AT the intersection of Shanxi Beilu and Nanjing Xilu, a stunning white mansion is hidden from the casual glances of passersby behind an encircling wall adorned with flowers.

Anyone attracted by this mansion will not readily understand exactly what kind of building it actually is unless they happen to notice the signboard hanging beside the entrance. It reads: "Former Residence of Rong Zongjing."

The name would not be familiar to most youngsters today, although it might awaken vague memories in older people.

Rong Zongjing was born in Wuxi in 1873. When he first arrived in Shanghai, he was only 14 years old. He obtained employment in an anchor factory. Later he became an apprentice in a Chinese bank. This experience encouraged him greatly and taught him how to survive in Shanghai.

After returning to his hometown he brought his brother, Rong Desheng, back to Shanghai with him. The brothers then waited patiently for their business opportunity to come. In 1896, they set up a joint venture bank with another partner, but in 1898, this partner withdrew his shares, leaving the brothers as the sole owners of the business. This laid the cornerstone for what would become a financial and industrial empire.

In 1902 the brothers opened their first flour mill. From then on, they established 21 factories and other enterprises over the next 30 years. Their businesses included flour, cotton yarn and finance.

Rong's family became one of the most influential business groups in Shanghai, and even in China. Rong Zongjing became known as the "King of Cotton" and the "King of Flour" due to the dominant position his business acquired in the market. The mansion on Shanxi Beilu was built when the family's business was fully flourishing.

When the War of Resistance against Japan broke out in 1937, the business of Rong's family was severely ravaged by Japanese bombing. The Japanese even accused Rong Zongjing of being the figurehead of finance and industry in Shanghai, forcing him to leave his mansion on January 4, 1938, to begin a brief new life as a refugee in Hong Kong. Soon afterwards, on February 9, he died of pneumonia.

But his descendants continued his illustrious career. Rong Hongqing, the third son of Rong Zongjing, became the board chairman of Shanghai Commercial and Saving Bank, Taiwan; while Rong Yiren, his nephew, the fourth son of Rong Desheng, became vice-president of the PRC. Obviously, Rong's family has continued to exercise enormous influence in China, just as Rong Zongjing did in his day.