A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

Time flies and it’s August in a blink of an eye.

Nippon Art Electronic Co., Ltd.

Vice President Hideo Kojima walked happily into the president's office and reported: "President, sales of 'Game & Watch' have exceeded 200 million units, and sales of 'Hong Kong Blocks' have also exceeded 100 million units. Orders are pouring in, and our factory is operating day and night to keep up with the demand."

Game & Watch, a handheld console released in March of this year, achieved a remarkable sales figure of over 200 units in just half a month. However, what Electronic Arts did not expect was that Hong Kong Blocks, which was licensed by Midea Games Entertainment in Hong Kong this year, surpassed 1 million units in less than two months after being loaded into Game & Watch, a speed that can only be described as miraculous.

Chen Wenying suddenly stood up and said, "The production can't keep up, that won't do! It seems that 'Hong Kong Blocks' can create miracles even faster."

Hideo Kojima immediately suggested, "At this point, it's too late for us to build a new factory. We should outsource the manufacturing to Taiwan. This is the fastest way to maximize production."

Chen Wenying's eyes lit up. Taiwan's semiconductor industry had been supported by the United States, and its labor costs were very low, far lower than those of Japan and Hong Kong.

"That's a good idea, but the quality must be guaranteed. Let's have a meeting right away to discuss it and mobilize our resources!"

"Ok"

Soon, EA's management and key technical personnel sat down together to discuss countermeasures.

Everyone agreed that GAME & WATCH would be manufactured in Taiwan, but at the same time, a project team needs to be established to supervise quality and delivery speed.

After the discussion ended, Chen Wenying asked, "How are the Donkey Kong arcade games selling in the United States?"

This year, Electronic Arts has had a string of good news. First, the GAME & WATCH game was released in two versions in March and July, achieving explosive success.

Meanwhile, Electronic Arts' arcade game Donkey Kong was released in May, followed by its North American release last month.

Shigeru Miyamoto, who was in charge of developing Donkey Kong, immediately said, "According to feedback from Meijin Takahashi, president of Electronic Arts, the sales of Donkey Kong arcade machines are very good, and the monthly sales are expected to reach at least 5000 units."

It was another amazing result, and everyone burst into laughter.

Only Chen Wenying remained calm. He understood that these achievements were not enough to be proud of. Whether it was the success of the handheld console or the success of Donkey Kong, it was all for the purpose of surpassing Atari in the console game market.

"Miyamoto, you need to work together as soon as possible to load Donkey Kong into GAME & WATCH and try to release it by Christmas."

"it is good"

Chen Wenying nodded in satisfaction. Once GAME & WATCH and Donkey Kong arcade games became bestsellers, Electronic Arts (EA) would have accumulated tens of millions of US dollars in cash flow next year. At that time, he would need to develop the world's most advanced game console, the Famicom, according to his father's wishes.

Of course, EA has not been sitting idle and spending its money all these years. Instead, it has been investing in securities and real estate, so its assets are already worth $2 million.

Chen Guangliang came to Japan and reunited with his fourth wife's family.

At the banquet, he was seated next to Si Yezi and Xue Nai, with Chen Wenying and Tokugawa Junko, Chen Wensheng and Takeshita Eriko on either side, and Chen Yingyi also present. Of course, Junko and Eriko had both given birth, and Eriko's daughter-in-law was still breastfeeding.

Xue Nai is now the housekeeper, everyone's "aunt," and Chen Guangliang's personal attendant. Because Xue Nai is 37 years old and has no children of her own, everyone respects this "aunt" very much, after all, she raised the three Wen Ying siblings.

"Wenying, as the eldest son of the fourth wife, don't you think your business is a bit too small?" Chen Guangliang suddenly asked.

Chen Wenying replied directly, "Father, I really like my current business, and I'm only 26 years old, so I'm not in a hurry to diversify. Of course, if you have any tasks for me, I will definitely obey your orders!"

One good thing about Japanese children is their exceptional filial piety. If you asked one of them to donate a kidney to Chen Guangliang, they would immediately agree. Of course, Chen Guangliang was just using an analogy; if it were a real kidney transplant, he would be the one at a disadvantage.

Chen Guangliang nodded and said, "I have a long-term plan for EA! Next year, you will start to set up a project team to focus on developing a world-leading game console, and strive to complete it in 1982. It can't be too early or too late. The key point is, of course, that the hardware is completely superior, and that no one can imitate it for at least a year. On the other hand, EA can also choose to go public next year."

"Yes, Father, I have remembered your words!"

Chen Wenying, being astute, understood that his father's arrangement must be part of a major plan. This plan wasn't focused on the 'Famicom' itself, but rather on EA's next step in diversification after the Famicom's development.

He was right. Chen Guangliang believed that as long as EA (Electronic Arts) developed the Famicom and began selling it in Japan in 1982, the Famicom would be a success.

At that time, Chen Wenhai of the United States sold Atari at a high price in advance, obtaining a cash flow of about 20 billion US dollars; EA of Japan could enter the US market in 1983, dethrone Atari, and take the opportunity to rise.

In this way, Japan's market value would inevitably exceed US$50 billion before 1985, at which point it could borrow heavily or use cash flow to purchase Japanese securities and real estate, thus embarking on diversified development.

Chen Guangliang has always believed that 'land equals hegemony'.

Next, Chen Guangliang said to Chen Wensheng, "Before the end of the year, you should hurry up and sell the shares of the listed copper mining companies you hold. Copper prices have soared this year, but it's only a short-term phenomenon."

Chen Wensheng was surprised, because he didn't have such a quick reaction time; if he had been slower, he might have lost the entire thing.

"I'll arrange to cash out gradually right away, and take profits while I can! Also, what about our gold investment in this property?"

Chen Guangliang said directly, "Gold is much more stable than other metals, so there's no need to worry. We'll talk about it next year."

"Yes, father"

Then, Chen Guangliang admonished everyone: "Wealth needs to be accumulated, not risked. Although I also told you to invest in securities, I have over fifty years of experience in the business world, and my insight is something you can't possibly have. Wenying and Wensheng, you two brothers are still young. As long as you listen to me, you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future." "Yes, we will always listen to our father!"

Chen Guangliang nodded in satisfaction. His first priority was his obedient son, and only secondly his promising son.

In fact, even if his son wasn't a genius, as long as he was obedient, he could still support him to become a billionaire. Of course, if he were a genius, then that wealth would be even more secure.

"Wenying, could your EA Electronics department set up a Walkman department?" Chen Guangliang asked after a moment's thought.

Chen Wenying said, "The R&D funding is sufficient, it's just that Midea..."

Chen Guangliang waved his hand and said, "Electronic Arts (EA) doesn't need to get involved in the cassette player business. What I hope EA can establish a 'digital audio' R&D project team to lay the groundwork for the development of the CD player in the 1980s. Of course, this business absolutely cannot affect EA's game business."

Chen Wenying immediately replied, "Absolutely not! Currently, our company has three outstanding talents in game hardware: Shinji Mikami, Masayuki Uemura, and Genyo Takeda, while we have Shigeru Miyamoto in software. If we establish a digital audio project team, I will not use EA's existing talent, but will recruit externally. We have our own R&D funding."

At that time, Philips and Sony had not yet released the CD standard.

Of course, even if it is released, it can still be developed. In its previous life, Aiwa of Japan also posed a huge threat to Sony, and in the end, Sony had no choice but to acquire Aiwa as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Chen Guangliang thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let's establish it then. We can also enter the field that Sony is good at in the 1980s. In addition, we can also try the Walkman. After all, Sony and Philips are coming on strong now, and Midea Walkman is under a lot of pressure."

"Yes, father"

Then, Chen Guangliang said to Chen Wensheng, "You should continue to learn about development and investment in the real estate industry. In the 1980s, the four houses will make a big push into the real estate industry, including the future Art & Electronics."

Chen Wensheng immediately said, "It's Father. By the way, Father, I'm taking some time to get my architecture degree from the University of Tokyo."

Chen Guangliang nodded in satisfaction. His Japanese-speaking counterpart was indeed intelligent enough to rank in the top five, while the IQ of white people should rank lower, although their emotional intelligence was very high.

Of course, this IQ ranking is only based on the ranking of 15 siblings. Even the least intelligent child would be considered a genius outside the family, since the genes are there.

After giving instructions to his two sons, 14-year-old Chen Yingyi suddenly said, "Dad, after I graduate from university, I also want to join the family business and contribute to the family."

Chen Guangliang suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. The fourth branch of the family no longer had any 'family business'; Si Yezi's investment company had become his 'paradise.' If his daughter were to enter the company and discover the situation, even knowing her father's lecherous nature, she would still despise him out of fear of death.

Now, under the strict guidance of his children and grandchildren, although Chan Kwong-leung has married four wives, everyone considers it perfectly natural. This is because of the old society in Sheung Hoi Beach and the fact that Hong Kong's laws were only amended in 1970, making the family founder's actions seem acceptable. His children even believe that Chan Kwong-leung's actions are not due to lust, but rather for the prosperity of the family.

However, if Chen Yingyi joins Si Yezi's investment company, it might immediately tarnish the image of her respected father.

Si Yezi immediately said, "My company is small, it doesn't need you, Miss Si. I'll give you start-up capital so you can start your own business. Your father can give you advice, isn't that better!"

Chen Yingyi looked at her father happily, and only after Chen Guangliang nodded did she run happily to his side and kiss her father's cheek.

Chen Guangliang wiped away his drool helplessly; only his daughter would dare to do that.

Junko Tokugawa then said, "Father, Eriko and I also want to hear your orders."

This daughter-in-law, being from a prominent family, knew how to please her father-in-law. In fact, she knew exactly what Chen Guangliang would say.

Eriko Takeshita nodded quickly. Although she had only been a member for a year, she had already integrated into the family rapidly. The 15 members of the second generation, in particular, had a very good relationship. These wives were often invited to Hong Kong, Europe, and the United States to vacation with their sisters-in-law and get to know the local circles. This was the true unity of the family; the most formidable aspect was that even the daughters-in-law were exceptionally united.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "You two, of course, your main task is to give birth to the third generation for our Chen family and to be good wives and mothers. Of course, if you're bored, you can go to your husbands' companies to find out what's going on, but you can't interfere with the company. That's how your aunt and I used to be."

After hearing this, Junko Tokugawa and Eriko Takeshita immediately replied in Chinese, "Yes, Dad."

Both of them are learning Chinese, which is already quite good.

Atari, USA.

Chen Wenhai looked happily at the sales data in his hand. In just nine months this year, Atari 2600 had already sold 1 million units. With the Christmas sales boom, it's not impossible for Atari 2600 sales to exceed 1.5 million units this year.

To put it in perspective, an Atari 2600 costs $200, so this translates to $3 million in sales.

Of course, Chen Wenhai also understood that the sales frenzy of the Atari 2600 had only just begun.

"EA's Game & Watch will be coming to the US next year. I wonder how much impact that will have on the Atari 2600?"

"However, there seems to be no need to worry! Atari will be able to maintain its dominant position for the next three or four years, and its sales will gradually increase! After all, we have made a lot of improvements to the software."

Chen Wenhai wasn't particularly worried about the future. Besides owning an Atari, he had also successfully invested in Apple. His father had said that personal computers and computer software had a bright future, and he had already invested in Apple; next, he would seek to invest in Microsoft.

In short, the "triangle" of Atari, Electronic Arts, and Midea was actually orchestrated by their parent company. Looking at the best-selling games on the market, and the emergence of arcade games, Game & Watch, and so on, it's all been controlled by their parent company.

Therefore, their father will undoubtedly make the best choices for them regarding the future. What he needs to do now is continue upgrading the hardware and enriching the software of the Atari 2600. (End of Chapter)