A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Kwun Tong, Midea Electrical Appliances Building.

Representatives from a Japanese transistor company visited the headquarters of Midea Electric Appliances.

“Mr. Tao, according to the regulations of the Japanese government, starting from January 1st next year, Japanese companies will no longer supply transistors to Hong Kong. Therefore, we only have four months left to supply them.”

Tao Yun was surprised and quickly asked, "What's the reason for this? Is it reasonable to turn away customers and refuse business?"

However, he was surprised that his boss's judgment was so accurate; he really was a prophet.

A representative from a Japanese company stated, "The Japanese government made this decision in light of the significant influence of Hong Kong's radio industry on its own companies. While we would very much like to continue providing these services, this is a national decision, so we apologize!"

Tao Yun feigned regret and said, "That's a real problem!"

Although the Japanese company representatives verbally apologized, they were actually in a very good mood, since they not only produced transistors but also radios.

At first, they didn't take Hong Kong radios seriously, but they soon discovered that Hong Kong radio exports were growing too fast, exceeding 100 million units last year.

After the Japanese company left, Tao Yun cursed at the door, "Damn Japanese devils, luckily we were prepared, otherwise we would have been caught off guard."

If they were to order transistors from the UK or the US, the cost would inevitably increase significantly; and price is, in itself, an advantage for Hong Kong radio manufacturers.

Hong Kong companies have an absolute advantage in producing plastic radio casings and radio cases, but they cannot produce transistors.

However, with Midea Electric acting as an 'advisor,' Fairchild Semiconductor has now opened a factory in Hong Kong, which will thwart Japan's conspiracy.

Later, Tao Yun visited an industrial plant in Kwun Tong and met with Kross, the head of Fairchild Semiconductor in Hong Kong.

"Mr. Cross, when can you produce transistors?"

Kross was naturally very familiar with Tao Yun.

When Fairchild Semiconductor opened a factory in Hong Kong, Midea Electric Appliances provided a lot of assistance in the early stages, and it was even Midea Electric Appliances that "introduced" the company to Hong Kong.

"Three months is enough. We've already started installing the equipment and training the workers. Honestly, the workers in Hong Kong are really good!"

"Haha, of course!"

Upon learning that production would begin in three months, Tao Yun smiled.

This Fairchild Semiconductor factory has only a few American managers, but it recruits thousands of workers and operates on a three-shift system.

In terms of salary, it's around HKD 120-180, which is quite good.

In mid-September, Zhuang Yuanzhen gave birth to a daughter at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital.

The third generation of the Chen family has increased to three members: Lin Wenjie and Zhuang Yuanzhen have a son and a daughter, and Chen Wenjin and Kelly have a son.

In fact, the third generation of the Chen family are all products of late marriage and late childbirth. Even the most stable Lin Wenjie had a son at the age of 25, while Chen Wenjin had her first son at the age of 27.

Shortly after Zhuang Yuanzhen returned home from the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital with her daughter, Chen Guangliang convened a reunion of the first branch of the family.

Yan Renmei, the eldest daughter-in-law, gave birth to four sons and one daughter. Her youngest daughter is only 9 years old this year, which is 6 years older than Chen Guangliang's eldest grandson.

During the banquet.

Yan Renmei suddenly said to her second son, Chen Wenming, "There's a gathering at the Shangri-La Hotel the day after tomorrow, so dress formally!"

Chen Wenming is 26 years old this year and is still unmarried.

He knew what his mother meant, and said somewhat reluctantly, "Mom, I have a girlfriend!"

Yan Renmei said bluntly, "Your father and I don't approve of your girlfriend. It's not because her family is poor, but because she didn't go to university and her job isn't very good!"

Chen Wenming has been dating this girlfriend for almost a year. I don't even know how many girlfriends he's had. Anyway, this guy has never been idle since college.

Hearing his mother directly interfere, Chen Wenming, who was used to being free in this regard, angrily said, "Mom, didn't you also not go to university?"

The room fell silent after these words were spoken.

Chen Wenjie was even more eager to grab his younger brother's arm.

"You bastard! I think I've given you too much freedom, which is why you're acting so disrespectful today. Fine, I'm a very democratic person too. You can choose to maintain the status quo, but you have to leave Global Group immediately; or apologize to your mother right now and obey her orders!" Chen Guangliang put down his chopsticks and said with a livid face.

As you can see, Chen Wenming has gotten himself into a huge mess today!

His departure from the Global Group means that Chen Wenming is no longer the 'successor'.

Yan Renmei was also somewhat surprised, looking at her second son with a frosty expression, resentful that he had provoked Chen Guangliang to become truly angry. In fact, although she herself was angry, at most she would scold her son and apply some pressure.

But the husband's anger was clearly genuine. It could be said that the husband didn't lack sons, but if this second son dared to take a step forward today, then everything would be over.

Thinking of this, Yan Renmei became anxious again, and tears streamed down her face.

Suddenly, the Chen family was embroiled in a major family conflict.

Chen Wenming's face was flushed. He knew he had made a big mistake. Actually, it wasn't that he couldn't bear to part with his current girlfriend; he was simply somewhat resistant to the marriage arranged by his family.

Seeing his mother, Yan Renmei, in tears, he quickly took out a napkin and ran over to comfort her.

"Mom, I was wrong. I'll go to the hotel the day after tomorrow!"

Perhaps what he feared most was not his mother's tears, but he was certainly most afraid of his father's true anger, which was ruthless!

That night.

Yan Renmei approached Chen Guangliang with concern and asked, "Brother Liang, are you really letting Wenming not go to work?"

It turns out that although Chen Wenming eventually gave in, Chen Guangliang still told him to "take a good rest" and did not allow him to go to the Global Group.

This is a deterrent!
Chen Guangliang leaned against the bed and said, "The choice is in his hands! He can either listen to his family and get married as soon as possible, or he can leave the Global Group. Of course, if he really leaves the Global Group, we can give him the capital to make his own way in the world."

Yan Renmei hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing.

She had always thought she was a strict mother, but today she realized that when her husband was strict, that was true strictness.

Chen Guangliang then took Yan Renmei's hand and said, "Alright, don't worry about it. I believe he'll make the right choice!" "Mm."

Des Voeux Road Central, Universal Group.

Chen Guangcong walked into the chairman's office and reported, "Brother, we have a 10-ton oil tanker launched this month!"

Chen Guangliang looked up and said, "If you have time, go to the launching ceremony. If you don't have time, arrange for Wenbo to go."

Global Group started building 10-ton oil tankers in 1959 and has now built 12 large oil tankers with a total capacity of 120 million tons. As of now, 7 of them have been launched, making it a super enterprise in the world's oil tanker industry and providing high-quality services to major oil companies and transportation companies around the world.

In Europe and America, Worldwide Shipping mainly collaborates with large oil companies, while in Japan, it charters oil tankers to large transportation companies.

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangcong tentatively asked, "Brother, Wenming has reflected on his actions for a while now. Why don't we let him come back to work? Compared to Wenbo, Wenming's work better reflects the spirit of the Global Group—steady yet focused on development, and development without forgetting stability."

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "It's only been a short time. It would be strange if he could reflect on his mistakes. Besides, I actually admire Wenbo's steadiness. After all, with me here, the company has no worries about development."

“But Wenming is better at everything! In the end, the problem lies in his views on life and marriage. As for his work ability, he has inherited several of your skills, brother.” Chen Guangcong continued to persuade him.

He has always admired his nephew more than his son, which is a fair view.

Although his son Chen Wenbo has a steady personality, he still lacks leadership qualities in his work.

Chen Guangliang said, "Alright, no need to persuade him anymore. This is his problem, not mine!"

thereafter.

Chen Guangliang changed the subject, saying, "Currently, we no longer need to develop bulk carriers; we should focus on developing tankers. In addition, we want to enter the container shipping sector. You should set up a team as soon as possible to convert free-floating vessels into container ships. Finally, we still need to continue to push forward with the Hong Kong container terminal project."

Chen Guangcong nodded and said, "The Hong Kong government is considering political factors regarding the Hong Kong container terminal, so it's unlikely they'll easily grant us the land. However, I've already joined forces with three European shipping companies, plus HSBC, to form a joint venture to lobby the Hong Kong government to grant us the container terminal. Although we only hold a partial stake, once we enter this industry, we'll have the opportunity to develop other container terminals in the future."

At that time, Hong Kong was a colonial government, and in many key areas, even if Chen Guangliang wanted to monopolize the profits, he couldn't.

Hong Kong's docks have always been in British hands, so if Chen Guangliang wants to enter this industry, it will naturally involve many issues.

On the other hand, container terminals are a new concept, so it's understandable that the Hong Kong government is treating them with caution.

"There are certainly plenty of opportunities, but those who enter the market first gain the initiative!"

"Yes, big brother."

The Global Group's bulk carriers already reach 80 tons, which is the lowest-barrier-to-entry transportation mode in the shipping industry, and also the ship with the highest proportion of merchant ships in the world.

Although tankers account for a small percentage of the business, the company is in a period of rapid growth, so Global Group has focused on developing tankers, and the same applies to container ships.

Currently, including ships under construction, Global Shipping has a deadweight tonnage of nearly 300 million tons, making it a super-dominant player in the global shipping industry.

Japanese companies finally managed to persuade the Japanese government to ban the export of transistors to Hong Kong, only to find that—before the ban even took effect—Hong Kong radio manufacturers were abandoning Japanese transistors. The reason was that American semiconductor companies had opened branch factories in Hong Kong.

"What? An annual production of over 1 million units, enough not only to supply the US market but also to sell some in Asia?"

Upon learning this news, Akio Morita of Sony was surprised.

The subordinate nodded and said, "Yes. Fairchild Semiconductor in the United States sent several managers and recruited thousands of Hong Kong workers. They produced wafers in the United States and carried out packaging, assembly and testing in Hong Kong. The efficiency was very high, which not only enabled Hong Kong radio manufacturers to obtain transistors, but also helped the American transistor industry to recover some of its decline."

Although the transistor was invented by Americans, Japan is now reaping the biggest profits because the United States' production costs are too high to compete with Japan.

Akio Morita stood up and said, "Weren't these Americans still thinking of building factories in Japan? How come they've moved to Hong Kong so quickly? You know, in the eyes of the Americans, Hong Kong is just a hub for counterfeit factories."

The absolute advantage that had been painstakingly established was unexpectedly turned around by the United States and Hong Kong.

Fairchild Semiconductor's establishment of a factory in Hong Kong has benefited not only the US semiconductor industry, but also Hong Kong radio manufacturers and even the electronics industry.

"It is said that Midea Electric Appliances in Hong Kong took the initiative to invite Fairchild Semiconductor to set up a branch factory in Hong Kong!"

Akio Morita exclaimed, "I see!"

He greatly admired Chen Guangliang, a Chinese man known as the "God of Management," who was familiar to Japanese business leaders.

Japan and Hong Kong are in great competition in industry.

After all, Japan's textile and toy industries are also very important sectors.

On the other hand, Chen Guangliang built ships in Japan and then leased them to the Japanese.

With Fairchild Semiconductor's factory in Hong Kong now in operation, many American electronics companies are considering setting up factories in Hong Kong.

For a time, Hong Kong's electronics industry ushered in new development opportunities.

Moreover, Fairchild Semiconductor is a very large company that can create 3000 jobs at once because it operates on a three-shift system with 1000 people per shift, which is very beneficial to Hong Kong.

On the other hand, Fairchild Semiconductor is also essentially training high-quality electronics factory workers for Hong Kong, which is very beneficial to the development of Hong Kong's electronics industry.

Fairchild Semiconductor's factory is located in the Midea Electrical Appliances Industrial Building in Kwun Tong. Chen Guangliang also went to inspect it that day and was deeply impressed.

It was a good decision to bring in Fairchild Semiconductor ahead of schedule.

However, he is more concerned about the development of Hong Kong's own electronics industry.

In the radio production workshop of Midea Electric Appliances, Tao Yun explained: "Currently, the cost of radios in Hong Kong is much lower than that in Japan. We can produce radio casings, buttons, radio cabinets, chassis, and so on in Hong Kong; and now even transistors are produced locally, making us even more cost-effective."

The transistor radio was invented by Americans, but it was popularized by the Japanese, and Hong Kong also took advantage of the situation to get a share of the profits.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "Hong Kong's electronics industry originated from radios. I believe Hong Kong will have even better development in the future."

He finally held back and said that Midea should set up a research and development department to study things like magnetic tapes and tape recorders.

Ultimately, radios in Hong Kong at that time were mainly assembled, lacking advanced technology; more importantly, the profits were not high.

Even with significant investment in research and development, we might not be able to compete with Japan. There are also disadvantages in terms of talent and supply chain.

Of course, the Walkman still needs to be developed when the time is right; it will be seventeen or eighteen years before it appeared in my previous life! (End of Chapter)