Chapter 58 Defection?

At that moment, Chen Guangliang suddenly said, "Mr. Gu, to be honest, some of your recent investments in real estate are actually misguided!"

Gu Zhuxuan immediately asked with great interest, "In what way?"

This young man was indeed trying to play mind games with him.

Chen Guangliang explained, "Although your investments in properties will appreciate nicely, have you ever considered that this year alone, rental disputes triggered a massive protest involving four thousand tenants? Because of this, while rents may rise in the future, there will also be numerous restrictions. On top of that, residential and commercial properties do not offer the highest investment potential in real estate."

Gu Zhuxuan nodded and said, "What you say makes a lot of sense. So, according to you, I should invest in raw land?"

Chen Guangliang replied, "If I had fifty thousand silver dollars, within three years, I could turn it into at least one hundred and fifty thousand, or even two hundred thousand silver dollars. And as far as I know, certain banks have already started making moves."

Gu Zhuxuan was deeply shaken. For this young man to be so confident—no wonder those bankers and real estate tycoons held him in such high regard last time.

With a smile, he then said, "As long as Guangliang is willing to guide me, I will make those five rickshaw agencies apologize to you and compensate you for double your losses."

At this point, right and wrong no longer mattered; there was only interest.

Chen Guangliang continued, "Mr. Gu could put up one hundred thousand silver dollars to invest in land in Zhabei. Within three years, it will appreciate to at least three hundred thousand silver dollars... Of course, you could also use a combination of half self-funded capital and half bank loans."

With a solemn expression, Gu Zhuxuan asked, "And what if it fails to make that much?"

After all, he had never specifically invested in real estate, and he felt Chen Guangliang was rather slippery, leaving him wondering if there were hidden traps.

Chen Guangliang answered, "I will act as your part-time helmsman. If it doubles within three years, I won't take a single cent; consider it payment for your cut. If it triples within three years, I will take a ten percent cut, which amounts to twenty thousand silver dollars. If it quadruples, I'll take fifteen percent, or forty-five thousand silver dollars... Whether to invest or not is entirely up to Mr. Gu to consider... I suppose buying land doesn't require me to guarantee anything, because in itself, it's a venture with only upside and no risk."

At this, the old steward said unconvinced, "There are always exceptions to everything!"

Chen Guangliang retorted, "Investment carries risks, and one should be responsible for oneself!"

Gu Zhuxuan immediately cut off the steward before he could continue arguing, and said firmly, "I trust Guangliang. Besides, he is right; investments carry risks, but buying land is definitely risk-free."

Only then did Chen Guangliang go on to say, "Mr. Gu is a sensible man. Given Shanghai's crucial status under the Nationalist Government and the influx of population, Shanghai's real estate is about to usher in its greatest opportunity. Among all sectors, raw land is the most likely to be heavily speculated on because it is easy to flip. You might buy a plot of land today and make a fortune selling it tomorrow. That is its advantage."

Gu Zhuxuan experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment, then humbly asked for advice, "Then why did you choose Zhabei? Aren't the land plots in the foreign concessions better?"

Chen Guangliang explained, "Throughout the Chinese-administered areas, the ones with the greatest potential are Zhabei and South Shanghai. One is close to the railway station with convenient transportation; the other is adjacent to the foreign concessions, connecting commercial and upscale residential districts... Moreover, Zhabei is Mr. Gu's home turf, so naturally, it is the most suitable place."

"Ha-ha!" Gu Zhuxuan laughed heartily and said with satisfaction, "Listening to your words is better than reading books for ten years. After hearing what Guangliang has to say, I feel as though I could dabble in land speculation myself. Rest assured, Guangliang, I will not dock a single cent of the commission percentage you just mentioned."

Chen Guangliang then said, "Mr. Gu, could I draw ten thousand silver dollars in advance? I also have my eye on a plot of land."

What a brazen young man! He was shameless to the extreme!

After pondering for a moment, Gu Zhuxuan said, "Since Guangliang is so confident, I will advance ten thousand in commission. After all, you wouldn't dare try to swindle me, would you?"

The final sentence carried a distinct hint of a threat.

Chen Guangliang replied, "Since I dared to take this on, I naturally have absolute certainty."

He was afraid Gu Zhuxuan might renege on the debt later anyway, so he wanted the ten thousand silver dollars in hand first.

Naturally, everyone enjoyed the meal immensely. Afterward, Gu Zhuxuan insisted on having his chauffeur drive Chen Guangliang home in his personal sedan.

"Boss, this kid's tone is truly arrogant!"

Gu Zhuxuan looked at his steward and said, "I trust him. Go and mobilize sixty thousand silver dollars for me immediately, and arrange a loan of fifty thousand from the bank."

Although he owned over a thousand rickshaws, he also kept a large number of followers under his wing, leading to heavy expenses. Furthermore, his investments were spread across many sectors, so his liquid capital wasn't as easily accessible as Chen Guangliang imagined.

The old steward remarked, "The kid even dared to take ten thousand silver dollars in advance, aren't you afraid he'll choke on it?"

Gu Zhuxuan chuckled. "I am putting one hundred thousand silver dollars into land speculation; he must generate a hundred thousand in profit within three years, otherwise I'll take it out of his agency's cut... And if he fails to make two hundred thousand, he will have to return that ten thousand to me. No matter how you look at it, this is a bet I cannot lose!"

"That's true. When it comes to playing games with you, he's still a bit green!"

The next day.

Chen Guangliang, representing the Yangtze Rickshaw Agency, met with the bosses of the other five agencies at the Desheng Teahouse to negotiate a settlement, with Gu Zhuxuan attending in person.

Gu Zhuxuan spoke first, "I've already heard about what happened recently between you all. If this farce continues, do any of you still want to stay in business?"

Han Yanbao immediately chimed in, "Mr. Gu, I can't even stay in business as it stands... Boss Chen, you certainly wield quite a bit of influence!"

Wu Guangpeng also played the victim and accused, "Exactly! Boss Chen, you were able to summon the traffic department and the police bureau, but did you think we couldn't do the same? Besides, we pay our cuts to Mr. Gu. Are you trying to challenge Mr. Gu's authority?"

What a masterclass in shifting the blame!

Fortunately, Chen Guangliang was now "working" for Gu Zhuxuan; otherwise, today's situation would have been severely disadvantageous for him.

With utter composure, Chen Guangliang said, "I did not start this conflict. If you want to make life difficult for me, then let's make it difficult for everyone. I, Chen Guangliang, am a lone man with no attachments; I am ready to accompany you through whatever comes."

The others felt a chill run down their spines. Why did this young man act like such a reckless hothead, casually uttering such threats?

Yet, when dealing with a rogue, only rogue methods proved truly effective.

With a deep voice, Gu Zhuxuan interrupted, "Enough! What kind of spectacle is this? We are here to do business, not to let our emotions dictate our actions. I am already familiar with what happened. It was your five agencies that made the first move, so you five must be the first to take a step back. The Yangtze Agency lost two rickshaws, so you will compensate them with four. Consider this matter settled."

Panicking, Han Yanbao protested, "Mr. Gu, my agency has been forced to suspend operations for four days now."

Wu Guangpeng chimed in as well, "I lost two vehicles too."

"Mr. Gu, our three agencies didn't participate."

"That's right, our three agencies had nothing to do with it."

In an instant, the alliance among the five agencies fell apart.

Forcing his patience, Gu Zhuxuan said, "Boss Han, Boss Wu, there is clear evidence that the Yangtze Agency was targeted by your initial attacks, so it is only right that you provide compensation. As for your grievance that the Yangtze Agency shouldn't have brought in outside shareholders, I see nothing illegal or immoral about it. I trust you are all sensible people, and I expect no further trouble stirred up within the rickshaw circle."

Seeing that the major underworld boss was openly biased, Han Yanbao and Wu Guangpeng had no choice but to bow their heads.

"I accept it."

Chen Guangliang immediately said, "Many thanks to Mr. Gu for upholding justice and restoring integrity to our rickshaw community. I will ask my friends in the traffic department to expedite the inspections right away."

Mr. Gu nodded and declared, "Let this matter end here. Also, let me share a piece of news: from now on, Guangliang will be working under me. I don't want to see anyone disturbing the peace again!"

Han Yanbao and Wu Guangpeng experienced a sudden realization. So Chen Guangliang had thrown in his lot with Gu Zhuxuan! No wonder Gu Zhuxuan had openly favored him today.

Things having reached this stage, they had no choice but to concede defeat.