A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

After his trip to Europe, Chen Guangliang arrived in the United States.

He first took his wife Jiang Meiying and son Chen Wenjin to a superyacht to host the Kennedys, in order to help his son Chen Wenjin expand his network in the United States.

Chen Guangliang met Kennedy in the early to mid-1950s. He and Churchill were both frequent guests on the superyacht “British American”.

Of course, Chen Guangliang was quite cautious in his interactions with these politicians, and there weren't many financial dealings between them. However, they could come in handy at crucial moments; for example, Churchill helped with the acquisition of Hong Kong Airlines.

As for his relationship with Kennedy, it has not yet come in any useful form.

"Mr. Chen, how many ships do you have?" Kennedy asked curiously from the deck, enjoying the moment with his legs crossed.

"One million tons," Chen Guangliang said calmly.

Before Kennedy could answer, his wife Jacqueline said, "Oh my god, you must be the world's largest private ship owner, right?"

Chen Guangliang said modestly, "My fleet has many second-hand ships, so it shouldn't count as one."

Nevertheless, it still deeply moved Kennedy and Jacqueline.

In fact, after 1957, the fleet growth of Worldwide Shipping was very slow, mainly due to the purchase of second-hand ships. In addition, the Worldwide Group had hundreds of millions of US dollars in cash flow.

As for when to build ships, Chen Guangliang predicts that next year will be a good time, since shipping has already declined this year and next year will be a shipping freeze.

Kennedy then said, "If the United States and Britain are the first generation of shipping powers, then Greece and Japan are the second generation, and Hong Kong should also be considered a second generation."

Chen Guangliang replied, "Hong Kong should be considered a second and a half generation, half a generation later than Greece."

This is a fact. Currently, among the major shipowners in Hong Kong, the Global Group leads by an absolute advantage, a precipitous lead. Others, such as Tung Chao-yung, Chao Tsung-yan, and Pao Yu-kong, can only be considered small shipowners. This is the situation in the world of shipping.

Kennedy said, "I never imagined that the United States would lose its shipping and shipbuilding industries so quickly!"

The shift in the shipping industry and the complete collapse of the shipbuilding industry have undoubtedly disappointed some politicians.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "Take the Liberty ship as an example. American crew members think the conditions on board are terrible, but our Hong Kong seamen think it's paradise with complete facilities. This is a kind of industrial transfer and also a manifestation of the upgrading of American industries."

The conversation covered a wide range of topics, and at one point Kennedy asked Chen Wenjin, "George, what kind of work do you do in the United States?"

When Chen Guangliang brought his son to see him this time, Kennedy understood the deeper meaning behind it.

This cunning Chinese man, aiming to build a global family business, clearly has grand ambitions. Of course, he continues to associate with Chen Guangliang, because he can learn about things in the Far East from Chen.

"They've started a real estate company and are developing a shopping mall in San Francisco, California!"

"That's amazing! You must only be in your early twenties, yet you can already do things independently."

"I'm 24 years old. I graduated from college three years ago, from Harvard."

"Then we're alumni."

Everything was going smoothly, and Kennedy became even more enthusiastic when he heard that Chen Wenjin had found a California congressman's daughter as his girlfriend.

This fully demonstrates that Chen Wenjin is developing his business locally.

Two days later, Chen Guangliang and Yan Renmei arrived in San Francisco to inspect the Amazon shopping center that Chen Wenjin was building.

“Father, this site covers a total area of ​​59000 square meters. We plan to develop a shopping center that integrates shopping, dining, and culture. In addition, we also plan to develop residential apartments in the surrounding area to make full use of the land resources,” Chen Wenjin explained earnestly.

This is a relatively open piece of land; if it were in Hong Kong, Chen Guangliang would definitely consider it too remote.

But this is the United States, and shopping malls are generally not located in the city center.

Because shopping malls themselves have a 'cluster effect', and secondly, the proportion of American households owning cars is very high.

"How many people live in this area? How large an area do you think this project can reach?"

Chen Wenjin gave a detailed work report, hoping to gain her father's approval.

In 1956, the first true shopping center in the United States, Southvale Shopping Center, opened, marking the beginning of the history of shopping centers in the United States.

In 1957, Chen Wenjin established a real estate company and raised funds to build the Amazon Shopping Center.

Currently, Chen Wenjin owns 60% of the project, while the remaining 40% is controlled by both Chen Guangliang and Chen Wenjin's connections.

It wasn't that Chen Wenjin couldn't get enough financial support, but rather that he needed to expand his network in the United States through this method.

"It's geared towards the entire city of San Francisco. We're building the largest and most advanced shopping mall in San Francisco, a landmark building model."

Chen Guangliang said with satisfaction, "Good lad, you've got ambition!"

Chen Guangliang also participated in the design of the first Amazon shopping mall, with the main design firm being a well-known American design company.

It was expected to open in 1961. During this period, Chen Wenjin mainly worked on this one real estate project because only the success of this project would demonstrate his sufficient experience.

Next, Chen Wenjin can make great strides in commercial real estate.

Of course, Chen Wenjin is also involved in securities and venture capital; in short, he has quite a lot to do.

After the inspection, Chen Guangliang did not meet with Chen Wenjin's partner. He left his son in the United States to train him.

He can come up with ideas!
He can provide the funds!
A person simply cannot be themselves. Coming to investigate is merely to check on the progress.

If you fail, you get paid to try again.

Of course, in the real estate sector, it would be difficult for Chen Wenjin not to succeed!
There are many shopping malls under construction in the United States now, and the Shopping Center Association was even established last year.

However, only the Amazon shopping mall that Chen Wenjin is building is truly a brand and a chain.

Back at the villa in San Francisco, Chen Leyi, Chen Guangliang's daughter, also took leave from university to reunite with him. As soon as they met, she took Chen Guangliang's arm.

"Dad, I miss you!"

Chen Guangliang's heart melted instantly. For a long time, Chen Leyi was his only daughter, the apple of the family's eye.

Now, this precious child is 20 years old. She has inherited her parents' looks and is very pure and beautiful.

"Alright, alright, how old are you? Still trying to act cute!"

"No matter how old I am, I'm still your daughter, aren't I?"

"Yes Yes"

It's a happy thing for the whole family of four to be gathered here.

In Jiang Meiying's family, the eldest son Chen Wenjin is 24 years old, the eldest daughter Chen Leyi is 20 years old, the second son Chen Wenhua is 16 years old, and the youngest son Chen Wenhai is only 6 years old.

Currently, Chen Wenjin is the one who has established a business in the United States.

After sitting down, Chen Guangliang asked, "Leyi, you still have two years until graduation. Do you have any plans?"

She majored in financial management at a prestigious university, so finding a job wouldn't be difficult. Of course, Chen Guangliang hoped she would join the family business. "Of course I'll join my mother's business and help her manage the finances!"

Jiang Meiying owns an investment company with assets of nearly US$6000 million, and its investment projects include real estate and securities.

"Okay, I think you should start your internship this summer!"

Chen Leyi said, "Okay."

She had no other thoughts in mind; she just wanted to help her mother share the burden.

Chen Wenjin joined Jiang Meiying's investment company four years ago, but has always done so on a 'part-time' basis.

Chen Guangliang had said that since the daughters of Jiang Meiying's family also had a share of the family property, it was impossible for him to mistreat Chen Leyi.

Time flies, and it was autumn of 1958 in the blink of an eye.

Hong Kong's property market has stopped falling and is even showing signs of recovery.

This decline was simply due to oversupply, and after nearly a year of digestion, the market has recovered. Moreover, Hong Kong's rapid economic growth will inevitably boost the property market.

In the second round of price drops, land prices fell by as much as 70%, but this only affected a small portion of the land, such as properties where the original owners were bankrupt or on the verge of collapse, making it a bargain.

Cheung Kong Holdings undoubtedly succeeded in securing a bargain, acquiring land for 10 buildings during this period, a massive project capable of constructing over 2000 residential units.

meeting room.

Chan Kwong-leung said, “From 1959 to 1961, Cheung Kong Holdings planned to sell 3000 residential units, which is equivalent to selling 1000 units per year. Moreover, we cannot use the tenement buildings we have, after all, they have only been built for more than ten years! We also cannot use those large plots of land, which are reserved for future large-scale projects. Therefore, the necessary real estate raw materials can only be purchased from outside.”

Cheung Kong Holdings owns more than 1000 tenement buildings, many of which are located in the same area and can be rebuilt at any time in the future.

Cheung Kong Holdings owns large tracts of land, such as Songcheng (formerly Yueyuan) in North Point and the Times Square filming location in Kowloon Bay.

Of course, in addition to the original production base of Times Cinema in North Point's Yuen Ming Hill, and Vitasoy's factory in North Point, these Chan's enterprises also have a large amount of land reserves.

Lu Xiaoqing, head of the real estate department, said, "The Hong Kong government intends to widen the roads in Sai Wan, and Ping An Bank's warehouses there will inevitably have to be demolished. I suggest purchasing Ping An Bank's warehouses there and building residential buildings. At the same time, we will sell while also purchasing land reserves."

Ping An Bank is, after all, a bank, and it's not suitable for it to directly engage in real estate.

In addition, the ratio of land cost to construction cost at this time is 2:1, which is not suitable for cooperation.

Buying and selling territory is the fairest thing for Ping An Bank.

“Alright, since Xihuan needs to develop, we can’t let it be a hindrance. Let Ping An Bank sell its warehouses.”

Next, Chen Wenjie reported on the progress of the Baide New Street project and the Yangtze River Plaza project.

Cheung Kong Holdings has started many projects, including a 17-story building on the wing of the Miramar Hotel, and another building to be built in the 60s.

Overall, during this phase, CK Asset Holdings' strategy was to "fight to support the fight," that is, to use the money earned from developing real estate (mainly sales) to invest in commercial real estate (hotels, office buildings, shopping malls, and properties for leasing).

At the same time, CK Asset Holdings also needs to maintain a sufficient land reserve.

Following the meeting, Cheung Kong Holdings immediately began preparations to commence construction on its residential projects.

Victoria Harbour Plastics.

Li Jiacheng was in his office, calculating the finances.

They started making plastic flowers in 1955, the same year they encountered their 'biggest crisis,' but were able to turn things around thanks to a loan from Ping An Bank.

1955年，盈利20万；1956年，盈利50万；1957年，盈利80万；而今年才过去9个多月，就已经盈利80万。

Although he has already become a company with annual profits of nearly one million, Li Jiacheng still feels that the plastic flower industry will not last long, so he wants to enter the real estate industry.

However, with only one or two million in funds, his strength was still too weak.

"Buying an industrial plot of land should be enough. As for the construction costs, I can pay in installments. It shouldn't be a problem!"

After careful consideration, Li Jiacheng made this decision.

Although Li Jiacheng made a very wise decision, he is now limited by the limited funds that Victoria Harbour Plastics can provide, and is destined to never achieve the success he had in his previous life.

According to Li Jiacheng's plan, it will take him at least three years to build an industrial building. More importantly, the plastic flower industry may decline in three years.

Even if he wanted to buy at the bottom in 1967, there wouldn't be much funding available.

Chen Guangliang had foreseen all of this, which is why he did the right thing and helped Li Jiacheng.

On this day, Chen Guangliang summoned his nephew Chen Wenbo, who was overseas.

His nephew was born in 1935 and is 23 years old this year. After graduating from university last year, he studied at major shipyards and shipping companies in Europe and America.

Although his nephew was not as intelligent as Chen Guangliang's children, he was hardworking and steady, and also graduated from the prestigious Imperial College London.

Therefore, Chen Guangliang would naturally train them personally.

In the office, the brothers Chen Guangliang and Chen Guangcong, and the cousins ​​Chen Wenming and Chen Wenbo sat together.

"Wenbo, tell me, what's the situation like at ports in Europe and America?"

Upon receiving the assignment, Chen Wenbo naturally conducted an investigation. He immediately stated, "More and more ships are being moored, and many of them are quite old. This is firstly because shipping is currently in a downturn, and secondly because these ships have reached the age of being phased out."

"What about the price?"

Chen Wenbo then said, "The price is very favorable. A boat costs 6 US dollars, and a loan of 4 US dollars is allowed. It's practically a freebie. I think some boats, after maintenance and repair, can still be used for a while."

Chen Guangliang nodded. This nephew had done a thorough investigation; he wasn't a complete idiot.

Doing things diligently is enough.

Later, Chen Guangliang said, "Then I'll give you a task: go to major ports in Europe and America and buy these ships. Remember, only buy the cheap ones. After you bring them back, we'll repair and maintain the usable ones, and then we can sell them to others or use them ourselves; the unusable ones will be dismantled in Tseung Kwan O to develop the shipbreaking industry. In this wave, not only are these merchant ships reaching the end of their service life, but even the aircraft carriers of Europe and America are due for dismantling. Hong Kong can develop a shipbreaking industry."

Although shipbreaking pollutes the environment, Britain at that time was still entrenched in polluting heavy industry, so Hong Kong naturally had no time to discuss environmental protection. The immediate priority was economic development.

As for the pollution it caused, it disappeared within a few years, after all, the ocean is very large.

Chen Wenbo immediately felt valued, especially by his uncle, and said, "Uncle, I promise to do this well."

Chen Guangliang said, "There are no weaklings in our Chen family. Do your job well!"

"Yes, Uncle."

After making arrangements for his nephew, Chen Guangliang felt relieved.

Today, the Global Group has his younger brother Chen Guangcong, his third son Chen Wenming, and his nephew Chen Wenbo, making it a powerful and well-organized family.

Although the Global Group had accumulated a large amount of cash at this time (mainly from the period of the Suez Canal closure), it also planned to build new and larger ships starting next year, so it had no worries about finding outlets for its funds. (End of Chapter)