A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Since February, the Shanghai Stock Exchange's benchmark price has begun to rebound, and soon the Seven Star Company was defeated.

The Shanghai traders showed unprecedented solidarity. Initially, they all held onto their gold holdings, refusing to follow the Seven Stars' hype. During this period, they even occasionally bought into the Seven Stars' gold.

Because in everyone's opinion, it is impossible for gold to fall to the point of having no value. The value of this thing has been very high since ancient times. This time, the Seven Star Company hyped up that gold would fall sharply, but it was obviously a wrong calculation.

When the Seven Star Company began to lose momentum, Shanghai traders began to buy the bid money and raise the price, and finally by the end of February the price had returned to the level at the end of last year.

The difference in the first place is as high as nearly 60 yuan, or about 10%.

Therefore, when the time for delivery came, Shanghai merchants became excited. This was a victory over the "official merchants" and was a great honor. So everyone began to demand repayment from the Seven Star Company.

Unexpectedly, the Seven Star Company entrusted Du Yuesheng as its representative to handle the matter.

Du Yuesheng politely invited all the creditors to the Du Mansion and said, "Everyone, I owe the Seven Star Company a sum of money, so this time the Seven Star Company has entrusted me to handle the debt. All your debts are charged to me."

A group of Shanghai businessmen were dumbfounded. The debt was owed to Du Yuesheng, the devil. Could they collect it back?

Someone asked, "Mr. Du, what does the Seven Stars Company owe us money? What does that have to do with you? Aren't you just forcing us to do what we want?"

Du Yuesheng said with dignity, "Everyone, transferring debts is normal. It's natural and reasonable for me to take over the debts of the Seven Star Company. Don't be afraid!"

Everyone thought, since you have taken on the debt, you should at least tell me when you will pay it back!
But in the end, no one was willing to take the lead.

Next, Du Yuesheng said something that made everyone break out in cold sweat.

"I'll take over the debt, but it's time to settle this matter. You guys colluded to manipulate the gold market. If this gets out, not only will the Gold Exchange be investigated and punished, but you'll also bear legal responsibility."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone knew that they had run into a tough problem this time.

A director of the Gold Exchange immediately said, "Mr. Du, how can we claim we're manipulating the gold market? Everyone knows this is happening. It's the Seven Stars Company that's maliciously shorting gold."

Du Yuesheng snorted coldly and said, "Shorting the bid price is perfectly normal, but you guys secretly colluded and deliberately refused to take it. Isn't this market manipulation?"

Now, not only did he fail to collect the debt, but he was also blamed by others.

If we are not careful, the gold exchange will have a bad reputation, which will have a huge impact on the market.

Several directors exchanged glances, and then someone stepped forward and said, "Mr. Du, you are a man of high prestige. Our Gold Exchange is interested in hiring you to take on a key position to ensure that future transactions can proceed fairly."

Du Yuesheng was overjoyed. He had long wanted to get involved in the gold exchange, and now this was his chance.

"Okay, this is Mr. Du's honor. Everyone, please put it down. As long as I am here, the gold exchange will definitely be fair."

As you can imagine, when everyone failed to collect the debt, Du Yuesheng was forced to go to the Gold Exchange.

Soon, Du Yuesheng's appointment as executive director of the Gold Exchange caused a sensation in the Shanghai business community.

Those familiar with the situation secretly cursed the Seven Star Company for being unreliable and unacceptable. Because of this, the Seven Star Company could no longer enter the bidding market unless it changed its name.

After Chen Guangliang got the news, he also looked thoughtful - he used to think about fighting against officials and businessmen, but now he thinks what can he use to fight against others?
If you lose, you can just deny it. How can you play like this?
They can buy it for free, and if you object, you are unpatriotic and against the country.

"Fortunately, I didn't participate in this investment, otherwise I would be so angry all day!"

Chen Guangliang thought so.

Money is a small matter; the key is the feeling of being frustrated.

Putting aside this negative thought, Chen Guangliang began to study the financial situation of Ping An Bank.

The government bonds have all been cashed out, with a total return of 350 million, a very high rate of return. Don't look at some large banks, with deposits of to million, but their annual profit may only be a few hundred thousand.

For example, Siming Bank had deposits of about 1500 million yuan, but Sun Hengfu invested a full 1200 million yuan in "real estate trusts", which included almost buildings.

If nothing unexpected happens, Siming Bank will not be able to escape this "financial crisis" and will be directly taken over by the Ministry of Finance.

In contrast, Ping An Bank currently has deposits of 2500 million and loans of about 900 million (because of Sun Chunsheng's loan, it exceeds the one-third requirement), and its loan-to-deposit ratio is very healthy.

In particular, out of the 2500 million, the deposits of Chen Guangliang's family alone amount to 900 million, which means that this part of the assets is unlikely to be affected by a bank run; in addition, Chen Guangliang has a good relationship with the Shanghai business community, so at least 500 million people trust him very much.

To sum up, Ping An Bank will definitely not give the Ministry of Finance any chance.

Not only that, Ping An Bank also took advantage of this crisis (July 1934.7 to September 1935.9) to acquire properties in the concession for the purpose of collecting long-term rent.

Loans, real estate trusts, and foreign exchange, these three major businesses can be temporarily defined as Ping An Bank's businesses.

On this day, Chen Guangliang came to Nanjing and submitted his resignation letters to the commander-in-chief, Kong Xiangxi and Zhu Jiahua respectively, requesting to step down as the general manager of China Merchants Group.

He had to resign from this position, which took up a lot of his time, before the United States signed the Silver Act, because he would be busy investing or transferring assets in the United States afterwards.

If he were still the general manager of China Merchants Group, it would inevitably attract attention if he was away from the Shanghai Stock Exchange for two or three months.

Kong Xiangxi was the first to meet with Chen Guangliang. He said sincerely, "Mr. Chen, you are the most capable general manager of China Merchants Group I have ever met. I sincerely hope that you can continue to stay in your position!"

There is no need to say much about the abilities of a person who can develop China's sugar and shipping industries.

Chen Guangliang was determined to leave, and he said tactfully, "Minister Kong, I'm good at grasping the overall situation, not at specific operations. China Merchants Group needs a different general manager at each stage, so I believe my responsibilities have been fulfilled. I have already submitted my personal views on the future development of China Merchants Group in writing to the Ministry of Transport."

When Kong Xiangxi heard this, he agreed with Chen Guangliang's words.

After the sugar industry got back on track, Chen Guangliang became dispensable; now that the China Merchants Group is back on track, Chen Guangliang is also dispensable.

Thinking of this, Kong Xiangxi said: "Well, in view of your contribution to the national economy, I will apply for medals and honors for you in recognition of your contribution."

Chen Guangliang immediately put on a patriotic display and said, "When working for the country, I never care about personal gain or loss. Minister Kong, you're too kind!"

Kong Xiangxi smiled and said, "Don't worry, we all know your deep patriotism."

Afterwards, the two chatted about other topics.

Kong Xiangxi said, "By the way, the Nanjing government is interested in hiring you as a senior economic advisor. This doesn't require you to be in the office every day, but you just need to provide advice on some matters. I hope you won't shirk your responsibility!"

Can you shirk responsibility?

I am afraid that if I really try to shirk my responsibilities, the goodwill I have worked so hard to build with the government will soon disappear.

Once you enter the public sector, it’s like entering a deep sea!
Chen Guangliang also knew about this senior economic adviser, including banker Chen Guangfu, who also held such a position in Nanjing.

Chen Guangliang also knew that Kong Xiangxi appointed him such a high "position" probably because the government-controlled Bank of Z, Central Bank of Z, and Bank of Communications had imported a lot of silver (1 million) from overseas in the past one or two years, and thus became stronger after the rise in silver prices; coupled with Chen Guangliang's performance in industry - sugar and shipping, the Nanjing government decided to hire him as a "senior economic adviser."

The Bank of Country Z, the Central Bank of Z, and the Bank of Communications, these three banks are now becoming stronger, which means that the government will have more firepower next year, and will have more ammunition to seize the opportunity to seize private banks.

Hopefully, Ping An Bank is not within their "target range," otherwise Chen Guangliang would be shooting himself in the foot.

Even if a bank run is successfully managed, significant deposits will still be lost, and the bank's credibility will be diminished. For example, the Shanghai Savings Bank, once the private bank with the largest deposits in Shanghai, suffered a bank run (due to the Yangtze and Huaihe River floods) and was subsequently surpassed by Northern Bank (headquartered in Shanghai).

"Okay, if I have a suitable suggestion, I will make it."

Kong Xiangxi was very satisfied with Chen Guangliang's ability to understand the current situation. Although this young man would not take the initiative to lean towards the Nanjing government, he was also a businessman who was "easy to control" and "easy to command."

"Well, if everyone is as patriotic as Mr. Chen, China will surely prosper!"

Chen Guangliang doesn't like being flattered.

However, he has now transported 900 million taels of silver to Hong Kong, and he feels reassured.

After bidding farewell to Kong Xiangxi, Chen Guangliang was picked up by the Presidential Palace and met with the Commander-in-Chief. In addition to encouragement, the next step was naturally to give him some admonition.

I feel a chill down my spine!

Chen Guangliang is not only half-into the public service now, but the Oriental Daily is actually still in his hands. If he is not careful, he may get into big trouble.

Just as he was leaving, he happened to "bump" into Dai Li.

Dai Li smiled, bowed to Chen Guangliang, and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Chen, on marrying a beautiful woman. You have one at home and one outside. You are truly a role model for us men."

Obviously, there is something else going on here.

Dai Li was not really envious of Chen Guangliang's good fortune, nor was he jealous of Jiang Meiying's devotion to Chen Guangliang. He was wondering whether Chen Guangliang was behind the scolding he received from his superior.

Although the Oriental Daily reporter had written about the female celebrity, that day seemed too coincidental. Furthermore, Jiang Meiying had since fallen into Chen Guangliang's arms, and the Oriental Daily was Chen Guangliang's property.

So Dai Li suspected that he was being framed!
Good man, as a spy chief, he was tricked by a businessman. It was really embarrassing.

Chen Guangliang said calmly, "Director Dai, since you are still interested in these things, why not join the Oriental Daily? You can get more intelligence and add some gossip to the Oriental Daily."

He was not afraid of Dai Li. Without his boss's order, how could he dare to do anything to Chen Guangliang!
Dai Li said with a forced smile, "Mr. Chen is quite humorous, but the Oriental Daily News is indeed more informed than we are in Shanghai. It would be great if we could cooperate!"

Chen Guangliang bowed and said, "You'll have to talk to the people at the newspaper about this. I'm just a shareholder now. See you later!"

Dai Li could only respond by bowing and saying, "See you later."

On the way back to Shanghai, Chen Guangliang also thought about encountering Dai Li. Regarding the matter of Jiang Meiying, he didn't think Dai Li would dare to do anything to him. After all, Chen Guangliang is now a senior economic adviser to the Nanjing government and an industrialist who has contributed to the country. Even his "Oriental Daily" would not radically target the Nanjing government.

On the other hand, after the formation of the Civil Rights Protection League, Shi Liangcai extensively promoted it in the Shenbao, strongly supporting its political stance. He also published speeches by league leaders Song Guomu, Yang Xingfo, and Lu Xun, supporting the anti-Japanese war and criticizing the Kuomintang's rule, opposing Chiang Kai-shek's "encirclement and suppression" of the Soviet areas. Later, he reported in detail on Yang Xingfo's trip to North China and the activities of Song Guomu and Yang Xingfo in rescuing political prisoners in Nanjing.

Therefore, even if it was to assassinate people in the newspaper industry, Shi Liangcai was obviously the most suitable person.

However, since Yang Xingfo was assassinated last year, Shi Liangcai should have been more cautious, hired more bodyguards, and kept his whereabouts more uncertain.

"No, it would be best if Shi Liangcai didn't die. That way, the newspaper industry wouldn't be in such a state of panic, and I wouldn't have to withdraw my shares from the Oriental Daily News!"

Chen Guangliang suddenly thought of this!
After the January 50 Incident, Chen Guangliang voluntarily withdrew from the management of Oriental Daily News, but retained a % stake. However, even so, Chen Guangliang actually controlled Oriental Daily News because he was the "godfather" of all editors and reporters.

Chen Guangliang's original plan was to continue to withdraw his shares in Oriental Daily News in the next two years, after all, the situation was more serious.

But now, he wants to keep the shares, after all, it will be convenient for him to regain control of Oriental Daily in the future.

"It would be best if Shi Liangcai didn't die, so that the Nanjing government would always be in their crosshairs, but they wouldn't be able to find an opportunity to take action."

After all, the Nanjing government couldn't openly target a newspaper tycoon, so they could only send spies to kill him, and they had to do it covertly. As long as Shi Liangcai's whereabouts were kept uncertain and bodyguards were added, the security line would be greatly increased.

However, Chen Guangliang had some impression that Shi Liangcai was on his way to Hangzhou to recuperate, which gave the spies an opportunity.

"It seems that I need to find a chance to warn Shi Liangcai not to go to Hangzhou to recuperate."

It wasn't that Chen Guangliang cared about Shi Liangcai, but rather that he needed someone taller to hold him up. (End of this chapter)