Chapter 41: Partner

  With the experience of making transmission sawing machine tools, Zhang Lei tried to use metal as little as possible on these machines, only using it in key places. One of the benefits of doing so was that Chen Lao and his son Chen Dayong could make these iron parts, and secondly, it reduced the weight of the machinery, making it easier to transport.

  The most crucial point is that in order to make these machines difficult to imitate, Zhang Lei designed many mechanisms on them, which increased a lot of processes, but Zhang Lei thought it was all worth it.

  After designing the machinery, Zhang Lei made the wooden structure part by himself at home. The rest was naturally handed over to Chen Lao Chui and others. A week later, the first small single-person spinning machine was officially launched. As long as you step on the pedal with your foot, the power is enough to drive all the components to move.

  "Mission accomplished!" Zhang Lei tested it several times, and everything was fine in all aspects, which made him very happy. The next thing to do is to find an opportunity to sell this machine out.

  Xu Jia Ying is naturally possible, because so far Zhang Lei has not seen anyone weaving cloth in this place. After thinking about it, Zhang Lei felt that he should still go to Songjiang Prefecture, first because the place is big, and second because of all the machinery he saw those days, there is a sufficient market.

  They set off on their journey to Songjiang Prefecture with machinery and goods after Zhang Lei and Zhang Bao gave a signal.

  Arriving at Songjiang Prefecture, Zhang Lei first contacted Yang Yong. Firstly, he was not familiar with the place and only knew him. Secondly, Yang Yong was a native of Songjiang Prefecture, so his familiarity with the area naturally exceeded that of Zhang Lei.

  "Boss Zhang, how did you come? Ah, also didn't notify in advance, I can go pick you up." Zhang Lei knocked on the door of Yang Yong's house and saw him afterwards. Yang Yong showed unprecedented enthusiasm.

  Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised, he didn't think his fame had reached the point where a wealthy boss would humble himself to curry favor with him. He put down the large box in his hand and said: "I came uninvited, I'm afraid I've troubled you, I hope Mr. Yang won't mind."

  "What's Old Zhang saying? Come on in, let's go inside and talk."

  Zhang Lei was invited to the main hall of the mansion for the first time, and here, the pavilions and waterside pavilions were carefully crafted, obviously with a lot of thought put into them. After taking a look around, he suddenly admired this garden-style building layout, and sincerely praised: "Boss Yang is really a person who understands life."

  "Don't say that, or I'll be too ashamed to die. I'm a rough person, not like Director Zhang. To be honest, I really admire you cultured people, especially you, Director Zhang. You're young and promising, and it's not an exaggeration to call you a role model for the new generation." Yang Yong lavished praise on Zhang Lei without restraint.

  The two men had already entered the courtyard while talking and ordered someone to make tea. Yang Yong then invited Zhang Lei to sit down and rest.

  "Right, after saying so much, I don't know what brought Mr. Zhang here this time?" After some pleasantries, Yang Yong got straight to the point.

  Zhang Lei then said: "Oh, you see me, I forgot to say. This time I came to find a way out, I just made something new, I don't know if it can win everyone's favor."

  When he said that, Yang Yong raised an eyebrow, seemingly quite surprised, and asked: "Master Zhang is a great talent! I don't know what good things will be born this time? To be honest with you, the last batch of matches didn't need much publicity, as long as people used them, they couldn't leave them alone. Now, we're just preparing to discuss with Old Master Bai about bringing in more goods."

  Zhang Lei finally understood, and thought that Yang Yong's enthusiasm towards him was probably because the match had made him rich. He said calmly: "That's also due to Mr. Yang's good management. I don't know if you still remember, but last time I mentioned to you about the weaving machine?"

  "Come to think of it, isn't the thing that Boss Zhang brought this time related to the loom?" Yang Yong had long noticed the large box that Zhang Lei was carrying with him, and originally wanted to find an opportunity to probe for information, but unexpectedly Zhang Lei took the initiative to mention it.

  Zhang Lei nodded, feeling that there was no need to say more unnecessary words. He immediately opened the large trunk, inside which were dozens of wooden sticks arranged densely, as well as a square-shaped iron box.

  "What is this?" Although Yang Yong was confident in his extensive knowledge and experience, he still felt that his brain was not enough to understand these things, so he asked.

  "This is good stuff, just you wait and see." Zhang Lei smiled mysteriously, then busied himself. Before long, a miniature loom appeared before the two of them.

  Yang Yong's eyes widened in incredulity as he exclaimed: "This... is a loom?"

  Zhang Lei nodded and said: "I came this time just to promote this thing in Songjiang Prefecture."

  "Oh, I see. What a pity, my business doesn't involve that aspect, otherwise I could have borrowed from Old Zhang's east wind and made another big profit. But now it's just as well, focusing on doing what I'm doing is enough." Yang Yong said with a sudden realization, but later felt some regret.

  Zhang Lei nodded and said, "Boss Yang is a good person. When you eat meat, also give others some soup to drink. With your financial resources, even if you venture into any industry, it's more than enough. It's better to let others have an opportunity too. Besides, there's a sequence in learning the Tao, and specialization in skills. I think doing business is the same principle - focusing on what you like and are good at will make your business bigger. Blindly expanding industries and venturing into fields may not increase the chances of making money."

  "Boss Zhang is really mature beyond his years, able to understand things at this level, much stronger than many old-timers. I reckon it won't be long before you can establish your own business empire." Yang Yong was very appreciative of Zhang Lei's ability to resonate with him on a conceptual level.

  "It's too kind of you, I'm just a young and inexperienced person, still needing Mr. Yang's guidance. Since Mr. Yang is not involved in this, what other advice can you give me?"

  At that time, Zhang Lei had just established Zhangshi Technology and had already encountered several batches of protection fees. If it weren't for the two big shots, Bai Yang and Yu Boss, who were holding down the fort, they might not have been able to keep even that small storefront. In a small place like Nanchang County, it was already like this; opening a store in Songjiang Prefecture would be unimaginable.

  Speaking of which, Yang Yong thought for a moment and said: "If you want to talk about partners, I do have a suggestion."

  "Oh? Tell me about it." Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow, anyone who could be seen by Yang Yong must not be some minor character.

  Yang Yong said, "Xu Feng is the boss of Xu's Woodworking Shop. His business is doing quite well. About one-third of the machinery in Songjiang Prefecture comes from his shop. He has considerable strength. I think Boss Zhang can try cooperating with him."

  "One-third? That's really a big deal, not to mention others, just this type of loom is probably tens of thousands in number." Zhang Lei was somewhat surprised, indeed worthy of being a business giant, even if it's someone he knows, it's still very impressive.

  Being able to recognize a friend who can make himself look good makes Yang Yong very proud. He slightly raised his head and said, "Yes, so I recommended him to Boss Zhang, you two cooperating should be no problem."

  Zhang Lei rubbed his chin and said, "Hmm, if it's as Old Yang said, then that's not bad."

  I'll go visit right away."

  "No rush to go now, it's not early anymore. Why don't we just go tomorrow afternoon? Boss Zhang is also a bit tired from coming over today, so let's just rest at home for now." Yang Yong said.

  "I've already troubled you once, I don't want to again. I think I'll just go stay elsewhere." Zhang Lei said tactfully. To be honest, he didn't like staying in other people's homes, and besides, he had only met Yang Yong twice before, both times staying at someone else's place, how embarrassing.

  Yang Yong may not know what he is thinking, and Zhang Lei finally reluctantly agreed to rest here after trying his best to persuade him.

  The next afternoon, Zhang Lei temporarily stored his things in Yang Yong's home and went alone to the Xuji Wooden Instrument Workshop as instructed.

  Xu's Woodwork Shop is located on a bustling street called Chaoyang Street, which can accommodate eight horse-drawn carriages running side by side and is now also crowded with people. The sound of hawkers is endless, and Zhang Lei even saw people performing acrobatics and selling their skills, as well as cockfighting, the noise is deafening, what a lively scene.

  The shop occupied three storefronts, which was quite large in the surrounding area. Inside, some machinery was on display, mostly traditional looms and the like. However, at this time, there wasn't a single customer, and several apprentices were lounging about lazily.

  When Zhang Lei came over, those people all regained their spirits and swarmed around him.

  "I'm looking for your boss." Zhang Lei said straightforwardly.

  That fellow didn't want to bother him anymore, so he went into the inner courtyard to find Old Master Zhao.

  Xu Feng has been in a bad mood lately. In the past few years, he made a fortune from textile machinery and invested in this industry. After his hard work, it has grown to a considerable scale. However, due to market saturation, recent transactions have decreased significantly, which makes him very worried, so he often sits alone by the skywell, lost in thought.

  "Boss."

  "Can't you see I'm in a bad mood? Don't come bother me, get out of here..."

  "Boss... there's a young man who says he wants to see you..."

  "Get out..."

  "He said it was business..."

  "What did you say? Tell him to wait for me, take good care of yourselves, I'll be right there."

  After a while, he came to the front with spirit and saw young Zhang Lei. He couldn't help but feel some disappointment in his heart. However, out of basic courtesy as a businessman, he still said: "I don't know what brings you to our store, little brother?" Those who come to buy these machines are either those picky weavers or those big bosses. Zhang Lei, this teenager, doesn't seem likely to be buying these things, so he's also not very interested.

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