20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 481 Interview with Jiang Lianheng
"News from the Three Eastern Provinces"

Mr. Jiang Lianheng is 32 years old this year.

Over the years, the "Zongheng Insurance Company" founded by him has almost single-handedly occupied the entire Fengtian commercial insurance market with its strong capital, good reputation, and word of mouth among merchants and citizens.

It is reported that most of the Chinese businesses in and around Fengtian provincial capital have purchased the "commercial fire and water insurance" or "commercial transportation insurance" launched by this company; and Jiang Lianheng himself has become a prominent figure in Fengtian's business community as a result.

According to our reporter, although Jiang Lianheng's wealth is not enough to rank among the top richest people outside the Great Wall, his influence in the local industrial and commercial circles is unparalleled.

However, for such a young business star, the outside world knows very little about his life experience and entrepreneurial journey.

This inevitably led to many conspiracy theories about him. Some said he was a murderer, some said he was a gangster tycoon, and some said he was the white glove of government officials.

At the same time, there are many voices supporting Jiang Lianheng. Some say he is a philanthropist, some say he is a progressive, and some say he is a national hero who dares to challenge the Japanese.

There is no doubt that all kinds of contradictory opinions, whether doubting or supporting, have cast a veil of mystery over this young entrepreneur.

After repeated efforts, our reporter finally got an invitation from Mr. Jiang Lianheng to conduct an in-depth three-day interview with him so that readers can have a more vivid understanding of the mental outlook and behavior style of this young entrepreneur.

Because of the various rumors, the atmosphere of our first meeting was a little too tense, but we soon discovered that Mr. Jiang Lianheng was actually very hospitable and approachable.

He often wears a dark grey suit, has a neatly done hairstyle and a cigar between his fingertips. He is humorous and generous to others. He has the vigor of the new era and the calmness of the old traditions. He also possesses the humility of a gentleman and the shrewdness of an entrepreneur.

During the interview, apart from not wanting to appear on camera, he always tried his best to cooperate, and he rarely shirked or avoided even the most pointed questions.

When talking to people, he always looked directly into the other person's eyes, his gaze was frank and serious, even a little passionate. It seemed that before he even opened his mouth, all the rumors about him had disappeared with his sincere attitude.

Mr. Jiang Lianheng took us to visit his mansion in the north of the city, several commercial properties in the South Market, and of course the famous "Zongheng Insurance Company" building.

The company's reconstruction project was completed in the summer of last year.

The newly built company building is still located at No. 36 Xiaoxiguan Street, the original address. It is a light gray three-story building with a beautiful appearance and exquisite decoration. The first floor is the business hall, the second floor is the staff work area, and the top floor is large and small meeting rooms, as well as a spacious, fully equipped, and modern luxurious office.

Most of the time, Mr. Jiang Lianheng handles daily business dealings in this conference room; most of our interviews are also conducted here.

During breaks in the interviews, Mr. Jiang Lianheng would use his car to take us to taste Japanese cuisine and Russian dishes in and around the provincial capital. His generosity was truly unforgettable.

All in all, our reporter spent a very pleasant three days in Fengtian.

The following is a summary of the interviews conducted during this period:

…………

Reporter: "Mr. Jiang, can you briefly evaluate yourself? How do you define yourself?"

Jiang Lianheng: "National entrepreneur, patriotic."

Reporter: “Just entrepreneurs?”

Jiang Lianheng: "Of course, I am a businessman."

Reporter: "But as far as I know, you seem to be also keen on charity. The most famous charity school in the west of the provincial capital was founded by you, right? Do you consider yourself a philanthropist?"

Jiang Lianheng: "Yes, I did fund the charity school, and it has trained several talents for the provincial government in recent years, but philanthropist... I don't think I can bear such a title, it's a bit self-boasting. In fact, I often think that what I have done is not enough. This cannot be regarded as charity, but should be regarded as obligation. Yes, this term is more appropriate."

Reporter: "Do you also think that entrepreneurs have corresponding obligations to society and people's livelihood? This sounds like what progressive people say!"

Jiang Lianheng (laughing): "I hope I can be considered a progressive person, but you are right. I do think entrepreneurs should give back to society."

Reporter: "So, what do you think of those entrepreneurs who don't care about charity?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I don't have any opinion. That's someone else's choice. It has nothing to do with me."

Reporter: "I heard that you are not only an entrepreneur, but also a consultant to the Provincial Government's Commercial Port Bureau, a member of the Fengtian Chamber of Commerce, and the honorary chairman of the Fengtian Workers' Association?"

Jiang Lianheng: "They are just empty titles."

Reporter: "What do you think of the miserable situation of the workers at present?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I express my deep sympathy and my utmost support."

Reporter: "The next question may be a bit sharp. There have been some rumors in the provincial capital recently that you control the workers' association. Do you have anything to say about this?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I want to say that this rumor is not only a slander against me personally, but also a disdain for the Provincial Government Workers' Association. Just imagine, if I couldn't fight for preferential treatment for the workers, how could I be elected as the honorary chairman?"

Reporter: "But some people would say that it is because you control the Workers' Association that you were elected as honorary chairman?"

Jiang Lianheng (laughing): "How about this, you can go to various factories in Fengtian, whether they are Japanese, Western, or domestic, and interview any worker at random. If they are dissatisfied with me, Jiang, I can resign at any time. Of course, I am only an honorary chairman and actually have no real power."

Reporter: "Can you tell me about your experience before starting your own business? The outside world seems to know very little about this."

Jiang Lianheng: "Because there is nothing to talk about. I started from scratch and worked hard step by step. It is not something that happened overnight for Zongheng Insurance Company to be what it is today. The company has been in operation for eight years. I think today's achievements are well deserved."

Reporter: “So what did you do before you started your own business?”

Jiang Lianheng: "Well... my parents died when I was young, and I did some very hard work at the beginning."

Reporter: “For example?”

Jiang Lianheng: "For example, environmental protection, cleaning and other jobs." Reporter: "Do you mean sweeping the streets?"

Jiang Lianheng: "Yes, it was street sweeping. Although it was very hard work, it was also very fulfilling to see the streets I was responsible for cleaning clean and tidy (laughs)."

Reporter: "But how could a young man who was a street sweeper suddenly start an insurance company?"

Jiang Lianheng: "Sometimes, it's just a matter of opportunity. I did the right thing at the right time, that's all. I always think I'm a very lucky person."

Reporter: "I'm sorry, this question may be a bit too straightforward. We heard that you are a gangster in Fengtian, so you can open an insurance company business, is that right?"

Jiang Lianheng (laughing): "In fact, I understand these rumors. When people encounter something that goes against common sense, they are always accustomed to and happy to use conspiracy theories to explain everything in front of them. But I want to say that these are groundless accusations and have no basis at all."

Reporter: "Please tell me, are you a gang member?"

Jiang Lianheng: "No, of course not. I know that places like 'Jiuhe Xiashao' and 'Shiliyangchang' often have gangs controlling the business community, but that's because they have too many concessions there, and there are similar 'no man's land' areas everywhere, which provides soil for the existence of gangs. Fengtian is not like this. The provincial government is clean and honest. Only the western part of the city has the Oriental dependents, but there is no area without anyone's jurisdiction. Especially under the governance of Marshal Zhang, it is difficult for gangs to survive."

Reporter: "So, you deny that there are gangsters in Fengtian, is that right?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I think this question is more suitable for the government to answer. Of course, I have heard some rumors that there are several "big" figures in the Qing Gang in Fengtian, but I don't know who they are, and I have never been threatened by any gang. On the contrary, the insurance business I do is to do the opposite of the gang."

Reporter: "However, in recent years, as warlords continued to fight, many merchants and civilians in the interior moved to Fengtian. They once complained that if they did not buy insurance from your company, they would not be able to do business in Fengtian. Please respond to this."

Jiang Lianheng: "Who? Can you tell me a few names?"

Reporter: "This... is just some rumors, there are no specific names."

Jiang Lianheng: "That's the problem. People can fabricate rumors and slander me at will, but in fact there is not even a specific person. How should I respond?"

Reporter: “So there is no such phenomenon?”

Jiang Lianheng: "No, if there is, you can report it at any time. If the facts are proven, I am willing to accept any punishment."

Reporter: "Can you introduce your business territory? From what we have learned, it seems that you not only run insurance business and commercial real estate, but also run several brothels and gambling dens, such as 'Huifangli' and 'Heshengfang' in Xiaoxiguan, as well as Bagua Street, and 'Huiyou Club' and 'Chunqiu Grand Theater' in Nanshi Market. It seems that you also run two movie theaters?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I have some shares in the cinema and the club, and the other businesses have nothing to do with me. In fact, I have heard such rumors before, but you can go directly to the Commercial Port Bureau to investigate. I have nothing to do with the brothel and gambling business. I just know the owners of those places."

Reporter: "Actually, these are all legal businesses, but you seem to mind being associated with gambling dens and brothels. Am I right?"

Jiang Lianheng (laughing): "You are right. Although those businesses are very profitable, I have a principle in doing business - be open and aboveboard! I don't want to engage in the brothel business because it is a new era now. I think it is not decent to make money by exploiting women. The same goes for gambling dens. I have seen too many people lose everything at the gambling table."

Reporter: "So, you are also a progressive person who supports gender equality?"

Jiang Lianheng: "As I just said, I hope I am a progressive person."

Reporter: "It's interesting that you say you support gender equality, but you have three concubines. You can't deny that, right?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I don't deny it, but this is a problem of the times. It's ok to let them go, but the question is what to do after they are gone? In my opinion, that is even more irresponsible, so we can only place our hopes on future generations, starting with them, starting from the root."

Reporter: "Okay, let's get back to the point. According to our investigation, Zongheng Insurance Company seems to have close ties with many local goods dealers. Is that right?"

Jiang Lianheng: "Obviously not. The Chinese people have been harmed by the local products for a long time. I personally hate local products. Even if they come to buy my insurance, I will not sell it. The real situation is that the clients of my company are all drug stores. I can declare here that our transportation insurance business does not involve any big opium dens. Of course, we will still do fire and water insurance."

Reporter: "Mr. Jiang, I want to ask you, do rumors like the ones just mentioned usually cause you trouble?"

Jiang Lianheng (laughing): “Not at all.”

Reporter: "Have you ever thought of any way to dispel these rumors?"

Jiang Lianheng: "No, I never thought about it. In fact, I just keep reflecting on myself. Why do others have these criticisms about me? What am I not doing well enough? Where do I need to improve? This is what I think about seriously."

Reporter: “You seem to be a very open-minded person?”

Jiang Lianheng: "I just try not to be narrow-minded."

Reporter: "You are still very young, but you have already achieved great success in business. What is your secret to success? Do you have any advice for young people?"

Jiang Lianheng: "There is no secret to success. I am just lucky, that's all. In fact, I am just one of the living beings. My knowledge is very limited, so I can't give any useful advice to others."

Reporter: "One of the sentient beings, this sounds very Buddhist, do you believe in Buddhism?"

Jiang Lianheng: "I personally do not believe in any religion, but I have faith. I believe in conscience, the laws of nature, and human nature."

Reporter: "Do you hope your children will take over the family business in the future?"

Jiang Lianheng: "No. I hope they can go their own way."

Reporter: "The last question is, do you have any life mottos? For example, principles for dealing with people in daily life. After years of business, you must have some insights into life, right?"

Jiang Lianheng: "Well...if I have to say it, it's actually twelve words."

Reporter: "Please go ahead."

Jiang Lianheng: "Work hard and be honest in life."

……

Our reporter: Ni Hao
Editor-in-charge: Wei Junzi
September 16, 1910
(End of this chapter)