Chapter 1661
Chapter 1661 - 1657 War Wealth
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Lu Ping’an was not in a rush to head to the battlefield...once the war machine is fully activated, it’s not something that can be resolved within a few days or a month.
Every individual, every force has their own role...
"How are we doing? How is the company’s operation? How is the training of our reserve forces?"
Initiating war is not just a reckless charge typical of a primitive society; rather, the entire nation becomes a war machine, with all human resources being just a part of it.
Facing a collective invasion from entire ethnic groups and multiple worlds, only if our own nation strikes back with full force can we match the opponent’s level.
War is a consumption of both sides; logistics and the operation of the industrial chain during the war are one of the core decisive factors. Lu Ping’an is not in a hurry to interfere with the frontline; he first needs to sort out the development of his home base and adapt his forces to the situation.
"Everything is running smoothly. We mainly operate in three areas....."
Catherine began to report directly.
This time, given the magnitude of the event, the core shareholders and high-level executives of Rebirth Company all came.
They need to clarify the company’s achievements during this period and the direction of future development....in national-level, plane-level wars, all companies, forces, and individuals are inevitably just one part of the industrial chain, and it’s of utmost priority to quickly determine one’s developmental goals.
"First is the regular business sector, which includes local business operations and Foreign Domain business transactions. Overall, it’s very healthy, but many of our employees in the Foreign Domain have requested to return and join the fight....."
The Rebirth Chamber of Commerce has developed into a comprehensive large company, with many business projects both in the Foreign Domain and domestically, and some that involve civilian affairs have professional managers to follow up.
This includes education (professional training), Magic Plants trading, Beast Taming culturing—primarily sales of various goods and services, and also where most of the cash flow comes from...this aspect is actually the least important, but it has the most employees.
Having employees from the Exotic Realm wanting to come back to fight? That’s to be expected.
".....Deny their requests, but make a note of those who applied. Give them priority for promotions. If they’re still on the job after six months, grant them a bonus equivalent to one year’s salary. Tell them that we encourage loyalty and courage, but not gratuitous actions. Even by working in their positions, they can exert pressure on the Octopus Forces..."
To bring those commercial employees back to the battlefield? Better not.
And Lu Ping’an is speaking the truth. The Vengeful Fishman Kingdom, supported by Mercury 42, is also bleeding the Octopus Forces. Lu Ping’an’s company over there is also strengthening the resistance forces of Mercury 42, naturally helping to indirectly save his own world.
Of course, there are definitely some Strongmen who will find their way back on their own.....That, Lu Ping’an will not manage. If he encounters them later, he might give them additional consideration.
"...Right, I’ve spoken with the Ancient City municipal government. They want us to release some of our grain reserves to suppress the prices. What do you think?"
"I have no objections."
"Can we afford it?"
"Yes, we can. Our Forest Land has quite substantial grain reserves..."
Lu Ping’an’s side operates a clear "Bio Company"....Grains aren’t their main line of business, but with expansion of their Beast Taming and Gardener territories, a large amount of grain naturally accumulates as a byproduct.
Having it stored is just having it exist; sometimes, batches are sent to Mercury 42 as ingredients for "hometown dishes."
Compared to those grain merchants who are collectively raising prices, it’s more cost-effective to let a force like Lu Ping’an, who is not very profit-driven, take action.
To compete with Extraordinary Forces in terms of stockpiles and production efficiency? Hopefully, those local grain merchants won’t be so crazy.
Why not directly seize them? On one hand, some are relics of the old era with foreign backing; on the other hand, considering the long term, it’s better to let them handle it themselves before the market environment fails...Only those unaware of the private conversations between the Eastern Country Official and Lu Ping’an would naturally attribute it to market behavior.
When Lu Ping’an’s side can no longer hold out, letting some managers join the fray would be more effective and also bolster the confidence of those business companies.
".....Alright, let’s do that. Oh, and as a return, there are some industries we can get involved in. Here’s a list of companies we can consider acquiring, and the Official will help us."
This is not collusion between government and business; in a sense, it’s Lu Ping’an cushioning the blow for the government.
The actions that war is most likely to cause include not just price gouging, especially for food, but also capital and company flight.....Some foreign enterprises have chosen to leave the Ancient City and Eastern Country market after the war fully erupted.
They’ve moved either to third or fourth-tier cities or left with their wealth to become rich exiles, or directly initiated a Doomsday bunker plan.....It’s worth mentioning that the relatively safe "Red Star" has become a major destination for their relocation, likely because they see it as inland-dominated and thus unlikely to be drawn into the battlefield.
The companies, goods, and storefronts they leave behind, if neglected, will cause a series of problems.....For example, if the Operators and leaders of "Coca-Cola" run off with the funds, leaving behind production lines and inventory, civilian consumers still have this need.
At such times, perhaps "Coca-Colo" is needed...Local officials who are trusted or even state-owned enterprises directly take over and reorganize to ensure a smooth transition.
Now, some foreign capital and private businesses have fled Ancient City, and they are part of the industrial chain and societal demand. From the Official’s perspective, entrusting them to a trusted "civilian force" like Lu Ping’an is a very good choice.
It’s a return, a responsibility, and a great gamble.....Winning the bet would mean a direct surge in assets, losing would lead to a chain of losses. Who knows what problems these companies and products will face during the war; perhaps the demand changes, maybe the raw materials collapse.
"It’s fine, we’ll take them all...If worse comes to worst, relocate to Mercury 42. Any civilian company, technology, products, can be assimilated over there."
"Uh, this really isn’t dumping on a colony....."
"Don’t use that word, please call it free trade."
After brief consultation, the decision, which would initially lose money but would bring great profits in the long term, was directly passed.
Having confirmed that all daily operations are in a positive cycle, Lu Ping’an then turned his attention to two more crucial areas.
One is the franchised trade in arms, which includes various Extraordinary-related education, training, product manufacturing, and services, with a relatively small total volume (quantity of goods), but a staggering profit margin.
The other side is even more important, also the very reason why Lu Ping’an must hold a shareholder meeting this time.
"Forest Land.....that Holy Land which continually produces Extraordinaries, how should we handle it during the war?"
— End of Chapter 1661 —