Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 377 The tip of the needle versus the awn of wheat

Cheng Yi's words made Yang Yuanqing's eyes sharpen.

Since the battle between Tianqin Internet Cafe and Momo Internet Cafe ended, Lianxiang Group has also studied the Honor computer. The Honor computer, priced at 1688 yuan per unit, has indeed surprised them for a long time.

Because the Honor computer priced at 1688 yuan has performance similar to a Pentium 3.

However, since Honor computers are not sold externally, Lianxiang Group did not take corresponding measures.

In Yang Yuanqing's view, Honor Computer is just a regional computer modification factory.

There are many computer modification factories like this all over the country. They simply refurbish other computers and then resell them to make a profit. As long as they don't sell to outsiders, there's no need to use any tricks against them.

But if they start offering delivery services and squeeze out Lianxiang Computer's market share, then they won't be so lenient.

Does your refurbished computer have any quality issues?

Are the sources of your computer parts clean?

These things can all be used to create a lot of interesting content.

Cheng Yi's words did not attract Yang Yuanqing's attention. He said with a hint of disdain, "Your computers are mainly refurbished and assembled from imported junk. Putting aside the poor quality, you can't even pass the CCC certification, can you?"

After saying that, Yang Yuanqing smiled happily: "Moreover, in my opinion, no one would want to buy a broken computer, which is such a high-tech product. What would you do with it? Repair it every day? What's the difference between that and buying a 20-year-old car? It's cheap when you buy it, but expensive when you repair it."

Yang Yuanqing looked at Bao Yueqiao and the others and said with a smile, "If it were you, would you rather spend 5000 yuan to buy a brand-name computer, or spend 1688 yuan to buy a computer that needs to be repaired every day?"

Apart from Bao Yueqiao, Chen Tianqiao and the others also laughed.

Luo Shengyi laughed in Zhonghai dialect, "I'm afraid only country folk would buy such high-tech products at a low price."

Cheng Yi smiled and said, "High-tech products? When did computers become high-tech products?"

Bao Yueqiao glanced at Cheng Yi with some concern, signaling Cheng Yi to stop talking.

This is Yang Yuanqing! If you anger Yang Yuanqing, do you still want to work in China's IT industry?
Yang Yuanqing looked at Cheng Yi and said, "What, do you look down on the technological value of computers?"

"Of course not," Cheng Yi said. "I admire the technical sophistication of computers, but I look down on the sophistication of assembling computers. If there is a group in China that can make a computer using its own memory, hard drive, and graphics card, then I will worship it."

Cheng Yi's words made Yang Yuanqing's expression turn somewhat unpleasant.

This kid seems to be mocking him.

Cheng Yi said, "Let me answer the questions that President Yang just raised first."

"First, the CCC certification took effect on May 1, 2003. Before that date, our Honor computers were certain to obtain CCC certification."

"Secondly, as long as the old car is under warranty, I don't think many idiots would be willing to spend three times the price to buy a computer with similar performance. Of course, there will definitely be idiots, but the number should not be too large."

Upon hearing Cheng Yi's second sentence, Chen Tianqiao and the others' expressions turned rather unpleasant.

This kid is making veiled accusations and indirectly criticizing others.

Cheng Yi continued, "Looking at computer companies in China, they are basically all assembling computers, so no one is more noble than the other. Whether a computer needs frequent repairs mainly depends on whether the hardware we buy meets the standards. As long as the hardware meets the standards, the failure rate is basically the same."

Bao Yueqiao never expected that Cheng Yi would actually clash with Yang Yuanqing.

He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

Cheng Yi is really too brave.

Yang Yuanqing narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled, "So, you want to have a showdown with us?"

"As I said before, I admire you as the pride of the IT industry, which is why we at Honor computers won't sell to other companies. But if you think we're afraid of you, you can still give us a try." Cheng Yi looked directly at Yang Yuanqing and said, word by word, "In terms of price, you're no match for us. In terms of quality, you're not necessarily much better than us. And if we're talking about connections..."

"Unless your Lianxiang Group moves its headquarters to Handong Province, what do you have to compete with us?" Cheng Yi's eyes turned cold as he said, "Our Momo Group pays over a billion yuan in taxes to the local government every year, and we are confident that we will pay three billion yuan next year! Do you have the strength to compete with our Momo Group in Handong Province?"

Cheng Yi knew this was a trap, and since it was a trap, he absolutely could not back down.

Their business is about to expand nationwide. If they back down now, they really need to be prepared to fight a lot more.

He was about to go to war with Shengda, and before that war began, he had to clear away all the obstacles.

Now that Chen Tianqiao has invited Yang Yuanqing over, he must be planning to have Lianxiang Group back him up.

Cheng Yi continued, "As long as our production base is in Handong Province, you can't do anything to us. I don't need to set up a sales network across the country. Users can place an order for a computer, and I'll deliver it directly to their door, covering the shipping costs."

Cheng Yi glanced at Luo Shengyi and said, "Going back seventy years, we were all from the countryside. As long as I open up sales and provide warranty service, millions or even tens of millions of people from the countryside will come to us to buy computers. If you don't believe me, we can try it out."

Cheng Yi took out his phone and said, "Our Honor computers don't have a high production volume, only about 20 units a month. That shouldn't affect your market share, right?"

Cheng Yi turned on speakerphone and dialed Li Xiang's number, saying, "Mr. Li, start preparing the goods today. Honor computers will be available for sale on the 1st of next month."

"Really?" Li Xiang's tone was full of surprise and delight. He said, "That's wonderful! Now many people are trying to get in touch with me to buy one of our Honor computers. If we offer delivery services, we'll definitely be in high demand."

"Okay, give me a proposal first, and I'll submit it to Chairman Du for review." After saying that, Cheng Yi hung up the phone.

He picked up his teacup with a relaxed expression, took a sip, and said with a smile, "This grand occasion is just as you wished."

Cheng Yi looked at Yang Yuanqing, whose face was ashen, and said, "Everyone here can testify that it was you who made sarcastic remarks and forced our Honor Computer to clash with you."

At this moment, Yang Yuanqing was starting to panic.

To put it bluntly, he's just a high-level employee. If his actions cause the group to lose more than 200 million computer units annually, it would be difficult to blame him even if he resigned.

This is his weakness, and also what Cheng Yi relies on to dare to confront him head-on.

Yang Yuanqing now regrets it; he knows he was too arrogant.

But right now, he absolutely cannot bring himself to compromise.

The scene became awkward for a moment. Chen Tianqiao hadn't expected Cheng Yi to be so assertive; this was Yang Yuanqing, after all, and he just confronted her directly?

It really proves the saying, "A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."

However, Chen Tianqiao also understood what Cheng Yi relied on.

In fact, Cheng Yi's reliance is similar to his reliance, which is the amount of taxes he pays.

If your annual tax payment exceeds 100 million yuan, you're practically a living Buddha to the local government. They'd be too busy serving you to let petty scoundrels from other provinces try to suppress you.
If they suppress you, then they're suppressing them.

Industrial companies like Momo Group already have a much higher tax rate than internet companies.

With annual tax payments exceeding one billion yuan, it has essentially become a key protected entity in Handong Province.

Just as Cheng Yi said, as long as Momo Group does not leave Handong Province, they will remain an unshakeable force.

Lianxiang Group can't touch them, and neither can Shengda Group.

Chen Tianqiao smiled and broke the awkward silence, saying, "President Yang, President Cheng, what are you two arguing about? If we can sit at the same table to eat, then we're friends. Isn't it normal for friends to say a few unpleasant things to each other? Why make such a big fuss?"

“That’s right, that’s right.” Xing Min, who had been silent until now, also tried to smooth things over with Cheng Yi, and said with a smile, “President Cheng, it seems like this is the first time we’ve met, right? You managed to poach my most capable lieutenant, and I haven’t even had a chance to settle accounts with you yet.”

Cheng Yi smiled at Xing Min and said, "I often hear Teacher Yu mention Chairman Xing. He said that Chairman Xing is generous, charitable, and a very worthwhile person to befriend."

"Don't flatter me." Xing Min was very pleased to see that Cheng Yi was giving him face, and said, "President Cheng, as the saying goes, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Today, I, Old Xing, dare to ask you and President Yang for some face. For my sake, how about we turn hostility into friendship?"

Xing Min quickly looked at Yang Yuanqing with eager anticipation, waiting for Yang Yuanqing's reply.

With Chen Tianqiao and Xing Min smoothing things over, Yang Yuanqing's expression finally improved.

Fortunately, there were still some smart people at the dinner table.

What's the scariest thing in a fight?
That means there was definitely no one to break up the fight.

The two of them got tired of fighting and sat down to stare at each other. Can you imagine how awkward that was?

Yang Yuanqing is now experiencing this awkward situation.

If no one had intervened, he really wouldn't know how this would have ended.

This year is the most important year for Lianxiang Group. They aim to achieve their ambitious goal of 600 million units. If Honor Computer really jumps out and disrupts the market, let alone 600 million units, they might not even be able to reach 300 million units.

After all, price is a delicate matter. Once a price war starts, consumers will flock to watch, wanting to see just how low these two idiots can lower the price.

Once consumers adopt a wait-and-see attitude, sales will plummet.

Yang Yuanqing took a deep breath, picked up a bottle of Moutai from the table, poured himself a full glass of wine, and said, "President Cheng, I misspoke just now, so I'll punish myself with a drink."

Upon hearing Yang Yuanqing's words, Chen Tianqiao and Luo Shenyi's expressions became slightly unnatural.

Especially Chen Tianqiao, although he was trying to smooth things over, he was just putting on an act. He wished Cheng Yi and Yang Yuanqing would start a full-blown fight right there in the room.

What a pity! If it weren't for that bastard Xing Min, Cheng Yi and Yang Yuanqing would have had a really big feud.

Seeing Yang Yuanqing's less-than-pleasant expression, Cheng Yi also stood up with his tea and said, "President Yang, I was a bit impetuous just now. Please don't take what I said to heart. Actually, we admire your Lianxiang Group very much. After all, you are the pride of the national IT industry. Our group actually held a special meeting on this matter. In order to prevent our computers from affecting your Lianxiang Group's sales market, our Glory computers will only be sold through computer leasing from now on, and will not be sold to the public."

"Let me make this clear first, we're not afraid of you guys." Cheng Yi smiled brightly.

Yang Yuanqing said with a guilty look, "I understand."

He downed a glass of baijiu in one gulp and said, "When I return to the group, I will report this favor from your Momo Group to the group's board of directors."

Seeing that he had finally dealt with Yang Yuanqing, Cheng Yi breathed a sigh of relief. He drank the tea in one gulp, as if he had let bygones be bygones with Yang Yuanqing.

Momo Internet Cafe's dominance of the Handong market is like a thorn stuck in the throat of Lianxiang Group. This thorn must be removed, otherwise it will definitely be exploited.

Just like the situation today, the point that Chen Tianqiao seized upon was that Momo Internet Cafe was affecting Lianxiang Group's computer sales.

However, after this battle, regardless of what Yang Yuanqing is thinking, at least on the surface, he will no longer confront Momo Group head-on.

If Yang Yuanqing really takes a hard line, Cheng Yi will not hesitate to push for the commercialization of Honor computers.

When the bad money drives out the good, it will be a complete tearing apart, and he doesn't believe Lianxiang Group won't feel the pain.

However, once the two sides break off relations like this, it will be a fight to the death.

The final result will definitely be the demise of Honor Computer, but similarly, Lianxiang Group will not fare well either; the losses for both sides will likely be split roughly 30/70.

After finishing his drink, Yang Yuanqing sat down again, a smile finally appearing on his face. He asked, "President Cheng, what exactly is this Renren.com of yours?"

"The main purpose is to help everyone with campus promotion." Cheng Yi didn't tell the truth and laughed, "If President Yang wants to promote on the university campus, he can come to us. We'll give President Yang a 30% discount."

Yang Yuanqing smiled and said, "That sounds interesting. Once your business is established, our group can place a deal to test the waters."

"First order half price!" Cheng Yi laughed heartily.

Seeing that Yang Yuanqing and Cheng Yi were acting as if nothing had happened, Luo Shengyi was so angry he almost cursed inwardly.

He thought to himself: These two are no pushovers. They clearly want to kill each other, yet they've portrayed the "no fight, no friendship" dynamic so convincingly!

Luo Shengyi sighed inwardly and muttered, "Alas, my skills are still not enough; I still have a lot to learn."

Luo Shengyi glanced at Cheng Yi, who was chatting and laughing, and felt a little dazed.

Once upon a time, this guy who used to huddle in a small internet cafe had grown to a point where he could look up to him. At this moment, he remembered the words of Chen Zhi, the general manager of Tianqin Internet Cafe: "You are raising a tiger to your own detriment! Sooner or later, you will suffer the consequences!"

(End of this chapter)