Guojie has made a harsh statement. China Merchants Group will also enter our first and second routes!"

Chen Guangliang smiled nonchalantly and said, "The China Merchants Group is in such a mess. Where did they get the money? How can they buy ships? They can't even save themselves!"

On July 1930, 7, Zhao Tieqiao, the general manager of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, met an assassin sent by Wang Yaqiao at the gate of the company and was killed. He was 24 years old at that time.

The murderer behind the scenes is Li Guojie, but no one knows it or there is no evidence.

After Li Guojie settled the matter with Zhao Tieqiao, he spent a fortune arranging relationships with various parties, and finally took the position of General Manager of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company at the beginning of this year (1932). Feeling secure, he immediately began to exploit his power to gain benefits, accepting bribes and kickbacks, selling positions and ships, and living a life of debauchery.

In just half a year, he had turned the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company into a mess, with the company in a state of disarray and a mountain of debt.

Zhao Tieyi replied, "I'm not sure about that, but Li Guojie seems to have become more active recently, frequently announcing grand plans that are baffling."

Chen Guangliang couldn't help but think, could it be that Li Guojie really found a huge loan?

At this time, China Merchants Steam Navigation Company was not truly state-owned, but still a "government-private enterprise". Although the Nationalist government appointed many directors and supervisors, and the chairman was also an official of the Nationalist government, the real power was held by private shareholder Li Guojie.

If Li Guojie really borrowed money, he should first get rid of the impact of debt. As for his interest in the first and second routes of Global Shipping, it is understandable. After all, since Global Shipping has gained a foothold, this has become a "piece of fat meat" that has been snatched from the British companies Jardine Matheson and Swire.

"Never mind him. If the enemy comes, we'll fight them. If the water comes, we'll block it with earth. Besides, if we can sail, then they can sail too. Let alone Li Guojie, even if the Nanjing government truly took control of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, they might still target inland waterways or the routes we've already occupied. Our government always only targets its own people."

Zhao Tieyi agreed and said, "That's right. If I were the manager of China Merchants, I would work hard to open up ocean routes and compete with the major powers. On domestic and coastal routes, private shipping companies can compete fairly."

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "So we're not suited to manage China Merchants. We should first take over the domestic and coastal shipping routes of private enterprises, and then China Merchants will have sufficient strength. As for whether we can compete with the great powers for ocean shipping, that depends on the government's financial situation. Otherwise, how can we compete with the fleets supported by those great powers?"

Although it sounds harsh, it is the truth.

If the Nanjing government really wants to take back the China Merchants Group and make it "nationalized", the first thing it will cut is the franchise of inland waterway routes. Private enterprises cannot operate many routes. After all, they have to pick on the weak.

Zhao Tieyi said: "That's right..."

The next day, Chen Guangliang came to the Citibank headquarters building.

When he stepped into the door of Citibank, he found a familiar Chinese person being evasive. When he was about to say hello, the person had already turned his back and left quickly.

I have dealt with Chen Fumu, the Deputy Minister of Transportation, before. It was unusual that he didn't even say hello when he came to Shanghai on business this time.

"So mysterious, what's going on?"

Chen Guangliang muttered something in his heart and ignored it.

Then, led by the bank staff, he went straight to the office of Citibank General Manager McKay.

With Chen Guangliang's current status, the bosses of these foreign companies and banks would naturally meet him directly, without the need for any compradors to introduce them or paying a bribe.

Citibank holds 12% of the deposits of foreign banks in China, making it the third largest foreign bank; HSBC ranks first, holding 43% of foreign bank deposits (more than 9 million yuan), followed by Standard Chartered Bank (Mercury Bank), which holds about 16%.

As soon as the two sides met, Chen Guangliang exchanged a few pleasantries and then stated his purpose: "Mr. McCann, I would like to borrow a portion of the US dollar loan from your bank by mortgaging it."

McCann smiled and said, "Mr. Chen is a banker himself. Is he still short of money?"

Banks can also lend money to each other, a process called "call-and-borrow." For example, if a bank has a large deposit base but limited access to loans, it might lend to a peer. The interest rate on these loans fluctuates widely, potentially 8% one month and 10% the next, depending on the liquidity of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Chen Guangliang replied, "After all, a bank isn't just a personal bank, so I naturally won't confuse public and private matters. Also, some of the loans I'm taking out this time are substantial. Here's a look at the assets of my four companies."

If you want to play, play big. He now feels that his wealth is growing too slowly.

If he runs his business honestly, the annual donations and entertainment alone would keep his wealth from increasing. Is it okay to not donate or entertain?

Of course not.

'Being rich but unkind', 'lack of social prestige' and 'the government's arbitrary manipulation' will all become challenges we face.

McCann took a quick look at the information and became more and more surprised.

"Changjiang Real Estate's assets include 1200 three-story villas on Xiafei Road, seven street-facing villas in Xincheng Garden, the Shangri-La Hotel, and Changjiang Taxi. A rough estimate by Global Shipping puts the total value at million yuan (including cash flow and Jinshan Shipping)."

After reading it, McCann said, "You Chinese really love to gamble when doing business. You just mortgaged the Shanghai docks to get a 30 million yuan loan, and now you're planning to use all your assets for a mortgage."

Chen Guangliang was surprised and thought to himself that Li Guojie was so bold that he dared to steal and sell the state-owned wharf without permission. This was a capital crime!

Although it is called mortgage, it is actually no different from selling it to the Americans. The China Merchants Group must have used the 30 million to fill the hole.

Considering the suspicious behavior of Deputy Minister of Transportation Chen Fumu, he was probably planning to flee with the funds. It was simple: if Li Guojie wanted to mortgage the wharf, he would have needed approval from the Ministry of Transportation. Chen Fumu must have gotten some benefits and was planning to flee the country.

Because he also understood that if this matter was traced back, he would be the one primarily responsible.

"Mr. McCann, what do you think of my assets?"

Let’s deal with the current matters first.

McCann thought for a moment and said, "The properties and hotel assets are both relatively high-quality assets. The Yangtze River Taxi seems decent too, as it operates on land. Only the five Global Shipping ships are at sea, so they're considered risky assets. Whether they're worth 1200 million is debatable, but how much do you plan to borrow?"

The credibility of this Chinese businessman is naturally beyond doubt.

Chen Guangliang said: "I hope to borrow 200 million US dollars, a US dollar loan."

This type of foreign bank operating in China actually has many assets in the form of silver dollars and silver, and of course there is also ample US dollars.

McCann's first reaction was: "Mr. Chen plans to move to the United States?"

Otherwise, what would you do with so many dollars?

Chen Guangliang thought for a moment and said, "No, I plan to import silver."

McKen's eyes rolled and he said with a smile, "Smuggling silver, huh?"

Importing silver naturally required application to the Nanjing government, and it was not something that could be imported at will. However, if it was in the concession, there were many ways to do it, such as entrusting foreign banks and foreign companies to easily import silver from overseas.

Chen Guangliang did not comment.

But McCann was more enthusiastic about this deal and said, "If our audit of Mr. Chen's assets is satisfactory, the $200 million loan will be fine. However, I'd like us to complete the silver import business for you as well."

Earn some commission.

Chen Guangliang immediately said: "Okay"

As long as the loan is in US dollars and the silver is paid to him, he will make money from this business.

The US dollar depreciated and silver prices rose. As a result, the profit was much greater than the loan.

I walked out of Citibank in a good mood. This time I should be able to make money from foreigners.

It is not a loss for Citibank to lend him US dollars because the silver itself will depreciate if kept in the bank; the real losers should be the companies that export silver, which may be the United States Silver Company, the Mexican Silver Company, or the Australian Silver Company. In short, these are the major silver-producing countries.

As for whether Citibank would use its own silver reserves to sell to him, it was basically impossible. Because China is currently the place where silver is most valuable, and a lot of overseas silver has flowed into China in recent years, Citibank would not do so.

After leaving Citibank, he immediately made an appointment with Du Yuesheng to have dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel, saying that he had something important to tell him.

Soon, Du Yuesheng also came to the private room of the Shangri-La Hotel.

As soon as they met, Chen Guangliang said, "Mr. Du, I heard that there is some conflict between you and Li Guojie from China Merchants Group?"

Du Yuesheng waved his hand and said, "What kind of conflict can there be between you and me? But since you asked, I'll tell you. Li Guojie of the China Merchants Group cheated Boss Zhang once. Here's what happened."

It turned out that Zhang Xiaolin had occupied a ship of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, which was actually a small bank that could generate profits continuously.

However, Li Guojie later gave the ship to Wang Yajiao, the leader of the Tiger Head Gang, as a "benefit", which should be the reward for assassinating Zhao Tieqiao.

After Wang Yajiao succeeded, he did not tolerate Zhang Xiaolin. He beat up Zhang Xiaolin's disciples and drove them off the boat.

Zhang Xiaolin wanted to fight with him head-on, but was stopped by Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng. After all, Wang Yajiao was a desperado, and even if the three tycoons disliked him, they dared not cause trouble for him - after all, the three tycoons all had families, while Wang Yajiao was a bachelor with many assassins under his command, so who would dare to mess with him?

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangliang immediately said, "I went to Citibank today to do some business and ran into Chen Fumu, the Deputy Minister of Transportation. He looked very anxious and left without even saying hello. Later, I heard from Citibank that Li Guojie had taken out a loan of tens of millions of yuan using China Merchants' docks, warehouses, and other assets as collateral. I'm worried that Li Guojie is selling off state-owned assets!"

Du Yuesheng was furious when he heard this: "How dare Li Guojie, he's so desperate that he even dares to sell off state-owned assets!"

In fact, his heart immediately became excited. He had always wanted to join the China Merchants Group, not for the money, but for the influence and fame.

Now the opportunity has come!

"Thank you Guangliang for this reminder. I will report it to Nanjing right away."

"No, I naturally hate it when I encounter something like this."

Du Yuesheng had no time to eat and immediately prepared to leave because he saw the dual opportunities of joining the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company and seeking revenge on Li Guojie.

As for why Chen Guangliang did not call Song Zaiwen personally, after all, he had his office phone number. In fact, it was very simple. Chen Guangliang did not want to be involved in this struggle.

He might as well use Du Yuesheng's hand to bring Li Guojie down. After all, this person threatened to take over the cake of Global Shipping, so it was worth Chen Guangliang's action.

(End of this chapter)