Chapter 26: Transmission Type Cutting Machine Tools (2)

  Master Zhou's words made Zhang Lei stunned. This old Chen really didn't say anything, and I don't know what he was thinking in his heart.

  "He didn't say that, but he said a lot of good things about you to me, and praised you highly. I think what he said must be true." Zhang Lei said sincerely.

  For someone who has reached the level of Zhou Shifu, Zhang Lei still has some understanding. When craftsmanship has reached a high level, many people will choose to stop at this point. On the one hand, they feel that they can't make anything better than this, and continuing would be meaningless. On the other hand, they are afraid that if they continue, they might produce something bad, which would damage their reputation.

  "It doesn't matter whether it's true or not, it's all in the past. I haven't picked up a hammer for many years, and I'm afraid I'll disappoint Old Zhang today." Master Zhou said calmly. He didn't lack money; the reward from the emperor for forging a dagger for him was enough to make him happy for the rest of his life. Now that he's retired, with hundreds of apprentices and grandchildren, he just can't bear to part with this hundred-year-old shop. Having listened to the sound of ironwork all his life, it would be hard to get used to its sudden absence, so he stays here, living a carefree life. If someone wants him to come out of retirement, it won't be easy.

  "Ah, that's indeed the case. Your heroic deeds are well-known to us younger generations, and we admire them greatly. It's truly a fortunate encounter for me to meet you today. However, Hammer Uncle and I were discussing this matter, and it seems that no one else can create something like this except for you. That's why I came looking for you. Since Master Zhou has already retired, I wouldn't want to trouble him further. So, I'll take my leave now. Please forgive me for any disturbance caused."

  Having said this, Zhang Lei stood up and bid farewell.

  "Boss Zhang, please stay." Just as Zhang Lei had taken a few steps out, Master Zhou spoke up.

  Zhang Lei was overjoyed in his heart and decided to use the "loose to capture" trick. As expected, it worked beautifully wherever he used it.

  "Master Zhou, is there anything else you'd like to instruct? Oh right, also trouble you to introduce someone with exceptional abilities, ordinary people probably can't handle my things." Zhang Lei said as he stopped in his tracks.

  "I don't know if Boss Zhang would mind, but may I take a look at the drawings?" asked Master Zhou.

  Zhang Lei was secretly delighted, and the plan to lure him in had indeed been effective. He turned around, pulled out the blueprint, and said respectfully: "Please take a look, Master Zhou."

  "Indeed, it's exquisite." Zhang Lei showed him the things that were only a part of the gear transmission, with various sizes and specifications marked on them. Master Zhou took one look and couldn't help but praise repeatedly.

  "Is this all your design?" He looked at it for a long time before putting down the blueprint and asking Zhang Lei.

  Zhang Lei said: "Right, this is a special design for my dad's work. With this thing, the efficiency is conservatively estimated to be more than ten times faster than manual labor."

  "It's actually ten times faster than manual labor, how many docks and wood yards are there nationwide..." Master Zhou narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard with one hand, a smile spreading across his face as he mentally calculated the numbers.

  "Master Zhou, please return the blueprint to me," Zhang Lei said, seeing Master Zhou's expression and basically guessing what he was thinking.

  After this disturbance, Master Zhou finally came to his senses and said: "I have lived for so many years, the county magistrate has brewed tea for me, and I have forged a treasure sword for the emperor..."

  "You've already said that," Zhang Lei said calmly. "Since Master Zhou no longer takes charge personally, it's useless for me to stay here any longer. Please return the drawings to me, and I'll find another partner."

  Master Zhou quickly rolled up the blueprint and grasped it tightly, his face beaming with a smile. "Young man, don't be so impatient," he said. "Although I haven't worked in a long time, that's because there's nothing in this world that I can't do, and I've lost interest. But what you showed me today is something I've never heard of or seen before, and it has piqued my curiosity and competitiveness. So, I have decided to come out of retirement and personally craft the thing you want."

  "Master Zhou smiled and said, 'You are now a renowned figure, having personally forged precious swords for the Emperor. I'm just an ordinary commoner, how could I possibly move someone of your stature? If you're willing to do it, I'd be delighted, but unfortunately, I'm just a humble subject with limited means, and even if I sold myself, I wouldn't be able to afford your labor costs. Please, just take pity on me and enjoy your leisure.' But Zhang Lei suddenly became uncooperative, Master Zhou having made an exception by agreeing, he strongly opposed it."

  Master Zhou's face turned stern as he said, "How can Boss Zhang speak like this? I've already made it clear earlier that I didn't come for the money. It's purely because I took a liking to you, so I won't accept your payment. And it's also because of how exquisite this machine is that I had this idea in the first place. How can you say something like that?"

  "Master Zhou, what you said is not right. You are a big shot, if you help me with these things for free, wouldn't that lower your status? I couldn't bear the responsibility of this crime. If trouble comes knocking on my door later, I would be in big trouble. So to be safe, let's just forget it." Zhang Lei said with a smile, Master Zhou's expression earlier already explained everything, this is not a trivial matter.

  "What do you want me to do? I have no interest in anything else, just hammering iron and making small things is my only hobby. At this age, I still haven't made something that makes people admire me, sometimes thinking about it keeps me up all night. Today seeing your thing, I can predict that this is what I've been searching for, so I'm willing to do anything, hoping you'll pity an old man's wish." Master Zhou saw that reasoning didn't work, and actually lowered himself to act pitiful, making Zhang Lei both angry and amused.

  Zhang Lei smiled slightly and said, "I understand Master Zhou's feelings. If I can create a masterpiece that will be passed down for generations, even after a hundred years, people will still praise it. If I can achieve such glory, I'd like to."

  "It's rare that you can understand my feelings, I've been thinking of making a lifelong friendship with you. Since you think so too, why not just agree to it? Wouldn't that be good for both of us?" Seeing Zhang Lei relax his guard, Zhou Shifu immediately pressed his advantage step by step.

  "I don't know if Master Zhou has heard of it, but I've already drafted the contract for our cooperation." Zhang Lei was secretly delighted. If he could get such an awesome partner, that would be great! As for what Master Zhou had in mind, he wasn't interested in knowing. After all, isn't this world all about using others and being used by others? The saying goes: "Clear water has no fish, a person who is too cautious has no followers." Some things are not fun if you're too serious about them.

  Master Zhou nodded and said: "That's right, I've heard that Old Zhang has this habit. So you're saying we need to sign a contract too?"

  "Of course, with the contract as proof, you can rest assured that I'll be able to invite you, this great deity. And I'll also be at ease, won't I? I wonder what Master Zhou thinks about it?" Zhang Lei said, pulling out the contract from his pocket.

  "Alas, I've been thoroughly defeated by you." Master Zhou said with a sigh after carefully reading the contract from start to finish.

  Zhang Lei smiled and said, "What is Master Zhou talking about? My father taught me from a young age that one must not have the heart to harm others, but also must not be without the heart to defend oneself. I wonder what Master Zhou thinks of this contract?"

  On this contract, in addition to stipulating that all parts must be engraved with the four characters "Zhangshi Technology", a rendering and a structural diagram were also specially drawn. As long as this contract is signed, the ownership of this shape and structure will belong to Zhang Lei.

  "Alas, no." Unexpectedly, the attempt to steal a chicken resulted in losing rice instead. Having reached this point, if he didn't agree, his old face would be unable to bear it. Master Zhou could only sigh repeatedly and sign the contract.

  After Zhang Lei received the contract, a smile finally appeared on his face, and he said: "I believe in Master Zhou's ingenuity, the things you make will definitely be better than what I designed. So I'll congratulate you on your success here first."

  "Alright, alright, you go busy yourself, I still need to continue studying the blueprint." Feeling that he had been greatly taken advantage of, Master Zhou now didn't even have the mood to joke around with Zhang Lei, and dismissed him with just one sentence.

  Zhang Lei didn't mind at all, and smiled as he walked out the door. Along the way, he would occasionally take out the contract to look at it, and couldn't help but smile smugly.

  Everything has been arranged, Zhang Lei also relaxed and stayed at home every day.

  After more than ten days, Chen Lao Chui delivered the finished product. The steel plate was very heavy, and he and Chen Da Yong used a lot of effort to get it into Zhang Lei's courtyard.

  "So soon?" Zhang Lei originally thought that he would only be able to finish the things by mid-December, and it seemed that he had been working overtime again.

  "Hey, Chinese New Year is just around the corner and it'll be chaotic then, so I might as well get everything done at once. Take a look, is it up to par? I did everything according to your requirements."

  Zhang Lei stuffed a ten-tael silver note into Chen Dayong's hand and said, "You take this."

  Seeing this, Old Chen scowled again and said: "Didn't I say we weren't going to talk about money? Why bring it up again? If you keep doing this, Uncle Hammer won't be happy and won't help you anymore."

  "Uncle Hammer, it's not what you said, I know this is your help, talking about money is too common, but this isn't labor costs. With the New Year approaching, I was thinking of having Big Courage buy some good stuff to nourish your body, no other intentions. If you don't accept it, then I'll have my brother go to your house every day, three meals a day, to deliver delicious food and drinks for you."

  "Stop it, young master! If you keep this up, I'll have no choice but to let others gossip. Whatever you do, don't send anything over there!" Old Chen said with a wave of his hand.

  Zhang Lei said: "Then take the money."

  Chen Dayong had just put the money in his pocket when a rough voice outside shouted, "Is Old Zhang at home?"