A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

On this day, Chen Guangliang came to the "National Sugar Factory" on the Suzhou River for inspection.

This sugar and alcohol factory, with a total investment of 500 million yuan, began production in March this year and has become the largest and most advanced sugar factory in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It not only has an alcohol factory, but also grows a large amount of sugarcane in Chongming Island, Wuxi and other places to supply sugar.

Since sugarcane is generally grown near rivers, sugarcane farmers use ships to transport the sugarcane to the sugar factory dock on Suzhou River, and then send it to the sugar mill for sugar production; the entire transportation depends entirely on shipping.

"Mr. Chen, we are now crushing 1000 tons of sugarcane a day, and we work almost non-stop. According to the current progress, we expect to recover the cost by the end of next year." Cao Mingxian, the chief engineer of the sugar factory who accompanied him, introduced Chen Guangliang.

The management of the National Sugar Factory was basically led by Chen Guangliang, so naturally everyone accompanied him on the inspection today, including laboratory engineer Chen Qi, electrical engineer Wu Xinbing, and agricultural expert and section chief of the Shanghai Agricultural Bureau Xu Caijin.

Chen Guangliang looked at the American-style sugar mill equipment, which was indeed the most advanced in the world, even more advanced than the equipment at the Taikoo Sugar Mill in Hong Kong. Between 1930 and 1933, China imported over $400 million worth of equipment from two American sugar mills, a value of approximately 2000 million yuan.

He said with satisfaction, "There are now six factories in Guangdong Province, each capable of crushing 5000 tons of sugarcane per day; there is one in Shanghai, crushing 1000 tons per day. All seven factories are in operation, and the self-sufficiency rate in sugarcane cultivation has reached over 70%. Therefore, I expect that next year, Yangtang's share in China will be even smaller."

Everyone looks at Chen Guangliang with admiration. "The founder of China's sugar industry" and "the savior of China's shipping industry" are just these two careers, which have brought Chen Guangliang's influence to the peak.

The seven sugar factories produce nearly 25 tons of sugar a year, worth more than 4000 million yuan.

On the other hand, the raw material for making alcohol is "honey", so the alcohol factory is also a supporting factory for the sugar mill, so China's alcohol industry has gradually become self-sufficient.

Street vendors and alcohol have become self-sufficient, and China has lost two less foreign goods.

Xu Caijin added, "Unfortunately, the sugarcane production and yield in Jiangnan are not as high as those in Guangdong and Guangxi. Therefore, it will take another year for this sugar refinery to get enough sugarcane. Fortunately, the economic efficiency of growing crops like mulberry leaves has been low in recent years, so promoting sugarcane cultivation has been relatively smooth."

Chen Guangliang immediately said: "You can't let the farmers suffer losses!"

Xu Caijin immediately said, "We always sign contracts first, and the sugar mills even advance the fertilizer payments. The economic benefits are higher than for other crops."

Chen Guangliang nodded. After learning more about the situation, he made a judgment in his mind - he could finally retire from the sugar industry. After all, he was still the executive director of this sugar factory.

As for the shares of Shanghai National Sugar Factory, a large part of it belongs to Nanjing Industrial Department. It seems that Kong Xiangxi also has a small stake, but it should not be much.

After the inspection, Chen Guangliang wrote a letter of resignation and sent it to the Nanjing Industrial Department.

He was going to resign as the executive director and consultant of the sugar factory. After all, China's sugar and alcohol factories were already successful and no longer needed his advice.

In recent years, economic crises have occurred in Europe and the United States, and China has taken the opportunity to build seven large sugar mills and three alcohol factories.

Seven sugar mills can crush 6000 tons of sugarcane a day, and three alcohol plants can produce 18000 gallons of alcohol a day with a purity of 96% to 97%.

In the evening, Chen Guangliang asked the servant to take his son Chen Wenjie away, while he slipped to Yan Renmei and put his arms around his wife's waist.

Yan Renmei deliberately said, "How can I be as pretty as the movie queen? You should just hug Jiang Meiying!"

Chen Guangliang quickly said flatteringly, "Of course Renmei is prettier. Renmei, don't be angry. Just tell me how enviable our journey has been!"

This is what a couple of gods and goddesses should be like!
Yan Renmei raised her beautiful face, a trace of heartache flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it and said dissatisfiedly: "Do you know how sad I have been at school these past few days? What's more, Lingyi, Hanfen and the others even asked me - would I agree to you taking a concubine? Do you know how hurtful this is? But I just don't know what to do, so I can only bite the bullet and say that I will never let you take a concubine."

Chen Guangliang finally understood that their marriage wasn't just about the two of them; it was also influenced by their circle of friends and family. Yan Renmei's friends (Kong Lingyi, Zhang Hanfen) and her elders (three aunts) were all modern women, so how could they accept the idea of ​​taking a concubine?

"No, I definitely won't marry you!"

This time, Chen Guangliang completely gave up the idea of ​​marrying a concubine.

Yan Renmei also saw Chen Guangliang's determination, and her expression softened. She said, "Okay, as long as you promise me to stick to monogamy and give me this dignity, I won't ask about your affairs with Jiang Meiying."

She also knew that since the incident had already happened, if she continued to press the issue, Chen Guangliang would inevitably think she was unsympathetic, which would affect their relationship.

Judging from what happened to Miss Zhao Si, Yan Renmei was worried that even though Chen Guangliang kept his promise, he might still like Jiang Meiying more in his heart.

So Yan Renmei was in a complicated mood. She wanted Chen Guangliang to stick to monogamy, but she also wanted Chen Guangliang to always love her the most.

She is very greedy!

As for the matter of "divorce", Yan Renmei naturally had never thought about it. After all, she and Chen Guangliang loved each other deeply.

Chen Guangliang seemed to notice Yan Renmei's thoughts, hugged Yan Renmei and said affectionately: "Renmei, you know my heart. You are definitely the one I love most in this life. Moreover, I also care about the family tradition. This time, Jiang Meiying and I really didn't control my family. Don't worry, I will handle my relationship with her well and will never hurt you again!"

Yan Renmei suddenly softened, leaned in Chen Guangliang's arms, and said that she forgave Chen Guangliang.

After this incident, Chen Guangliang had a firm idea about how to deal with Jiang Meiying. He also hoped not to hurt her, but she had to make concessions.

Two days later, Chen Guangliang finally made time to have a private meeting with Jiang Meiying at the "Love House" on Xiafei Road.

When Jiang Meiying saw Chen Guangliang's expression, she knew that she had no hope of becoming the "Second Wife of the Chen Family". Originally, she had thought that if Yan Renmei agreed, she would force her father and family to agree by getting pregnant with Chen Guangliang's child.

Now, look what happened, I can’t even get a concubine!

"It turns out that one of the most powerful figures in Shanghai, a well-known industrialist in China, cannot defeat a woman!" Jiang Meiying said angrily.

Even a clay figure has a temper, not to mention that she has such good conditions, does that mean she should be humiliated by others?
Chen Guangliang said ashamedly: "I thought it was simple, and I am sorry for you. In short, everything is my fault."

Seeing Chen Guangliang's appearance, Jiang Meiying couldn't help but feel pity for him. The man who was very confident in everything was now in such a state of distress.

However, she soon became angry and said, "What's the use of saying sorry? Just tell me what you are going to do."

Chen Guangliang decided to confess and said, "First, we break up. I will have let you down. Don't worry, I will definitely repay this friendship and make you happy for the rest of your life."

Jiang Meiying was no longer angry, but forced herself to calm down and said, "I'm getting married, and you're going to pay me back too?"

She always felt that Chen Guangliang had the ability to foresee the future. Could it be that she had really had a miserable life in her previous life?

Chen Guangliang said, "Of course. I will only advise you on what to do at the critical moment and support you financially."

As a man, he knew he was in the wrong and tried to make amends if he could.

"Do you really want to abandon me?" Jiang Meiying suddenly burst into tears and said with emotion.

Chen Guangliang immediately hugged her in his arms to comfort her, and continued, "I'm afraid you'll be wronged. The second option is to be my property manager, equivalent to my secretary, and be with me for life. Except for the title, I won't treat you unfairly in other aspects!"

Didn’t Zhang Xueliang also have Miss Zhao Si following him? Even a drug addict was like this, so why couldn’t Chen Guangliang have a lifelong secretary?

"So do you want me to choose the first option or the second option?"

“Of course it’s the second one.”

Jiang Meiying finally calmed down, then raised her head and asked, "What did your wife say?"

Chen Guangliang said at this time, "Don't worry about this, I can handle it!" Although Yan Renmei didn't say it, she clearly revealed her intention - as long as Chen Guangliang didn't marry her, she would just pretend she didn't know. This was also because she married a man like Chen Guangliang in this life, otherwise why would she give in so much.

The same is true for Jiang Meiying, who is now completely devoted to him.

She thought for a moment and said, "I don't want to go to the United States to study. If I really study there for a few years, you'll have forgotten me long ago. Don't think I don't know that you want to use this method to make me forget you so you can get rid of me!"

Chen Guangliang was speechless. In such a situation, how could he still bear to do it?

"It's okay if you don't study, but you still have to go to the United States and help me handle some of my property."

Jiang Meiying asked, "What property?"

Chen Guangliang said, "It's probably several million taels of silver. I'm going to the United States to buy US dollar assets to leave myself a way out. In fact, I will also go to the United States for an inspection next year to deal with these matters. It's reassuring to have someone there to look after it."

He would probably personally use his own ships to transport silver from Hong Kong to the United States and make huge profits.

By this calculation, the 500 million taels of silver he had in Hong Kong was worth at least 300 million US dollars, and possibly close to 400 million US dollars.

Jiang Meiying was stunned and couldn't help saying, "So many!"

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "So, I hope to have a representative in the United States to handle and invest these things. Even more, this wealth can belong to you and my children!"

Jiang Meiying immediately said shyly: "Who wants to give birth to a child for you? If they really do, I won't be able to see you for several years in the United States!"

Seeing this, Chen Guangliang immediately picked up Jiang Meiying by the waist and said, "This is not up to you."

Jiang Meiying served with her pink fists.

The more you resist, the more excited you become.

Soon, Chen Guangliang lifted the cheongsam on Jiang Meiying's plump body and made it fly high!

A month later.

In December 1933, when the domestic silver price in the United States was $12 per ounce, Roosevelt ordered the U.S. Mint to purchase newly minted silver at a price of $0.44.

In this way, the more than 200 million ounces of silver produced in the United States that year were all handled by the US government.

When the news reached the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the price of Shanghai standard gold fell by more than 20 in one day.

Ping An Bank Building, office.

Chen Guangliang's desire to make money has recently resurfaced. After receiving a call from the gold trading market, he immediately ordered over the phone:
“Try to buy and close the position and see if you can do it today!”

Hu Jinshun on the other side was stunned for a moment, then asked with certainty, "Buy or close the position?"

"Yes, do as I say."

"it is good"

This time, the profit was more than 150 yuan, and the profit this year has reached million yuan.

Why did Chen Guangliang choose to close his position at this time instead of waiting for delivery at the end of the month? Obviously, he planned to cash in his profits in advance.

Silver is currently priced at $0.64 per ounce in the United States, but the price in the Shanghai Stock Exchange is slightly lower, at about 0.5 cents per ounce, equivalent to $0.55 per ounce; of course, this does not include commissions, etc., as well as the market conditions of the day.

Perhaps, the price of silver in Shanghai is only US$0.5 per ounce, which is still a big gap compared with the United States (the price in the United States is equivalent to US$0.7 per ounce).

Even so, it has doubled.

That night.

Chen Guangliang, Hu Jinshun, Wu Xinhe and other core personnel in the money shop business held a small meeting.

"The bidding business has come to an end. After the statistics are compiled, I will still give everyone 3% of the profits as a bonus."

"thank you boss"

"Thank you, Boss"

Everyone was delighted!

After all, the mastermind behind the speculation in the bid money was the boss. Although they did have some small contributions, they were already very satisfied with the bonus of 4.

Take Hu Jinshun for example. Although he was an old broker at the Gold Exchange, he could earn more than 1000 yuan a year before he joined the boss.

But since following the boss, I earn at least several thousand dollars on average every year, which is many times the profit.

Then, Hu Jinshun asked tentatively, "Boss, now that the Americans are going to raise the price of silver, I'm afraid the gold price still has room to fall."

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "Gold, how could it possibly fall that much? Let me ask you, do you prefer gold or silver?"

Hu Jinshun said instinctively: "Of course it's gold!"

Chen Guangliang said, "That's right. We're a country on the silver standard, so gold-backed stocks are definitely very stable. I don't think there's much room for them to fall. Even if there were, I wouldn't want to bet on that. Of course, it all depends on the opportunity. I can't say I won't enter the gold-backed stock market, but if there's no clear opportunity, I won't consider it."

"Understood"

Afterwards, everyone dispersed happily.

In fact, the United States raised the silver purchase price at this time in order to purchase silver produced domestically in the United States.

In this way, the more than 20 million ounces of new silver produced in the United States this year were all handled by the US government.

The Baiyin Group was happy, but human desires are always endless. Because the matter was resolved so smoothly, they thought they could make another fortune.

Later, the Silver Group proposed that the U.S. government purchase large quantities of silver from around the world, which would increase the price of silver worldwide and allow the silver industry to truly expand. Roosevelt was naturally very reluctant because the government had already subsidized a large amount of capital to purchase silver.

Later, the silver group did not give up. They would use threats and inducements to Roosevelt, and even threatened that if Roosevelt did not agree, they would not only strongly oppose the implementation of Roosevelt's New Deal, but also interfere with Roosevelt's re-election.

Therefore, it seems that the Silver Act will be officially introduced in June of next year (1934), and the world's silver will flow into the United States; and the Shanghai Stock Exchange will also officially begin to see a large outflow of silver from June of next year, and a large amount of silver will flow out of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in a very short period of time.

Therefore, Chen Guangliang's silver will also be transported to the United States at that time and exchanged for US dollars. (End of this chapter)