1928: The rise of giant merchants

French Concession, Xiafei Road, Lowe Hotel.

Ye Luo and Dong Ruichang, chairman of the Ningbo Commercial Association, had a dinner date here.

This famous Western restaurant, favored by many celebrities from all walks of life living on Xiafei Road, was opened by Italian Louis Lowe.

Louis Lowe is also a director of the Public Board, but unlike the Sassoon family and the Kadoorie family, he doesn't like to deal with Chinese people. He hates Chinese people from the bottom of his heart.

When the Pacific War broke out in 1941, the Japanese invaders entered the French Concession. Louis Lowe was imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Japanese invaders because he was a Jew.

In the early 1950s, when foreigners left China one after another, Louis Lowe sold a Western restaurant to Liu Ruifu at a low price of 2,000 yuan.

Since the exterior wall of the Western restaurant is red, Shanghainese people are accustomed to calling this Western restaurant "Red House". Therefore, when the public-private partnership was re-registered in 1956, it was officially named "Red House Western Restaurant".

"Chairman Dong, the Shanghai style Lao San in this store is a must-eat delicacy. There is also a signature dish, French 'national dish' fried snails. Unfortunately, Shanghainese are not used to eating snails, so it seems to have been changed to fried snails." clams."

Ye Luo reached out and called the waiter, then ordered several famous dishes, and then looked at Dong Ruichang with a smile.

Dong Ruichang was at a loss. He was obviously a middle-aged man in his late forties, but he seemed particularly embarrassed when facing Ye Luo, who was only twenty-two years old.

He never expected that the second young master, who could not date even the president of the township association and the various Chinese tycoons in the French Concession, would actually take the initiative to invite him to dinner.

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Dong Ruichang moved with his father and his family to Zhabei, Shanghai, where he started making clothes.

After that, he first opened several printing offices in the county town, and then opened Yuansen Glass Hardware Store in Dadongmen, Nanshi. A few years ago, he moved to the French Concession. Under the care of the president, he established a firm foothold and became a Ningbo Chinese businessman in the French Concession. A very prestigious and capable person.

But compared with Ye Luo, his little financial resources and fame are like the stars competing with the sun and the moon, completely incomparable.

"The second young master knows French cuisine very well." Dong Ruichang smiled awkwardly.

"It's just so-so, just make do with it. By the way, why hasn't Haoyun arrived yet?" Ye Luo not only made an appointment with Dong Ruichang, but also with his second son Dong Haoyun.

In fact, Dong Haoyun, who is only seventeen years old this year, is the target of his trip.

Dong Ruichang quickly looked at his watch. Just as he was about to explain, he heard the honest but powerful voice of a young man coming from the door: "Dad, Brother Luo! Sorry, I'm late!"

Dong Haoyun was sweating profusely and wearing a rag shirt, which was incompatible with the petty bourgeoisie of the Western restaurant.

The other guests at the meal looked sideways and talked endlessly, but when they saw that there was another important guest at the table, Ye Luo, the dissatisfaction in their hearts disappeared immediately.

"It's not late, the food has just been served. Fried pork chop, borscht and potato salad. You can't eat these Shanghai-style dishes on the ship. Eat more." Ye Luo smiled and asked the waitress to bring a piece to Dong Haoyun. Hot towel, "When do you plan to leave for Tianjin?"

"It's early October. I was thinking of waiting for Brother Luo to support your Black Cat Ballroom after it opens." Dong Haoyun smiled shyly.

Seeing that his son and Ye Luo were so familiar, Dong Ruichang became more and more confused. He looked at them and asked, "Second Young Master, you and Haoyun."

"Dad, didn't I tell you last year that when I was studying in the Japanese training class, I had a conflict with the Japanese invaders and was almost expelled. Thanks to a senior who came forward, the matter was settled." Dong Haoyun looked at Ye Luo, He smiled and said, "That senior is Brother Luo."

"Oh!" Dong Ruichang was overjoyed. It turned out that the noble man he longed for was far away and right in front of him. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I don't blame Haoyun. At that time, I didn't want many people to know that I was in Tokyo." Ye Luo smiled.

When he was working as a teaching assistant at Imperial University last year, he happened to hear a fellow Chinese talk about the hot-blooded young man Dong Haoyun, so he stepped in to settle the dispute and preserved his qualification to study in the training class of Nissho International Transport Co., Ltd.

Later, an investigation confirmed that this young man was the world's number one shipping king who emerged after the outbreak of the Middle East War in 1956.

This is not the title of shipping king that Ye Luo touts, but is internationally recognized.

The top seven shipping kings in the world were selected by the New York Times in the United States in the 1980s. They are: Pao Yugang, Dong Haoyun, Livanos, Onassis, Bergson, Shallan, and Niagos.

Among them, Pao Yugang and Dong Haoyun ranked first and second respectively, and Dong Haoyun was called "the world's largest independent shipowner" by the New York Times!

He is the first world-class shipping tycoon among the Chinese. He began to gradually make his fortune in 1928. His understanding and knowledge of the shipping industry are far ahead of the times. He is also the most important piece of the puzzle for the future Yip's Shipping Company identified by Ye Luo.

Leave professional matters to professionals.

This is what investing is all about.

This year Dong Haoyun returned to China and was worried about not being able to find a job, so Ye Luo started to connect again and put him into the shipping industry training class run by Jincheng Bank in Tianjin. After graduation, he could directly enter the Tianjin Shipping Industry of Tongcheng Company, a subsidiary of Jincheng Bank. work in company.

While arranging for Dong Haoyun to go to Tianjin to study and gild the shipping industry, he also accumulated capital and quietly moved into the ship shipping industry. This was the industrial aspect of Ye Luo's business empire.

Once he had completed his studies and had certain contacts and resources in the shipping industry, Ye Luo took advantage of the opportunity to open Ye's Shipping Company and invited him to come back as the general manager!

The three of them talked and laughed happily. Dong Ruichang was especially grateful to Ye Luo, who not only solved the problem of his son dropping out of school, but also solved his employment problem. He was simply a great benefactor to their family.

After chatting for a while while eating, the topic returned to the Black Cat Dance Hall.

"Second Young Master, I distributed all the free dance tickets to the merchants of the hometown association. Don't worry, there will definitely be many people on the opening day." Dong Ruichang also likes to dance.

He has seniors and juniors, and a fierce wife at home, which makes it difficult for him to even marry a concubine, so he can only vent his accumulated desires in the dance hall.

Many middle-aged people with successful careers are similar to him.

He came from a poor family in his early years, and relied on his own efforts to marry into a wealthy family. Then with the help of his father-in-law's mother-in-law's resources, he rose through the ranks and became a prominent wealthy businessman.

However, because of the marriage relationship, the yellow-faced woman in the family is very strict and does not allow them to have sex with women.

However, during the Republic of China, the practice of prostitution became prevalent again.

In the dance hall, rubbing their ears and temples with the dancers, touching their bodies, and touching their thighs and buttocks was their last comfort.

This is why Qin Tongli and others who just made trouble think that ballroom dancers are the same as prostitutes selling meat.

Ye Luo smiled and nodded: "I hope that everyone from the Ningbo Business Association will promote our Black Cat Dance Hall. We focus on civilians and popularization. Those who can't dance can also ask the dancers to dance with them, or go to our dance party first. Sign up for classes and study.”

"Second Young Master's matters are my matters. Don't worry, they will be taken care of." Dong Ruichang raised his glass and smiled.

Dong Haoyun is also very interested in Black Cat Dance Hall, but his father always says that he is not old and should focus on study and work, which makes him feel helpless.

After drinking and eating, Ye Luo stood up and prepared to leave. Before leaving, he called Dong Haoyun to his side and secretly gave him ten orange dance tickets, with a total value of fifty oceans.

Dong Haoyun turned his back to his father and quickly put it away, his eyes filled with gratitude and admiration for Ye Luo!

I secretly went to the Majestic Hotel to dance with my friends, and for two cents a dance, I could find a pretty and pretty dancer. This orange dance ticket costs five yuan, so it should be an invitation to the top dancer, right?

Ye Luo smiled and patted Dong Haoyun on the shoulder: "Don't fall behind in work and study, and don't lose yourself in playing with things."

"Well, I understand, Brother Luo!" Dong Haoyun nodded repeatedly.

After leaving the hotel, Ding Li waited by the car for a long time, but Shi Jianqiao disappeared.

Through the car window, Ye Luo also saw the gorgeous and attractive Lu Xiaoman, who was still wearing a sexy black cheongsam.

He walked over in confusion and asked Ding Li: "Why is Xiaoman in the car?"

"Mrs. Xu said she had something to tell the Second Young Master. I saw that she didn't even have time to change her clothes and shoes. It must be something important. I was worried that she would be exposed outside like this, so I asked her to wait in the car." Ding Li was ambiguous to Ye Luo. Smiling, "Second Young Master, I think she..."

"Shut up and get in the car!" Ye Luo gave Ding Li a slap in the face, rolled his eyes at him, and asked him to open the door and get in the back seat.

Compared to Ma Yongzhen, Ding Li is still a little too out-of-the-box. His temperament needs to change and he needs to be more calm.

Okay, let's arrange for him to take people to follow Qin Tongli to work at the Nitrate Mine Management Bureau for a while.

This is definitely not revenge for his teasing just now.

"Xiaoman, what do you want from me?" Ye Luo sat down next to Lu Xiaoman and asked curiously, "Have you eaten yet?"

"I just got home and I heard from Zhimo that Qin Tongli's father is the deputy minister of education. He is a very big official. I came here to remind you." Lu Xiaoman's cheeks were slightly red. He turned to look at the car window, not daring to look. he.

She actually knew in her heart that Ye Luo must know this situation.

But for some reason, I have been thinking about going to the Black Cat Dance Hall recently, and I always feel that the longer I stay at home, the more bored I am.

"Ah, thank you." Ye Luo was immediately relieved, it was his negligence.

Naturally, he knew the situation of Qin Tongli's family very well. Qin Dunshi was the deputy minister of education. If he worked in the education system, especially in universities and other institutions, he would definitely be suppressed by him.

But Ye Luo is a businessman and has nothing to do with Qin Dunshi. Moreover, this Manchu relic will soon lose power after the reform of the university. Qin Tongli also has to put away his past domineering style, keep a low profile, and start using money. Develop connections and seek opportunities for advancement.

But others don't know this.

If he learns about Qin Tongli's background, he will definitely worry about getting into trouble.

"It doesn't work. I'll call Minister Song Ziwen tonight and ask him to come forward and talk to Qin Dunshi." Ye Luo comforted Lu Xiaoman to prevent her from being too scared and resigning from the Black Cat Dance Hall.

Who knows what Xu Zhimo said to her.

Let her worry like this.

But thinking about it, Qin Dunshi is Xu Zhimo's immediate boss's immediate boss's immediate boss. There are three layers of nesting dolls, how can he not be afraid?

"Minister Song Ziwen!" Lu Xiaoman's heart was pounding. Isn't that the Minister of Finance of the National Government?

That is the real powerful figure in the central government!

Does Ye Luolian know people like this?

"That's good. Anyway, as long as you understand." Lu Xiaoman nodded with a smile.

"Second Young Master, where are we going now?" Ding Li started the car, "Is it back to No. 32 Xiafei Road?"

Ye Luo glanced at Lu Xiaoman next to her. She had gone out in a hurry and probably hadn't eaten. She was kind enough to remind her that she couldn't go back hungry.

"Go to Licha Restaurant. Xiaoman, you haven't eaten yet. We just want to go and have something to eat together." Ye Luo looked at her.

Lu Xiaoman smiled sweetly: "Then I'm not polite, I'll cost you money!"

"Little things." Ye Luo waved his hand.

The Ford V8 started and roared away.

Ye Luo frowned slightly. It was time to replace the car. He had been putting it off because he just happened to buy a new car today.

As for this Ford V8, he planned to eliminate it and let Ye Qingqing drive it.

My little sister complained every day that she didn’t have a car, and this car was a gift from her mother, so it was just right to pass it on to her!

I don’t know where she hid the money she earned from playing blood-sucking mahjong every day.

Half an hour later, the Ford V8 parked in front of the Licha Hotel, but no parking space was found.

For some unknown reason, all the parking spaces outside the Licha Hotel were full, filled with all kinds of luxury cars.

Ye Luo saw Sheng Enyi's signature Citroen at a glance. The license plate number 4444 was so unique.

He originally spent 30,000 yuan to buy this license plate from the Vehicle Administration Bureau just to match the name of the fourth son of his Sheng family.

Nowadays, the well-known tycoons in Shanghai all pursue serial number license plates to show their distinguished status.

The owner of car No. 3333 is Barrister Esen, the owner of car No. 5555 is Barrister Jiang Yiping, the son-in-law of Yu Qiaqing, and the license plate No. 7777 was given to Lu Yusheng by others. During the Republic of China, people believed that seven means prosperity and is the best sign.

The luxury cars all over the street caught Lu Xiaoman's eyes.

As a socialite, she often visits high-class social circles and luxury hotels, but this is her first time at the Richa Hotel.

There is only one reason for not coming, the consumption here is too expensive!

Lu Xiaoman took Ye Luo and got out of the car, and the three of them walked forward. Seeing that it was the second young master, the doorman at the door quickly called someone to pick up clothes and scarves, and gave Lu Xiaoman a silk scarf and shawl.

"What's going on inside that's so lively?" Ye Luo asked the doorman with a smile and tipped him an ocean.

The doorman smiled happily and leaned against the door of the hotel, helping the three Ye Luo people to keep the door open to facilitate their passage.

"Second Young Master~ I heard that there is a big foreign boss here selling cars, and many bosses came to join in and watch the fun."

"What kind of car can have such a big battle?" Ye Luo was curious and looked at each other with Lu Xiaoman.

Lu Xiaoman pursed his lips and chuckled: "Can it be bigger than the second young master's Chevrolet 490?"

"It seems to be called Si Lao. I don't understand foreign language and can't hear clearly what they are saying." The doorman pointed towards the side hall and said, "No, the bosses are dancing over there."

"Rolls-Royce?" Ye Luo raised his eyebrows.

It is the oldest and most famous top luxury car brand overseas.

However, during the Republic of China, it never had the intention to develop into the Chinese market. Last year, it actually launched the Rolls-Royce Phantom I, but it was not sold in China.

"Yes, yes, that's the one!" The doorman nodded.

"Aluo, I'm not hungry yet, why don't we go take a look together first?" Lu Xiaoman asked in a low voice next to him.

She saw the interest in Ye Luo's eyes. Such a man must first satisfy his desires.

Just as Ye Luo was about to answer, a young man walked over from the ballroom. It was Sheng Enyi, the fourth son of the Sheng family!

"I asked Zhou Xiangsheng why I made so many calls to Ye Gongguan and Xiafei Road, but I couldn't find you. It turns out that you are here with Miss Lu, and you are with me."

Sheng Enyi came over with a smile,

"Come on, come on, the German guy over there is touting his car. You know this, come and take a look."