Take, for example, the single submarine in Ye Tian's possession, which cost nearly five million gold coins to construct.
The high cost wasn't due to rare or precious materials but because every tiny component, down to a single screw, required manual crafting and polishing.
The expenses were astronomical.
However, such costs were not without rewards.
If Ye Tian were to build a second submarine, the expense might only be a few hundred thousand.
This was thanks to the tools developed during the creation of the first submarine, which made large-scale submarine production feasible.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong sighed softly.
"Must I argue with that old fogey Qian Daoliu over finances again?"
Even if she did, considering Qian Daoliu's miserly temperament, he would likely refuse.
For a moment, Bibi Dong felt a headache coming on.
"No money? Then just earn it!" Ye Tian smiled faintly.
"Elder Sister, in your hands lies the greatest money-making treasure on this continent."
"Oh? I have a money-making treasure?"
Bibi Dong raised her delicate eyebrows, falling into deep thought.
After a long while, she tentatively asked, "Could it be my position as the Pope?"
She then shook her head. "Using my position, I could indeed gain wealth from my subordinates.
"But this would not only damage my reputation but also cause widespread resentment among them.
"Moreover, the money earned this way would be a mere drop in the bucket compared to what's required for policy implementation.
"Not to mention, the Elder Hall next door is always watching like a hawk. I can't let my foundation shrink."
Bibi Dong gently touched her face, speaking with a sense of melancholy.
"Elder Sister, you overestimate yourself. What I'm referring to is the brand—the brand of Spirit Hall!" Ye Tian raised his voice slightly.
"Hmm? Brand?" Bibi Dong was taken aback.
It was a term she had never heard before.
She expressed her confusion, saying, "How could this possibly be worth anything?"
"Of course it's valuable!"
Ye Tian remained composed.
"I'd wager the entire continent knows about it.
"People might not know the name of the Pope, but they'd definitely recognize the three words 'Spirit Hall.'
"Is there a brand more famous than 'Spirit Hall' on the entire continent?"
"There isn't!" Ye Tian declared firmly.
Bibi Dong hesitated. "Spirit Hall is indeed renowned, but what does that have to do with money?"
"It has everything to do with it!" Ye Tian said with a touch of frustration, as if speaking to someone clueless.
Discussing business concepts with Bibi Dong felt like playing a lute to a cow.
"If it's famous, how can it not earn money?
"Elder Sister, imagine this: two identical pills. One is sold by Spirit Hall, guaranteed to be authentic and refundable if fake. The other is sold by a regular shop with the same guarantee.
"If you were a soul master looking to buy a pill, which would you choose?"
Hearing this, a glimmer of realization flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"I'd choose Spirit Hall. With its immense reputation, Spirit Hall wouldn't stoop to cheating a mere soul master.
"But the shop could go out of business."
Ye Tian smiled faintly. "Do you still think a brand isn't valuable?"
At this point, Bibi Dong grew doubtful again.
"The Spirit Hall branches do sell various pills, but they don't seem to make big profits."
"That's because they don't understand brand management."
Ye Tian chuckled and explained:
"Spirit Hall's branches are prestigious establishments. The staff working there are at least soul masters.
"If a small client comes to buy a few pills, the staff would likely find it bothersome.
"These pills are inexpensive, and selling them would feel like a waste of time.
"For the client, it would feel disrespectful.
"Though Spirit Hall guarantees the quality of its pills, no one wants to endure poor service just to buy something.
"Most big clients are rare, and while they bring profit, the real foundation lies in small clients."
"That's why Spirit Hall's shops fail to demonstrate their competitive edge."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong sank into thought.
"You're right, Xiao Tian. But how can this be changed?"
Ye Tian extended a finger.
"In general, the solution is to spin off Spirit Hall's shops, making them more competitive.
"But the details would take three days and nights to explain."
Bibi Dong looked out the window, seemingly envisioning the future Ye Tian described.
However, she let out a soft sigh. "Brand management is certainly promising, but it's a long-term strategy that requires steady progress.
"What I need now is quick money—the faster, the better."
Quick money?
Ye Tian instinctively glanced at Bibi Dong's eyes, then slowly moved his gaze downward.
He quickly averted his eyes and said sincerely,
"Elder Sister, your thinking is still a bit limited.
"Brand management can not only yield long-term profits but also quick money."
"Oh?" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up, her tone urgent. "What's the method?"
"So eager to know?" Ye Tian smirked mischievously.
Bibi Dong's smile deepened. "Don't tease your Elder Sister like this."
"Brother, Teacher, what are you discussing? You've been gone so long and haven't returned to the courtyard."
At this moment, Hu Liena, dressed in a long gown, approached.
She sat down beside Ye Tian, leaning against him and playfully nudging his shoulder.
Pointing to the door, she said, "The Ghost Elder has arrived."
She explained, "I thought your discussion would finish soon, so I didn't inform you earlier when he arrived at the farm.
"But after waiting so long without seeing you return, I had to bring him over."
As soon as she finished speaking, a young man with dark circles under his eyes entered the room.
He silently bowed to Bibi Dong.
As one of Bibi Dong's trusted aides, Ghost's position in the Pope's Palace was significant, so his bow was casual, reflecting their close, friendly relationship.
After greeting Bibi Dong, Ghost finally noticed Ye Tian.
His face was filled with astonishment.
This man was so close to Hu Liena!
"Who are you?"
"Do you know that the person beside you is Hu Liena, the soon-to-be Saintess of Spirit Hall?"
His tone carried a hint of warning.
Leaning against Ye Tian's shoulder, Hu Liena swung her legs and laughed. "Uncle Ghost, you're behind the times. This is my husband, Ye Tian."
"Husband?"
Ghost was even more shocked.
The intelligence he had access to wasn't as precise as Qian Daoliu's, and this was the first he'd heard of Ye Tian.
"Did Her Eminence approve of this?"
Ghost widened his black-ringed eyes, looking at Bibi Dong in disbelief.
Who would've thought that in just four short months, Hu Liena would already be married?
(End of Chapter)
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