Chapter Ten: Journey Along the Yangtze River

After the partners’ meeting concluded and the meal was nearly finished, Chen Guangliang saw everyone off at the door.

“Oh, Ah Feng, you’re here too?”

Lin Feng quickly shyly approached him and said, “Brother Liang, I’ve become familiar with many roads and places over the past month. I’d like you to introduce me to becoming a rickshaw puller.”

Chen Guangliang patted Lin Feng on the shoulder and said, “That works out perfectly. We’re planning to buy some rickshaws soon. You can follow me for now, get familiar with things, and after a while, you can pull a rickshaw on your own. How does that sound?”

The reason Chen Guangliang had been able to pull a rickshaw independently a month ago was because he had an ‘old hand’ uncle who had been preparing for this half a year in advance.

Lin Feng was pleasantly surprised; he hadn’t expected Brother Liang to be so capable.

“All right, thank you, Brother Liang! I promise to work hard!”

“We’re all family here, no need to be so formal.”

There was naturally no problem with Lin Feng being an apprentice, especially since Chen Guangliang wouldn’t be pulling rickshaws forever.

With his current investments, Chen Guangliang was earning over 300 silver dollars a year, so soon he wouldn’t need to pull a rickshaw himself and could focus on expanding his business.

...

Saturday, May 21, 1927.

On a vacant lot in Panguan Alley, three brand-new rickshaws were neatly lined up.

Chen Guangliang, Li Chao, Yang Qingshan, He Xiangdong, Pan Cheng, and a total of nine shareholders, plus an apprentice Lin Feng, all changed into clean clothes, with small red flowers pinned to their chests to celebrate the opening of “Yangtze Rickshaw Company.”

Of course, the so-called “Yangtze Rickshaw Company” wasn’t officially registered and had no office — it was just a name everyone used informally.

A crowd of locals gathered around to watch the event, mostly women and children. Many of the children were naked and dirty, but their appearance did not dampen their enthusiasm for the spectacle.

Li Chao looked at this makeshift troupe without a trace of disdain. After all, if it weren’t for Chen Guangliang, the best he could do was resell license plates from the traffic bureau and make a little extra money.

But now it was different — he was investing, and the owner of this company, Chen Guangliang, was truly capable.

Li Chao happily said, “Manager Chen, say a few words!”

Chen Guangliang was the general manager of the Yangtze Rickshaw Company; everyone else was either a shareholder or an employee.

He straightened his clothes, then confidently stood in front of the three rickshaws, saying:

“The Yangtze Rickshaw Company is officially established today. Do you know why I named it ‘Yangtze Rickshaw Company’?”

“The Yangtze River does not reject any small stream; that is why it flows majestically for thousands of miles. It begins as a mere trickle, flowing eastward, accepting countless tributaries, forming a vast ocean.”

“So we call ourselves Yangtze Rickshaw Company—meaning we may be a small stream now, but one day we will become a mighty ocean.”

Not many fully understood, but everyone knew Chen Guangliang was a man of culture.

Li Chao was especially amazed — this partner who was six years younger than him had already given him so many pleasant surprises.

Next, Chen Guangliang invited Li Chao to say a few words.

Among all the partners, Li Chao’s position was equal to his, if not more influential, thanks to his connections in the traffic bureau, which were extremely important.

Without Li Chao’s involvement, Chen Guangliang would only have been able to buy one licensed rickshaw with his uncle and He Xiangdong. After making some money, they could get an unlicensed rickshaw.

Such progress would have been much slower and without any powerful backing.

Li Chao said happily, “What Manager Chen said just now truly inspired me, and I see great prospects for the Yangtze Rickshaw Company. Rest assured, even though I work at the traffic bureau, I can greatly help the company and know quite a few people.”

Thunderous applause followed.

...

Everyone knew that Li Chao was a ‘benefactor’ among the rickshaw pullers.

Thus, the Yangtze Rickshaw Company was established and immediately put into operation.

There were nine rickshaw pullers in total, including Lin Feng.

Two licensed rickshaws operated on a three-shift system.

The third unlicensed rickshaw, with Li Chao’s help, carried a fake license plate that was nearly indistinguishable from a real one.

The plate was actually taken from the traffic bureau but was not registered.

This unlicensed rickshaw was temporarily pulled by Chen Guangliang and He Xiangdong, each working twelve hours, until Lin Feng mastered the skills and they could form three shifts.

...

Chen Guangliang sat on a rickshaw, guiding Lin Feng as he pulled it.

Since he didn’t need to rely on pulling rickshaws to earn money and still had nearly ten silver dollars in hand, he was free to teach.

“Sometimes, when a customer taps the left handlebar, it means they want you to go left!”

Chen Guangliang knocked a few times on the rickshaw’s handlebar, passing on his experience.

“Got it, Brother Liang.”

“Also, try to obey traffic rules. Getting caught by the patrol police will cost you money.”

“How much?”

“You won’t escape without paying at least a dime or two. If caught, immediately pretend to be poor.”

“I know, act pitiful.”

Well, they were all bottom-tier workers; they didn’t even have to pretend to be pitiful.

But reality often dealt harsh blows. Some private rickshaws violating traffic rules were overlooked by concession patrols, whereas public rickshaws got fined heavily, wasting half a day’s work.

After the lessons, Chen Guangliang personally started pulling the rickshaw to pick up passengers, with Lin Feng following to learn. Sometimes Chen would point out how to attract customers while Lin Feng practiced, closely observing and learning.

This was true hands-on teaching.

The “fake license” rickshaw was rented out by Chen Guangliang from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., then He Xiangdong took the night shift.

Only the two of them pulled the “fake license” rickshaw because they were clever enough to handle any trouble.

When Lin Feng became proficient, they planned to add a third shift.

Lin Feng was not as clever as He Xiangdong but had a strong physique and was very loyal, so Chen Guangliang was willing to take him as an apprentice.

Everything went very smoothly. After nearly twelve hours, Chen Guangliang actually earned more than nine dimes, though it was indeed hard work.

Returning to Panguan Alley to hand over the shift, everyone happened to meet.

Chen Guangliang asked the other two rickshaw pullers, “How is it? Can eight hours of work cover living expenses?”

Pan Cheng said, “No problem; today I earned over five dimes, more than before.”

He was one Chen Guangliang valued—big build, only in his twenties, and honest temperament.

Another said, “I barely made it, but still have a net income of five dimes. Eight hours isn’t bad; it doesn’t waste time, and rent costs dropped by fifteen cents.”

Chen Guangliang said, “Good. As long as you’re willing to work, eight hours is not worse than ten hours. The original schedule wasted some time anyway.”

...

Then everyone exchanged shifts.

Chen Guangliang said to He Xiangdong, “Be careful.”

He Xiangdong nodded and said, “Manager Chen, don’t worry. It’s foolproof.”

There were good business peaks during all three time periods.

Even the midnight shift actually started at 10 a.m., allowing plenty of passengers, and rent was only thirty cents, easing the pressure.

After a smooth handover, Chen Guangliang took out forty cents and gave it to Lin Feng.

“Here, let’s split this!”

Lin Feng hurriedly said, “Brother Liang, I’m still an apprentice. How can I take wages?”

Chen Guangliang directly put the money into his hand and said, “Apprentices don’t have to starve!”

“Thank you, Brother Liang! I’ll work hard.”

Patting Lin Feng on the shoulder, the two went home for dinner.

Chen Guangliang changed clothes and then went to his uncle’s house.

Just then, his aunt returned from work. Excited yet concerned, she said, “Guangliang, why did you assign your uncle to the midnight shift? Won’t there be fewer customers, and isn’t it unsafe?”

Yang Qingshan nudged his wife, signaling her not to say anything divisive.

“It rotates every ten days, so it’s fair.”

“That’s better... Guangliang is really impressive, immediately making your uncle a boss!”

Yang Qingshan awkwardly said, “Don’t say that. He’s a shareholder and partner. Guangliang and Mr. Li are the real bosses.”

Chen Guangliang waved his hand nonchalantly, “It’s the same. We’re all bosses and shareholders.”

His aunt was just straightforward, nothing else to it.

His uncle had taken care of him before, and his aunt never complained.

But the next sentence from his aunt nearly made Chen Guangliang choke on his food.

“Guangliang, what do you think about Xiuying?”

Yang Xiuying, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly blushed.

Chen Guangliang didn’t want to mess around and said firmly, “Auntie, Xiuying and I are cousins. If we marry and have children, there’s a high risk of birth defects. This is scientifically proven. You’re thinking with old-fashioned traditions.”

He was decisive—no room for debate, to prevent harm to both parties.

His aunt wanted to say more, but Yang Qingshan decisively said, “Women’s matters—listen to Guangliang. They’re not suitable.”

Actually, Yang Qingshan didn’t fully believe Chen Guangliang, but he knew his nephew was no longer just a relative; he was now a ‘boss,’ and might become a big boss in the future.

His own daughter was sturdy but plain-looking; it was unlikely anyone would fancy her.

Chen Guangliang was business-savvy, eager to learn, and young. His rise was inevitable, and marrying a wealthy lady would be no problem.