Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 161: Expanding Industries
In Bianxia Town at the end of November, the weather was already very cold. Snowflakes fell like pieces of paper. Looking around, the sky and the earth were covered in white.

If you stay outside for a while, a layer of frost will form on your eyebrows.

However, in this freezing cold weather, many people were standing in front of the majestic and grand hall on Guzi Peak. Not only were all the disciples of Hunyuan Sect present, but even those children who had not yet achieved transcendence and the mortals living at the mountain gate were gathered around.

The area near the mountain gate is decorated with lights and flowers, creating a festive and lively scene.

Today is a great day for Hunyuan Sect. The Alchemy Hall, which has been under construction for over a year, is finally completed.

Due to the recent chaotic situation in Bianxia Town, although it did not affect the Hunyuan Sect, it also caused panic among the people. Therefore, Song Xian wanted to hold a lively celebration to calm people's hearts, and ordered everyone to participate in the completion ceremony of the Alchemy Hall.

After an inspiring speech, the celebration officially began with fireworks bursting into the sky, followed by the sound of gongs, drums and firecrackers.

The servants inside and outside the mountain gate were led to the mansion for a banquet. There was also a separate table for those children who had not yet transcended the mortal realm but had spiritual roots. Song Xian and others entered the alchemy hall to visit.

This alchemy hall has a total of ten alchemy rooms. Although the bottom is paved with the lowest level of fire veins, it is enough to refine the Jade Fragrance Pill.

Qi Xiaobai and others also returned from the market, and from now on, they all made pills at home.

"Master, please look, this is the fire vein switch. This is the ignition device. Just turn this on and push it upwards, and a fire vein will come up from the underground through the tunnel."

"This is to adjust the size of the flame."

"This four-legged green cauldron was bought at the market. Each one costs 200 spirit stones. It can't be used to refine good spiritual medicine, but it's more than enough to refine the Jade Fragrance Pill..."

Qi Xiaobai introduced the configuration of the alchemy room and demonstrated its usage.

"You are responsible for alchemy. If you need anything, just tell me. The sect will fully support you." Song Xian knew very well that it was a taboo for an amateur to lead the experts. He knew nothing about alchemy. Since Qi Xiaobai was in charge, he naturally would not interfere in the specific matters, including the construction of the alchemy hall, which was started at his suggestion.

"Junior Brother Qi, can we increase the production of Jade Fragrance Pills next year? I plan to expand and open shops in other markets to sell our Jade Fragrance Pills."

"With the Alchemy Hall and our current manpower, we can at least double our production. Next year, we can produce at least 6,000 Jade Fragrance Pills. What do you think, Master?"

"Six thousand is more than enough." Song Xian nodded.

The current annual sales volume of Yuxiang Pills is only about 3,000 pills, and more than 90% of them are sold at Qingfengfang Shop, which is the largest shop in Bianxi City. Not only does it have the largest customer flow, but some of the ladies and young ladies in Bianxi City are also in the hands of Feng Yan, which is why it has such high sales volume.

If we open a shop in other markets, we will definitely not achieve the same results as Qingfengfang. It would be great if we can sell six or seven hundred pieces a year.

……

After the celebration, Song Xian returned to his mansion. Before he could wash up and go to bed, the housekeeper came to report that Jiang Zichen had rushed back from Bianxi City and said he had something important to report.

Song Xian immediately thought that this must be a reward for taking over the Qingyuan Sect's property, so he ordered the housekeeper to take him directly to his room.

Soon, Jiang Zichen came in from outside. After staying in Bianxi City for two years, he had grown taller and looked much more mature. His cultivation had also broken through the second level of Qi Refining.

Although there is no training room in the shop in the market, he can practice with the spiritual energy stored in the spirit stones. The profit of the shop in the market is good, and he can earn hundreds of spirit stones every year. Usually, he only needs to use half of the spirit stones for training, which is enough.

"Master." Jiang Zichen bowed and smiled, now showing some of his usual playful and lively demeanor. "Senior Sister Feng sent me to inform you that word has arrived from the Yang Residence that the matter has been finalized. Senior Sister Feng asked you to go to the Yang Residence as soon as possible to finalize the matter, so as to avoid any further complications."

"Okay." Song Xian was delighted when he heard this. Things went so smoothly, which was somewhat beyond his expectations. Zeng Rou was really a woman with some skills. He had found the right way this time.

"Master, I just heard that the Alchemy Hall we're building is complete. Are we planning to expand it next year?"

"Stop standing, sit down!"

"If you open a shop in Xinfang City next year, I would like to be in charge of the new shop." Jiang Zichen took a seat as he was told without beating around the bush. He was a lively person and always spoke his mind.

"I was just about to tell you this. We're planning to open two more shops next year and let you be in charge of one. You've been at Qingfengfang for two years now. How's it going? Do you have confidence?"

Jiang Zichen looked confident: "Master, don't worry. I will definitely try my best. I dare not say it is better than Qingfengfang, but it is definitely better than Nanyuanfang."

Song Xian smiled. "Don't be too confident. Starting from scratch isn't easy. But it's good that you have this confidence. The sect will gradually expand its industries, not just the Yuxiang Pills, but also other industries. If you work hard, I'll put you in charge of all the shops and trade in the future. Don't be like before, always doing things in a short-term way."

"Disciple obeys your command." Jiang Zichen responded with a playful smile.

.........

At night, Song Xian summoned Zhong Wenyuan and the two discussed in the house.

"The Beast Taming Sect has agreed to hand over the industries to us. Now there is still a problem. The sect's financial overspending is a bit too much this year. I calculated that it would cost 20,000 spirit stones to take over these three industries. I just asked Senior Brother Lu Yuan, and the current treasury can't afford so much." Song Xian looked at him with an embarrassed look.

"However much the sect needs, I can provide 5,000 spirit stones."

Zhong Wenyuan understood what he meant and immediately expressed his opinion. He had made a fortune from Apu before, and combined with his years of accumulation in Qingyun Sect, he was undoubtedly the richest in the sect.

"I'll return it to you when the sect has ample finances next year."

"We have no experience and have spent so many spirit stones to suddenly take over the Qingyuan Sect's business. I'm worried that we will mess it up." Zhong Wenyuan looked worried.

Song Xian shook his head. Everything about him was good, except that he was sometimes too steady and conservative, seeming a little rigid.

"The three industries that Qingyuan Sect is responsible for aren't particularly difficult to begin with. They came to Bianxia Town only a year or so earlier than I did. What experience do they have? But they still managed to do it, didn't they?"

"To cultivate black swordfish, all you need to do is find a large mud pond, assign someone to guard it, feed it bait day and night, and protect it from being eaten by eagles and snakes."

"As for the Beast Soul Incense and Mysterious Spiritual Fluid, they're just so-so. Not much more difficult than refining the Jade Fragrance Pill."

"What's more, the Beast Taming Sect will send someone to tell us the steps and procedures, so we just need to follow their instructions."

Zhong Wenyuan still frowned. "But all of this requires a lot of manpower. The refining of Beast Soul Incense and Mysterious Beast Spirit Fluid is beyond the power of ordinary people. Aside from the alchemists in the sect, there are only a few people who can mix them, and they are all novices." "Zhang Yi and Junior Brother Ning Yuan have gone to Pingyuan County. It will take at least May or June of next year for them to bring the people from Qingyun Sect here."

"Next year, we will be short of manpower and I'm afraid we won't be able to complete the tasks assigned by the Beastmaster Sect. Then we'll have to compensate them for their losses."

Song Xian smiled slightly: "I have thought about this. It doesn't matter if we don't have extra manpower. We just need to take over this industry and hand it over to others to do it."

Zhong Wenyuan was a little confused for a moment: "Give it to someone else?"

"Just like we outsourced the Qianyuan Valley Spiritual Farm before."

"This..." Zhong Wenyuan was stunned. "I'm afraid that's not possible! The spiritual farm is originally our resource and can be handed over to others. The black arrowfish, beast soul incense, and Xuanbu spiritual liquid are assets inherited from the Beastmaster Sect. If we transfer them to others, will the Beastmaster Sect agree?"

"Why would they disagree? We just take over the business and deliver the required amount of goods to him every year as he demands. Why would they care how we do it? It's the same principle as the caravans that go to the Muhe Grassland to buy supplies and then sell them to the Beastmaster Sect. Aren't they also second-hand dealers?"

"But... if our sect takes over these three businesses, we'll need to give Yang Zhang 5,000 spirit stones and Zeng Rou 2,000 spirit stones every year. After we pass them on to others, we'll have to share a portion of the profits. So, is there any profit left?"

Song Xian smiled and shook his head. "Senior Brother Wenyuan, you still don't understand. Whether or not we make money is not our concern. It's the responsibility of the person who takes over. For example, the Beastmaster Sect needs 12,000 black arrowfish every year, and we pay 4,000 spirit stones based on their purchase price."

"We charge a fixed fee of 3,200 spirit stones. No matter how well the person who takes over does, we only charge them 3,200 spirit stones. Losing money is their business, not ours."

"This is the same principle as when we rented out our spiritual farm to Wei Lian. Even if Wei Lian loses all his money, he still has to pay us one thousand spiritual stones."

Zhong Wenyuan nodded. He immediately understood what Song Xian said and muttered to himself, "Who should we find to take over these businesses? Black arrowfish are a hybrid of spirit beasts, so it would be best to find someone with experience in spirit beast breeding. Oh, doesn't the sect have someone who specializes in spirit beast breeding? It's better to just hand the black arrowfish business over to Zhou Ren. It's better than leaving it to an outsider."

"Leave it to Zhou Ren? It's not impossible. He is good at breeding spiritual beasts and is a professional match. But he still has to follow the method I just mentioned. If he is willing to take over, he will be responsible for his own profits and losses." Song Xian pondered.

There is certainly no problem in letting the sect disciples do it, and they have closer ties with the sect and are more trustworthy. Zhou Ren has experience in this area and is indeed a suitable candidate.

Zhong Wenyuan frowned and said, "Since Zhou Ren is a disciple of the sect, we already pay him a salary. It's only natural for him to contribute to the sect. Why does the sect leader want to rent him out? I think we can share the profits, just like we did with the Jade Fragrance Pill. Wouldn't that be better?"

Song Xian explained, "These are two different things. The Jade Fragrance Pill is a product we developed ourselves, which involves purchasing the raw materials, refining the pills, selling the pills, renting the shops, expanding production, and expanding the industry. Most importantly, the profits are too huge, so we have to control it ourselves."

"Things like resource industries have a fixed upper limit. Even if you manage a first-grade, low-grade spiritual field well, you can only earn less than 2,000 spiritual stones at most. We don't aim for the highest return; we only need to collect a certain amount of spiritual stones."

"Although we can't guarantee maximum profit, we can maintain a lower limit, save manpower, and avoid problems such as disciples working without putting in effort and pocketing the benefits."

Zhong Wenyuan said, "I have a slightly different opinion on the lease of the spiritual farm, but it had already been leased to William at the time, so there was no need to discuss it further. Now that we have encountered a similar problem again, I would like to discuss it with the headmaster again."

Song Xian knew that he had always been unable to accept this model. Seeing him speak out, he felt relieved instead of dissatisfied.

For a sect, the most feared thing is the division among its own people. The reason for the division is mostly due to communication problems. Everyone hides things and does not speak out clearly, but buries them in their hearts. Over time, resentment will arise.

If everyone can speak frankly and put the issues on the table for discussion, it will be helpful to resolve the conflict.

"Senior Brother Wenyuan, please speak."

Zhong Wenyuan was silent for a moment, as if considering his words. "I understand what the headmaster means, but I still feel it's inappropriate to hand over all these businesses to outsiders."

"Let's take a step back and say that even if there's the kind of situation that the Sect Master mentioned where people don't put in the effort and embezzle money, isn't the purpose of the sect to benefit the disciples? Giving away all the profitable assets while the disciples receive a meager salary doesn't seem right."

"If there's no one in the sect who can do it, then handing it over to someone else is understandable. But for the three industries like Black Arrowfish, Beast Soul Incense, and Mysterious Spiritual Fluid, the Sect Leader has already said that they're not that hard to come by. Why would we need to look for outsiders and give them the benefits?"

"Besides, outsiders are not trustworthy. If something goes wrong with the sect one day, they will abandon it without hesitation."

Song Xian smiled, knowing that this last sentence was the core idea of ​​Zhong Wenyuan's words. He was a person with extremely conservative thoughts and old-fashioned behavior. He could not understand why he shared the benefits with outsiders.

Although Song Xian has explained many times that this is a case of self-responsibility for profits and losses, with high returns and high risks, and this can win over those who take over the industry and bind them to the sect with common interests without having to bear the labor costs.

But in Zhong Wenyuan's mind, all the profits and losses and risks were automatically eliminated. The only thing he couldn't accept was giving the benefits to outsiders.

"Doesn't our sect lack that many people? If we had enough, we could let the sect disciples take over and let them bear the profits and losses. A spiritual field like the Qianyuan Valley requires a professional spiritual plant master. Our sect doesn't have a spiritual plant master, so we found Wei Lian."

"I don't understand why the Sect Master didn't just recruit Wei Lian directly into the sect. That way, he would be a disciple of the sect and meet the Sect Master's needs. Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"

"If we recruit him into the sect, won't that mean we have to shoulder an extra manpower cost? Not only will we be responsible for his salary, but we'll also have to give him a share of the annual financial profits. Doesn't that add to the sect's burden?"

"Why not just not pay him a salary? He's in charge of cultivating the spiritual fields, responsible for his own profits and losses. He earns so much more every year, so why should we still pay him a salary?"

Song Xian was stunned by his words. This was a path he had never thought of. How could a sect not pay its disciples? Who would work for the sect then?

But in the form of industrial outsourcing, it seems to be possible. If they do a good job, the profits they earn are much higher than those of ordinary disciples.

Zhong Wenyuan continued, "Recruit them into the sect and let them take charge of various industries. If there's an emergency and the sect is short of manpower, they can be mobilized in the name of the sect. Isn't this much better than simply giving it to outsiders?"

Song Xian's mind was full of thoughts. This idea seemed really good. Recruiting those who were willing to take over the industry into the sect would naturally make the relationship closer. Let them be responsible for their own profits and losses, and not be responsible for their labor costs. This would also avoid situations where they would not work hard and embezzle money.

If you do a good job and make money, naturally everyone will benefit.

If they lose money, the sect can still use other methods to make them repay the debt, such as accepting sect missions, etc.

In this way, the sect's shortage of manpower was solved, and it was also easier to explain to the Beast Taming Sect so that they wouldn't know that the task was handed over to an outsider, which would have caused any impact.

"Brother Wenyuan's suggestion is great! Let's do it." Song Xian made the decision.

"Well, you'll be in charge of this. Find those independent cultivator groups, preferably those with experience in refining Beast Soul Incense and Mysterious Soul Fluid, and explain the situation to them. If they're willing to nominally join the sect and become disciples, we'll hand these two businesses over to them. As long as there's money to be made, I believe someone will agree to this offer."

"Okay, leave this to me."

(End of this chapter)