Chapter 61: The Su Family Gathering

  Su Tong said, "I just sighed that the world has always had talented people emerge one after another, each dominating for hundreds of years. The Su and Zhang families coexisted in Songjiang Prefecture, but for us, it was simply a case of bad timing."

  "Sister, are you weakening? He's just a young whippersnapper, how can he compare to the profound background of the Su family? It won't take long before we'll be able to trample him under our feet." Su Lun said gritting his teeth.

  "How can you still be like this, in the business world, it's impossible to have a monopoly. Previously in Songjiang Prefecture, we weren't the only ones on top either, at most we were just slightly stronger than others. Now that Zhang Lei has set up that merchant association, they have the power to rival us, if we want to maintain our position, we can only surpass them in business. How can you think of such a despicable move? Now Magistrate Sir already has a dislike for us, if you cause someone's death, I'm afraid it will even shock Governor Sir, and then see how you'll get out of this mess! Don't think that just because you're the only son of the Su family, you can do whatever you want. Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, we merchants are one level lower than those peasants, if the government really wants to take action against us, there's no room for mercy."

  "Besides, what other way is there? Fair competition? Didn't you hear what Ou Kui said just now? Their machinery has surpassed us by so much, and even with Ou Kui's help, he admits that he can't match up to Zhang Lei. What else do you have to say? Why not find an opportunity to get rid of Zhang Lei, then the entire Zhang family business will be like a tree without roots, a river without source. In no more than a few months, we'll be able to completely defeat them, and at that time, our family will still be the largest in Songjiang Prefecture. Don't worry, sister, as long as we do it secretly, no one will know."

  Su Jian resolutely refused, saying: "Don't talk nonsense anymore. If you want to keep it a secret, don't do anything that would expose yourself. With the way you're doing things now, you'll drag down the entire Su family! Can't you see the current situation clearly? The intelligence collected by Su Qi'er all said that it's possible that the Minister of Revenue has already authorized Zhang Lei to act freely. I think this must be true, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to scold the Deputy Director in person that day. Think about it...

  He has the Minister of Revenue as his backing, who dares to move him? Moreover, the Minister of Revenue is from Songjiang Prefecture, and when he investigates, the entire Songjiang Prefecture will be implicated, including our Su family's past feud with Zhang Lei, won't he be able to make a difference?

  The two siblings argued back and forth, but since they couldn't move Zhang Lei, Su Lun had already thought of no other way to save the Su family. However, if they let Zhang Lei continue like this, it's likely that not much time would pass before the Su family would also be unable to stand in Songjiang Prefecture.

  "For now, we have only two options." Su Tong thought for a moment before saying.

  "What choice?"

  Su Tong said: "The first choice is to cooperate with Zhang Lei and join the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce. I have inquired clearly that the operation of the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce adopts the method of equity participation and dividend distribution. In this way, our Su family will become a cooperative institution under the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce, and we can use the resources in our hands to undertake certain tasks and then distribute dividends according to the proportion of equity participation."

  As soon as she finished speaking, Su Lun flatly refused: "No way, do you want me to be his subordinate? This is an impossible thing, unless I die, otherwise I will not let the Su family join the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce. What would we be in the future? One of his subordinates? Hmph, what if he plays tricks and wipes out our Su family with one net? What should we do then? Sister, have you thought about it? Our Su family is also a well-known family in Songjiang Prefecture. If we join the newly established Zhang's Chamber of Commerce, we will hand over the entire family business to an outsider for command. I can't afford to lose that person."

  Su Tong said: "Of course, it's not up to him to command. Look at the Ma and Xu families, which one is he in charge of? It's just becoming a subordinate organization, isn't his Zhangshi Technology also a subsidiary of Zhangshi Business Association? What's the big deal? Our Su family still exists. If we don't do this, our Su family will soon turn losses into profits and be dragged down. By then, the Su family won't exist! You say he's playing dirty tricks, do you think he's as petty as you are? I've observed him for so long, not to mention in the past, just today, he knew that Chou Ya was our person, but still treated him with courtesy. I believe in his character."

  Su Lun looked at Su Tong in surprise and said, "Isn't it that sister has been infatuated with this man? Why is she always speaking for this outsider? Anyway, no matter what, I will absolutely not stand on the same line as him. Sister, just say the second method quickly."

  "The second way is for the Su family to change their business, Zhang Lei is currently doing mechanical work, we will do other things, not conflicting with him, so that there is still a glimmer of life, he can't possibly do all the industries, otherwise not only our Su family but also people from various industries who have been harmed by him will unite to oppose him, at that time even if he is a powerful person, he won't have any way out, so he should only focus on woodworking and won't be foolish enough to get involved in other industries."

  "Change professions? Sister, since our family settled in Songjiang Prefecture, we've been doing carpentry work. Now all the projects in various government offices are done by us. If we change professions, all these relationships will be abandoned. Do you think it's worth it? Moreover, if we rashly transform without a mature sales channel, what if we fail? Won't our family decline even faster?" Su Lun disagreed with this second plan as well.

  Su Tong stood up, shook his sleeves and said: "Since you don't agree with this and that, I'll go discuss it with the other family members. Although you're my younger brother, I can't prioritize your feelings over the life and death of the entire Su family."

  "Alright, you go ahead and speak, I'd like to see who will agree with your plan." Su Lun stood up and said. Then he turned around and went into his own room without looking back.

  Su Tong said he would go and find Su Can, the head of the Su family.

  Su Can was still as gentle as ever, sitting cross-legged in front of a golden Buddha statue. When he saw Su Tong come in, he only asked lightly.

  Su Tong then told Su Can about his own thoughts and the argument he had with Su Lun earlier. Su Can's eyes snapped open, asking: "Has it already reached such a severe level?"

  Even if it's not, it's probably almost the same. Since our ship sank that day, I've been reflecting on this matter. Zhang Lei came with a strong momentum and rose to such a height in a short period of time. With his connections behind him, if we oppose him, we can only suffer losses. Not to mention what the Minister of Rites will do to us. Just the Admiral of the Navy, in today's chaotic world, pirates are rampant at sea

  "If we didn't have the protection of the official ships, our merchant ships wouldn't be able to travel freely on the sea. At that time, this route would be cut off..." Su Tong began to analyze the pros and cons in a long-winded manner.

  After he finished speaking, Su Can opened his eyes and said: "What you said is not unreasonable, but after all, this matter involves too many people, and it's impossible for us to change our profession. If we cooperate with Zhang Lei, have you been in contact with him? The other day, Lun'er was so hostile to him, will he hold a grudge?"

  Su Tong replied: "I've met him before, and I feel that he's still quite easy to get along with. Presumably if we really reached that point, he wouldn't refuse us because of personal grudges."

  "Alas, knowing people and faces but not their hearts. What if he's two-faced? He pretended to let us join the Chamber of Commerce, then controlled our circulating funds, and we'd be at his mercy." Su Can, being the leader, thought further ahead.

  "I'd like to find an opportunity to discuss this matter with him. If you, Master, think this plan is feasible, I can step forward and sign a contract with him. Once it's in black and white, he won't be able to welch on the deal," Su Tong said.

  Su Can said: "This matter is of great importance, I alone have said it and it's still not counted. Wait until tomorrow when I gather them, you can talk to everyone again. As long as the majority agrees, then this matter will be handed over to you to do. We are all old, we should give young people opportunities. Always grasping that bit of power and taking it into the coffin is useless."

  Su Tong said: "Okay, I'll go down and get ready."

  The next day, several important figures in the Su family gathered in the ancestral hall to discuss this matter that would determine the future fate of the Su family.

  First, Su Can made an opening statement. After a brief narration, Su Tong explained the ins and outs of the matter to everyone, answered their questions, and finally held a vote.

  After an entire morning, Su Tong finally got a result.

  Zhang Lei had just finished lunch and was preparing to study "The Elements" in the afternoon. The operation of Zhang's business firm had now reached a stable period, and even his own part of the work was being managed by Feng Yong, so he was relatively free. He then began to prepare for translating the next part of "The Elements".

  Just then someone came in from outside and reported: "The young lady of the Su family has arrived."

  "What's she doing here again?" Zhang Lei put down the book in his hand and said with a puzzled expression, then called out: "Huan Huan, go make two cups of jasmine tea and bring them to my study."

  Inviting Su Tong in, Zhang Lei asked: "I don't know why Miss Su has come to my humble abode, what brings you here?"

  Su Tong smiled and said: "I came this time to discuss Zhang's business matters with Boss Zhang."

  "What's with Zhang's Chamber of Commerce? What could they possibly want? Never mind, come, let's go to my study and talk."