A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Another thing to do during this inspection of Hong Kong and Guangzhou Bay is to register two 5000-ton second-hand ships originally registered in Guangzhou Bay in Hong Kong and establish a Hong Kong shipping company.

In this way, three registration locations will be formed: Shanghai, Hong Kong and Guangzhou Bay, making adequate preparations for the future.

After the inspection was almost complete, Chen Guangliang took Jiang Meiying on a sea freight flight back to Shanghai, still choosing the first-class cabin, and arrived in Shanghai in 48 hours.

In the cabin, Chen Guangliang leaned against the wall, hugging Jiang Meiying, feeling very comfortable.

Jiang Meiying would also raise her head from time to time and use her delicate hands to tease the stubble of Chen Guangliang's beard.

Although the two knew that they would have to live an anonymous life after returning to Shanghai, they were at least happy at this time.

"A question?"

"Um"

"Suppose Yan Renmei and I knew you at the same time, who would you choose to marry?"

This question is simply a life-or-death question.

I can't let the happy life I've just gained be ruined by this problem.

"How could they have known each other at the same time? Even if they knew each other for just a second first, the answer would be there!"

When Jiang Meiying heard this, she immediately became happy and explained that she just met Chen Guangliang a little late.

"You're in big trouble now. I think your family definitely won't allow you to take a concubine. Of course, I don't want to be a concubine either."

Some things always have to be faced!

Chen Guangliang gritted his teeth and said, "You can be my second wife, but you have to give me some time. Meiying, besides the status you will suffer in this life, I believe you will become the second happiest woman in the world!"

"Then who's number one?"

"Didn't Renmei know me first?"

Jiang Meiying immediately pinched Chen Guangliang.

At this point, Chen Guangliang had no choice but to fight to the death to persuade Yan Renmei.

As for Jiang Meiying, since Chen Guangliang threatened her with her future fate, she seemed to accept that statement in the past few days.

After all, Chen Guangliang did not hesitate to use his own "foresight" to prove that he is a "master of theology."

When we returned to Shanghai, it was already May 5th. The trip took almost half a month, of which five or six days were spent on the road.

In his office in the Ping An Bank Building, Chen Guangliang listened to reports from Hu Jinshun and Wu Xinhe of the Changjiang Money House.

Hu Jinshun described it vividly: "Boss, the international silver price rose by 4% between April 19th and 4th, and is now at 20 cents. Gold prices rose slightly, so the gold-silver exchange rate plummeted. The Shanghai gold benchmark price plummeted by 20%. Based on this situation, we can make a profit of about 35 yuan this time."

I went out and unexpectedly made a lot of money.

The huge profit of 90 oceans is something that Chen Guangliang’s two first-tier companies (Changjiang Real Estate and Changjiang Taxi) cannot earn in a year.

Chen Guangliang said with satisfaction: "It seems that we have made the right bet again - this time the speed at which the international silver price rises is far faster than that of gold."

This time, when he was in Hong Kong, he also knew about the rise of international silver prices:
1933年4月19日（星期三）上午10：30，罗斯福总统取销了美国的金本位制。他在白宫对100多名挤在椭圆形书房的记者宣布，今后“不再发放黄金出口许可证”。

On April 4th, trading volumes for agricultural commodities like wheat and cotton reached record highs for the year, with prices rising by 19% to 4%. However, these gains pale in comparison to those seen in precious metals. Blocking U.S. gold exports would mean a decline in the international value of the dollar, similar to the situation in September 6 when the British pound was delinked from its gold peg.

Silver prices rose more than 11% despite Roosevelt's silence on the matter, as speculators anticipated that the Thomas Amendment, which supports silver prices, would be amended. They didn't have to wait long.

On Thursday, April 1933, 4, Elmer Thomas introduced an amendment to the farm bill to appeal to Roosevelt's more conservative tastes. The amendment was rewritten by Roosevelt's "brain trust," led by speechwriter Raymond Morley, with the assistance of Senator Key Pittman of Nevada.

The result was an amendment focused on expanding the Federal Reserve's money supply, giving the president discretion to devalue the dollar by reducing its gold content, and allowing foreign governments to repay World War I debts with silver at a premium of 50 cents per ounce, which could then be used to mint silver coins and silver certificates. Senate Majority Leader Robinson said this would "stabilize the price of silver around 50 cents per ounce."

As China is a silver-standard country, the rise in silver prices is reflected in all aspects - a sharp decline in foreign trade, falling domestic prices, a decline in the gold-silver exchange rate, etc.

Subsequently.

Hu Jinshun asked, "Boss, should we continue short selling next month?"

Chen Guangliang thought about it and felt that silver would definitely continue to rise, but the short-term increase would definitely not be large.

He predicts that there will be a big rise at the end of the year, mainly because US President Roosevelt approved the Silver Agreement and officially announced the Silver Purchase Act.

"The quota has been halved, but we're still short selling. Sell at the beginning of the month and settle at the end of the month. You can just make the appropriate adjustments, but don't change the overall policy."

Once you have made money, you will naturally prepare to reduce your holdings.

Let’s wait until October and then restore the 10 million limit.

Hu Jinshun didn't ask any more questions. He replied, "Okay, we'll take care of the details."

The boss, Chen Guangliang, will also examine everyone's detailed operations. Although he said that it is possible to sell at the beginning of the month and settle at the end of the month, Hu Jinshun and others have certain trading rights during this period, but they cannot exceed one-quarter of the quota.

But as long as you operate it well, it is very possible to earn thousands or tens of thousands more.

In the evening, Chen Guangliang got off work early. When the car drove into the front yard of the villa, Yan Renmei came out wearing a floral dress.

"Brother Liang, you're off work early again today!" Yan Renmei said with a happy smile on her face.

Chen Guangliang felt a sense of guilt for no apparent reason. He instinctively took Yan Renmei's hand and said, "You can never make enough money. Spending time with your family is more important."

Yan Renmei said, "Spending time with my family is certainly important, but Brother Liang is a pillar of the country, so it's naturally not just about making money!"

Chen Guangliang asked curiously, "Why do you say that today?"

Yan Renmei replied, "I heard that you have achieved a decisive victory in running the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. Due to the appreciation of silver and the increase in the exchange rate against the US dollar, the pressure on the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company to obtain the US dollar loan has been greatly reduced."

The US dollar has depreciated and the price of silver has risen. As a result, the loan from China Merchants Group can now be repaid by about 15%, which is about 60 US dollars.

This is not a small amount of money, so many people began to change their minds at this time, believing that Chen Guangliang is the absolute savior of China Merchants Group.

However, upon hearing Yan Renmei start to care about the family business, Chen Guangliang said happily: "Your husband earns more!"

Yan Renmei also nodded happily. She certainly didn't mind having too much money. After all, she came from a business family and understood the importance of wealth.

The two of them walked into the first-floor hall intimately. The nanny was already waiting with Chen Wenjie in her arms - the master was visiting the young master.

"Little guy, have you eaten?"

"whee"

Chen Wenjie, who was more than two months old, could already smile subconsciously when he saw Chen Guangliang. This scene made Chen Guangliang feel the warmth of family.

"Master, do you want a hug?"

"I'm going to wash my hands."

The family lived happily together and then had dinner together.

During the dinner, Chen Guangliang said, "Guangcong, go to Hong Kong this summer. I'm going to set up a shipping company there, and you'll go there for an internship. During this time, you'll not only learn about shipping, but also complete your homework."

Chen Guangcong raised his head and said tentatively, "Brother, how about I graduate from junior high school this year and start working officially? I think I can learn while working, and I can also learn the knowledge I need."

The family business has grown so big that he hopes to help his elder brother as soon as possible, and at the same time prove to his cousin that he is also a responsible and capable man.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangliang did not refuse outright. He originally thought that Chen Guangcong would finish senior high school and come out to help him in 1936.

But recently he discovered that there was no one from the Chen family running errands for him, and he was always a little worried, especially in the shipping business.

Not to mention that Chen Guangcong can achieve results quickly, everyone will take him seriously even if he just stands there.

Shipping is not only about making money, but also has many other uses - entering global business, building connections, transferring assets, etc.

"Wait another year, and we'll have to arrange for you and Xiuying to get married!"

Chen Guangcong was delighted. His elder brother's statement meant that the matter was settled. His elder brother had always been open to this matter, but he hadn't expressed support either.

To the extent that Chen Guangcong was always worried - because in the family, the eldest brother was the absolute authority.

"Thank you, brother"

Things settled down like this. Chen Guangcongming was only 20 years old, so starting from the grassroots level wasn't a problem. He also had seven or eight years of education, which was enough knowledge for a job.

After dinner, Chen Guangliang and Yan Renmei took a walk in the yard.

Yan Renmei also took the opportunity to say, "Brother Liang, I will graduate next year. What should I do for the family?"

She asked this question not for nothing, because Brother Liang would occasionally tell her how the family business should develop in the future.

For example: After 1934, Changjiang Real Estate should have gone to Hong Kong and Chongqing for development. The investment in Chongqing did not need to be too large, and Hong Kong was the main focus.

Although these seemed to be just ordinary chats, Yan Renmei could sense that her husband was not optimistic about the future situation and was making preparations for it.

In this way, she also hopes to join the family business and share the pressure with her husband.

Chen Guangliang said with satisfaction: "Of course, as a director of the family business, you will participate in various enterprises. You don't need to participate in operation and management, but you must know what business each company has, how much money it makes, and the direction of future development. You are like my anchor!"

It’s okay as long as my wife doesn’t dislike business. After all, in this day and age, no one knows if there will be any accidents.

Before Chen Guangliang's sons grew up, Yan Renmei and Chen Guangcong were important "career pieces".

Yan Renmei took a big step forward, then turned back to face Chen Guangliang and said happily, "Okay, I'm willing to learn."

Looking at Yan Renmei's efforts for the family's belonging, Chen Guangliang was a little angry with himself - why did he bother to provoke another woman? Wouldn't this hurt two women?

Chen Guangliang suddenly felt that he was not good enough, at least not in terms of control.

That night, Chen Guangliang and Yan Renmei, who had regained her good figure, discussed life for two hours and tried to vent their inner guilt.

The next day, Chen Guangliang arrived at the China Merchants Building at No. 9 The Bund in high spirits.

The staff here greeted him respectfully, their eyes full of admiration.

Recently, the news spread among China Merchants Steam Navigation Company that due to the appreciation of silver and the depreciation of the US dollar, the repayment of its 400 million US dollar loan can be reduced by about 60.

In addition, Chen Guangliang converted all the 105 million US dollars of Boxer Indemnity given by the Ministry of Finance into silver and deposited it in Citibank.

Just these two "incomes" have greatly improved the financial situation of China Merchants Group.

Not to mention, China Merchants Group's business performance has been good, and everyone is looking forward to the days to come.

"Boss, Jardine Matheson and Swire are willing to renegotiate the North-South and South-South fixed shipping routes. It seems they are willing to compromise a second time!" Guo Deming from the Secretariat reported immediately.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "That's strange. They were the ones who initiated the malicious competition, and they were also the ones who took the initiative to request negotiations."

Guo Deming replied, "These foreign companies are bullies who only care about the strong and bully the weak. As soon as they heard that the China Merchants' financial situation had improved, they immediately begged for mercy."

"Your description of begging for mercy is quite accurate! They all understand that once China Merchants Group gets out of its financial troubles, their shipping business in the Far East will be greatly affected. Please make an appointment with them. We are still willing to talk."

"Ok"

Although Chen Guangliang is also unhappy with Swire and Jardine Matheson, he will not joke about profits. Since Jardine Matheson has taken the initiative to beg for mercy, Chen Guangliang is also ready to end the malicious competition between the first and second routes.

Next, Chen Guangliang dealt with the affairs of the China Merchants Group. After all, he had been away for half a month, and there were many things waiting for him to deal with.

It was already the end of April, and Chen Guangliang had been in charge of China Merchants Group for seven months. The previous "reform measures" had already taken effect, and the profitability of China Merchants Group could be seen.

After reading all the information, Chen Guangliang made an estimate: the profit of China Merchants Steam Navigation Company this year is expected to be 300 million taels, and the abolition of the comprador system alone will save nearly one million taels.

The loan from China Merchants Group was 400 million US dollars, which was originally about 2000 million oceans. If the US dollar depreciated by 40% by the end of the year, it would only be equivalent to more than 1200 million oceans.

This year's profit, plus the Boxer Indemnity allocated by the Ministry of Finance, is approximately equal to 800 million oceans.

In one year, we will basically get rid of the impact of debt, and next year (1934) we can consider expanding into the ocean.

Chen Guangliang set himself a goal: to build up the China Merchants Group's inland, coastal, and ocean-going operations during his tenure. Even in 1937, when some of the company moved to the inland waterways and others to Hong Kong, they were able to maintain sufficient transportation capacity, laying a solid foundation for the War of Resistance.

Everything must be done in preparation for the war of resistance.

Perhaps the result will be the same, but the Japanese must suffer greater losses and the Chinese must suffer smaller losses.

a few days later.

Chen Guangliang once again represented China Merchants Group and Universal in negotiations with Swire and Jardine Matheson, and the process went quite smoothly.

The result of the negotiations was also very simple: Jardine Matheson and Swire restored their original prices, and China Merchants Group and China Shipping also restored their original prices, but at a discount of about 5% to 10%.

Chinese-owned shipping companies can only compete fairly with British-owned shipping companies if their freight rates are 5-10% cheaper. This is because Chinese people have a mentality of "worshiping foreigners". Of course, this is human nature. Chen Guangliang also feels that foreigners' shipping, dock, and warehouse experience and convenience are superior to Chinese-owned ones.

After the successful conclusion of the negotiations, the north-south and south-south traffic returned to normal. For a long time to come, the four shipping companies will monopolize the fixed routes of the two routes (mixed transportation of passengers and cargo). (End of this chapter)