Famous businessmen in China's past dynasties

1. Tao Zhugong: A man from the late Spring and Autumn Period, Fan Li, the great wise man who helped King Goujian of Yue to destroy Wu in the first battle, can be called the originator of abandoning politics to engage in business and a model of creating a record of personal wealth.

"Historical Records" records that "after nineteen years, he made three golds and accumulated a fortune of tens of millions." Of course, he was selected and recommended as the first of the "Top Ten Richest People in China".

2. Zigong: A disciple of Confucius, a capable man who became rich through business.

"Historical Records.

"The Biography of the Value of Goods" records that he "wasted money between Cao and Lu".

At his own expense, he traveled around various countries on high carriages and horses, trying to conquer Qi, save Lu, dominate Yue, and defeat Wu.

Confucianism was later carried forward and spread for hundreds of generations, and its contribution was very great.

3. Bai Gui: A Zhou native in the early Warring States Period and the earliest master of business theory.

Li Kui once asked him for advice on the secret of getting rich.

"When others abandon me, I take it; when others take it, I take it" is his original business saying.

"Historical Records" recommends him as "the ancestor of the rule of the world". There were once published theoretical works on business philosophy, but it is a pity that they were lost.

4. Lu Buwei: A great businessman in Yangzhai during the Warring States Period. According to historical records, "he traded cheaply and sold expensively, and his family accumulated a fortune." However, the most satisfying business in his life was: getting to know the exiled prince of Qin, winning a stranger, and sponsoring his return to the country to ascend the throne.

Thus successfully realizing the historic transformation of individuals from business to politics. 5. Shen Wansan: Famous and wealthy, a wealthy man in Jiangnan in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty.

He once helped Zhu Yuanzhang build Nanjing City and personally contracted one-third of the project cost.

His grandson was involved in the Lan Yu case and was exiled to Yunnan, and his property was confiscated.

The source of his wealth is said to be from maritime trade, and he may be regarded as the earliest international trade merchant in history.

6. Wu Bingjian: His business name is Wu Haoguan.

In the Qing Dynasty, he was the leader of the thirteenth trip to Yihe in Guangdong.

He quickly became rich by smuggling opium with the British East India Company.

In 1834, he claimed to have assets of 26 million yuan (one estimate is 26 million taels). Western scholars called him "the largest commercial asset in the world and the richest man in the world."

In 1843, the Qing government ordered Hong Shang to repay foreign debts of 3 million yuan stipulated in the Treaty of Nanjing, and he was solely responsible for 1 million yuan.

He died of illness in Guangzhou in the same year.

7. Hu Xueyan: His real name is Guangyong, a famous "red-top businessman" and an outstanding representative of "Huizhou businessmen" in modern times.

Because of his friendship with Zuo Zongtang, he took advantage of the opportunity of co-organizing the Fujian Shipbuilding Bureau and the Lanzhou Manufacturing Bureau to become rich by handling the military supplies business of the Hunan Army.

The maximum capital reached more than 20 million, but was later squeezed out by foreign businessmen and went bankrupt.

Hu Qingyutang founded a well-known enterprise for him.

8. Wang Chi: named Xingzhai, a native of Maitreya, Yunnan, another representative of the "Red Top Businessman" and one of the famous giant businessmen in the late Qing Dynasty. He founded "Tongqingfeng" and reorganized "Tianshunxiang", making him rich as a country.

9. Sheng Xuanhuai: A representative official and businessman in the late Qing Dynasty. He was in charge of the national telegraph business and undertook the Hanyang Iron Works, Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau and other industries.

Cotton mills and farming companies became rich, established education, and advocated constitutionalism.