https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-98-Rare-Profession-Master-of-Spirits/12850165/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-100-The-Elf-Queen-s-Fourth-Husband-Became-a-Treasure-Chest/12850167/
Chapter 99: The Bubble Business Targeting the Nobility
Chapter 99: The Bubble Business Targeting the Nobility
"Master, the Elven Queen has offered a generous bounty to have you cancel the bounty on the Dragon Hero units. I think this is a good opportunity," Black Hand said.
Qin Muye furrowed his brow: "A good opportunity? You mean to have them send ten thousand elves over for me to use as test subjects?"
"No, we could simply keep elves in captivity, and whenever you need test subjects, they'll be available," Black Hand added.
"The elves are backed by the Elven God. Even if you want it, they might not agree. Don't joke around. What price did the elves offer you to come and talk to me?" Qin Muye, who was dissecting a dragon corpse, said casually. "If the price is right, I might consider canceling it."
"Have the Elven Crown Princess become your disciple, and—"
"Ugly as she is, she's dreaming. You actually believe that?" Qin Muye interrupted, becoming a disciple?
Any life form that could become part of the royal family would be involved in politics to some extent. This was definitely not a good intention.
"They are willing to offer a divine artifact as a gift for becoming a disciple. If you control the Elven Crown Princess, we can easily interfere in the internal affairs of the elves, even undermining the Elven Queen, and complete the capture of the elves," Black Hand explained.
"Good idea, but it would take too long. By the way, I remember the Tree of Wisdom has some connection with the elves. How about this: have them dig up the Tree of Wisdom and send it to me, and I'll cancel the bounty on the Dragon Hero units," Qin Muye recalled and changed his requirement.
What use would he have for the Elven Crown Princess? He couldn't keep her as a plaything, and he had no such hobbies. The Elven Crown Princess, whether for experimental or political value, was not as valuable to him as a gold-level hero treasure chest. Unless they offered the Tree of Wisdom, it was out of the question.
"Yes, Master, I will communicate with the elves. However, the difficulty will be significant. According to our intelligence, the Tree of Wisdom is a deity, which means it is a 6th-stage entity and not the deity of the elves. Unless the Elven God intervenes, it is highly unlikely they can dig it up," Black Hand tactfully advised Qin Muye to abandon this idea. It would be more practical to continue the bounty on the Dragon Hero units rather than seek the Tree of Wisdom.
"Understood. Has there been any recent activity regarding the bounty?" Qin Muye, sensing Black Hand's meaning, asked.
"No, the dragons are a major race and naturally high-ranking, making them difficult to hunt, especially the hero units. However, intelligence from other areas indicates that some people are interested," Black Hand said.
With the market for the Crimson Series weapons opening up, various intelligence channels were naturally established by Black Hand, making information flow more freely than before.
"Alright, I understand. If there's nothing else, go ahead and get to work," Qin Muye said casually.
The territory was thriving, and reforms were progressing steadily. For example, cement roads, electricity, and water facilities were gradually being laid out.
Considering that a group of high-attribute magical creatures were involved in infrastructure, the progress was much faster than with ordinary people.
Various factories stood tall, processing resources from resource buildings into various processed goods. This allowed the territory to produce not only weapons but also various luxury items.
Qin Muye was a shrewd individual. He knew that real estate and finance were the most profitable, but unfortunately, these industries were not well-suited to the magical continent. So, he focused on luxury goods.
If a high-ranking noble used a glass cup that shone like crystal with intricate patterns, wore a beautifully smooth silk robe designed by a master, and drove a massive, menacing mechanical vehicle, what would the nobles who were against him think upon seeing it?
They would definitely buy it, driven by the psychology of competition and vanity. Qin Muye leveraged his advantage from selling weapons to vigorously promote consumerism.
The trade on the magical continent was in its primitive stage, and the ancient fellow countrymen who came to this world were from a feudal society that prioritized agriculture over commerce.
To reap the benefits, Qin Muye had to use strong measures.
After some time and the use of scarcity marketing techniques, a trend had begun to form among the nobility.
He wasn't worried about counterfeits. After all, what Qin Muye was selling was not just the items but the concept and brand. Each item had a unique serial number and anti-counterfeiting marks, making it impossible for counterfeiters to pass off fakes as genuine products.
Moreover, can the things from modern society be so easily replicated?
Take the glass cup, for instance. It's not just about how to melt the glass; it also involves molding and design. Otherwise, while others have visually stunning glass cups with gradient colors, you might only have a plain glass cup. In such a case, it would be better to have nothing at all, as showing it might even invite ridicule.
Therefore, Qin Muye initially targeted the upper class. How much money do the poor have? If he wanted to make money, he would earn it from the rich. This was just the basic version, and it could even be integrated with magic and elements to produce all sorts of fancy items. The goal wasn't to be the best but to satisfy the nobles' competitive and vanity-driven mindset.
In terms of income, it still fell short compared to selling weapons. Selling these luxury items was already very profitable, but selling weapons could make him even richer.
However, it was still a source of income, and Qin Muye wasn't about to give it up. Moreover, this was a long-term income. Once the trend was established and the brand effect took hold, he could stop producing the luxury items and switch to franchising, collecting annual fees.
Initially, he would genuinely produce these items, but once capital accumulation was sufficient, he wouldn't have the sprites and other magical creatures do the actual work.
Of course, this was all based on the strength of Qin Muye's territory. If he lacked the necessary power, it would be impossible for his luxury items to open up the market so easily. After all, this was the magical continent, not a normal society, where strong-arm tactics were common.
The previous actions of the Silver Star Alliance were a clear indication of this.
His method of making money made the True Dragon Emperor, the Fallen Noble, and other lords incredibly envious. They had all tried to subtly involve themselves in the chat channel.
These lords all had ulterior motives. They wanted to get involved? They just wanted to use his resources and then kick him out.
They talked a good game, but when it came to actual benefits, they wouldn't budge. Was this a genuine intention to cooperate?
Qin Muye mentioned in the chat channel that the annual franchise fee would be three deputy scrolls. The result was that everyone started haggling.
So, Qin Muye naturally ignored them.
If they joined now, it wouldn't be Qin Muye reaping the rewards while they got the scraps; they would be sharing the profits. But since no one was willing to pay the price, there was no point in discussing it. They wanted the benefits without the cost. Why should Qin Muye help them make money?
If it were really three deputy scrolls per year, it might only be a single dungeon run for others. But for Qin Muye, with his interdimensional teleportation gate, one deputy scroll was the equivalent of the profit from an entire world. So, while others might gain, Qin Muye wouldn't lose.
Otherwise, why would Qin Muye have Black Hand offer a large bounty for the Dragon Hero units? It was to get a deputy scroll.
Qin Muye also knew that asking the lords to hand over deputy scrolls, building plans, and other items was like asking for their lives. Not to mention others, even Qin Muye himself wouldn't be willing to hand over such things.
He could use what he learned eventually, and giving it to other lords would only be aiding the enemy.
"However, these lords definitely won't give up. They probably have their subordinates working on replicating the items."
"Hmph, even if they do, they won't capture the core of my business strategy."
The items might be good, but the key was not the items themselves. As long as it wasn't an internal issue, it would be a dimensional advantage.
What he satisfied was a psychological need, not a material one. Even if they successfully replicated the items, what difference would it make? By the time that happened, Qin Muye would have already moved on and franchised out, leaving the lords to face a large number of franchisees rather than him.
Stay one step ahead. As long as he maintained his advantages, he would always be one step ahead.
Even if they knew, they couldn't catch up. Even if they followed his model, by the time they reached the mid-to-late stages, Qin Muye would have already reaped the benefits and moved on.
It might look very profitable, but in reality, it was just a bubble. He was doing this to gather resources, not to rely on it for long-term survival.
One must understand that on the magical continent, strength is the key, not commercial success. Business was merely a means to assist Qin Muye and his territory in growing.
(End of Chapter)
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