A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

In mid-April, plastic companies in Victoria Harbour.

Li Jiacheng happily held up several plastic flower samples, saying, "It's a success! The quality is very good, we can take them out to sell!"

Sheng Songsheng chimed in, "We should be the second company in Hong Kong to produce plastic flowers, so we shouldn't have to worry about sales!"

Li Jiacheng nodded and said, "I'll immediately go and promote it to our old customers, and try to sell it to the Southeast Asian market first. Also, although Huatai Plastics was the first to produce it, I estimate that its production capacity hasn't reached its full potential yet. We need to seize the opportunity!"

"it is good"

At this moment, Zhou Qianhe suddenly said, "I just heard that this plastic flower is patented, unlike a wig. I'm afraid the Yangtze River Industrial Group will cause us trouble!"

Li Jiacheng laughed and said, "There's no need to worry! There are so many counterfeit factories in Hong Kong, everyone will flock to them, how can Huatai Plastics possibly cope? Besides, Mr. Chen Guangliang has a large and powerful family, he can't be so petty. Besides, we've already started production, we can't just give up!"

Zhou Qianhe nodded quickly and said, "Yes."

At this point, Li Jiacheng was already delighted to have become the second person to "eat the crab" (take the plunge), so why would he be afraid of "patent restrictions"?

He couldn't wait to immediately promote the product to Victoria Harbour Plastics' long-term customers and distributors, so as to quickly seize the market.

"General Manager, there is already a second company in Hong Kong that can produce plastic flowers. It is a factory called Victoria Harbour Plastics, and the owner is Li Jiacheng, a Teochew native."

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Su Dongsheng immediately produced a list.

"Here is a list of several factory owners who want to inspect our factory. Call the number listed above and tell them that we can allow them to inspect our factory now."

"General Manager, do we suddenly have so many more competitors?"

Su Dongsheng laughed and said, "This Victoria Harbour Plastics didn't even investigate our plastics factory, yet they've already started production. So it's just a matter of taking a detour. Now that someone else has already started production, those factory owners who came to the boss and me for help should be given the opportunity. As for everyone competing on the same stage, it's all about strength!"

"I've learned a lot, I'll get on it right away!"

Watching his subordinates leave, Su Dongsheng smiled.

This wasn't his decision; rather, the boss had instructed them that if there was another company in Hong Kong that could produce plastic flowers, they should be open to investigation.

Of course, the technology of making plastic flowers still requires everyone to study and research. The inspection only shows you the obvious aspects. Things like color matching, you have to rely entirely on yourself.

Huatai Plastics Factory primarily caters to businessmen from Shanghai and Ningbo, which has been its usual practice.

As a senior executive of Cheung Kong Industrial Group, Su Dongsheng also understood that the boss had his own selfish motives. After Shanghai businessmen came to Hong Kong, they were schemed against by Cantonese businessmen (the gold rush and some deceptions from the market targeting Shanghai businessmen who were not used to the local culture). So Shanghai businessmen should at least have an absolute advantage in the industrial field.

Of course, Huatai Plastics Factory wouldn't make it too obvious, and it wouldn't refuse visits from Cantonese factory owners.

Tsuen Wan, San Fung Textile Industrial Park.

An eight-story industrial building is under construction here, with hundreds of construction workers busy at work.

Steelworker Aze, braving the scorching sun, was tying steel wires, his movements swift and efficient.

"Aze, come and have some herbal tea!"

"Alright, boss!"

Ah Ze happily went to a bucket, picked up a bowl and drank two large bowls of water. Finally, he wiped his mouth and showed an expression of enjoyment on his face.

"Boss, this construction site is awesome! They even provide herbal tea every day!"

The magistrate, Aki, laughed and cursed, "You brat, don't you even know whose territory you're on?"

Several steelworkers gathered around, and Aze said, "I know, this land belongs to Mr. Chan Kwong-leung, Hong Kong's richest man!"

Aki said, "That's right! All the land under Mr. Chen Guangliang's control is the most friendly to us foremen. They pay on time and offer all sorts of benefits. And once, there was a foreman who miscalculated and ended up losing money. Everyone thought he was going to lose money after the accounts were settled, but guess what happened?"

"The bill has already been paid, so Poly Construction will naturally not admit to it!"

"Exactly, who would hold you accountable afterward?"

Poly Construction is a large construction company in Hong Kong, mainly undertaking construction projects for companies under Chan Kwong Leung, and also undertaking projects for external clients.

Judge Aki laughed, "When someone came to us, Poly Construction actually agreed to make up the difference. That's a rare occurrence in the construction industry!"

"That's great! If we could keep working for Poly Construction, we'd be just as comfortable!"

"That's right."

At this moment, Aki shouted, "Alright, everyone, let's get back to work!"

After everyone returned to their work posts, Aki also needed to check on the work.

Poly Construction's work is both easy and difficult;

It's easy to do business with Poly Construction because they settle accounts quickly and don't push prices too hard, guaranteeing a lot of money to be made, and there's plenty of work to be done. That's why their foremen like Poly Construction the most.

The reason it's difficult is that Poly Construction has strict requirements for standards, and it is very strict about production safety and quality. It also has constraints on foremen. If a foreman is found to be withholding wages or mistreating and exploiting the workers, he will be listed as a non-cooperative party.

In short, it's all about 'following the rules'!
Back at work, Aki was tired but full of energy!

Starting this year, various industries in Hong Kong have begun hiring in large numbers, so he no longer has to support his family alone. His wife also started working in a wig factory. The two of them work together and earn HK$160 a month. He earns HK$100 including meals, while his wife earns HK$60 without meals.

Life is much better now than it was a few years ago. Back then, his wife couldn't find a job at all and could only do odd jobs, earning at most twenty or thirty yuan a month.

Chen Guangliang also visited the Xinfeng Textile Industrial Park to inspect the work.

With the opening of the US market to Hong Kong at the end of 1953, Hong Kong finally received orders from the world's largest consumer market.

Of course, this huge market was initially somewhat hostile to Hong Kong, but with Grantham's speech and promotion in the United States in 1954, and the rise in fame of Hong Kong's industrial products, it finally erupted this year (1955).

In particular, Hong Kong was the first to invent 'plastic flowers,' which has gained considerable recognition worldwide. After all, it is an invention, not a copy.

Upon arriving at the office, Tong Runfu walked in.

Chen Guangliang always respected Tong Runfu and did not treat him as a subordinate, but rather as a partner and an industry leader. Although Tong Runfu had been the general manager of Xinfeng Textile since the 1930s, only receiving a salary and not dividends, this did not change his authority in the textile industry.

"Sit down, Mr. Tong." Chen Guangliang stood up and sat down on the sofa with Tong Runfu.

Tong Runfu nodded, and after his assistant had brewed the tea, he said, "Mr. Chen, I plan to resign from my position as general manager of Xinfeng Textile, as I am approaching retirement age. Xinfeng Textile is currently full of talented people, and I believe it can still lead Hong Kong's textile industry."

He was born in 1896 and is 59 years old this year.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangliang was not surprised. He said, "Is it because your work at the Textile Association and the Hong Kong Institute of Technology is making you feel too busy?"

He has always been a supporter of Tong Runfu, supporting his leadership of the Hong Kong Textile Association, his training of more textile talents, and his participation in social work.

Tong Runfu laughed and said, "That's part of the reason. The main reason is that we're finding it increasingly difficult to manage the work at Xinfeng Textile. Fang Shuo is usually in charge of that."

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "How about this, you will continue to serve as the chief engineer of Xinfeng Textile, with no change in salary; in addition, you will retire next year, and you can also receive a retirement pension. The chief engineer position does not require too much of your energy, just to keep an eye on things for everyone."

He couldn't possibly let go of Tong Runfu, because with him in the company, Xinfeng Textile's technology would never lag behind, and it would be able to maintain its dominant position in Hong Kong.

Tong Runfu readily agreed, saying, "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Chen."

"We've been working together for so many years, and I've come to understand one thing: Xinfeng Textile was built up by you. If it weren't for you, I would have given up on this business a long time ago. I'm so busy, but I don't make much money!"

Tong Runfu was taken aback, but upon reflection, it made sense. This richest man in Hong Kong could easily spend hundreds of thousands or even millions of US dollars on a single ship, while Xinfeng Textile only earns a few million Hong Kong dollars a year, and it's already the dominant player in Hong Kong.

"Actually, we all know that if Hsin Feng Textile Group hadn't treated its workers and management so well, its profits could have increased considerably!"

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "I don't make money by exploiting others, and I believe you wouldn't want me to do that!"

"Mr. Chen is of noble character and integrity."

Chan Kwong-leung changed the subject, saying, "By the way, the Hong Kong government is planning to promote you to a member of the Legislative Council or the Executive Council to recognize your contributions to Hong Kong's textile industry over the years, and also to demonstrate that Hong Kong's textile industry has become one of the pillars of Hong Kong's economy. You should not refuse."

Tong Runfu was not just a technical talent; after all, he had served as an official in the Nanjing government and the general manager of Xinfeng Textile since the 1930s.

His entry into politics was also facilitated by Chen Guangliang.

“Okay, seeing the development of Hong Kong’s textile industry, I am very willing to do work in this area.”

Chan Kwong-leung nodded. He himself did not want to hold public office, but he would encourage his subordinates to do so, which was a manifestation of his influence in Hong Kong.

Associations like the Textile Association, Plastics Association, and Wig Association will likely become his people, because elections are based on contributions, which is how he wins their hearts.

Xinfeng Textile quickly adjusted its personnel, appointing Zhang Fangshuo as general manager, Tong Runfu as chief engineer, and Lin Jianyun as deputy general manager.
Such personnel changes did not cause much of a stir.

Anyone can see that Tong Runfu stepped down as general manager because he had too many public duties, but his appointment as chief engineer fully demonstrates that he is still a core figure in Xinfeng Textile Group.

Chen Guangliang continues to use a 'professional manager' management system for Xinfeng Textile Group, rarely participating in the company's operations himself. In Chen Guangliang's view, whether he participates too much or not will not have any impact, so why make himself so tired!

Hsin Feng Textile Group has been established for twenty years (and even longer if you include the history of the two factories it acquired at the beginning), and has long since formed a management and operation system.

Moreover, with the presence of people like Tong Runfu and Zhang Fangshuo, Xinfeng Textile will not lag behind in technology and management for the next twenty years.

As the boss, Chen Guangliang also played a crucial role – that is, while developing the textile industry, he was already developing the garment industry and further developing branded clothing.

In Hong Kong during the 1950s and 60s, the textile industry was dominant; by the 1970s, the garment industry had become dominant.

This was a change in added value; by the 1980s, branded clothing gradually began to reflect even higher added value.

Chen Guangliang personally planned this overall layout.

Chen Guangliang led Yan Kuan, Lu Yuantai and his group to the intersection of Queen's Road and Pedder Street.

In this area, Cheung Kong Holdings already owns Lane Crawford Tower (formerly Landmark) and The Hong Kong Hotel (formerly China Construction Tower), two properties that are like swords piercing the heart of Landmark.

Of course, Chen Guangliang was still not satisfied. He would not acquire Hongkong Land in the future, but he would make sure that many of Hongkong Land's properties would not belong to them in this life, such as the Jardine House (Kang Lok Building) and Exchange Square in the previous life.

From this point on, Cheung Kong Holdings was essentially Hong Kong's new "land company". Currently, in addition to Lane Crawford Building and Hong Kong Hotel, it also owns the Shangri-La Hotel on Des Voeux Road. All three buildings are prime properties in Central.

"We need to find a way to buy this Asia Building and use it as the new Lane Crawford Building," Chen Guangliang said to his subordinates, looking at the Asia Building on Queen's Road.

Yan Kuan glanced at the dilapidated Asia Building and said, "This Asia Building is a Hong Kong-based energy supply company (formed by the merger of Royal Dutch Shell and Shell Transport & Trading Limited), but it's not particularly keen on investing in real estate. However, if they want to rebuild the building and change the name, that depends on Asia Building's wishes. Let's go talk to them right away!"

Chen Guangliang said, "At this time, Hong Kong is not so attractive to foreign investors, and some things are negotiable. The Asiatic Petroleum Company can still lease this place as office space, but the building will simply be renamed Lane Crawford Building. I believe they will be tempted when they see us waving around large sums of money!"

Everyone laughed!

The boss's passion for property is something that has always amazed them; the assets of Cheung Kong Holdings have long exceeded HK$100 million.

Subsequently.

Chen Guangliang used paper and pen to draw the architecture and design theories of this area!

Yan Kuan glanced at it and said in surprise, "The boss's idea is to build a pedestrian bridge to connect our buildings on both sides of Queen's Road?"

Asia Road is located on the south side of Queen's Road Central; while the Hong Kong Hotel and Lane Crawford Building are on the north side, both adjacent to Pedder Street.

If these three buildings stood alone, they would indeed be very attractive!

Asia Pacific was rebuilt into Lane Crawford Tower, with the lower floors serving as the headquarters of Lane Crawford Department Store and the upper floors as office space. In effect, it is also a 'shopping mall' model.

Lane Crawford Building was rebuilt as 'Cheung Kong Plaza', with two underground floors and three above-ground floors, totaling five floors as the base, on which office buildings were then constructed.

The Hong Kong Hotel was rebuilt as the Poly Plaza.

"The idea of ​​a pedestrian bridge is not feasible right now, as it involves the overall planning of Central. However, I think that as the office buildings in Central get taller and taller in the future, they can be connected by pedestrian bridges."

Everyone couldn't help but admire their boss's long-term vision.

Chen Guangliang took a look and found that the New Lane Crawford Building, Cheung Kong Plaza, and Poly Plaza could not be connected because it was unlikely that they would be allowed to dig an underground tunnel under Queen's Road.

Regardless, if Asia Building is acquired, Cheung Kong Holdings will own three expensive properties in this prime area and four valuable properties in Central. (End of Chapter)