https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-931-Understanding-and-Considerate/13132770/
Chapter 930: Business Acumen
Chapter 930: Business Acumen
"Impressive!"
After reviewing the account statement delivered by the female official, Queen Veronica was astonished to find that the results were identical to the handwritten dividend details she had received a couple of days ago, written with children's crayons. She looked up at Melanie, her sister-in-law and current biggest investor, with disbelief.
"Not a single mistake in the calculations... And isn't your return rate a bit too high? The companies I invested in with the royal funds, which hold major bulk transactions with the North, only yielded a return of around forty percent. How did you manage to almost double that in one go?"
"And it could've been even higher!"
Hearing Melanie's words, Queen Veronica, who had been playing with the children, suddenly raised her eyebrows, revealing a genuine look of surprise in her eyes.
Although Melanie's so-called "dividend" could be considered child's play and insignificant compared to the vast wealth Queen Veronica controlled, not even worth a mention, the return on this "investment" was indeed astonishingly high.
Even her female official commented that the child's "operation" was rough, but her vision was exceptional. Even if she were in Melanie's position, without exploiting her authority to take advantage, the estimated returns would likely be similar.
If Melanie was telling the truth and could indeed increase the returns by fifty percent on top of the current earnings, then wouldn't it mean her abilities in this aspect were already on par with, or even surpassing, the female official she had meticulously cultivated?
"Let's talk about it."
After glancing at Melanie's proud expression and sensing that she wasn't making empty boasts, Queen Veronica's interest piqued. She extended her pinky, smiling, and proposed, "First, tell me how you managed to achieve a twofold return rate. Your sister-in-law is very curious, and if you can indeed increase it by fifty percent on top of the current earnings, I'll double my investment in the next round!"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Facing the investor's proposal, Melanie's spirits lifted. She eagerly extended her soft pinky, hooking it with Queen Veronica's, and proudly gave a thumbs-up. "When I was called to the office for...cough...helping out, I saw the newspaper on Victor's desk and learned about your order to relocate most factories outside the city. Especially those noisy and smelly ones must be moved to the industrial zone in the outer city, and there's one right at the end of Bridgehead Street where I live, so it's definitely moving too."
"Not bad."
Queen Veronica nodded slightly in acknowledgment and blinked, asking, "But how does that relate to you borrowing money to buy fluorescent agents, light bulbs, and assembling those lightboxes and signs?"
"It's very related!"
Melanie wrinkled her nose, expressing it as if it were obvious. "Bridgehead Academy is the best school in the old city, and it would still rank high even in the new city. There's a substantial fixed flow of people almost every morning, evening, and noon... Your Majesty, don't you feel that something's missing around Bridgehead Academy?"
"There's something missing..."
Upon hearing this, Queen Veronica pondered for a moment and then realized, "The Commercial Street?"
"Exactly!"
Nodding to herself, Melanie tilted her head back, her eyes shining as she spoke, "With so many people passing by every day, it's only logical that there should be a commercial street. But at the end of the street, there's a factory that operates intermittently, not only making a lot of noise and emitting black smoke daily, but it's also blocking the area with the most foot traffic."
"This factory drives away potential customers and occupies the ideal spot for carriage parking, forcing many people to detour to the other half of the street to park their carriages. They don't even pass through Bridge Street, so naturally, without foot traffic, shops can't thrive."
So that's what it was...
Recalling the scene she had witnessed upon her arrival, Melanie specifically remembered the old factory site that had been transformed into the Char Department Store, as well as the carriages parked across from it. Queen Veronica couldn't help but nod in agreement, and then, with an approving look, she said, "So, whether it's a newly opened shop or a store with increased foot traffic wanting to renovate its facade, they all need to have signs and such. That's why you contacted a classmate who makes signs, pre-ordered a batch of materials, and then asked me for people. You established a temporary small workshop?"
"It's a company! Day by Day Earnings Co.!"
"Okay, okay, a company!"
Hearing the rather pitiful company name, Veronica couldn't help but slightly raise her lips, but then held it back under Melanie's indignant gaze. She smiled and said, "I know what happened next. You gave away the recently trendy lightbox signs to a few shops near the street entrance for free. Luckily, the businesses you chose all did exceptionally well, so your lightboxes..."
"It's not just luck!" Melanie interjected, a hint of defiance in her voice. "I specifically took people to investigate those shops. They were originally not doing well, but it's just a matter of low foot traffic.
Not a single mistake, a first impression, a look, a glance at the book!
Moreover, their locations are very advantageous. For those who stroll in from the street entrance, by the time they reach those shops, they're either almost tired from walking or have already visited several stores, compared prices, and naturally make a purchase."
"So, when their businesses pick up, more people will buy your lightboxes."
After finishing Melanie's sentence, Veronica clapped her hands and smiled, "Impressive, impressive. I underestimated you. So, do you have any other methods to increase profits by another fifty percent?"
"I can also take William to the academy at night and secretly pour water on the main gate's hinges."
"???"
"The main gate's hinges are old, the waterproof paint has peeled off, and the academy's guards are lazy. They only lubricate the gate once every six months. So, if William and I pour some water on it, the main gate will rust completely. Then, no matter which direction the parents come from, they'll have to detour to the main street to pick up their children."
After explaining her plan, seeing the look of exasperation on Veronica's face, Melanie couldn't help but hum in disappointment, "The academy's main gate hasn't been replaced in seven or eight decades. To repair it, they'd have to dismantle the entire gate, which would take at least ten days or half a month. During this time, with a surge of foot traffic, many more people will be determined to change their signs.
It's just that I don't have enough money, can't handle so many orders, and the shop owners who can't wait in line will seek other options. Otherwise, we would have definitely made more money this time!"
"... "
(End of Chapter)
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