My 1999

In the early spring of Yidu City, the air is still filled with a strong chill.

The old locust tree has a bare trunk with twisted branches. On the sturdy trunk, which is so thick that four or five people can hold it together, you can vaguely see the words "Morning", "Xu* is a big fool", "The grass is thick on the plain", "Eight", etc., as well as various messy lines.

They are both new and old, and have survived decades of changes.

Xu Liang's fingers slowly moved across the mottled words and numbers, and the scenes of playing here in his youth flashed through his mind.

I couldn't help but feel melancholy.

Although he was reborn, his carefree youth only came once.

And there's no going back.

"What are you thinking about?"

Xu Liang's eyes were filled with memories, and he smiled and said, "I was ignorant at that time, and I always did some ridiculous things to get attention.

But, it should be the same for you city kids, right? "

"Boys' nature is the same everywhere, but they don't dare to mess with me."

"Why?"

"My brother will beat them." Jiang Xiaoyang's eyes were filled with pride and nostalgia.

Xu Liang nodded. This was indeed the temper of his brother-in-law.

If I had known that he was playing outside, I would have called him and scolded him.

If Jiang Xiaoyang hadn't intervened, they would probably have fought again.

Although they didn't fight, the relationship between him and his brother-in-law is average even though they have been together for seven or eight years.

However, this brother-in-law was very kind to him and Jiang Xiaoyang's children, and often sent various gifts. Some of them were made from bullet shells left over from target practice in the army, which showed his thoughtfulness.

And every time he came back from leave from the army, he would take his two nephews out to play.

Therefore, Xu Liang has always respected his brother-in-law.

Ding-a-ling…

The cell phone rang.

Xu Liang took out his phone and pressed the answer button.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"The ancestral worship ceremony is about to begin, where are you?"

"I'm in the ancestral hall."

"Come over quickly. There are people from the province, and many from foreign countries. I didn't expect that our Xu family has so many relatives. Come over quickly."

"knew."

Hang up the phone.

Xu Liang took a few steps back, looked at the old locust tree that had been growing in their village for nearly two hundred years, then turned around and walked forward holding Jiang Xiaoyang's hand.

With his funding, the Xu family ancestral hall was rebuilt to a large scale.

There are three entrances in front and back, and two spans on the left and right.

It covers an area of ​​nearly 6,000 square meters.

At the front is a threshing ground paved with square bricks covering thousands of square meters, or you can call it a square.

At this moment in the square, the words in Zhao Laonian’s well-known sketch were exactly what happened - red flags were waving and there were huge crowds of people.

The area in front of the square has been widened, and the asphalt road is filled with parked cars, stretching from the entrance of the village to far away, densely packed.

The red carpet stretches from the archway in the square to the back hall of the ancestral hall.

Right in front of the ancestral hall, a dozen hot air balloons were floating in the air, and the powerful lift pulled up red cloth banners.

There were neat large characters written in white font on the cloth banner.

Xu family reunion meeting!

A lot of people have gathered in the square in front of the ancestral hall, all of them are descendants of the Xu family from all over the world.

They spoke with different accents, but all wore solemn dark clothes.

Many of them have mixed-race features.

A large number of young people are using their mobile phones to take pictures of the carved beams and painted buildings of the ancestral hall; their Mandarin has a distinct regional flavor.

"Xu Liang is here."

I don’t know who shouted first.

Instantly everyone looked over.

It can be said that the reason why this "Xu Family Reunion" can attract people from all over the world, both at home and abroad, is that even many Xu family members who have achieved the five blessings have come back from afar.

The most important reason is Xu Liang!

Everyone wants to make friends with this man who is ranked second on the Forbes Global Rich List, a global business elite, a financial giant, and a world-famous top tycoon.

"Liangzi, come here quickly."

Seeing his father waving, Xu Liang walked over quickly.

"Xu Liang is here."

The person who spoke was an old man with white hair and beard wearing a Zhongshan suit.

"Seventh Master."

Xu Liang greets respectfully.

This is the oldest member of the Xu family in the village. From his perspective, he is already the great-grandfather.

Here they call people of this generation "Laoye". If they are one generation older, they call them Lao Laoye or Tai Laoye, but it is rare for five generations to live together.

The old man heard and saw it all, and his face, which was carved with countless wrinkles by the years, looked like a blooming chrysanthemum, and he smiled brightly.

"Liangzi, let me introduce you. This is your fourth grandfather. He was the deputy commander of our Qilu Military Region. He is now retired. Hurry and call him."

Xu Liang had never seen this energetic old man before. He must be a distant relative of the Xu family, and now he suddenly revealed himself.

"Fourth Grandfather."

Although it was the first time they met, he still respected the other party because he was an elder and a soldier.

The old man smiled and nodded, "I've heard of your name before, but I didn't expect that we were a family. I've already told your father the address, and I hope you'll come visit Quancheng more often in the future."

"I will definitely go if I have the chance."

Dad adjusted the direction and pointed to an energetic old man in a suit and introduced him.

"This is your sixth grandfather Xu Bingyi, now the patriarch of the Wanwan Xu family and a director of Wanwan Formosa Petrochemical."

"Sixth Grandfather."

Xu Liang remained respectful.

But Xu Bingyi was not as calm as the fourth grandfather just now. He quickly bent down and stretched out his hand.

Being in the business world, he knew better than anyone how powerful Xu Liang was now, so he didn't dare to put on airs.

After a few polite words, Xu Bingyi sighed.

“My father went to Wanwan in 1949, and before he died he kept talking about returning to Xingluo Village.

I heard that you were going to hold a ceremony to worship your ancestors, so I brought my whole family here specially. "

"Welcome home." Xu Liang said with a smile.

He knew that the Xu family had a branch in Wanwan when he was young, but he didn't take it seriously.

His father introduced them to him one by one.

Most of them are grandfathers, and most of them have some status.

Some of them are in business, some are in politics, and of course there are also retired university professors.

All in all, there are nearly thirty grandfathers.

These are just the living ones, there are many more who have died.

There were still seven people of my great-grandfather's generation alive, but they were too old and could not withstand the bumps and bumps, so they could not come over.

As for Xu Liang's father's generation, there were even more people.

There are more than 4,000 people on the revised family tree.

Distributed all over the world.

There are more than ten thousand people of Xu Liang's generation.

This is only the result of compiling males. If women are included, the number will double.

As time passed, it gradually reached nine o'clock in the morning.

Crackling...

Accompanied by the deafening sound of firecrackers, the invited lion dance team began to perform vigorously.

Xu Liang took a pole and removed the red silk covering the plaque. On the plaque with black lacquer as the base and gold-plated characters, the four powerful characters "Xu's Ancestral Hall" sparkled in the sun.

Crash...

Everyone began to applaud excitedly.

The same goes for Xu Liang.

For the Chinese people, having an ancestral hall means that the family has a place to rely on and the people have roots. They are no longer floating on the screen and can enjoy incense and sacrifices for generations.

After the applause subsided, everyone entered the ancestral hall one by one.

Although Xu Liang is of a lower generation, he is at the forefront because of his achievements.

The ancestral hall is filled with the smell of incense.

The shrine in the middle houses tablets of Xu's ancestors, and on top is a huge portrait of the ancestor.

The old man in the portrait wears a square flat scarf and a green straight ribbon, and has a sharp gaze. He is Xu Guorui, the first generation ancestor of the Xu family who moved to Xingluo Village.

Xu Liang stood in front of the portrait and bowed deeply.

He could feel that hundreds of eyes behind him were focused on him.

As the most successful descendant of the Xu family in this generation, he naturally became the main priest of this ancestral worship ceremony.

"The auspicious time has arrived, please ask the chief priest to burn incense!"

the MC shouted.

Xu Liang took the three incense sticks and lit them on the candle flame.

Incense smoke rose up, and the shrine enshrining the ancestral tablets became mysterious and distant at this moment.

“Bow to heaven and earth!”

Xu Liang led everyone to salute heaven and earth.

He could hear the rubbing of neatly arranged sleeves behind him. It was the descendants of the Xu family from all over the world, all of whom had the same piety at this moment.

"Bow to the ancestors!"

"Three bows to the clan members!"

After the ancestor worship ceremony, everyone drove to the river dam, where the Xu family’s ancestral tomb had been renovated.

However, due to the long time and the turmoil of that special era, many tombs of Xu's ancestors can no longer be found.

There is no other choice but to build a cenotaph.

All the paper figures, paper horses, gold and silver ingots, incense sticks, paper money, etc. that had been purchased in advance were unloaded and piled together like a small mountain.

After the three animals were sacrificed and all the fruits and vegetables offered as tribute were neatly arranged.

Accompanied by the crackling sound of firecrackers, a huge fire broke out into the sky.

After all the incense and paper money had been burned, Xu Liang led the descendants of Xu family to kneel all the way to the main road to kneel and kowtow.

At this point, the entire sacrificial ceremony is basically over.

At noon, Xu Liang had already hired enough chefs in advance to prepare lunch for all the Xu family members present.

Because there were so many people, the tables and chairs not only filled the drying yard in front of the ancestral hall, but even the main roads in front and behind Xingluo Village were filled with tables and chairs.

Not only the Xu family, but everyone in Xingluo Village can have a share in the feast.

According to tradition, the Xu family would set up a three-day banquet and invite a troupe of actors to perform for seven days.

In the evening, seven-day movies will be shown in the drying yard in front of the ancestral hall.

Xu Liang also ate here at noon, but he was inside the ancestral hall.

He is basically surrounded by the heads of the Xu family around the world and elders of high seniority.

As the glasses clinked, Xu Liang naturally became the object of everyone's toasts and flattery.

He just dealt with most people in a perfunctory manner.

But when the Seventh Master came over with the wine glass, he stood up quickly.

"Seventh Master, please sit down."

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The old man shook his head and said, "Liangzi, I have watched you grow up. I knew you would have a bright future, but I never thought you would achieve what you have now.

When I die in the future, I will be able to face the ancestors of the Xu family with dignity."

"Seventh Master, judging from your spirit, you can live another thirty years without any problem."

“Haha.” The old man showed his mouth with only three or four old teeth left and waved his hand, “I’m over ninety. If I live another thirty years, I’ll become an old monster.

Let’s not talk about this anymore.

Liangzi, the Seventh Master has something to tell you."

"You go ahead."

"Today's reunion was very well organized. All the Xu family members who could come came. For hundreds of years, the Xu family has not been as lively as it is now.

However, now that all of us in the Xu family are gathered together, we cannot let them disperse again.

So I want to discuss with you and make a set of rules so as to unite the Xu family members and help each other to develop and expand the family.

Don’t you think this is true?”

Xu Liang nodded, "You are right."

"Since you think what I said is right, let's discuss it and set some clan rules."

Xu Liang: "I heard from my father that the Xu family had clan rules before the founding of the country, didn't they?"

"Yes, but the clan rules of the Xu family are no longer suitable for the times. Before liberation, most of the Xu family lived in Yidu, and the farthest one was Quancheng. It's not like now, where there are people all over the world, even in the United States.

So some of the charters need to be renegotiated.”

"What you said makes sense, but I am young. You can discuss this clan rule with the elders. I absolutely support it."

"It's good to hear you say that. We will discuss a charter for you first, and then you can see if it's appropriate and help to revise it. You are the most outstanding person in our Xu family, and we believe in you."

Xu Liang nodded and agreed to this matter.

The lunch lasted until three in the afternoon.

But the Xu family will remain lively until seven days later.

…

Jiulongyu Xu’s Manor.

Xu Liang, who likes quietness, has returned from his hometown.

Looking at the Xu family rules in his hand, Xu Liang smiled and said, "There must be a master behind this."

Dad rolled his eyes at him, his tone full of pride.

"Our Xu family has been passed down for three hundred years. What kind of talents do we not have?"

“Haha, that’s right.”

"That's right." Dad handed over a tome that was thicker and bigger than the Xinhua Dictionary. When he opened it, it was full of densely packed tiny handwriting.

"This records all the branches of our Xu family that we can find and contact at present, a total of 17 branches, 13 generations, and detailed information of 1,597,321 people."

Xu Liang flipped through the pages and found that most people only had a name and a simple sentence introducing their life.

For example, they work as farmers all their lives. Or, if they lose their mother (or father) at a young age, they work as farmers all their lives.

Those who have been to school will have their academic qualifications added.

Only those tribesmen with outstanding performance will be introduced further.

Thanks to the table of contents, he quickly found his page.

The densely packed text introducing him filled the entire page, truly making it a single page.

"Dad, how often is this family tree revised?"

"Ten years. This time the elders discussed and decided to have a small gathering every five years and a big gathering every ten years. At the same time, a Xu family website will be established. The information of all Xu family members will be entered into it and updated in real time. It will be convenient for reference and can also provide certain help to each other according to their respective abilities.

For example, when your company needs talent, you can check the website.

We have a built-in search bar, so it’s easy to find.”

"They really keep up with the times." Xu Liang nodded with a smile, "As long as they have the right abilities, I will not hesitate to give them a chance."

"Liangzi, family ties are only one aspect, ourselves are the most important. If it is not suitable, don't force it." Xu Yongpei instructed.

"Haha, don't worry. If I were nepotism, my business wouldn't be so big."

Xu Yongpei nodded. After so many years, he finally understood his son's abilities.

If you are thick-skinned and black-hearted, you will never suffer any loss.

"There is one more thing. This time, the Xu Family Foundation was established to be responsible for the operation of the family website and the daily management of the Xu family."

“Daily management?”

"The entire family has more than 100,000 people. It's not easier than managing a large company."

Old Xu was very dissatisfied with his son's indifference.

"Okay, let me hear what you are going to take care of?" Xu Liang said with a smile.

“There are two main aspects, internal and external.

To the outside world, if anyone in the family is treated unfairly, especially if he encounters legal problems, the family will help him to sue and seek justice.

Internally, we set up nursing homes to care for the elderly and widows; provide financial assistance for the medical treatment of serious illnesses for family members; and provide tuition and food subsidies for outstanding poor young people in the family.

Although it’s not a lot, it’s still not easy.”

Xu Liang smiled and said, "Who is in charge of this foundation?"

"Originally they invited me to participate, but I declined because your mom and I had to fly around the world to take you to see your children. Then they selected seven people to be responsible for daily management. If there are major issues, they can hold a video conference."

Old Xu briefly introduced the identities of the seven people.

Except for the three grandpas, the remaining four are basically the same generation as my father.

All seven of them have pretty good resumes.

As for whether the family foundation can be managed well, that is another matter.

"Do they still want money?" Xu Liang asked.

"Of course, how can we support the operation of the foundation without money? However, this time, all Xu family members over 18 years old and under 60 years old must pay.

Ordinary people don’t need much, one hundred yuan a year is enough, just do what they can.

If you are reluctant to take even a hundred yuan and only want to enjoy the benefits of the clan, you will naturally be excluded from the clan’s welfare.

As for the wealthy members of the clan, it is up to them to decide how much annual fee to pay.

But each person's donation will be announced on the family website every year.

Who is stingy and who is generous is a matter of public opinion.

Finally, all expenditures of funds will be published on the website to ensure fairness.”

Xu Liang: "That sounds good."

"Since you think it's good, then set an example for everyone."

"Then I'll donate 10 million. Dad, do you want to donate too?"

"Nonsense, I'm only in my early fifties, of course I have to donate." After a pause, Xu Yongpei continued, "There is one more thing, Xiaoyang's descendants are included in the family tree, but do my other grandchildren want to be included as well?"

"Of course it should be included, but it will not be published on the website. In addition to being kept in the general register in the ancestral hall, it should not appear in the genealogy of other branches."

He doesn't want his family affairs to become the focus of global attention.

"I have discussed this matter with Uncle Seven. Since we donated so much money, we should have some privileges." Xu Yongpei obviously understood his son's plan.

"Um."

After the conversation, Xu Yongpei left.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door and Li Jinling pushed it open and walked in.

"Boss Xu, all the profits from the Gonggong Project have been pocketed. Here are the reports."

The Gonggong Plan was Xu Liang’s first plan to short subprime mortgages, which generated a total pre-tax profit of US$127.9 billion.

In order to get the money, he used about 10% of the profits to bribe the senior management of the insurance company.

Because CDs are purchased at different times, capital gains taxes ranging from 15% to 35% must be paid.

After deducting all these, only about 60% actually falls into his hands.

That is about 76.8 billion US dollars.

Of this money, Xu Liang's Hongyan Fund retained 20 billion US dollars and distributed the remaining 56.8 billion US dollars to its affiliated companies.

Of course, there are also some considerations on how to divide the money.

Jiang Xiaoyang directly took away 8 billion US dollars from Hongmeng, which she will inherit in the future. As the direct descendant, she should be able to get more.

Next are the major branches.

Basically you can get 5 billion US dollars.

Finally, there are the concubines. Those who are enterprising and hardworking, like Fan Xiaopang, can get between 1 billion and 3 billion US dollars depending on the development of the company.

People like Tang Yan who didn’t start a business but had children.

One hundred million dollars per child.

In the end, there were no children, not even a hair.

Of course, giving you money does not mean you can spend it at will, it must be used for business development.

For those who do not own any business, Hanhua will set up an asset trust fund to invest in fixed assets, gold, government bonds and other assets.

In short, you can have it, but you can't decide how to spend it.

The real decision maker is Boss Xu.

It should be emphasized that the "Gonggong Plan" is just the profit obtained by Hongyan Fund by manipulating its own shadow funds and some shadow funds under Hanhua.

The income earned by Hanhua itself from CDs bond investments is not included.

If Hanhua's earnings are also included, his actual earnings would exceed 100 billion US dollars.

"Mr. Xu, there have been a lot of unfavorable voices in the United States recently," Li Jinling reminded.

"Unfavorable sound?"

"Paulson Fund has made $19 billion this year, Hanhua Pacific Fund has made $16 billion this year, and Goldman Sachs' proprietary trading department has made more than $9 billion..."

Of course, this is just the superficial revenue.

Hanhua's shadow funds, such as Capital Today, H\u0026H Investment, Hillhouse Capital, etc., their hedge fund departments are actually all controlled by Hanhua.

They can take 5% of the profits that Hanhua earns in the capital market in their name.

If the income from these shadow funds is taken into account, Hanhua’s actual benefits will be several times higher.

Li Jinling listed all the major subprime debt shorts this year, and then changed the subject: "But Merrill Lynch lost $7.9 billion in the third quarter, and Morgan Stanley lost $9.4 billion in the fourth quarter..."

Xu Liang said with a smile: "If you are willing to gamble, you must admit defeat. Since you have chosen to gamble against others in the subprime debt market, you must be prepared to lose money.

If we lose, then the financial reports of several of their institutions will look very good and their stock prices will soar.

But from the sound of your voice, they don’t seem to think so.”