1928: The rise of giant merchants

March 21, the seventeenth year of the Republic of China (1928).

Shanghai Baying Concession, No. 25 Hankou Road, Ministry of Industry Bureau.

In 1865, the Shanghai Public Concession Industry Bureau renamed this Customs Road "Hankou Road". This was also one of the first roads in the Shanghai Concession to use domestic place names and was commonly known as "Three Horse Roads".

The Bureau of the Ministry of Industry was an administrative agency set up in the concessions by the great powers in the late Qing Dynasty. It was called the Bureau of the Ministry of Industry in the British Concession, the Public Directorate in the French Concession, and the Administrative Committee Office of the Resident Militia in the Japanese Concession.

The real power in their hands is far greater than that of the Beiyang administrative agency in Shanghai established by the Beiyang government in Shanghai.

The Beiyang administrative agency in Shanghai is located in Shanghai Bund County. It can only manage a small one-third of an acre of land. It cannot reach into the concession at all. Moreover, Lu Yongxiang, a big warlord of the Feng clique, is currently suppressing it.

If you want to do things in the British Concession, General Lu's words are not easy to use, and you have to go to the Ministry of Industry Bureau to ask foreigners.

The rickshaw is parked properly.

The skinny and short coachman did not dare to get too close to the Ministry of Industry Bureau. Some time ago, a colleague brought someone to the area. Just because he was a little closer to the gate of the Ministry of Industry Bureau, he was taken away at gunpoint by the detectives from the patrol room.

I heard that he was imprisoned and beaten half to death. After he was released, he became insane.

"Miss, please go slowly!" After receiving more than thirty copper coins (during the Republic of China, 1 ocean was equal to 120 copper coins, 12 copper coins were about a dime, and the dime coin was made of oolong silver, commonly known as a small silver dollar), the rickshaw driver nodded and bowed. , watched the beautiful woman wearing a bright red tight-fitting cheongsam walk into the Ministry of Industry Bureau, then pulled up the car and left quickly.

After recovering from a serious illness, Xiao Ah Qian rushed to the Ministry of Industry Bureau non-stop to help Ye Luo with things.

Yesterday, Xiao Ah Qiao mobilized her connections and contacted Cao Yuan, deputy director of the Public Works Department of the Ministry of Industry.

Cao Yuan is the eldest son of Cao Guanxiong, a wealthy businessman in Shanxi Province. He bought this position through family connections and money. He loves visiting theaters and brothels most and is a frequent visitor to Fengming Tower.

Ye Luo finished checking Fengminglou's accounts last night, and sent over the same night a handwritten application for a company startup plan and a self-recommendation letter, asking Xiao Aqiao to send someone to the Ministry of Industry Bureau and the British Consulate General in Shanghai.

Because the application process was cumbersome and complicated, Xiao Aqiao didn't want Ye Luo to run around and waste time, so she came to Cao Yuan in person to establish a relationship.

Try to get all the trivial matters done before Ye Luo gets up!

In the lobby of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Building, people were coming and going early in the morning. Foreigners in all kinds of gorgeous clothes were walking around, chatting and laughing.

A Chinese woman wearing a cheongsam like Xiao Aqiao stands out among a bunch of foreign women. She is tall and sexy, and her tight cheongsam perfectly outlines her plump curves, attracting the attention of many foreigners.

She sat down holding her handbag, and while waiting for Cao Yuan, she took out her foundation box to touch up her makeup. In just a few minutes, several foreigners came up to chat with her.

"Sister! I've been waiting for a long time!"

Ten minutes later, a short fat man walked quickly with a shy smile.

"No way, I just arrived." Xiao Aqiao put on a professional smile, stood up with her bag, and said hello to Cao Yuan.

"It's not convenient to talk here. Let's go to my office and talk in detail." Cao Yuan glanced at the foreigners around him and took little Aqiao to the Public Works Office on the second floor.

The Public Works Department is mainly responsible for various affairs of the workers and businessmen in the Bunying Concession in Shanghai. The director of the department is a foreigner, but he basically does not show his face. The deputy director Cao Yuan usually has the final say on matters large and small.

"The eldest sister is here to visit, and the little brother's office is in full bloom. What would you like to drink, eldest sister?"

Cao Yuan came to the door and smiled attentively.

"Just ordinary tea. I can't get used to foreigners' coffee." Little Ah Qiao sat down, crossed her legs, and put her handbag on her lap to prevent it from being exposed. "Director Cao, can what you said yesterday come true?" ?”

"Haha, eldest sister, your business is my business! And you are helping the second young master, how can it be possible that you can't handle the second young master's affairs?" Cao Yuan smiled and made a cup of Yuqian Longjing, and handed it to the young master with both hands. Ah Qiao.

The Cao family has taken root in Hudong, and the labor union has made a lot of efforts. Whether it is the Ye family or Fengming Tower, the Cao family cannot afford to offend.

"Then I'll trouble you, Director Cao. As you know, the second young master is impatient and doesn't like procrastination. It's best to get it done in the morning. It's also convenient for me to go to Ye Mansion to deliver errands to the second young master."

Xiao A took a sip of tea and smiled,

"Director Yu Qiaqing, next time he comes to Fengming Tower for tea, I will ask the sisters to say a nice word for Director Cao at Director Yu's side."

"Ah, be grateful, be grateful, eldest sister!" The fat on Cao Yuan's face was squeezed into a ball.

Yu Qiaqing is the only Chinese director of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau. He holds a high position. The Cao family usually cannot curry favor with him even if they want to. Only women like the eldest sister of Fengminglou, who can have many interactions with celebrities from all walks of life, have the opportunity to interact with him. Contact with such a big shot.

There are only a group of romantic women in Fengming Tower, but no one on the beach dares to underestimate them.

After all, in many cases, the power of pillow wind is quite powerful.

"The Hehui Association from the main office will be here in a while. The eldest sister will just give the application form and self-recommendation letter to the Hehui Association." Cao Yuan assured, "I have already taken care of everything at the Hehui Association. The eldest sister will just go through the motions." .”

"Okay." Xiao A smiled and nodded.

The General Office of the Bureau of the Ministry of Industry is the highest authority under the board of directors. It has a general office and two assistant offices, all three of which are foreigners. There is also a Chinese association manager, which is what Cao Yuan calls the Hehui office.

The two of them sat in the office and waited quietly.

After one hour.

Xiao Aqian frowned slightly and looked at Cao Yuan.

Cao Yuan was also a little puzzled, smiled awkwardly, and asked her for the application form and self-recommendation letter: "Maybe I was too busy with the Hehui Association and forgot about it. Sister, wait a moment, I will go over and ask."

Cao Yuan quickly left the office and went straight to the main office.

A few minutes later, Cao Yuan returned to the office, sweating profusely and looking embarrassed.

Looking at his face, Xiao Aqiao knew that things were in trouble.

"Director Cao, what's going on?"

"Here, well, the River Council Office said that the eldest sister should go there in person." Cao Yuan wiped his sweat, this was different from what he had agreed to yesterday.

He had just met with the Hehui Bureau. The other party had clearly accepted him five hundred yuan, but now he turned against him and refused to acknowledge him.

"Okay, then I'll go and meet the river meeting in person." Xiao Aqiao still kept a smile on her face, picked up her handbag, twisted her waist, and walked towards the third floor.

Main office, entrance of the Chinese Association office.

Xiao Ah quietly knocked on the door several times before hearing a response from a man who said he was allowed to enter.

Bureau Chief He was sitting at his desk, reviewing documents. He looked to be in his forties, with sunken eye sockets and a poor complexion. At first glance, he looked like a middle-aged man whose body had been drained by alcohol and sex.

Xiao Aqiao looked around, but there was no second chair.

This is a deliberate attempt to give yourself authority.

"Little Aqiao from Fengming Tower?" He Hui did not raise his head.

"Yes, He will do it. I heard that you want to talk to me in person. Do you have any advice?" Xiao Aqiao crossed her shoulders with her hands, hooked a finger on her handbag, and looked at him with a charming smile.

What a seductive temptress!

Director He put down his pen and looked up at her.

In an instant, he was attracted by little A Qiao's appearance and figure.

He is closer to Yongxing Company, so he never goes to the Fengming Building under the name of the Ye family on weekdays, but the eldest daughter, A Qiao, has long heard of her reputation.

Three years ago, a Chinese businessman spent 50,000 yuan and wanted to spend a spring night with little Ah Qiao, but was ruthlessly rejected.

In the ten years since Fengming Tower opened, I haven't heard of anyone being able to break into little A Qiao.

The little Aqiao in the west of Shanghai is like a fairy in the forest in the east of Shanghai.

Representing the top class of women in Shanghai's romantic scene.

"You applied to open an investment company. I read the application. The company's main body and business are unclear. You also bribed Cao Yuan and other officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. I will not approve this application."

He Huiban said seriously, but his eyes were staring at her.

Xiao Aqiao has seen too many men like this, and she has long been immune to this level of gaze.

"Hehui will do it. People in the Ming Dynasty don't talk secretly. It's too boring for you to talk official talk with me here. Tell me, how much money do you want? Isn't 500 oceans enough? As far as I know, the monthly salary of the Chinese Association is also It’s only 250 yuan.”

Xiao Aqiao looked at him with a sneer.

If the person sitting here now was a foreigner, she would still give him a little face.

But He Ban is a Chinese.

The Chinese who worked for foreigners in various concessions seemed to be prosperous, but in fact they were just dogs that the foreigners could replace at any time.

The Chinese who truly have the right to speak are either rich or noble. They are either backed by warlords, have prominent family backgrounds, or have great wealth.

"How much? I'm afraid you can't afford the amount I want!" Hehui Ban sneered back and slapped the desk hard, "Little Ah Qiao. When others give you face, they call you Big Sister. In my eyes , you are no different from those bitches who strip off their clothes and sell their flesh in dance halls and theaters!"

"I said I won't approve it, so I won't approve it. Hey, you can pass it if you want me to, just sleep with me now and I'll pass it for you."

I’ve seen Tuqiongdagger.

Xiao Aqiao opened her beautiful eyes, raised the corners of her mouth, pointed at him, and responded domineeringly: "He will take care of it. Others give you face and tell you that you will take care of it. In my eyes, you are raised in a villa with foreigners. The dog is no different! If you have the courage, do it now."

"But I have to remind you, my little Aqiao is the woman of the second young master of the Ye family, Ye Luo. Do you dare?"

He really didn't dare.

The Hehui Office received 500 yuan from Cao Yuan yesterday. It looked like it was for the second young master of the Ye family. With a stroke of his pen, it must be approved.

But suddenly I received a call in the middle of the night. Zhang Wanlin, the second boss of Yongxing Company, wanted to trouble Second Young Master Ye and stop him from being so happy.

Zhang Wanlin comes from a gangster background and has a strong aura in the world. He likes to do thankless and disgusting work the most.

He Huiban is a staunch supporter of the Yongxing Company, for no other reason than he loves smoking, and the opium shop business in Shanghai is basically monopolized by foreigners and the Yongxing Company.

Being next to Zhang Wanlin, his smoke will never break.

Seeing that the He Council Office was silent, Xiao Ah Qian smiled even more. She didn't care about being stuck like this. What she wanted to do was to find out the little Chi guy who was behind the scenes.

How dare her little Ah Qiao's man do it?

Do you really think that the name of the eldest sister is in vain?

Bang bang bang.

The office door was knocked hard several times.

The silence was broken.

A blond foreigner with a sullen expression opened the door and walked in.

Seeing the face of the visitor, the Hehui Ban sitting in his seat was startled. He jumped up from his chair, looking extremely panicked!

"Sir George? Why are you here?" Hehui Ban spoke in blunt English, licking his smiling face, and almost surrounded him like a pug.

This foreigner has a very high status!

Xiao A quietly narrowed his eyes and stepped aside.

She had never seen each other before.

Sir George?

I've never heard of such a number one person in the Ministry of Industry Bureau.

Sir George saw her as soon as she entered the door, and his eyes were looking at her, but there was a rare lack of lust in them.

"I was chatting with the deputy commander-in-chief of the All Nations Merchant Group next door, and I heard that you guys have been making a lot of noise here. What's going on, He." Sir George's expression was not good, and he was obviously disturbed. "You are talking to this lady. Are you arguing?"

"Hello, Sir George. I am Shu Qiao from Fengming Building. I came to the main office today to apply for approval from the Hehui Office to create a new company. But the Hehui Office not only asked for a bribe, but also wanted to sleep with me."

Little Ah Qiao stretched out her bare hand, and her fluent English made Sir George's eyes light up.

"Hello, Miss Shuqiao, I have heard your name." Sir George stretched out his hand to shake her hand slightly, and frowned slightly after hearing these words, "Can you tell me more about this?"

"Sir George, she didn't say what happened." He quickly explained.

"Shut up!" Sir George hated that kind of Chinese English with a heavy accent, which made him feel a little nauseous. It was obviously better to talk to the He Council Office than to chat quietly with the pretty little guy who spoke good English. "Go on, Shu Qiao." Miss."

Xiao Aqiao briefly told what happened.

Of course, his words were naturally more favorable to Ye Luo, and he pushed all the problems to He Hui.

"Ye Luo? Are these two Chinese characters written like this?" Sir George was stunned for a moment, took the pen and paper from the desk, and wrote Ye Luo's name crookedly.

"Yes, can you also write Chinese characters?" Xiao A pursed his lips and smiled, "You are really good."

"Haha, I don't know Chinese. In fact, I can only write these two characters. After all, I didn't know how many times I wrote them when I was studying in Cambridge."

Sir George seemed to think of something interesting and burst out laughing.

"Every time I take roll call in class and sign in after class, I have to write it down."

"Cambridge University? Do you know my second young master?" Xiao Aqiao's mind was spinning rapidly, and she immediately realized that the foreigner in front of her might be very familiar with her little enemy.

"Ye Luo? If he is that Ye Luo." Sir George nodded, then looked at the He Association Office, "Where are Miss Shu Qiao's application and self-recommendation letter?"

He Huiban smiled awkwardly and glanced at the trash can aside.

Only then did little Ah Qiao realize that the things her little friend had worked so hard to write had been crumpled into a ball and thrown away.

She hurried over and squatted down, retrieved the application form and self-recommendation letter from the trash, then placed them on her lap and smoothed them carefully.

"Can you take a look at it for me? Miss Shuqiao." Sir George's expression became even worse.

"Of course." Xiao Aqiao smoothed the rolled up paper repeatedly and handed it to George.

""On the Last Madness of the U.S. Stock Market in 1928 and the Upcoming Rise of Investment". This is indeed a topic he has been talking about!"

These days, the application form is like a long essay. Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce don’t have to read it carefully, but you must write it carefully.

Because Chinese businessmen are subject to restrictions everywhere, it is difficult to start their own business, especially if the company is located in the British Concession, it must have excellent qualifications!

These applications must be filed and sealed, and a self-recommendation letter is also essential.

Ye Luo guessed that those foreigners wouldn't take it seriously. As long as the money was in place, plus the name of the Ye family and his own reputation, the matter could be easily solved.

So he just wrote a rough outline, explaining the rise of the investment industry, and casually mentioning the last glory of the U.S. stock market in 1928. After all, the financial crisis that swept the United States in 1929 was a major event that shocked the world.

Sir George looked at it again and again, still unfinished. He realized that Ye Luo had only tasted it, and he felt itchy!

He really wants to know the rest of the story!

After all, in the autumn of 1926, the Florida real estate bubble that had been wildly hyped during the speculative frenzy of the 1920s burst first. On this matter, the two had studied similar topics together at Cambridge University.

Unfortunately, no one was optimistic about their research at that time. In the winter of 1926, Ye Luo went to Harvard University in the United States to study for an MBA degree. The two parted ways and never contacted each other again.

This has always been a regret in George's heart.

Seeing the foreigner's expression changing, He Huiban knew that he was in for something big!

"Miss Shu Qiao, please wait a moment, I will take care of this matter." Sir George was furious, glared at Director He, and pushed out the door.

Go straight to the assistant office next door.

Harsh insults were heard.

After a while, there was a snap, and then there was another burst of unpleasant English swear words.

This time it was the foreigners in the general office who were scolded.

A few minutes later, the furious Sir George returned to the office. He looked at Shu Qiao with a smile: "Miss Shu Qiao, wait for me. After I finish going to the board of directors, I will go directly to Ye Luo with you!"

Shu Qiao nodded, her heart in turmoil.

She was also stunned.

It’s still unclear who Sir George is, but he actually cursed the head office manager and assistant manager in front of his face, and now he actually wants to trouble the board of directors?

The sound insulation of buildings in the 1920s was average.

George's roar could be heard from time to time upstairs.

Little Ah Qing could even hear the submissive voice of Yu Qiaqing, the only Chinese director of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Bureau.

She chuckled and looked at He Huiban, who was sweating profusely and felt like the sky was about to collapse.

This thing is done!