A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

In the evening, Chen Guangliang declined some unnecessary social engagements and took a car back to his home on Gande Road.

As soon as the car entered the yard, Chen Guangliang saw his two wives and children coming out, and this sense of happiness made him very content.

His only daughter, Chen Leyi, ran ahead and jumped into his arms as soon as he got out of the car.

Seven-year-old Chen Leyi sweetly pleaded, "Daddy, I miss you so much!"

As Chen Guangliang's only daughter, she was the center of attention, doted on by Chen Guangliang, vying for his affection with two mothers, and protected by several brothers.

Chen Guangliang patted Chen Leyi's head and said, "We've only been apart for three days, and you already miss your dad so much!"

In August of this year, Jiang Meiying moved with her children to their original house, which had been renovated over a year after the war and was finally completed and ready for occupancy.

The two families have been living together for a year and have gotten along well in all aspects, but Chen Guangliang feels that living together for a long time may still cause some problems. Therefore, he still supports the two families living separately, so that they can get together on weekends and stay together when there are other matters.

"Yes, I wish I could be with my dad every day."

Yan Renmei came to her side and said with a smile, "You are really your father's little angel. It's only autumn and you've already made your father so happy!"

She always wanted a daughter, but unfortunately she gave birth to four sons, so she was very fond of Chen Leyi, and sometimes she would even ask Jiang Meiying to take care of her for a day.

The family walked into the villa in a friendly manner and then prepared to have dinner in the large dining room on the first floor.

During dinner, Chen Guangliang said, "Wenjie, how about going to high school in New York?"

This wasn't the first time this question had been raised, and Chen Wenjie replied directly, "Yes, I want to go to high school next year to train myself and adapt to the American education system in advance."

Chen Wenjie is already over 13 years old this year. He will be starting high school next summer, which means he will be 17 when he enters university and 21 when he graduates. In fact, given the intelligence Chen Wenjie inherited from Chen Guangliang, he could easily be in university at 15 or 16. However, Chen Guangliang has reduced the pressure on him and allowed him to learn gradually.

Based on this calculation, Chan Man-kit would graduate from university in 1954 and return to Hong Kong to join the family business.

Exactly!

Chen Guangliang's plan was for him to join Cheung Kong Properties, start from the bottom, and then in 1955, when the Hong Kong government relaxed the height restrictions on residential buildings, he could join the project team and become familiar with the development of high-rise residential buildings.

Yan Renmei then said, "Once you get there, we won't be there to take care of you. You have to take care of yourself, don't go astray, and focus your energy on your studies. Anyway, I will only give you the standard allowance for an average family."

A kind father and a strict mother?

In fact, Chen Guangliang also has a dignified side; he's just more patient.

"I know, Mom!"

Jiang Meiying said with a smile, "Children, you should take your eldest brother as your role model!"

The children all nodded like chicks pecking at rice, showing their complete trust in their older brother and the others.

Of course, this statement also puts pressure on Chen Wenjie, who usually acts like a "big brother" in front of his younger siblings.

Chen Guangliang made no comment on this situation.

Although he knew his eldest son was under some pressure, he himself was under pressure as well.
The first generation of the Chen family was a generation that strived hard; naturally, the second generation of the Chen family was a generation that had to both preserve and strive.

Of course, in the second generation, preserving the status quo is far more important than fighting, and when it comes to fighting, Chen Guangliang's protection is essential.

After dinner.

Chen Guangliang talked with the children for a while, and then called Yan Renmei and Jiang Meiying to the study on the third floor.

"I received news from the United States that my assets at Ping An Bank and my assets have been released from freeze. I plan to travel to the United States soon to handle some financial matters."

Upon hearing this, Yan Renmei and Jiang Meiying's eyes lit up, as if they were filled with some hope. However, Yan Renmei was the first to show a hint of disappointment, while Jiang Meiying seemed to be hoping for something.

Jiang Meiying asked, "Are you planning to take a boat? How long will you be staying in the United States?"

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Let's take a boat, our own boat. We'll be staying in the US for a month, and I plan to take Mei Ying with me, since we need to manage our assets; moreover, I also plan to have Mei Ying invest in stocks and real estate to solidify our investment in the US."

"Just as I thought," Yan Renmei thought to herself, then said, "Oh, I'll take good care of the house!"

Jiang Meiying immediately took Yan Renmei's arm and jokingly said, "Sister, I'll make up for the time when we come back, but the time spent on the ship can't be counted."

Yan Renmei said with a stern face, "Why doesn't the time spent on the ship count? Can't you two stay together on the ship?"

Jiang Meiying pretended to be at a disadvantage and said, "It's different after all, but since my sister has said so, of course I have to obey. After all, you're the first wife and I'm the second wife!"

Chen Guangliang didn't interrupt at this time because he couldn't afford to offend either side.

However, he then said, "Actually, I really wanted to take Renmei on a trip abroad, but the Hong Kong base is not stable, and one of us has to stay behind to guard the rear. Of course, when Wenjie went to university in 1950, there were fewer concerns."

Yan Renmei finally calmed down and said, "That's more like it. It's amazing you still remember. You've been saying these things for over a decade!"

Chen Guangliang said with a smile, "It's been seventeen or eighteen years."

When they first met, Chen Guangliang made all sorts of promises to Yan Renmei, but he has never taken her abroad.

Jiang Meiying naturally didn't dare to act innocent after getting the benefit, and immediately said, "We are all relatively young, especially my sister. She looks like she's in her early twenties even though she's 31. People would think she's only a freshman even if we say she's a college student!"

Yan Renmei was pleased by this flattery and said, "Aren't you the same?"

This is important because it gives Yan Renmei enough patience to look forward to the romance of traveling abroad with her husband, because their appearance is truly frozen in their early twenties, full of girlish style, yet with a touch of mature womanhood.

Seeing this, Chen Guangliang took the opportunity to pull both women into his arms at the same time, and the three of them sat on the sofa.

"Having you two in my life is my good fortune! The future is long, and we have many more surprises, romances, and happiness to look forward to together." Upon hearing this, the two women couldn't help but dream—their husband taking them on vacations around the world—and then they tacitly rested their heads on Chen Guangliang's shoulders.

Perhaps it was this tenderness that made Chen Guangliang somewhat smug, and he couldn't help but think about killing two birds with one stone tonight. Fortunately, he quickly calmed down; after all, his children were still alive, and he would wait for another day to find an opportunity.

Zhang Shounian, an assistant manager at Ping An Bank, came to Hong Kong to personally report on relevant work in mainland China.

At that time, Ping An Bank (Shanghai Stock Exchange) managed the entire mainland business, and Ping An Bank had corresponding businesses in important cities such as Chongqing, Wuhan, Guangdong Province, and Hangzhou; it also had offices in many cities.

Ping An Bank's nationwide network is now expanding into a crucial business: foreign exchange, which assists wealthy individuals in transferring funds to Hong Kong.

"In this wave, Ping An Bank exchanged US$100 million and related gold, making a 50% profit from this alone. Meanwhile, Xinfeng Textile's US dollar reserves also reached US$40."

Starting in March, one of the important tasks for Ping An Bank and related companies was to exchange US dollars and gold.

Last month (September), the Nationalist government further increased the exchange rate from 1 US dollar to 2000 Chinese yuan to 1 US dollar to 3000 Chinese yuan, which is equivalent to a significant devaluation of the Chinese yuan. The good news is that the Nationalist government is still insisting on 'free convertibility'.

"I'm afraid the Nationalist government's free exchange policy won't last long. In short, the legal tender will continue to depreciate, and the rate of depreciation will even accelerate, to the point where it's worthless."

Zhang Shounian nodded and said, "Everyone knows to save in US dollars, gold, silver, and silver dollars now. It seems like the Nationalist government is about to collapse, and people don't trust their credibility at all."

Chen Guangliang said, "You've hit the nail on the head. The Nationalist government isn't doing well in the war either. The enemy only needs to hold out for a year before they can turn defense into offense. So, Shu Nian, you should make plans early and bring your family to live in Hong Kong."

"This," Zhang Shounian said with difficulty, "My father is getting old, and besides, even if the Nationalist government steps down, the country is still the same country, and it's a new regime."

Chan Kwong-leung laughed and said, "Do you know why I moved to Hong Kong?"

Zhang Shounian shook his head; after all, the boss's sudden move to Hong Kong was somewhat unexpected.

Chen Guangliang said, "In short, if you listen to your father, then you should think carefully about what I'm about to say. If you want to be a filial son, then be prepared for your wife and son to face your father. I know he can't persuade you, but as for you, I hope you can see the situation clearly."

Zhang Shounian quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Thank you for the reminder, boss. I will definitely bring my family to Hong Kong when I finish my work on the mainland."

Who is the boss? Not to mention that he has been with the boss for more than ten years, even those who are familiar with the boss will take the boss's actions as a sign of the trend.

He was both a "capitalist lackey" and a "stinking intellectual."
"Hmm, no rush. The war is still ongoing and won't reach Shanghai for the time being."

"Ok"

After finishing his work, Zhang Shounian, carrying Chen Guangliang's instructions, prepared to return home.

Chen Guangliang's businesses in Shanghai, including Ping An Bank, Xinfeng Textile, and Vitasoy, were still profitable in the past two years, enough to sustain operations. However, it is estimated that by 1948, they would no longer be profitable.

When Chen Guangliang arrived in Mong Kok, Kowloon, he saw a cluster of more than twenty five-story tenement buildings, which were clearly newly rebuilt. These twenty-odd five-story tenement buildings all belonged to Cheung Kong Property Holdings Limited.

Before the war, Cheung Kong Property owned nearly half of the properties in the area. During the war, the area was severely damaged. When Cheung Kong Property was preparing to rebuild last year, it simply bought up the surrounding old buildings and built 25 tenement buildings, covering an area of ​​about 5 square feet.

Looking at the brand-new tenement buildings, Chen Guangliang said in a good mood, "Our Cheung Kong Properties returned to Hong Kong at the end of August last year, and now, only 13 months later, we have rebuilt and newly built a batch of five-story tenement buildings. The efficiency is quite good."

Yan Kuan, who was standing nearby, immediately said, "It's because the boss treated us very well that we were able to reunite and get back into the real estate business after the war."

This wasn't flattery. The main employees and their families of Cheung Kong Real Estate had all evacuated to Chongqing in 1941. Chen Guangliang took care of them for four years, so they didn't need to worry about housing or food, as the company would continue to provide for them.

"This kind of atmosphere should also be fostered among new employees, and we should avoid creating antagonism."

"Yes, at Yangtze Real Estate, ability still matters. Some new employees can quickly become important."

Chen Guangliang was naturally aware of these matters. After the war, he resumed his position as general manager of Cheung Kong Real Estate and continued to serve as chairman. Therefore, in terms of personnel, in addition to continuing to rely on the original employees, he also accepted local employees and made use of their talents.

Today, Yangtze River Real Estate is not only involved in real estate development and housing rental, but also in architectural design and building materials sales, demonstrating diversified development.

In the construction sector, Poly Construction, a construction company established by Cheung Kong Property Holdings, is currently headed by Yan Kuan as general manager and is mainly responsible for the construction projects under Cheung Kong Property Holdings.

On the other hand, although Poly Construction Company already exists, it still subcontracts some projects to local contractors. The construction company is mainly responsible for management and technology.

The logic is simple: Cheung Kong Property also needs to provide jobs for others, especially since local contractors have their own advantages. However, with Poly Construction's involvement, it's clearly impossible for these contractors to cheat or make exorbitant profits, but they still compete to take on jobs, since Cheung Kong Property has a lot of work to offer.

"Boss, please. Since last year, we at Cheung Kong Property have been designing and constructing various residential buildings, including tenement buildings, arcade buildings, and villas, all of which emphasize modern lifestyles. For example, in this 1010 square foot unit, we designed two bathrooms, both equipped with flush toilets, as well as a maid's room. The kitchen also uses gas and has a range hood. We have also considered the future widespread use of air-conditioned cabinets. It can be said that life is quite convenient."

Chen Guangliang carefully examined the apartment layout. Houses of this era were typically furnished, and some even included amenities like flush toilets. The widespread adoption of household air conditioners (refrigerators) might still take a few years, but no more than ten.

"Yes. If Cheung Kong Property wants to be a leader in the real estate industry, its technology cannot lag behind. In addition, considering the housing shortage in Hong Kong in the future, the 'subletting model' also needs to take into account the problems that may arise."

Yan Kuan immediately replied, "Subleasing is not a problem; their leasing department will manage it well."

To be honest, Cheung Kong Property Holdings was a huge force in the reconstruction and new construction of houses in postwar Hong Kong, so alleviating housing shortages was inevitable. However, the rents and transfer fees in the future may not be as exaggerated as in the previous life.

Of course, this is a good thing, and Chen Guangliang would think so too.

Are there any good plots of land or old buildings available recently?

Yan Kuan replied, "We have acquired a lot of old buildings and residential land in areas such as Yau Tsim Mong, Sai Wan, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point. After the war, we had about 60 square feet of land. With the recent war in mainland China, some owners have started to wait for higher prices to sell. But don't worry, boss, it shouldn't be a problem to buy another 40 square feet in six months."

To achieve this goal, Cheung Kong Properties would have 1.5 million plots of land, which, based on the plot ratio of Hong Kong in later years (average 8), would be equivalent to 12 million square meters of floor space. This was the market supply of Cheung Kong Properties in the mid-to-late 1980s for about 3 to 4 years, which was the previous life's Cheung Kong Properties company under Li Ka-shing.

That's quite exaggerated, because the land that Cheung Kong Real Estate currently owns is basically all prime land in the city center.

Not to mention, Chen Guangliang's companies, such as Ping An Bank, Times Pictures, Xinfeng Textile, and Vitasoy, all own substantial real estate holdings.

"Yes, we'll definitely take it if we have the chance, but we won't rush it if we don't. Also, we can build high-end houses and villas on prime land in places like Repulse Bay and Mid-Levels."

"Okay, I understand!" (End of Chapter)