Chapter 59: Fellow Traveler

  "Feng Ge has arrived, please sit down. Let me introduce you to him. This is Zheng Zhilong's brother and also my sworn elder brother, Zheng Zhihu."

  Feng Yong immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to Zheng Zhihu, saying: "Humble subject Feng Yong pays respects to Your Excellency."

  In front of others, Zheng Zhihu was quite imposing. He just slightly nodded and said: "Get up, since you are my brother's fellow villager, we can be considered as having a bit of a relationship, no need for such big courtesy."

  Zhang Lei walked over to help Feng Yong up and said, "Brother Feng, you helped me a lot at Xu's camp. I haven't even had a chance to thank you yet. By the way, what brings you here this time? Is there something going on at home? It's been ages since I last went back."

  "Everything is fine at home, so you don't have to worry about it. This time I came mainly to follow you and help out a bit by your side." Feng Yong said.

  Take refuge?

  "This is the only phrase Zhang Lei could think of, and he said: "What are you talking about? If you can come over to help me, that would be a blessing. What's with 'helping out', what kind of work can I let you do? When I get back, won't the villagers be pointing at my spine and scolding me?"

  Zheng Zhihu said: "Boss Zhang, congratulations, congratulations."

  Zhang Lei was also very happy, this is the first one to actively surrender, he said: "Thanks to Big Brother's good fortune, Feng Big Brother, you are also literate, Zhangshi Technology will need your help in the future."

  He said that he had accepted Feng Yong's surrender. Feng Yong hastily replied: "Boss Zhang, I will definitely do a good job."

  Zhang Lei nodded, and Zheng Zhihu said: "You see, I was originally going to go to the capital, but now that I've come to your place, I've already delayed for two days. I need to prepare to set off northwards. If I stay a few more days, I reckon the Emperor will have to look for me."

  "Haha, that's fine too. Don't worry, big brother, I'll take care of things on the factory side. Once there's a suitable opportunity, I'll send over what you want." Zhang Lei said.

  Zheng Zhihu said, "Hmm, that's good. It counts as me not recognizing you as a brother in vain. I heard from Qin Mangzi that you've always wanted to meet my brother. When the opportunity arises, I'll help introduce you."

  "Really? Then thank you, big brother. I've admired him for a long time. If I can see his face, that would be great." Zhang Lei said excitedly, just like a brainless fan of some pop star.

  "Not even seeing the person yet and already started flattering, alright alright, I'm leaving, this matter will be discussed later when there's a chance, he's very busy." Zheng Zhihu said and then left.

  Zhang Lei said to Feng Yong: "Brother Feng, come sit down. I'll ask you, how did you suddenly think of doing this?"

  "Feng Yong replied: 'Because I think you're a person who can achieve great things, following you will definitely bring success. This is also what my father meant.'"

  "Is that all?" After a while, Feng Yong didn't say anything else. Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow and asked.

  Feng Yong thought for a moment and said, "Nothing."

  "Alright, alright. Since it's gone, it's gone. From now on, you can be my steward. I've never found anyone because I think outsiders are unreliable, but you're someone I know inside and out, so it's just right."

  "Hmm." Feng Yong didn't say much, Zhang Lei spent half a day's time getting him familiar with the work before letting him go do things.

  In the west of the city, there is a stretch of farmland built on the mountain. On the half-mountain waist, next to the terraced fields, there is a small courtyard covered with tree bark and thatch, where Song Jiang's sworn brother Chao Gai lives.

  Linsheng student, one of the student titles in the imperial examination system. In the early Ming dynasty, students in prefectures, states, and counties were initially provided with Linsheng every month to subsidize their living expenses. The quota was fixed, with 40 people in the prefectural school, 30 people in the state school, and 20 people in the county school. Each person was given six dou of Lin rice per month, and four taels of Lin silver were issued annually.

  This man was also a strange person, who had been fascinated by science and technology since he was young. Like Zhang Lei, he firmly believed that the future development direction was to replace human power with tools. After getting the stipend, he actually abandoned all the books of saints and sages and instead searched everywhere for Western works. He could read the translated "Elements of Geometry" in Chinese with great enthusiasm, and even conducted experiments himself. The local people regarded him as a strange person and kept their distance from him. So he simply found this place, lived on the limited subsidy, grew some vegetables, and lived a carefree life. Because many years ago, the Su family had bought one of his new inventions, they had become familiar with each other through frequent interactions.

  Today, as usual, he was tinkering with his own things. Before long, there was a sudden knock at the door outside. He was very curious in his heart. He didn't have many friends and didn't get along with people, so who could it be?

  He opened the door and took a look, it turned out to be Su Lun. Su Lun was much younger than him, because of his relationship with the Su family, he also knew him. He smiled and said: "Young Master Su actually came to my mountain, what a miracle!"

  "Uncle Chou, what are you talking about? Come on, come on, I've specially brought this Shaoxing yellow wine, your favorite." Su Lun placed the two jars of good wine on the table and took out a few dishes to go with the wine.

  Qiu Yan looked at Su Lun and said: "Young Master Su, what are you doing?"

  Su Lun smiled and said: "It's been a long time since I came here. Take a look at you, and also want to ask for your help."

  "Help? What can I say? I'm just an old man, what can I help you with?" Qiū Jiǎo said, spreading out his palms.

  "Years ago, the Su family bought your mechanical invention and dominated the market. Now, another person has appeared with an even more advanced invention, and his factory is slowly eating away at Songjiang Prefecture's market share. I hope you can lend a hand again and come up with something to counter his." said Su Lun.

  After hearing Su Lun's words, Qiu Ya was shocked and said: "Impossible, the mechanical design I adopted uses the most scientific data ratio. According to the current education system of the imperial court, even if it takes another thirty years, no one can surpass me. It has only been a few short years, how could someone have the ability to erode the mature market of the Su family?"

  "Alas, who says it's not? The mechanical device you invented, without precise data, can't be successfully replicated at all. But now, a weirdo has appeared, who likes to tinker even more than you do, and the things he designs are even more ingenious. What's more, he's only about my age." Su Lun said.

  Qiu Yan suddenly stood up, with an incredulous smile on his face: "Young Master Su, don't tease me anymore. Although I rarely go down the mountain, it's impossible for such earth-shaking changes to occur outside. The thinking mode of those in power determines the development of all aspects of the country. It's clear that the emperor has no intention of vigorously promoting and supporting technology."

  Su Leng said seriously: "I'm not joking with you, this young man was just a newcomer last year, but this year he has already made a name for himself in Songjiang Prefecture. I've tried to make trouble for him several times, but instead I ended up getting myself into trouble." He then recounted Zhang Lei's various actions over the past year from start to finish.

  Chui Yan sat up and said, "There's actually such a strange person in the world. I'm eager to meet him."

  Jian's success had piqued Qiu Yan's competitive spirit, and Su Lun was delighted. He forcibly pressed Qiu Yan down onto a stool, opened the wine jar by removing the seal, and said: "There's no need to rush for now; anyway, I've brought good wine and dishes, let's eat first."

  After the two of them finished eating, Chou Ya packed up and urged Su Lun to take him down the mountain.

  Upon arriving in the city, everywhere was a scene of prosperity, indeed much more advanced than many years ago. Chou Yun refused Su Lun's suggestion to go to the Su house for a short rest and insisted on going to find Zhang Lei. Su Lun, in order to avoid suspicion, only pointed out one road to him and then let him go by himself.

  He saw the only guild hall in Songjiang Prefecture, and Chou Ya couldn't help but admire its grandeur. He admired Su Lun's money-making model even more after what he had just said about Zhang Lei. The entrance of the guild hall was bustling with people coming and going, and two stone lions stood majestically at the door. He adjusted his clothes before walking up to the door to knock.

  "Who are you?" A girl of about ten years old opened the door a crack, her big watery eyes took a glance outside and saw Qiu Yue who was knocking on the door, asking in a childish tone.

  Qiu Yan bowed his head and asked: "Excuse me, is Mr. Zhang Lei living here?"

  "Oh, you're looking for Uncle Zhang? Wait a minute, I'll call him over." The little girl said, then slammed the door shut.

  After a while, a young man about Su Ren's size came over and opened the door, saying: "I am Zhang Lei, may I ask who you are?"

  Chou Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at how young Zhang Lei was. Thinking about Su Lun's behavior, he sighed inwardly: "We're both young people, why is the gap between us so big?" He cupped his hands and bowed to Zhang Lei, saying: "I'm Chou Yan, I've heard that Boss Zhang has exceptional talent and often comes up with brilliant ideas. I also have a fondness for this sort of thing, which is why I've come to pay my respects."

  "Oh? Please come in." Zhang Lei couldn't figure out where he came from, but from his articulate speech, it was clear that he was a scholar.

  Seeing the machinery piled up in the yard, he immediately forgot about Zhang Lei's existence and involuntarily walked over. "Were these machines designed by you?"

  "How did you know? They are just my trial products and are not yet qualified for promotion." Zhang Lei said.

  "Genius, genius! Boss Zhang is truly a genius! I thought I had some achievements in this field, but after seeing Boss Zhang's work today, I realize that there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens. It seems I've been closing the door to create a cart."

  Zhang Lei humbly said: "They are just some trivial things, not worth mentioning. Nowadays, people are all enthusiastic about the imperial examination, and even when they are in their fifties and on the verge of death, they still can't forget it. Today, hearing you mention it, I know that you and I are fellow travelers on the same path. Please come in and have some tea, let's exchange ideas in detail, what do you think?"

  "That's great."