1928: The rise of giant merchants

July 15, the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928).

The news that the second young master spent 70,000 yuan to poach Ruan Lingyu from Tianyi Film Company has already become the headlines of major newspapers. All Shanghai newspapers have also realized that as long as they have something to do with Ye Luo, the news will become a big hit. Explosion, the sales of the current issue of newspapers will also surge!

After having this awareness, many newspapers and periodicals sent reporters to contact Yip's investment company or its affiliated companies to obtain first-hand information about Yip Luo. Some pornographic tabloids even sent beautiful reporters to recommend themselves for pillow seats, just to obtain A little bit of Ye Luo's romantic affair!

Ye Luo now only owns Liangyou Pictorial, and he also has the intention to enter the newspaper industry. However, the following few years have been uneven. In addition, the National Government has its own mouthpiece such as the Republic of China Daily, and he does not like the use of paper media by intellectuals. matter, so he put the idea aside for the time being.

Otherwise, it won’t make much sense to run a newspaper with a false name. If you run a newspaper that dares to speak and act, it will probably be closed down by the government the next day.

News that Ye Luo was going to build a new amusement park and cinema spread like wildfire, and his recent actions made everyone realize that he really wanted to enter the entertainment industry, a territory that has always been controlled by the three tycoons!

The 37th Army Independent Regiment evacuated a few days ago. Before leaving, Shi Zhongcheng and Shi Jinggong came to Ye Luo for a drink, and then formally entrusted Shi Jianqiao to him, and then headed north to Lu Province.

They will also participate in the Central Plains War, a struggle for power within the Nationalist government, and it is indeed impossible for them to come to Shanghai again in the short term.

As soon as the independent group left, the oppressive atmosphere in Shanghai finally eased for a while. The gangs who had not been beaten to death understood the determination of Zhang Dingyao and others, and began to behave with their tails between their legs. Shanghai enjoyed a rare peace and harmony.

However, the long-lost tranquility was soon broken by a major event.

On the morning of July 15, foreign banks such as Citibank and HSBC announced the new exchange rate data, and that number shocked and disturbed everyone.

Citibank Shanghai Branch Building.

President's Office.

Boom!

Chen Ruide felt like the sky was falling.

Just after receiving the telegram from the United States, he slumped in his chair until now.

All the staff did not dare to talk to him because they knew the reason for Chen Ruide's appearance.

There were also calls from branches in Peiping, and finally a telegram from the US head office, asking Chen Ruide to handle the matter properly.

Citibank's savings in South China have exceeded US$15 million. This is a very scary market and we cannot cause a run on it because of this incident!

Affected by the recent surge in the U.S. stock market, the overall economy continues to rise. However, the transmission of information is delayed. The turmoil in the United States in June was not transmitted to Southeast Asia until mid-July.

The good economic situation has made the U.S. dollar continue to appreciate. A few months ago, Yelo borrowed principal and interest from Citibank totaling 1,153,000 oceans. At that time, the exchange rate was 1 U.S. dollar, which could be exchanged for 2.4 oceans. On the black market, 1 U.S. dollar could also be exchanged for 2.4 oceans. Exchange 1.8 yuan for oceans (because there are few users of U.S. dollars and the circulation in Shanghai is low, if you want to exchange them for oceans as soon as possible, you must go through the black market, and the black market will drive down the price).

Now, according to the new exchange rate announced on July 15, 1 US dollar can be exchanged for 6 oceans!

This is much higher than the 4.8 oceans that Ye Luo expected!

It can be seen that the flapping of butterfly wings will also produce changes in some details.

For example, several consuls general invested money in the U.S. stock market, which was much larger than the original historical amount. Their families were relatively prominent, and the total investment capital should not be underestimated. On the contrary, it promoted the further prosperity of the U.S. stock market.

The more hot money there is, the bigger the bubble will be, and the more valuable the dollar will be.

Foreign exchange rates don't make sense to most people.

Even among Citibank's major clients in China, few are hoarding U.S. dollars.

The rise in the exchange rate will make them afraid to exchange oceans for US dollars to avoid losses.

But the only one who is different is that on his account——

"1.36 million US dollars." Chen Ruide looked at that number and felt that the sky was falling.

His first reaction was that Ye Luo knew that the exchange rate would rise, so he took a gamble and specifically requested to withdraw all the money today!

The problem is that when the two signed the contract, the exchange rate was still 2.4 oceans per US dollar. Why is there such a big difference between the exchange rate announced at the beginning of the month and the exchange rate announced in the middle of the month?

He couldn't figure it out, because he had been in Shanghai all the time, and it was impossible for him to have a clear idea of ​​the situation in the United States.

As for a group of people who were probably in the know, they only pushed back after receiving news of the rise in the exchange rate, guessing that the U.S. domestic economy was booming during this period. Due to the time delay, the feedback to China was caught off guard.

People who are more sensitive may use this to speculate on Ye Luo's transactions with these foreign bosses and connect him to the fact that he is favored by foreigners.

But so what?

Chen Ruide woke up from his despair, raised his hand and made a phone call in the industry, called the finance minister and asked: "How many oceans will he pay him?"

"President, after calculation, Mr. Ye holds 1.36 million US dollars. According to the exchange rate of 1:6, it is 8.16 million US dollars." The finance minister was sweating profusely. This was something he had heard and seen in his life. The largest amount of money, "excluding Mr. Ye's loan, is almost 7 million yuan."

7 million oceans!

Chen Ruide felt like he was about to faint.

The Shanghai branch's savings are only 10 million yuan. If all this money is withdrawn, it will be difficult to control the bank run. If someone with intentions also comes to withdraw money, big problems will occur!

But if you don’t give it, Citibank’s golden brand will be ruined!

Not to mention anything else, foreign banks have controlled Shanghai's finances for a long time. Knowing this, the principal established a central bank in Jinling to compete with foreign banks as a national bank. Whoever is a banking giant will be the owner of the National Savings Fund. Holder!

If Song Ziwen and others knew about this, they could use political power to intervene and make Citibank pay while ruining Citibank's reputation in China.

Compared with the tens of millions of dollars in savings in China, US$1.36 million is nothing.

He has to give.

But after giving it to him, Chen Ruide will be finished!

At this moment, Ye Luo knocked on the door and came in.

"President Chen, long time no see." Ye Luo smiled and sat down, crossing his hands on his chest, very leisurely, "You don't seem to look good."

"Mr. Ye." Chen Ruide looked at him with mixed emotions in his eyes, including hatred, admiration, helplessness, and pleading.

"I know the consequences of this matter." Ye Luo smiled and spread his hands, "I didn't mean to mess with you, Mr. Chen. You see, I am willing to put the car loan with you, which means that I want to work with you. It’s cooperative, isn’t it?”

"First of all, I want to declare that it is impossible for me to know the changes in the exchange rate. My intention of hoarding US dollars is also very simple. Everyone in Shanghai knows that my Ye family was almost destroyed before July. My father, mother and sister even hid in I went to the consulate, and when the matter is over, I will come here as soon as possible to ask for exchange for ocean money, right?"

No matter what Chen Ruide thinks, what Ye Luo should say must be in place.

This can not only appease him, but also completely separate the relationship.

It has to be said that the Second Northern Expedition had a huge impact on the Ye family, which was obvious to all. No one would doubt that Ye Luo wanted to take money and flee to the United States where he studied.

This makes sense.

And he did come over to withdraw the money as soon as the matter was resolved.

Everything is very natural.

It is at this point in time of each step that the jam is very subtle.

Chen Ruide and others can only conclude that he is the son of destiny.

"Mr. Ye, you know these things, and they have little meaning now." Chen Ruide was dejected.

Ye Luo shook his head and said with a smile: "Don't worry, President Chen, I know your difficulties, so I'm here to save you this time."

"Help me?!" Chen Ruide suddenly stood up.

"Yes." Ye Luo nodded and looked at him with a smile, "Want to hear my plan? President Chen."