In Fu-lu Pavilion, the two family heads returned to the shop and looked nervously at the spiritual jades returned by Li Mu. They asked, "Senior, this is... if you think the price is too low, we can discuss it again."
Li Mu returned the spiritual jades to them and said, "This is a new rule of our Fu-lu School. For valuable Fu-lu items of the Heaven Realm and above, after the writing is done, you must hand over the spiritual jades and talismans. This way, in a month, you can come to Great Zhou's Shendu to pick up the talismans..."
Hearing this, the two felt relieved and accepted the spiritual jades. They smiled and said, "That's good. We originally planned to go to Great Zhou's Shendu to take a look, so it's on the way..."
As they walked out of Fu-lu Pavilion, the two sighed in their hearts. Although they were both leaders of Dao, Xuanzong and Fu-lu School's attitude towards small and medium-sized sects and families was completely different.
Xuanzong was high and mighty. Their shop was opened here, and every time they sold a product, they had to give 40% of the income to Xuanzong. Compared to Xuanzong, Fu-lu School treated them especially well, living up to its name as the leader of Dao.
After sending the two off again, Li Mu finally understood how Xuanzong's magnificent mountain gate and the spiritual jade plaza outside were built.
Including the other five sects of Dao, the large and small sects of Zu Province, the cultivation families, and countless rogue cultivators were all contributing to Xuanzong's construction.
While most of the countries in Zu Province were still in a feudal society, Xuanzong had already taken a step into capitalism.
He was the one who wasted his breath, and the one who was tired of writing talismans. In the end, he was actually working for Xuanzong. Li Mu felt a nameless anger rise in his heart. He angrily asked, "Does our Fu-lu School not have a mountain gate of our own? Why do we have to do business in someone else's place?"
Qing Jingzi said, "This is Sect Master's idea. He said that White Cloud Mountain is a sacred land of the Dao Sect and shouldn't do such unscrupulous things …"
Li Mu waved his sleeves and snapped, "Don't mention him to me. Xuan Jizi, that prodigal son of a bitch. How many Spiritual Jades has he earned for others over the years, yet he can't even gather the materials for the Heavenly Secret Talisman. How does he still have the face to be the Sect Leader …"
Qing Jingzi silently lowered his head. He couldn't interrupt when his Uncle-Master was scolding the Sect Master, and he didn't dare to interrupt.
Li Mu scolded Xuan Jizi and calmed down very quickly.
It was understandable that Xuanzong would provide the platform and take a cut from the transaction. However, they were too black-hearted. Fifty thousand Spirit Jades were gone for no reason. Li Mu's heart was bleeding. He was both angry and distressed.
When he walked to the first floor and saw the situation inside, he was even angrier.
Although there were many customers lining up outside, there weren't many Fu-lu School disciples in charge of serving customers. There weren't enough people in the shop to begin with. The few disciples who were acting as temporary clerks were still gathered together and chatting happily. They ignored the customers and ignored them.
A few customers came in and walked around. When they realized that there was no one to serve them, they turned around and went to other shops.
Other than Fu-lu School, there were also people who were good at Fu-lu from various sects, as well as some mid-level cultivation clans. The mid-level and low-level Fu-lu they produced were also of good quality. People who wanted to buy Fu-lu might not only choose Fu-lu School.
Most of these disciples usually cultivated in their sects. How would they know the ways of commercial service? It was unknown how many customers went to other shops because of their arrogant and rude attitude.
Li Mu inadvertently glanced around and saw a familiar figure in the shop on the first floor.
It was the stall owner who Li Mu had bought a large amount of clothes and accessories from. He was currently bargaining with a disciple in the shop.
He looked at a Fu-lu and pestered the disciple, saying, "Give me a discount. A thousand spirit jades is really too expensive. How about I buy two pieces and you give me a twenty percent discount?"
The Fu-lu School disciple was unmoved. He said indifferently, "The Fu-lu's price is set by the elders. We don't accept any bargaining. If you want to buy, then buy. If you don't want to buy, then go elsewhere. There are plenty of Fu-lu on this street …"
The young man looked at the Fu-lu floating on the counter and hesitated for a long time. In the end, he decided to give up. Just as he was about to walk out of the shop, a voice came from behind him.
"Wait."
The young man turned around and saw the young man who had thrown out twenty thousand spirit jades standing behind him. After being stunned for a moment, his expression suddenly changed. He said, "Don't tell me you're going back on your word. Once a product is sold, it can't be returned unless there is a problem with the quality …"
Li Mu waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, I'm not here to ask for a refund. Come with me."
With that, he turned around and went up to the second floor. The young man hesitated for a moment, but could only follow.
When they reached the second floor, Li Mu sat down and said to the young man, "Sit."
The young man immediately shook his head and said, "Senior, if you have something to say, I'll just stand and listen."
Li Mu looked at him and asked, "What's your name?"
The young man honestly replied, "I'm Ma Feng. Ma as in handsome horse, Feng as in wind."
Although this person's cultivation wasn't high, he had a good business mind. Especially his mouth, it was simply like a lotus flower. If the disciples of the Fu-lu School were half as good as him, the Fu-lu in the shop would have been sold out long ago.
Li Mu poured himself a cup of tea and said indifferently, "Ma Feng, that's a good name. Who is your master, and which sect are you from?"
Ma Feng still didn't know why this expert from the Fu-lu School was looking for him. He didn't dare to hide anything and continued, "Senior, I don't have a master, nor do I belong to any sect. The reason I embarked on the path of cultivation was because I found an introductory book on Qi Cultivation at an old bookstall when I was young. I pondered on it blindly and unintentionally walked on this path …"
Li Mu looked at him and suddenly asked, "Are you willing to enter my Fu-lu School?"
Ma Feng was stunned. As a rogue cultivator, he had no sect, no background, and no one to guide him in cultivation. His biggest dream was to enter a sect, but his aptitude wasn't good. Even small sects weren't willing to accept him.
Entering one of the six Daoist sects was something he didn't even dare to dream of.
After coming back to his senses, he immediately knelt down and said loudly, "This disciple is willing!"
Li Mu nodded and said, "Very good. From now on, you are a disciple of the fourth generation of the Fu-lu School."
Ma Feng immediately took off a bag from his back and placed it in front of Li Mu. He said, "These are the spiritual jades that Martial Granduncle used to buy the immortal clothes and accessories. This disciple will return them to you …"
He had seen what happened in the market and guessed Li Mu's identity. He immediately changed the way he addressed him.
Li Mu waved his hand and said, "These belong to you. Keep them for yourself."
Ma Feng put the bag back on his back and said respectfully, "Thank you, Martial Granduncle."
Li Mu said, "Get up and talk. I have some things to ask you."
Ma Feng stood up from the ground and said, "Please ask, Martial Granduncle. This disciple will tell you everything he knows."
Li Mu said, "If you were to manage the Fu-lu Pavilion, what would you do?"
Ma Feng was stunned again. "Let me manage the Fu-lu Pavilion?"
Li Mu nodded and said, "You can speak your mind boldly."
Ma Feng had a thoughtful look on his face. He was not talented, short, and ugly. Even those small sects didn't accept him. There must be a reason why this senior was willing to let him join one of the six Daoist sects.
This was his chance. If he grasped it, his future cultivation path would be smooth. If he didn't, he might just be an insignificant rogue cultivator for the rest of his life.
He took a deep breath and said, "Martial Granduncle, this disciple thinks that there is a big problem with the Fu-lu Pavilion now."
Li Mu gestured to him with his hand and said, "Sit down and talk slowly."
Ma Feng sat down and said boldly, "First, in the Fu-lu Pavilion, the attitude of the senior brothers towards the customers is too bad. We are not the only shop that sells Fu-lu here. Since we are the sellers, we have to prioritize the customers. Many customers are not treated in time after entering the shop, so they will go to other shops. In the middle and low-grade Fu-lu, the quality of our Fu-lu is not better than the other shops, but the price is too high and there is not much competition. This has caused a large loss of customers …"
Ma Feng observed Li Mu's expression as he spoke. Seeing that he was not angry because of these words, he continued to speak boldly, "Second, the selling method in the shop is too rigid. One Fu-lu is 100 Spirit Jades, two Fu-lu is 200 Spirit Jades, ten Fu-lu is 1000 Spirit Jades. There is no discount at all, so it is difficult to stimulate the customers' desire to buy. We should set up a variety of selling methods. For example, in the shop, if you spend 500 Spirit Jades, 50 Spirit Jades, 1000 Spirit Jades, 150 Spirit Jades. If you buy two Earth-grade Fu-lu, you will get one Earth-grade Fu-lu for free …"
Li Mu nodded and said, "Well said, continue …"
Although he understood these things, with his identity, it was not suitable for him to get involved in these trivial matters. He needed a capable assistant, and the young man in front of him was obviously the best candidate. His appearance was not impressive, but he was extremely business-minded.
After receiving Li Mu's affirmation, Ma Feng became bolder and said, "The exchange in Xuanzong is only held once every five years, and it takes a large amount of our Spirit Jades. Why don't we set up shops in the sect, or even in the various prefectures of the Great Zhou, or in the various countries of the Zu Province? With the reputation of our Fu-lu School, business will definitely be ten or a hundred times better than it is now. At this exchange, Loose Cultivators and Cultivation Clans from all over the world will gather here. This is a great opportunity for us. We must let the Fu-lu Pavilion leave a good impression in their hearts …"
As Ma Feng spoke, he was no longer limited to the Fu-lu Pavilion, but looked at the entire Zu Province. He planned a path of continuous development for the Fu-lu School.
Two hours later, he was still talking non-stop. "Xuanzong's location is not good. They are located in the easternmost part of the Zu Province. Many cultivators have to travel thousands of li to get here, and the Divine Capital of the Great Zhou is in the center of the Zu Province. If we can build a market like this in the Divine Capital of the Great Zhou and invite the various sects and Cultivation Clans to move in, we will only take ten percent of the Spirit Jades. This will definitely attract everyone. Unfortunately, this will offend Xuanzong, and the Great Zhou court may not agree …"
Although Li Mu also wanted to do this, and this would bring in a large amount of tax for the court, there was no doubt that this would cause Xuanzong to have no business at all. Offending the number one sect of Daoism, the strongest power in the Zu Province, was clearly not a good choice at the moment.
"We'll talk about this later." Li Mu stood up and gently patted Ma Feng's shoulder. "From now on, I'll leave the Fu-lu Pavilion to you."
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