A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Early July.

After purchasing a batch of rice from Vietnam, Myanmar and other regions, Global Trade successfully delivered it to the Ministry of the Interior of the military government, which played a certain role in stabilizing the supply of goods to Hong Kong.

At the same time, at the suggestion of American and Chinese businessmen, the military government relaxed some of the controls on supplies, but still maintained price controls.

After completing its mission, Global Trade also held a 'IPO conference', which was attended by more than 30 management and staff members.

These people all had one thing in common: they had been working for Chen Guangliang since before the War of Resistance against Japan, and were all long-time partners. Moreover, they were familiar with trade and customs in North and South China, as well as trade in Southeast Asia, and were all invaluable trade talents.

Chen Guangliang walked into the meeting room, and everyone stood up and applauded, their hearts filled with excitement.

In the years following the fall of the concessions and Hong Kong, people sought refuge in the rear areas, and it was Chen Guangliang who continued to arrange their work and lives; others sought refuge in Macau, where Chen Guangliang also took care of them.

So after the war, everyone rejoined the team and continued to serve the boss.

"Okay, today should be the most we've ever gathered together. Of course, there are about ten people who couldn't make it because they live far away, but we won't forget them."

Everyone applauded.

Then, Chen Guangliang said, "The first thing is that Global Trade has decided to adopt an IPO to ensure everyone can participate. I discussed it with the management team and decided that the initial capital is HK$100 million, with HK$10 for each share, for a total of 10 shares. Next, Manager Wu will explain the details of the subscription."

Wu Hao, full of energy, continued, explaining the subscription details in detail: "Employees can subscribe for a minimum of 50 shares and a maximum of 500 shares; management can subscribe for a minimum of 50 shares and a maximum of 5000 shares. Considering that some employees may not have enough funds or want to subscribe for more, the boss allows each person to borrow HKD 1000 from him, which can be repaid later with dividends."

In Hong Kong, wages are only a few tens of dollars now; a wage of 30 to 40 dollars is considered normal.

Of course, the employees who came to participate in the IPO today generally have a salary of over 80 yuan and possess certain education or skills such as English proficiency.

Some staff members were initially very disappointed when they heard that the minimum subscription amount was HK$500, but they were overjoyed when they heard that they could borrow money to invest.

“Thank you, boss.”

Everyone expressed their gratitude, which greatly increased participation.

As for why the initial capital was only a mere HK$100 million, it was because Chen Guangliang was looking out for everyone; with his wealth, he naturally didn't care about this amount of money.

Next, everyone participated in the subscription, with a total of 36 people attending.

Knowing it was a rare opportunity, everyone subscribed to the maximum extent possible. Staff members generally subscribed for more than HKD 1000; management subscribed for more, with most subscribing for more than HKD 2000; and senior executives subscribed for more than HKD 5000.
Wu Hao subscribed for the most, a full HK$50000.

It's perfectly normal for Wu Hao to be wealthy. Before the war, he was in charge of shipping and trade in Guangzhou Bay, earning a salary of 500 yuan per silver dollar per month. He worked on the front lines for many years, participating in leadership roles related to smuggling in Guangzhou Bay, transporting goods to Yangon, and the Burma Road transport team. The fact that he didn't go out on his own shows his unwavering loyalty.

"Boss, the total subscription amount is HK$15.25."

Chen Guangliang then glanced at Yang Xiaohu, walked up to him, and said, "Manager Wu, I'd like to subscribe to 5000 shares."

Wu Hao nodded and said, "Okay, I'll register you right away."

Everyone knows that Yang Xiaohu is the boss's cousin, and he's the kind of person who dotes on him. He's also quite capable. Back in Macau, it was Yang Xiaohu who organized the 'Chen's Enterprise Refugee Support Association,' which provided everyone with supplies and living assistance, helping them get through four years.

"Including the staff who haven't arrived, how many have subscribed?"

"15 employees did not attend, and they subscribed for HK$3 each, which means we subscribed for a total of HK$23.25, representing 23.25% of the share capital."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Yes, I'll subscribe to the rest."

Originally, people from Global Shipping could also subscribe, but later Chen Guangliang planned to treat the ship as an asset, allowing those willing to participate to invest. In this way, it indirectly brought everyone together.

In this era, you either have to give dividends or shares; otherwise, due to the remoteness of the region and poor communication, something bad is bound to happen.

In the past, Chen Guangliang liked to give bonuses and dividends, which naturally helped maintain the loyalty of his subordinates.

However, the trade industry needs everyone to work together, because everyone will be going to different places to work.

"Next, let's talk about how global trade can expand its business. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts first!"

One employee preemptively stated, "We are quite familiar with the rice industry in Vietnam and Thailand, and we can transport rice from there to Hong Kong on a long-term basis, given the strong demand for rice in Hong Kong."

This is an old business, and we are quite familiar with the local area.

One employee said, "The key to doing trade is to build a branch network. We need to strengthen the construction of branches in Shanghai, Hankou, Guangzhou, and Tianjin to ensure the smooth flow of goods. For example, tung oil from inland China is very popular in Europe and America."

Everyone shared their opinions, and they were all quite professional.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said:

"In trade, the most important thing is of course the branch network, and fortunately we have such relationships in the local area over the years. But going forward, our overall strategy is to use Hong Kong as the hub, connect with the mainland, and look towards overseas markets. The mainland has local specialties such as tung oil and pig bristles, which are popular overseas, so we will do trade in those kinds of products."

"On the other hand, I am quite familiar with an American who plans to do business in postwar American military supplies, and we will connect with him then."

"Also, the United States produced a ballpoint pen this year, which sells for about $10. We, Global Trade, are trying to introduce it to Hong Kong and then further sell it in mainland China. Selling this kind of thing for 300 to 400 Hong Kong dollars is not a problem, and the profit is very large."

Everyone was pleasantly surprised; the boss had so many channels, and it was clear that everyone was benefiting from it.

At this moment, Wu Hao said, "Boss, this HK$100 million probably won't be enough to do much right away. If we could get support from the bank, that would be much better!"

This scheme is so cunning that even the boss himself is embarrassed, since the bank is essentially the boss's resource.

Chen Guangliang didn't take it to heart and said with a smile, "Ping An Bank will naturally support Global Trade. As long as everyone does their job well, Global Trade will be able to develop quickly, and everyone's investment returns will naturally be very high."

"Yes, boss"

In the trade industry, 'trade goods' can be used as collateral for loans; Ping An Bank was simply providing convenience to Global Trading Company.

No problem!
After establishing his business empire in Hong Kong, Chan Kwong-leung continued to uphold the style of a "good boss," because he needed a vast "system of retainers" to build a business empire.

Even Wu Hao, a long-time subordinate, has a son who is going abroad to study, and when he returns, he'll be working for Chen's company. Chen Guangliang has hundreds of managers like Wu Hao.

Finally, Chen Guangliang and several senior executives began to divide the areas, and everyone was to go to their respective locations. In fact, these areas also had Ping An Bank's network; the two companies are sister companies, so there were naturally some advantages.

After the global trade conference concluded, Yang Xiaohu, Chen Guangliang's cousin, privately approached him.

His current job is to serve as an assistant at a trade branch in Shanghai. He still has a long way to go in terms of trade.

Chen Guangliang originally planned to give him $10 to start his own business. Of course, if he lost it, he would have to work honestly from then on, and his cousin would not give him a second chance.

However, Yang Xiaohu, like his brother-in-law, wisely chose to continue working for Chen Guangliang.

"Brother Liang, can I bring my family to live in Shanghai?"

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "What's wrong? Is it your wife who keeps talking about Shanghai, or your second uncle and aunt?"

Yang Xiaohu blushed and said, "A little bit of both, not to mention that I don't know how long I'll be staying in Shanghai this time, so it's good that I can take care of them."

In fact, many of the employees' family members from Hong Kong also live in Shanghai.

Chen Guangliang then said, "You should think about it yourself, after all, you're already 27 years old. But I can tell you something: I'm afraid a civil war is about to break out, and the legal tender will depreciate wildly. I witnessed the internal corruption of the Nationalist government when I left Shanghai. Of course, if things don't look good, I will also notify you to evacuate."

Yang Xiaohu nodded and said, "Okay, I understand!"

He still plans to bring his family back to Shanghai for a while, since it's hard to leave one's hometown. Besides, there's no risk yet, so he'll bring his family to Hong Kong when things really come to that.

"Yes, you have a house in Hong Kong, you can come anytime."

There's no rush. Global Shipping has ships, and there won't be any problem picking up these subordinates and their families later.

The reason why Chen Guangliang was in a hurry to bring his family to Hong Kong was because he had a business here and needed to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Chen Guangliang did not treat Yang Xiaohu's family badly, giving them a villa in the Mid-Levels of Causeway Bay; to be honest, it was mainly because of his second uncle's kindness.

It's a good thing that Yang Xiaohu is now working at Global Trade; the company has a bright future.

The first thing Global Trade did was to introduce American ballpoint pens to Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Since Global Trade does not yet have an office in the United States, it needs to rely on Jack's trading company to complete the transaction as quickly as possible.

Jack quickly responded to Global Trade: In the United States, Milton Reynolds launched a new ballpoint pen that year and successfully put it into commercial production for the first time, replacing the then-popular fountain pen. This ballpoint pen used a small ball to release a highly concentrated gelatinous ink onto the paper. The Reynolds ballpoint pen was a simple writing instrument and was marketed as "the first pen that can write underwater." Reynolds sold 10000 pens on its initial launch. These publicly sold ballpoint pens were very expensive ($10 each), mainly because they used new technology.

They cost $10 each, which is HK$40; but when sold in Hong Kong and Shanghai, they fetch at least HK$300-400 each.

Even after deducting Jack Trading Company's expenses and retailers' profits, Global Trading's profits were still very high.

Although this kind of thing is expensive, it is definitely loved by the wealthy because it is so convenient and is also a high-tech product made in the United States.

Therefore, Global Trade immediately contacted Jack, needing to import 2000 ballpoint pens to be sold in the Hong Kong and Shanghai markets and other mainland markets.

"Boss, the translation 'ballpoint pen' isn't very catchy. I suggest giving it a more memorable name to open up sales channels!"

Wu Hao, the newly appointed official, quickly adapted to his current job.

Previously, he might have only been responsible for trade, but now he also has to plan sales channels.

For ballpoint pens like these, Global Trade will definitely use either a 'consignment' or 'wholesale' approach, but whichever it is, they need to plan it carefully.

Chen Guangliang smiled and asked, "What good names do you have?"

The ballpoint pen was his translation; it was called that in his previous life.

Wu Hao immediately said, "Let's call it 'Atomic Pen,' to correspond to the US bombing Japan with atomic bombs. I think a lot of people will buy it!"

Chen Guangliang's eyes lit up. The atomic bomb had only been detonated three months ago, and the Chinese people were incredibly excited about it. The bomb had killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers, giving the Chinese people a sense of catharsis.

"Okay, we need to plan this carefully. Our Global Trade should make a big splash with this one product."

"Ok"

Products are made one piece at a time; they're not the only ones making rice.

When he returned home, his two beautiful wives came out to greet him, which made him quite proud.

"What are you talking about?"

At that time, the situation in Hong Kong was not stable, and the security was poor. The two women were only responsible for the children and the house every day, and they could not find any other work.

Yan Renmei said with a smile, "Mei Ying told me that America has television sets, and you can watch videos for several hours every day."

Chen Guangliang said, "That's true, but television in the United States is probably not mature yet. I think it may gradually mature next year, but television will not be truly widespread until at least the 1950s! As for Hong Kong, I'm afraid it's impossible for a television station to be born in the next few years. But don't worry, we'll have time to see technological progress."

Jiang Meiying chimed in, "Yes, listening to the radio can actually be quite interesting."

The three entered the villa, where most of the children had already gone home, and the place was bustling with activity.

Chen Guangliang asked about everyone's situation at school, and the seven children answered in turn, saying that they were all quite adaptable.

His eldest son, Chen Wenjie, is only 12 years old this year, which is equivalent to the third year of middle school. According to the current progress, he is expected to go to the United States to study at the age of 16, which is 1949.

Although he is young, Chen Wenjie has high IQ and EQ, so studying abroad on his own is not a problem; moreover, Chen Guangliang and Yan Renmei have many friends in the United States.

Chen Wenjie was able to attend university at the age of 16 because of Chen Guangliang's careful upbringing from a young age. He had excellent grades and a high level of English proficiency.

Chen Guangliang was indeed somewhat anxious about his eldest son; while he valued his other children as much, it wasn't to the same degree. (End of Chapter)