A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

After the meeting at China Merchants Group ended, Chen Guangliang did not resign immediately. After all, even if he resigned, he would generally have to submit a written resignation letter to Nanjing.

Chen Guangliang's idea is to wait a few months and then officially resign.

After all, if he resigned at this time, people would inevitably suspect that he and Kong Xiangxi were not on good terms. Besides, he should also enjoy the honor brought to him by the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company.

as predicted.

The next day, the Oriental Daily and Shenbao published news about the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, causing a nationwide sensation.

"The Nanjing government nationalized the China Merchants Group at one-third the original price, only to discover a year later that its value had increased by another 4000%, reaching million yuan."

"That's not true. When the Nanjing government took over, China Merchants was 1700 million yuan in debt, its operations were terrible, and it was on the brink of bankruptcy. All I can say is that the Nanjing government hired a capable general manager, and it was Chen Guangliang who transformed China Merchants in just a year and a half."

"That's right. I heard that the $400 million loan to China Merchants Group came from Chen Guangliang. As a result, the US dollar has depreciated by 40%, which means China Merchants Group has to pay back 40% less. This is a key factor. Otherwise, how could China Merchants Group have the financial strength to continue expanding?"

"Mr. Chen Guangliang is truly remarkable. He transformed China's sugar industry, forcing Yangtang to gradually withdraw from the Chinese market and reducing the outflow of 5000 million yuan in wealth each year. Now, he has saved the China Merchants Group, bringing a well-established company with a market capitalization of to million yuan back to life. He truly deserves to be the number one figure in the current business world!"

"It's a bit of an exaggeration to say that I'm number one. I think I can be ranked in the top three."

"Those three people?"

"Last year, on Rong Zongjing's 60th birthday, he said that one-third of the country's population wore his clothes (textiles) and ate his food (flour)."

"Well, that counts as one!"

Everyone was talking about it, and some people related to the China Merchants Group couldn't help but fall into deep thought and disbelief.

Dongjiadu, Shanghai Municipal Hospital.

Since Li Guojie was imprisoned, he was granted medical parole on the pretext of illness, with the guarantee of Lin Kanghou, chairman of the Shanghai Banking Association. He booked several large rooms in the Dongjiadu Shanghai Hospital, lived with his family, and brought his own kitchen servants, which became a big news at the time.

After reading the newspaper, Li Guojie couldn't help but say, "That's too much! Buying out the China Merchants Group for a quarter of the price. How can such a thing happen in this world? It's no different from robbery!"

The family members hurriedly said, "Sir, keep your voice down. If anyone hears you, you will never be released!"

Li Guojie liked the title of "Lord" bestowed by the Qing Dynasty very much, so he asked his family to call him that to show his past glory.

In fact, although Li Hongzhang's descendants lost their power, they still had a lot of wealth. After all, Li Hongzhang had invested in a lot of real estate in the concession and had shares in many companies.

Li Guojie put down the newspaper indignantly. He didn't want to think about why China Merchants Group had a valuation of 4000 million today. He just thought that the China Merchants Group founded by his grandfather had nothing to do with the Li family now.

"My descendants are unfilial"

After a while, Li Guojie's butler came in and said, "Sir, Prime Minister Duan has agreed to plead for you. I believe the Commander-in-Chief will definitely give him this favor."

Premier Duan is naturally the "Six No's Prime Minister" Duan Qirui. He and Li Hongzhang are from the same hometown and was promoted by Li Hongzhang. Last year, Duan Qirui came to Shanghai to recuperate and was warmly received and respected by the commander-in-chief. This is a living signboard in the north.

Li Guojie took advantage of this point and hoped that Duan Qirui would plead for him so that he could be released and no longer have to stay in this hospital.

"Well, it looks like there's hope for my release."

The butler reminded him, "I hope that after your release, you will not show up in public again. After all, this freedom is hard-earned."

An excellent housekeeper is equivalent to a partner and elder, so Li Guojie naturally listened to it.

"In the concession, I can always be free."

"As long as you stop getting involved in the affairs of the Merchants Group and the officialdom, your Excellency will be fine."

Chen Guangliang's influence in the business world has risen again; at the same time, unlike Rong Zongjing, he also has the identity of an "official businessman".

His influence in sugar and shipping was actually contributing to the country, and he did not make much profit.

In this regard, Rong Zongjing is no match for Chen Guangliang.

Chen Guangliang has always believed that it is necessary to establish good relations with the Nanjing side. After all, Chongqing is also one of his important refuges.

In a garden villa in the French Concession, Jiang Meiying, wearing a winter cheongsam and a wool coat, welcomed the homecoming of her husband.

Now, Chen Guangliang has also settled down outside and meets with Jiang Meiying privately for two days every week.

He told Yan Renmei that it was just a social event, but in fact Yan Renmei knew everything and started to pretend not to know.

"Heartless" Jiang Meiying started acting coquettishly as soon as they met.

It can be said that her every frown and smile is full of charm, which makes people unable to stop.

Chen Guangliang admitted that it was not unfair for him to fall into the trap of this woman.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How can you be so conscienceless?"

Jiang Meiying took Chen Guangliang's arm and said coquettishly, "I seem to be pregnant. Do you have a conscience?"

Chen Guangliang said in surprise: "Really?"

Jiang Meiying pinched him lightly and said, "How could this be fake? I've been feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit a lot lately. You're doing this on purpose!"

Chen Guangliang happily picked up Jiang Meiying by the waist and then walked into the warm villa.

On the sofa, Chen Guangliang said, "It's good to have a child. That way we can be inseparable. And when you go to the United States later, you'll have someone to keep you company. Of course, I'm not talking about going next year. You can go in 1935 or 1936."

Jiang Meiying snuggled in his arms and said, "Can I not go? I don't want to be separated from you!"

Chen Guangliang whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. When I let you go to the United States, there will basically be a war in China. By then, not only you and me, but even Renmei and I will be separated. As long as we are determined enough, one day our country will win and we will be reunited."

Jiang Meiying no longer insisted, but said: "I believe you. Don't let me down again!"

"certainly"

Originally, Jiang Meiying had agreed to be Chen Guangliang's concubine, but Yan Renmei disagreed; now, she could only take a back seat and serve as Chen Guangliang's financial secretary.

This financial secretary no longer makes movies, but is temporarily working at Times Pictures.

At night, Chen Guangliang greedily demanded from Jiang Meiying's body, as if he wanted to meet his child in advance.

Jiang Meiying panted and said, "Your wife can't satisfy you. You like to torture me every time!"

She had a bit of a woman's mindset, thinking that Chen Guangliang must have felt that 'her body was better than Yan Renmei's'. Chen Guangliang said, "What nonsense! Don't you know my body?"

Jiang Meiying screamed repeatedly, and then calmed down before saying, "Are you planning to abort the baby in my belly? Dream on!"

Only in this way can she feel the feelings for Chen Guangliang.

When Chen Guangliang heard this, he softened up, even though he knew it wasn't a big deal.

The next day, Chen Guangliang said goodbye to Jiang Meiying in high spirits and went to work at the Ping An Bank Building.

In the meeting room of Changjiang Real Estate, Chen Guangliang and Sun Chunsheng signed the "Property Purchase and Sale Contract" and both parties brought lawyers.

This property transaction, with a total value of 260 million yuan, is a rare large-scale real estate transaction in Shanghai, and it can even be said that it is rarely seen in a year.

The wealthy and property developers of this era were keen on renting, not selling, while some foreign firms were keen on selling. These Chinese property developers and wealthy individuals perhaps viewed property as the best asset to pass down through the generations.

I believe many people are quite confused about Chen Guangliang's approach. After all, as a large real estate developer, he only has a handful of properties.

Little did they know that a real estate disaster was brewing in the concessions. (The January 28 Incident was considered a major collapse of real estate in the Chinese concessions.)

Sun Chunsheng looked at the rental information of the fifty villas on Xiafei Road and became more certain - this deal was very suitable. Under the current rent conditions, it would only take 8 years to make a profit.

Of course, an 8-year payback period is naturally a high cost for his loan interest; however, his rent in the gambling concession will continue to rise, after all, rent has become a place for wealthy people across the country and foreigners coming to China to live.

Not to mention, this is the land on Xiafei Road, and in some places the price has reached a sky-high price of 18 yuan per mu.

"Mr. Chen, you are a pioneer in the real estate industry, but there has been little news about new projects developed by Changjiang Real Estate in recent years. It seems that you are very determined to do business!" After signing the contract, Sun Chunsheng started talking.

As Chen Guangliang signed, he said, "I like to rotate my products quickly when I'm working on real estate. After I develop a property, I try to sell it all off and use it as a factory-style development. Of course, with land prices so high in recent years, I've reduced my development."

Sun Chunsheng said: "I envy Mr. Chen. You have so much energy. You are a leader in many industries."

After Chen Guangliang signed the contract, the lawyers of both parties began the final review.

"you flatter me"

This time, Sun Chunsheng will pay his down payment of 78 yuan, and the remaining 182 million yuan will be paid by Ping An Bank to Chen Guangliang, which is Sun Chunsheng's loan amount.

Of course, Sun Chunsheng also needs to pay a hefty tax, estimated at 25 yuan. Furthermore, the rented property also requires an annual land tax.

Real estate was the main driving force behind the economic prosperity of the concession.

On the other hand, Chen Guangliang cashed out 260 million yuan in assets, and his cash flow is very sufficient. He continued to deposit this money into Ping An Bank for the purpose of "bottom fishing" in the future.

Chen Guangliang's ocean cash flow has reached 900 million, excluding silver.

In late January, Chen Guangliang came to Citibank again, where its general manager, McKen, received him warmly.

Although both China Merchants Group and he personally borrowed a huge sum of US$580 million from China Merchants Group and made considerable profits, Citibank's business did not suffer any losses either.

After all, Citigroup is an American bank and can't afford to abandon its dollar reserves, so they don't feel cheated. Instead, those who are losing out are the businesses and individuals holding dollars, who have seen their wealth depreciate by 40%.

The 800 million taels of silver that Chen Guangliang purchased were originally imported from Mexico and the United States through Citibank.

McCann smiled and said, "Mr. Chen is truly a business genius. Your bet on the devaluation of the US dollar was truly brilliant! Not only did it revive the China Merchants Group, but you also made a considerable profit."

During this period, he also conducted research and found out that Chen Guangliang was an economic consultant to Nanjing, and was also known for predicting the Great Depression in the West.

not simple!
Chen Guangliang said modestly, "It's just a judgment based on the devaluation of currencies like the British pound and the French franc. It's not a very brilliant one. Also, it's because of Citibank's huge scale that we were able to obtain the loan so easily."

"Haha," Mike said with great satisfaction, "Of course. Compared to HSBC, Citibank has a wider global business and a larger scale."

The implication is that we can continue to cooperate in the future.

Chen Guangliang already understood that he still needed to establish cooperation with Citibank, especially with the US Citibank.

Of course, this time he came to McCann with the intention of repaying the debt and interest.

"Mr. McCann, I'm here to repay the $180 million loan and the associated interest in advance. I'll also be paying in silver."

McKen is more than happy to do this, now Silver is a good guy.

This time, both China Merchants Group and Chen Guangliang personally used silver to repay their debts, and the silver settled in the Shanghai Stock Exchange was only 0.52 cents per ounce (31.5 grams), far lower than the US price of 0.64 cents per ounce (28.35 grams).

Citibank (Shanghai Stock Exchange) could easily transport this batch of silver to the United States, and after deducting the transportation costs, insurance fees, etc., it would still make a considerable profit.

"Okay, I'll have someone calculate it for you. I look forward to our next collaboration!"

"certainly"

Next, McKenzie gave his subordinates some instructions regarding Chen Guangliang's loan repayment.

After some calculations, Chen Guangliang needed to pay exactly 400 million taels of silver, equivalent to 208 million US dollars, to repay the principal and interest.

The remaining 400 million taels of silver were naturally his profit.

It was like picking up 400 million taels of silver for free. After all, he had only obtained the loan by mortgaging four companies. Now that the mortgage was lifted, he had not paid a penny.

In this way, Chen Guangliang had the equivalent of 900 million taels of silver (500 million taels of which had been transferred to the Hong Kong treasury) and a cash flow of 900 million oceans. In the whole of China, apart from banks and officials and businessmen, no one could come up with so much cash.

Of course, Chen Guangliang also knew that he now had so much cash flow in his hands. If others knew about it, there would definitely be people who would have ideas about it, either officials or thieves.

Fortunately, these riches are basically hidden wealth.

Only this 260 million property transaction was known to industry insiders.

On the other hand, these cash flows are expected to be used to purchase assets and deposits in the United States, Hong Kong and other places in the second half of this year, and will not be kept in hand for too long.

In troubled times, having gold and silver is not necessarily safe, as they may be coveted by others.

The best way to invest is to deposit money in a US bank and then buy some US properties or stocks.

As for Hong Kong, although it was occupied for four years, the Japanese could not move the land and properties they had purchased, and they could be taken back after the war. (End of this chapter)