It is often thought that the Eu’s fortune came from medicine business — likely because the product of Eu Yan Sang is such a neighbourly thing for the people — but the fact is, Eu earned his fortune primarily from mining and rubber businesses, as well as forex, real estates and trade. Not only was he a big fish in the medicine, mining and rubber industries, he also owned more than 30 horses, which made him the first-generation Chinese “horse tycoon”. According to records, Eu Tong Sen was so rich that he was considered one of the top ten wealthiest Chinese in the world. With altogether five wives and concubines and thirteen sons and eleven daughters, it was only to be expected that he needed many homes to settle his family.
Child’s schooling is definitely a bugbear for young couples today. If you’re looking for both a castle life and a good school net, I must beat the drum for another masterpiece of Eu Tong Sen — Euston on Bonham Road, Mid-Levels.
Early before the war, Eu Yan Sang had already expanded to Singapore, Hong Kong and other parts of Southeast Asia. Its flagship products, “Bak Foong Pills” and “Bo Ying Compound”, were vastly popular among Chinese communities. In 1927, Eu Tong Sen, at the age of 50, decided to emigrate to Hong Kong, and the headquarters of Eu Yan Sang was relocated to the city.
