I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 605 Some Unavoidable Private Orders from Friendships: I'd Rather Not Accept Them Than Lower the Price

"Lord Tatsuma, it's you! Long time no see. What brings you here today?"

With his squinting eyes, he was taking stock of the things he would need for tomorrow's opening when he looked up and saw someone had arrived at the store, which was not yet open. After recognizing the person, his smile became incredibly warm.

Although the shop will only open tomorrow, it's not like he's just starting out in the ramen business. He was working for his teacher as an apprentice for a few years and saved up some money. Now that his teacher is retiring, he's taking over the shop.

Anyway, business was so-so during the war, so I gave the shop a major renovation. After the renovation was completed, I was ready to open the shop when it seemed that the war in various places was coming to an end.

Recently, the number of ninjas in the village has started to increase, and the civilians who were terrified by the war are no longer resistant to spending money. Now is the best time to open for business.

If it's any later, other shops will probably also have promotions, and his new store's half-price offer probably won't attract much attention then. If it's any earlier, there won't be enough customers to create a buzz.

Having worked in business with his teacher for several years, he understood these basic principles by hand. In addition, he also attracted some customers during the years he worked in his teacher's shop.

For example, Sakamoto Tatsuma in front of us. Although Tatsuma never ordered from the menu when he came to their store before, he is a very good customer.

With their considerable spending power and fast eating speed, Chenma can earn the equivalent of several customers in the same amount of time it takes to flip cards.

Not to mention Tatsuma's reputation in the village, if he can come and have a meal when the store opens tomorrow, then we probably won't have to worry about the number of customers in the early stages of opening.

Thinking of this, Tatsuma's smile grew even brighter and more enthusiastic. Sitting on the brand-new stool, he stroked the spotless countertop with both hands and said with a smile:

"I just happened to be passing by and saw your door was open, so I came in to take a look."

"How about I make you a bowl of ramen? It's so late, a hot bowl of noodles will make you feel more comfortable when you sleep."

Tsutsuki said, "To be honest, I'm a little nervous about opening tomorrow. After all, it's been a while since I've made ramen. It would be great if you could give me some feedback."

Tatsuma rubbed his stomach, nodded, and said, "Okay, I haven't had ramen in a long time either. I hope your skills haven't gotten worse."

Upon hearing this, Shouda turned around and began to prepare. Since it was not mealtime, many things had to be prepared on the spot, but the soup base and other time-consuming ingredients had already been prepared in advance.

Looking at the bubbling broth, Tatsuma said, "This pork bone soup, it must have been cooking for quite a while, right?"

"Yes, it needs to be simmered for most of the day before the soup turns white and thickens, and then it will taste better."

"Actually, you can use a pressure cooker."

"The soup made in a pressure cooker is too clear. Although the taste is similar, it always feels a little off."

He shook his head. Although he didn't have any rigid ideas about food, many steps couldn't be changed just like that.

"The two can be combined. The color and richness of pork bone soup are essentially due to the extraction and boiling of collagen and lipids. Using a pressure cooker reduces the time for flavor formation and extracts collagen and lipids more quickly."

However, because the pressure cooker doesn't boil, the soup won't turn white. After opening the pressure cooker, boil it for another half hour, which will save at least half the time.

Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, Tatsuma stopped kneading the dough, his squinting eyes filled with doubt. What Tatsuma said seemed to make sense, but Tatsuma didn't quite understand.

But this was Tatsuma's suggestion, so Teji hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll give it a try. If it works, it will be a huge help."

If what Chenma said is true, he can save at least three hours a day. He can use that time to get more rest, develop new products, and spend more time with his wife and children.

Thinking of his wife and daughter, he kneaded the dough with more strength, and chatted with Tatsuma from time to time so as not to neglect the guests.

It took him some time to prepare a bowl of ramen, made from memory, with noodles, meat, egg, and vegetables, but with less salt, and served it to Tatsuma.

"Lord Tatsuma, give it a try."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Tatsuma picked up his chopsticks and started eating without much ceremony. After showing off two halves of a soft-boiled egg, half a bowl of noodles, and some meat and vegetables, Tatsuma finally managed to say, "OEC!"

The initially nervous Tateji relaxed, smiling as he gently cleaned the worktable. Tatsuma quickly finished his bowl of noodles, and Tateji immediately asked, "Are you full?"

"It's not suitable to eat too much for a late-night snack. This is enough, thank you."

Chenma shook his head, refusing the extra noodles, and sipped the hand-made tea that was served, saying, "I saw your opening poster; everything's 50% off tomorrow, right?"

"Well, any lower and it will fall below cost price. Otherwise, I'd like to lower it even further to attract more customers."

He nodded and said that he didn't mind revealing the cost price to Chenma. After all, the gross profit margin in the catering industry is about 50%, which many people know. But people come to the restaurant not to eat because it's cheaper than cooking at home.

Rather, it's about saving time, valuing the chef's skills, the dining atmosphere, or other reasons.

Chenma took another sip of tea and revealed his real motivation for coming. He tentatively said, "Actually, discounts are not a good activity for merchants."

Because such direct discounts only make customers feel like they've spent less money, rather than feeling like they've made a profit, you need to run more promotions.

He paused, then involuntarily asked, "What kind of activity?"

Are those giant bowls from those competitive eating contests still around?

"exist."

"Then you can organize another event tomorrow. Make three times the amount of noodles and five times the amount of meat, and price it at five hundred taels. Also, create a big eater challenge sign. As long as you can finish the noodles within a certain time, the bowl of noodles will be free."

If you can't finish the food, you can pay the price of 500 taels, but you'll also get a few 60% or 70% off coupons back. I believe many people will try it, and those who fail the challenge will become repeat customers.

However, remember to specify an expiration date for discount coupons, such as half a month. Longer expiration dates are actually detrimental to promotion and will also lead to counterfeit coupons appearing, reducing your own profits.

Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, a glimmer of light seemed to appear in Teji's squinty eyes. If what Tatsuma said was true, the cost of a serving of noodles was only about one hundred taels. If four out of five people succeeded and one failed, he could still recoup his costs.

The gimmick of "eating a bowl of noodles for free worth 500 taels" seems very attractive. Even if you fail, you can still get a discount coupon after paying. If you invite a few people or even a family to eat together, the customers won't lose out too much.

It can even extend the promotion period. Customers who get discount coupons will definitely not come to shop alone, but will try to bring more people to make the discount coupons more effective.

In doing so, these customers were unwittingly promoting his ramen shop. Tsuda's eyes shone with intense admiration as he looked at Tatsuma, thinking to himself, "As expected of the Fourth Hokage, even his business acumen surpasses others."

Shouda glanced at the clock on the wall and said with some regret, "It's too late now. I'll have to go print it earlier tomorrow."

"Why bother with all that? I'll make it for you, but if I bring someone to successfully complete the challenge tomorrow, you can't back out and take my money."

Tatsuma waved his hand, took out a scroll that he had prepared beforehand, and before the other person could react, Tatsuma had already formed hand seals and released the seal. Stacks of paper that Tatsuma used to practice his paper jutsu appeared.

As he formed the hand seals, thousands of sheets of paper floated up. Chenma asked, "Sixty percent or seventy percent?"

"How about a 40% discount?"

"good!"

As Tatsuma's hand seals changed, black sealing techniques appeared on the plain white paper that allowed chakra to flow. The techniques combined to form individual characters.

The talent of the [Magnetic Sand Tea Pot] makes Tatsuma's sealing techniques very free, even these sealing techniques that have no practical significance can become extremely solid.

With a wave of his hand, thousands of discount coupons were produced and neatly stacked on the table. Chenma picked one up and said, "I also made an anti-counterfeiting label for you. Once you tear it off, the text on it will quickly fade away."

"Rip~"

As Tatsuma spoke, he tore the paper in his hand, and the chakra-based jutsu on it instantly vanished. Tate opened his mouth wide. This was too convenient!

Even the best printing factory couldn't print such effective anti-counterfeiting coupons. Not knowing what to say, he opened a drawer, looked at them, and said:

"Lord Chenma, I only have 50,000 taels left. I don't know if that's enough to buy it."

"Consider it an opening gift; talking about money is too vulgar."

Chenma waved his hand. He would never offer such a low price. Even if Shouda took out his only fifty thousand taels, Chenma would not accept it. After all, it would lower his own status too much. He might as well just give it away for free.

Like many photographers, some photographers offer free commissions as a favor, so as not to damage their market value. This applies to individuals as well as businesses.

Many companies take various measures to make their financial statements show consecutive losses in order to make their market value uncertain. For companies that lose money, the market value is "unlimited," but once they become profitable, the market value is fixed.

Tatsuma looked at him gratefully and said, "Thank you so much! Not only did you give me advice, but you also personally made so many discount coupons for me, Tatsuma-sama. From now on, as long as I'm still in business, any noodles you come to eat will be free."

Tatsuma waved his hand and said, "No, I still have to collect the money. Just remember my taste in the future. Today's ramen was delicious and suited my taste perfectly."

"Yes, I know you don't like salty food, so I reduced the salt in both the noodles and the soup."

Tate chuckled憨厚ly, explaining that Tatsuma used to often ask for extra hot water to dilute his ramen, but back then it was the teacher's shop, and Tate didn't dare to easily change the recipe.

Now that it's his own shop, he naturally adjusts the menu according to Tatsuma's taste. In fact, it's not just Tatsuma; he remembers the tastes of many customers, such as Lady Kushina, who likes salt.

Tatsuma nodded, took out his wallet, and said, "See you at the opening tomorrow."

Seeing that Tatsuma was about to take out his money, Teji quickly said, "Lord Tatsuma, this shop is not open yet, I cannot accept your money."

"Okay then, don't do it again next time."

Chenma said seriously, "He is a person who does not accept a single needle or thread from the masses!"

(End of this chapter)