Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 176: Chapter 175: Business Negotiations Unfold in the Otherworld

Faced with Fress who suddenly jumped up, Nanali couldn’t help but get startled. On the other hand, Fang Zheng and Nymph remained very calm, the former having been involved in countless similar business negotiations and the latter simply indifferent to such trifles—she believed that her master would certainly handle it.

“Mr. Ezio, we can’t accept this. You should understand, if we purchase these two invention blueprints, then we have to organize staff to conduct experiments and then proceed to manufacturing, all of which will require a waste of a significant amount of money and time.”

What Fress stated was actually a common issue on both Earth and Otherworld—that is the industrialization of technology. The processes in laboratories and factories are completely different. Similarly, for technology emerging from an Alchemy Workshop, if you want to achieve mass production, naturally it can’t be done by an Alchemist alone, no matter how hard they work. Although various forces do employ some freelance Alchemists who don’t own workshops, it’s clear that these people can’t be used for mass production work.

Just like you can’t expect a group of designers to produce cars in a factory.

A car production line would be more like it.

“I already have a complete manufacturing process on hand; once we sign the agreement, I will give it to you.”

...

Fress had his own reasons, but that did not mean Fang Zheng would listen to him. The greenhouse and Slime Fertilizer processings were both simple. Referencing the manufacturing processes of Earth, developing a set was not difficult. Of course, due to the different development of civilizations, Fang Zheng also had to put some thought into it.

“Forty percent is still too high.”

Upon hearing that the other party had a comprehensive “after-sales service,” Fress too breathed a sigh of relief. Many Alchemists just make sure they produce the item and often don’t even care about how to manufacture these things faster. Thus, those trading companies frequently spend lots of time and money on this. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to achieve mass production, that’s the best. But if you spend a great deal of effort and find out it can’t be mass-produced or the costs are too high, then… heh.

“You know, if we sign the agreement, the Northern Trading Company will face attacks from many factions, and might even suffer certain losses as a result… ”

“That’s your own business.”

Nanali, who had never been involved in business negotiations, felt a bit sorry for Fress looking so pitiful, unfortunately, Fang Zheng, who had been through countless negotiations, clearly would not be swayed by crocodile tears. In business negotiations, whoever has the technology or the creativity in hand is boss, and the boss is meant to do as they please. It’s not just about claiming forty percent; if I want you to dance naked in front of everyone, you’d have to bear with it.

Moreover, there is no honest merchant, to believe half of a merchant’s words is to consider them honest.

Contrarily, the mere fact that the other party didn’t walk away immediately upon hearing the demand for forty percent spoke volumes about their attitude.

Fress spoke with Fang Zheng for a while longer, but to no avail, and left with no choice but to bid farewell. And as Fress’s figure, bouncing like a ball, disappeared, Nanali, who had been sitting beside Fang Zheng the whole time, finally spoke up with unease.

“Mr. Ezio, aren’t you being a bit too harsh? I think Mr. Fress seemed pretty nice… Your demand for forty percent… Seems a bit too excessive.”

Although Nanali was a pure Alchemist with little knowledge of economics, as she listened to the discussion between Fang Zheng and Fress, she understood the meaning behind their words: Fang Zheng demanded that his Alchemy Workshop receive forty percent of the Northern Trading Company’s annual revenue from selling greenhouses and Slime Fertilizer.

This was a significant amount.

In the Main World, the relationship between trading companies and the Alchemists’ Association was somewhat like branches to a trunk, with the Alchemists’ Association also akin to a platform organization like X Bao. And trading companies naturally were like X Bao store owners on the platform. Of course, some were personal, others belonged to groups and size varied accordingly. For instance, Nanali’s own workshop counted as a personal shop on X Bao, whereas one like the Northern Trading Company represented a large group or franchise.

When Fress complained to Fang Zheng, he also roughly estimated the total, and that forty percent might amount to millions, or even tens of millions of Gold Coins.

Upon hearing this number, Nanali was completely dumbfounded.

She could never imagine that by casually processing the Slime’s outer skin and body fluids, adding a fine wooden frame and such, she could make so much money; it was almost like a dream.

To be honest, if it was not for Fang Zheng having previously agreed to take the lead, Nanali might have accepted the offer, feeling that so much money was too insecure. Forget several million—no, even a few hundred thousand would be unnecessary, a few thousand Gold Coins would suffice. Slimes are worthless, how could they exchange for so much money?!

Therefore, when Fress left, as Nanali looked at Fang Zheng, her heart was very conflicted; she felt that Fang Zheng was simply robbing…

“‘Forty-one percent is not at all excessive. Don’t be fooled by his show of poverty; it’s just basic skills for a businessman. In fact, if he really thought it was too much, he would have turned on his heel and left. But he sat down, guess why?’”

“This… um…”

Facing Fang Zheng’s question, Nanali was stunned for quite a while before responding.

“Because he can make a profit?”

“Of course, if he couldn’t make a profit, he wouldn’t be discussing this with me. Clearly, both sides understand that I won’t actually get forty-one percent, and he won’t actually give forty-one percent, but by making this demand, I’ve given him room to negotiate while also signaling that my expectations aren’t low. For both of us, it isn’t a matter of losing money but rather how much we each stand to gain.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng looked at Nanali with a smile.

“You might think this stuff isn’t worth much, but you should understand what it can bring to farmers. These are valuable goods, very valuable indeed. Remember, we’re not selling raw materials, but something that can truly change the world… Say, if you created a Divine Artifact, how much would you sell it for?”

“Well, that would certainly be very valuable…”

Nanali was naïve, not a fool. Alchemists had also achieved the creation of Divine Artifacts in the past, which is why they could hold their ground against Mages. The Divine Artifacts produced by Alchemists were indeed priceless.

But… are there Divine Artifacts made from Slime skins?

“Divine Artifacts are made for use, not for worship. You must realize, these items can not only improve the lives of countless people but can also enable those who can’t afford food to have meals… something even Divine Artifacts cannot accomplish.”

“I see, now I understand.”

With Fang Zheng’s guidance, Nanali nodded in agreement, compliantly, though she was still somewhat confused, but at least she recognized that her previous thoughts were utterly wrong.

Watching Nanali’s reaction, Fang Zheng sighed inwardly. To keep his identity secret, he hadn’t signed any agreements with Nanali, because contracts in the Main World required Star Pattern authentication, and once authenticated, his cover would be blown. So for now, the Alchemy Workshop still belonged to Nanali, meaning she had the final say in any contracts.

Initially, Fang Zheng thought Nanali had potential worth developing. However, it now seemed that she was more suited as a dedicated researcher, not skilled in external communications and negotiations. Had Fang Zheng not been here, and had Nanali come up with the greenhouse alone, she might have been conned by Fress for a mere five hundred Gold Coins, willing to work happily for someone else.

Fang Zheng was considering finding someone specifically for negotiations. The girl named Kuliya gave him a good impression, poised and confident with a respectable family background. The only issue was that Kuliya was currently working at the Alchemists’ Association, and Fang Zheng had no idea if he could lure her away… but it was worth trying.

Surprisingly, Kuliya’s response exceeded Fang Zheng’s expectations. When he offered her an invitation, Kuliya accepted readily. She was well aware of Nanali’s personality, and after hearing from Fang Zheng how her good friend almost got bamboozled into selling the greenhouse and Slime Fertilizer Technology for a few thousand Gold Coins, she broke out in a cold sweat and struggled to compose herself. As a member of the Alchemists’ Association, she understood the value of an alchemy invention better than anyone else. If Nanali had indeed sold these for just a few thousand Gold Coins, it would have been better off handled internally by their association.

For this reason, Kuliya chose to join without hesitation. She might not think Fang Zheng was a bad person, but she always worried her friend might be taken advantage of. Now with the opportunity to keep a close eye on things, Kuliya wouldn’t let it slip by.

Most importantly, she could work alongside Fang Zheng. Just the thought of seeing a handsome man every day was enough to compensate Kuliya for her small loss.

During this time, Fang Zheng, along with Kuliya, received representatives from various trading companies who came to the Workshop to do business. Fress was shrewd, and the others were not fools. Fang Zheng had no intention of expanding production; it was obvious that he was using these products to prove their technological effectiveness. Hence, acquiring these two pieces of Alchemical Technology was naturally of great importance to them.

As Fang Zheng anticipated, the more powerful first-tier trading companies showed little interest in his proposal and even tried to use their influence to pressure him into lowering his prices. The second-tier companies, like the one Fress belonged to, were willing to take a risk. However, they either feared they couldn’t withstand the oppression from the “multinational companies” of the first tier, or they felt Fang Zheng’s demands were too steep, hoping for further negotiation.

Regardless, the number of people eager to obtain these two pieces of Alchemical Technology kept growing.

At last, Fress couldn’t contain himself and came knocking again.

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