Chapter 53: The Money-Making Booklet

Seeing Chai Xiao nodding as he listened, Jian Lei grew more confident.

“Everyone, look—these materials are incredibly detailed.”

“Many of the battle records aren’t that impressive; I’m better than some of these. Maybe I should give it a try.”

“If I sign up, would there be detailed information about me here? Maybe I could even make it into the top sixty-four!”

Zhu Que, Jian Yu, and Jian Feng kept expressing their amazement.

“The young master’s move will surely boost the number of applicants. It benefits the Fourth Great Method while also supporting the top three methods!”

“After all, the more people sign up, the more spectators will buy tickets to attend, increasing spending on food, drinks, and lottery tickets!”

“I think I’m beginning to understand what the young master meant by emphasizing both division of labor and cooperation!”

Chai Xiao smiled and nodded, signaling to Jian Lei.

“When you sell the first volume, label it ‘Volume One.’”

“Below that, add a line in small print: ‘Filtered based on registration; for reference only.’”

Jian Lei quickly recorded the instructions, repeatedly agreeing.

“That’s a great idea! If the numbers grow large enough, we can release ‘Volume Two,’ priced at…”

Chai Xiao exchanged a glance with her and said in unison,

“Maintain the price at three hundred wen, and keep the registration channel open!”

“Ha ha ha!”

Chai Xiao paused, then emphasized,

“For the elimination battle volumes, you can invite some martial arts masters from Wang City and nearby.”

“Their commentary at this stage will be more credible than the officials’ earlier remarks.”

“The earlier mixed grids will include two new elements.”

“The first is expert reputations.”

“Predictions from renowned masters about how far the top fighters from the preliminary rounds might advance, and how they might claim victory today.”

“The second is an accurate description of the previous day’s preliminary battles.”

“Within ten moves, kicking the opponent known as ‘Iron Vajra’ directly off the stage.”

“Winning by knocking down the ‘Bearded Guest’ three times in a row with only three moves, each strike lethal.”

“Fighting the ‘Golden Monkey’ to the last moment, winning by points.”

“Adding these two elements allows us to publish two volumes.”

“The titles will differ slightly from the previous day’s, becoming livelier and more dynamic.”

“One could be called ‘Top Thirty-Two Battle Fantasia,’ the other ‘The Complete Sixty-Four Capture.’”

Jian Lei and the others almost burst out laughing at these titles.

But upon reflection, the young master was right: a martial contest isn’t a strict examination. It’s better to be a bit entertaining—people enjoy that more.

Chai Xiao added further,

“For ‘The Complete Sixty-Four Capture,’ you could recruit some skilled sketch artists. During the bouts, provide them chairs so they can watch and draw.”

“Then, include exciting scenes—kicking opponents off the stage, three knockdowns, neck-and-neck battles, mutual hits, and so forth.”

“Each player will have their moments, placed before the detailed profiles.”

“The two volumes differ: the first focuses on analyzing the top thirty-two with concise data; the second emphasizes thoroughness.”

“As for pricing…”

Everyone held their breath, expecting the young master to set it at over one tael, at least double the three hundred wen.

But surprisingly, he only added one hundred wen.

“Let’s price them at four hundred wen!”

“Ah!”

Everyone’s jaws dropped in disbelief.

Jian Lei couldn’t help but voice his concern.

“Young master! That’s far too low!”

Chai Xiao smiled and shook his head.

“I know you all want to price it at six hundred wen or even more than a tael.”

“But have you considered that if it’s too expensive, no one will be able to afford it, and enthusiasm will fade?”

“Over one tael, people might hesitate, and several might have to chip in to buy a single copy.”

“But at four hundred wen, everyone will feel it’s worth it and even take pride in owning such a finely crafted volume.”

“If almost everyone has one, why fear earning less?”

His final words, almost a Buddhist admonition, were soft but struck everyone like a revelation.

Indeed!

Four hundred wen per volume is already no small sum.

Four hundred wen can buy a hundred dou of rice—enough to eat for nearly a year.

An individual’s annual expenses average about two taels; four hundred wen approaches half a year’s costs.

Moreover, the live audience might reach tens of thousands. Even if only ten thousand buy a copy, that’s four thousand taels.

Selling two volumes simultaneously amounts to eight thousand taels—a handsome profit.

And this is just the first day of elimination battles; there’s more to come!

Seeing their changing expressions, Chai Xiao guessed they were beginning to grasp the plan.

“Gathering intelligence is an art beyond mere words. If done well, it will surely bring great wealth!”

“For the following days of elimination battles, each day can have two volumes: one ‘Battle Fantasia’ and one ‘Complete Capture.’”

“The ‘Battle Fantasia’ commentary will be updated; the ‘Complete Capture’ images and information will be fresh.”

“You will gradually realize how vital the original news packages are.”

“Especially for the rounds involving the sixty-four, thirty-two, and even the finals—never release all information at once; save some for later.”

“Gradually increasing content keeps people engaged and willing to spend more.”

“For the round from thirty-two to sixteen, both volumes can add a hundred wen, priced at five hundred wen.”

“Prices will follow this pattern up to the finals.”

“The revival matches can be included with the official bouts in the same volume or separately—people will love that.”

“For the final championship, price both volumes at nine hundred wen, just under one tael—that’s perfect!”

“But after the champion is decided, we can still release volumes—or rather, actual books. Can you imagine that?”

Jian Lei and the others scratched their heads in confusion.

“The contest is over; who would want to read more?”

Zhu Que, Jian Yu, and Zhang Bao shared their puzzlement.

Chai Xiao laughed heartily.

“Of course people will!”

“Think of a catchy title!”

“For example, ‘Complete Review of the Martial Marriage Contest,’ or ‘Highlights from the Marriage Challenge Arena,’ even ‘Peak Figures of Great Wang City.’”

“The first volume would be comprehensive.”

“It records every match from preliminaries to finals, with a brief report and an illustration for each.”

“The second volume is a selection.”

“From all matches, it picks out the most talked-about moments, fixed in drawings and words.”

“Without eloquence, action falters. Printed in volumes, it becomes eternal.”

“Years later, people will still mention these stories in every street and alley, spreading endlessly.”

“Some will even imitate the scenes to recreate battles and refine their martial arts—a long-term benefit!”

“The third volume lists the top twenty elite fighters, detailing their progression with illustrations.”

“Plus a few who performed excellently but were eliminated early by the eventual champions.”

“Under their portraits, a note: ‘Tragic yet worthy of respect.’”

“This way, we have both heat and heart.”

“These three volumes, priced at nine hundred wen plus an additional hundred wen, totaling one tael, would be perfect.”

“Surely someone will buy them?”

Everyone responded enthusiastically.

“Definitely!”

Jian Lei set down his pen, leading Jian Ni and Jian Hong to clasp their fists over their chests.

“Young master! We are determined to accomplish this grand money-making plan. Confident it won’t be worse than the first three methods—at least ten thousand taels!”

“Ha ha!”

Everyone laughed, but only Yun Shufei’s eyes glistened with tears.

This son, who once caused so much worry, was no longer a fool but a business prodigy on par with Wang Hai, Fan Li, Bai Gui, and Dou Yi.

No wonder he claimed that, given time, he could train all these people to become like those greats.

The reason was simple: he himself was already such a figure, able to nurture others.

Chai Xiao tapped the stone table with a leaf and deliberately put on a stern face.

“Not bad! I’ve only outlined the first two steps. The last step hasn’t even been mentioned, yet you’re already so certain of earning ten thousand taels?”