In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar!

Farha led Wang Yan through a narrow path to her secretary's office.

The room was small, but it was very well organized, with various documents and scrolls neatly stacked on the bookshelves, showing the owner's style of doing things.

"Please have a seat." Faliha gestured for Wang Yan to sit in the chair opposite her, then sat down behind her desk. "So, what would you like to ask?"

Wang Yan then proceeded to deliver the project overview she had prepared in detail.

"It's about a brand new daily necessity, which I call toothpaste. It's a paste-like product specifically designed to clean teeth and care for the oral cavity, with effects far superior to existing mouthwashes and tooth powders on the market."

"I have already collaborated with Dr. Zakaria of Health House to improve the formula, and Kavi of the Mysticism School has also agreed to help design the production line. As for raw materials, I have also contacted Liam, a businessman from Daochenglin, to provide a stable supply."

Farriha initially appeared relaxed, assuming it was just a small-scale project transformation common among academics.

But when she heard the names Zakaria and Kavi, she sat up straight.

When Wang Yan mentioned that the formula had been optimized, the production line was being planned, and the raw material channels had been secured, her eyes revealed a clear sense of importance.

As Nizam's secretary, Fariha was naturally aware of the importance the Papacy currently placed on such high-quality projects.

"How much investment is needed?" Fariha pressed.

"Initially, the main tasks are setting up the production line and procuring raw materials. Kavi estimated that the first pilot production line would require about 50,000 Mora; in terms of raw materials, Liam is willing to provide two truckloads of samples first, and then supply them long-term at market prices. The factory and labor costs have not yet been included—this is exactly what I wanted to ask the Executive Yuan for support in."

"What about output and profit?"

"The cost of a tube of toothpaste, based on the current formula, is estimated to be around 3-5 molars. Referring to the selling price of mid-priced daily necessities in Sumeru City, we initially set the price at 10-20 molars. After deducting costs, transportation, and taxes, the average net profit per tube is expected to be over 10 molars."

Toothpaste is naturally divided into regular and professional types, so the prices are also different.

Wang Yan paused, then added, "If the promotion goes smoothly, given the coverage of Health House and Dr. Zakaria's reputation, selling tens of thousands of units in Sumeru City and surrounding towns in the first year shouldn't be difficult. In the long run, if it can be promoted to other countries, the scale will be even larger."

After listening, Fariha remained silent for a moment, then tapped her fingers lightly on the table. Her tone had turned into a businesslike formality: "Your project is very good. The Order of the Church currently has various ways to support high-quality projects like this. It just depends on which one you prefer."

Wang Yan perked up: "Could you explain in detail?"

"Of course." Fariha took out a document bearing the emblem of the Church from the drawer. "It's roughly divided into three categories."

The first category is direct financial subsidies.

The Academy can provide an interest-free start-up loan, typically ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 moira, disbursed in installments according to project phases.

The repayment period is flexible, generally starting after the project becomes profitable, and can be repaid within five years.

Suitable for projects that need to start quickly but lack sufficient self-owned funds.

"The second category is resource support."

The Chancellery can coordinate the provision of production sites—for example, there are several vacant spaces in the old warehouse area on the west side of the Sacred Tree, which can be used as factory buildings with slight modifications;

At the same time, it can assist in recruiting and training workers, especially providing jobs for people seeking stable employment in rainforests and deserts.

This part doesn't provide direct financial support, but it saves a significant amount of upfront investment and time.

"The third category is policy and channel support."

The Education Bureau can endorse projects, assist in obtaining operating licenses, and reduce or exempt some taxes;

At the same time, through the external liaison department of the Academy of Religious Affairs, we help connect with chambers of commerce and retailers both inside and outside of Sumeru to accelerate product rollout.

This point is even more valuable for projects aiming for long-term operation and hoping to build a brand.

As Fariha explained, she gently pushed the documents toward Wang Yan: "You can choose one of them, or you can apply for a combination. However, the Academy will review the projects and determine the level of support based on the evaluation results. Of course, your project has two scholars, Zakaria and Kavi, co-authored, and it's a collaboration between multiple schools of thought, so passing the review shouldn't be difficult."

She paused, a slight smile appearing on her face: "In addition, the Academy of Education has always promoted livelihood projects, encouraging scholars to transform their research results into daily necessities that benefit the public."

"If your toothpaste can provide a certain number of jobs, you might be able to apply for additional job subsidies."

What Faria said largely matches what Farusan said.

Wang Yan quickly processed this information and had already made up his mind.

He looked up, his eyes bright: "If I want a combination of the second and third categories—namely, venue and personnel assistance, plus policy endorsement and channel support, while also applying for job subsidies—how do I apply?"

Fariha nodded and took out a blank application form from the side: "Fill out this 'Application Form for Support of the Council of the Nativity's Livelihood Projects,' and attach your project proposal, a joint letter from Zakaria and Kavi, and a cost-profit calculation sheet. I will send it to Mr. Nizam as soon as possible, and you will receive a preliminary reply within a week."

She handed the pen to Wang Yan and added, "Of course, while we're waiting, you can continue to push forward with the production line trials with Kavi and confirm the raw material details with Liam. These practical advancements will help the review process go through faster."

About a week later, Liam delivered the raw materials, and then we started trial production on the production line.

Wang Yan took the pen and began to write at the table.

I originally just wanted to find out more about the situation from Fariha, but I didn't expect to get straight to the form-filling step.

Because Wang Yan was already very familiar with the entire project, filling out the application form was a breeze for him.

Soon, Wang Yan filled out the application form and handed it to Faliha: "I'll send you the joint letter later."

Fariha took it, glanced at it briefly, and nodded slightly: "Good, the materials are very detailed. This will greatly increase the chances of the application being approved."

"Then I'll have to trouble you," Wang Yan said.

Farriha shook her head: "It's just my job."

Wang Yan smiled and said, "Being dutiful is being dutiful, and being sentimental is being sentimental. These two things don't conflict."

"By the way, I haven't seen Ian and the others lately," Wang Yan changed the subject, talking about friends they both knew.

Ian was one of the three young scholars who followed the Liam caravan back to Sumeru City with Wang Yan.

It was because of them that Wang Yan first got to know Faliha.

"They're probably still busy with their theses."

When talking about friends, Fariha's smile became warmer.

Wang Yan shook his head: "I wanted to treat them to a meal, but I couldn't find them even after looking for several times."

This is no exaggeration. After Wang Yan established himself in Sumeru City, he did try to contact Ian and his two companions several times, but they seemed to have already left Sumeru City and gone on a field expedition.

"That's how the Elementary Theory is. If there's even a slight change in the earth's veins, their data in their papers needs to be re-examined. They're probably still out in the wild right now," Fariha said with a smile.

"It's not easy for anyone," Wang Yan sighed, then invited, "When they come back, I'll treat you all to a meal together, just like a friends' get-together."

If you were to offer Fariha a meal as a token of gratitude, she would definitely refuse.

But it's different if it's a gathering of friends.

Public is public, private is private.

"Sure, it's been a long time since I've gotten together with Ian and the others." Fariha readily agreed.

"Then it's settled."

Wang Yan stood up.

"Don't worry, I won't stand you up."

Fariha saw the person out the door.