Chapter 14: Selling Products is Less Effective than Selling Ideas (Please Collect)

  "Huh? This name always feels a bit off, bro, what does it mean?" Zhang Chen asked in confusion after hearing it.

  Zhang Lei said: "We are Zhangshi, and what I have made is not grown in the fields, but has undergone various transformations. This transformation relies on the power of science and technology, so our name is called Zhangshi Technology. From today on, I will make a series of things to let everyone see, as long as you follow me, you will definitely make a lot of money."

  "Alright, that's it. Then what? We just heard a name, although not clear but sounds severe. Next, you should explain to us properly." Zhang Chen said.

  Zhang Lei cleared his throat and said, "As I mentioned earlier, I plan to establish Zhangshi Technology and adopt a joint venture approach. We will sell our products through this platform, and at that time, we will invite professional managers to handle these matters. My goal is that the things you grow, hand them over to me, and I'll help you sell them out. Of course, I won't charge any fees!"

  "This way, not only can we save our fellow villagers a lot of time, but most importantly, the goods can also be sold at a good price!" Zhang Chen already understood Zhang Lei's plan and chimed in.

  "Really?"

  "What's going on here? Does this young master have some unspeakable secret?"

  "Hey, hey, is this a trick to win people's hearts? Recently, it seems like there's been some fighting somewhere, he wouldn't be trying to recruit soldiers, would he?"

  "Hmph... You really know how to tell jokes. With just us old men, what can we be recruited for? From my perspective, it's this young man who has made a fortune and come back to help his fellow villagers. He's a good person."

  "What do you know? Recently, the Fragrance Sect has been in an uproar. He suddenly disappeared for several months and now he's back, with so much money and knowing so many strange and unusual things. It's likely that he's already joined the Fragrance Sect. We need to be careful."

  ……

  The villagers below were in a heated discussion, but Zhang Lei didn't mind, and only spoke up after they had finished: "Fellow villagers and elders, everything I've done is clear for all to see. Ask yourselves, have I ever harmed you? And when you went out to sell tobacco, did anyone give you trouble or force down the price?"

  "It was that day when I brought the tobacco, it was clearly three or four silver coins per load, but he insisted that my goods were not authentic and deducted two silver coins from me."

  Although they didn't understand what Zhang Lei was going to do, they were still skeptical in their hearts, but everyone had to admit that Zhang Lei was telling the truth. Thinking about it again, Zhang Lei had grown up under everyone's eyes for over a decade, and his character was evident. Gradually, everyone began to trust Zhang Lei a bit more.

  Because Zhang Lei and Chen Dayong have been brothers since childhood, Old Man Chen treats Zhang Lei like a half-son. Now that his son has made a name for himself, which father wouldn't be delighted? This morning, he heard from Zhang Chen that Zhang Lei had an idea, so he rushed over, but unexpectedly found the scene filled with people doubting Zhang Lei. Infuriated, he couldn't help but speak out loudly:

  "You bunch... don't you have any conscience? Ask yourselves, did you benefit from it? Did my nephew ever cheat you out of a single penny? He treated you to good wine and food, what did you pay in return? At most just a few bundles of firewood! Now you still dare to say such things, I feel sorry for my nephew. If I were to say it, nephew, let's do our own thing, when we make money later, let them be envious and regretful." Chen Lao Tie still held his large iron hammer in his hand, and whenever he got excited, he would swing it a few times, scaring the people around him to quickly run away, afraid of being implicated.

  Zhang Lei gave him a nod of approval, took over the conversation and said: "Well, let's just forget I said anything, we've wasted everyone's morning time, I apologize to everyone, sorry."

  After finishing speaking, he jumped off the high platform and went into the house, leaving Zhang Chen to host the scene.

  After a while, Zhang Chen came in and asked: "Brother, why did you suddenly stop talking?"

  Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Because I suddenly realized that humans are profit-driven animals, they are all insatiable white wolves. If you give them a little favor, they will gladly accept it, but if they don't have to pay for it, it will only expand their greed even more. When the time comes when you need something from them, you won't be able to get any benefit from them."

  "What's Big Brother going to do?" Zhang Chen asked.

  Zhang Lei said, "Since everyone is not willing to take that little benefit, I'll just take it all myself and won't mind at all. It's still according to my original plan, but you have to do two things for me."

  "What's up? Speak." Upon hearing that he had been assigned a task, Zhang Chen not only didn't have any resentment, but instead suddenly felt invigorated.

  "Help me find a wooden signboard, my Zhangshi Technology is going to be established, I need to hang a sign. I'll go to the town to buy some things," said Zhang Lei.

  After finishing dinner, Zhang Baosheng, who was doing carpentry work in the courtyard, walked into the house and said: "Have you forgotten about me, a carpenter? Whatever signboard you want, I'll help you make it."

  Zhang Lei took out a drawing and said, "This is the signboard of Zhangshi Technology designed by myself." Zhang Baosheng looked at it and said, "Forget it, I'll do it. You go outside to find people to ask for money. A good opportunity should not be let slip away to outsiders."

  Arriving in town, Zhang Lei entered a bookstore, where various types of paper were usually sold.

  "Welcome, sir. What can I get for you?" Zhang Lei's clothes were all made of satin he had bought back from Guangzhou, and they looked even more vibrant compared to the others. As soon as he entered the store, the owner came out to greet him.

  "I'm looking for a type of paper that is relatively hard, can be made into various shapes, but not too thick, and preferably has some degree of water resistance."

  "Hey, sir, I've never heard of such a request. May I ask, what do you plan to use this for?" The shopkeeper was taken aback by Zhang Lei's demand. What kind of paper isn't afraid of water? Ha ha, this young man is dressed elegantly, but his brain doesn't seem to be working too well. What a pity.

  "What is this boss thinking?" Zhang Lei didn't know. He said: "Don't ask what it's used for, just say if you have it or not. If not, I'll go to another store."

  The shop owner said: "Sorry, sir, our small store really doesn't have the kind of paper you want, and I've never heard of it before. It seems that I'm ignorant."

  Zhang Lei asked several shops in a row, and the answers he got were all similar, which made him feel somewhat disappointed. However, another type of paper was found by him, which slightly comforted his wounded heart. He thought that it seemed like he could only think of a way himself, just as he was about to head back, when passing by a store, he suddenly had an inspiration.

  Not far in front of him, a man in his thirties was making a wooden box with beautiful colors on the surface and exquisite flower patterns carved on it, which immediately made Zhang Lei's eyes wide with wonder.

  He rushed back home, and Zhang Baosheng was still busy selecting materials for making the signboard. Zhang Lei immediately went into the house, writing and drawing on paper, and didn't stop until it was almost evening. He took out the draft to show Zhang Baosheng and asked: "Dad, can this box be made?"

  Zhang Baosheng took a look and asked: "Jewelry box?"

  According to Zhang Lei's scale, it was slightly larger than the palm of his hand. The top was engraved with exquisite patterns. Zhang Baosheng's first thought was that it was a jewelry box.

  "No, no, it's a cigarette box!" Zhang Lei said.

  Zhang Baosheng was startled and said: "What kind of joke are you playing? How much effort does it take to make such a complex and exquisite box? Just for that little tobacco?"

  Zhang Chen also said: "Yes, brother, a little tobacco can be bought for several copper coins, and this box must have cost several silver coins to make. Isn't this a case of putting the cart before the horse?"

  "Haha, you don't know this, who told you it's cheap? What I want to do is sell my family's roasted tobacco for a higher price than theirs, one or two catties at a time!" Zhang Lei couldn't help but feel proud.

  Although Zhang Chen didn't think that Zhang Lei said this because his brain was messed up, he still asked doubtfully: "Can it be sold?" Think about it, the same thing, with the same amount of money you can buy a whole lot, who would come to buy just a little bit.

  Zhang Lei smiled, thinking of the Apple products from his previous life. "Of course," he said, "you know that in this world, although there are many poor people, there will never be a lack of rich people. These rich people have always been pursuing how to show off their noble status and boundless wealth. So they wear silk and satin, wear gold and silver jewelry, live in luxurious palaces, with only two purposes: one is to live comfortably, the other is to show off their high-and-mighty sense of superiority."

  "Oh, I see," said Zhang Chen, "it's just that he has what others don't, and that's a spiritual satisfaction."

  Zhang Lei snapped his fingers, "That's right, it's the same with houses, why do they spend so much money to build good ones? It's to get a sense of superiority and psychological satisfaction. Same logic, our tobacco is the same as others, but our packaging is different, and our price is not affordable for many people. So, those who buy our products will naturally produce a sense of superiority, understand? Just like officials in the capital and local officials, although their ranks are the same, but officials in the capital are more enviable, it's the same logic."

  Zhang Chen took over and said, "If our things are well-packaged and expensive, so that others can't afford to buy them, then when rich people get them, it's equivalent to having capital for showing off?"

  "Being smart is all about this principle. You must remember that what you can see but cannot eat is often the most desirable thing to get. Selling goods is not as good as selling ideas!" Zhang Lei said.