1928: The rise of giant merchants

The frequent successes in the Jiang-Gui war made the merchants in Shanghai feel like they were falling into an ice cave.

The General Chamber of Commerce has been holding small meetings one after another in the past few days. Each of the three chairman members is looking more and more haggard. Seeing that fewer and fewer members come to the meeting, they know that nothing can be done and what awaits them will be ruthless sanctions from the National Government.

The principal's secretary, Deng Wenyi, had sent a telegram before the war, asking all members of the General Chamber of Commerce, from the chairman and committee members to ordinary members, to pay for their lives.

Each chairman member is worth 500, each ordinary member is 300, and each ordinary member is 100.

At that time, they were still very stubborn and either turned a blind eye or followed the petition group to Jinling to cause trouble. But now, those businessmen who did not even come to the meeting were obviously using their connections to send money to buy their lives.

On April 2, the General Chamber of Commerce's daily meeting could no longer even gather a few ordinary members. Looking at the conference room that was mostly empty, Chairman Feng Shaoshan felt filled with emotion.

Yu Qiaqing, who has always been resentful because he failed to obtain the position of chairman and committee member, has become the backbone of the current anti-General Chamber of Commerce forces. While he attracted a large number of members to be close to Chiang Kai-shek and join the Ministry of Finance of the National Government, he also spent money to bribe Manchu elders and old-school businessmen. The faction that was squeezed out by the General Chamber of Commerce last time seemed ready to leave the General Chamber of Commerce alone and go it alone.

Tan Si, who was sitting in the seat, also had an ugly face. His dock gang had participated in the incident against the Jiangan ship and the Nissin ship. Although it was a good thing to combat the transportation of smoke for the country and the people, it also completely offended Song Ziwen. , Kong Xiangxi and the French Consul General. During this period of time, the business world was turbulent, and second-tier gangs such as the Wuhu Gang and Xiaodao Hui began to prepare to replace him with the help of Yu Qiaqing's power.

In Shanghai today, there are not many tycoons left who came here at the same time as Tan Si. Feng Jingyao and Bai Lili were just outsiders. Seeing that the situation was not good, they no longer came here for meetings.

A feeling of sadness arises spontaneously.

"Shaoshan, I think everyone has arrived, so let's get started." Lin Kanghou, who was relatively relaxed among the three chairmen and committee members, smiled at Feng Shaoshan.

Lin Kanghou is currently the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Banking Association and the General Manager of the Shanghai Branch of Peking Xinhua Savings Bank. After squeezing Bei Zuyi out of the banking industry, he and Chen Guangfu became the duo of the banking industry. Immediately following the dissolution of the General Chamber of Commerce, he He will go to Jinling to serve as the Executive Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and become Song Ziwen's right-hand man.

Later, in the "National Advancement and Private Retreat" movement that annexed major private enterprises, he was the vanguard of the Nationalist government's invasion of the financial world!

Feng Shaoshan nodded slightly and was about to speak when the door to the conference room was suddenly pushed open and an unexpected person walked in.

"It seems that I came at the right time." Ye Luo reached out and took off the big windbreaker, hung it on the vertical clothes rack next to the door, and then walked over with a smile, and said hello to Tan Si.

"Second Young Master? Why are you here?" Lin Kanghou's eyes flashed and he stood up to greet him with a very humble attitude.

He knew that Ye Luo was Song Ziwen's former celebrity. It was said that he had a good relationship with the principal's family and the Kong family. He was used to being able to act according to the circumstances, so naturally he immediately flattered him.

In the past, he was a high-ranking chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce and one of the few big figures in Shanghai's business community. Of course, he didn't need to pay attention to this newly rising young tycoon.

But today is different from the past.

Ye Luo has completed the mountain worship ceremony under the witness of Situ Meitang, succeeding Sheng Xuanhuai and becoming the second recognized No. 1 tycoon. Coupled with his close relationship with the National Government, who is he, Lin Kanghou?

"What? Didn't you call all the members for a meeting? I'm a member of the General Chamber of Commerce, shouldn't I come?" Ye Luo looked at him jokingly.

He also knew about Lin Kanghou's "rebellion" against the General Chamber of Commerce.

"How come? It's the Chamber of Commerce's honor that you can come. Please sit down." Lin Kanghou was eager to give up his seat. His flattering face made Feng Shaoshan and Zhao Jinqing increasingly unhappy.

They also knew that Ye Luo and the Jinling National Government were in the honeymoon period, so they looked down upon this young man who relied on the dictator's favor to dominate Shanghai, especially Feng Shaoshan, who had previously provided advice for the Ye Luo Charitable Foundation, but now he has changed from Ye Fan to The leaves are black.

The two snorted coldly, ignored Ye Luo, and started the meeting charter.

Ye Luo has no interest in the declining General Chamber of Commerce. He came here specifically to give some advice to these businessmen who still have some conscience in Shanghai.

A while ago, he had obtained the rough list of the new business group organization committee from Song Ziwen. Those who were not selected would naturally not have a good ending.

And those who can be remembered or disliked by the principal at this moment will actually contribute a lot to the future.

After the meeting, Feng Shaoshan and the others packed up the documents, but Lin Kanghou rushed to Ye Luo: "Second Young Master, I heard that you are planning to hold a charity dinner to aid the north in the near future?"

"Yes, the seriousness of the disaster in the north is very touching. I am also a member of the Chinese people. I can do my little bit and it is my duty to do so." Ye Luo nodded, "Boss Lin's information is really well-informed. I haven't even published it in the newspaper yet. .”

"Haha, I just want to be shameless and ask for an invitation letter." Lin Kanghou knew that the number of places for this charity dinner was extremely limited. Those who could be invited were all important officials of the National Government, as well as top celebrities from all walks of life, and they were qualified Everyone who received the invitation letter had already received Ye Luo's invitation.

He, Marquis Linkang, is not qualified and he is unwilling to do so.

"Ah, this is my dereliction of duty. Why did I forget you, Boss Lin?" Ye Luo pretended to clasp his fists in apology and replied with a smile, "Since Boss Lin is so interested, we will meet at the Paramount Ballroom on April 15th."

"Haha, okay, okay, I will definitely support you when the time comes. It is our duty to deal with the disaster in the north!" Lin Kanghou received the promise and was satisfied.

Although I am a bit shameless, getting an invitation is the greatest victory.

Not to mention the donation at the dinner, if he can meet some of the current important figures in the military and political circles at a banquet of this size, his future career will be smooth sailing.

The two of them were laughing and chatting, but Feng Shaoshan snorted coldly: "A nest of snakes and rats, working together to help the north? It's just a cat crying over a mouse, it's fake compassion."

"Shaoshan, stop talking!" Zhao Jinqing knew that Ye Luo was powerful, but he didn't dare to offend him, so he quickly pulled his sleeve.

Seeing Ye Luo's appearance, Feng Shaoshan showed no fear. He straightened his chest and continued to sarcastically say: "I'm afraid this so-called charity dinner is just to raise military pay for the dictator under the guise of charity."

"Boss Feng, won't you know if this is the case if you come and take a look?" Ye Luo was not annoyed by his words. Instead, he took out a few invitations and walked towards them, "Boss Feng, Boss Zhao, and four more Master, this is an invitation letter for the three of you, please show your dignity and be present."

"Tsk." Feng Shaoshan looked at the gilded invitation, and his name was indeed written on it.

Good guy, are you planning to mock yourself in the face?

Not far away, Lin Kanghou suddenly turned to stone.

What does it mean?

I have worked so hard to get invitations like a meal, but they sent out three invitations at once?

Forget about Feng Shaoshan and the other two, they are all chairman and committee members of the General Chamber of Commerce. Ye Luo wants to rely on them to gain some popularity in the business world. Lin Kanghou can understand.

What the hell is Tan Si?

In terms of gang strength, he is not at the top, and he is not even on the stage. In terms of financial and human resources, he is far behind many people.

Seeing that Ye Luo had no intention of taking it back, Zhao Jinqing still smiled and urged Feng Shaoshan to accept it together.

Don't hit the smiling person with your hand.

"Those three, see you then." Ye Luo clasped his fists and stopped lingering.

After he left, Feng Shaoshan snorted again, looked at the gold-plated invitation in his hand, and said with a smile, "I want to see how he wants to mock us."

"Shaoshan, say less, say less. He also has good intentions." Zhao Jinqing looked around and winked at his old friend.

I heard that the Nationalist Government recently established a secret spy agency. Who knows if the General Chamber of Commerce has a few spies sneaking in?

He is not afraid of death, but he does not want to die in a painful way.

Feng Shaoshan didn't care so much. When he opened the invitation letter, his expression suddenly changed——

At 10 o'clock tomorrow night, Mr. Feng will be invited to the Ye Mansion to discuss important matters!