Chapter 68: Wu Wei State (End of Volume 1)

  After taking over Cai Zhonghe, Zhang Lei suddenly felt that a broader world had unfolded before him. However, thinking again about the present, it seemed that he still hadn't done enough. Xujia Camp, Chaohu, Songjiang Prefecture, in just half a year's time, he had expanded to such an extent, although on the surface it looked glorious, but without the support of these big bosses, Zhang Lei alone didn't have the power to match anyone.

  This result once made him anxious and uneasy, and now the types of woodworking machinery in Songjiang Prefecture have also approached saturation. As long as the factory does not stop work, Zhang Lei actually does not need to do any work. After thinking for a long time, he decided to take Cai Zhong back to Xujia Camp.

  "What? You've decided to go back to Xujiayang?" Feng Yong said, somewhat incredulous upon hearing the news from Zhang Lei. In his opinion, with the current great situation in Songjiang Prefecture, they should continue to push forward, so why were they going back to Xujiayang?

  Zhang Lei patted Feng Yong's shoulder and said, "Brother Feng, you and I are from the same hometown. I've always considered you a trusted friend. Although Zhangshi Technology and Zhangshi Business Association are now thriving, and my wealth is growing at an alarming rate, have you ever thought that apart from those few drawings, I don't have anything else? If they all turn against me, I won't be able to control the situation on my own."

  "So what's the boss's plan?" Zhang Lei said, which was also very reasonable. Feng Yong agreed and asked.

  "Go back to Xu's house, build a complete system that belongs to me, and when I have the same foundation as these big bosses, I will not be afraid of anything." Zhang Lei said, "Now I don't lack money, I don't need to be timid in doing things."

  Feng Yong expressed some concern about Zhang Lei's decision, saying: "If the boss is not here to preside over the situation, are you not afraid that these few families will stir up trouble?"

  Zhang Lei smiled confidently: "This is impossible in such a short time. Firstly, they still can't leave me behind. If they betray me, they won't get the maximum benefit. Everyone is an old fox and won't do something so foolish. Secondly, everyone is making money now, and making more than before. So, until they are sure they can make even more money without me, they will be very obedient. And isn't there you? If anything happens, you can write to report to me."

  "It seems that the boss has made up his mind, so I won't say anything more. I will try my best to do my job well." Feng Yong sighed and said. Since deciding to follow Zhang Lei, Feng Yong had already been obedient to him.

  Zhang Lei wrote a few more letters and handed them to Feng Yong, saying: "If something happens to the Chamber of Commerce, take a look at this. If you can solve it yourself, then solve it yourself."

  Arrangements were made for some things, and under the knowledge of only a few people, Zhang Lei returned to Xujia Camp.

  Just as Zhang Lei had barely settled down at home for less than a day, he received a letter from the capital city. The envelope had several lines of Latin written on it. Zhang Lei was overjoyed because this was a letter written in Latin by Kayler. When they parted ways, Zhang Lei had told them his address.

  After the two traveled north, they finally managed to sneak into the palace after much hardship. Although their status was not great at the time, they met acquaintances such as Portuguese officer Rodman and were able to settle down.

  Zhang Lei was very pleased with this news. Kailer and William were originally his vanguard for the north, and now that they had a foothold, slow development was just fine. However, when it came to Portuguese officer Rodman, he was quite surprised.

  He then hastily wrote a reply, which not only explained that he was doing very well now but also strongly requested that Rodman come to Xujia Village and become his instructor. The terms were open to negotiation; if he could come, he would help him build a Catholic church.

  This letter completely disrupted Zhang Lei's original plan, so he decided to re-plan carefully.

  Zhang Lei felt that he had passed another year in a daze, and the haze in the sky of Chongzhen's fifth year seemed to be more than last year. In an era where dark clouds were about to press down on the city, one or a group of ordinary people had to rely on something to protect themselves. The answer was only one, that is, armed forces.

  The news of the appearance of Portuguese officer Rodman made Zhang Lei see the prospect of building his own armed forces, so he decided to think of a way to start from here.

  After spending several days revising his plan, Zhang Lei began to inspect Xiang County. Undoubtedly, if he wanted to develop his military strength, he had to start from here. Songjiang Prefecture was too big and not suitable.

  As for Cai Zhong, who had just followed him, Zhang Lei went to collect a large number of maps and foreign materials, instructing him that if there were any errors, he should correct them, and if they didn't exist, he should draw them himself.

  That day, he rode his speedy Blood Throat Horse to the land he had opened up. Because it hadn't been taken care of for a long time, weeds were growing everywhere, and although many tomato seeds had sprouted on the ground, most of them had already gone bad, leaving only the Ricinus communis still growing stubbornly as before.

  Zhang Lei looked around and found that this was an undeveloped hilltop in the neighboring area, a distance from the Xujiaying dock below. If developed downwards, it would just connect this entire piece together. Zhang Lei decided to find an opportunity to apply to County Magistrate Yan Jue.

  And the reason he decided to come to Xujiayang first is that Nianxian County has a large amount of idle land, which can be used for planting potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as corn. Only when there is surplus grain can farmers engage in industrial production with peace of mind. Moreover, relying on the convenient water resources of Chaohu Lake, the development value of Xujiayang and Nianxian County has not yet reached its peak.

  The match factory next door, Zhang Lei also went to see it, the scale was unprecedentedly grand, and there were already hundreds of workers, because Old Yu's roasted tobacco was also being produced, these two complemented each other, like a tiger adding wings.

  Everything is running smoothly according to plan, and wealth is increasing steadily. Those tobacco farmers who received a large sum of money after selling their crops would show great respect to Zhang Lei whenever they met him on the road, which slightly satisfied his vanity.

  After resting for a few days, Zhang Lei felt that the time was about right and went to Wuwei Prefecture.

  From the first year of Yuanyou to the 28th year, Wuwei Road was downgraded to a state. Wuwei Prefecture governs three counties: Niu, Wuwei, and Lujiang. The government is located in Wuwei County (now Anhui Wuwei County). It belongs to Luzhou Road. During the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty, Wuwei County was abolished and merged into Wuwei State. Wuwei State belongs to Nanjing Prefecture Luzhou Prefecture.

  As for Songjiang Prefecture, Zhang Lei's departure was known to the other bosses of the Zhang family business association a few days later. However, everyone didn't have much reaction because anyway, except for the regular meeting on the first day of each month, they rarely gathered together. Zhang Lei almost only communicated with everyone during this period, otherwise, he would only go and discuss new ideas when he thought of something fresh.

  Unlike everyone else, Su Lun, who had long since broken away from the Su family's economic control, learned that Zhang Lei was no longer in Songjiang Prefecture and a triumphant smile appeared on his face. He immediately began to implement his own plan. Not long ago, he had obtained several pieces of intelligence, such as the grudge between Xie Yuanwai and Zhang Lei, and the fact that Zhou Shifu had been driven out of Xu's camp...

  Wu Wei Prefecture Government Office, Zhang Lei stood at the gate, looked up at the high government office gate, took a deep breath, and walked in with his head held high.

  It has finally come to this, after spending decades of his past life denouncing and resenting the abuse of power and corruption by officials, now his own role is changing, about to become part of those being denounced. At this time, the angry voices of resentment in his heart have already disappeared. Thus, he realized that all the exposures and condemnations of injustice were only because he was not on the side of those who benefited.

  "Halt! Who are you?"

  Just as he was about to reach the gate, two bailiffs walked up together and stood in front of Zhang Lei, crossing their arms and blocking his way.

  After all, this is a state, which is more advanced than a county, so in any aspect it is much better than Niao County. When he arrived at this strange place, Zhang Lei was no longer the young and successful genius, but looked like a well-educated rich boy.

  Zhang Lei stuffed a silver note into each of their hands and smiled: "I am Zhang, a humble citizen from Xujiaying in Chao Lake. I have some business that requires me to meet with the master."

  The man on the left looked alert as soon as he heard Zhang Lei's words and said, "You've come all the way here, what are you planning to do?"

  The man on the right said: "It's natural that you have something to do when you see the master, and it's really coincidental that you came today. The master is in the office inside, wait for me, I'll go in and report."

  The man on the left said: "Don't you ask him where he came from? If he's a bad guy, and something happens to the master, can you take responsibility?"

  The person on the right sneered, "Forget it, just relying on him? That little bit of weight, his waist isn't even as thick as my arm, bring ten more like him and they'd still be no match, one look and you can tell he's a weak scholar."

  Zhang Lei held the fan in his hand, looking like a scholar.

  "It's also, then you go in and report. Kid, look at your move, it's not ambiguous at all. Say, which family is it? Xujiayuan is not a rich place, there are not many young masters who can afford to spend so much money at once." It seems that they still suspect Zhang Lei's intentions, the remaining person said after tapping the silver ticket in his hand.

  "Xu's family, Zhang's family, Zhang Lei, they're not considered wealthy families, but in recent years their luck has improved a bit. So, here to pay respects to everyone." He deliberately revealed a corner of a large stack of silver notes from his sleeve and said.

  The yamen runner's eyes widened in surprise, and his saliva almost dripped onto the ground as he said: "Young master, what are you...?"

  Zhang Lei burst out laughing: "This is for everyone to enjoy, no rush, no rush. After I've finished my business, everyone will get a share."