1928: The rise of giant merchants

Feng Jingyao was afraid that Ye Luo would not agree to help.

As for money? That's hard to say.

He, Feng Jingyao, has been making waves in the French Concession for more than ten years. The most important thing is money.

"Haha, of course. Brothers are like brothers. If you want the second young master to cut off his limbs, you have to pay more. You have to pay more!" Feng Jingyao raised his red wine glass and stood up, "It's too much for me to ask the second young master. Punish yourself with a drink, punish yourself with a drink."

Ye Luo smiled and stood up and gave a drink in return.

Some of the big names he came into contact with after returning to Shanghai each had their own characteristics.

Foreigners in high positions think highly of themselves and look down on Chinese people, but after understanding their preferences and needs, it is often easier to interact with and take advantage of them.

Chinese people in high positions, those with a rough background, such as Ye Yuqiao, Feng Jingyao, Lu Yusheng, etc., have a strong aura of politics and abacus, but sometimes the way of thinking about problems is not good.

Those who come from aristocratic families, such as Bai Xiongqi, are gentle and polite, but they are restrained in doing things and think too much. They are suitable for being allies, but not suitable for being partners in business.

Understanding the personalities of these Shanghai tycoons will be of great benefit to Ye Luo's future business.

"Boss Feng also knows that I want to start a car rental business, so the additional money will naturally have to be invested in this aspect, are you right?"

Ye Luo skillfully cut the steak with a knife and fork, took out a piece and put it in his mouth. The taste was not bad. It seemed that the chef hired by Grand Times Department Store also had two brushes.

"Of course! Second Young Master, please tell me directly. As long as I, Old Feng, can do it, I will never refuse!" Feng Jingyao replied with a smile.

He was actually curious about what Ye Luo was thinking.

The car dealership business is completely monopolized by foreigners. Cars can only be sold through the Automobile Dealers Association. As for the car rental business, most of the people who take taxis and rent cars are foreigners. They like mid- to high-end cars and have good relations with foreign companies. They don’t know how to do it at all. Consider Chinese businessmen.

No matter how you look at it, it doesn't look like a good business.

"Big Time Department Store, when I came here, I looked around. There are six floors in total. We are on the fifth floor. Along the way, there are nearly fifty merchants at a glance." Ye Luo talked while eating steak, "Although Feng The boss’s department store’s main customers are wealthy people and foreigners, but there are also many middle-class Chinese and ordinary people who come to hang out.”

"The second young master has a good memory!" Feng Jingyao read the report given by his subordinates. Grand Times Department Store now has a total of 49 merchants, which exactly matches the number Ye Luo said. Judging from his words and deeds, Ye Luo is the first of the four young masters in Shanghai. The nickname is well-deserved.

Ordinary people increase the traffic of department stores, and the wealthy class is the main consumer group. There is nothing wrong with this business idea, but the traffic provided by ordinary people cannot be monetized. In fact, Feng Jingyao has been potentially losing money.

In the technological era of later generations, traffic means money.

Ye Luo, who knew this well, had made his mind up on this before coming.

"I hope that every business will have large window advertisements set up by me." Ye Luo said with a smile, "Of course, I won't make Boss Feng's money in vain. The first three months are free. This is my help to Boss Feng." After hammering out Yu Likui’s remuneration, we can discuss cooperation issues normally.”

"Large window advertisement?" Feng Jingyao looked confused, not knowing what it was.

Window advertisements in Shanghai began in late 1927. They were first launched by Chinese and Western pharmacies in the public concession. However, they were only small window advertisements arranged by small shops. They were made to promote "Letus" milk powder. After the milk powder was sold, it was withdrawn. .

The real popularity of large-scale window advertisements began in 1930, when the four major department stores took the lead. After that, this trend swept the entire Shanghai.

"It means placing a huge glass window somewhere inside and outside the store to display the products for sale." Ye Luo explained briefly, "I will arrange the glass display window and car models, as long as Boss Feng allows the merchants to vacate the space. ”

"Oh, just let them advertise the second young master's car in the store." Feng Jingyao suddenly realized that he had seen a lot of street sign advertisements on the road, and thought he would just replace the big street sign with a glass cabinet and put the car inside. Model.

That's okay, he didn't pay for it anyway.

Those merchants all relied on his Grand Times Department Store to make a living. It was only for three months, so it didn't matter.

"Yes." Ye Luo smiled faintly. If this was done in future generations, it would be impossible to succeed.

It seems outrageous to think that whether it is a restaurant, entertainment venue or clothing store, a large glass display window is used to display his Chevrolet 490.

The effectiveness of advertising is terrifying.

Especially in this era that is not yet bombarded by all kinds of advertisements.

Feng Jingyao didn't know how badly he had been tricked, so he smiled and continued to pour wine for Ye Luo.

Now all he could think about was how to kill that little red guy Yu Likui. This time he asked Ye Luo out, and he was even prepared to pay 100,000 yuan. Now it seems that the cost is far lower than he expected.

The two agreed that Feng Jingyao would purchase 10 Chevrolet 490s, give him a Grand Times Department Store VIP card, and let Ye Luo set up large window advertisements in all merchants for three months for free!

Ye Luo, on the other hand, ensured that Yu Likui's rickshaw drivers would no longer appear around the Grand Times Department Store and other industries.

The two chatted happily. The more Feng Jingyao saw Ye Luo, the more he liked him. He was tall and handsome, had a good family background, and had high business intelligence. He also thought of his daughter Feng Chengcheng, who was studying at the Yan University Girls' School in Peking, and was moved.

George followed Ye Luo's instructions and didn't say a word during the whole process. He should eat and drink when he should.

The French food here tastes good. He concentrated on enjoying the food and ignored the conversation between the two.

This taciturn foreigner made Feng Jingyao quite curious.

He and Ye Luo talked about the car rental business again, and Ye Luo pretended to accidentally mention that the approval of the investment company was obtained by George.

This made Feng Jingyao immediately look at George high.

These days, there are many foreigners in high and powerful positions, and there are also many bastards who come to China to eat and drink.

Anyway, you look like a foreigner, so no one dares to do anything to you.

At first, Feng Jingyao thought this was Ye Luo's partner.

But if you listen carefully, the more you taste, the more something is wrong.

"Second Young Master, you've already said this, but you still can't confirm it?" Feng Jingyao asked tentatively.

Ye Luo deliberately glanced at George sideways, and then poured him a glass of red wine.

George was busy eating, took the wine and drank it without saying anything.

"This Mr. John George is the consul of the British Consulate General in Shanghai and one of the directors of the Ministry of Industry." Ye Luo deliberately lowered his voice and spoke in Shanghainese.

Feng Jingyao was greatly shocked!

He has been having dinner with the consul and the director of the Ministry of Industry and Industry Bureau without knowing it!

And he thought George was doing things for Ye Luo!

"Second Young Master! What the hell." Feng Jingyao was greatly embarrassed, and instantly understood that George was not the one who wanted to do this so-called car rental business, and Ye Luo was just his Chinese business representative.

Many foreigners like to find Chinese businessmen to be compradors. This is the basic step in starting a foreign business. He is also a comprador from France, so he naturally knows the ropes.

It all made sense instantly.

Foreigners don't care what is easy to do and what is not easy to do. No one can control what they want to do.

"Consul George just came to Shanghai not long ago and doesn't like dealing with Chinese people. I'm sorry." Ye Luo smiled apologetically.

Seeing that they were all looking at him, George looked up and smiled, and continued eating and drinking.

This instantly made George more arrogant in Feng Jingyao's eyes. He was quite enthusiastic in the public affairs office before, but now it seems that the foreign devil has lost a good impression of him.

"Alas, I, Consul George, have been negligent. I have been negligent." Feng Jingyao stood up to propose a toast. George didn't understand what he was saying, so he sat down and clinked his glasses with him.

After learning George's identity, the atmosphere at the dinner became a bit awkward.

The upper class circles of foreigners are all connected. This Consul George might be familiar with the consul of the French Consulate or the big boss of the public affairs bureau. Feng Jingyao had no time to remedy the situation. In order to avoid deepening the misunderstanding, he settled the dinner as soon as possible.

After eating and drinking, George and Ye Luo said goodbye to Feng Jingyao. Before leaving, Feng Jingyao secretly stuffed two envelopes into Ye Luo, one with his name on it and the other with George's name on it.

Ye Luo smiled without saying a word and took her into her arms.

After they left, Feng Jingyao immediately called someone to investigate George's identity.

Soon the news was passed on by his subordinates.

It is true that John George came to Shanghai only recently. He is a veritable consul and director of the Ministry of Industry and Industry. His grandfather is Sir Jordan, the original minister to China!

A few days ago, Xiao Aqiao went to the Ministry of Industry Bureau to apply for approval and had a big quarrel with the Hehui Office. It was George who descended from the sky to solve the problem.

This George was also Ye Luo's classmate at Cambridge University in England. No wonder the two had close contacts.

Everything clicked.

Feng Jingyao regretted it. George's background was bigger than he thought. Each of the two envelopes he sent out contained a check worth 1,000 yuan. It looked like the gift was too little.

Now that there was no chance to make up for it, he hurriedly called his men over: "The large window advertisement that the second young master wants to make, please get it done as soon as possible within a week. By the way, don't let the second young master spend money. Send someone to Ye Mansion to ask for the design. Let’s find someone to make arrangements for everything!”

"Oh, and also, send a telegram to Peking and call Cheng Cheng home. I will arrange for her to study abroad in England."

"Master, I'm afraid the eldest lady won't be happy to come back." The man was sweating profusely.

"She doesn't want to come back, you won't lie to her? Well, just say that I am seriously ill and ask her to go back to Shanghai to take care of me." Feng Jingyao added, thinking about how to find excuses to ask Ye Luo for dinner and take his daughter with him. Come out and let the two of you get to know each other.

Back at No. 32 Xiafei Road, Ye Luo and George took a short nap before preparing to drive back to the British Concession to attend the masquerade ball held by Citibank at the Richa Hotel.

This kind of dance can generally only be attended by Citibank's highest-level VIPs. It is also a business and political platform built by Citibank for its high-end customers.

At the dance, information exchange is greater than dance communication. In order to avoid embarrassment, everyone wears masks and pretends not to know each other.

During the dance, if some ambiguous feelings arise between men and women, they can still flirt with peace of mind.

Before driving, Ye Luo found that the seal outside the bungalow at No. 33 Xiafei Road next door had been torn, indicating that someone had just rented it.

After sending George back to the consulate, Ye Luo went back to Ye Mansion first, opened the envelope and took a look, um, 2,000 oceans, not bad.

"Xiao Li, have you finished what I asked you to do before?" Ye Luo was sitting in the hall, and the three concubines and Ye Qingqing were playing mahjong again.

Since her marriage, Ye Qingqing has gradually degenerated from a progressive female student into a noble young woman. She spends her days either drinking tea, dancing or playing mahjong.

She has been lively since she was a child and is good at dealing with people. She has the demeanor of her grandmother Li Shuzhen. Now she is chatting and laughing with the three concubines without a hint of greenness.

"Okay, okay, second young master, don't rush me." The petite Xiaoli ran over, holding a brand new car key in her hand.

"Here, send someone to deliver this envelope, along with the car keys." Ye Luo rubbed Xiaoli's head and stood up to watch the card game.

"Mom, you're going to get three shots if you keep fighting." Ye Luo marveled. The fourth aunt, Bi Yunxia, ​​was the worst at poker. They were always calling her to fill in her seat, and she had to pay tuition every day. It was quite miserable.

"Then, then I won't play this card!" Bi Yunxia quickly hugged the ten thousand card to her bulging chest, looked around, and never dared to take it out again.

"Second brother, I'm going to die. My card has been ruined by Nong." Ye Qingqing raised her head and glared at him, "Mom, this ten thousand is just a play, give me money."

"That's right, Second Young Master, you are a true gentleman watching the chess game without saying anything." The third aunt directly pushed the card, and it was also a random card worth ten thousand.

"Luoluo, my second mother can't help you now, she's all alone." The second aunt pursed her lips and chuckled.

"I'm wrong, I'm wrong, I'll take the blame for my little mom." Ye Luo took out the 1,000 ocean check and landed lightly in front of the Biyunxia stage, "You three always bully me because you can't play cards. , I have become a shareholder of Little Mom, as the saying goes, if I beat my teacher to death with random punches, I will see that some of you three will cry."

"Second, second young master!" Bi Yunxia opened her eyes wide and looked at the check, holding it in her hand, wanting to return it to him, but she couldn't see his figure anywhere.

"Okay, okay, second brother is the real God of Wealth. Mom, there is no reason not to play cards now!" Ye Qingqing smiled and went to pull the check.

British Consulate General in Shanghai, Building 2.

After George finished washing, he was about to go downstairs to take a breather. Then he walked to the door and found Audrey standing in front of a car looking around.

"Consul George, you're here!" Audrey couldn't help but stare at the luxury car.

"Uh, whose car is parked in front of my door?" George walked up and took a look. Good guy, there was a big note taped to the car door, and a letter was inserted diagonally on it. He took it off and opened it, and a 1,000 ocean note fell out. Checks, and a pile of papers.

""On the final madness of the U.S. stock market in 1928 and the upcoming rise of investment (2/20)"."

George's newly bloomed smile froze in an instant.

In the breeze, the "Thank you, George!" written on the big note was particularly dazzling.

"Ye, you guy!" George was about to cry, but he carefully put away the paper manuscript in the envelope, and then stuffed the check into his pocket.

When I looked at the car now, I realized it was a brand new Ford V8.

I must have been too fascinated by his car and was discovered by him.

George patted his forehead with the envelope, turned around and went back upstairs, feeling warm in his heart.

Some errors and omissions in previous chapters have been corrected. For example, it took at least a month to transport a car from the United States to Shanghai. Other questions can also be raised. In addition, it is not easy to update new books. I update nearly 8,000 words twice a day, which is equivalent to three or four updates for others. Please try your best to read and don't keep reading. Thank you.