Chapter 1773
Chapter 1773 - 1769: Malicious Competition
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Lu Ping’an’s strategy, in truth, was fairly simple and crude, even bordering on excessive.
This was a classic mindset of the internet era: burning money in the early stages to seize market share, tolerating losses for however many years, as long as everyone ends up using your products.
However, due to the internet of this worldline (Spirit Awakening Machinery) being rather tragic—merely used as a tool—many technologies had taken alternative paths, which naturally left this developmental route wide open.
"I can afford the losses, and so can the other major corporations..."
Lu Ping’an shrugged. While it sounded like a losing game, this was probably the most ruthless form of market competition.
From the results, the end scenario might look like this: five or six thousand armed setups, but for companies and manufacturers outside this joint effort, the costs would exceed a hundred thousand.
𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
This had already gone beyond market competition—it was at the level of malicious dumping to kill off competitors.
The low-end Extraordinary market was bound to be monopolized by the associations and alliances Lu Ping’an was creating, and as time passed, most newcomers would adopt the weapons of this system.
"Uh, aren’t you afraid of government intervention?"
This was clearly unhealthy market behavior. You’ve effectively monopolized everything—what comes next is hard to imagine.
"It’s just monopolizing the ultra-low-end market... that’s why I’ve come here."
In truth, Lu Ping’an could’ve done these things himself, directly partnering with major Churches to handle everything. A few multinational corporations willing to absorb losses would have no trouble dominating the low-end market.
It’d just mean fewer subsidies and tax breaks but grant more flexibility, where clever maneuvers might even reduce losses further.
However, that would inevitably attract Official scrutiny... rather than having to explain and mediate after the fact, Lu Ping’an opted to clarify things upfront, which led to these proposals and suggestions.
Whether monopolies would emerge, or whether the market would end up dominated by only a handful of firms selling low-end products, the Officials could run the numbers and figure it out quickly.
"I think the risk of a monopoly in the low-end market is less harmful compared to the danger of lots of newcomers being unable to get qualified equipment."
Stirring his coffee, Lu Ping’an spoke thoughtfully.
He knew the state assembly was more of a formality, and the real decisions would be made by relevant individuals. He believed he had demonstrated enough sincerity, leaving no reason for them to reject his plans.
The monopoly was limited to the low-end market; once the government’s production capabilities caught up after a few years, they could counteract with Official products to balance prices.
If government intervention came quickly, this project might end up being a purely loss-making venture for the participating companies... but considering the future market of hundreds of millions of users, the long-term brand value would be astonishing.
If beginners started off using my brand—affordable and reliable—then at the mid-to-high-end levels, they’d naturally stick with the same brand... of course, provided you have good products in those mid-to-high-end ranges. And the corporations involved in this unified action? Their mainstay products were precisely in those mid-to-high tiers.
In a sense, this was a conservative commercial offensive, eliminating potential future competitors from the low-end market while solidifying the market position of a few major corporations.
The analysts of major corporations and Churches would easily reach this conclusion: long-term profits were still substantial.
Big corporations, users, and Officials would all get what they wanted out of this plan. The only losers were small-to-medium enterprises and workshops that could only survive in the low-end market—they’d lose any chance of rising up... but at this point, nobody seemed to care about them.
As for the mid-to-high-end market? Professionals at that level might face "hundredfold" or even "thousandfold" price hikes.
Lu Ping’an didn’t care and didn’t plan to intervene.
By that stage, as seasoned professionals and warriors, they’d have to solve their own equipment problems.
If the hardest initial stages could be overcome, that would already be the limit of what could be done.
From then on, whether it was government subsidies or increased intervention by Official companies, it would no longer concern Lu Ping’an... once this endeavor, affecting the entire Eastern Country, was set in motion, its future development was something he couldn’t influence anyway.
Putting aside personal strength and influence, all he had was the banner of a Proper God Church and a second-rate team domestically—third-rate on the Exotic Realm stage.
His main operation was the Trading Land... and if this succeeded, Lu Ping’an would also gain a local hometown commercial brand.
Self-serving yet beneficial to others—one might even call it a contribution to the nation and its people. Since Lu Ping’an had the ability, he planned to give it a push.
With a parting word to the legislators, Lu Ping’an resumed his role as a tourist. He hired Wang Sisi for another two days and visited all the places he hadn’t been able to properly enjoy in his past life.
He had a great time... after all, even the Great Wall Battlefield, now turned into a Secret Realm, couldn’t stop him.
In fact, his presence made things easier for the local garrison.
A Quasi-God cleaning up the field was a rare occurrence; they wouldn’t have to worry about Exotic Realm monster refreshes for days.
Wielding his special permit, Lu Ping’an practically went on a spree... He wasn’t particularly interested in tourism but despised idle waiting, so finding something to pass the time was welcome.
As they toured around, even Wang Sisi grew accustomed to Lu Ping’an’s odd behavior—like calling a cat "wife"... as long as her boss paid well, everything was acceptable.
He spent most of the week playing. Eventually, what was supposed to happen finally did.
"A bit late... uh, they want to re-evaluate?"
Lu Ping’an was a little stunned. He truly hadn’t expected to reach such an outcome.
Re-evaluate? That meant it had been stalled and likely rejected entirely.
"Someone filed a complaint against you."
Well, that was slightly unexpected but still within reason.
"...I just wanted to get something done."
Lu Ping’an sighed but wasn’t too disheartened. If everything went too smoothly, it would’ve been unusual.
"Did someone accuse me of malicious competition?"
"Not just that... They’re saying you’re engaging in malicious proselytizing—unfair competition at the Church level."
Lu Ping’an burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity. Insulting him for monopolistic behavior would’ve made more sense than this.
"Lu Ping’an, it’s not nonsense. Their accusation has some merit..."
At that moment, the cat above his head suddenly spoke.
If Big Cat said it, there was probably some truth to it. But in this area, Lu Ping’an was a bit confused.
"Your World’s Reason is ’Transaction.’ If an entire world operates around transactions centered on you, you’ll naturally grow stronger. The commercial activities you lead, and the transactions organized by your Church, will inevitably net you many ’believers.’ If your brand does take off, attracting hordes of fanatics and zealots, those commercial activities will effectively be your rituals—sacrificial acts performed under your reborn Holy-emblem. Isn’t that malicious proselytizing?"
This left Lu Ping’an completely dumbfounded; he hadn’t considered this angle at all.
After all, elevating "Transaction" as a rule to the level of the World’s Reason was just too rare.
"In the end, someone is worried you’ll become too powerful... Most likely, it’s other Life systems. The most likely culprit? Lin Nu."
That left Lu Ping’an utterly speechless... Though Big Cat had some personal vendetta, her insights regarding her enemies were painfully accurate.
"Ridiculous. What does my power have to do with them?"
"Of course, it matters. Resources are finite—if you benefit, they lose... An Xin, the fact that it’s ’re-evaluation’ rather than outright rejection shows that the authorities are pleased and likely pushing it forward. However, the complaints and protests need to simmer for a while."
After a long silence, Lu Ping’an could only sigh, hoping for the best.
— End of Chapter 1773 —