Chapter 47: Zhang's Merchant Association (1)

  "Ah, I see. Boss Zhang is really talented and has guts." Zhang Lei's words instantly enlightened Xu Feng, who stood up excitedly and walked back and forth in the room.

  Zhang Lei said, "I've said all I need to say, the rest is up to you now. I believe you're more capable of handling this task than I am. Once you find those merchants and sign the contract, I'll go to Songjiang Prefecture again. By then, we can formally confront the Su family."

  He stood up and did some chest-expanding exercises, saying: "It's been a long time since I've exercised."

  "In that case, I'll take my leave first. After I've figured things out, I'll come back to ask Old Zhang." Xufeng stood up and said. The concepts that Zhang Lei had brought up today were ones he had never even heard of before. Although he was also puzzled as to how Zhang Lei knew these things, this was an extraordinary time and he didn't have the extra mental energy to think about these things, only thinking about how to quickly get rid of the Su family.

  Zhang Lei nodded and handed Xu Feng an envelope, saying: "Take a look at this thing when you get back, it may be helpful to you too. I still have things to do here, so I won't keep you."

  "Goodbye." Xufeng said with a fist bump.

  After he left, Zhang Lei couldn't help but sigh and said to himself: "Alas, I didn't want to start so early, but it seems that plans can't keep up with changes after all. Fortunately, preparations are almost complete, as long as we pay close attention, there shouldn't be any problems."

  Not mentioning Zhang Lei, Xu Feng returned to his store with the envelope given by Zhang Lei. On the boat, he carefully considered the feasibility of Zhang Lei's suggestion, but unfortunately found that there was no better way than this. As a result, he admired Zhang Lei even more in his heart.

  Back in his study, Xu Feng opened the envelope that Zhang Lei had handed to him before he left. Inside, Zhang Lei had detailed the structure and operating model of the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce.

  Firstly, the candidate for the president is naturally Zhang Lei since it's the Zhang Business Association. This is beyond doubt. Moreover, all the technology was provided by Zhang Lei, so he taking this position is also justified. As for the three vice-presidents in charge of manufacturing, sales and cooperation, currently Zhang Lei thinks Xu Feng should manage manufacturing because he already has some experience. After the main personnel are basically confirmed, what's left is to put it into operation.

  To form a force that can rival the Su family, sufficient financial resources are required. Zhang Lei proposed concentrating all the funds from the participating merchants and operating them in the form of shares. To ensure the stability of the Zhang's Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Lei currently holds 51% of the shares, with the remaining portion divided equally among the investors according to their contribution ratio. After profits are made, Zhang Lei's share of the profit will not be withdrawn but instead reinvested in the chamber of commerce, while others will receive their proportionate share.

  A full-body meeting is held on the first day of each month to discuss the action plan and basic operation for the next month. Attendees have a duty to keep the conference content confidential. If someone leaks secrets, they will be immediately expelled from the chamber of commerce, with no refund of their investment, and forever barred from cooperating with the chamber.

  As an incentive for everyone's active participation, Zhang Lei promised that the dividend profit would not be less than 20%. If it is lower than 20%, he will personally make up the difference to each participant.

  This was a plan written by Zhang Lei in the structure of a 21st-century joint-stock company. After reading it, Xu Feng called Zhang Lei a business genius and had full confidence in Zhang's Chamber of Commerce. After processing all the orders with wood materials purchased from Xujia Camp, he began to deal with this matter.

  He first found a man named Ma Teng, who was also a legendary figure. In just a few years, he relied on observing and learning from others' techniques to establish himself in the surrounding area. After several years of development, he became somewhat famous in Songjiang Prefecture, at a relatively young age.

  Around thirty years old, it was the prime of life. Generally, people at this age are full of creativity and momentum. However, under the shadow of the Su family, he had also been suppressed for a long time. Although not as tragic as Xu Feng, in reality, his heart was also very dissatisfied. Which young person would be willing to live in someone else's shadow?

  "Director Xue? How did you get here?" Ma Teng was observing his machine outside the house, so he discovered Xu Feng as soon as he walked over.

  Xu Feng walked over and clasped his fists together, saying: "Boss Ma is really serious."

  Ma Teng stood up, brushed off the wood shavings from his hands and smiled: "Don't tease me anymore. I'm studying your sewing machine right now. Although it doesn't have any intricate structure, this simple combination has produced such great power, which is truly admirable. Come on in, I was just thinking of how to find an excuse to come over and ask for guidance, but unexpectedly Mr. Xu came himself. It seems that the heavens are still looking out for me."

  "Boss Ma is being polite, actually this thing wasn't invented by me, and my coming here this time is also related to the inventor of this machine." Xu Feng hurriedly clarified, not daring to take credit for himself, out of admiration for Zhang Lei.

  Ma Teng laughed and said: "So there's a mastermind behind Old Xu, come on in, let's sit down and talk it over carefully."

  The two men sat down, one in the main seat and the other in a secondary seat. Ma Teng then ordered someone to serve tea. After everything was ready, he asked with great interest: "Just now, Old Xu mentioned that there is a mastermind behind this. I wonder who it refers to? To have such ingenious ideas, they must be extremely familiar with these big shots."

  "You're wrong, to be honest, he's still very young, only in his early teens, not even twenty yet. I also just got in touch with him this year, fortunately, thanks to his help, my business is finally starting to take off." Xu Feng said humbly.

  Ma Teng suddenly stood up and said seriously: "Boss Xu, are you kidding me? A young girl under the age of 20, how can she create such exquisite machinery? I noticed that on both the single-person spinning machine and this sewing machine, there is a nameplate with the words 'Zhangshi Technology'. It must be from the same hand."

  Xu Feng nodded, waved his hand to signal him to sit down, and smiled: "Don't get excited, Mr. Ma, let me tell you slowly, this time I came to discuss cooperation with Zhangshi Technology."

  "Cooperation?" Ma Teng was a bit confused and didn't understand what was going on.

  "Yes, cooperation. This Zhangshi Technology was founded by that young man we were talking about. Now in Xujia Camp, his name is well-known throughout the country. I suppose Old Man Ma has also heard of matches? That's also something he made. Now Boss Yang is the sole agent for such small things in Songjiang Prefecture. He earns a lot." Xu Feng said again.

  "Matches? I use them, very convenient, lighter than flint and more durable than folding knives. Truly a remarkable thing." Ma Teng said: "In this short period of time, such a figure has emerged, and I didn't even know about it. It seems that I am indeed ignorant. What's the cooperation you're talking about?"

  Xu Feng did not answer his question directly, but instead asked: "I don't know where your wood is from?"

  "Alas, aren't you asking a rhetorical question? Now, isn't the firewood in Songjiang Prefecture all controlled by the Su family? Where else can I go to purchase goods? Alas, although it's more expensive than the average price, it's still cheaper than transporting from outside. We have no choice but to cooperate with them. What's the point of asking this?"

  "Songjiang Prefecture only has wood in his place, and other small businesses are also looking up to him. If we need wood, we can only cooperate with him." Xu Feng said.

  "Yes, that's right. How are you? I heard recently everyone has been discussing your situation. Young Master Su is very dissatisfied with you. It's probably because of the trouble you caused by opposing him a few years ago. Ah, you didn't come this time just because of this matter, did you?" Ma Teng suddenly remembered that Xu Feng brought up lumber because it was related to his refusal of the Su family's acquisition in the early years.

  Xu Feng smiled bitterly and said: "You guessed it right, I have completely broken up with the Su family now. Listen to me..."

  "How could you do such a thing, this is against the merchant's biggest taboo!" Ma Teng was outraged after hearing Xu Feng's experience.

  "Who says it isn't?" Xu Feng echoed, "Today I'm unlucky, don't know when he'll take out other businesses and there's no way to fight back against him, the only outcome is being beaten down and then swallowed up."

  Ma Teng nodded and said, "Yes, this Su Lun is unpredictable, who knows which family will be his next target? Alas, the situation is stronger than people, can't do anything about it."

  Finally getting to the point, Xu Feng said: "Now there is an opportunity in front of us, I don't know if Old Horse has any interest?"

  "You want me to be an enemy of the Su family? Isn't that looking for death? No, no, no." Ma Teng was so frightened that he shook his head repeatedly.

  Xu Feng said: "We've also cooperated many times, do you think I'd push him into the fire pit? Not that I'm saying it, but just your family alone can't compete with the Su family. Add me to that and we still wouldn't be enough, two of us aren't enough. What I mean is, if we get all our colleagues together, won't we be able to compete with the Su family?"

  "Unite? What unite? How unite? Are you asking us to hand over our entire business to you and then you can deal with the Su family?" Ma Teng said, staring.

  "Of course not." Xu Feng pointed to the sewing machine not far away and said, "What unites us is not capital, but technology. Only advanced technology can win a chance of survival under Su's oppression."

  Ma Teng was still puzzled, and Xu Feng said: "I told you earlier that Zhangshi Technology is the inventor of the things I sell. This thing has many conveniences, I won't say it, you should already know, this is just two or three items, what if there are fourth, fifth, tenth items? When we launch new products, what can Su's family use to compare with us? Even if he can control the wood in Songjiang Prefecture, will we not buy wood from other places? At that time, even if the price is a bit more expensive, except for us, there is no other place to sell it. They have to accept it obediently. By then, Su's family can only stare blankly."

  "How can we cooperate?"