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Mr. Fu Siao-en was born at Chinghai Hsien, Ningpo, Chekiang, in 1871. He is one of the most prominent Chinese merchants in Shanghai. Beginning at the bottom Mr. Fu has worked his way to the very top, meeting and overcoming numerous obstacles, and today is considered one of the richest men in the country. From 1920 to 1923 Mr. Fu held the following positions: Shanghai Superintendent of the Bank of China, since May 1920; managing director of the China Merchants Steam Navigation Co.; High Advisor to the Ministry of Finance; and Shanghai Commissioner for the Investigation of Wine and Tobacco Taxes. In the spring of 1922 Mr. Fu was offered the portfolio of Finance but he did not accept it being reluctant to enter into purely political life. In November 1922 Minister of Communications, Kao En-hung charged Mr. Fu with conspiracy and treason in connection with the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. A mandate was issued depriving Mr. Fu of the post of Superintendent of the Bank of China and ordering his arrest and punishment. But the charges brought by Kao En-hung