A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 377 Chen Guangliang's Character
Year before.

Chen Guangliang is also concerned about the lives of all the tens of thousands of employees of Chen's Enterprises, striving to give everyone a happy Spring Festival.

He will not become a stingy boss who gets rich by "exploiting" others; at the very least, he will provide "best treatment" in the industry. He also values ​​talent and provides "nanny-style" logistical support.

Because of this, nearly 300 talented individuals and their families followed him to Hong Kong to settle down and live a peaceful life after the war. Today, he has around 10,000 families behind him.

In his company:
Ping An Bank employees have the highest salaries, with full-time employees earning over 150 RMB and enjoying employee dormitories. Of course, a minimum of a high school education is required, and fluency in English is a plus. The entire Ping An Bank system has only about 400 employees, including those in the investment banking department and overseas staff.

Ping An Bank has a small number of employees because during this period, banks in Hong Kong were generally not keen on opening many branches; they usually did not exceed five branches. Ping An Bank was considered to have a relatively large number, with six branches in Hong Kong and one in Singapore, for a total of seven.

Secondly, there are employees of Cheung Kong Property, whose salaries are also very high, with regular employees earning more than HK$150 per month; of course, this does not include construction workers, who are not strictly considered employees, since they may be laid off after completing the project.

The high salaries and good benefits of Cheung Kong Property's employees are based on the fact that the company is very profitable, and at the same time, it requires its employees to have at least a secondary school education.

Ping An Bank and Cheung Kong Properties are considered the 'core enterprises' of the Chen family business. Many of their managers have followed Chen Guangliang since the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Of course, after developing in Hong Kong, they also cultivated a group of managers, including senior, middle and junior managers, and the majority of employees are from Guangdong.

Global Group is also part of the core of the Chen family business. However, in terms of seafarers, Chen Guangliang prefers those from Ningbo, mainly because Ningbo is the earliest birthplace of modern Chinese shipping and has many experienced mid- to senior-level seafarers.

Seafarers' salaries are generally higher than those of shore-based jobs. Even the lowest-ranking seafarers, who do the dirtiest and most tiring jobs, can earn HK$100 a month and live and eat on the ship. The obvious downside is that they don't dock for long periods of time and only get eighteen days of leave each year.

The management of seafarers at Worldwide Shipping is relatively humane, but only relatively superior. Therefore, most people are unwilling to do the job of a seafarer.

However, if you have a certain level of education and a quick mind, Global Shipping will train you. Once you reach the mid-to-senior level seafarer, the benefits and treatment will be worlds apart.

Global Trade is a company that doesn't differentiate between Shanghainese and Cantonese residents; it recruits through normal channels, and local employees have an advantage. This company requires employees to be stationed overseas year-round, but not only does it offer generous income, many employees also receive bonuses, making it a great place to work.

The employees of the three major systems of Yangtze River Real Estate, Ping An Bank, and Global Group have very high overall incomes, but the total number of employees is only over 2000, not including construction site workers.

Several companies within the 'Chen's Industrial System'—such as Hsin Feng Textile, Hop Ho Zipper, Rong Chang Heavy Industry, Hua Tai Toys, and Vitasoy—are major employers, employing approximately six to seven thousand people. However, they primarily employ the cheapest workers, typically paying 50 yuan per person, excluding food and lodging.

But in reality, Chen's Industries was also a low-profit industry, at least for Chen Guangliang.

Finally, there's the media industry, with Times Pictures and Oriental Daily News supporting thousands of people. However, Chen Guangliang generally doesn't categorize these two companies as family businesses, minimizing the Chen family's influence in both companies, yet they still control both media organizations behind the scenes.

The five major systems support about 1 people, which in turn support 1 families.

This doesn't even include the electricians at the construction sites. Currently, three large projects are under construction or in the planning stages (Ping An Bank, Shangri-La Hotel, and Times Film City), which will conservatively require more than a thousand workers.

There are also many people who rely on Chen's businesses for their livelihood, such as dockworkers.

"Brother, Jardine Matheson is preparing to auction three 5000-ton second-hand ships in two weeks. They are the same three Canadian-made ships that we sold back then."

Chen Guangcong arrived at the office and reported some startling news.

Back then, Chen Guangliang dominated the coastal shipping industry in China with those six ships, but during the War of Resistance against Japan, he sold them to Jardine Matheson and Swire.

"Jardine Matheson is actually selling ships!"

"Yes, the mainland is now blocking the coast and inland waterways. Although some trade has been preserved, business has declined sharply. Jardine Matheson and Swire are both preparing to sell ships, since the shipping industry in the Far East has become depressed."

After Chen Guangcong finished speaking, he watched the older brother's expression.

Chen Guangliang then said, "Yes, if they're reducing their fleet, we'll naturally be adding more. These 5000-ton cargo ships built in Canada are only about thirty years old. We know their performance inside and out; they're good vessels. Go take a look in two weeks, and if you can buy them, then buy them. In addition, we've recently started preparing a 'seafarer training course' to recruit mid- to senior-level seafarers. We need to prepare crew for at least 10 to 15 large ocean-going vessels."

A large ocean-going vessel needs to be around 3000 tons, 5000 tons is considered medium-sized, and 10,000 tons is truly large.

Chen Guangcong was surprised and said, "Brother, with such a large expansion, won't it be left empty? If the ship is left empty, the costs will be considerable."

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "I know what I'm doing. You can make the arrangements!"

"Ok"

Chen Guangcong no longer questioned his elder brother's decision. He knew that his elder brother must have had some kind of foresight, which was why he was so confident.

Currently, Global Shipping owns eight ships. The ships that originally sailed along the mainland coast have joined the Japan-Hong Kong route, as well as the non-scheduled flights from Hong Kong to Southeast Asia.

So Chen Guangcong couldn't understand how to send ships out with shipping expanding so rapidly.

Even for non-fixed routes and short-term leasing businesses, this business is currently very rare in the Far East because the mainland has blocked the coast, and Taiwan has also blocked the mainland's coast.

After Chen Guangcong left, Chen Guangliang also began to ponder.

The Korean War was less than six months away, and the Far East was bound to be in a shipping crisis. The freight rate on the northern route could reach as high as US$150 per ton (even in the 1990s, the freight rate for the same distance of cargo was only US$10 to US$20 per ton).

Of course, this route is too dangerous for Worldwide Shipping to take the risk, mainly because it could easily lead to being listed as a 'banned person' or 'banned person from doing business with the United States' by the United States.

But Global Shipping dared not take the risk, while others couldn't care less, since a single trip could yield hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit. Thus, a large number of ships were bound to take the risk.

On the other hand, Hong Kong's import trade will inevitably increase, especially as many people will choose to stockpile goods, and the transportation volume will be released to the maximum extent.

The final key factor is the surge in shipping volume within Japan. Japan itself does not produce resources and relies entirely on overseas shipping, so good times are coming for Hong Kong shipowners.

Therefore, Chen Guangliang planned to expand the fleet ahead of schedule.

Bowen Road, Hong Kong.

54-year-old Tong Runfu, his wife, six children, and some of the third generation gathered together.

This is a hillside area where Tong Runfu and his family live in a villa owned by Cheung Kong Property.

As the 'de facto manager' of Xinfeng Textile, Tong Runfu's treatment was always top-notch. Back in the mid-30s, he was already receiving 500 silver dollars per month, plus an annual bonus and a car.

After the family arrived in Hong Kong, Chen Guangliang personally arranged their accommodation. Knowing that they had many children and grandchildren, he arranged for them to live in a villa. It should be noted that the transfer fee for this villa alone was HK$60,000, and the monthly rent was more than HK$1300.

This is only because rents in Hong Kong are regulated; otherwise, it would be impossible to rent a place for over HK$1300 a month. Of course, it is precisely because rents are regulated that landlords came up with the idea of ​​a "transfer fee," which they learned from landlords in Shanghai back in the day.

When the Tong family gathered together, Tong Runfu forgot about what was happening across from him. At that moment, he was very grateful for Chen Guangliang's guidance. He couldn't let his family suffer because of his personal ideals; more importantly, he was afraid that what he did would not be understood or even slandered.

"Boss, the family is growing larger now. Although we can still fit here, we eventually need our own property. Later, go find a property; I plan to buy it as an investment in Hong Kong."

Tong Runfu's current salary is HK$5000 per month, plus a generous year-end bonus (about 6 months' salary), as well as various benefits such as a car and driver, and a villa.

This salary already exceeds the level of the current general manager of Xinfeng Textile, mainly because Chen Guangliang considered that Tong Runfu was the true founder of Xinfeng Textile.

The eldest son, Tong Benliang, said happily, "Dad, you've finally given up on the idea of ​​going back!" Tong Runfu frowned and said sternly, "Do you want to go back?"

Tong Benliang immediately shook his head and said, "Although many people are discussing returning to the north, they also have doubts. Moreover, I heard that everyone is watching Mr. Chen's attitude, so wealthy people are very cautious."

The other children also advised their father not to hold such thoughts.

Tong Runfu naturally wouldn't have such thoughts. After all, when he left Shanghai, Mr. Chen had already sent someone to persuade him that he couldn't let his family suffer for his own ideals.
“My family isn’t exactly wealthy, but since I’ve already agreed to manage Xinfeng Textile for Mr. Chen, I won’t hesitate any longer. This time, I’m considering buying the entire building, but the price shouldn’t exceed 100,000. Besides, we’re currently living together, and the purpose of buying the property is only for rental income and investment.”

"invest?"

The children didn't understand.

However, although they have a large population, their houses are now three stories high, which is much better than the living conditions of many wealthy people.

In addition, it's not just Tong Runfu who can work; all six of the Tong family's children have joined the workforce, and four of them work for the Chen family's businesses.

Tong Runfu laughed and said, "It's an investment! Some time ago, Mr. Chen told me privately that Hong Kong has attracted so much capital, industrial talent, and entrepreneurs. Plus, it's a place where East meets West, so its economy is bound to take off in the future. By the same token, the properties in Hong Kong must be properties from the concessions of the 1930s. So he advised me to buy property in Hong Kong. I thought it made sense, so I plan to buy a property. After all, we live in the company's house now."

The second son, Tong Benyi, said happily, "Dad, Mr. Chen really trusts you completely, even giving you advice on this kind of thing!"

For all the "Shanghai School" people, Chen Guangliang is a "flagship," a weathervane. It's not the size of Chen Guangliang's business, but his unwavering vision over the years.

Tong Runfu nodded and said, "Mr. Chen is very kind to everyone, not just those who work for him. Many wealthy people also speak highly of him."

His current salary is enough to buy a building in a year (in those days, a building with one floor of 1,000 square feet, usually two to five floors, cost 60,000 to 100,000 yuan).

At the same time, Tong Runfu is the president of the Hong Kong Textile Association and knows many textile entrepreneurs. When people talk about Mr. Chen, they all praise him highly. He is not only a pioneer in Hong Kong's textile industry, but also a great help to his peers.

Tong Runfu continued, "Of course, when the general manager comes, Mr. Chen basically doesn't ask how much money we made this year. Instead, he asks—how much can exports increase? How many jobs can be created? Can Hong Kong's textiles reach a higher level?"

One of his children asked, "As an entrepreneur, doesn't he want to make a lot of profits?"

Tong Runfu shook his head and said, "I'm not sure, anyway, he doesn't seem to care much about this topic."

To say that he doesn't care about profits is like a refugee 'sainting' someone, but Mr. Chen really doesn't seem to care about profits—his labor costs are the highest in Xinfeng Textile; and when competing with his peers, he never resorts to suppression tactics.

The group of adult children couldn't help but feel admiration.

Before the Lunar New Year, Chan Kwong Leung and a group of old friends gathered at the Gloucester Restaurant, which is actually a Chinese restaurant, but it is a property of Jardine Matheson.

Among the people at the gathering were Liu Hongsheng, Lu Zuofu, Chen Guangfu, Li Ming, and others, most of whom were veterans who had dominated the Chinese business world since the 1930s.

Chen Guangfu and Li Ming, once prominent figures in modern Chinese finance, are now in a predicament when they come to Hong Kong to develop their businesses.

Why?

They find it difficult to integrate into Hong Kong society. Firstly, they entered too late, and secondly, they are unfamiliar with the local situation. Although they have registered banks in Hong Kong, they have now become small banks, far inferior to Ping An Bank.

Once upon a time, Ping An Shipping had to look up to the Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank and Zhejiang Industrial Bank; now the tables have turned.

Lu Zuofu suddenly brought up this topic: "I never expected that all the China Merchants Group members who remained in Hong Kong would return to the north!"

Last month, a red flag was raised at the China Merchants Group building in Hong Kong, shocking the world.

Chen Guangliang actually knew the inside story, but he didn't try to poach crew members from the China Merchants Group, even though some of the captains were from his hometown of Ningbo. The reason was simple: the China Merchants Group was already embroiled in a power struggle between two factions, with spies already involved. If he tried to poach crew members, he would clearly be going against the national and local governments.

He's not contacting them now, but he'll be someone they try to win over in the future.

If he stubbornly opposes it, even if he is eventually won over, it will still be a stain on his reputation.

In his previous life, Tung Chao-yun's fleet was requisitioned by Taiwan and the United States to transport military supplies, which was a stain on his record. However, he had no choice in the matter, as many of his ships were Liberty ships that the United States had financed on credit.

Everyone looked at Chen Guangliang, the former general manager of China Merchants Group and a key figure in the rise of China Merchants Group in modern times. Many people in China Merchants Group would greet Chen Guangliang respectfully.

"There are always people who disregard their own lives and futures for the country; I hope they receive good treatment!"

"Mr. Chen, do you have any concerns?"

"Who can predict the future? I don't know much about the present, but I do know a bit about the history of the Soviet Union."

Okay, I've said too much!
In fact, Chen Guangfu and Li Ming, who are attending the gathering today, will definitely not return to the north; they will develop their careers in Hong Kong. However, things will not go smoothly for the Development Bank.

Liu Hongsheng was very worried from the beginning, but now he has settled down in Hong Kong.

As for Lu Zuofu, he himself was also hesitating in Hong Kong, having lived there for a period in his previous life. His choice in this life remains unknown!

Chen Guangliang didn't directly offer any advice, after all, sometimes someone has to make the sacrifice.
Chen Guangliang spent this Spring Festival with his family and felt very happy.

His friends were all over Hong Kong, and his subordinates and retainers were numerous. At this time, the Chan family had become the number one family in Hong Kong.

“Your eldest brother has been admitted to Harvard University, and you should take him as your role model. Only the knowledge you learn yourself is truly yours; the family business and wealth may not necessarily belong to you. We will only pay for your education. If you want to be a spoiled brat or a rich kid, don’t even think about it.”

Chen Guangliang educates his children and nephews and nieces, which is called promoting the 'importance of reading'.

Yes, Father/Uncle.

The only daughter, Chen Leyi, asked loudly, "Dad, if we get into a prestigious university, will you give us a reward?"

Chen Guangliang smiled kindly and said, "Tell me what reward you want first!"

Chen Leyi said without hesitation, "I hope my dad will personally take me to university!"

Her father was always busy, and she had many siblings, so all she wanted was to have some time alone.

"No problem! You can make any requests in the future, as long as they are reasonable, I will agree to them."

Everyone cheered.

Then, Chen Guangliang told everyone to go and have fun, emphasizing the importance of "balancing work and rest"—social interaction and physical health are both precious things in life.

(End of this chapter)