Chapter 62: The Value of Zhang's Business Association

  Two people sat in Zhang Lei's study, with Zhang Lei again instructing Huanhuan to watch the courtyard and not let anyone in if no one disturbed them. Only then did he say to Su Tong: "I don't know what you mean by 'Zhangshi business association', is there something wrong with my model?"

  Su Tong realized that Zhang Lei had misunderstood his meaning, and quickly said: "Mr. Zhang misunderstood me, I didn't mean that. In my opinion, the mode of Zhang's Chamber of Commerce is not only problem-free, but also more reasonable and scientific than all existing chambers of commerce management. It fully mobilizes everyone's enthusiasm while being fair and just, most importantly, it will be very stable."

  Zhang Lei said that this is a corporate model widely adopted all over the world, if there were no benefits, how could it be so popular? But he said: "This depends on the collective efforts of the people in the Chamber of Commerce, I alone can't accomplish such a big thing. Now the Chamber of Commerce can develop healthily like this, and everyone's efforts are inseparable."

  "Mr. Zhang is too modest, I came this time mainly to discuss some things with you, I don't know if the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce can continue to increase investment?" Su Tong got straight to the point after the polite exchange.

  Zhang Lei's mind moved, and he asked doubtfully: "I don't know what Miss Su is referring to? According to the development model of Zhangshi Business Association, I welcome anyone with ability to join, and then allocate shares and set the price per share based on the amount of capital. So there is no limit on the number of people."

  "It turned out to be like that, then it's good. I said, if our Su family invests in Zhang's business association with funds, what do you think?" Su Tong nodded and then threw out a heavy bombshell.

  Although he had already guessed something, when Su Tong said it out loud, Zhang Lei was still extremely shocked. This feeling was just like a teacher telling someone who had failed every subject that they had won the national scholarship.

  "Miss Su, how did you suddenly say this? Is it your personal decision or the decision of the entire Su family?" he asked.

  Su Tong said: "Yesterday we have held a meeting, they agreed that I do so, but also requested that Mr. Zhang needs to sign an equal contract with the Su family."

  Zhang Lei furrowed his brow, somewhat displeased in his heart, but still patiently asked: "Who said this? What contract do you want to sign?"

  Su Tong knew that bringing this up might cause Zhang Lei to become defensive, so he quickly explained: "Boss Zhang, don't get worked up, the elderly at home may be worrying a bit too much. After all, my younger brother doesn't understand things and has caused some trouble for both families, so they just want to be on the safe side."

  "Oh... you're afraid I'll take revenge, huh." Zhang Lei suddenly realized.

  Su Tong did not object to his words, and took it as a default. Then he said: "Boss Zhang, the Su family is sincere in joining. Now my brother has no right to manage things within the family, and was sent back home yesterday afternoon to face the wall for a month."

  "It's quite sincere." Zhang Lei couldn't help but tease when he heard that Su's family was able to punish the only male in the house like this.

  Su Tong said with a sincere face: "Boss Zhang, we have already shown our sincerity of 120,000 shares, and I hope you can give us a clear answer."

  Since they were able to impose such punishment on Su Ren, Zhang Lei also believed that they were sincere in their cooperation. He replied seriously: "As I mentioned earlier, the Zhang family business is an open platform where anyone can invest, and I welcome more honest businessmen. From my personal perspective, the Zhang family technology welcomes your family's investment. However, due to the sensitive and special nature of your family's identity, I think it would be better to convene a meeting with all shareholders first. At that time, Miss Su can present her ideas at the meeting, and once everyone has no objections, we can sign the cooperation agreement."

  Recalling Su Lun's past foolishness, Su Tong was also helpless. If Zhang Lei allowed the Su family to join while others disagreed, it would inevitably create some internal conflict within the Chamber of Commerce.

  "In that case, I'll wait at home for Mr. Zhang's meeting notice." Su Tong said as he stood up.

  "Alright, Miss Su, take your time."

  After Su Tong left, he sat quietly in his seat and began to ponder the profound meaning behind Su Tong's actions.

  At least on the surface, Su Tong came with sincerity to request cooperation, but how could the Su family be so easily softened? After all, it is the number one in the woodworking industry of Songjiang Prefecture. If the Su family really joins the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce, then without a doubt, the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce will become the only giant in the entire Songjiang Prefecture woodworking industry, and in this field, Zhang Lei will be the person with the most powerful voice.

  But Zhang Lei thought that now the business under Zhangshi Technology has occupied most of the market in Songjiang Prefecture and surrounding areas, and his Su family has reached a state of not being able to make ends meet. If he seeks cooperation now, he can use this to preserve everything he currently has. If he continues to let Su Lun control it and fight with Zhangshi Business Association, there will only be one dead end.

  "Could it be that Miss Su has taken a liking to me?" Zhang Lei indulged in a bit of self-admiration before continuing his analysis, according to the intelligence they currently had, the authenticity of this cooperation with the Su family was quite high.

  After a while, Zhang Lei couldn't think of any adverse effects that the Su family's joining would have on the Chamber of Commerce. On the contrary, he thought of many benefits, and so he let go of his worries. All matters of the Zhang family Chamber of Commerce require discussion among shareholders who contribute capital. Under this model, the possibility of the Su family doing anything bad is still not high.

  He then sent a notice to all other shareholders and asked them to come to the meeting hall the next afternoon.

  Everyone sat down in order and when Su Tong's figure appeared at the meeting, the originally quiet crowd began to whisper to each other.

  Zhang Lei stood up and waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then said: "I brought everyone here today just to discuss the matter of the Su family joining the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce."

  "What?"

  Zhang Lei's words exploded in the crowd, these people had more or less conflicts with the Su family before, but Zhang Lei suddenly turned the Su family into his own partner, such a rapid change, everyone was still reacting.

  "Alright, alright, everyone listen to me quietly." Zhang Lei had no choice but to maintain order once again.

  "This time Su's family came with sincerity. As businessmen, we should not bring personal prejudices to business activities either. That would only lead to harm and no benefits."

  Xu Feng said: "Boss Zhang, I still don't quite understand why the Su family would make such a decision? As far as I know, they are still the number one in Songjiang Prefecture."

  His words expressed everyone's thoughts, and Zhang Lei said: "Of course, in terms of individual strength, the Su family is indeed the first in Songjiang Prefecture. But if we add up the entire Zhangshi Chamber of Commerce, I'm afraid it has already far exceeded them. It's possible that the Su family saw the potential of our Zhangshi Chamber of Commerce and took the initiative to join."

  Ma Teng said: "Okay, it seems that Boss Zhang has agreed to the Su family's joining. Then I just want to ask, after the Su family joins, how will our proportions be allocated?"

  This matter concerns everyone's interests, so as soon as he brought it up, everyone fell silent. Zhang Lei also knew that if this matter was not handled properly, the Zhang family business might enter a period of decline. He cleared his throat and asked Su Tong: "I don't know how much silver the Su family is prepared to invest?"

  Su Tong had long been thinking about how to join this debate. When Zhang Lei asked her, she said: "One hundred thousand taels."

  One hundred thousand taels?!

  Several people were shocked by this number and stood up. As expected, the first carpentry family in Songjiang Prefecture was indeed worthy of its reputation, opening with a bid of 100,000 taels, which was truly too deep.

  Su Tong said: "According to my personality, either I don't do it, or I go all out to do it. These 100,000 taels of silver are already all the funds that the Su family can use. Now I'm putting them all on Mr. Zhang's body, hoping that Mr. Zhang won't disappoint me."

  Zhang Lei nodded and said, "This character is a bit like me. I've always been against being mediocre. Either don't do it, or if you're going to do it, put in your full effort. That's the only way to get things done well. Alright, next I'll talk about the issue of proportion. Oh right, which family still wants to increase their funding and holdings now? You can add more now, I myself will also increase my investment later."

  "Boss Zhang, this is getting big. But I like it, haha, let's add another 5,000 taels to Xuji." Xu Feng was the biggest winner of the Zhang family business association, and after Zhang Lei finished speaking, he immediately followed up without hesitation.

  Zhang Lei instructed Feng Yong behind him to quickly write down the numbers. Then he said, "Boss Xu is indeed generous, I don't know which of you wants to add more?"

  "I'll also contribute five thousand taels, Boss Zhang. This is all the wealth I have," Ma Teng said with a smile, looking not at all like someone who had just emptied his family's coffers.

  Five partners have already had three houses clearly express their intention to increase investment, and the other two houses will not say anything, I'm afraid that the shares will be less miserable, so they also invested 5,000 yuan.

  All of a sudden, there are more than 20,000 taels. Compared to the beginning, everyone had just over 10,000 taels in total, and the gap is really too big. It can be inferred that during this half year, everyone has made a fortune.

  Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Alright, now the Zhang family business account has increased by 120,000 taels. Brother Feng, how much was the capital of the Zhang family business that I asked you to calculate yesterday?"

  Feng Yong took out his abacus and fiddled with it for a moment before saying, "Not counting the 120,000 taels, Zhang's business association has already accumulated assets totaling 176,000 taels."

  When the Chamber of Commerce was first established, Zhang Lei only calculated the current silver stock, but today, he has recalculated all the assets of the shareholders present, and the value is naturally much higher. Especially Zhangshi Technology, Baiyang and Yongfu Business are constantly creating profits.

  He said, "Alright, with the addition of the Su family's joining, the value of the Zhang family business association has now reached 296,000 taels. Next, I will talk about the distribution plan, and anyone who has any ideas can speak up."