Chapter Nineteen: Small-Scale Financial Fundraising

Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot.

Recently, Chen Guangliang had become a well-known figure in the Pangu Alley slum—not just because he had risen from a mere rickshaw puller to a boss, but also due to a fierce battle a few days ago.

News spread that “Chen Guangliang led his men in a great fight against knife-wielding thugs and emerged victorious.” In such a chaotic place, this made him a figure of admiration.

Young men seeking to join his cause increased rapidly.

However, Chen Guangliang only recruited rickshaw pullers, not disciples.

Those willing to work hard were first instructed to familiarize themselves with the concession and Shanghai’s cityscape, and when a vacancy arose, they could join.

Even so, many were eager to seize this opportunity; after all, in these times, a stable job was a rare blessing.

“All right... This is a merchandise package valued at three silver dollars, containing cigarettes, cola, snacks, and so forth. The selling prices are listed on it. From now on, you eighteen rickshaw pullers may officially begin selling these goods.”

“But this package, worth three silver dollars, must be paid for within two days. Future merchandise from me will be at cost price—buying and selling alike... Your share of the profits will be settled quarterly.”

“If you have any questions, ask me here!”

The B project had been running for two weeks, with two rounds of training completed, and was now ready for full sales.

The merchandise bags required immediate payment, meaning the rickshaw pullers had to front the money. But the quantity was small—first, to suit everyone’s financial capacity, and second, to avoid overburdening them—so the pressure was manageable.

None of the eighteen second-wave rickshaw pullers objected; those who raised questions received thorough answers from Chen Guangliang.

At this moment, the twenty-seven rickshaw pullers under Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot were united and tireless.

Especially after their recent “shared battle,” the cohesion within the team was unprecedented.

“Shared interests” were the foundation holding this group together.

Once his business was settled, Zhang Qihua, who had come to observe the depot, teased, “Xiao Chen, your moves have lifted these people out of misery and given them hope. Liu Sanye, who wrote ‘Camel Xiangzi,’ has lost a prototype character!”

Though Zhang Qihua was a university professor, he highly valued literary reputations and was deeply invested in the epic novel “Camel Xiangzi.”

It was summer break, so he spent every day gathering material at the Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot.

Chen Guangliang treated Zhang Qihua with great respect, accommodating any requests, arranging for the rickshaw pullers to answer his inquiries, and even having them take him on field research around the streets.

He was one of Chen’s “benefactors.”

“Professor Zhang, there are many prototypes for Liu Sanye. Many rickshaw depot owners are like him—take my former boss, Wang Chengyun, for example... Such ‘Liu Sanyes’ were ruthless, growing rich by exploiting rickshaw pullers.”

Zhang nodded, saying, “Yes, those despicable capitalists!”

Chen immediately retorted, “Professor Zhang, you can’t say that. Capitalists aren’t inherently bad; the flaw lies in the social system. Capitalists also mobilize social productivity and contribute to scientific revolutions for humanity... Don’t you think I have a point?”

Zhang mused thoughtfully, “Perhaps, you’re right.”

***

Later, Zhang Qihua found a place to have tea.

The Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot provided free tea and rest areas for its rickshaw pullers, which had become an important hub for the twenty-seven men.

“Xiangdong, how have you been lately?”

Seeing He Xiangdong helping out, Chen Guangliang greeted him warmly.

He Xiangdong wiped the mud off his hands and smiled, “Manager Chen, I’m full of energy and, like everyone else, hopeful for the future.”

Chen patted his shoulder. “You can just call me Liang. I heard you studied at a private school for a few years, right?”

He Xiangdong hurriedly replied, “Better to call you Manager Chen or Brother Liang... I did attend a private school for a few years, so I can read newspapers.”

“Then call me Brother Liang. It’s good you’ve had some education. When the Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot expands, I plan to bring you on as my assistant—with a salary.”

Meritocracy prevailed; even if Chen asked him to call him “A-Liang,” He Xiangdong would find it hard to say.

He Xiangdong was thrilled. “Thank you for your trust, Brother Liang!”

Chen laughed, “It’s not about trust—it’s about your ability. Naturally, you deserve the right position.”

In this era, many had some education. Whether or not it was Chen’s imagination, he felt the illiteracy rate wasn’t as high as he had thought.

He then introduced He Xiangdong to Zhou Xinggao, implying their collaboration.

He Xiangdong was smart, pragmatic, and quick-witted; Zhou Xinggao was capable in both combat and organization. Together, they would be Chen’s right and left hands in the early stages of his venture.

Chen intended for both to leave their rickshaw work and learn full-time, working beside him.

Of course, with the Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot theoretically earning nearly 300 silver dollars monthly, supporting three men on salary was a bit extravagant.

But once the next expansion came, all three would certainly be managing full-time.

***

Walking through Pangu Alley, everyone who saw Chen Guangliang greeted him, and he responded kindly.

“Quite impressive! He used to be just a waiter or rickshaw puller, and now he’s a boss with dozens under him!”

“Yeah, I used to be good friends with Xiao Chen!”

“Bah, friends? If you were really friends, why didn’t he let you join the depot? I remember Xiao Chen always greeted me respectfully.”

“Believe it if you want.”

Facing the situation in Pangu Alley, Chen Guangliang thoughtfully went to see his second uncle, Yang Qingshan.

“Guangliang, come sit!”

“Thank you, second uncle.”

Yang quickly found a clean spot and had his nephew sit on the bed.

Though still pulling a rickshaw, he was full of hope.

Half a month ago, at a meeting, Chen Guangliang announced the financial status of Project A: six hundred silver dollars in assets had appreciated to six hundred eighty.

In other words, his fifty silver dollar investment had grown to nearly fifty-six within just a month.

Chen also predicted at the meeting that with the addition of merchandise sales, the project would break even in seven months—one month earlier than planned.

Of course, this did not count “reinvestment of profits,” which was for later.

“Xiao Hu, go call your brother Feng here.”

“Yes, cousin!”

Chen Guangliang had become so influential that even his young cousin obeyed eagerly, running off at once.

Soon after, Lin Feng arrived.

“Second uncle, Brother Feng, you’ve been spreading a rumor around Pangu Alley—that at Manager Chen’s Yangtze River Rickshaw Depot, you can deposit money and earn thirty percent interest annually. Make sure your sales pitch is clever, like saying...”

Yang Qingshan continued, “Guangliang, we used to keep our money with Wang Chengyun, but there was never a penny of interest!”

Chen Guangliang replied seriously, “Wang Chengyun is Wang Chengyun; I am myself. Besides, if I didn’t offer thirty percent interest, why would anyone trust me? Though I’m somewhat of a celebrity now, these people aren’t my subordinates. You must spread this quickly but subtly, pretending it’s unintentional. Also, emphasize that many people have already come to deposit money with me.”

“Understood!”

The current situation in Pangu Alley convinced Chen this was a golden opportunity.

He would fully leverage his fame and idol status to launch a fundraising campaign in the area.

Thirty percent interest was nothing to him; after all, he could double money in seven or eight months, even double it twice in a year.

And Pangu Alley was full of impoverished families—though poor, each could likely spare twenty to thirty silver dollars.

If successful, this round of fundraising would double Chen Guangliang’s business.

At present, Chen’s mindset was clear: to secure a foothold in Shanghaitan, he was willing to use any means necessary.

Yet his inherent kindness prevented him from committing truly wicked acts.