Two days. Li Zhen has been staying in the room all the time, and he has been making matches.

At the same time, Zuo Zongtang also accompanied.

Starting from the manufacture of the stalk of the match stem, Li Zhen selected the soft wood to make the match stalk with a square section, and then processed the stalk, dried it and selected it roughly before determining the match stalk that needed to be used. Next, Li Zhen smeared paraffin wax on the match stem, and finally glued it to the match head to make a slurry made of sulfur to dry.

It took two days to go through the procedures.

During this period, in addition to eating, drinking, and Lazar, Li Zhen has been staying in the room to make matches. A series of processes for making matches are personally checked by Li Zhen, and Zuo Zongtang is just a miscellaneous worker, so he can only give Li Zhen a hand.

Zuo Zongtang looked at the matches made by Li Zhen and was even more surprised.

In the study, Li Zhen looked at the matchbox placed in front of him, and the bundle of finished matchsticks that had been dried next to him, and his heart was full of achievement. It's easy to think about this thing, but it's a lot of work to actually operate. Li Zhen said excitedly: "Brother Ji, you can try the results." ”

After that, Li Zhen held a matchbox in his left hand, pinched a match in his right hand, and rubbed it down slightly.

"Whew!!"

The fire flashed, and the flames sparkled on the matchsticks, burning quietly.

"This, this, this is amazing!"

Zuo Zongtang's eyes lit up, and he suddenly said, "Lord Wang, I'll try!" ”

For this thing that can appear with a little rubbing, Zuo Zongtang feels extremely fresh, and it is really unheard of and unseen. He even wanted to dig out Li Zhen's brain and see what Li Zhen's mind was thinking about. Zuo Zongtang held the matchbox in his hand, excited, and even his hands trembled slightly.

Because I don't know or understand, it seems mysterious.

"Phew!"

With a friction, the match was lit again.

The match stalk burned quietly, and the flame was stable, which opened Zuo Zongtang's eyes, and he praised again and again: "Amazing, too powerful." It's a lot more convenient to have this thing! ”

Zuo Zongtang thought for a moment, and said: "Lord Wang, the matches have been made, why don't you let people sell them?" The price of a box of matches is not high, but it is a convenient and affordable gadget, which can be used by every household, and it is definitely more cost-effective than fire folds and so on. Even if it is two pennies a box, if it is used by people in Nanjing, this is a considerable amount of data. Moreover, it is impossible to use matches once you use them, and you will continue to use them in the future. I think it's a great opportunity to make money by selling it. ”

Li Zhen asked, "Brother Ji, how are you going to sell it?" ”

Zuo Zongtang was stunned, he didn't expect Li Zhen to ask about business sales.

He is not proficient in sales, but after thinking about it, he still said truthfully: "In my opinion, you can directly let people sell on the street, or find a shop to sell." As long as there is one person, two people, the news will spread, and it will definitely become popular. When the time comes, the whole of Nanjing, and even the people of all parts of the country, will use matches, which is definitely a great wealth. ”

Li Zhen said with a smile: "If the matches are sold, they will definitely be known, and I never question this." However, the rest of the merchants also make other matches and sell them with us, so what should we do? ”

Zuo Zongtang said loudly: "We made the matches, and no one else is allowed to interfere." ”

Li Zhen shook his head lightly and said solemnly: "Brother Ji's idea is not feasible, on the one hand, we can't monopolize the entire match industry, and on the other hand, we can't isolate all businesses. That's not how we sell, it's enough for us to have the initial pricing power of all the matches, and we don't come forward, but the merchants of Nanking and the rest of the provinces sell it for us. ”

After a pause, Li Zhen continued: "We have the technology and strength, plus the price is appropriate, and the rest of the merchants will sell after purchase, and the profits earned are considerable, so it is enough." If the merchant makes too little profit, they will think that it is better to make it themselves, but if the profit is considerable. If they make it themselves, they may not be able to make so much money except for the cost, so they will always rely on us. So, there are two things that are extremely important at this time. One is the process of making matches; The second is a merchant who sells matches. Dealing with the two lines is the real assembly line. ”

Zuo Zongtang nodded, admiring Li Zhen even more.

In other words, he would definitely memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, Confucian Essence, etc., and even export chapters. But in terms of business, he is far behind. Zuo Zongtang thought for a while, and then said: "Lord Wang, is there a candidate to make matches?" ”

"Of course there is!"

Li Zhen shouted: "Come on, invite Mas over." ”

Previously, Italian businessman Maas had been living in Shanghai. After Li Zhen arrived in Nanjing, Maas quickly ran from Shanghai to meet Li Zhen. At first, Ma Si was quite uncomfortable staying in Shanghai, but after Ma Si made a lot of money in the hands of Hong Xiuquan, Yang Xiuqing and others, he bowed his head to Li Zhen and had no other thoughts. Moreover, when Maas saw that Li Zhen's strength was getting stronger and stronger, he didn't dare to have other ideas, and temporarily put aside the interests of the family, which was valued by Li Zhen again.

The soldier went to inform him, and Maas quickly arrived in the room. He looked at a box of matches on the table, showed a puzzled expression, and asked, "Lord Wang, is there something wrong?" ”

Li Zhendao: "Mas, give you a chance to make money!" ”

"Lord Wang, please speak!" Maas's eyes lit up, and he looked excited. He regarded Li Zhen as the God of Wealth, and when he heard Li Zhen's words, he knew that he had a good idea.

Li Zhen smiled slightly and demonstrated the role of matches.

Immediately, Li Zhen gave a detailed introduction to the construction and production process of matches, and then said: "I want you to immediately design the machine for mass production of matches, and solve the problem of mass production as soon as possible." As for the specific matter of selling matches, I will contact you again, and what you have to do now is to solve the problem of mass production as soon as possible. ”

"Yes!"

Maas nodded in agreement and quickly left.

Zuo Zongtang said: "Lord Wang, is it reliable to hand it over to foreigners?" ”

Li Zhendao: "It must be reliable, don't worry." Taking a step back, matches are easy to imitate, it's just a matter of how much they cost. What we have to do is to become the one who sets off the trend, and the future will be handled by the major businessmen. ”

……

Next, Li Zhen introduced Zuo Zongtang to the major generals, and asked Zuo Zongtang to go to the army, recruit soldiers, and train soldiers. In half a month, Maas brought good news to Li Zhen. The machine for making matches in batches has been made. The machine is not complicated, so the experts brought by Maas can design and solve it as soon as possible.

When these arrogant experts learned that it was Li Zhen who designed the match, they secretly admired it in their hearts.