This is not how immortals cultivate

Chapter 38: Two tigers fight, and all the wolves starve to death
Xiang Yuan followed Yue Huanjiang into a room that looked like a study and also like a tea room.

This house is located in a secluded courtyard, away from the hustle and bustle of the world as you walk through the paths. The walls are filled with numerous volumes of books, and the air is filled with the faint scent of books.

The furnishings in the house are simple and elegant, with a table and two chairs, all made of natural wood, intricately carved with smooth lines, and without too many complicated decorations.

After the two were seated, the shopkeeper lit the Fengwu Boshan stove beside him, added tea and handed water, and the fragrance of tea wafted from the purple clay teapot.

The fragrance of tea spreads, coexisting with the fragrance of books and the fragrance of incense, complementing each other. Here, people drink tea and discuss philosophy, and there are great scholars chatting and laughing, and there are no unlearned people coming and going. It can be said to be elegant to the extreme.

Xiang Yuan enjoyed it very much and lamented how authentic the upper class life was.

He used the book of physiognomy to observe Yue Huanjiang. She had soft fingers, a full forehead, and was elegant and proper. Every part of her looked like a noble person. She was many times better than an actor like Xiao He who was hypocritical.

There is such a strange man in the world!
Xiang Yuan was full of admiration and didn't want to face it with a funny attitude, so he switched to being calm. He couldn't say anything to deceive people, so he had to let the funny attitude continue online.

"May I ask Brother Xiang, what are points and what is membership?"

"Mr. Yue was born in Baiyun Villa, so he must have some experience in business. I dare not speak in front of you, but just throw out some ideas. If there are any omissions, please correct me."

Perhaps because the other party was too perfect, Doubi's mind calmed down a bit. Not wanting to be overwhelmed by the other party's temperament, he hesitated for a moment and said, "The so-called points are like a general fighting on the battlefield, beheading generals and capturing flags, and accumulating military merits. Merchants set up a points system. Every time a customer spends a penny, he gets one point. When the points accumulate to a certain number, they can be exchanged for goods or enjoy privileges. This system encourages customers to patronize frequently, just like soldiers fighting bravely. Those who have made outstanding contributions will naturally be rewarded."

"Members can be compared to retainers and guests. Merchants set up a membership system. Once a customer joins, he or she becomes a guest of the merchant and enjoys special treatment. They may have priority shopping, discounts, or invitations to exclusive activities. It is like a noble family that supports talented people and retains guests according to their status."

"Points motivate people, just like the rewards for military merit. Memberships distinguish levels, just like the distinction between guests. If Baiyun Villa takes these two systems as the basis, it can not only attract new guests, but also retain old guests, cultivate customer loyalty and make them loyal fans."

Yue Huanjiang seemed to be deep in thought, and the shopkeeper remained silent. When they heard this, they both felt that it made some sense.

Without waiting for Yue Huanjiang to speak, the shopkeeper asked, "Master Xiang, Baiyun Villa already had a similar system, but it was not perfected for various reasons. If we look deeper, we will find that people are greedy and will always find ways to take advantage of others. In the end, it is still Baiyun Villa that suffers the loss."

"You can only get points if you spend money, and you will be treated differently if you are a member. The shopkeeper said that people are greedy, which is true. Everyone likes to take advantage of small bargains. But from another perspective, this is not a good thing. By taking advantage of people's greed to do business, you can make a lot of money."

Xiang Yuan recounted the experience of being cheated and deceived in his previous life. From a businessman's perspective, the customers can only make a small profit, but the capital will definitely not lose money.

The one who loses is another capital.

"No, business is not that simple." The shopkeeper shook his head at Yue Huanjiang.

"The older you are, the older you are. The shopkeeper is really experienced. In this case, I will explain it in more detail."

Seeing that the shopkeeper was not fooled, Xiang Yuan continued to deceive: "Shopkeeper, do you know the platform?"

"Elaborate."

"This invisible platform, with no visible bricks or stones, no sounds of earth and wood, can contain the vastness of heaven and earth, and accommodate the complexity of all things. This platform has no boundaries, spanning mountains and seas, connecting all directions, making people far away feel like neighbors. It attracts people from all over the world and gathers goods from all over the world. Baiyun Villa and Wangjian Villa are both platforms. Do you understand what I mean, shopkeeper?"

"Little knowledge."

Wow, you are quite humble!
Xiang Yuan raised his lips and said a string of witty words: "...the cheap things will become expensive, the expensive things will become cheap, everyone should do his own business and enjoy his work...the way to distinguish between the rich and the poor is to win with wisdom...others discard I take, other people take I give..."

To translate it, it means analyzing market conditions, integrating industry strategies, coordinating multiple companies, laying out in layers, differentiation, platformization, structuring, standardization, and quickly seizing the market in a short, flat and fast manner.

Then, there are closed loop, matrix, pattern, model, track, replacement, packaging, abstraction, point, line and surface, combination punch...

By the end of his speech, Xiang Yuan himself was confused and had no idea what he was talking about.

Looks so profound! x3
"Join hands with multiple companies, invite more experts in the industry, hold more events, such as calligraphy and painting exhibitions, tea art performances, etc., post messages to attract target customers, and then take the opportunity to drive up the prices of the goods you want to sell..."

Xiang Yuan's mouth was dry. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. He then said with great emotion, "So far, when people mention the industry leader of good quality and low price, the first thing that comes to mind is Baiyun Villa. It has been passed down by word of mouth and deeply rooted in people's hearts. The magical power has been perfected and it is invincible in the world. Even if Wangjian Villa wants to stop it, it is powerless to do so."

The shopkeeper's eyes were confused, but it did not affect his astonishment.

Yue Huanjiang felt that there was a smooth road ahead, and that he now had solutions to many of the obstacles he had encountered in the past.

Both of them were smart people. Even though Xiang Yuan's story was full of contradictions and illogicalities, they could understand a few words and draw inferences from them.

"Mr. Xiang, I have learned something, but I have one more question."

The shopkeeper changed his address at some point and asked in confusion, "This is a good idea, but if Baiyun Villa can do it, so can Wangjian Villa. If both villas lose money, how can we make money?"

Good, good, if you don't make a profit, you will lose money. You deserve it. Xiang Yuan rolled his eyes and said contemptuously, "When two tigers fight in the mountains, all the wolves will starve to death. Do you understand the truth, shopkeeper?"

"Ah this..."

The shopkeeper probably understood what was going on and continued, "There is no room for two tigers in one mountain. Sir, do you have a good idea to keep only one tiger?"

"Seek speed and strength, and borrow the power of the authorities!"

Xiang Yuan said mysteriously: "If you want to kill another tiger without damaging your vitality, you have to cooperate with the court, such as the Six Gates. It doesn't matter if you give some benefits. As long as the situation is opened up, there is no need to worry about not being able to make back your investment."

"But the Six Gates are full of mixed qualities, and even the imperial court doesn't trust them very much. It involves various provinces and states, and is passed down layer by layer to various counties. If we give them all the benefits, it is inevitable that they will be divided up. We must consider it carefully." The shopkeeper stared at Xiang Yuan without blinking.

Yue Huanjiang looked solemn: "Please teach me, sir."

"Find a big fish that can control the situation, cooperate with it, and lure it with benefits." Xiang Yuan said.

"Which family has this ability?"

How would I know this? I have no common sense!
Xiang Yuan pondered for a long time and sighed, "How can a country bumpkin have such vision? In my humble opinion, only the royal family has such ability nowadays. However, everything has its pros and cons, and it is difficult to be perfect. Doing business with the royal family is like trying to get the skin of a tiger. Be cautious."

The Xiao family of the Divine Capital!

Yue Huanjiang narrowed his eyes slightly, his heart was ecstatic, he suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, and said in a lost voice: "Sir, you are so talented, you can help Baiyun out of his predicament."

"I dare not. Truths that are known to everyone are not considered great talents."

"Today, I am grateful for your guidance, sir. It is like an epiphany. I am floating in the sky and suddenly see the blue sky. Please accept my greetings." Yue Huanjiang stood up, walked to Xiang Yuan and bowed.

"useless……"

Xiang Yuan was about to say something modest, and when his arm was raised in the air, Yue Huanjiang held it tightly, saying, "Sir, if you don't mind, I am willing to become sworn brothers with you."

Why are you using this trick again? I am also your destined one?
Xiang Yuan was stunned for a moment, feeling tricked by Xiao He, and subconsciously withdrew his arm.

Pull, pull... pull...

Didn't pull it out.

He is a master!

Xiang Yuan suppressed his fear and said with resentment, "Sir, you are so strong that my hands are numb."

"I received your guidance, sir. I was impulsive and made many mistakes. Please forgive me."

Yue Huanjiang realized that he had lost his composure, let go of Xiang Yuan's arm, straightened his clothes, and bowed respectfully: "I was distracted just now and bumped into you, sir, but I am sincere and sincerely willing to become sworn brothers with you from the bottom of my heart."

"We met by chance and suddenly became sworn brothers..."

"Yes, it's my brother Meng Lang."

Wow, you are my brother now, you are so shameless!

Xiang Yuan was speechless. He suddenly realized that this perfect Yue Huanjiang had some shadow of Xiao He. In other words, people who do great things are always a bit shameless.

I've learned my lesson, but I still insist on being shameless!
Xiang Yuan stood up and bowed in return: "Brother, you are joking. It is obvious that I am not good at literature or martial arts, so I dare not be sworn brothers with you."

"With your talent, how can you not do it? You should be able to climb up the social ladder for me."

"Tea instead of wine, please, brother."

"My dear brother, please go first."

The two men clinked their glasses, the shopkeeper stood by and poured tea, and the three of them discussed business, but there was no cup for him.

(End of this chapter)