"Increase returns without raising costs?"
Lu Yi fell into thought at Tang Ya's question.
Had the drive to cut costs and boost efficiency reached this place too?
But Lu Yi had no advice to offer on that front.
His entire approach was to spend money to motivate his members and rapidly strengthen the Ministry of Magic.
Since its launch, his Potions Class had overtaken blacksmithing as the course that drew the most enthusiasm. The reason was simple: whenever someone successfully brewed a batch of potion, its maker received ten percent of the profit from its sale.
Both paid commissions, but potions were far more profitable than blacksmithing.
Metalworking had already become an industry operating at scale, with prices largely settled. Depending on the metal, Hundred Refinement usually raised its value to several times the raw material cost. Even if a blacksmith took all the profit, it was nowhere near what potions could earn.
These members attended Potions Class once every five days. Between classes, they prepared the ingredients needed for brewing.
As a result, after each class, anyone whose potion met the standard could earn a reward of hundreds or even thousands of Gold Soul Coins. Every five days brought a strong chance of making that kind of money.
The pay was so high that many of them would gladly have signed themselves away for life. After all, they would never find another livelihood that earned so much without stealing or robbing.
By now, Lu Yi no longer needed to push anyone. The entire Ministry of Magic had become the most fiercely competitive place around.
Back at Shrek, these people had cultivated step by step, keeping a steady pace and balancing work with rest. Passing their assessments had been enough.
With their talents, no amount of effort would let them