A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Ye Ximing walked happily into Chen Guangliang's office and said, "Boss, recently many of our long-term overseas clients and Hong Kong clients have been depositing their funds back into our Ping An Bank. Our deposits have already exceeded 1000 million. At this rate, it will be very easy for our deposits to exceed 2000 million next year."

Chen Guangliang was also delighted. He knew that Ping An Bank did not lack funding channels, but rather deposits.

"Most of them are repeat customers?"

"Yes, many of our long-term clients are major clients. They have great faith in our capabilities, given our actions before the war and the fact that Ping An Bank in Hong Kong transferred its assets to the United States. These developments are enough to convince them of our strength."

Chen Guangliang nodded. The most important thing in running a bank is reputation—the fact that Ping An Bank has not caused losses to its customers is the greatest reputation. After all, when war comes, many things are beyond our control.

Among the first Chinese-owned and government-run banks to resume operations in 1945 were: the Central Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Overseas Chinese Bank, Ping An Bank, Bank of East Asia, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Salt Industry Bank, Yong An Bank, National Commercial Bank, Kangnian Bank, Central Bank of China National Products Bank, Shantou Commercial Bank, and Guangdong Bank, among others. Ping An Bank reopened on September 12th, less than a month after Japan's surrender. Ping An Bank quickly re-established contact with its overseas agents and clients, leading to a rapid increase in deposits.

Chen Guangliang then said, "In addition to supporting industry, Ping An Bank can also choose to hold gold reserves. You need to make a reasonable allocation based on the amount of deposits. If gold reserves are taken into account, a loan-to-deposit ratio of 90% is not a problem."

Not only does it have gold reserves, but it also has financial support from the Chen family. Furthermore, Ping An Bank itself holds $1020 million in assets in the United States.

"Okay, we'll take a closer look."

The reason for providing support to industry was that Chen Guangliang knew Hong Kong factories would replace Shanghai's position. Of course, not every factory received support; specific cases were investigated. But the overall level of support was certainly unmatched by other banks.

In terms of support for industry, Xinfeng Textile (Hong Kong) alone borrowed HK$220 million (to purchase land in Tsuen Wan), Vitasoy also borrowed HK$80, and there were other familiar factories, such as Tianchu.

Chen Guangliang warned, "Furthermore, try your best not to hold legal tender!"

Ye Ximing replied without hesitation, "Yes, we are very careful in this regard. We only have some legal tender on hand when exchanging foreign currency, but we exchange it out quickly."

To be honest, many people would probably find it laughable to say that I don't hold any fiat currency.

Because: In the foreign exchange market, in the early stages of the resumption of Hong Kong dollar use in September, due to the lack of legal tender in Hong Kong, the exchange rate between Hong Kong dollar and legal tender was about 1 Hong Kong dollar to 50 to 60 legal tender, and the exchange rate of legal tender was more than double that of the mainland.

At the same time, the fiat currency did indeed 'stabilize' in this period, thanks to factors such as the credibility of the victorious nations and the support of the United States.

But only Chen Guangliang knew that the domestic economy was already collapsing and the legal tender was about to plummet.

"By the way, boss, we have become council members of the Gold and Silver Exchange."

"Okay, this step is crucial."

In its past life, Hang Seng Bank once controlled the Gold Exchange, but in this life, Ping An Bank is not so willing to win so easily against the Cantonese.

What Chen Guangliang needs to do now is to accumulate a large amount of physical gold, and then cash out at a high price later. He plays the physical gold market.

环球航运目前一共就两艘船，一艘5000吨、一艘3200多吨，当初一共花了30万美金（4万英镑+3.2万英镑）。

One of the ships, a 5000-ton vessel, is registered in Shanghai and currently operates irregularly on the north-south route—Yingkou, Qingdao, and Shanghai—transporting large quantities of soybeans, medicinal herbs, and grains from the north to Shanghai, while transporting daily necessities and industrial supplies from Shanghai to the north.

Although the ship sails irregularly, its business is booming and quite profitable.

The other 3200-ton ship has also been doing very well since it opened routes to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xiamen, and Shanghai.

at the same time.

Worldwide Shipping is also continuing its search for suitable vessels, with plans to purchase them.

Chen Guangliang's reasoning was:
First, the United States cannot be relied upon for handling war materials in the short term, and it is estimated that the Liberty Ship will not be able to purchase them until after 1946.
Secondly, in recent years, the high demand for goods trade between coastal cities in China, as well as the eagerness of Europe and the United States to engage in trade with China, have created opportunities for the shipping industry.

Third, Chen Guangliang firmly believes that the world will usher in a wave of 'price wars', and shipping assets will certainly be no exception.

“Boss, Jardine Matheson has a ship, an old ship from 1903, with a cargo capacity of 2700 tons, and it's 42 years old. But we went to take a look, and we estimate that it can be used for another five years without any problems. It's just that Jardine Matheson has become smarter and is asking for £2.3, not a penny less.”

Chen Guangliang was also taken aback when he heard the price; it seemed that ship prices had already started to rise.

He couldn't help but look forward to the American Liberty, with a draft of 10,000 tons, a cargo capacity of 7000 tons, and a service life of 20 years; but the current estimate is only 500,000 to 550,000 US dollars.

Seeing Chen Guangliang hesitate, Zhao Tieyi immediately said, "Boss, there are so many shipping companies in Shanghai that don't have ships right now. Even Du Yuesheng and his group want to get ships but can't find any. Everyone is eyeing the transportation industry. So this ship can recoup its costs in a year without any problem. We can open up a route from Hong Kong to the southwest. The talc mines in Guangxi, the grains in Vietnam, and the industrial products in Hong Kong are all the best trade and transportation opportunities."

It's clear that this subordinate is very confident.

After all, everyone has been operating on this route for over ten years. Global Shipping has agents and connections in each port, so they can get up to speed very quickly.

Chen Guangliang also realized that although the ship was dilapidated, it was important to know that in recent years, having a ship meant having everything. Just like when the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan in his previous life, the rental fee for a 3000-ton ship was US$7000 a month, which was the 'Taiping' ship that suffered the greatest maritime disaster.

“Alright, since everyone has seen the ship and we have business with it, buying it is fine. In addition, any interested employees can participate in investing in this ship. I will advance the money first, and we will solicit investors while we are buying it.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tieyi was immediately delighted, as he had accumulated considerable savings over the years.

"How much should the shares be in the offering?"

"Just leave me 51%, the rest is yours. Also, if any employees don't have the money but are able to repay, they can borrow from me. As for the specifics, you can decide based on the organization, but in short, try to make a profit for everyone."

"Okay, thank you, boss."

Worldwide Shipping treats each ship as a separate subsidiary with independent financial accounting, so there will be similar opportunities in the future.

But shipping is a capital-intensive business, so how much of it will employees be able to own as the business grows?

Time flies, and it's February 1, 1946 in the blink of an eye.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, which is also the Chinese New Year.

During the war of resistance last year, Hong Kong had only 500,000 people left. After Japan surrendered, people gradually returned to Hong Kong, but as of now, the population should be only over 600,000.

Despite this, the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong was still quite lively this year, and the Chan family was no exception. Chan Kwong-leung's younger brother, Chan Kwong-chung, even made a special trip from Shanghai back to Hong Kong to celebrate the holiday.

On New Year's Eve, everyone celebrated at Chen Guangliang's villa. After all, there were two brothers and their mother. It was quite lively. The Chen family had grown to 16 people, with 10 in the second generation (Chen Guangliang had seven children and Chen Guangcong had three children).

In the morning, Chen Guangliang led the children in writing couplets. Since coming to this world, he has cared a lot about traditional culture and has a certain level of skill in calligraphy and classical Chinese.

"Brother's calligraphy is like a dragon in water, powerful yet agile," Chen Guangcong praised from the side.

"I'll just treat it as a hobby. I'm aware of my limitations. But speaking of which, the advent of ballpoint pens has made writing much more convenient, which is a heavy blow to our traditional culture—calligraphy. However, we can't ignore advanced things, so we can only try our best to maintain our love for traditional culture," Chen Guangliang said with a sigh, putting down his pen.

His interest in traditional culture may stem from a change in his social status, or perhaps from the scarcity of entertainment culture in this era, which has led him to dedicate himself to this hobby. On the other hand, his intellectual and physical advantages also make him very talented.

"Writing can also help calm one's mind."

"Yes, you're right to think that way. Here, you write one too!"

Chen Guangcong has studied for many years and has accumulated a great deal of knowledge about traditional culture. During his years in the United States, he also took the opportunity to attend university, which is quite impressive.

After he finished writing, he said with a smile, "I'm really far behind my older brother. Wenjie, it's your turn!"

As the eldest son of the Chen family, Chen Wenjie also received attention from his uncle, Chen Guangcong.

Chen Guangcong had one son and two daughters. He was the eldest son of his elder brother and naturally the eldest son of the Chen family. His uncle was also a 'minister' in ancient times.

"Then I'll set up my second uncle for a bit," Chen Wenjie joked with Chen Guangcong.

The relationship between uncle and nephew is more relaxed compared to the relationship between father and son.

Chen Guangcong laughed and said, "If you write too well, it won't be a foil, but a slap in the face for me. Of course, I accept this fact, after all, you are my elder brother's son."

Chen Wenjie naturally didn't stand on ceremony; he wrote it very seriously and didn't mean to be modest towards his uncle, since his father needed to see progress.

Chen Wenjie, who is almost 13 years old, has been learning calligraphy and traditional culture from Chen Guangliang since he was a child, and his skill level is quite good.

"He's still far behind your second uncle, but the key is perseverance and learning!"

"Yes"

In fact, the gap isn't that big. Chen Guangcong has been busy with many things in recent years and hasn't practiced much in the United States, so Chen Wenjie's level is actually about the same as his.

It was just that Chen Guangliang was giving Chen Guangcong some face and telling Chen Wenjie not to be arrogant.

Afterwards, each child who could write a couplet wrote one, and the whole family was very happy.

After the couplets are pasted up, the children go out to play, while the adults chat.

It's common for wealthy people in Shanghai to enjoy playing mahjong, and the four women in the Chen family also played. The three daughters-in-law would play a little mahjong with their mother-in-law, but there were many rules, all imposed by Chen Guangliang, including no playing after midnight, small stakes, no more than twice a week, and no more than four hours a day.
In reality, Chen Guangliang disliked gambling, but allowed appropriate entertainment.

Yang Hui will also abide by these regulations.

"Xiuying, you and Guangcong should take advantage of your youth and have another child, it would be even better if it were a son!" Yang Hui put on her mother-in-law's air, with an expression that said, "I care about you two."

The eldest son married two wives. Although the second son could not compare with his brother, it was not reasonable to say that he should only have one son.

Yang Xiuying is both Yang Hui's daughter-in-law and niece, but she has a very easygoing personality, so she said with a smile, "Mother-in-law, Guangcong said he doesn't want it anymore!"

Giving birth is like a woman walking through the gates of hell, and Guangcong is being considerate of his wife.

Chen Guangcong immediately said, "Mom, three children are enough. You have ten grandchildren already, aren't you satisfied?"

Yang Hui looked at her eldest son, as if to say, "What do you think?"
Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "There's no imperial succession, so if they say they're satisfied, then we should listen to their opinion. Now think about it, Song Ziliang, a high-ranking official and extremely wealthy man, had three daughters, but he only touched upon the matter briefly. You should change your thinking!"

The old lady favored her grandson and looked down on her granddaughter, something that Chen Guangliang and Chen Guangcong, the two brothers, both noticed, but they didn't dare to say it out loud.

In any case, as parents and elders, they should not let their daughter feel that difference when she is young.

Chen Guangliang also has a daughter, Chen Leyi. In the future, the wealth of the second wife will be divided equally, and his daughter will also receive a share, since he only has one daughter.

"Okay, okay, I won't talk anymore!"

Since moving to Shanghai, Yang Hui has never gone against her eldest son's wishes; she is truly the "backbone" of her family.

At this moment, Chen Guangliang said to everyone, "Only after raising a daughter do you realize how good she is. If Meiying and I divide our property in the future, we will divide it into three parts: one for Wenjin, one for Leyi, and one for Wenhua."

Yan Renmei didn't have a daughter, but she always wanted one. However, after having a son as her fourth child, she gave up on that idea. After all, she wasn't a baby-making machine, and she also cared about her figure and appearance.

She said, "Although I didn't say it was Leyi, I definitely support her!"

Jiang Meiying smiled and said, "She's my daughter, so I'll support her even more."

Yang Xiuying said, "I definitely think there's no problem with that."

Chen Guangcong said, "I also think this is the right idea."

It's quite interesting to discuss these kinds of things away from the children.

Although Chen Guangcong says he doesn't have a career yet and is still working for Chen Guangliang, he does have a lot of personal assets, including properties in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and $100 million in cash flow.

Moreover, Chen Guangliang, Chen Guangcong, and Jack registered a shipping company with shares of 50%, 45%, and 5% respectively. This company was preparing to purchase the Liberty Cruises.

In the later stages, Chen Guangcong will also become a major shipowner in Hong Kong. After all, he already has US$100 million in start-up capital, which surpasses the conditions of many wealthy people in his previous life. In addition, being Chen Guangliang's younger brother, he has many advantages. (End of this chapter)