Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1510 Dust Strategy: A Win-Win Situation
Asking for recommendation votes
……

The details and underlying value of the three cooperation models described by Chen Zhang were like a red-hot iron brand on Tang Yusheng's heart, making his throat feel dry.

He blurted out instinctively, a hint of barely concealed shock in his voice: "Are your salaries... generally this high?"

Tang Jinghe, sitting at the head of the table, and Tang Jigen, sitting to the side, almost simultaneously cast a faint glance at each other.

That gaze was calm and unwavering, yet it was enough to make Tang Yusheng realize his slip of the tongue.

Chen Zhang still had that gentle, faint smile on his lips as he explained, "That's not entirely true."

"As the source of products that underpins the foundation of the Chen family, the craftsmen and technicians responsible for forging and technical fields naturally receive better compensation and benefits compared to the regular administrative or management staff within the family."

Tang Yusheng's original intention was to ask if the salaries of pure technicians were all so astonishing. Although Chen Zhang's understanding was slightly off, interpreting it as the overall treatment of the Chen family members, the answer that "craftsmen and technicians are relatively well paid" touched the itch in the hearts of the three members of the Tang family regarding the value and respect of technology.

In recent years, Chenjia's products have been sold in mainland China, but they have not followed the route of high quality and low price. Instead, they have formed a semi-monopoly model with unique technology. Their pricing strategy has always been "high" and "very high", and the profit margin is astonishingly large. This is how they can support a series of huge expenses, including these generous salaries.

Panda picked up his teacup at the opportune moment, took a sip to moisten his throat, and said with a hint of casual conversation: "Nephew Tang, you don't have to just focus on the salary figures on paper. What's really more attractive is often the benefits."

He put down his teacup and slightly opened his palm. "For example, the product discounts mentioned earlier."

"Our Chen family has many good things, especially high-grade spiritual herbs."

"Nephew Yuchen made such progress only because he had the opportunity to use the eighth-grade spiritual medicine provided by the family to break through the barrier of soul power."

"There are also some special medicinal herbs that can nourish the meridians and treat hidden injuries. These are quite suitable and rare for your Tang family, whose foundation is forging and whose qi, blood, muscles and bones are inevitably often damaged."

He paused, then continued to lay out the bargaining chips: "For example, once you accumulate enough contributions, you can exchange them for various inherited secret techniques within the family."

"Swordsmanship, hammer techniques, body tempering, soul power circulation, life-or-death combat—there are hundreds of secret techniques available for exchange, the significance of which in refining and improving one's personal cultivation is self-evident."

Of course, these externally released secret techniques are not the secret techniques of the main branch of the Chen family; they are provided by the combined efforts of the followers of the main branch.

These words silenced the three members of the Tang family for a moment. They looked at each other, and the scrutiny in their eyes was gradually replaced by a complex assessment.

The value of these benefits, especially the elixirs and secret techniques related to the fundamentals of spiritual practice, far surpasses the allure of mere gold coins.

Tang Jinghe's aged fingers gently tapped the plan paper spread out on the table, making a soft but clear tapping sound. He looked at Chen Zhang with clear eyes and asked a crucial question: "Minister Chen, why... don't you go to Haotian Sect?"

This is an interesting question.

All eyes were on Chen Zhang.

Chen Zhang's faint smile remained unchanged, and he slowly uttered three words: "Not suitable."

"Why is it specifically our Xuanhuang Tang clan?" Tang Jinghe continued.

Chen Zhang straightened his back, his gaze was calm, and his voice was clear: "Because cooperation benefits both sides."

Concise and concise.

Tang Jinghe leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a hint of worldly wisdom: "Given the Chen family's intelligence network, they must be well aware of the current predicament of my Xuanhuang Tang clan."

"Aren't you afraid that deep cooperation with us... will cause friction with the Haotian Sect and create unnecessary trouble?"

He pronounced the word "trouble" clearly and heavily.

Chen Zhang met Tang Jingping's gaze without flinching: "The Haotian Sect has its own way of doing things, and our Chen family also has our own path to uphold."

"As for whether this will cause further discord..."

He smiled casually, then changed the subject slightly, "That depends on how the Haotian Sect views it."

Shen Tao, who was standing next to him, chimed in at the right moment: "Oh, my old man, the fact that we've come to your door and put our mouths out like this means that we've naturally considered all aspects."

"Since we're on this topic, let's be frank and speak openly."

“Now on this continent, the only places that can provide a large number of blacksmiths, especially high-level blacksmiths, besides the loose blacksmith alliance, are your Xuanhuang Tang Clan, which has the deepest foundation.”

"If our Chen family wants to develop and progress, we can't just shut ourselves off from the world, can we?"

Tang Jinghe stared at Chen Zhang for a moment, then slowly glanced at Xiongmao'er and Tang Yuchen, before gently tapping the table with his fingers again.

After a moment, he leaned back slightly, regaining his composure: "Alright, I understand."

"This matter involves a wide range of issues, affecting all branches and lineages of the family. It requires time for internal coordination and discussion. Three days,"

He held up three fingers. "Three days from now, I will give you all a clear answer."

Chen Zhang bowed slightly and said, "Then I'll trouble you, sir and uncle, to take care of everything."

After a brief pause, Tang Jigen looked at Chen Zhang, his brows furrowed with pragmatism: "Nephew Chen, if this matter ultimately proves feasible, what specific items will we be responsible for forging next, and what will the craftsmanship standards be?" "Could you let us know a little about it beforehand? If we cannot fulfill your family's trust, we will be letting you down."

He tapped his knuckles on the table. "We need to be confident."

Chen Zhang nodded in understanding, then turned slightly to the left and right, gesturing gently: "Uncle, you've considered everything thoroughly."

"Let me introduce you. These two are Xia Ying, the deputy minister in charge of the livelihood products line of the Economic Management Department," he gestured to a female soul master dressed in a smart blue robe with a quiet expression.

"And Ding Lang, the Director of the Armaments Department in charge of military equipment casting." Another burly Soul Master nodded slightly in greeting.

"The text we brought already contains a brief explanation of the product catalog and preliminary requirements."

"If there is time later, Minister Xia and Director Ding can explain in detail to Uncle Shi."

……

As he finished speaking, his gaze did not leave. After a brief pause, his tone shifted to a more serious, consultative one: "However, there is another matter I have come to discuss with the Tang family today regarding cooperation."

There's more? Tang Jigen subconsciously raised an eyebrow. He had originally thought that the three collaborations involving craftsmen were the highlight of the day.

Judging from Chen Zhang's tone, the follow-up matters are likely to be quite significant.

He gestured to Chen Zhang with his eyes: "Nephew, please speak freely."

Chen Zhang's voice clearly echoed in the hall: "Grandfather, Uncle, Brother Tang, you three should know that the fastest-growing and most well-known business of my Chen family in recent years is the chain of medicinal herb markets that are spread all over the mainland."

The three members of the Tang family all nodded slightly.

The expansion of the medicinal herb chain market can be described as rapid and dramatic. After its establishment in various places, its positive impact on local medicinal herb circulation, drug price stabilization, support for Soul Masters, and even local tax revenue has long been evident.

Chen Zhang continued, "Currently, the area upstream of the Tianling Mountains and its northern foothills is still a blank in the layout of the medicinal herb market."

"Therefore, we plan to select a site in Lankai City to open a chain market for medicinal herbs—Lankai Market."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed across the eyes of the three members of the Tang family almost instantly.

This is definitely a business opportunity that will benefit the city and its people.

The fact that Chen Zhang deliberately mentioned "the need for cooperation" must be related to the Tang family itself.

As expected, Chen Zhang's next words clearly resonated with the three members of the Tang family: "We sincerely invite the Xuanhuang Tang Clan to be an important strategic partner in this area, and to work with the Chen family to build, manage and operate this medicinal herb market."

Before he finished speaking, his gaze had already turned to a man beside him with a reserved demeanor and a resemblance to Chen Zhang in his eyes and brows: "This is my eleventh brother, Chen Chen, who is currently the deputy minister of the family's economic management department and is in charge of the planning of the new medicinal herb market."

"He will now elaborate on the reasons for choosing Lancashire as the site and the specific details of the cooperation."

Chen Chen stood up in response, his demeanor composed.

He began by clearly explaining the many considerations for establishing a medicinal herb market in Lanzhou: its advantageous geographical location (in the middle section of the Tianling Mountains, near the corps' base), filling a regional gap (the upper reaches of the northern foothills are not yet covered), strong market potential and demand, and its connection with the existing layout.

As for why they didn't open a branch in Lancashire before, it's because the Chen family mostly opened branches in the counties where their lineages were located, as a support base.

In addition, there is the Liulicheng Medicinal Herbs Market several hundred kilometers away, so the Lankai City project was temporarily put on hold.

Things are different now. Today, the pharmaceutical chain market is in a phase of rapid expansion, and it is the perfect time to establish a foothold here.

Chen Chen then systematically introduced the cooperative operation model, the general planning and zoning of the market buildings (medicinal herb trading area, high-value storage area, public service center, etc.), the design and connection of key logistics nodes, the idea of ​​hiring local personnel, and the necessary communication and coordination mechanism with the county government and the Tianling Legion... The content was detailed and practical, showing that it had been planned for a long time and was watertight.

Finally, Chen Chen concluded his statement: "Therefore, the Chen family is willing to give the Xuanhuang Tang family a 20% share as the basis for joint shareholding."

The three members of the Tang family listened attentively, and a blueprint and scope for the entire project had already formed in their minds.

Based on the cooperative rules of the medicinal herb market that the Chen family has successfully replicated in many provinces and kingdoms on the mainland, the share allocation is usually as follows: the Chen family holds 40% of the shares to lead the operation; Poseidon Island holds 10%, mainly based on its supply and influence of medicinal herbs in the sea; and the local government holds 10%, reflecting policy coordination and financial and tax foundation guarantees.

The remaining 40% share will be allocated by Chenjia to local partners with strong capabilities and influence, depending on the specific circumstances, in order to seek long-term and stable localized operations.

The Xuanhuang Tang clan had deep roots in Lankai County and their influence was considerable.

Upon first contact, the Chen family immediately promised a 20% share, which was an extremely high level of sincerity and commitment.

It should be noted that within the Chen family system, a 30% share is usually only granted when dealing with top-tier sects on the continent, such as the Moon Palace, the Northern Ice Palace, or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, which occupy the absolute core territory.

With a 20% share, earning one million a year is no problem, and the share will gradually increase or decrease over time.

Establishing the medicinal herb market here is not only an important step in expanding the Chen family's territory, but also a key link to deeply connect with the Xuanhuang Tang family.

(End of this chapter)