Chapter 546: Combining Three Types of Promotions

Jiang Fang, the owner of Yangfan Restaurant, slowly scanned the faces of everyone present. As the host of this gathering, in addition to coming up with ideas, he was also responsible for guiding the direction of the discussions.

Seeing that everyone agreed with Ling Weifeng’s words, Jiang Fang spoke up, “Since everyone believes that Linji Inn can no longer rely on such luck, it’s time to discuss how to handle our promotions. In my opinion, Linji Inn’s Spirit Stone Heaters and Pipeline Floral Scents are indeed something none of our restaurants’ promotions can match. But if we combine all our promotions, they might not be inferior to Linji Inn’s.”

“The problem is, we only have five types of promotions left,” said Peng Kun, the owner of Qiumu Restaurant, helplessly. “Moreover, among these five, many are conflicting with each other, and we need to eliminate those that clash. If we calculate carefully, we’re left with just three. Together, their effectiveness might not be worse than Linji Inn’s Spirit Stone Heaters and Pipeline Floral Scents, but their duration will definitely be shorter.”

Liu Dahua, the owner of Qianye Restaurant, nodded in agreement. “Boss Peng is absolutely right. More importantly, even if we combine our promotions, we still won’t be able to completely suppress Linji Inn. This goes against our original intention of withdrawing from these promotions. It means we’ll spend a lot of money, while Linji Inn won’t suffer any loss at all.”

“What if we don’t do that and withdraw the remaining promotions?” Jiang Fang retorted. “In that case, not only will Linji Inn suffer no loss, but it might even thrive further. Our losses will be even greater.”

Everyone fell silent. Jiang Fang’s words made them realize they had no choice at all. Whether they delayed or canceled the promotions, the losses would only increase. It was better to risk spending more money to combine the three types of promotions, at least to counteract some of Linji Inn’s new Spirit Stone Heaters and Pipeline Floral Scents. Although it wouldn’t completely offset them, it could at least help withstand the initial peak of their popularity. This way, the fifteen top restaurants wouldn’t suffer empty tables. By the time the effect of the three combined promotions faded, Linji Inn’s Spirit Stone Heaters and Pipeline Floral Scents would also lose much of their appeal.

“Well… how should we allocate it? If we pick out those that conflict with each other, our Renheng Restaurant is one of them,” said Li Yiliang, the owner of Renheng Restaurant. “All the other restaurants have also benefited from the publicity for some time. If our Renheng Restaurant’s publicity efforts are excluded, wouldn’t that be a huge loss for us? But if you expect us to compensate you for the publicity costs, I doubt anyone will agree, right?”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Compensating Li Yiliang for the publicity costs would mean that Renheng Restaurant contributed nothing at all to this alliance. In a situation where Linji Inn was unable to resist, perhaps no one would object—after all, they would gain corresponding benefits. But this time, no one had reaped significant benefits from the publicity. If Renheng Restaurant stayed out of it, it would essentially increase the losses of the other top restaurants.
No one would be foolish enough to do something that harms themselves while benefiting others.
“In my opinion, we can do as before—have the accountants calculate how much silver should be compensated to Renheng Restaurant. We should try to keep the immediate benefits of all fifteen restaurants roughly equal,” said Jiang Fang. “That way, I believe everyone will agree. Boss Li, we’re all in the same boat; I’m sure you won’t object to sharing weal and woe with us, right?”
Li Yiliang hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding. As Jiang Fang said, they were all in the same boat. He had to share the losses with the other top restaurants; otherwise, even if the alliance remained intact, he would be kicked out. In either case—whether the alliance won or Linji Inn won—Renheng Restaurant would still suffer.
“Since Boss Li has no objections, I think everyone else shouldn’t object either, right?” said Jiang Fang.
Everyone shook their heads. Sharing the losses was something they certainly wouldn’t object to.
“The next issue is where to place these three types of publicity that don’t conflict with each other,” Jiang Fang said, scanning the faces of the others. His gaze lingered for a second or two longer when it met Ling Weifeng’s.
“I think it’s most appropriate to put them at our Guilai Restaurant,” said Wang Yuhuan, the owner of Guilai Restaurant, in a loud voice. “According to our original plan, it’s our turn next, and based on our planned bids, it’s also our restaurant that will spend the most. Naturally, the three types of publicity should be placed at our Guilai Restaurant.”
“In that case, Boss Wang, by the rules, you’ll have to pay extra,” Jiang Fang said with a smile.

Wang Yuhan’s gaze froze, and he was unable to speak. If Lin’s Inn couldn’t withstand such promotion, he certainly wouldn’t mind spending a large sum of money. His willingness to invest was among the highest among the owners of the fifteen top restaurants, even surpassing Ling Weifeng of Fenglin Restaurant. This was precisely why Guilai Restaurant could secure the best promotion—because he was willing to spend money to benefit other restaurants as well.

But now, it seemed the fifteen top restaurants were indeed fighting back against Lin’s Inn’s promotion. The combined effect of these three types of promotion was significant, yet it still wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Lingshi Heaters and Pipeline Flowers.

Failing to become the most popular restaurant meant the effect wasn’t very strong, which wouldn’t bring much benefit to future business. Spending a large sum of money for this was clearly not cost-effective.

“Boss Ling, your Fenglin Restaurant is also included in these three types of promotion. Moreover, your restaurant is well-known for its wealth. Shouldn’t it be easy for you to cover this cost?” Jiang Fang turned to look at Ling Weifeng. He had targeted Fenglin Restaurant from the start, believing it was the most suitable for these promotions. Firstly, Fenglin Restaurant had substantial financial resources, so such losses wouldn’t bother them much. Secondly, as one of the most renowned restaurants in the capital, using them for promotion would yield even better results.

Everyone nodded in agreement. They lacked Wang Yuhan’s boldness and didn’t want to take on the effort of implementing these three types of promotion in their own restaurants. Thus, their thoughts were the same as Jiang Fang’s.

“I believe the cost of these three types of promotion should be shared equally. In other words, we fifteen restaurants should first calculate the total loss and then determine how much each one needs to pay based on the effectiveness of the promotion. Those with better results—like Fenglin Restaurant, which uses all three types of promotion—should pay more, while those with poor results or none at all can pay much less.”

Ling Weifeng glanced quietly around the room, his tone indifferent. Apart from a slight darkening of his expression, nothing revealed his inner thoughts.

No one knew he was an undercover agent. Naturally, no one knew he didn’t want to get involved in this mess at all. By using Fenglin Restaurant for these promotions, and given its reputation, the results would naturally be better. This also meant opposing Lin’s Inn. Ling Weifeng didn’t want unnecessary complications; he just wanted to remain a quiet undercover agent and find ways to prolong the conflict between the two sides as much as possible—until a new emperor ascended the throne was what he desired the most.

“By your reasoning, I’m also willing to have the three types of promotions carried out at our Guilai Restaurant,” Wang Yuhan said, somewhat dissatisfied.
“If Boss Wang is willing, I certainly wouldn’t dare compete,” Ling Weifeng replied indifferently.
“Alright, then let’s hold them at our Guilai Restaurant,” Wang Yuhan decided without hesitation. As long as the rewards met his expectations, he wouldn’t mind spending a lot of silver. In his view, the extra two rounds of promotion were worth it.
The group fell silent for a moment. Since no one else claimed it, and since Fenglin Restaurant seemed the most suitable option, Ling Weifeng, appearing uninterested, also nodded in agreement.
“Since that’s the case, the three types of promotions will be held at Guilai Restaurant. Does anyone have any objections?” Jiang Fang asked loudly.
“I agree to have the three promotions at Guilai Restaurant!”
“I agree too.”
“I agree!”
Soon, everyone expressed their approval.
“Next is the timing of the promotions,” Jiang Fang asked. “Do anyone have any suggestions?”
“I think the sooner, the better, so as to prevent Linji Inn from gaining momentum. Otherwise, it will be much harder to suppress them once they gain strength,” said Yang Cheng’an, the owner of Yansun Restaurant.
“I also think we should launch them as soon as possible,” Liu Ciyue, the owner of Haoye Restaurant, nodded in agreement.
After brief consideration, the others also voiced their support. The earlier they launched the promotions, the sooner they could compete with Linji Inn at its peak. Although the effectiveness of the three promotions might be reduced, it could still prevent Linji Inn from becoming the most famous restaurant in the capital thanks to its spirit stone heaters and piped floral scents.
“Since everyone agrees, let’s settle on that. Tomorrow morning, we’ll send our accountants to meet and calculate the costs and benefits of these promotions,” Jiang Fang asked.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Finally, it’s time to discuss our next steps,” Jiang Fang said. “Does anyone have any ideas?”
Unusually, no one responded. Those present, capable of managing such a large business, were none simple, but they weren’t gods either. Coming up with good ideas through collective brainstorming wasn’t something that could be done in a short time.

After waiting for a while and seeing that no one stepped forward to start a discussion, Jiang Fang thought for a moment before speaking up loudly, “Since no one can come up with any good ideas for now, and since the main approach remains the three types of promotion, let’s put off the next steps for now. How about everyone goes back and thinks it over, then we arrange a time to meet again?”
Everyone nodded; it was indeed the only option. Fortunately, Lin’s Inn was just lucky, and there was no need to worry that they would come up with some strategy to capitalize on their advantage. Delaying things by a night or so wasn’t a big deal.