Chapter 2011: Business Starship Market
The first day of the parent-teacher conference.
The entire planet of the academy was quite lively.
Although this is a military academy, the children here are all under the age of thirteen.
Even though they now have far more experience and abilities than their peers.
But fundamentally, they are still children, and they still want to present themselves well in front of their parents.
At this moment, various starships are constantly arriving at the space station outside the planet.
Although it may appear to be just a parent-teacher meeting, with some attendees simply there to participate, a portion of parents still see it as a platform to expand their social circles.
After all, everyone knows that the children selected for this academy are very talented, but they are often from wealthy and powerful families.
This is absolutely the perfect opportunity to expand your social circle.
To expand one's social circle, one must first make oneself appear valuable.
Therefore, these people will generally showcase their strengths.
For example, a starship that came by.
Although most of them are not orthodox interstellar warships, they all come from the JF-17 series.
"So, there are so many interstellar warships in our Xiaolong series that I've never seen before." Zhao Chen himself was sitting on an ordinary starship, looking at the various interstellar warships outside.
"These are all commercial versions of starships."
It is a starship specifically sold to these groups of people.
For example, that ship wasn't large, but the technology it used actually came from the T5 Holy Redeemer-class heavy interstellar armored battleship.
However, because the T5 Holy Redeemer-class heavy interstellar armored battleship was too large, it was scaled down several times.
Some weapon modules were also removed.
The compartments of these weapon modules were transformed into high-class bedrooms, relaxation areas, entertainment areas, and other non-combat areas, greatly enhancing the living experience.
These interstellar warships are often labeled as part of the Xiaolong series of interstellar warships, and also as sister ships of the T5 Holy Redeemer class heavy interstellar armored heavy artillery battleship.
In this way, even if this starship is not a real interstellar warship, at least everyone knows that it is closely related to the Holy Redeemer-class heavy interstellar armored battleship.
"In short, it's about saving face," the secretary explained to Zhao Chen from the side.
"This is my family's parent-teacher conference, but I could have come by myself."
"And I've made you all come along too." Zhao Chen looked at his secretary, the guards behind him, and other relevant personnel.
This is just what I saw; who knows how many more people were following behind?
"This is what we should do."
Although this is still within our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire universe.
"However, given your status, whether you are attending this occasion incognito or concealing your identity, while overt security can be reduced, we will not take your safety lightly in the slightest!" the secretary said firmly.
Zhao Chen was helpless. He knew these people's personalities and how they were concerned about their safety.
They will not make any concessions.
"In short, my daughter said that at this parent-teacher conference I was just an interstellar trader, not the Emperor of the Dragons."
You must not reveal my identity.
"Otherwise, my daughter will throw a tantrum at me," Zhao Chen warned.
"Don't worry about that, we've already made all the arrangements," the secretary said confidently.
Emperor Zhao Chen looked at the endless stream of novel starships.
He returned to the topic and asked, "What about the price of these interstellar warships?"
With so much stuff cut, the construction cost must have been significantly lower.
"Yes.
Take, for example, the business version of this T5 Holy Redeemer-class heavy interstellar armored battleship.
Its standard version costs only 400 million Star Coins.
Its price is 80 billion Star Coins, and with some add-ons and custom modifications, the price will reach 100 billion Star Coins. "This figure was revealed by the secretary."
This surprised Zhao Chen.
"A starship that costs 400 million to build can be sold for 100 billion star coins?"
Wouldn't that be more than two hundred times the profit?
"The profit margin is even higher than that of arms!" Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised.
"In some ways, these starships are already considered luxury items."
Their profit margins are very high, but their sales volume is actually not high.
For example, the monthly sales volume of this T5 Holy Redeemer-class heavy interstellar armored heavy cannon battleship business model may only be around thirty units.
They were customized, not by royalty or nobility from other interstellar civilizations, but by owners of large conglomerates.
The ship in front of us...
After a brief examination of the documents, the secretary found the owner's information.
"The owner of this ship is the boss of a group engaged in the interstellar transportation industry."
It can also be considered a family business. The family's overall strength ranks among the top 1,000 in the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire and among the top 3,000 in the entire Xiaolong Universe Group.
They mainly deal in trade and transportation.
Among his family members are more than a dozen who serve in our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire.
The one who holds the highest rank in the military was just promoted to brigadier general this year.
In the clerical field, there is an executive officer who serves as the head of an entire galaxy!
It can be said to have a very solid foundation.
Two of them were soldiers who had died multiple times on the battlefield and had been forcibly retired to the second line.
After hearing this introduction...
It's no wonder that this family business holds such a high position in the Dragon Star Empire and has the wealth to acquire such a luxurious starship.
"The family business makes a profit of about one trillion Singapore dollars a year."
"One trillion star coins, which means that we used almost a month's profit to buy such a starship."
"It's a bit extravagant, but it's still within an acceptable range." Zhao Chen nodded.
Within the existing Xiaolong Interstellar Empire system, large family enterprises like these inevitably have intricate connections with the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire's military and political system.
This is something that cannot be avoided at all.
"Although in the business sector, those within the system will provide some conveniences."
However, according to the records of the Imperial Guard, he was considered well-behaved and hadn't crossed any red lines. The secretary said, "Aside from a rather ostentatious and extravagant lifestyle, there shouldn't be any major problems."
Zhao Chen also understood the principle that "if the water is too clear, there will be no fish."
Therefore, Zhao Chen would not delve into minor issues, but simply had the Imperial Guards record them all.
We'll settle accounts when these people cause a major disaster.
As for extravagance and waste, those are personal habits.
"So be it, so be it."
This is what they deserve; whether they are frugal or extravagant is their own choice.
"It's like that saying, 'We've suffered for so many years, what's wrong with enjoying ourselves a little?'" Zhao Chen said, unable to suppress a laugh.
The secretary nodded silently.
"However, the profit margin for commercial starships is still quite good."
"To achieve the highest profit with the lowest output," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
"This area has always been under the control of our Xiaolong Interstellar Empire."
"Our wholly-owned subsidiary is responsible for this part of the production. Other starship manufacturers are not permitted to manufacture or sell this part. If they are found doing so, we will revoke all manufacturing rights for the Xiaolong series interstellar warships," the secretary said.
Zhao Chen nodded knowingly; such a good money-making machine should naturally be kept for himself.
Seeing that Emperor Xiaolong was so interested in this area.
The secretary then gave Zhao Chen a detailed explanation: "Regarding the commercial starship..."
Currently, our highest-level product is the T6, but it is very expensive.
So far, fewer than thirty ships have been sold.
Those who ordered these thirty ships were mostly royalty and nobles from various interstellar civilizations.
Even ordinary large families cannot afford it.
Secondly, there's the T5.
T4 level is more commonly used.
However, the T4 level still belongs to the small boss level.
The price of a single ship is basically around two billion Star Coins, and the profit margin is around two hundred times. This is also our main market at present.
We are also working in lower-tier markets.
The main types are the T3-class business-class interstellar warships aimed at the elite and the T2 and T1-class business-class interstellar warships aimed at the general public.
"There are T1 level ones too?" Zhao Chen was somewhat surprised.
"Yes, this was specifically instructed by Secretary Lilith."
We need to enable people at the bottom to make money, and at the same time, we need to enable them to spend money. Only in this way can the capital and trade of our Dragon Star Empire flow. Otherwise, it will just be a stagnant pool.
This allows ordinary people to enjoy these kinds of products.
Currently, the best-selling product in each category on the market is 【product name】.
The T3-level Blizzard-class light interstellar battlecruiser business model is priced at 300,000 Star Credits.
Three hundred thousand star coins is something that the slightly higher-paid elite class can afford in about a year or two.
The T2 level is much cheaper and is aimed at ordinary people.
The best-selling model is the business version of the T2 Tibetan Mastiff-class medium-sized interstellar destroyer, which costs only 10,000 Star Coins. Even with a series of upgrades, it will not exceed 20,000 Star Coins.
An average family can afford it with six months to a year's salary.
The T1 level is a relatively inexpensive business model, designed to allow everyone to own their own starship, even though this starship is only about the size of a shuttle and has very low specifications.
However, it can still meet the needs of the vast majority of people, and it is much cheaper than the previous T1 starship.
It allows ordinary people at the bottom of society to also explore the vast universe, proving that the stars and the sea are not unreachable places for them.
Among these, the best-selling is the Wolf King-class medium-sized star destroyer, a model you may not have heard of.
It actually changed its name; it was originally called the Wolfhound-class Medium Star Destroyer.
However, because the name "wolf louse" was not very good, it was changed to "wolf king" when sold to the public.
Its price is only one thousand star coins, which is extremely low.
After listening to the secretary's explanation of this industry.
Zhao Chen was somewhat amazed. In places he was unaware of, the various industries of the Xiaolong Interstellar Empire had become increasingly sophisticated.
Even these basic needs have been taken into account.
This is all thanks to Lilith and the others. If he had to rely on himself alone, Zhao Chen didn't know if he could have managed to take care of everything.
"Your Majesty, we may disembark now."
As required by the college's parent-teacher association, no one's starship is allowed to directly land on the planet. They must dock at a starport and then take a space elevator to enter the planet.
"If you need any arrangements, that's fine too..." The secretary looked at Emperor Zhao Chen.
As the Emperor of the Dragon, Zhao Chen can go anywhere he wants.
"No need, I'm just an ordinary parent today."
We'll arrange things the same way we do for everyone else.
Don't make anyone special.
"Look at what I'm wearing today, it's just ordinary, isn't it?" Zhao Chen stood up and showed off his clothes.
A very simple black velvet coat, because the temperature on the planet is currently around 5°C, which is considered winter.
Therefore, everyone wears thicker clothes.
However, Zhao Chen's outfit was a bit over the top, especially with the diamond ring on his finger and other accessories.
At first glance, it really does give off a nouveau riche vibe.
At this moment, Zhao Chen also took out a pair of sunglasses and put them on.
"Alright, I have to go to my daughter's parent-teacher conference." Zhao Chen said, then put his hands in his pockets and walked out.
The secretary immediately instructed the people around him: "Immediately enter His Majesty's remote protection mode."
His Majesty the Emperor has disembarked. His safety must be ensured from now on!
"One group is in position."
"Team Two is in position remotely."
"Group Three has taken over all surveillance channels on this planet."
"The four teams are ready to respond to any combat needs at any time!"
At this moment, in many unseen places, an invisible hand has already surrounded this planet.
Countless eyes were fixed on the man dressed in an exaggerated manner.
"You didn't tell His Majesty the Emperor that his attire looked quite ordinary."
But are all of them top-tier luxury items?
"It just wasn't labeled." The deputy next to the secretary asked curiously.
That outfit cost several million star coins.
And that diamond ring, which looks quite small, doesn't it seem rather unremarkable?
However, its sister diamond was auctioned off for hundreds of millions of Star Dollars.
So you could say that Zhao Chen's outfit looks extravagant, but its actual price is even more extravagant.
That's right.
And those sunglasses.
The price is also in the millions of Star Coins.
Because whether it's the materials, the lenses, or the technology used, they are all state-of-the-art.
They originated from the Imperial Academy of Sciences, and the total number of them did not exceed ten.
It's in demand but priceless!
Zhao Chen himself was naturally unaware of these things.
His outfit was exactly what he thought was the most suitable for the nouveau riche status of an interstellar trader.