Chapter 360: Chapter 48: The First Meeting, the Deep Blue Business Alliance
"This second matter is an affair of our Xuanhua Tower. Therefore, Wisdom Venerable of Duzun Tower, you may leave if there is nothing further."
Still reeling in confusion, Xu Weihai gave a dazed nod. Zhang Deming then waved his hand and sent him out.
He was the epitome of one who arrives in a hurry, only to leave in a hurry.
Zhang Deming had never expected much from him anyway. He was just a tool—a means to indirectly demonstrate the Alliance’s power.
Just having him show his face and establish the presence of Duzun Tower was enough. Any more than that, and Xu Weihai’s personality would likely tarnish Duzun Tower’s prestige.
Besides, he already had their contact information.
By then, everyone had more or less memorized the incantation. Zhang Deming said, "The first order of business for today’s gathering was to announce the establishment of the new section and distribute the contact methods.
Now that this is done, the second matter is semi-secret. If you only wish to remain a clandestine member of the Alliance, you may ask to leave now.
This is because the second matter requires discussion using our real identities."
The remaining five people all furrowed their brows.
Qu Qingxian spoke up. "Steward Zhang, would it be possible for you to disclose what this second matter pertains to?"
Zhang Deming smiled faintly. "A Business Alliance."
Everyone paused at his words.
After a moment’s hesitation, Li Shifan was the first to speak. "I’m not well-suited for a Business Alliance."
Seeing this, Zhang Deming nodded. At the same time, he controlled his Mirror Image to leave as well.
Thus, only five people remained at the gathering.
Qu Qingxian, Qu Qizhong, Qin Shizhong, Feng Mingyou, and Zhang Wu, who occupied the host’s seat.
Zhang Deming glanced at the four of them. "Very well. Let’s all get acquainted."
With a wave of his hand, the mist obscuring their faces dissipated. All four cautiously studied one another.
Feng Mingyou and Qin Shizhong were both taken aback when they saw Qu Qizhong. A look of astonishment flashed in their eyes, quickly followed by dawning realization.
Qin Shizhong glanced at the chair Zhang Deming had just vacated, then back at Zhang Wu’s face.
A few things began to connect in his mind.
’I knew it! Master Zhang couldn’t have just been some freeloader. So he’s connected to Steward Zhang? Is he a junior from the Steward’s clan, or his disciple?’
After the four had silently sized each other up for a moment, Zhang Deming spoke. "I intend to establish a Business Alliance structured like a chain of stores. If you wish to contribute, please introduce yourselves."
At his words, Qu Qingxian set the example. "Qu Qingxian of the Qu Family. Codename: Water Dragon. Tai Chi Peak Cultivation."
Qu Qizhong followed. "Qu Qizhong of the Qu Family. Codename: Rumors. Advanced Apprentice. I currently manage the Blue Sky Branch."
Feng Mingyou and Qin Shizhong’s expressions showed that they had expected as much. Many who had been to Celestial Spirit City knew Qu Qizhong; after all, his shop was currently the most popular one in the city.
Feng Mingyou spoke up. "Feng Mingyou, Inner Sect Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect. Codename: Clear Tea. Tai Chi One Life Cultivation."
When the other three turned to look at him, Qin Shizhong said, "Qin Shizhong, disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect’s Spirit Nurturing Peak. Codename: Dragon and Snake. Advanced Apprentice Cultivation."
Hearing this, the gazes of the other three faltered for a moment as they looked at him. Qin Shizhong simply returned a faint smile.
Once the four had introduced themselves, Zhang Deming began. "I imagine you all have some idea of the prototype for this Business Alliance—it’s modeled after the Blue Sky Branch.
All future shops will operate similarly. I don’t care what you sell in them. For every shop share you apply for...
...you can receive one hundred Tier One Spirit Nurturing Beads from me each month to serve as the shop’s main draw.
How you use them to open up the market, how you develop, and what form your business takes—I won’t interfere with any of it.
I only require the Spirit Stones from the sale of all Spirit Nurturing Beads, plus thirty percent of the shop’s profits."
Qin Shizhong asked in astonishment, "Steward Zhang, you mean the remaining seventy percent is ours to keep?"
Zhang Deming nodded. "That’s right. The Alliance only takes a thirty-percent cut from the profits of all other business activities. How much you earn depends entirely on you."
Qin Shizhong asked, "In that case, can I apply for the quotas for three shops right now?"
Zhang Deming replied, "Not so fast. Let me finish."
Zhang Deming paused before continuing, "For now, each of you four will start with one quota, which translates to a share of one hundred Spirit Nurturing Beads.
Well, Qu Qizhong will maintain his existing share of one hundred and fifty. You can open another shop; how you do so is up to you.
I won’t interfere with what your shops sell or how they’re run. I will simply be allocating the Spirit Nurturing Beads each month.
However, there is one condition: you can only open as many shops under the Business Alliance’s banner as you have quotas for.
Oh, right. From now on, the Business Alliance will be called the Deep Blue Business Alliance. It will be affiliated with the Celestial Spirit Sect and fall under its protection.
As for the cut paid to the Celestial Spirit Sect, there’s no need for now. Once we’re more established, we’ll set the standard at ten percent.
And remember to change the name of the shop in Celestial Spirit City to the Deep Blue Branch.
When your shops have reached a certain level of success that I deem sufficient, I will consider granting additional quotas.
Well, that’s all I have to say. Do you have any questions?"
Qin Shizhong mulled this over for a moment before asking a key question. "How will the Spirit Nurturing Beads be delivered each month?"
Zhang Deming smiled faintly. "You’ll be in charge of distribution from now on. When the time comes, someone will deliver them to you."
Qin Shizhong paused. This confirmed many of his previous suspicions.
The other three were slightly taken aback. Qu Qingxian and Qu Qizhong exchanged a look.
Qu Qingxian then asked several key questions. "How will we handle staffing? Can employees of the Deep Blue Business Alliance also join the Alliance?"
Zhang Deming shot Qu Qingxian a knowing look. ’As expected of a clan’s helmsman. He’s quick to react, already thinking of exploiting loopholes to get his own people into the Alliance.’
Zhang Deming waved his hand, and a thick list with brief profiles appeared before them.
This was a complete list of all the points of light that had appeared in the sky over the past year or so. The attached profiles had been recently compiled by the Surveillance Elf; because its intelligence was quite limited, the data was all very basic.
