Chapter 118: Do You Recognize Me?
Dong dong qiang, dong dong qiang, the red silk cloth fell, and a burst of gong and drum sounds rang out.
Lin Yongren stood on the temporary ceremony platform built in front of the Hua Long Business Firm gate, cupping his hands in greeting to the dignitaries from all walks of life, bank representatives, foreign firm managers, and peers below the stage, with a decent smile at the corner of his mouth.
His gaze swept over several suspicious figures in the crowd, eh, in these times, any lively occasion is bound to have eyes from all sides.
The emcee loudly announced for Boss Lin to give his speech.
Lin Yongren stepped forward, took the microphone, cleared his throat: “Distinguished guests, colleagues, today Hua Long Business Firm opens, I am deeply grateful for everyone’s favor.”
“At this time of national hardship, industry saves the nation, every man has a duty.”
“Hua Long is based in the concession, not for seclusion, but to leverage this location, open wide commercial routes, connect supply and demand inside and outside the country, exchange our China’s products for urgently needed materials, sustain people’s livelihood, and seek survival and self-strengthening…”
Chen Yang below the stage listened to the speech manuscript and couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth; this was written by a professor from the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce college for twenty-five silver dollars by Lin Yongren.
In this era, the ones who make the most money are not businessmen, but literati; for this manuscript, just a few hundred words up and down, they charge thirty silver dollars.
Later, after much persuasion, it was reduced to twenty-five silver dollars, and that’s still two months’ salary for a wharf worker.
And this is just an ordinary literati; if you find a famous one, like Guo Moruo or Yu Dafu, one manuscript could cost you over a hundred silver dollars…
No wonder they say the Republic is the golden age for literati.
The voice on stage continued, Lin Yongren said gravely: “Hua Long Business Firm integrates department store, transportation, customs declaration, and remittance services, aiming to be the bridge connecting East and West and serving Chinese and foreigners.”
“We will uphold integrity as the foundation, goods through the world, and wish to join hands with all present to overcome difficulties and create the future together!”
As the words fell, applause thundered…
The third round of firecrackers rang out, the Hua Long Business Firm gate opened right on time, and several girls in welcoming attire stood in two rows respectively.
Lin Yongren returned the microphone to the emcee, walked off the stage, and together with Chen Yang, greeted and invited the managers and foremen of major foreign firms in the French Concession and International Settlement, as well as several bosses from the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, and entered the Hua Long Business Firm together.
The original house was knocked through and extended backward; the business firm covers nearly nine hundred square meters, with the hall interior decorated in a blend of Chinese and Western styles, featuring modern glass counters and chandeliers, as well as traditional rosewood furniture and landscape paintings.
The goods samples are dazzling, from exquisite silk porcelain, tung oil and pig bristles, to imported hardware machinery, western medicine, and woolen fabrics, everything is available.
The most eye-catching is the huge business directory sign, clearly marking the locations of the department store department, transportation department, customs declaration department, and remittance department…
Lin Yongren doesn’t understand at all what these things are for, so when others raise questions, it’s Chen Yang who answers.
Chen Yang speaks very quickly, and with the assistance of the AI system, facing inquiries from numerous foreign firm foremen, managers, and Shanghai bosses, he can freely switch between various languages.
“Boss Wang, for your batch of raw silk, I’ll arrange the wharf and ship for you, guaranteed to arrive at Hong Kong Island three days faster than the market.”
“Mr. Smith, the tung oil sample you want will be delivered to your office this afternoon.”
“Boss Fu, railway transportation might be difficult right now; transportation in the four provinces of Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi is fully booked. How about this: contact Boss Lin, send the materials through Nanjing logistics emergency transport channel to Mai Gen Road Warehouse first, and I’ll arrange a vehicle for you as soon as one is available.”
……
The crowd walked and talked; in just a short dozen minutes, Chen Yang had already secured three months of business for Hua Long Business Firm.
Just as the atmosphere was heated, a slight commotion came from the entrance.
Several police station detective inspectors in black uniforms and a middle-aged man in a Japanese-style Western suit with an arrogant expression, accompanied by a nodding and bowing interpreter, walked straight in.
The noisy hall instantly quieted a bit, and many people’s gazes turned vigilant.
The leading detective inspector smiled insincerely as he walked up to Lin Yongren: “Boss Lin, congratulations on the opening! Quite a spectacle.”
“For concession security, brothers have a duty, specially came to celebrate, and by the way, check if your business firm’s operations are… in compliance with regulations.”
On the last few words, he deliberately dragged out the tone.
Damn it, coming to make trouble on the first day of opening? Lin Yongren was just about to get angry when he saw Chen Yang subtly shake his head, signaling restraint.
Lin Yongren took a deep breath and barely restrained his emotions: “Detective Inspector Zhu, before my small shop opened, all the due respects were given without fail.”
“You pulling this stunt at this time is not very proper.”
Zhu Tong smiled insincerely: “Boss Lin, I’m not clear on what respects you’re talking about; I’m just following regulations and procedures.”
“Someone reported you for illegally extending the house; without complete permits, I’m afraid you’ll have to close down first today.”
“Although opening and closing on the same day is indeed bad luck, but there’s no other way.”
Chen Yang’s expression tightened upon hearing this; this was clearly someone instructing him to sabotage.
Seeing the smug Japanese businessman behind Zhu Tong, it was most likely this guy’s idea.
Damn it, this little baka probably hasn’t died before.
Before Chen Yang could speak, footsteps sounded, and a group of people walked in from the main door; the leader, upon entering, said in Japanese: “Mr. Chen, you open your business firm and don’t call me, too unkind.”
“Ino-kun? Why are you here?” Chen Yang was a bit surprised upon recognizing the person.
Ino Yusuke smiled: “Of course I came to find you for something good.”
“Hm, Mr. Chen, your complexion doesn’t look good; what happened?”
Chen Yang pointed at Zhu Tong and explained the matter.
“Baka.” Ino Yusuke’s pupils contracted slightly, walked up to Zhu Tong: “You, do you know me?”
Zhu Tong instinctively nodded and bowed: “Taijun, hello, may I ask who you are?”
“Don’t know me? Good, I’ll make you know me now; drag him out and beat him.” With Ino Yusuke’s command, two people from the crowd dragged Zhu Tong out without a word.
The Japanese businessman behind Zhu Tong trembled all over, clearly knowing Ino Yusuke’s background.
“Who are you? Looks like you know me?”
The man hurriedly nodded: “Mr. Ino, I am Matsutani Tsuiichi from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce; I drank with you at the annual meeting, you don’t remember?”
Ino Yusuke sneered: “You know me and still dare to make trouble, that’s not putting me in your eyes, baka yalu, you have some nerve; drag him down and beat him.”
As the words fell, several more people sprang out from behind, dragging Matsutani Tsuiichi away.
Suddenly the two leaders were both dragged out for beating, the remaining small constables neither dared to leave nor stay, all stunned in place.
Chen Yang’s gaze swept over them, and one word escaped: “Get lost.”
