1928: The rise of giant merchants

On the afternoon of November 22nd.

Ye Mansion.

"Second Young Master, the people in the patrol room are so lawless! They led people to break into our declaration building in broad daylight and smashed them indiscriminately. They didn't take the National Government seriously at all!"

Shi Liangcai's face was livid on the sofa. As a recognized "king of the newspaper industry" in China, he attached great importance to freedom of speech. He was deeply sought after and loved by people from all walks of life because of his patriotism, love for the people, and awe-inspiring character.

Shi Liangcai's social status was not low. Even the principal said he would give him some thin noodles when he was in Shanghai.

But I never thought that these so-called thin noodles are worthless before the real thing!

"Boss Shi, please be patient. What is the current damage situation of the reporting building?" Ye Luo comforted Shi Liangcai and pushed Xiaoli's brewed tea in front of him.

"A total of twelve offices were smashed and destroyed, and a total of twenty-six machines were smashed. Twelve people were slightly injured and three were seriously injured. Among them, editor Li Haoxuan is still in the hospital for first aid!"

Shi Liangcai was so angry that he gritted his teeth.

"Li Haoxuan's father is Li Boyu, the editor-in-chief of the News. He and Zhang Jiluan are known as Li from the north to Zhang Jiluan. To avoid suspicion, he sent his only son to us to apply for a job instead of staying at the News. Alas, if something happens to Haoxuan, I will How to explain to Boyu?"

"It turns out he is Mr. Li Boyu's only son." Ye Luo frowned.

Li Boyu has always been the editor-in-chief of the News. His father Li Yuerui, grandfather Li Yin, and great-grandfather Li Shanrong were all members of the Imperial Academy. Liu Guyu, a great scholar in Kansai, was a classmate of Zhang Jiluan when he was young. He became a scholar at the age of 13. At that time, he and Zhang Jiluan were hailed as "Shaanxi Talents".

He began to serve as the editor-in-chief of the News in 1913, and he did not resolutely resign after the fall of the Shanghai Bund Concession at the end of 1941, never to be a dog to the Japanese invaders.

Li Boyu has been in charge of the editorial affairs of the newspaper for nearly 30 years. He has inherited the ancestral tradition of "loyalty and loyalty", works conscientiously, and is a clean person. The principle of running the newspaper is "no party, no faction", objectively reporting facts, and justice. Justice never deals with any force.

Ye Luo admired this kind of scholar who could maintain his integrity during the war. After hearing this, he quickly called Shi Jianqiao: "Jianqiao, you immediately find someone to send Mr. Li to the best hospital in the concession. Just say it's me." Ye Luo’s friends, please ask the best doctors to give you full treatment, and don’t worry about medical expenses.”

"Yes!" Shi Jianqiao clasped his fists and immediately left the hall.

"Second Young Master is so righteous!" Shi Liangcai clasped his fists to express his gratitude, "Although Li Boyu is the chief writer of our competing product company, I respect him very much as a person. Second Young Master, please be more considerate of this matter."

"It's a small matter, no need to worry." Ye Luo waved his hand, "The declaration work cannot be left behind. I will assign staff from Ye's Construction Company to declare the building maintenance office. As for the damaged equipment, Boss Shi can purchase it immediately, plus I will personally go to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau to ask for the medical expenses of those innocent injured employees."

"Then I'll trouble you, Second Young Master." Shi Liangcai secretly sighed at Ye Luo's energy.

It would be difficult to count the number of people who dare to go directly to the Ministry of Industry Bureau to find trouble in the patrol room in Shanghai.

"It's not difficult to ask the police officers to apologize. What's difficult is to confront the people behind them." Ye Luo sighed and said, "You just received the telegram from the Songhu Police Department, and the other party came to make trouble and banned you from posting. It shows that someone is showing favoritism. Security Command.”

"No matter who it is, as the voice of the people, we will never give in." Shi Liangcai shook his head and expressed his position. He didn't care about this. He would rather be in pieces than in ruins, not just talk.

"This matter can't be revealed like this. I will communicate with Mayor Zhang and the others to see if they can issue a document tomorrow." Ye Luo pressed his palms to signal him not to get excited, "Forget it today, if you issue a document again, you will directly If you offend the top management, you will lose more than you gain."

"Okay, I listen to the second young master." Shi Liangcai was not completely stunned. Looking at Ye Luo's reaction and expression, he knew that the matter was not simple, and there was no need to get into trouble at this time.

The two chatted for a while, and then Shi Liangcai stood up and left.

As soon as he left, an unexpected guest came to visit him.

Ye Yuqiao came back with the uninvited guests.

"Dad, why are you back?" Ye Luo stood up quickly.

Ye Yuqiao has been reorganizing and repairing Ye's security company and sports company with Ye Hao recently. He has been working day and night since he started working. He rarely returns to Ye Mansion to rest, and spends most of his time sleeping in the company.

Li Shuzhen told him many times, but seeing no effect, she had no choice but to take her concubine with her every day to cook chicken soup and send it to her husband and son to replenish their health.

"I came back to see you about Jiang Anlun." Ye Yuqiao looked exhausted. The middle-aged man next to him in a straight suit with a shiny slicked back hair greeted Ye Luo with a smile.

"Aluo, I forgot to introduce you. This is Li Guojie, the grandson of Li Hongzhang, an important official in the late Qing Dynasty, and the chairman of the Steamship Investment Company at the time."

"Hello, Director Li." Ye Luo smiled and shook hands with Li Guojie.

This guy Ye Luo is very familiar. He has been living a life of luxury and wealth based on his grandfather's power and property. He still has the old Qing palace in his head. When the Qing Dynasty was overthrown, he was still serving as the ambassador to Belgium. Yuan They called him back, but he didn't dare to show up because he owed tens of thousands of public funds.

After returning to China, Li Guojie used the deed of Li Gong Temple in Tianjin as collateral to borrow 30,000 taels of silver from Wu Maoding, who was the former chief comprador of HSBC Tianjin Branch.

Wu said: "I have been greatly favored by Zhongtang, and I will never dare to ask for this thing." Then he presented Li with thirty thousand taels of silver.

In 1918, Li Guojie inherited his ancestral business and became a director of the Steamship Merchants Company, and was later elected as the chairman of the board of directors.

But he only enjoys showing off and does nothing in his career. He often invites friends to gather together to sing about the wind and the moon, and indulge in feasting and feasting all day long.

To be able to slowly destroy such a huge property of the Li family is a miracle.

This time the Jiang'an was accused of secretly transporting cigarettes, and this ship was auctioned to Edward Sassoon at a low price in order to cash in.

In case the Jiang'an incident involved the Steamship Merchants Bureau, he was worried that he would be in trouble, so he approached Ye Yuqiao, hoping that Ye Yuqiao could intercede in front of Ye Luo and prevent him, the chairman of the Steamship Merchants Bureau, from being caught.

After explaining his purpose, Li Guojie rubbed his hands, looking forward to Ye Luo's reply.

Ye Luo thought for a moment and said calmly: "Don't worry, Mr. Li, this matter has nothing to do with the Steamship Investment Company. You don't need to panic. If you are really worried, I will speak for you when I see Mayor Zhang and others another day. "

"Then thank you so much, Second Young Master!" Li Guojie was overjoyed and took out a check from his pocket and handed it to Ye Luo, "This is a small thank you, please don't refuse."

"Thank you very much, Director Li." Ye Luo pushed the check aside casually without even looking at the amount, and answered with a smile.

The three of them chatted for a while. After Li Guojie left, Ye Luo looked at his father, hoping that he would give him an explanation.

Ye Yuqiao smiled coldly and said sadly: "Arluo, Li Guojie is a waste, but the Steamship Merchants Company is a good thing."