A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 218 Prepare for a rainy day
Back to the table.

"Have you ordered all the dishes?"

Yan Renmei handed over the menu and said, "Why don't you take another look?"

After checking the menu with the waiter, Chen Guangliang ordered three more dishes before returning the menu.

Yan Renyun took the opportunity to ask curiously, "Brother-in-law, when you and my sister got married, it was also held here, right?"

Chen Guangliang said kindly: "Of course, it's in this hall."

His wedding has been scheduled for July 7 (Saturday), and a "preparatory team" has been formed, including General Manager Yu Qiaqing, Fang Jiaobo, and Master of Ceremonies Zhang Yuanji.

By then, Shanghai's celebrities and nobles will gather, and there will probably be thousands of people attending the banquet.

Yan Renyun said instinctively: "If my sister gets married, I won't have anyone to confide in at home."

What I mean is, you can't go and live with your sister in the Chen family.

Yan Renmei did not blame her sister. Instead, she held her hand to comfort her.

Their mother, Yan Zhiduo's first wife and the granddaughter of the Nanxun Liu family, Liu Chengyi, died when Yan Renmei was only six years old. On the other hand, Liu Chengyi himself was quite feudal and did not like his two daughters.

So the relationship between sisters is still very good.

Chen Guangliang comforted them at this time, "You two, you don't know how good Aunt Yan is to you. Don't always think that she is on your uncle's side. I can see that Aunt Yan treats you as her own children. So, if Renyun has any worries in the future, just talk to Aunt Yan. Of course, your sister is married into our family, so you can come anytime. Your brother-in-law is not like your father. He is very open-minded and accepts new ideas."

Yan Renyun said in surprise: "You said bad things about my father?"

This surprised and shocked her.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "What's the big deal? It's what it is. Could it be that even a saint can't comment on it?"

There is nothing wrong with calling Yan Zhiduo a feudal patriarch in front of him.

That’s what it is!
Yan Renmei also spoke up for Chen Guangliang and said, "Your brother-in-law is not wrong."

Yan Renyun pointed at her sister and said, "Well, no wonder father didn't dare to say anything about her for a long time. It turns out that you have your brother-in-law as your backer."

Hearing this, Yan Renmei smiled happily.

Not only had her father not spoken to her for a long time, but his attitude towards her had also changed drastically.

Chen Guangliang came to the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory, which was extremely busy. Workers were pounding coal briquettes by hand and then blowing them dry.

"Mr. Hengchuang, how is the market for the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory now?"

Xie Hengchuang accompanied Chen Guangliang to inspect the factory. After hearing this, he said:
"We've driven Liu Hongsheng's China Coal Briquette Factory out of the Shanghai market. So far, we own seven coal yards in Shanghai, and most importantly, we control the sales network there. Through our coal yards, sales outlets, and door-to-door delivery model, we've firmly controlled the market. Not to mention Liu Hongsheng's China Coal Briquette Factory, even some small workshops have withdrawn from making coal briquettes."

"Compared to Liu Hongsheng's China Coal Briquette Factory, we were the first to capture the demand network in Shanghai; and compared to those small workshops, we have a price advantage."

Chen Guangliang was very satisfied after hearing this. He was quite surprised by the result. It was unexpected that such a basic handicraft industry could be monopolized by them.

Of course, at the beginning, they also aimed to "monopolize the coal briquette market in Shanghai", such as signing a "free period of use" for coal briquette stoves, purchasing a large number of tricycles for door-to-door delivery, and establishing dozens of distribution outlets.

Like the Zhonghua Coal Briquette Factory, the Jierui Coal Briquette Factory also began to monopolize the "coal briquettes market" in Shanghai.

“What about the profit margin?”

Hearing Chen Guangliang's question, Xie Hengchuang also reported honestly: "Not high. In order to occupy the market, we have been adopting low-price measures. Moreover, we have recently encountered a troublesome situation!"

Chen Guangliang asked, "What's the trouble?"

Xie Hengchuang said, "Liu Hongsheng is, after all, the agent for Kailuan Coal. He's responsible for a quarter of Kailuan coal sales, so he's interfering here, getting the Kailuan Coal Mine Bureau to raise our coal prices, which have already risen to 8.26 taels of silver per ton, further increasing our costs. It seems he's hoping to prevent our growth this way so he can seize the market when the opportunity arises."

Chen Guangliang sighed, "Yes, by then the market will be mature. He only needs to maintain a price advantage to regain the market. But why does Kailuan Coal Mine favor Liu Hongsheng? Isn't our order large enough?"

Xie Hengchuang smiled bitterly and said, "It's understandable that Mr. Chen doesn't pay much attention to coal matters. In fact, their orders are actually Liu Hongsheng's orders. What's more, Liu Hongsheng also controls the docks, which provides many conveniences."

Chen Guangliang nodded and admitted this. After all, he had a shallow foundation in industry.

But he was very enterprising and humbly asked, "What is the current total demand for coal in Shanghai? Who are the suppliers?"

Xie Hengchuang was very happy to see that Chen Guangliang was serious, and immediately invited Chen Guangliang to his office for a talk.

After sitting down in the office, Xie Hengchuang said:
"Shanghai's current annual coal demand is 300 million tons, with industrial and residential coal consumption roughly equal to this figure. Kailuan coal accounts for 40% of this demand and offers the most competitive pricing. Its mining cost is just over 2 yuan per ton, while the cost of selling it in Shanghai is just over 6 yuan, resulting in a retail price of 9 to 11 yuan."

"Kailuan coal is cheap because the British built a railway from the coal mine to the port, and then transported it by sea. Also, Kailuan coal is of relatively good quality. The only drawback is that the quality of Kailuan coal hasn't improved, as the British deliberately controlled the amount mined."

"The remaining 180 million tons of coal demand in the Shanghai market is supplied by the Japanese, except for a small amount supplied by Chinese-owned coal mines."

"The coal that Japan supplied to Shanghai was actually from Fushun, with some also shipped from Annan, Taiwan, and Japan."

"In fact, Fushun coal mines also have price advantages. Their mining and sales costs are comparable to Kailuan coal, but they are sold at a higher price in the Shanghai market, generally around 12 yuan."

"But you've always been against using Japanese coal mines, so I haven't considered using Fushun coal."

Damn national pride!
Chen Guangliang couldn't help but curse this era inwardly. These powers took China's resources, made money from China, and still wanted the Chinese people to obey them.

He suddenly thought that if the 918 incident happened, the Shanghai Stock Exchange would definitely boycott Japanese coal, that is, boycott Fushun coal.

So, will Kailuan Coal take the opportunity to expand production?

What are they thinking? The great powers are all one family. The British might even reduce the production of Kailuan coal to suppress the anti-Japanese movement, because they feel that such behavior will be radical enough to affect them.

"Don't we Chinese have good coal mines? Can we increase the supply to meet the needs of the Shanghai market?"

Xie Hengchuang smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, but it's a big problem. For example, the Jiawang Coal Mine in Xuzhou has abundant reserves and excellent coal quality, comparable to the Kailuan Coal Mine. However, when we Chinese open a mine, we will first be interfered with by local forces and harassed by bandits. The security fee alone is about 5 cents to 7 cents per ton."

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "That's not the case. We should be able to afford it. But why haven't we heard about the Jiawang coal mine supplying the Shanghai market?"

Xie Hengchuang said, "Speaking of which, I still have a relationship with the Jiawang Coal Mine. It's currently shut down. The operating company owes Yan Huiyu and me a full 80 yuan, and the original owner also stopped mining because they couldn't afford to continue."

That's it!

"If we take over this coal mine and reopen it, how much can we produce annually? Can it be transported by rail?" Xie Hengchuang saw that Chen Guangliang was serious about his qualifications and immediately said, "We can mine up to 40 tons per year, with rail transportation. Guangliang, are you planning to invest?"

Chen Guangliang said: "Why not invest?"

Xie Hengchuang advised, "Guangliang, we are good friends. Although it would be beneficial for me if you took over, I cannot harm you. Think about it, Kailuan Coal and Fushun Coal have advantages. Our Chinese investment in coal mines is like a newborn baby, unable to withstand the competition from the great powers."

He's a nice guy, and it's worth making this friend. His card playing manners are impeccable.

Chen Guangliang asked, "What if Japan invades our Northeast, the Shanghai Stock Exchange launches a boycott of Japanese goods, and Kailuan Coal reduces its production?"

Xie Hengchuang said in shock, "How could these three things happen together?"

Chen Guangliang said: "At least the first two things, I think they are not far away from us."

After thinking for a moment, Xie Hengchuang said, "Okay, since you're willing to invest, I'll help you facilitate this matter and become a small shareholder."

He always felt that Chen Guangliang was an energetic businessman with great courage.

Chen Guangliang said, "Let's talk to Liu Hongsheng first. If we can reach a settlement, he will also have a share in the Jiawang Coal Mine."

Xie Hengchuang's eyes lit up and he said, "Yes, we are all Chinese, why do we have to kill each other?"

Soon, the two found Liu Hongsheng's office.

Chen Guangliang and Liu Hongsheng had naturally met, and their business competition did not affect their friendly conversation when they met.

Liu Hongsheng was also quite young, only 43 years old this year, in the prime of his life, but he married early and took two concubines. His three sons were already working, and he had many children, a full thirteen.

Such a person actually wanted to establish a "hereditary family", but unfortunately he did not find the right direction, and the wealthy family could only become a dream.

"Mr. Liu, since you have already failed, why not maintain a little dignity instead of being aggressive towards your compatriots?" Chen Guangliang said deliberately as soon as he sat down.

Liu Hongsheng was stunned, thinking that this young man was really arrogant. He said patiently, "Mr. Chen, I am the general agent of Kailuan Coal in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. Your private transactions with Kailuan Coal Mine are against the rules. You should ship the goods through me."

Chen Guangliang hesitated deliberately.

Seeing this, Liu Hongsheng immediately said, "Mr. Chen, as long as you ship from me, I promise not to get involved in the coal briquette market again. Moreover, the price can be negotiated."

Xie Hengchuang took the opportunity to say, "Haha, we're all from the same hometown. How could we go to war against each other and make a fool of ourselves? Since Hongsheng has said so, it's settled. But how much is the price?"

Liu Hongsheng was stunned. He felt that one of the two men was playing the good guy and the other the bad guy, and they were trying to cheat him.

But he thought about it and decided that since the coal briquette market had already been occupied by others, there was no need to continue fighting.

"Add ten cents, how about 8.36 yuan per ton?"

"It doesn't matter if we don't add it. After all, we don't need large pieces of coal. We want mainly coal dust."

"make a deal"

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Chen Guangliang told Liu Hongsheng the real purpose of his visit today. Liu Hongsheng was stunned after hearing this. It turned out that the other party came to cooperate, not to accuse him.

I got 'fooled'!
"Will Japan really occupy the three northeastern provinces?"

Chen Guangliang said, "Under the economic depression, militarism can no longer be suppressed. The only option is to occupy the three northeastern provinces. Therefore, we must start the Jiawang coal mine as soon as possible."

Although Liu Hongsheng was somewhat uncomfortable with Chen Guangliang's interference in the coal mine, he needed Xie Hengchuang to act as a middleman in order to take over the Jiawang Coal Mine.

So, he said, "Okay, I'll invest in this project, and I want to be a major shareholder together with Mr. Chen."

Chen Guangliang said: "Of course, you are the coal king, and I am just a novice."

Since it concerns national affairs, let's not worry about it too much.

The most important thing is to resume production at Jiawang Coal Mine as soon as possible.

Chen Guangliang himself has no intention of getting involved in a business war with Chinese industrialists. After all, this era requires unity.

As for investing in Jiawang Coal Mine, it would require an investment of several hundred thousand yuan, and Chen Guangliang planned to borrow money.

At the end of April, news came from Canada that Warren & Co. had successfully bought six 4-6-ton ten-year-old cargo ships, which would be transferred to Global Shipping within three months.

This news made Chen Guangliang very excited. He bought the cargo ship that was worth 6.5 million US dollars 39 years ago for 10 US dollars per ship, a total price of 200 US dollars.

Even a cargo ship like this is worth 30 to 40 oceans (8 to 10 US dollars) when it arrives in the Far East.

So, he got a big bargain!
Therefore, Chen Guangliang urgently convened a management meeting of global shipping and global trade.

After a period of recruiting, both companies are now fully staffed. Global Trade doesn't have a large business presence yet, primarily focusing on soybean trading, but they're putting more focus on their port office.

"I have commissioned Warren Matheson so in the second half of the year we will have seven ships with a total water holding capacity of 7 tons."

Everyone was shocked. This strength was second only to Yu Qiaqing in China. It was a very powerful shipping force.

Wu Hao, who is in charge of global trade and shipping routes, couldn't help but say, "With such a large fleet, it's probably difficult to fully operationalize it. We've recently researched adding routes from Shanghai to Qingdao and Tianjin, and from Shanghai to Xiamen, Shantou, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. These two routes are the most ideal. However, these two routes are currently controlled by Jardine Matheson and Swire, which presents both opportunities and risks. The opportunity is that no Chinese capital has yet ventured into this, while the risk is that the foreign fleets are powerful and enjoy certain privileges. Aside from these two routes, we haven't yet found any better routes."

Currently, the Jinshan mainly runs from Shanghai to Dalian and Yingkou, but this route can only be operated until August.

Chen Guangliang said, "That's fine. We're not afraid of competing with foreigners. Besides, I'll secure support from the Nanjing government. Even if we have too many ships, I can lease them to other shipping companies. In short, don't be afraid of competition. As long as we do our best, foreign merchants won't be invincible!"

"Yes"

Chen Guangliang has no idea now, but he will buy the boat first and then work hard to manage it later.

The biggest goal is to "make a lot of money". As long as he can "recover his investment" or "maintain his investment", Chen Guangliang will consider it a victory.

As for money, he has the means to obtain it through financial means.

Next, Chen Guangliang asked Zhao Tieyi to speed up the enrollment of the Maritime Academy and prepare to train seafarers.

(End of this chapter)