Chapter 464: Chapter 466: Feng Bailing, the Business Genius?
Li Mubei arrived at the Princess’ Mansion when Feng Bailing was indeed still waiting for him.
Dongfang Lianhua and Feng Luochen were not present.
Nanny Su brought up some freshly brewed tea, and as the cup was opened, Li Mubei caught a refreshing fragrance, which made him raise his eyebrows with a smile.
"Is this a new product from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce?"
Having cooperated with Feng Bailing for a while, Li Mubei had also discovered that the chamber often introduced new products, which usually surprised him.
Feng Bailing nodded.
"I had the villagers in Xinqi Village plant some tea bushes, and we’ve just recently harvested the tea leaves this year. They turned out better than I expected, though the yield isn’t very high at the moment. I plan to supply the tea leaves at the end of the year."
Li Mubei hesitated for a moment; seeing his indecisive expression, Feng Bailing spoke.
"Brother Li, I’ve heard that the products from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce sell well everywhere. But judging by your look, it seems you have some difficulties?"
Li Mubei laughed.
"The main problem is that our products are too popular and often in short supply, causing dissatisfaction among shopkeepers and customers."
Feng Bailing had actually already thought about the shortage of supplies. After all, Xinqi Village only had so many people. Though the crop yield was much higher with the aid of Genetic Seeds and Spiritual Spring, there was a limit to manpower. Initially, supplying products only to Chu City and even the whole of Great Chu wasn’t an issue, but now that they were selling to other countries, being sold out was quite common.
"I have a method that could alleviate this."
As she spoke, Feng Bailing handed some seeds to Li Mubei.
"Seeds?"
Li Mubei didn’t quite understand Feng Bailing’s intention.
"I plan to select some farmers in certain areas and have them grow crops like those in Xinqi Village."
Feng Bailing explained with a smile.
Li Mubei had long heard about Xinqi Village being the Dragon Landing Land.
When selling the products of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Li Mubei had also used this as a selling point in his promotions.
However, he was really hearing about "Dragon Seed" for the first time. He picked up the seeds and examined them closely.
Feng Bailing had brought out some crop and fruit seeds. Li Mubei, who has been doing commerce all year round and understood various medicines and crops, looked at the seeds in his hand.
His eyes noted that these seeds seemed much plumper than usual seeds.
"With these seeds, we can also grow Xinqi Village’s crops in other places besides Xinqi Village."
Li Mubei exclaimed in surprise.
If it was really so, then the value of these seeds...
"Of course, it’s not possible to grow exactly the same crops, but the quality will still be much better than other places, and their growth cycle will also be much faster."
Feng Bailing was using gene modification technology from emergency kits to modify crop seeds and observed that seeds cultivated with Genetic Seeds combined with Spiritual Spring are the best.
But after planting with Genetic Seeds, the quality would significantly decrease.
She only needed to add Spiritual Spring to the second-generation seeds to allow them to be planted normally. Without Spiritual Spring, the second-generation seeds would not be able to grow.
To maintain the uniqueness of Xinqi Village, Feng Bailing intended to distribute these special second-generation Genetic Seeds to other parts of the continent and then hire farmers to produce crops, medicines, and fruits needed by the chamber.
When the time is ripe, she would also send a group of people from Xinqi Village to spread techniques including raising wax insects, canning, and breeding.
Even so, she was the only person who had mastered the core technology of genetic modification.
The second-generation genetic seeds could solve the issues of production and transportation for the goods, which was all advantageous and without any harm to the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
"I want to select those farmers through you, and I will also have Chenchen go to Daye to select some people. The chosen farmers and villages will remit 60% of the profits each year, leaving the remaining 40% of profits for the farmers and your country."
Hearing this, Li Mubei couldn’t help but be overjoyed.
He was very clear about the transformation of Xinqi Village from poverty to wealth.
Nanshe was traditionally an agricultural country, and if the farmers could use the "Dragon Seed," it would be great for both the farmers’ lives and the country’s tax revenue.
"How much of this kind of Dragon Seed can you provide?"
"As much as you need, but we need to be cautious in selecting villages and farmers."
Feng Bailing cautioned.
She had this idea, relying on the concept of modern processing factories.
With Li Mubei being vigilant, she felt reassured.
"I have a method to find the most reliable people, and I trust Chenchen will do the same in Daye."
Li Mubei took another sip of tea, feeling the tea’s fragrance on his tongue become increasingly rich.
"If we really can resolve the supply issue, then I am confident that the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce can develop into an entity that rivals the Underworld Market."
When Li Mubei mentioned the Underworld Market, Feng Bailing also showed interest.
She took out the Underworld Market VIP Card she had found at Dacang Mountain.
"Brother Li, I happen to have some questions I’d like to ask you about the Underworld Market. Recently I got a VIP card from there. Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know what use this card has?"
The tiny card caught Li Mubei’s eye, and his gaze suddenly changed.
"How did you come to possess an Underworld Market’s VIP Dark Card?"
After confirming repeatedly, Li Mubei found that Feng Bailing’s card was authentic.
"It was given to me by a friend. I heard that the Underworld Market will also be participating in the Competition Among Ten Countries. If this card is useful, I plan to buy some items from the Underworld Market for convenience during the competition."
"It’s more than useful. Do you know that this VIP Card not only allows you to purchase all goods at a certain discount at the Underworld Market. Additionally, it can also provide credit up to a million taels when short on silver. Even I have not been able to get a Dark Card from the Underworld Market."
A look of envy appeared in Li Mubei’s eyes, then he paused and said with a smile.
"If I am not mistaken, this card should belong to Dugu Wu. I have heard that the Underworld Market has only issued ten such cards on the entire continent. Only customers who have transacted over five million taels can get a Dark Card."
Five million taels!
Feng Bailing took a deep breath of shock and silently criticized Dugu Wu, this profligate man, for actually spending five million taels on things!
Feng Bailing didn’t realize she was already starting to fret about Dugu Wu’s money.
"Using this Dark Card to select some important materials at the Underworld Market, aside from the usual weapons and equipment, I suggest you also buy some rare materials that can be used, such as weapons or some books and picture albums. Don’t underestimate these items; they can save lives in the Competition Among Ten Countries."
Speaking of the Competition Among Ten Countries, Li Mubei showed an embarrassed expression again.
"As the team leader of the Nanshe representative team, I shouldn’t really be telling you this, but putting aside the relationships between our nations, you and I are still friends. I hope that in this competition, our two countries can have a good contest. I also want to witness the true strength of Great Chu Army’s god, Dugu Wu."
The two conversed amiably, chatting until late into the night.
When Feng Bailing left the Princess’ Mansion, it was already deep into the night, and the Prince Mansion’s horse carriage was quietly waiting there. She woke up the Coachman and was about to get on when suddenly, a figure sprang out from beside the carriage.