A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

The year was 1966.

In January, Tokyo Bay was still shrouded in a biting cold wind, but the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard was bustling with activity. Chen Guangliang stood by the dock, gazing at the colossal structure being built in the distant dry dock—the "Idemitsu Maru," a 200,000-ton VLCC being rushed to completion by the Japanese shipyard and scheduled to be launched this December. At this moment, the massive keel had emerged from the water like the skeleton of a giant whale, and welders were creating streaks of sparks on the high scaffolding.

"The president said that the keel of this ship used a full 8000 tons of special steel." The translator's voice was filled with amazement, and the folder in his hand was filled with densely packed technical parameters.

Chen Guangliang traced an arc on the blueprint with his fingertip: "Tell President Watanabe of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that the ship I want should be built to the standards of the 'Idemitsu Maru,' and that further improvements should be made to its fuel efficiency."

Behind him, Chen Guangcong couldn't help but tug at his sleeve. This younger brother, who was in charge of the daily operations of Global Shipping, still had the fleet data he had just compiled in his suit pocket: "Brother, we now have a total capacity of 5 million tons, of which 4 million tons are oil tankers. If we build another 15 200,000-ton VLCCs, that'll add 3 million tons... The entire Hong Kong merchant fleet combined is just over 10 million tons. Isn't that too risky?" Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by the coffee cup that Chen Guangliang handed him.

In the negotiation room, a wool mat covered the tatami mats. President Watanabe's finger traced the ship's structural diagram: "Mr. Chen, the 200,000-ton VLCC technology is still in the verification stage. The 'Idemitsu Maru' won't be launched for sea trials until the end of the year. But we are confident that the cost of each ship will be at least $25 million, with special steel alone accounting for 30% of the cost." The chief engineer behind him added, "Sumitomo Metal's nickel-chromium steel production capacity is limited. To guarantee the supply for 15 ships, we need to book six months' worth of their production in advance."

Chen Guangliang picked up the matcha bowl, the steam condensing into mist on his glasses: "I'll handle the steel issue, and besides, your shipyard alone can't handle our orders. However, I have an additional requirement regarding the ship design." He took out a hand-drawn blueprint from his briefcase and pushed it in front of the Japanese team: "Install a large-capacity boiler in the chimney, and use the exhaust gas temperature to drive power generation."

The chief engineer took the blueprints, his brows furrowing slightly. "Mr. Chen, the exhaust gas from the chimney reaches a temperature of 400 degrees Celsius. It does contain energy, but it is extremely corrosive. The boiler pipes must withstand the dual erosion of high-temperature flue gas and seawater salt. The current heat-resistant steel can only last for a maximum of six months."

"This is exactly the problem I need to solve." Chen Guangliang opened his notebook, which contained samples of Sumitomo Metal's new alloy. "Sumitomo has just developed a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy with a maximum temperature resistance of 550 degrees Celsius and three times the corrosion resistance of ordinary steel. Using this material for boiler pipes can extend their lifespan by at least five years." He pointed to the steam circulation system on the blueprints. "The exhaust gas heats the boiler to produce steam, which drives the generator to supply electricity. This can cover the oil pumps, water pumps, and domestic electricity needs during navigation. According to calculations, each ship can save 2.5 tons of diesel fuel per day."

President Watanabe counted on his fingers: "A 20-ton VLCC consumes an average of 28 tons of fuel per day, which means 900 tons of diesel can be saved every year... Fuel prices aren't that high right now, so why is Mr. Chen so concerned about this?"

"Haha, I'm quite frugal!"

Chen Guangcong added from the side, "As the boss of Global Group, even if his subordinates waste a single blank sheet of paper, he will consider it unacceptable."

The people in the conference room were immediately filled with admiration.

The chief engineer was still hesitant: "Modifying the chimney would change the ship's center of gravity, and the stability test would have to be redone, adding at least two months to the construction period."

"I hope to start launching them gradually in the first half of next year, and have them all launched before December. Of course, I won't have them built in your shipyard alone, since Japanese shipbuilding technology is mainly led by the government," Chen Guangliang said firmly. "We urgently need more shipping capacity."

These words caused the Japanese representatives to exchange glances. President Watanabe finally made the decision: "We accept this renovation, but we will send an engineer to Sumitomo Metal to supervise the project on-site."

As he stepped out of the negotiation room, Chen Guangcong finally couldn't help but say, "Brother, 3 million tons of shipping capacity is equivalent to 30% of Hong Kong's merchant fleet. Even if oil demand rises again, it can't absorb that much." The sea breeze ruffled his hair, and in the distance, a gantry crane was hoisting steel plates, emitting a dull thud.

Chen Guangliang gazed at the sea horizon, where the silhouettes of oil tankers entering and leaving the port could be vaguely seen: "What if the Suez Canal suddenly closes?"

Chen Guangcong was stunned. This golden waterway connecting Eurasia was currently navigable without obstruction, with nearly ten thousand ships passing through it every year. "Impossible, right? The widening project was just completed last year..."

“Nothing is impossible.” Chen Guangliang pulled out a piece of intelligence from his briefcase. It was a secret telegram from the Cairo office of Global Shipping. “The conflict between the Nasser government and Israel has reached a critical point. Once war breaks out, the canal will definitely be blocked. At that time, oil tankers from the Persian Gulf to Europe will have to go around the Cape of Good Hope 6000 nautical miles, and the freight will increase by at least three times. Moreover, this time it may not be just a one-year closure.”

Chen Guangcong's fingers clenched tightly around his briefcase. He suddenly understood that what his elder brother wanted wasn't simply an expansion of shipping capacity, but a high-stakes gamble on the future of shipping. Fifteen VLCCs might seem enormous, but if the canal closed, these giant ships would become key pieces in opening up global oil shipping routes.

"But... is this news reliable?" He was still somewhat hesitant.

“It’s only been ten years since the Suez Crisis of 1956.” Chen Guangliang patted his younger brother on the shoulder. “History always repeats itself, just in a different way. What we need to do is to be in the right position before it happens again.” He looked towards the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard, where workers were welding steel plates onto the frame of the “Idemitsu Maru,” sparks flying like scattered stars in the cold air.

The following week, Chen Guangliang visited Sumitomo Metal and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries without stopping. At a dinner in Kobe Port, he reached an agreement with the president of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, agreeing to have them share the construction of five VLCCs to ensure on-time delivery. As he signed the contract, Tokyo newspapers had already begun reporting on "the crazy plan of the Chinese shipping magnate."

When the news reached Hong Kong, Tung Chao-yung was inspecting shipyards on Tsing Yi Island. The founder of Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) nearly dropped his coffee cup as he looked at the newspaper headline "300 Million Tons of Capacity." "Our 15-ton oil tanker blueprints have just been approved..." he muttered to himself, then suddenly grabbed the phone. "Send an urgent telegram to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and ask if we can expedite the construction of our 20-ton VLCC!"

The secretary quickly brought back a reply: "The Japanese side said that Worldwide Shipping has already booked the dock schedule for 1967, and the ship will not be launched until 1968."

Dong Haoyun gazed out the window at Victoria Harbour, where his prized "Queen Elizabeth," a converted oil tanker, was moored. The 10-ton vessel, once considered a leader in its class, suddenly seemed insignificant in the shadow of the 20-ton VLCC. He recalled his meeting with Chen Guangliang three years prior at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Chen had remarked that "the future of shipping lies in giant ships"—a statement that proved to be more than just casual talk.

After the signing ceremony with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Chen Guangliang did not immediately return to Hong Kong. In a Japanese-style villa on the shores of Tokyo Bay, the charcoal fire in the fireplace burned brightly. Si Yezi, dressed in a moon-white furisode kimono with a crimson sash around her waist, knelt on the tatami mat to pour him tea. Twelve-year-old Chen Wenying and ten-year-old Chen Wensheng knelt side by side, holding thread-bound copies of the Analects of Confucius in their hands, their noses still stained with traces of ink.

“‘A gentleman focuses on the fundamentals; when the fundamentals are established, the way will naturally arise.’ This saying means that one must grasp the essentials when doing things.” Chen Wenying recited aloud, his eyes occasionally glancing at his father, with the nervousness and anticipation unique to a young man.

Chen Guangliang tapped the table with his fingertips, signaling him to continue.

“For example, in business, my father often said that reputation is fundamental, just like this teacup,” Chen Wenying pointed to the celadon cup, “If the bottom of the cup leaks, no matter how exquisite the pattern is, it’s useless.”

"Well said." Chen Guangliang rarely smiled, and turned his gaze to his youngest son. "Wensheng, in your article 'On the Differences and Similarities between Chinese and Japanese Tea Ceremony' written the other day, you said, 'Harmony, respect, tranquility, and the Doctrine of the Mean are originally of the same lineage.' Who taught you that?" Chen Wensheng blushed, clutching the hem of his clothes, and whispered, "It was when Mother took us to Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto that the abbot said it. I thought it was very similar to the Doctrine of the Mean that you taught me, so I memorized it."

Chen Guangliang patted his two sons' heads, his palms touching their short, prickly hair, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. These children are scattered all over the world, but under their mothers' guidance, they are all learning Chinese language and culture.

“Your Chinese language skills have improved rapidly, but you must not be complacent.”

"Yes!" the two children answered in unison, straightening their backs even more.

Receiving praise from their father was more exciting for them than winning any award at school.

Later, the children went off to play on their own, and Si Yezi brewed another pot of matcha.

Her kneeling posture grew even more respectful, the collar of her kimono slipping slightly to reveal her jade-like neck. "My husband is staying in Japan for three days longer this time than last year," she said softly, her eyelashes casting dappled shadows in the firelight of the fireplace.

Looking at the fine snow falling outside the window, Chen Guangliang suddenly asked, "Si Yezi, do you want to really do some business?" He knew that her investment company was no longer just a simple financial management firm—three office buildings in Tokyo's Ginza district, early shares in Toyota and Sony—these investments had increased her wealth nearly tenfold, now exceeding thirty-five million US dollars.

Si Yezi shook her head, crawled half a step closer to him, and said in a dependent voice, "Husband, I don't think I'm suited for business. My greatest wish is to quietly raise your two children." She suddenly looked up, her eyes shining with a timid light, "If you're willing, I'd like to have another child for you, and I hope it's a daughter."

Chen Guangliang was taken aback, then realized what was going on. The first, second, and third wives each had a daughter, and Si Yezi must have noticed and remembered them.

"You're seeing them because they all have daughters?"

"Yes." Si Yezi's cheeks flushed, her fingers twisting the kimono sash. "Wenying and Wensheng are both grown up now, and I always feel that the house is missing some of the laughter of young women."

Chen Guangliang recalled his family's genealogy. The second generation already had 14 children, and the third generation had added 8 more, which was indeed quite prosperous.

But seeing the expectant look in Si Yezi's eyes, he finally softened: "Okay, let's have one last one. Whether it's a boy or a girl is up to fate, there's no need to force it."

Si Yezi suddenly looked up, her eyes instantly filling with tears, and kowtowed heavily: "Thank you, my husband!" The hem of her kimono spread out on the tatami mat, like a white flower in bloom.

The charcoal in the heater crackled as Chen Guangliang flipped through the investment reports she handed him.

Toyota's stock has soared, Sony's portable radios have just become a sensation in Europe and America, and Panasonic has tripled its black-and-white television production line. "When the Japanese government intervened to stabilize the market last year, did you take the opportunity to increase your holdings in Honda, Sony, and other stocks?"

He pointed to a transaction record on the report.

“It was my husband who said that the downturn of high-quality companies is the perfect time to enter the market,” Si Yezi said softly. “Back then, bank loan interest rates were only a little over 0.5%, so why not take advantage of it?”

“Hmm, very good. Now we can continue to increase our holdings.” Chen Guangliang circled a few names on the report. “Go to the bank and borrow another three million US dollars to continue buying stocks in these companies. Japan’s manufacturing industry is on the rise, and this wave will last for at least seven years.”

What he didn't say was that the 1973 oil crisis would bring all of this to an abrupt end, but there was no need for her to know that at the moment.

Si Yezi replied without hesitation, "I'll get on it as soon as possible."

To her, her husband's words were always golden rules.

“After Wenying University graduates, I will arrange a career for him,” Chen Guangliang suddenly said.

Si Yezi's eyes lit up. She knew that Chen Wenjin, the eldest son of the second wife, was doing very well in the real estate business in the United States, and she couldn't help but compare them. "Really? I will definitely do my best to cultivate his learning and his principles of being a good person."

“Of course it’s true.” Chen Guangliang smiled. “He is my son, and I will support him as long as I am able to.”

During dinner, the children excitedly talked about naming their future siblings. Chen Wenying suggested "Chen Wenying," as beautiful as the cherry blossoms in Tokyo; Chen Wensheng, however, insisted on "Chen Wenlan," saying that orchids embodied the spirit of Chinese civilization. Si Yezi listened with a smile, occasionally placing a piece of cod sashimi on Chen Guangliang's plate.

After finishing their meal, Chen Guangliang put his arm around Si Yezi and went upstairs without any hesitation.

The housekeeper, Xue Nai, immediately arranged the remaining matters. She was Si Yezi's cousin, 33 years old and still unmarried, with a rather voluptuous appearance. In this family, she was practically the mistress of the house, and the children all called her 'Aunt Xue Nai'. (End of Chapter)