A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 342 Integration into Hong Kong
The military government hosted a banquet at the Hong Kong government headquarters, inviting prominent figures from Hong Kong to thank them for their support in maintaining British rule over Hong Kong. Chan Kwong Leung was also on the guest list.

He thought about it and realized that he hadn't made any 'traitorous remarks,' and the other Chinese people who participated were unlikely to make any 'traitorous remarks.' They were simply helping the Hong Kong government stabilize the environment for the sake of Hong Kong's livelihood.

Therefore, he attended a dinner party, bringing his wife Yan Renmei with him.

“Mr. Chen, I’ve heard that your Ping An Bank is raising interest rates to attract deposits. You know, that might not be entirely in accordance with regulations!” A ‘British gentleman’ walked up to Mr. and Mrs. Chen Guangliang and said in a rather condescending manner.

He was Moore, the head of HSBC.

In fact, two HSBC taipans died during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. Moore, who remained in London, served as HSBC taipan with the support of the British government and the Colonial Office.

Before the fall of Hong Kong, HSBC had already moved some of its foreign exchange reserves to London, and it also had a large amount of US dollar reserves in the United States. Therefore, HSBC still had considerable financial resources after the war.

Furthermore, with HSBC resuming operations immediately and leveraging its banking network in the Far East, it should be able to recover in just two or three years; however, it will inevitably suffer another major loss in 1950.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "Anything not prohibited by law is permissible, and besides, this kind of situation is not uncommon in the banking industry."

Moore then laughed and said, "That makes a lot of sense. I heard that Ping An Bank is registered in Hong Kong. I hope that we Hong Kong banks can communicate more in the future."

In reality, he was just testing the waters.

Moore wouldn't have taken this seriously and made a special trip to talk to anyone else; he essentially looked down on Chinese-owned banks.

However, Chen Guangliang's identity is different. He is currently the most successful businessman in China and is known as one of the "Four Great Bankers" in China. The other three are Chen Guangfu, Bei Zuyi, and Li Ming.

"Of course, I have always had a good working relationship with HSBC."

At this moment, many people's attention was focused on the two of them. After all, Hong Kong was a British-owned city, and now a Chinese man was being talked to by a Morrison executive. This was clearly a serious matter.

But when people saw who the Chinese were, they felt it was normal. If Chen Guangliang settled in Hong Kong, then he would also have the status of a 'higher-class Chinese'.

Recently, people have heard that Chen Guangliang intends to enter politics, so he is helping the military government solve its problems with food and other necessities.

After the Morse tycoon left, Mr. and Mrs. Chan Kwong-leung were contacted by Sir Robert Ho Tung and his wife, and Sir Robert Ho Tung and his wife, and they met many times between 1937 and 1940 to exchange their experiences in the War of Resistance against Japan.

Zhou Shoushen said, "Mr. Chen, I think that given your status among the Chinese, once the military government ends, you could consider taking the initiative to try to become a non-official member of the Executive Council."

Chen Guangliang's recent settlement in Hong Kong has also touched the hearts of many people. The Commander-in-Chief even invited him to return to Shanghai to help the Nationalist government stabilize the city's economy.

Unfortunately, this time, Chan Kwong-leung defied orders and stayed in Hong Kong to recuperate, citing "post-war syndrome" and "family ties."

In fact, many people believe that his actions stemmed from Chen Guangliang's dissatisfaction with the corruption of the Nationalist government and his sorrow over the extravagance in Shanghai, leading him to simply flee to Hong Kong.

Otherwise, Chen Guangliang, who made great contributions to the War of Resistance, should not have stayed in Shanghai to enjoy the fruits of victory.

Chen Guangliang said tactfully, "Sir Zhou, you flatter me. However, I have always maintained a certain distance from politics, mainly due to the amount of energy I have. Moreover, the status of Chinese people in Hong Kong after the war urgently needs to be improved by the Hong Kong British government, and to do this, we need Chinese people who are more familiar with Hong Kong and have more energy. Aren't you two the best choices?"

Ho Tung said with a smile, "We're all getting old, haha! But I also think that the status of Chinese people in Hong Kong after the war needs to be improved, and this is a very good political task."

He was the first Chinese person to be granted permission to live on the mountaintop, and it is possible that he also benefited from being of mixed race.

Zhou Shoushen nodded and said, "That's right, this is an issue worth fighting for."

The three openly discussed the topic of striving for a higher status for Chinese people, mainly focusing on eliminating some ethnic discrimination issues in Hong Kong.

In this respect, all three have confidence, after all, China is one of the victorious countries and major participants in World War II, and a country that resisted Japanese fascism alone for more than four years.

At this time, this nation had actually already risen up in war. For example, when Zhang Fakui's troops entered Hong Kong, the soldiers displayed extremely high national self-confidence, ready to fight the British at the slightest provocation, which Chen Guangliang also witnessed; while the British army at the time could only make tactful arrangements, hoping more to resolve the issue through political means.

It can only be said that it was a consideration and compromise by the upper echelons of the Nationalist government, but it was by no means a compromise by the Chinese military.

Once national awakening occurs, the benefits to every Chinese person are obvious. Take the concessions before 1932 as an example. At that time, Chinese people would feel inferior to foreigners, and discrimination was everywhere. But since the January 28 Incident, the unity and fighting spirit of the Chinese people have gradually changed their status.

That evening, Chan Kwong-leung also actively integrated into Hong Kong's upper class. Although he would not directly participate in politics, he would still maintain a close relationship with the government.

He wants to gradually gain control of Hong Kong's economy, improve his standing among the Chinese people, and lead the Hong Kong Chinese to a better life. This is what he wants to do for the next 20 years.

On the way back, Yan Renmei said in the car, "It's not a good thing that your influence is too great; many people will be wary of you!"

Her husband's influence was indeed significant, both in terms of the war effort and the rear-area industrial development. Even setting aside the industrial development, his funding of penicillin alone secured American aid for the South Korean government, which was enough to earn him respect. (PS: He killed at least tens of thousands more Japanese soldiers than in her previous life.)

Chen Guangliang said, "It's alright. The main force will be coming to Hong Kong soon, so I won't be in the spotlight as much. When our son grows up, we can stay firmly in Hong Kong and control the economic trends of Hong Kong."

The second generation mainly focuses on the economy, while the third generation can develop politics, science, and art.

"Well, then we need to get their education done more quickly."

"A balance of relaxation and moderation is key."

Yan Renmei said coquettishly, "You've certainly become a good father."

Compared to his son's education, Chen Guangliang was more patient and communicated with his children repeatedly, which yielded better results; while Yan Renmei was a "strict mother" who was very strict with her children's education.

"When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break even metal!"

The next day, Chen Guangliang brought Jiang Meiying to Phoenix Studios in North Point, owned by Times Film Company, where they found that the studio had been revitalized.

Before the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, Chan Kwong-leung had already moved all of Era Films' film equipment to a warehouse in Macau for secret storage, and had the staff and actors evacuate to the rear.

Therefore, Time Pictures was able to resume production immediately. However, some progressive filmmakers were killed in Southeast Asia and Macau, but that was also the reason they continued to work, a personal act of fearlessness.

But for Times Pictures, that was only the choice of a very small minority; most people survived and immediately joined Times Pictures. "Boss, Miss Jiang."

Lu Hanzhang, Zhuang Zhujiu, and other high-ranking officials were already waiting for them. Everyone addressed Jiang Meiying as "Miss Jiang," which was Chen Guangliang's idea and emphasized the woman's status. The term "Second Madam" was usually used by servants or bodyguards.

"Hmm, let me take a look around. I wonder how your work is going!"

Okay, please.

Afterwards, the group toured the studio, where they saw that the soundstage and recording studio were fully equipped. These were the most advanced pieces of equipment that Lu Gen had purchased at great expense ten years ago.

Overall, it's sufficient for our current needs.

"Currently, Hong Kong's film production business is mainly completed here. We started filming in October, and the plan is to produce very few propaganda films about the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan, but to invest more in the development of commercial films."

"Kowloon's film equipment has been introduced to Shanghai, where a medium-sized film production base has been launched, and filming is scheduled to begin this month."

Times Pictures was among the fastest to resume operations, holding a resumption meeting in Chongqing on August 11. With flights still suspended, many people arrived in Hong Kong before the Hong Kong military government's arrival (August 30), by train, car, on foot, or by air. Employees who remained in Macau have gradually returned to Hong Kong to reorganize the production base.

Chen Guangliang set the following direction for everyone: to use Hong Kong as the production base center, but for the time being only the Phoenix Studio in North Point, Mingyuan Hill; at the same time, to transport some equipment to Shanghai to start a 'second production base', but the investment would not be as large as in Hong Kong.

This was mainly because, after all, there were still four or five years left, and films shot in Shanghai couldn't be without a production base. Moreover, Chen Guangliang would also evacuate the equipment and staff before 1949.

Overall, Chen Guangliang's career is still inseparable from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, although its importance is no longer as great as that of Hong Kong.

"Yes, the work is progressing well. However, I still want to remind you not to get too involved in politics. This has always been the case at Era Pictures. It's a corporate issue, not everyone's issue. If they have any concerns, they can seek other opportunities."

Left or right, neither is the choice for Time Pictures.

When making films about the War of Resistance against Japan, the perspective is always that of Chinese soldiers, without getting involved in politics.

Lu Hanzhang nodded and said, "We will keep a close eye on this. The reason why our Times Film Industry was able to survive is because the boss managed it well. Large production companies like Star, Lianhua, and Tianyi have all disappeared into the dust of history. Only we were able to rise rapidly after the war."

Chen Guangliang said, "We need to gradually transform into fully commercial films. After the war, people will no longer miss the war and suffering, and they need more entertainment. We don't want to pursue any awards; what we want is box office success."

If someone else had said that, the dozen or so film professionals present would certainly have refuted it.

But when Chen Guangliang said these words, everyone agreed with him, and even those who disagreed didn't have the confidence to refute him.

Afterwards, everyone went into the conference room and began to exchange ideas.

"Manager Zhuang, since the war you've been traveling between Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. What progress have we made in the cinema and distribution sectors?"

Zhuang Zhujiu is still very passionate about his job. His wife and children still live in Chongqing. He himself flew to Shanghai as soon as possible to organize the reopening of cinemas in Shanghai. After organizing the work in Shanghai, he went to Hong Kong and then to Southeast Asia to organize the gradual resumption of operations for cinemas in the Times Industry chain.

Given his position, he only needed to recruit his old subordinates and reclaim the assets; he didn't need to do everything personally. So, within three months, he had completed the initial work.

"One first-run cinema and five third- and fourth-run cinemas in Shanghai have resumed operations. 98 cinemas and two amusement parks in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia have also been acquired, with half of them gradually reopening, and the remainder expected to resume operations within the next three months."

There are indeed many cinemas in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, which is the foundation they built from 1937 to 1941. However, the investment in a cinema in Southeast Asia was actually quite small at the time, basically the size of a four-run cinema in Shanghai, but with much smaller investment.

"Going forward, our focus for cinema investment will remain on Southeast Asia and Hong Kong; we will no longer invest in mainland China. The money we earn is not even enough to keep up with the rate of currency devaluation, and the situation is not as good as everyone imagines."

Everyone wanted to ask, but it was clear that the boss didn't intend to elaborate, so they could only agree with this explanation.

In general, Chen Guangliang remains a 'dictator'.

After the meeting.

Chen Guangliang and Zhuang Zhujiu had a private talk.

"Mr. Chen, what do you think the situation in the Shanghai stock market should look like?"

Zhuang Zhujiu held Chen Guangliang in absolute admiration, for his accurate predictions of major events in both 1937 and 1941. His timely evacuation to the rear in 1941 was a stroke of genius. Without this advance evacuation, there wouldn't have been any plane tickets available when the crisis struck.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "You're worried about your family, aren't you?"

Zhuang Zhujiu nodded and said, "Aiyi wants to go back to Shanghai, but I know the situation there. Corruption is rampant, and hedonism is prevalent. As for whether it's safe or not..."

Chen Guangliang said, “Of course there’s no problem with security. The Nationalist government is currently facing two problems: corruption and hedonism, which will inevitably lead to economic collapse and currency devaluation; the second is the challenge from XX. If the Nationalist government continues like this, it will inevitably lose the support of the people, and then XX will gain the support of the people. I don’t follow the Nationalist government because I know they have lost the support of the people; and I don’t follow XX because of our class. So, if that day really comes, I believe you should understand how you two should choose.”

Zhuang Zhujiu said earnestly, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Chen. This is extremely important."

"You trust me so much? After all, when that day comes, making a decision will be very difficult."

"I absolutely believe in Mr. Chen."

Okay, judging from Zhuang Zhujiu's expression, he's definitely sticking with him.

Chen Guangliang then said, "Well, now that you're the general manager of Times Pictures, you should follow the company's direction."

With Zhuang Zhujiu as his capable assistant, he can basically be a hands-off manager at Times Pictures, and the chairmanship is only a symbolic role.

At this point, Chan Kwong-leung had already given up on the Oriental Daily News because he did not want to get involved in politics or let the Hong Kong government think he was a political figure with close ties to the Nationalist government. Therefore, the newspaper had nothing to do with him now.

As a film company, Times Pictures naturally doesn't have any political leanings if it only produces commercial films.

(End of this chapter)