Chapter 49: Zhang's Merchant House (3)

  After confirming the details of the meeting with Zhang Lei, Xu Feng went back to prepare. Since there was no wood available for work at present, he decided to close the shop and focus on arranging and hosting this meeting.

  At the same time, Zhang Lei also took action, in order to win people's hearts and intimidate these big shots, he had to prepare some impressive things for the meeting.

  Regarding the Chamber of Commerce, Zhang Lei informed Bai Yang again. Although Bai Yang did not express opposition to Zhang Lei's approach, he also did not show any intention of supporting it. For him, staying in Chaohu was about returning home to retire, and supporting Zhang Lei's match factory was just because he liked him; now he didn't care much about the affairs inside the factory, let alone join the Chamber of Commerce, which was basically impossible.

  Yu Laoban of Yongfu Business was different, watching Bai Yang's matchsticks business booming while his roasted tobacco had no effect, making him anxious. As soon as Zhang Lei mentioned the establishment of a commercial association, he clearly expressed his support, although without investing funds, but promised to join in when Zhang Lei supported other industries in the future. After all, the original intention of establishing the Zhang's Commercial Association was just to unite the woodwork businesses in Songjiang Prefecture to resist the Su family.

  Since that's the case, Zhang Lei felt it wasn't necessary to pull Yang Yong into the partnership either, he just notified him in the past, and it was the same with Yu Boss. Yang Yong also said he wouldn't join for the time being, waiting for an appropriate opportunity. Zhang Lei didn't force it, after all, it's still the initial stage, and squeezing too many people in really doesn't have much significance.

  On May 1st, Xu's store, which had been closed for several days, suddenly became bustling with people. The onlookers couldn't help but peek inside. Before long, Ma Teng from Ma's store appeared at the entrance of Xu's store, followed by Wan Fu from Wan's store and Che Xing from Che's store. All of them were among the top ten figures in the wood industry in Songjiang Prefecture.

  Such a big commotion would naturally not escape those all-knowing figures, such as Su Lun.

  He is not at home now, but in the government office, with a completely angry expression on his face. Chen Yu Fei just came to report and he only knew how serious things were. The six shops of the previous ten, actually gathered together, that power absolutely far exceeded Su's family.

  "These guys are really fearless, haha!" Su Lun's face was twisted in a scowl, his teeth clenched as he spat out these few words.

  After a while, a man in a long gown walked out of the house into the yard, saw Su Lun, and cleared his throat. Su Lun hastily went forward, bowed and saluted: "Su certain has seen the same knowledge adult."

  "Hmm, you've arrived, take a seat." said the Magistrate.

  Su Lun nodded and sat down on the edge of the chair with his buttocks, supporting himself with both hands, as if he was in a horse-riding stance.

  "It's been a long time since you've come out for a stroll," said Magistrate Tang.

  Suren hastily said: "The county magistrate is busy with official business, how dare I disturb you lightly? It's just that today's situation is special, otherwise I wouldn't dare to disturb your peace either."

  "What's going on? What's the situation? Didn't Songjiang Prefecture used to be very peaceful?" Magistrate Tongzhi said with a smile, picking up his teacup and taking a sip, looking quite pleased.

  Su Ren suddenly stood up and said, "No, no, no, sir, you don't know that Xu Ji has been causing a lot of trouble recently. First, he released some messy things to disrupt the market, and then I detected it and warned him. Unexpectedly, not only did he not change his ways, but he also said that I was hindering the development of the industry. Then, he gathered several wealthy merchants and is rumored to be collecting funds. I suspect that he may be secretly plotting a rebellion!"

  "Rebellion plot?" The county magistrate suddenly stood up, and even the exquisite teacup in his hand fell to the ground and shattered. The calm and composed demeanor he had earlier was gone, now resembling a small wolf dog whose tail had been stepped on.

  In the 40th year of Wanli's reign, he did not attend court, resulting in a shortage of official positions. Many officials had grown old and died, but new ones were not promoted. The emperor did not attend court, so no one was in charge. By the time of Chongzhen, after the elimination of Wei Zhongxian's faction and the killing of many eunuchs, the imperial court was already riddled with problems and governance was difficult. Furthermore, Nurhaci had unified the various Jurchen tribes, and the Manchu people had established a unified political entity that was gradually growing in strength and harboring ambitions to conquer all of China. This led to the outbreak of war to conquer the entire country, which would inevitably lead to massive military expenditures for the Ming court, making it even more difficult for the already struggling dynasty to survive.

  The Ming dynasty, which has been shaken by the winds and rains, can no longer withstand any turmoil. Now more than half of the country is in the midst of war, and Songjiang Prefecture is also on the front line of the war. If these merchants...

  The county magistrate had lost his mind and rushed into the house, calling out dozens of officers and soldiers. He then said to Su Lun: "Go, take me to see. If there is indeed a rebellion, we must capture these people at once and await the prefect's disposal."

  This was exactly what Su Leng had been hoping for. A sinister smile spread across his face as he said coldly, "Yes, I'll lead the way."

  Of course, Zhang Lei had no idea what was happening here. He still followed the original plan and prepared to hold the first plenary meeting of Zhang's Chamber of Commerce in Xu Feng's store.

  The originally spacious exhibition hall in Xu's house is now set up with a very long conference table - of course, it was made by putting together many eight immortal tables. The representatives of the investors who attended the meeting brought several subordinates according to their investment amount and sat down. Zhang Lei, as the person with the most shares, naturally sat at the top, while Xu Feng sat beside him as the deputy director.

  "I'm delighted that everyone could take the time to come and support us today. Let me introduce myself, I am Zhang Lei, the sole representative of Zhangshi Technology, inventor of matches and small single-person looms." After arranging for everyone to sit down, Zhang Lei cleared his throat, stood up and introduced himself.

  Xu Feng had already made this point clear when chatting with them, so Zhang Lei's words did not cause much surprise. Everyone was just amazed that Zhang Lei was too young.

  As for everyone's reaction, Zhang Lei was not surprised, and he continued to say:

  "I believe everyone has seen the materials that Mr. Xu gave to you, today we gather together for a common goal. I won't say much more, my main purpose here is to listen to your opinions, do you think there's anything in the plan I made that makes you unhappy?" Zhang Lei said.

  The main purpose of this meeting was no more than two things: one was to take a look at what these investors looked like, and the other was to try to eliminate their prejudices and worries as much as possible, so that the Chamber of Commerce could develop rapidly and sustainably.

  "Boss, boss, there are many officers and soldiers outside."

  Just then, Er Gou rushed in panting and shouted anxiously.

  Everyone stood up simultaneously, and Zhang Lei asked: "How did the government soldiers suddenly arrive here? Who brought them?"

  The two dogs continued: "It's Magistrate Sir, and also Young Master Su."

  "It's them!" Xu Feng said, "No need to think about it, that surname Su must have said something bad. Let's go out and take a look."

  "Everyone, where are you all going?"

  Just as everyone was about to leave, the county magistrate had already walked in with a smile, and the soldiers following behind him were all filled with murderous intent.

  "Magistrate, you have arrived. Xu has failed to welcome you from afar and offers his apologies." This is the Xu residence, naturally it was Xu Feng who came out to greet him.

  Tong Zhi slightly raised his head to look at the sky, hummed a sound from his nose and said: "That's right, discussing such a big matter, of course, can't come to welcome, besides, how can this kind of thing let the government know? You say is it?"

  Xu Feng felt that Zhang Er and Shang were incomprehensible, and asked: "I don't know what you are telling the master?"

  "I've come to ask you, after being out of business for so long, and suddenly gathering all these big shots, what kind of sinister plot are you hatching? It's better to confess the truth and be lenient. Otherwise, don't blame this official for not warning you." The Deputy Magistrate said with his hands behind his back, speaking in a haughty tone.

  Xu Feng glared at Su Lun and then explained: "Prefect, I'm afraid you've been misled by some petty rumors? The reason our store is closed is that the local market for similar machinery has become saturated. In order to maintain profits, we specially rushed here today to discuss countermeasures with fellow businessmen."

  "Is that so?" The Magistrate turned his head and looked at Su Lun with a drawling tone.

  Zhang Lei knew it was time to stand out, if he as the boss still shrank back at this time, I'm afraid no one would believe in him in the future. He said: "Sir Tongzhi, we are just discussing business matters, everyone wants to make a big deal, so not only can they live a better life, but also pay more taxes to the imperial court. You say yes or no? As Tongzhi, if the tax revenue increases here, it will be very beneficial to you, won't it?"

  "Hmm, that makes sense. It's good for everyone to make money. Oh right, who are you again?" The county magistrate nodded slightly, thinking that this young man knew what was going on.

  Since the face has already been torn apart, Su Lun might as well break the pot and shatter it. He said loudly: "Sir Tongzhi, don't listen to the nonsense of this little man, he's just a young whippersnapper who hasn't even grown out of his baby hair yet, this whole thing was started by him, Sir Tongzhi, you must not be deceived by his flowery words."

  The county magistrate suddenly remembered why he had come this time, cleared his throat and said: "Well, it's true that what you say is not wrong, but someone has reported that you are gathering a crowd to make trouble. As the parent official of this place, I have no choice but to investigate."

  Zhang Lei smiled and said: "Maintaining local security is everyone's responsibility, not just the county magistrate. You are also too tired. Since someone says we are gathering crowds, why don't you, sir, station troops here? If there is a riot, they can be arrested on the spot. However, if someone intentionally slanders us, I hope you will handle it according to the law."