Chapter 23 Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s trump card
Since the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s product announcement, the companies in Banta City and the surrounding cities had followed this pattern. Each time they had a new product or a rather important product to sell, they would hold a product announcement.
For example this week, the Sarank Chamber of Commerce from Banta City would be holding a product announcement for a line of accessories under their name. They even took it a step further and booked the Banta City square to hold quite a large exhibit, attracting countless rich people and people who didn’t have money in Banta City and the surrounding cities to see it.
But no matter how much effort the other companies put in their product announcements and no matter how much attention they go, it couldn’t compare to the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s second product announcement.
At the first Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s product announcement, Xu Yi admitted to dating the Banta Goddess young miss Still.
At their second product announcement, other than the new product, what kind of other shocking news would the Frestech Chamber of Commerce announce?
Based on these thoughts, even though there were still two hours before the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s second product announcement, the Banta City market square used for the product announcement was already filled with people. Among them were reporters from Banta City, Saltan City, and Karma City.
Even quite a few people from the further Canberra City and Norton City came after hearing the news, so it could be seen how attractive this product announcement was.
In the crowd, the vice editor in chief Rhine of the ?Karma Times? had brought two assistants to come five hours early. The came to the market square before the sun even came up just to seize a position closer to the stage.
When he arrived, he found that there were people who came before him.
There was no need to say it, but these people were his colleagues, reporters from other newspapers.
As reporters who had sharp senses and more contacts than normal people, these people were naturally better at human communication.
So after waiting for a few hours, these reporters became more familiar with each other.
Seeing the crowd become bigger and bigger, the topics that everyone was discussing naturally fell to the product announcement.
“Don’t you think that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s product announcement is strange this time?” The one who spoke was a reporter from Saltan City, but he wasn’t from the ?Saltan Morning News?, rather he was from a new newspaper called ?Saltan News?.
“How is it strange?” The one who asked was a reporter from Banta City.
Of course it wasn’t from the ?Banta Times?. With the relationship between the ?Banta Times? and the Frestech Chamber of Commerce, they didn’t need to wait here like them.
This reporter came from the ?Sun News?, which was said to be backed by the Sarank Chamber of Commerce. They normally reported on news between nobles and the newest luxury product trends.
Because the ?Sun News? focused on thi aspect, this newspaper had become the guide for rich madames and young misses in the surrounding cities, so its sales volume wasn’t low.
“Because according to what I know, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s chairman Xu normally handles things in a low key manner. For example, he held the last product announcement at the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s service center and didn’t rent a large place like the Banta City market square. Also he didn’t send all those invitations to everyone at different newspapers, creating such a large scene.” The reporter from the ?Saltan News? mysteriously said this, “My guess is that some news that will surprise us will be appearing soon.”
The other reporters looked at each other and could see the looks of approval in their eyes. But to be discreet, no one agreed with him verbally.
“Actually even if there aren’t any other news, just the new product the Frestech Chamber of Commerce is announcing is already enough to attract everyone’s attention, isn’t it?” Rhine thought about it before saying, “Do you know how many units the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker sold last time?”
The crowd looked at him in surprise.
“You know the exact number? I’ve heard that it was over fifty thousand, but if this is true, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce must have made a large amount.” Another reporter said with a sigh, “I’ve found someone to estimate the costs of this Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and it should be around one gold coins. The Frestech Chamber of Commerce is selling it for three and a half gold coins, so each one makes a profit of over two gold coins. If they sold fifty thousand units, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce has earned over a hundred thousand gold coins just from this! This is too terrifying!”
“Fifty thousand units?” Rhine gave a cold snort, “You’re looking down on the Frestech Chamber of Commerce too much. Let me tell you, it’s this number.” Rhine reached out a finger.
Everyone was shocked at the same time.
“A hundred thousand units? Impossible! There are less than two hundred thousand people in Banta City, could it be that everyone bought one?”
“Of course not. After all, other than Banta City, there are many people in our Saltan City who bought some.”
“Un, our Karma City as well.”
“There were also quite a few in our Canberra City.”
“Our Norton City as well……”
…...
After everyone finished talking, they were shocked to find that according to everyone’s report, with the Frestech Chamber of Commerce selling Automatic Magic Rice Cookers in all these cities, it wasn’t impossible to accept that over a hundred thousand units were sold.
“What? You believe it? Rhine gave a laugh, “Let me tell you all, when young miss Still came to our Karma City, I asked her in secret about this matter. She told me that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s Automatic Magic Rice Cooker sales weren’t that good because the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker is used for rice. The Lampuri Kingdom’s main grain produced is wheat and there is less rice produced, so chairman Xu was disappointed that their sales volume didn’t reach their estimates.”
“He’s still disappointed?” Everyone was surprised again, “Earning over a hundred thousand gold coins from a small Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and he’s still not satisfied? Their Frestech Chamber of Commerce isn’t a top grade company like the Chimera Chamber of Commerce, they can’t earn millions with a single move……”
“You can’t deny that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce has the possibility to become a top class company, right?” Rhine asked back.
Everyone fell silent.
Although their logic told them that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce was just a small company in a small Banta City of the Lampuri Kingdom. Even if they could develop, they would be limited to the strength of the Lampuri Kingdom. In the end, it would be impossible for them to become a powerful company like the Chimera Chamber of Commerce backed by the Candra Empire’s royal family.
These were very clear of the development history of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce in the past year. They knew that this company develop very quickly, even surpassing many people’s common knowledge. For them to defy common sense again and develop to this level, it wasn’t something impossible.
“I do feel that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce should be more practical and first become a first class company of the Lampuri Kingdom before speaking.” A reporter from Norton City casually said, “Not only Banta City, there are many companies in many cities in the kingdom that are studying magic machines right now. The Frestech Chamber of Commerce can use their advantage from being ahead to earn a large amount of money, but I don’t think these magic machines are that complicated. As long as other people are given enough time, they will be able to research more powerful magic machines than the Frestech Chamber of Commerce. When that time comes, it’ll be hard to say if the Frestech Chamber of Commerce can keep existing in the Lampuri Kingdom.”
Everyone fell silent again.
As reporters from various newspapers, of course they were more familiar with the changes in the various cities compared to normal people.
This reporter from Norton City was right. There were many companies in the Lampuri Kingdom studying magic machines right now and it wouldn’t be strange for a company or several companies to surpass the Frestech Chamber of Commerce.
“No, you’re looking down on the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s magic machines too much.” Rhine said with a faint smile, “Perhaps you think that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s magic machines seem simple, so they don’t seem difficult to copy or surpass. But based on my understanding, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s magic machines only seem simple, but aren’t simple at all. There are many companies who try to copy them, but their magic machines are much worse in terms of quality.”
Rhine pointed at a reporter from the ?Saltan Morning News?, “For example, last year there was a company in Saltan City that copied the Magic Fan. Then because their fans were lacking in quality, it caused several incidents where people’s lives were even taken, creating a very bad situation for that company.
Everyone looked at the reporter from the ?Saltan Morning News? and he revealed an awkward smile as he nodded. 𝚋𝚎𝚍𝚗ｏ𝚟𝚎𝚕.ｏｒｇ
“Right, there was such a matter.”
“Other that this, last time before the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker was announced, there were many companies that made Magic Rice Cookers that were close to the quality of the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s Magic Rice Cooker, so the Frestech Chamber of Commerce seized this chance to announce their new product. Did you see any other brand of Magic Rice Cookers after that?” Rhine asked again.
Everyone shook their heads.
“So that means the Frestech Chamber of Commerce has more cards than we thought. Not to mention that their magic machines aren’t easy to copy, even if they can be copied, they can just take out a new trick that will defeat all the challengers.” Rhine continued, “So I believe that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce will definitely become a first class company of the Lampuri Kingdom. As for whether they can become a first class company of the Sines Continent, we just have to wait and see.”
Everyone was silent for a bit before a reporter couldn’t help teasing Rhine, “Why do I feel that you have more confidence in the Frestech Chamber of Commerce than anyone else? Could it be that chairman Xu has bribed you?”
Rhine laughed, “The reason is very simple, it’s because I support goddess Still!”
“Che——”
When everyone was about to tease Rhine, they found the crowd beginning to get loud. They immediately focused themselves and looked at the center of the market square.
A group of people were coming out of the building at the center.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, other than the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s chairman Xu Yi, there was also the Banta City’s City Lord Count Sean walking along with him.
Everyone couldn’t help being surprised.
This was the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s product announcement, why would the Banta City’s City Lord be here?
Even if they heard that the Lord City Lord had a good relationship with Xu Yi, wasn’t it wrong to have him appear in person?
Everyone looked at Xu Yi and Count Sean, they also looked at a person following behind Xu Yi.
This person was different from the others. This person was covered in greyish green cloak and their face was completely covered. They couldn’t see anything at all, they couldn’t even tell their figure, so they couldn’t figure out if it was a male or female.
In this situation, why would there be someone who completely covered themself up?
Including Rhine, all the reporters sharpened their senses and their eyes gathered on this person who was hiding themself.
Their intuition told them that for today’s product announcement, this person was probably the real protagonist.
Chapter 24 Mysterious master
At nine in the morning, the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s second product announcement had formally begun.
When it had just started, the process went as everyone had expected.
In front of everyone, Xu Yi introduced the Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s newly developed product, the Magic Bread Maker.
It should be said that everyone welcomed the appearance of this thing, especially the people of Banta City.
When the Frestech Chamber of Commerce not only developed the Magic Rice Cooker and even developed on it, making the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker, it could be seen the importance placed on this product.
But the main method of eating grains in Banta City was wheat and bread made from it.
No matter how easy it was to use the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker, it wasn’t any use to the people of Banta City who weren’t use to eating rice.
Before this, the ?Banta Times? had even conducted a survey of Banta City, investigating what every hoped the next magic machine developed by the Frestech Chamber of Commerce would be.
The final result was “a magic machine that could automatically make bread” was the winner.
Now that the Frestech Chamber of Commerce had finally made the Magic Bread Maker, it could be considered finally fulfilling the hopes of many people in Banta City.
According to Xu Yi’s introduction, this square looking Magic Bread Maker that was the size of a human head was very simple to use. It just required a necessary amount of flour, water, egg, or other things that people liked to add in to be placed into the Magic Bread Maker before pressing the switch. The Magic Bread Maker would automatically mix everything and then ferment it for some time before it went on to bake the bread.
During this process, the person making the bread only needed to press the button after a certain time. They didn’t even need to mix the flour, which saved quite a bit of time.
Compared to the troublesome method of making bread yourself, it was without a doubt much easier to use the Magic Bread Maker.
After Xu Yi introduced the Magic Bread Maker, many Banta City citizens who came to watch the fun cheered out. They loudly said that they would immediately buy a Magic Bread Maker to take home.
Xu Yi accepted everyone praise with a faint smile before following the process of the product announcement, demonstrating the product in front of everyone.
Finally when he pressed the switch to start baking, Xu Yi stopped and turned to everyone to say in a loud voice, “Everyone, it’ll take around one to two hours for the bread to bake, so during this time……”
“Chairman Xu, can we ask questions?” A reporter from Saltan City impatiently asked from under the stage.
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile and shook his head, “According to normal procedure, this time should be time for everyone to ask questions, but it is different today. During this time, the Lord City Lord and I have something to announce to everyone, so I ask everyone to be patient. After this matter is announced, I will honestly answer your questions.”
Of the Banta City citizens that came to watch for fun, there were some who were prepared to leave after hearing that it would take an hour or two for the bread to finish baking. But now that they heard what Xu Yi said, they stopped out of curiosity.
The reporters right under the stage focused their minds. Their eyes kept couldn’t help looking at the mysterious person who was covered up on the stage.
If their guesses weren’t wrong, the matter that Xu Yi and Count Sean wanted to announce was very likely related to this person.
Xu Yi looked at Count Sean with a look of inquiry and Count Sean gave a slight nod back. So with a soft cough from Xu Yi, everyone began to calm down. He clapped his hand and two Frestech Chamber of Commerce workers behind him took out a large painting.
Xu Yi turned the painting and showed it to everyone under the stage.
Everyone looked over and found that it was the advertisement the Frestech Chamber of Commerce used to promote the Magic Lamp.
This painting had been on the large signs outside Banta City’s four gates for two entire months. Not mentioning Banta City’s people, even people from other cities were familiar with it.
It was because of this painting that Still’s position as a goddess was cemented in the hearts of the people. Even after she announced that she was dating Xu Yi, this wasn’t affected at all.
But…..why was Xu Yi taking this out now? In order to show off Still, this beautiful girlfriend that everyone admired?
Meeting the crowd’s doubtful gazes, Xu Yi pointed at the painting and said, “Everyone should recognize this painting and I think people shouldn’t be unfamiliar with the Magic Lamp on this painting. But does everyone know who drew this painting?”
Everyone looked at Xu Yi in surprise.
This question was indeed a large doubt in everyone’s hearts.
When this advertisement was released, it had created a large stir in Banta City and the surrounding cities.
Because this painting was just too good. Even the ordinary people who didn’t know much about art were attracted by it, so there’s no need to mention the masters of each city.
After Master Anlios denied that it was his handiwork, everyone couldn’t help guessing who made this painting.
To create this work that was deemed a work of art by all the masters of art, once this person was revealed, the world would wildly chase after them.
But no matter how they asked, they couldn’t obtain any information on this person.
There were some people who even asked Xu Yi, but they were rejected by him since the other side didn’t want to reveal themselves.
Now that Xu Yi had taken out this painting in front of everyone and raised this question, could it be…..he was finally revealing their identity?
Thinking of this, everyone looked over at Xu Yi.
Some reporters couldn’t hold back their excitement as they began asking questions.
“Chairman Xu, you’re prepared to tell us who this master is?”
Xu Yi raised his hand to calm them down, “Please be patient, I’ll give you the answer later. Before this, I have to tell you some other things first. First the Magic Lamp……”
Xu Yi pointed at the Magic Lamp in the painting as he said, “There are many people who have told me that the Magic Lamp our Frestech Chamber of Commerce has made is too beautiful, it is simply a work of art. Selling them for a gold coin each was just blasphemy.”
Many people under the stage couldn’t help secretly nodding.
This Magic Lamp had created a tidal wave of purchases in the surrounding cities after it was released because it was just too beautiful. Many people didn’t even treat it as a magic machine, but rather as a piece of art.
Some of the richer families even bought the three different kinds of Magic Lamps the Frestech Chamber of Commerce made, not to use, but rather to collect them.
Perhaps not everyone would agree that a gold coin for one is blasphemy, but everyone agreed that it was just too cheap.
“Now I’ll tell everyone that the one who drew this painting also participated in designing the Magic Lamp.” Xu Yi then said.
The crowd instantly stirred.
So the Magic Lamp and the painting were actually connected like this.
But thinking about how the Magic Lamp in the painting and the final produced Magic Lamp were very similar, many people being able to see the similar style, being filled with an artistic feel, they understood.
Then Xu Yi clapped his hand and the two Frestech Chamber of Commerce workers took down the painting. They then took out the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and the Magic Bread Maker.
Xu Yi held them up with one in each hand, “Everyone look, are the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and the Magic Bread Maker beautiful?”
Everyone was stunned, as they looked up at the two magic machines in Xu Yi’s hands.
It was currently the morning and the April sun wasn’t blinding. Shining down on the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and the Magic Bread Maker’s silver casing, it reflected a silver light that wasn’t dazzling.
Although the two magic machines had different appearances, looking at them, they were very smooth and natural. It didn’t seem like they were carved by an artisan at all and this was the natural appearance of those two magic machines.
Many people felt very comfortable seeing these two magic machines for the first time. Now that Xu Yi had mentioned it, they couldn’t help nodding their heads and praising their beauty.
Although describing these two lumps of metal as beautiful made people feel a bit strange, other than the beautiful, they really couldn’t think of anything else to describe it with.
Rhine thought of something and asked in a loud voice, “Chairman Xu, you wouldn’t be saying that the Automatic Magic Rice Cooker and the Magic Bread Maker were all designed by that master, right?”
Xu Yi revealed a faint smile, “That is right. That master indeed worked on designing this, but this design was not made by her alone and was the result of our Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s design department working together.”
“Design department?” Everyone was a bit surprised, “What is that?”
“The so called design department mainly designs the appearance of our Frestech Chamber of Commerce’s products. Take a look, this is the same Magic Bread Maker. I’ll put this Magic Bread Maker with a lump of black iron that has the same ability as it, but which one would you choose?”
“Of course the prettier one!” A person under the stage replied in a loud voice.
The crowd instantly agreed.
Xu Yi laughed, “That means that our design department works on this. Our Frestech Chamber of Commerce not only wants to give everyone useful products, but we also want to ensure they look good. Only like this would everyone be willing to spend their money when they buy our products, don’t you think so?”
The reporters under the stage looked at each other before they looked at Rhine, thinking about what Rhine had said before.
The Frestech Chamber of Commerce had many cards people didn’t know about. Other companies were still studying how to copy the magic machines, but the Frestech Chamber of Commerce was already considering the design of the magic machines.
Just based on this, they surpassed the other companies researching magic machines by an unknown amount.