Gene from the 13th Department of Bright City

Time passed very slowly, the mechanical clock hanging on the wall rattled, and the sound of gears twisting and turning was very rhythmic.

Milis looked at the three empty wine bottles in front of him and glanced at the clock. It was already 11 o'clock.

The prosperity of the glorious industrial past kept popping up in Milis's mind. He still clearly remembered that his father took him to visit the factory's production workshop when he was a child. He still remembers the touch and joy he felt.

Milis understands the principle that prosperity must inevitably decline. The era when the glorious industry was at its peak was decades ago. His father and Section 12 signed a contract to provide large-scale reclamation machinery. However, after completing the reclamation of the agricultural base in the east, they They began to transform into small and medium-sized machinery, but the good times did not last long. In terms of technical manufacturing, they were not as mature as those of large companies, and their products were not competitive in price. In order to win the contract for the reclamation of the eastern grain base, they invested all their money. Fund research on large-scale reclamation machinery.

Over the years, the company's scale has been shrinking. Especially in the past year, the situation has become increasingly bad because a large number of illegal products have poured into the city's home appliance machinery, construction machinery, and cooking machinery. Milis complained again and again. However, the business department asked them to provide evidence that these machines, whose appearance did not change much from ordinary machines, were far lower than the market price.

Because there is no need for a production workshop, no workers, and no need to pay technology taxes, and most importantly, these illegal mechanical products flowing out from the upper level are even technically better than those of the middle and lower-level companies, and all the parts that the machinery needs to be manufactured The required science and technology are shared within the city, and once these technologies are used to make profits, high technology taxes need to be paid. However, in the application of technology, large companies with more scientific and technological talents obviously have an advantage. And these illegal machinery products all flow out from the hands of this level of technicians.

In just a short period of time, more than half of the mid- to low-end machinery market has been occupied by this group of guys. No matter how difficult it was originally, in the mid-to-low-end machinery market, Milis's company Huihuang Industry was still able to compete in the fierce competition. occupy a certain market share in the competition. However, several medium-sized companies like theirs have all transformed, as early as a few years ago.

"Don't hold on, I think it's better for you to transition to food or something as soon as possible. At least your company still has some foundation."

A boss next to him sighed, and Milis shook his head. A month ago, the person in charge of a chain restaurant came to the company. When Milis could no longer hold on, hope came. They needed 100 kitchen sets for cooking. Machinery, in the end the price reached 3 million, and Milis also made the cooking machinery they needed in accordance with the other party's requirements. A few days ago, the contract was supposed to be signed, and the factory could start working immediately. The employees Wages can be paid, but at this juncture, the orders are flying out.

Milis, who originally thought he had good luck, found out that after learning about the establishment of an agricultural base in the barrier area, Brilliant Industries' mature large-scale machinery technology that had been tested in the field could be put to use. All he had to do was contact him actively. Le Xiao, the secretary of Section 13, can always take part of it and the company can return to its previous glory. Milis also promised some older employees when they had no choice but to leave that once the company improves, they will definitely return. Hire them back and supplement some benefits.

Thinking of this, Milis wiped away the overflowing tears and his eyes were red. There are many people like Misri. Some are raw material processing companies, some are raw material purchasing companies, as well as companies that produce micro parts, engineering companies, etc. There are more than 600 companies covering almost all middle and lower-level industries.

Seeing this, some people started crying too, and the crying began to spread, but no one cried loudly, just sobbing. Everyone present knew what those big companies had done. These few months have been difficult. However, large companies simply did not give them a way to survive, and began to suppress some industries, destroying supply chains, and their own business failures, as well as the deterioration of the overall market environment and the shrinkage of market size.

This is how capital operates. They roll around in the market and are willing to admit defeat. The sum of their many companies may not be as good as a large upper-level company. When a small amount of capital is squeezed by a large amount of capital, except for the powerless There is nothing to do but cry.

Some people present have already sued many large companies, but they are afraid that they will go bankrupt before the materials are ready for debate and ruling at the Law Hall.

Large companies can burn money to continuously squeeze the market and make these companies that are already suffering due to economic problems explode. They only need to naturally take over the market after these companies are reduced to rubble.

Everyone present thought about how the business department would help them and let them survive temporarily after collecting the money, but the deteriorating market was like cancer, which would gradually kill all their companies.

Milis was unwilling to give in. He even thought about what the situation would be like later. This has always been the attitude of the business department. If we take action earlier tomorrow to find out the source of the deterioration of the market, it will not be so miserable, but what? He doesn't do anything, he doesn't believe in the Xingke Department, but now he has to rely on the Xingke Department.

"Why are you crying? Now is not the time for you to cry. Please raise your heads."

A slightly majestic voice sounded, and the businessmen at the venue all raised their heads. Looking at Locke who walked in directly, many people looked a little panicked and hurriedly wiped the tears from their faces.

"Your Excellency, may I ask a question?"

Milis stood up, looking drunk. The person next to him hurriedly pulled him, but Milis shook off the two hands holding him.

boom

"The problem has been there for a long time. I have reported it to your business department many times about illegal drugs, but you just let it go. Isn't this all caused by your business department?"

Milis could no longer hold back the anger in his heart. He wanted to say everything he wanted to say. Locke did not answer, but just stared at Milis with a frown.

"Evidence! You always tell me, do you want me to provide evidence? Every item of our company's products must be taxed. The sum of these taxes paid is enough for us to survive this crisis. Evidence? Now we Isn’t everything we have suffered evidence? Mr. General Manager, tell me, even if you give us money to temporarily fill some loopholes, what will happen next? How will we survive? My father is still in the hospital. , he was already exhausted mentally and physically and could never come back, and our company laid off nearly half of its old employees. Many of them are already in their twilight years. What are we going to do with their lives next? Please answer me, Mr. Manager, this is not me. It’s a human problem, but a doubt in the hearts of all of us in the 600-plus companies present!”

Milis stared at Locke on the stage with his eyes wide open. At this moment, Locke relaxed his frown. He stood up straight and bowed. For a moment, everyone was a little shocked. Locke laughed and shook his head.

"First of all, I would like to offer my most sincere apologies for the pain you have experienced during this period, but..."

Locke placed his hands on the table, and the smile on his face disappeared for a moment.

"What do you think of this problem? The market environment is constantly changing with the development of the city. There are the best times and the worst times. The 120 districts in the city also determine the size of the market. First of all, Leaving aside the failure of your business strategies, the black industry has indeed had an impact on you, but have you ever thought about who is the victim in this zero-sum game?"

The meaning of Locke's words was unclear, and Milis smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Some people gain, and naturally some lose, and now we are the losers, and those with vested interests are probably having a celebration party. Answer my question, Your Excellency, what do you see?"

Locke did not answer, but sat down, clasping his hands and staring calmly at the businessmen present.

"If we want to catch the black industry, most of you here, I am afraid, have been contaminated. In this zero-sum game without a winner, everyone is a victim. It is not just you today. Have you ever had any I thought I would have this day. Big fish will eat small fish, and bigger fish will continue to eat fish smaller than themselves. One day, only the strongest and biggest fish will be left in a pond, and it will naturally be hungry. Damn it, I don’t want to elaborate any more, is there something wrong with the way our business department has been doing it?”

As soon as Locke's words came out, there were a lot of voices.

boom

Locke slapped the table and the venue fell silent.

"You are all vested interests in this system, the winners in this zero-sum game, and those are the losers."

Locke pointed out the window, paused and said.

"In the barrier area! Let me ask you, when your situation is good, on the one hand, you are enjoying the good market brought by the regulation of the business department, and on the other hand, you are criticizing the business department. When we do something right, no one will remember it, and when we do it right, no one will remember it. We have done something wrong, and no one will forget it. You only remember your own pain, and you only know that you have been harmed by this impact, and your interests have been harmed, but what about us? Our 14 business departments, what we have done Everything, we have paid blood and sweat for the development of the city over the years. You can choose to ignore all of this, because this is what it should be, because of a bunch of damn tax figures, so you should feel that we should solve everything for you. The road has been paved, and you can always walk on this flowery road. But when we need you to do something for this city, what are you doing? The situation at the bottom has not changed for so many years. Why? Because you have never thought even a little bit about building a good market cornerstone for the bottom layer, but only think about profit, profit."

Locke stood up excitedly, glanced at everyone present angrily, and pointed at them with one hand.

"I came here today to discuss solving the problem with you, because next we will come up with a reasonable and effective solution, and you can all participate and work together to solve the problem. We could have ignored you and waited for you tomorrow. Submit your bankruptcy application yourself. If anyone still wants to question you, or even has a distrustful and uncooperative attitude, please get out immediately. The chief of Section 8 is already waiting outside, and he can accept your bankruptcy application now. "

Locke said, his expression softened a lot, and he sat down quietly.