Chapter 35: Industrial Chain Planning

  "Yes, that's my idea. I've discussed it with Lord Xu before. In Xujia Camp, we have already built two factories, and the match factory is working day and night to produce matches that are now widely used in the Xujia Camp area. I believe they will soon become popular throughout Anhui Province. The workers we hired are all ordinary villagers from Xujia Camp, and we pay them a monthly wage. I have also set a minimum wage standard. My Zhang's Technology has become a bridge between the villagers and wealthy merchants. During the slack season, farmers can work in the factory, and during the busy farming season, the factory will downsize and stop hiring villagers, allowing them to focus on their farm work."

  "Just like Master Xu's proposition many years ago, to have abundant food and clothing, and eliminate hunger and cold, I also believe in the power of technology, and that technological progress is the only way to save our country. That's why I created these things, but I didn't keep them for myself. Instead, I sought out wealthy merchants to collaborate with, and now the entire Xu Family Village, except for the farmland, has been planted with tobacco. Every household can earn one or two silver coins per month, and in just a few years' time, Xu Family Village will be one of the wealthiest villages in the surrounding area." Zhang Lei said confidently.

  Xu Guangqi sighed and said, "Alas, it seems that I am really out of touch with the times. The grand words of the past, after several decades, have not yet been achieved. It seems that I took the wrong path. If I had done it like you, first piloting in one place, making a portion of people rich, perhaps by now we would have succeeded."

  "Director Xu, what are you saying? Over the years, you've done so much for the imperial court and the people. Everyone is grateful to you. I'm only able to succeed because of your ideas. So, Director Xu, don't blame yourself. I'm willing to carry on your will and continue this work forever. Unfortunately..." Zhang Lei hastily guaranteed, as Xu Guangqi was a high-ranking official, if he could win his favor, he would gain some benefits...

  "What a pity?" Xu Guangqi was listening with relish, and Zhang Lei's pause made him ask involuntarily.

  Zhang Lei said, "What a pity! I'm just an ordinary commoner. Even if I have the good fortune to cooperate with several big businessmen, it's still a pity that farmers are farmers after all. Some people rely on their connections with the imperial court and deliberately come to obstruct me and my business. What can I do about them?"

  "Oh? Where did this come from? Go ahead and say it, if I can help in any way, I'll be happy to. As an old man, I'm willing to do something for the people one last time." Xu Guangqi said solemnly, Zhang Lei's approach to common prosperity was very much to his liking, and it was also his dream when he was young. If he were a few decades younger, he would have joined forces with Zhang Lei without hesitation. Now that someone had come out to sabotage this effort, it was absolutely unacceptable, so he agreed on the spot.

  "Director Xu, don't get agitated. For the time being, I haven't encountered any major difficulties, just that it's not as easy to promote as expected. The reason is that most people think what I'm doing is some kind of trickery, and they have a psychological rejection from the start." Zhang Lei said frankly.

  His words made Xu Guangqi nod repeatedly: "Yes, that's right, but what can be done about it? It's just the result of long-term education in Confucian thought. To change this situation, we must break through the existing preaching and let everyone get real benefits from your new theory. Only after a long period of subtle influence will they form new ways of thinking. Confucianism has been around for thousands of years now. This is not something that can be solved in a short time, and it's very dangerous."

  "It's not that I'm afraid of danger, but promoting it nationwide isn't easy. It's like when I used Xujiayuan as a pilot project - we can take our time. Even Confucius didn't implement his new policies across the country overnight. This requires everyone's efforts. What I'm worried about isn't these things - farmers have always been practical, whoever gives them benefits they'll listen to, so as long as I can let them gain real benefits, they'll naturally believe in me. What I'm worried about is the imperial court, or rather, the officials - if they oppose me and hinder me from within, even with supernatural abilities, I fear it would be difficult to make progress." Zhang Lei, however, was not worried about this, and spoke with great passion.

  Xu Guangqi burst out laughing, laughing very happily. This was not a problem for him, and according to his character, if Zhang Lei could really bring benefits to the people, then no matter what it took, as long as he could do it, he would definitely go and do it.

  "So you were worried about this, but it's indeed a problem for you. Do you have any good ideas?"

  Finally, the key point was reached, and Zhang Lei had already thought out the plan. It can be said that this plan had been circulating in his mind for a long time, just waiting for an opportunity to implement it. Obviously, God is blessing him now, and he has met Xu Guangqi, so this plan seems to have come ahead of schedule.

  "As early as last year, I established Zhangshi Technology. This Zhangshi Technology itself does not do anything, but whether it is tobacco planting or roasted tobacco and matches produced, they will all be labeled with the Zhangshi Technology logo. In my opinion, Zhangshi Technology is the only representative of all these products behind the scenes. The things produced are all products of Zhangshi Technology. After a long time of promotion, the common people will naturally recognize the brand of Zhangshi Technology. Then I will expand outward in the name of Zhangshi Technology. This way, because Zhangshi Technology has already gained a reputation, it will be much easier to promote."

  I also want to use Zhangshi Technology as the lead, form an industrial chain, and then set a unified standard for the industry. This is very beneficial for the people in the industry to prohibit malicious price hikes. Not only that, I also want to specify a set of technical standards, whether it's textiles or other

  "With a unified technical standard, it is possible not only to save labor and improve efficiency but also to concentrate on improvement and manufacture even better quality goods."

  "Once the industry is expanded, not only can farmers have something to do during their leisure time, but it can also absorb refugees. I suppose Mr. Xu has also seen that in today's chaotic world, wars have caused people to become homeless and displaced. These refugees are potential hidden dangers of war, if we don't find a way to properly settle them, they may bring disaster."

  Zhang Lei spoke eloquently, and Xu Guangqi nodded repeatedly. "What you said is correct, the refugees are indeed a big problem. If it can really be done as you said, it will solve a great trouble for the imperial court."

  "It's not that difficult, to be honest. Apart from the planer and the cutting machine you saw, I have many more things. But I can't take them out. Once I do, people will think I'm a freak. It's too shocking. Before I can guarantee my own safety, I won't easily make them public," said Zhang Lei.

  Xu Guangqi smiled and said: "Then aren't you afraid that I will also regard you as a heretic?"

  Zhang Lei shook his head: "It won't work, because you're different from them. They are illiterate peasants and officials who only know how to be loyal to the emperor and collect taxes, but don't do anything else. But you, Lord Xu, are an educated Catholic, I believe you can tell right from wrong."

  "Haha, young man, you're not old but your words are really on point. What you said is indeed good, and I think with your ability, you should be able to handle this job," Xu Guangqi said.

  Just then, Xu Min entered and handed a letter to Xu Guangqi, who opened it, took a look, and put it aside.

  "It seems that Director Xu is taking his time, so I'll just step aside for now." Zhang Lei said.

  Xu Guangqi waved his hand and said, "No, no, no, this is not a pressing matter. Let's continue what we were talking about earlier. If the things you're worried about don't happen, do you think you'll achieve what you promised earlier?"

  The meaning of this sentence is very clear. Xu Guangqi used the conditions he promised Zhang Lei as a bargaining chip to exchange for Zhang Lei's ability to do something about this matter, which is exactly what Zhang Lei wanted.

  "Of course, as long as you let me develop in peace, I can immediately present my development plan. Within two years, with just two years of time, I can make the living standards of all people in Anhui Province rank first in the country." Zhang Lei said confidently.

  Xu Guangqi praised: "Very good, since that's the case, I'll also go all out to help you this time. You send your plan to me tomorrow, and if it's feasible, I'll help you."

  "If it can be done, then I would thank Mr. Xu for that. If the imperial court can support my plan, I don't ask the imperial court to spend a single penny, but I can make the refugees have something to do and let the common people have money to earn, making the contribution I should make to the imperial court." Zhang Lei was very excited, didn't expect today would have such a big harvest, if he met the little thief who stole his wallet, maybe he could even thank him.

  Just then, a knock at the door was heard outside, and a calm voice said: "Lord Xu, I have an important matter to report."

  "Come in."

  Zhang Lei saw that his purpose had been achieved, so he stood up and said: "In that case, I'll take my leave."

  Xu Guangqi nodded and said, "Alright, I look forward to you bringing me a satisfactory answer tomorrow. With young people like you who have courage and talent, it is the good fortune of the common people and also the good fortune of the imperial court. I am looking forward to seeing what changes you will bring to the great Ming dynasty in one or two years."

  After Zhang Lei left, someone finally came in. Xu Guangqi seemed to have already known what he was doing here and asked: "How's the investigation going?"

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