Genshin Impact: A Red Teyvat Life Starting from Zero

"What can we do? If we're willing to fall behind, then all our previous investments will have been for nothing. The sunk cost is too high; I simply can't afford it."

"..."

A silence fell over the room. People looked at each other, but no one responded.

Everyone understood that his subtext was that he himself wanted to go along.

After a while, they simply stood up and bowed to each other as a farewell.

The group dispersed in silence.

As for what they were really thinking, only they themselves know.

Anyway, the next day, the first group of guilds in Liyue Harbor to participate in the salary adjustment received a second increase in their benefits.

This time, it just so happens to surpass the second batch of increases.

The companies that joined the battle later: ?

That afternoon, these companies also raised their prices a second time, not by much, but just enough to surpass the price adjustments made in the morning.

The back-and-forth between the two sides was quite lively.

Chapter 61 Unseemly

For the workers of Liyue Harbor, this was undoubtedly the best news imaginable.

Their income is increasing almost daily.

The top chambers of commerce are fighting tooth and nail, offering them discounts, which is a boon for these low-level workers.

Life is getting better and better!

While thanking Seven Stars for his efforts, they also planned how to spend the Mora they had just received.

But for those small chambers of commerce, they suffered a great loss.

Their profits are not as high as those of these top chambers of commerce, and the fact that they were forced to follow suit in the previous actions had already caused them a huge financial loss.

Fortunately, despite the losses, they still managed to make some small profit.

Now these bigwigs are raising prices again and again, isn't this going to kill them?

They also face the same dilemmas as those who initially chose to struggle.

If I don't mention it, all my employees will leave.

Those big chambers of commerce are still expanding their recruitment.

We can hire more people to do odd jobs, but if all the skilled veterans leave, how will they get any work done?

However, unlike the major chambers of commerce, they would lose money if they mentioned it again.

Although they didn't understand what those high-ranking figures were up to, it was none of their business.

Those powerful figures who wield influence make money but don't share it with them.

How to do?

Some people choose to give up, starting by doing nothing and just letting each day pass by.

Some people cursed Qixing in their hearts while keeping up with the pace of salary increases.

Some people are still observing.

As time goes on, it's not just these small businesses that will find it difficult to stay afloat.

At this rate of spending, even the major chambers of commerce are finding it hard to keep up.

The frequency and intensity of the upward adjustments on both sides have begun to decline.

I'm really starting to lose my composure.

They are already losing money.

The projected revenue is already less than the investment, resulting in a deficit.

But both sides are still gritting their teeth and persevering.

The reason is simple: the sunk costs are too high.

And it's getting higher and higher.

Only by defeating the other side and securing our own market share can we make up for a significant portion of our losses.

The most important thing is to secure this share first, otherwise the money will be wasted.

As for the lost Mora...

There are many ways.

For example, the simplest and most direct approach is to drastically increase prices by citing rising labor costs.

可能工人的工资从30万摩拉涨到了45万摩拉，涨幅高达50%，那他们就让人们所需要购买的生活必需品的价格也上涨50%，从300摩拉上涨到450摩拉。

They still made a lot of money.

At most, the Golden House will need to issue more Mora.

Our top priority right now is to secure market share!

With this mindset, the infighting among the major Liyue merchant guilds continues at a low intensity.

The news quickly reached the Laminariat, and although there was some delay, the Seven Stars learned of the fierce and unusual commercial competition within Liyue Harbor.

In response to the abnormal business competition within Liyue Harbor, the Seven Stars held a special meeting in addition to deploying sealing formations.

If this situation continues, those small business associations will not be able to hold on, and it may even cause some new troubles.

The other seven stars were there to discuss the issues, but Ningguang was confident in her abilities.

The situation took a turn in the direction she had anticipated, a low-probability scenario.

Although it is a low-probability event, she has still considered this development direction and formulated relevant contingency plans.

Seeing that the devil was one step ahead of the saint, Ningguang also felt it was necessary to cool things down.

There were no arguments at the small meeting held by the Seven Stars. Ningguang immediately explained her problem-solving approach and specific methods, which were unanimously approved by the Seven Stars.

"Then let's do it this way."

"it is good."

Seeing that the other Seven Stars agreed, Ningguang immediately summoned Baixiao, the secretary she had brought with her from the Layered Rock Abyss.

"Go and tell Gan Yu that the second phase plan can be released ahead of schedule. Also, please pass on a few words to Gan Yu for me."

Ningguang gestured for Baixiao to come closer and whispered a few words in Baixiao's ear.

Bai Xiao nodded, then turned and left.

Ningguang's order was quickly relayed back to Liyue Harbor.

Soon after, the Liyue Jade Capital, Moonsea Pavilion, and General Affairs Department jointly issued a document, introducing a "price increase limit order."

Don't misunderstand, this doesn't mean we're restricting chambers of commerce from increasing their employees' salaries and benefits.

Seven Stars isn't stupid enough to be so foolish as to be drowned in spittle over something that would get them killed.

The "price cap" restricts the rate of price increases within Liyue.

Using the market price increases of the previous few years as a benchmark, "abnormal" large price increases will be restricted.

This notice shall take effect from the date of publication and the end date shall be announced separately.

This was originally intended as a means to prevent a backlash from the major families after the bidding process ended.

It's just that we're releasing this information ahead of schedule now, given that the market is already experiencing abnormal involution.

Compared to restricting price increases, the "price increase restriction order" issued at this time has more symbolic significance than legal significance.

As soon as the "price increase limit order" was issued, the various families that were making a fortune immediately calmed down.

It doesn't matter that they're making a killing right now. They'll grit their teeth and endure even losing money in the competition, as long as the bidding ends, they have plenty of ways to recoup their losses from other sources.

Anyway, they still call the shots in Liyue's market, don't they?

With market control, how can you not make money?

Now the "price increase limit order" has been introduced.

This is a statement from the Seven Stars:

Almost done.

The Seven Stars will not support them in seeking compensation from other sources.

In that case, they have to carefully consider the extent to which they go, because if they lose money, they can't make it back.

The problem is, given how much they invested and how much they improved, they're definitely going to lose money.

We can't take back the decision, but we also can't let them make a profit. How can we do that?

Enraged, the eight families immediately abandoned their previous hostile stance of mutual infighting and instead united to head to Moon Sea Pavilion to demand an explanation.

With the Seven Stars not in Liyue Harbor, Gan Yu, the secretary-general of Moonsea Pavilion, is practically the ultimate decision-maker.

"Lord Gan Yu, we are here to protest."

"That's right. Whether a commodity price goes up or down depends entirely on the market's supply and demand. It's normal for prices to fluctuate. When supply is tight, it's inevitable that prices will rise. Seven Stars can't just make that decision on its own, can he?"

"Yes, and the cost of labor in the market is rising very fast right now. Seven Stars won't allow us to raise prices, but we can't just sit around and do nothing, can we?"

"We believe this is the Seven Stars' freedom to interfere in market trade activities, and the subsequent impact on trade activities in Liyue Harbor will be immeasurable. Please think carefully before you act!"

Through the mountain of documents piled on her desk, Gan Yu looked at the group of people who had come to express their dissatisfaction.

He was all polite, but every word he uttered was sharp and menacing.

Some people are playing the victim, saying they'll run out of money, while others are constantly talking about market behavior and interfering with market freedom.

This is a perfect mix of good cop and bad cop.