A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 27 Taking the opportunity to expand
The next day.

An article in Shenbao caused a great public opinion impact in the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

"The drivers of a rickshaw shop called 'Wang's Car Shop' protested when the owner suddenly raised the rent. Instead of relenting, the owner ordered his men to beat the drivers, ultimately resulting in two deaths and several injuries."

For a time, public opinion was shocked.

In this era, the death of two low-level people is actually nothing!
What is important is whether there is anyone speaking up for these two people at the bottom of society and whether there is anyone who seeks justice for them.

Undoubtedly, as the most famous newspaper in Shanghai and one of the most famous newspapers in the world, Shenbao has a huge impact once it reports on something.

This is also the reason why Inspector Gao didn't dare to accept the money in the end.

"It's ridiculous! Not only did they raise the rent, but they also beat people to death. These profiteers!" Zhang Qihua said angrily as he looked at the news in the newspaper.

Last night, when Chen Guangliang found him, he called two friends from Shen Bao without saying a word.

This is also the reason why the reporter from Shenbao was able to arrive at the scene as soon as possible.

To be honest, during the more than 20 days that Zhang Qihua was collecting materials at the Changjiang Motor Dealership, he was really taken advantage of by Chen Guangliang several times.

Last time he acted intimidatingly in front of Inspector Gao, and this time it was Zhang Qihua who helped him find reporters to interfere.

Chen Guangliang said, "The root cause is an incomplete system. If the Ministry of Works were to prioritize rickshaw pullers, they should enact appropriate laws and regulations. For example, measures like preventing the concentration of rickshaw license plates in large dealerships and prohibiting dealerships from arbitrarily increasing rents would improve the situation."

The two of them often discuss things together, so they communicate about anything.

Zhang Qihua nodded and said, "Xiao Chen, what you said makes sense. It's far from possible to improve the situation if a good boss like you alone takes care of these rickshaw pullers. Next month, I plan to publish an article in the hope of drawing public attention to this group!"

Chen Guangliang said admiringly: "Professor Zhang is concerned about the country and the people, and he enlightens the people. I have great respect for him."

Zhang Qihua shook his head. If he was doing it for fame in the beginning, then after coming into contact with this group he felt more sympathy and emotion. However, after what happened last night, he felt sad.

The so-called "fame and fortune" were no longer what he wanted at this time. He just wanted to make this group receive attention from the society.

"By the way, Xiao Chen, I have a thousand dollars in savings. I plan to lend it to you for your business. Just remember to pay me back later!"

Chen Guangliang was delighted at first, after all, this was like - someone gave him a pillow when he was sleepy. He had been talking about the cooperation with the Transportation Department!

But then he said sincerely: "Professor Zhang, you have helped me so much, how can I ask you to pay me back!"

Zhang Qihua patted his shoulder and said, "You've helped a lot of drivers! Besides, I'm lending you this money. Just write me an IOU."

Although he was only a university professor with a monthly salary of 240 yuan, his family had a certain status. Moreover, he often wrote something and published it, which also provided him with a source of income.

So money is not that important to him, not to mention that he is optimistic about Chen Guangliang's development.

"Okay, then according to the rules, I'll give you 30% profit."

"Don't come on, I'll become a loan shark."

Seeing this, Chen Guangliang didn't know what to say.

In reality, loan sharks are not so polite;

Even current bank loans have an annual interest rate of around 20%.

Times have changed. Banks in this era are just robbing money.

It's almost noon.

Zhang Qihua readily transferred 1000 taels of silver from the bank to Chen Guangliang.

Chen Guangliang also wrote a formal IOU, agreeing to repay the money in one year without charging any interest.

At this moment, Chen Guangliang realized how great it was to have a few noble people.

Of course, it is undeniable that he obtained these "noble people" through his own ability.

If he didn't have the outline of "Camel Xiangzi", he would never have made friends with an intellectual like Zhang Qihua; if he didn't have good business skills and insights, Li Chao would not have chosen to be his partner.

Therefore, you reap what you sow.

After receiving the money, Chen Guangliang immediately went to the Transportation Department and, through Li Chao's introduction, met with Smith, the head of the Transportation Department. In the office, accompanied by Li Chao and acting as an interpreter, he and Smith began to negotiate cooperation.

Smith is an Englishman, tall and strong, with a beard and eyes full of the smell of money.

Traveling thousands of miles to become an official just for money!
Being an official will make you more money!
Which foreign official in the colonies or concessions was not after money? Which one did not want to get rich?
"Mr. Chen, I can give you 24 large license plates. You only need to buy 24 rickshaws and you can start operating immediately. As for the specific profit sharing, can you tell me?"

Chen Guangliang certainly understood what Smith said - everything must be based on their interests, otherwise why would they seek cooperation with you.

"Mr. Smith, your department confiscated 24 rickshaws last time. Plus, the original owner is currently embroiled in a lawsuit, so I'd like to buy these rickshaws first."

Li Chao took the trouble to translate it for his boss and also explained why the original owner was involved in lawsuits.

Smith was not angry when he heard about the death. Instead, he said calmly, "In that case, I'll sell these cars to you for 1000 dollars!"

Beforehand, Chen Guangliang had learned that these 24 rickshaws were about 1200% to % new and their actual value was around yuan.

Smith's offer was not outrageous.

Of course, what he cares about is the share of the profits.

Chen Guangliang said, "Okay. In that case, I plan to give 40% of the shares as a stake in the Transportation Department, another 10% as Mr. Smith's personal stake, and the remaining 50% will be mine."

After hearing this, Smith did not agree immediately. Instead, he said, "You can use the cost of the old car as the cost of the new car, right? And even if you use the new car as the cost, our total share should be 60%."

If 24 licenses are worth 3600 yuan, then Chen Guangliang invested in the 24 rickshaws at an estimated value of 2400 yuan, and that also counts as the cost of operation and management.

Chen Guangliang said openly, "Mr. Smith, excellent management and operation are the foundation of this project's long-term and substantial returns. For example, our first batch of rickshaws, these 24 vehicles plus the license plates, are valued at 6000 yuan. I can make a profit on them in 10 months, an average of 600 yuan per month. And you originally sold them all at once."

The Traffic Department resells license plates, but that is a one-time deal.

Now that it is managed by Chen Guangliang, it will bring long-term benefits.

There is no reason for Smith not to understand which is better or worse between the two!

Smith smiled and said, "Okay, I'm very happy about this kind of cooperation. I'll let Li Chao cooperate with you."

In fact, he was just trying it out. Being able to give them a total profit of 5% was already very good.

Even if he was given 4%, he would agree, after all, it is impossible for them to directly participate in the management.

But he didn't expect that Chen Guangliang was sensible enough to give him 10% of the shares in his name alone.

It's a talent!

"Ok"

Chen Guangliang was also delighted. Although he only held a 5% stake in the company, he had truly gained access to the Transportation Department's network. He could designate this project as "Project D" and distribute dividends to shareholders monthly, which would surely please Smith, the foreigner.

He just deliberately lowered the monthly profit because he considered that 'Project D' could pay more for 'operating expenses'. Of course, the actual profit would definitely be more ideal.

After leaving the Transportation Department, Chen Guangliang immediately said to Li Chao, "I've left you half of my 5% as a management fee."

In fact, it is a kickback.

Li Chao immediately refused, "How can I take this? The Traffic Department has already taken advantage of you enough this time!"

In his opinion, the Transportation Department could only do a "one-time deal", but now it can intervene in the operation of rickshaws, which is a reflection of Chen Guangliang's efforts.

Chen Guangliang said seriously, "Take it. If you don't take it, I'll feel embarrassed. You are also involved in the management."

There's nothing wrong with him taking 4%!
What's more, what Chen Guangliang values ​​most now is not "interests" but "friendships", because in this era, friendships are better than interests.

Seeing this, Li Chao no longer refused.

On that day, Chen Guangliang was in a very good mood. The scale of the business doubled in one go, which was like a dream.

A项目3辆、B项目6辆、C项目12辆、D项目24辆，长江车行已经拥有45辆黄包车，成为一家真正的车行。

Among the three projects ABC, only two-thirds of the license plates are real; but in project D, all of them are real license plates.

(End of this chapter)