A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Chapter 249: Cutting Off Another Finger

Yuyuan Road, Changjiang Motors Headquarters.

Chen Guangliang is in a meeting with He Xiangdong, Zhou Xinggao, Lin Feng, Pan Cheng and others. This is the administrative headquarters meeting room, which is also the security base.

"This time, I bought 500 large rickshaws and three-wheeled rickshaws from Gu's rickshaw company, spending a total of 32.5 yuan. But I have promised to hire the 1000 drivers of these -mile rickshaws as well. After all, we can't let them lose their jobs."

Zhou Xinggao quickly said, "Boss, the Jiangbei Gang is famous for sticking together. If these people cause us some trouble, we won't be able to handle it!"

It was obvious that the boss was trying to lower the price, which would definitely cause resentment.

Their security company has only more than 50 people, and their main responsibility is to protect the safety of the boss's family, and secondly to protect the boss's companies.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said:
"I've naturally thought of this, but I'm going to make a decision: four years from now, all of the Changjiang Carriage Company's vehicles will be rented out free of charge to drivers who work for the company. This means one vehicle could be shared by two or even three drivers for free, with no rental fees. The vehicles will still be registered with our company, and you'll just have to pay a 10% monthly management fee. As for your share as shareholders, we'll either cash it out or use the company's management fee dividends to cover your share."

"All drivers must be loyal to the company and must not commit serious offenses such as causing trouble. Otherwise, they will be fired."

Everyone was shocked. This boss is really a kind person!

He Xiangdong said, "Once this move is made, the Jiangbei Gang's drivers will naturally be used by us. After all, compared to profit, the so-called fellow-townsman relationship is still a bit inferior. But why would the boss invest so much money?"

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "Four years of rent have already earned me back my principal and interest, just like my money in the bank. The important thing is, we should use the people here to expand our organization. Of course, we don't want to be a gang, but rather an intelligence network in Shanghai. You're familiar with this, Brother Zhou."

The current rent is 7 cents a day, which is much lower than outside.

7 cents is not a profit. After all, the expenses for vehicle damage, taxes, etc. can be reduced to just over 5 cents, which is about 800 yuan in four years.

I can’t say that I’ve made some money, but I won’t lose anything either.

Four crucial years later, it was already June 1936, and just over a year later, the Japanese reached Shanghai.

Given Chen Guangliang's status and influence, even if he had hidden in the concession, he would have been courted by Japanese spies—making him a traitor. Therefore, even though he knew the concession would be relatively safe until the second half of 1941, Chen Guangliang didn't dare stay there.

After all, how could he be a traitor!

So at that time, the vehicles of the Changjiang Coach Company were given to the coachmen for free. Even if they were in poor health, they could pass them on to their sons. It was truly a great act of charity.

In this case, how could these more than 2,000 people be unfaithful?

What Chen Guangliang wanted was an intelligence network. Even during the Japanese occupation, these drivers could go door to door and collect information for his security company or communication network.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xinggao immediately said, "Don't worry, Boss. I promise to win these people over and use them for our own purposes!"

Chen Guangliang smiled and said, "There's no need to rush this matter. Besides, we're not some kind of organization. The so-called intelligence network is just a precautionary measure. Deep down, I also want to give these drivers a good future."

"clear"

Just in case, do more good deeds, maybe this is how the boss behaves.

Everyone quickly took action and prepared to accept this batch of cars. As for Chen Guangliang, he only needed to transfer some money.

It just so happened that Guangdong Province was distributing dividends, and he might get about 75 yuan. This money could be used to purchase these cars and to repay the investment in Jiawang Coal Mine.

In mid-June, the Nanjing government issued a "general order" to Shanghai film companies banning anti-Japanese films, declaring: "From now on, films about war and revolutionary content are all banned."

He added: "As this war ends, the government is seeking peace with foreign countries. An armistice agreement has already been signed, and a round-table conference will be held soon. The international atmosphere is filled with peace. If this provocative film is discovered, it will affect the progress of peace and go against the government's original intention."

Japanese newsreels and documentaries such as "History of the Shanghai War", "The Battle of Shanghai", and "History of the Shanghai Anti-Japanese War", which had long been banned by the Shanghai Concession Municipal Council from being shown in cinemas in the concession area, were also banned from being shown in cinemas outside the Shanghai Concession.

Faced with this situation, film companies such as Mingxing and Lianhua continued to suffer losses.

These film companies originally set up their headquarters in Zhabei, but Zhabei was bombed and suffered heavy losses. Seeing the rise of anti-Japanese sentiment, they began to shoot war-themed films.

Now that it is banned, it is like adding insult to injury.

In contrast, Time Pictures' "Fist of Fury" does not involve any themes such as war. At most, it is about the competition between martial artists and the awakening of the nation.

When it was sent for review, a team led by Sheng Qi was sent, and it quickly passed the review and was scheduled for the "summer season".

this day.

Chen Guangliang came to the Times Pictures base in southern Shanghai. Although it was occupied this time, it was not bombed.

It’s not that Shanghai South was not bombed, but that Shanghai South was not a key bombing area, so the Times Pictures base escaped the disaster; however, after the Japanese occupied this place, they did cause some damage, but at that time all kinds of equipment and supplies had already been moved to the concession.

So the base was quickly re-established and is even still under construction.

In the conference room, Chen Guangliang discussed "Fist of Fury" and the opening of Times Cinema with everyone.

For the script of "Fist of Fury", Chen Guangliang plagiarized Bruce Lee's version because two Japanese characters in Jet Li's version were too decent.

Chen Guangliang was worried that if he filmed that version, he would be boycotted.

It plagiarized Bruce Lee's version, but also plagiarized the plot. Many details were abandoned because it was too difficult to find an actor who played Bruce Lee.

I guess the photos will look a little different.

In addition, in Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury", the character eats the paper with the words "Sick Man of East Asia" and kicks away the sign "Chinese and Dogs Not Allowed"; and in the later plot, Huo Yuanjia has already used this, so Chen Zhen of Time Pictures walks into the martial arts hall with the plaque, and after defeating everyone, he throws the plaque with the words "Sick Man of East Asia" high up and kicks it to pieces in mid-air.

Lu Hanzhang reported, "On July 7st, 'Fist of Fury' opened with the Times Cinema. Second-run theaters won't be allowed for at least 1 days. Considering that many cinemas in Zhabei and other places were destroyed by bombings, the overall box office may be lower."

The last time Huo Yuanjia was shown in theaters exclusively, it only lasted ten days.

This time it’s different. Times Cinema needs to broadcast the film exclusively for a month, and no one can change this.

The second round can be broadcast in a month, and the first round can still be broadcast. Chen Guangliang said: "Only Shanghai is affected. We can negotiate with other regions. This time we have more bargaining chips."

Lu Hanzhang nodded and said, "Yes, our Times Pictures has become a major film company in the industry thanks to the movie 'Huo Yuanjia'."

Not only did it cost over 100,000 to invest in a movie, but the filming style was also "original".

Afterwards, Zhuang Zhujiu also reported on the opening of Times Cinema. He now serves as the executive director of Times Pictures and the general manager of Times Cinema.

His wife Sheng Qi is now also the director and public relations manager of Times Pictures.

In fact, both of them are famous families in CZ City, Jiang Province. Now they come out to work at Times Pictures for something new and interesting. After all, the film industry is still very interesting.

Of course, if they do well, Chen Guangliang may consider persuading the two to follow him in the future.

After the meeting, Zhuang Zhujiu left first to take care of the cinema business, while Sheng Qi followed Chen Guangliang to continue inspecting the base.

It happened that Ren Pengnian and his team were preparing, including Jiang Meiying.

When Chen Guangliang met Jiang Meiying in the first city, he saw that she had a plump figure and a gentle gaze, which perfectly displayed the graceful characteristics of Shanghai women.

It can also be seen that Jiang Meiying is a "lady from a small family" and comes from a relatively good family.

"Mr. Chen, Miss Sheng, this is the actress who will play Thirteenth Aunt in "Once Upon a Time in China", but I had to spend a lot of effort to invite you here." At this time, Ren Pengnian liked the script of "Once Upon a Time in China" so much that he prepared very seriously.

Just selecting the kung fu actors took a lot of effort.

Fortunately, the candidate for "Thirteenth Aunt" is very clear, after all, she was chosen by the boss.

Chen Guangliang stretched out his hand and said, "It's a cigarette advertisement that's known all over the country. Even I, a non-smoker, know about it."

Jiang Meiying instinctively extended her hand and responded, "Mr. Chen, you're too kind. It's just luck that I've received so much attention."

She felt that Chen Guangliang's reaching out was quite sudden, but she instinctively had some good feelings towards this man - young, talented, handsome, charming, and seemingly without any flaws.

Chen Guangliang said, "The role of Thirteenth Aunt is very challenging. She is a woman who studied abroad in the West. She is beautiful and generous, fluent in foreign languages, open-minded, and bold in her actions. She boldly falls in love with Wong Fei-hung regardless of their seniority. She is Wong Fei-hung's mentor in life and an enlightener of the national spirit. With her encouragement, Wong Fei-hung accepts advanced foreign culture and knowledge. You are good at portraying this role, but you need to think more about the character."

Jiang Meiying had just started reading the script when she heard Chen Guangliang's words and suddenly everything became clear to her.

She said seriously, "It turns out that Mr. Chen understands this role so thoroughly. I thought filming was a very simple thing."

Since she became famous, she really wanted to develop in the film industry. Coincidentally, Times Pictures came to her. She felt that this company had produced "Huo Yuanjia" and had a big consortium behind it, so it should be very good, so she signed the contract.

Chen Guangliang said with a smile: "I also love movies"

After chatting for a few sentences, Chen Guangliang also felt that Sheng Qi's expression was not right, so he quickly took her away from the scene.

Sheng Qi then said, "Should I keep a close eye on you for Ren Mei? This film company has so many gorgeous women, even the most beautiful women from Shanghai. No wonder men like to come here!"

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "How can Mr. Zhuang be at ease when you come out to do things alone? Now it's someone else's turn, and you treat them differently. If a man is determined, no one can stop him; if he is not, there is no need to watch him."

"Puff!" Sheng Qi said immediately, "I was just joking with you, but you're trying to lecture me. It's like I'm not your elder anymore!"

"Stop," Chen Guangliang said, "even though you are Renmei's godmother, if you want to work with me, don't mention the elders. Not to mention you, even my father-in-law and him are equals when doing business."

"I know. I didn't say much. Besides, we are both your subordinates!"

"Partner, I won't do that to you."

The two of them had a great chat and have become friends!
The Jiangbei Gang never dreamed that the pawns they had hoped to place in the Changjiang Car Dealership would turn against them and distance themselves from the gang.

It's very simple. After the Changjiang Rickshaw Company bought 500 rickshaws from the Gu's Rickshaw Company, it announced a shocking decision: any rickshaw driver who works at the Changjiang Rickshaw Company for the next four years will receive rent-free treatment after four years, and the position can be passed on to his family. He only needs to pay a % management fee.

The announcement was like a bomb dropping on the entire rental car industry, and the 2000-plus drivers at the Changjiang Car Rental Company were in a frenzy.

A three-wheeled rickshaw requires two drivers to take turns, and as long as these two drivers work diligently and pay rent for four years, they will be able to pull the rickshaw without paying rent after four years.

Not only that, if your health no longer allows it, you can give the place to your son or brother.

The drivers also did the math. Boss Chen basically gave them the rickshaws for free after recovering the costs and interest. As for the 3% management fee, it was about cent a day, or only yuan a month, and this money was actually expenses such as license tax.

Along with the colleagues who announced the benefits, Changjiang Car Dealership also issued some car dealership rules and regulations, which made many people start to be cautious.

The first rule is to be loyal to the company and not do anything that harms the company's interests.

This alone caused some Jiangbei people to start withdrawing from Gu Zhuxuan's so-called Jiangbei Gang. After all, Gu Zhuxuan was now in jail and his reputation in Shanghai had plummeted.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Chen Guangliang was continuing to deal with Gu Zhuxuan.

Even in Gu's car dealership, Gu Zhuxuan's fellow townsmen from Jiangbei started to make trouble, demanding rent reduction and learning from the Changjiang Car Dealership to give them a better job.

For a time, Gu Zhuxuan's forces began to undergo a major purge.

When Gu Zhuxuan heard the news in prison, he had learned to stay calm. He knew that his power had been weakened and he would no longer have the hope of competing with the three tycoons.

"You must unite and stop being picked off one by one! We Jiangbei people can be trampled on temporarily, but we cannot be torn apart. Since we've sold 500 cars, we must hold on to the rest. If we lower the rent, even if it's just a penny to appease everyone, that's fine."

"Yes, Boss."

"Yes, Fourth Father."

Everyone could see that Gu Zhuxuan's ambition had been worn away. Even if he could come out soon, he would probably have to bide his time.

(End of this chapter)