Early the next morning, just after dawn, Lu Ming packed his luggage and hurriedly got into the car with two suitcases filled with general uniforms. He didn't bother to say goodbye to He Zhonghan and the others, for fear that something else would happen to his schedule.
Liu Qiwen naturally got up early. She came with little luggage, but now she returned home loaded with clothes, shoes, cosmetics and jewelry. She also bought a box and followed Lu Ming with a smile on her face.
"I'm sorry, President, I didn't expect to buy so many things. I didn't know I couldn't stop buying them." Liu Qiwen said a little embarrassedly.
"Girls, it's natural to go shopping, so this trip to Nanjing is not in vain." Lu Ming smiled and said very understandingly.
In fact, Lu Ming sympathized with her. He went on a shopping spree in Nanjing because he was usually strapped for money, so he just grabbed an opportunity and was satisfied.
Sisters Sheng Muyi and Yuan Ziyuan would never be like this. They had long since escaped this low-level taste.
Of course, there are other reasons why the clothes, shoes and cosmetics in Shanghai can no longer meet their needs.
The life of Shanghai aristocrats has long been internationalized. They all purchase the items they need from Paris or London through overseas ordering.
Sisters Sheng Muyi and Yuan Ziyuan occasionally go shopping together. They just go shopping to relax, look at the scenery, and eat some of their favorite foods.
Liu Qiwen bought so many things ruthlessly, saying that she was greedy, but in fact she still had a lot of regrets in her heart because her time was limited and her money was also limited.
She and Liu Cuicui spent a thousand yuan in less than two days, but found that the money was spent so fast that it was like running water.
This is a thousand dollars. The monthly salary of the two of them is less than a hundred dollars, and each of them spent almost half a year's salary.
"I see that you have bought too much and you are not tired. Have you prepared your own dowry by the way?"
Lu Ming watched her carrying large and small packages into the car. Her clothes and shoes were not fresh, but she also bought a few expensive jewelry, which looked like a dowry for a girl before she got married.
"Yes, the dowry is ready, but where is the man who will marry me?" Liu Qiwen pretended to look around.
"Nonsense, if you want to marry, the man who wants to marry you must have eight thousand if not ten thousand." Lu Ming wanted to flick her forehead with his finger, but he held back.
"It's a pity that among the ten thousand or eight thousand, there is no one I want to marry. To me, it means there is no one." Liu Qiwen smiled coquettishly.
"Then there's nothing we can do, just continue to be alone." Lu Ming spread his hands and said.
"Yeah, I think I really won't be able to get married in this life. I'll just be your secretary for the rest of my life. You have to support me." Liu Qiwen said with a smile.
Lu Ming smiled bitterly and shook his head without daring to continue. He was used to Liu Qiwen's teasing.
Lu Ming had no luggage when he came, but when he returned he had two large suitcases, which contained custom-made major general-level four-season uniforms, formal clothes, casual clothes, coats, leather shoes, boots, etc.
Fortunately, the Cadillac was spacious enough. His two suitcases were placed in the trunk, and the back seat was filled with Liu Qiwen's "dowry."
If the car isn't spacious, it really won't be able to carry these things.
"American products are real. The amount of goods they pull is as big as a small truck." Lu Ming muttered.
"By the way, President, shouldn't you be equipped with a car when you are promoted to major general this time?" Liu Qiwen suddenly thought of this.
Lu Ming nodded and said with a smile: "They must know that I am not short of cars and there are no good cars for me, so they just didn't mention it."
According to the regulations at that time, each major general-level official would be equipped with a car, as well as adjutants, secretaries, security guards, etc. If he did not have a house, he would also be equipped with a residence.
He Zhonghan and the others knew very well that the set of things deployed by the government would not be able to penetrate Lu Ming's eyes.
It would be a waste to allocate it to him, so I won't mention it at all. As for the secretary, he already has one, the adjutant, and the guard have allocated it to him a long time ago. He is determined not to want it.
If there is any change from before, it is that from today on, Lu Ming will also receive a monthly salary from the Republic of China government.
The basic salary of a major general in the Republic of China, plus various subsidies, totaled more than 300 yuan per month; for a lieutenant general, more than 500 yuan; and for an admiral, 800 yuan.
The officers of the Republic of China definitely belonged to the high-income class, but the income of soldiers was very low. Ordinary soldiers only had more than a dozen yuan per month.
Even though Lu Ming personally spent ten times this amount on the Fuxing Society every month, he could not refuse the money as the bridge returned to the bridge.
This is not a question of money, but a question of status and national identity.
Lu Ming's annual petty expenses are considerable, including eleven thousand dollars per year for special correspondent, twenty thousand dollars per year for Sheng's chief legal counsel, and other royalties. The total income should be one hundred thousand dollars per year.
This was just his pocket money. He recorded all the large expenses in the accounts of Fuxing Society and then asked Sheng Youde for reimbursement.
According to the consumption standards of wealthy young men in Shanghai, his expenses are considered mid-range, but in terms of personal wealth, probably no young man has more money than him.
He personally owns one-tenth of the shares of Sheng's property. He doesn't even know how much he is worth. Anyway, the only thing he knows is that he can't spend it all.
"You should have it, why not? Even if you don't need it, our club can use it." Liu Qiwen curled her lips and said.
Fuxingshe Shanghai Station also has a few Dodge cars, but there is no personal car. Whoever wants to use it must report it first and then call it. Even Weng Bailing does not have a car because he is not a major general yet.
"The government's finances are very difficult. If they don't mention this, they must have their own difficulties," Lu Ming said.
"It's their business if they have difficulties. They have to give what they deserve. At least I have to say hello to you." Liu Qiwen said angrily.
"People need to have a bigger picture. Don't worry about these small things. Instead of being angry with them, I might as well spend my own money to buy a few cars for the station." Lu Ming said with a smile.
Although cars are expensive, they are just that in Lu Ming's eyes. Brand-name cars only cost more than a thousand dollars each, so they are not worthy of asking the government for them.
Every year he entertains the cadres of the main station who are on business trips to Shanghai, as well as the heads of branch stations in various places. The entertainment fees alone are thousands of dollars, and in three years, he can buy several Dodge cars.
This time he was awarded the title of major general and was decorated with honors. All the heads of branch stations from various places rushed to Nanjing to congratulate him. They did not usually receive the benefits from him.
Money can make all the difference, and you get what you pay for. This is the reality of officialdom.
"Hey, are you saying that you want to learn to drive?" Lu Ming suddenly turned his head and looked at Liu Qiwen.
At this time, the two people were already on the road to Shanghai.
"I would like to drive, but where is the car?" Liu Qiwen muttered.
"That's hard to say, so I'll drive for you now." Lu Ming stopped the car on the side of the road and motioned for her to get out of the car.
"President, did you really let me drive?" Liu Qiwen couldn't believe it.
"Is this true or false? But can you drive?" Lu Ming asked.
At that time, the number of cars in China was very small, and there were naturally fewer people who could drive. Drivers were considered technical talents.
Shanghai was the city with the most cars in China at that time.
In 1934, there were 9,515 cars in the public concession, including 1,604 licensed drivers, 369 licensed owners, and 17,854 registered drivers.
In the French Concession in Shanghai, there are 4,160 cars for personal use and 513 cars for business.
The government of the Republic of China selects a group of outstanding young people every year and trains them to drive. At that time, this was a prestigious job and it was very prestigious.
If one person can drive, the whole family will be honored, which is a bit interesting.
"Of course I know how to do it. After all, I also graduated from Huangpu. You are looking down on me, aren't you?" Liu Qiwen said half pretending to be angry and half proud.
Lu Ming knew that Liu Qiwen came from the Huangpu Women's Special Training Class. Almost all the female secretaries of the Fuxing Society graduated from these women's special training classes.
The training they received included confidential management, first aid dressing wounds, shorthand, driving, using ordinary firearms, and some even received telecommunications training.
Lu Ming didn't know much about the business fields they were familiar with. He only knew that each of them had excellent shorthand skills. In addition, they were good at making coffee and tea. They were all rare secretarial talents.
The two got out of the car. Lu Ming watched Liu Qiwen get into the driver's seat and smiled happily.
Lu Ming thought, this is good, if he changes hands and drives, he will not be so tired.