A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

In the spring of 1951, Chen Guangliang returned to Hong Kong after completing his overseas trip.

Stepping onto Hong Kong soil, Chan Kwong-leung felt grounded. Although he had decided to focus all his efforts on overseas development, his business empire in Hong Kong would naturally continue to grow stronger.

The two wives personally came to Kai Tak Airport to welcome their husband's return. This certainly did not make Chen Guangliang feel guilty. After all, food and sex are human nature, and he could not be a monk all the time overseas.

In the car, Chen Guangliang was in a good mood, with women on his left and right.

Yan Renmei seized the opportunity to say, "What happened to you in London has caused quite a stir in Hong Kong!"

Chen Guangliang naturally wouldn't misunderstand and think it was about Audrey Hepburn, so he frankly said, "Hong Kong is too small. We want to go global, so it's inevitable that we'll be a bit high-profile!"

Ordering a new ship is something that Chinese-owned shipowners in Hong Kong could never have imagined.

Chen Guangliang ordered an oil tanker this time, a full 5.5 tons. It should be noted that the China Merchants Group in Taiwan has more than a dozen oil tankers of various sizes, which together only amount to more than 1 tons. An oil tanker of more than 2000 tons is already the largest for Taiwan.

Today, Global Shipping not only has 5.5 tons of new oil tankers under construction, but also a 1.2-ton second-hand oil tanker.

Yan Renmei nodded and then said, "The overall public opinion in Hong Kong is still positive, saying that you have greatly boosted the morale of us Chinese. Only a few isolated comments are not favorable to us, but those are just insignificant voices."

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "I know where these comments come from, but I don't care at all."

Afterwards, Chen Guangliang reported to the two ladies about the warship being converted into a superyacht, which immediately startled both women.

"Such a large warship, used as a yacht?"

"Yes, it will sail to ports all over the world in the future. We can choose to go on it for business, to invite guests, or for our vacations."

Jiang Meiying exclaimed in surprise, "The conversion cost is 400 million US dollars. How many cargo ships would that require?"

"Haha," Chen Guangliang said, "Remember what I told you before, that I would take you to see the outside world and enjoy life? Now I'm finally going to make that happen. I've already decided to name this ship 'Mei Ying' (美英)."

Yan Renmei and Jiang Meiying's eyes sparkled with delight.

"That's a good name! It makes people think of the United States and the United Kingdom, the two most powerful countries in the world!"

"Haha, that's right, what a coincidence! Yan Renmei, Jiang Meiying, sister, we didn't even realize we were so destined to meet."

"Even if we weren't meant to be, we can still become family!"

The three headed towards the Kowloon Wharf pier, then transferred to their own yacht to cross the sea, and finally took a Rolls-Royce to their ancestral home on Conduit Road.

After Chan Kwong-leung returned to Hong Kong, many Hong Kong people started calling him "Sir Chan".

Although Chan Kwong-leung doesn't care about this, it seems that Hong Kong people respect it very much. Even Grantham of Hong Kong Electric can only have the title of "Sir," so everyone is equal.

After returning home and seeing his children and mother, Chen Guangliang felt even better.

The whole family enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together, and Chen Guangliang, served by his two wives, went to the basement.

Why a basement?
Because the basement not only contained a treasure vault, but also Chen Guangliang's secret base—a treasure vault with a bedroom.

"You've been holding back for over a month, you're practically turning into a wolf!" Yan Renmei said coquettishly.

The two women changed into cheongsams and stockings that Chen Guangliang liked in the bedroom. At this moment, Chen Guangliang deliberately made his eyes sparkle in order to show that he was not looking for women outside.

"Haha, it was really tough holding it in. You all know my physical 'defects'. Let alone not having you for more than a month, even half a month without you would feel like I'd been a monk for three years and a soldier for three years."

The two women had no doubt about Chen Guangliang's purity; after all, in the twenty years they had lived together, Chen Guangliang would never have gone to those dirty women.

When the two women finished wearing their cheongsams, Chen Guangliang's eyes lit up. Yan Renmei was dignified, and Jiang Meiying was dignified. Both women were top-notch beauties. Even after being husband and wife for so many years, Chen Guangliang never got tired of them, and their relationship remained as strong as ever.

"Sister, you've got even more jade and gemstones now!"

Jiang Meiying went to the cabinet, then picked up the collection inside and began to admire it.

With her curvaceous figure, full-figured and alluring, Jiang Meiying possesses a stunning physique. Wearing black stockings, she resembles Yang Guifei in black stockings; Emperor Xuanzong of Tang would have been so enraged upon seeing her that he would have ascended to heaven on the spot!

"Yes, take whatever you like!"

Yan Renmei then walked up to Yan Renmei with the gait of an 'Empress'.

Although her figure isn't as voluptuous as Jiang Meiying's, it's by no means inferior. Her tall stature, perfect proportions, and the perfect combination of a wasp waist and shapely buttocks give her an 'empress' aura,' and she still possesses a stunningly beautiful face and a great figure.

"A gentleman does not take what others cherish; besides, I have quite a few at home as well."

"What hobby is it? It's just collecting things to give as gifts to my daughter-in-law, daughter, grandchildren, and younger generations in the future."

The two women knew that their men admired them, so they were in no hurry to make a move.

Yan Renmei suddenly turned around and said, "Brother Liang, I heard that two national treasures, the 'Mid-Autumn Festival Calligraphy' and the 'Bo Yuan Calligraphy,' are mortgaged to HSBC. The original owner was Guo Zhaojun, a descendant of Guo Baochang. After he came to Hong Kong, he did not have a formal job and lived off his savings. After a few years, he fell into financial difficulties and therefore mortgaged the two precious calligraphy works to HSBC in Hong Kong. The mortgage period is approaching, but he is unable to redeem them."

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "We don't want anything that involves national treasures, let alone calligraphy and paintings that are very difficult to preserve!"

He also has quite a few antiques, but they are mainly porcelain, bronzes, jade, and ancient coins. They are just for fun and not really investments. After all, even if each of these items is worth hundreds of millions in the future, it would still be a negligible amount of wealth for the Chen family.

Collecting these items was purely a casual purchase, and also to enhance the family's heritage, since this is standard for large families.

"Oh. Actually, if you want it, you can get it very easily."

"It depends. If there really is an auction, we won't participate as long as it doesn't go overseas. If it's a collection by the mainland government or the Taiwan government, then we won't participate."

"Um"

After they finished talking, Chen Guangliang came to the two women and placed both of his palms on them at the same time.

So elastic!
The next morning, Chen Guangliang and his wife were already in their bedroom on the third floor.

As she got up, Yan Renmei said coquettishly, "I've been away for over a month, and my self-control has gotten so bad. What if I get pregnant? People will laugh at me!"

It turns out that Chen Guangliang was so excited at the last minute last night that he forgot to draw his gun and put on his coat!
Jiang Meiying laughed and said, "If you're pregnant, just have the baby! Even though I'm 36, my body functions like someone in their twenties! Haha!"

Yan Renmei immediately retorted angrily, "You're still laughing? If I get pregnant, you won't be allowed to slack off either."

Chen Guangliang didn't care. If it was fate, then he could only accept it.

Back then, he was concerned that having too many children would affect his two wives' health, but over the years, his 'holy water' has been able to heal everything, so naturally the problem can no longer exist.

Changjiang Real Estate.

General Manager Yan Kuan reported to Chen Guangliang: "Currently, we have successively purchased 110 million square meters of land on Orchard Road, basically acquiring all the available street-facing land, with a total expenditure of HK$1200 million."

Chen Guangliang said with satisfaction, "Alright, then let's put this aside for now. These plots of land can be rented out, as long as we can guarantee that they will be taken back by the mid-1960s."

In the mid-1960s, Singapore gained independence, presenting an ideal opportunity to develop commercial real estate and hotels. This would allow them to become the first to establish a shopping mall and five-star hotel on Orchard Road in Singapore, while also forging a good relationship with the Lee family. Yan Kuan continued, "Boss, Global Shipping has substantial yen reserves in Japan, and we already have plans to invest in land in Ginza. Why not continue investing? This would solve Global Shipping's yen reserve issue, and we could also increase our investment in Ginza land. That year, the Japanese economy is showing significant improvement, and I believe real estate prices will also rise."

After a moment's thought, Chen Guangliang agreed to the matter.

“Okay, anyway, the rent from Yangtze River Real Estate can be maintained, and with a small loan, it’s not impossible.”

"Yes, Cheung Kong Property now generates seven to eight million Hong Kong dollars in rental income annually, and it does need to expand outwards."

First Asia, then Europe and America, to build a massive real estate conglomerate.

Of course, the so-called 'real estate conglomerate' is not just about collecting rent; it also involves operating hotels (Shangri-La Hotel), developing shopping malls, building commercial complexes, and constructing skyscrapers.

"By the way, you bought 77 Deep Water Bay in the name of Cheung Kong Property."

"Ok"

Without suspecting anything, Yan Kuan immediately went to do as instructed.

Originally, No. 77 Deep Water Bay was not on Chen Guangliang's purchase list, but after acquiring Audrey Hepburn, he had to keep it as a backup.

Although he will not marry a third concubine, a 'mistress' still holds some status.

After Yan Kuan left, Chen Guangliang fell into thought.

Since 1949, Cheung Kong Properties has also acquired a number of small plots of land on the market, continuing to expand its real estate empire. Currently, Cheung Kong Properties owns 160 million square feet of land in Hong Kong.

This 160 million square feet site doesn't seem to be as large as the later Whampoa Dockyard or Taikoo Dockyard; it's about the size of the reclaimed land in Tsim Sha Tsui.

However, it should be noted that these 160 million square feet of land are all urban sites in Hong Kong and Kowloon, and are mostly street-facing plots.

In short, if it is rebuilt in the future, it is equivalent to building 80 to 100 residential buildings, each with 200 to 300 residential units, so it would be equivalent to more than 20,000 residential units and more than 13 million square feet of floor space.

The key factor is that many properties are mixed-use commercial and residential (facing the street), and their location near the home is often quite valuable.

On the other hand, industrial sites under Ping An Bank, two former film studios of Times Film Group, and factory sites of Yangtze River Industrial Group will all become development projects of Yangtze River Real Estate in the future.

If Cheung Kong Properties had continued to acquire more 'remote' sites in the New Territories and Hong Kong Island during the 1960s, it would have become a true real estate tycoon.

of course.

Cheung Kong Property Holdings will not list all its assets. In the future, Cheung Kong Property Holdings will only list a very small portion of its land under the name "Cheung Kong Holdings Group," while the rest of its properties will be held by Cheung Kong Property Holdings and private individuals. This way, outsiders will not know the specific details.

In short, the foundation he laid for Chen Wenjie was truly enormous.

A piece of news from a Shanghai newspaper has sparked heated discussions among Hong Kong citizens—that Wong Tai-heng, a prominent figure in Shanghai, is sweeping the streets.

In fact, such a person deserves to be shot, but I don't know if it was to reform Du Yuesheng or for some other reason, but this scourge was kept alive. In any case, some people who fled to Hong Kong began to feel fortunate.

Du Yuesheng read the newspaper and laughed, "Haha, this old man is going to be famous now!"

As he laughed, Du Yuesheng revealed a sad expression.

The fourth concubine then asked, "Aren't you afraid now?"

Du Yuesheng waved his hand and said, "I'm not afraid anymore. A friend of mine is right. At my age, what is there to be afraid of? As long as my children and descendants can become rich and successful, that's enough."

"Mr. Chen?"

"That's him, isn't it?"

At this point, Du Yuesheng's mindset had improved considerably. No matter how much the Taiwanese spies were causing trouble, he simply adopted a passive attitude. He neither expressed any opinion nor went out.

Then, Du Yuesheng said to Meng Xiaodong, "Fifth brother, Guangliang's mother is about to celebrate her birthday. Why don't you go on stage for a bit?"

Meng Xiaodong nodded and said, "Mm."

For no other reason than that they have helped this family a lot.

Du Yuesheng sighed, "Since 1949, Chinese people have been like stray dogs, but only Chen Guangliang can be called a true hero. He has endured hardships and still stands tall, and instead, he has made his name on the world stage."

The news that Chen Guangliang was building three new ships in Europe some time ago shocked the entire Chinese community.

In particular, a 5.5-ton oil tanker is something that the entire island of Taiwan cannot produce, especially a new ship.

Chen Guangcong returned to Hong Kong from England to prepare for his mother's birthday celebration.

"Brother, Third Sister-in-law is pregnant."

Chen Guangliang was stunned. Although he had thought of getting Audrey Hepburn pregnant, he did not expect to actually complete the mission in ten days.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go to London to see her next month."

Chen Guangcong acted as if he were the older brother's pet owner, and he went on to give a detailed account of purchasing property in London and settling Audrey Hepburn and her daughter in.

Finally, he couldn't help but say, "Brother, your sister-in-law is white after all. Aren't you afraid of giving her more than a million US dollars all at once? After all, you live far apart."

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "Then it was worth it."

In fact, he was very confident from the bottom of his heart. It's not that he doubted 'human nature,' but that he was confident in his 'golden touch.'

He is confident that he can win over any woman he desires, as long as she is not particularly outrageous—for example, a married woman with whom he has a good relationship—but a normal unmarried woman.

And the women he has conquered will be devoted to him.

Chen Guangcong then said, "But it's worth it. As long as Third Sister-in-law gives birth to our Chen family's child, let alone more than a million US dollars, even several million US dollars would be worth spending."

Chen Guangliang patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said, "You've really fallen for Xiuying in this lifetime."

Damn it, I should have never let Chen Guangcong marry Yang Xiuying. She would have given birth to one son and two daughters for my younger brother.

Chen Guangcong chuckled and said, "I'm quite content. One son is enough!"

"Enough?! A son's biggest worry is his grandson, which puts even more pressure on Wenbo!"

"I'm not worried about my grandson. With so many nephews, what's there to be afraid of!"

Chen Guangliang smiled but didn't say anything. The two brothers hadn't separated their family, and the second generation had grown up together and developed a bond. The third generation would inevitably be a family as well.

Who can guarantee that the fourth and fifth generations, even Chen Guangliang's descendants, will have a good relationship with him?

It's simply a hope—that family members will unite and stand together against external threats! (End of Chapter)